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Thunderbolt technology: The fastest data connection to your PC just arrived
Blazingly fast data transfer combines with HD Display connectivity to enable new usages and peripheral devices
Intel Corporation today announced the availability of Thunderbolt™ technology, a new high-speed PC connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds. This Intel-developed technology is coming to market through a technical collaboration with Apple, and is available first on Apple’s new line of MacBook Pro laptop computers.
The vision for Thunderbolt technology (formerly codenamed “Light Peak”) is to move media faster, simplify connections between devices, and foster new and exciting ways to build and use PCs. Combining high-speed data and HD video connections together onto a single cable is instrumental to achieving that vision. Thunderbolt technology delivers this via two communications methods, or protocols — PCI Express* for data transfer and DisplayPort* for displays. PCI Express has the flexibility to connect to almost any type of device, and DisplayPort can drive greater than 1080p resolution displays and up to eight channels of audio simultaneously. Thunderbolt technology is compatible with existing DisplayPort displays and adapters. All Thunderbolt technology devices share a common connector, and let individuals simply daisy-chain their devices one after another, connected by electrical or optical cables.
Thunderbolt technology is designed to meet the demands of serious HD media creators. For example, videographers can unleash their creativity using high-bandwidth audio and video capture/mixing devices, and get both low latency and highly-accurate time synchronization for real-time processing. At 10Gbps, larger media files are transferred faster so there’s less time spent waiting to watch and edit videos. Data can be backed up and restored quicker, so there’s less waiting for archived content. For mobile PC users, it means having a single connector on their ultra-thin laptop that extends their high-speed media and HD display capabilities at home or in the office. Thunderbolt technology is complementary to other I/O technologies that Intel continues to support.
Mooly Eden, general manager, PC Client Group, Intel, said:
Working with HD media is one of the most demanding things people do with their PCs. With Thunderbolt technology, Intel has delivered innovative technology to help professionals and consumers work faster and more easily with their growing collection of media content, from music to HD movies. We’ve taken the vision of simple, fast transfer of content between PCs and devices, and made it a reality.
Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice president of Mac Hardware Engineering, said:
We’re thrilled to collaborate with Intel to bring the groundbreaking Thunderbolt technology to Mac users. With ultra-fast transfer speeds, support for high-resolution displays and compatibility with existing I/O technologies, Thunderbolt is a breakthrough for the entire industry and we think developers are going to have a blast with it.
Thunderbolt technology is powered by an Intel controller chip, and uses a small connector suitable for mobile devices that will be included in products supporting the technology. Several innovative companies have announced Thunderbolt technology-based products, or currently plan to support Thunderbolt technology in upcoming products, including Aja*, Apogee*, Avid*, Blackmagic*, LaCie*, Promise*, and Western Digital*. Intel is working with the industry on a range of Thunderbolt technology-enabled products including computers, displays, storage devices, audio/video devices, cameras, docking stations and more.
HWLab Team
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Founded in 2010, The ICT University (The American curriculum-based university serving developing nations), has multiple campuses of The ICT University Foundation, USA. All ICT University Foundation campuses are based in developing countries. The ICT University Foundation is registered and chartered in the State of Louisiana, USA (Charter Number: 40115325N). The Foundation is the funding organ of all ICT University campuses. It also funds donations of ICT equipment, E-Learning laboratories and E-Libraries for many universities based in the developing world in general and Africa in particular. The headquarter of ICT University’s African campuses is based in Cameroon. The University’s Cameroon campus is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in Cameroon (Accreditation/Approval number: 02/04505/N/MINESUP/DDES/ESUP/SAC/ebm of 21st September 2012). Serving more than 15,000 students worldwide via on-site and online programs, the ICT University develops productive and relevant Diploma, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral level scholars to utilize their research and training in solving the substantial problems in their countries.
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July 16, 2016: ICT-U Commencement Ceremony
2016 COMMENCEMENT PRIZE AWARDS AS PART OF THE COMMENCEMENT ACTIVITIES Graduation Date : Saturday July 16, 20 16 Place of the Ceremony : Palais de Congres ? Objectives of ceremony To Establish an annual tradition of graduation ceremonies To Increase…
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Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/osf/osfxxx/ps2wx.html
Words can hurt: how political communication can change the pace of an epidemic
Mariani, Lucas Argentieri
Gagete-Miranda, Jessica
Rettl, Paula
Compliance with mandated health measures has substantial effects on public health, particularly during epidemics. We analyze how political leaders influence such compliance by exploiting President Bolsonaro’s display of skepticism towards COVID-19 during pro-government demonstrations in Brazil. We compare trends of the disease spread around the demonstrations’ date in municipalities with different levels of support for the President. After the demonstrations, the disease spread faster in pro-Bolsonaro municipalities. The results are driven not only by people’s agglomerating during the demonstrations but also by lower compliance with social distancing. Finally, we rule out that pre-existing differences in health-related behavior explain the results.
Mariani, Lucas Argentieri & Gagete-Miranda, Jessica & Rettl, Paula, 2020. "Words can hurt: how political communication can change the pace of an epidemic," OSF Preprints ps2wx, Center for Open Science.
Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:ps2wx
DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/ps2wx
File URL: https://osf.io/download/5f342785b798bb0057e16bab/
Allcott, Hunt & Boxell, Levi & Conway, Jacob & Gentzkow, Matthew & Thaler, Michael & Yang, David, 2020. "Polarization and public health: Partisan differences in social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
Hunt Allcott & Levi Boxell & Jacob C. Conway & Matthew Gentzkow & Michael Thaler & David Y. Yang, 2020. "Polarization and Public Health: Partisan Differences in Social Distancing during the Coronavirus Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 26946, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
Lima, Everton & Vilela, Estevão & Peralta, Andrés & Rocha, Marília Gabriela & Queiroz, Bernardo L & Gonzaga, Marcos Roberto & Freire, Flávio & Piscoya, Mario, 2020. "Exploring excess of deaths in the context of covid pandemic in selected countries of Latin America," OSF Preprints xhkp4, Center for Open Science.
Stefano DellaVigna & Matthew Gentzkow, 2010. "Persuasion: Empirical Evidence," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 2(1), pages 643-669, September.
Stefano DellaVigna & Matthew Gentzkow, 2009. "Persuasion: Empirical Evidence," NBER Working Papers 15298, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
John M. Barrios & Yael Hochberg, 2020. "Risk Perception Through the Lens of Politics in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 27008, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
John Manuel Barrios & Yael V. Hochberg, 2020. "Risk Perception Through the Lens of Politics in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Working Papers 2020-32, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
Bursztyn, Leonardo & Rao, Akaash & Roth, Christopher & Yanagizawa-Drott, David, 2020. "Misinformation during a Pandemic," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1274, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
Bursztyn, Leonardo & Rao, Aakaash & Roth, Christopher & Yanagizawa-Drott, David, 2020. "Misinformation During a Pandemic," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 481, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
Leonardo Bursztyn & Aakaash Rao & Christopher Roth & David Yanagizawa-Drott, 2020. "Misinformation During a Pandemic," Working Papers 2020-44, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
Leonardo Bursztyn & Aakaash Rao & Christopher P. Roth & David H. Yanagizawa-Drott, 2020. "Misinformation During a Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 27417, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
Adam Brzezinski & Valentin Kecht & David Van Dijcke & Austin L. Wright, 2020. "Belief in Science Influences Physical Distancing in Response to COVID-19 Lockdown Policies," Working Papers 2020-56, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
Fernanda Leite Lopez de Leon & Renata Rizzi, 2014. "A Test for the Rational Ignorance Hypothesis: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Brazil," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 6(4), pages 380-398, November.
Ugofilippo Basellini & Diego Alburez-Gutierrez & Emanuele Del Fava & Daniela Perrotta & Marco Bonetti & Carlo Giovanni Camarda & Emilio Zagheni, 2020. "Linking excess mortality to Google mobility data during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Wales," Working Papers axniwfk3qpl52ayy4p-i, French Institute for Demographic Studies.
Torun Dewan & Macartan Humphreys & Daniel Rubenson, 2014. "The Elements of Political Persuasion: Content, Charisma and Cue," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 124(574), pages 257-292, February.
Michael Tesler, 2012. "The Spillover of Racialization into Health Care: How President Obama Polarized Public Opinion by Racial Attitudes and Race," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(3), pages 690-704, July.
David Samuels & Cesar Zucco, 2014. "The Power of Partisanship in Brazil: Evidence from Survey Experiments," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(1), pages 212-225, January.
Lupia, Arthur, 1994. "Shortcuts Versus Encyclopedias: Information and Voting Behavior in California Insurance Reform Elections," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 88(1), pages 63-76, March.
NEP-HEA-2020-09-28 (Health Economics)
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Home NATIONAL End SARS now, YAN tells IGP over death of 21-year-old apprentice in...
End SARS now, YAN tells IGP over death of 21-year-old apprentice in Osun
A member of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) AMB. Timilehin Popoola representing Osun State has condemned the death of a 21-year-old apprentice, Idris Ajibola, during a hot chase by security operatives in Osun State.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the rampant alleged misbehaviour of Special Anti Robbery Squared (SARS).
The Youth Assembly of Nigeria called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to scrap the SARS section of the force saying it is doing more harm than good to the public especially on the youths who are the future of the country.
Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) is the apex youth decision-making body for the enhancement of peace and youth development in Nigeria.
News recalls that men of the Joint Task Force in Osogbo on Tuesday allegedly chased an apprentice, Idris, to the point of death in a horrible motor accident.
The youth assembly declared that the boorish attitude of men of SARS of the Nigeria Police towards youths needs to stop, affirming that it is threatening the right of Nigerian Youths even as a citizen.
Timilehin condemned the occurrence which led to the ghastly accident that killed Idris.
He said, “The Youth Assembly of Nigeria is using this medium to condemn the killing of fellow Nigeria Youths and calling on Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to scrap the SARS section of the force because it is doing more harm to the public than good especially on the youths who are the future of the country.
“Chapter IV Section 33 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says: Every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life…; Section 34(1) says every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person accordingly. No person shall be subject to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment; No person shall be held slavery or servitude and; No person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
“On this note since the department has violated all these fundamental human rights the concerned SARS officers must be brought to book.
“The youth Assembly of Nigeria hereby calls on our fellow youths and the bereaved family to calm down, not treading on the path of violence and not taking justice into their hands as we await the investigation report of the Nigeria Police,” he concluded.
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Games, Cards, & Collectibles
Indigo Chase Specialties
Pandemic: Legacy Season 2 - Black (stand alone)
The world almost ended 71 years ago. The plague came out of nowhere and ravaged the world. Most died within a week. Nothing could stop it. The world did its best. It wasn`t good enough. Gather your gear, venture into the unknown, and change the world! In Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, the world has been ravaged by a virulent plague and humanity`s very survival hangs in the balance. It`s up to you to get the last remaining cities the supplies they need while unraveling the mysteries of the plague. Your efforts during this time will carry you past the edge of the known world. Each step you take leaves its mark on the world, affecting future games and bringing you closer to the dark secrets that could change the course of history. No matter what happens, though, the world is counting on you. You`re humanity`s last chance!
The epic follow up to the critically acclaimed Pandemic Legacy: season 1
Presents a unique spin on the classic Pandemic formula, with players adding supply cubes to the board to ward off the plague
Embark on a Globe spanning struggle for the survival of humanity filled with dramatic twists and shocking revelations
Your decisions carry over to future games, creating a unique world every time you play
© 2021, Indigo Chase Specialties Powered by Shopify
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Talented poor ‘miss out on top jobs’
Thousands of talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face missing out on top careers unless employers start taking account of […]
Brexiteers Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Thousands of talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face missing out on top careers unless employers start taking account of where they grew up, MPs and peers have warned.
A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has also demanded that unpaid internships be banned in an effort to improve social mobility in the UK.
The study, called The Class Ceiling, follows a report last year by the Sutton Trust which found that top jobs in politics, law, business and the media were dominated by people educated in private schools and Oxbridge.
‘Shameful’
In an effort to break the dominance of the privately educated in top jobs, the group has called on employers to use “contextual recruitment”, which places a candidate’s educational achievements in context of their social background.
Only a minority of employers take a person’s social context into account when hiring staff, but the report states that such a move would mean many candidates could look at their backgrounds as something of an “asset not a deterrent”.
Labour MP Justin Madders, who Chairs the APPG on social mobility, said more needed to be done by both government and employers to improve social mobility.
“We know that social mobility at the top of UK society is shamefully low,” Mr Madders said. “If the current government is serious about improving access to top jobs for those from less advantaged homes, they need to take a much more strategic approach.
“This means linking the work of schools, universities and employers to build a real business case and practical plan for improving social mobility.”
The warnings come despite Prime Minister Theresa May vowing to “fight the injustices” of the privately educated dominating the the top professions, when she first entered Downing Street.
The panel of Parliamentarians also called for the Government to abolish unpaid internships. After at most a month, employers should pay their interns the national (or London) living wage, the report says.
‘London-centric’
Similarly, it called on employers to do more to recruit candidates from beyond the capital. Costs of travel for interviews or work experience placements should be offered to limit the London-centric approach to hiring new staff.
The Sutton Trust’s Leading People 2016 report found that almost a third of MPs in the 2015 intake were independently educated, as was a similar proportion of FTSE 100 chief executives that were educated in the UK.
Sir Peter Lampl, Founder and Chairman of the Sutton Trust, said getting more graduates from low and middle-income backgrounds was vital for social mobility.
“Employers, supported by government, have to do more to improve diversity through their recruitment practices, including through greater use of contextual admissions,” he added.
In November the Government’s own Social Mobility Commission warned that the “deep social mobility problem” was getting worse for an entire generation of young people.
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Hobbit in 5 – Benedict Cumberbatch, Larry Curtis Article.
Saturday, 28 May 2011, 12:12 pm | THEONERING.NET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVYgO_49zcc On this episode of Hobbit in 5, we discuss Benedict Cumberbatch’s role in The Hobbit, the small explosion at Stone Street Studios in NZ, the cast and crew’s involvement in the Christchurch Earthquake Relief ... More >>
Hobbit in Five: Matamata’s “makeover”
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Saturday, 7 May 2011, 11:11 am | THEONERING.NET
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Monday, 2 May 2011, 1:32 pm | THEONERING.NET
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LOTR’s Extended Editions Coming To The Big Screen
Wednesday, 27 April 2011, 9:43 am | THEONERING.NET
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Hobbit in 5 - The Hobbit Hits the Stage
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TORn Exclusive: First Pics from The Hobbit Set
Wednesday, 30 March 2011, 10:02 am | THEONERING.NET
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TheOneRing.net is nominated in SFX Blog Awards
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Dual Hobbit Film Titles Revealed?
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TheOneRing.net Exclusive: Elijah Wood will be in The Hobbit
Saturday, 8 January 2011, 1:09 pm | THEONERING.NET
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Peter Jackson Announces Latest Additions To Hobbit
Tuesday, 2 November 2010, 4:55 pm | THEONERING.NET
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A fighting chance ‘The Hobbit’ will stay in NZ
Thursday, 21 October 2010, 9:33 am | THEONERING.NET
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Jackson Speaks on Actor Boycott of “The Hobbit”
Friday, 1 October 2010, 10:48 am | THEONERING.NET
An Australian trade union, the MEAA, has generated a world wide actor boycott on The Hobbit, to bolster their demand that producers on the film enter into collective bargaining with the NZ Equity/MEAA. The MEAA has now admitted that their collective ... More >>
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Report: Cougar follows Benton hikers
Written July 29th, 2013 by
Comments: no responses.
ODFW features this image on its website on Oregon’s cougars.
If you meet a cougar in the woods, don’t run. “Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack,” the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife warns. Instead, look at the animal, raise your arms and tell it to go away in a firm voice. Easier said than done, probably, when a mountain lion is looking at you and licking its chops. And in the unlikely event that the cougar attacks, the department says to “fight back with rocks, sticks, tools” or anything else at hand.
None of that was necessary on July 25, when two female hikers in the McDonald Forest told Benton County deputies a cougar followed them for almost two miles as they walked down a trail to the Peavy Arboretum. Before giving the frightened hikers a ride to their vehicle, deputies told them that cougars live in the woods “and if they are hiking they need to be aware” of what to do.
And what is that? “Stay calm and stand your ground,” the wildlife department advises. Maintain eye contact and “leave the animal a way to escape.” If little kids are around, pick them up but don’t bend down or turn your back on the cougar.
The department says it would be very unusual for a cougar to attack a person. Unusual or not, hikers in the wilds of Benton County might consider arming themselves — with a big stick if nothing else — before they go out. (hh)
From Michele LaBounty, via Facebook: Hi Hasso! I did the same story about hiking with cougars in Southern Oregon and here in Central Oregon. The ODFW wildlife biologists gave the same advice — glad to know nothing’s changed.
Tags: Benton County sheriff, cougars, McDonald Forest
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Inverness news and views
Council arts group leader buries her head in the sand
by Colin Campbell
MOMENTS before articles on Inverness-related issues appear on Inverness news and views it’s our regular practice to email them to all councillors within the Highland capital area. And this has applied particularly to comment and news on the intensely controversial plans to build the riverside Gathering Place.
Councillors can do as they wish thereafter, read them, glance over them, or delete them into their trash box where they may believe they belong. That’s entirely up to them. But we do it as a courtesy in recognition of their special status as our elected representatives.
So we were surprised on Saturday to receive an automatic message from Highland Council that the latest article routinely sent out to Isabelle Mackenzie, chairwoman of the council’s Inverness Arts group, which is driving the Gathering Place scheme ahead, had been blocked. This didn’t happen and hasn’t happened with articles sent out to any other councillors, whatever they think of them. It stated:
Your message to Isabelle.MacKenzie.cllr@highland.gov.uk couldn’t be delivered.
A custom mail flow rule created by an admin at highlandcouncil1.onmicrosoft.com has blocked your message.
Undelivered: Your email has been rejected due to company policy.
What company policy? The one that says no-one is allowed to present councillors with views they may disagree with?
So we take this to mean – unless there has been a technical malfunction which we think extremely unlikely – that Ms Mackenzie no longer wants to read or hear anything that appears on our site.
We don’t feel slighted by that, we don’t feel dismayed. And to some it may seem a trivial matter.
Except that it isn’t.
By blocking us off it suggests that the person in overall charge of the Gathering Place scheme doesn’t want to receive views that conflict with her own.
And that’s concerning and alarming.
We have been relentlessly critical of the £300,000 Gathering Place proposal and have described Ms Mackenzie’s attitude towards criticism of it as “arrogant”. But nothing that has appeared here has been personally abusive or above and beyond what someone in her position of power should be prepared to expect.
And our measured criticism and rhetoric could be described as a mild slap on the wrist compared with some – indeed many – of the comments on an online petition against the Gathering Place signed by nearly 3,000 people which reflect the level of anger, disgust and sheer outrage directed against it.
This appalling, riverside-ruining scheme which would turn an unspoilt and beautiful stretch of the riverside into a building site for months on end for the purpose of building a wall and concrete pathways there for no rational reason that anyone in authority – including Isabelle Mackenzie – seems able to provide has enraged very many people.
That’s a fact – and that petition proves it.
Has the arts group chairwoman looked at the petition? Has she read any of the comments there? Or has she blocked them out of her mindset also?
Has she looked at fierce editorial criticism of the scheme in the Inverness Courier, or in the Highland News? Or has she shunned views expressed elsewhere in the media also?
In other words, as criticism of this ruinous project – costing £300,000 – has rained down from all sides is she intent on leading a tiny pack hellbent on forging ahead with the Gathering Place come what may, ignoring all views to the contrary?
And blocking them out, as she has apparently done with Inverness news and views?
Isabelle Mackenzie may be in the eye of the storm but she has not strayed there by accident.
When Gathering Place concerns were raised by her fellow councillors at a brief discussion on the issue at a recent meeting she stood up to say she knew she had taken on “a poisoned chalice” when she took on the role of arts chief.
Most people who deliberately decide to take on a “poisoned chalice” recognise what they’re getting into, and that the going is likely to get rough, and may get very rough. And they are prepared and braced to take hostile and critical feedback fully on the chin.
Ms Mackenzie also claimed that at the time people had been “laughing behind her back”, a bizarre assertion which we very much doubt. Whatever the truth or otherwise of that claim, certainly no one’s laughing now.
She then rounded on councillors who have criticised the Gathering Place and accused them of simply wanting to get their names in the papers, a slur on members like Ron MacWillam, Bill Boyd, Ken Gowans and others which we believe is palpably untrue.
So the arts group chairwoman can certainly dish it out. But questions loom large over whether she can take it. And when we said the strain of the pressure she’s under was showing we believe we were demonstrably right.
However, the fact is that in a few years time – or much less – Isabelle Mackenzie, those lined up against her and the “Gathering Place”, and all the current sound or fury will be forgotten as a footnote in Inverness civic history.
But if she and the tiny clique who are intent on driving the Gathering Place through succeed in their efforts an unspoilt and beautiful stretch of the Inverness riverside which has remained untouched for generations will have changed – forever.
A wall and concrete pathways will disfigure a precious, natural area and leave it permanently scarred, for no reason that anyone seems able to coherently explain. And all this, costing a vast amount of money, is planned to be inflicted on the riverside at a time when the mantra from Highland Council is of the need for cuts, cuts and more cuts to essential services.
No one knows anyone who knows anyone who seems to believe this scheme is desirable or necessary. So far, only one member of the public – one sole individual – has written to the Inverness Courier to express his support for it.
And thousands stand vehemently against it.
Now – after consistent council efforts to avoid full discussion of a scheme passed “on the nod” by unelected officials – it will be thrashed out at a full and open meeting of the Inverness Area Committee early next month.
With so much at stake it is little wonder tensions are rising and tempers are fraying.
As we said – sympathetically – in a recent article, the arts group chairwoman is probably taking more flak than any councillor deserves. But the way things are going there’ll be a lot more to come. And she cannot hope to avoid it by dismissing the views of justifiably outspoken critics and burying her head in the sand.
colcam56 June 23, 2019 July 27, 2019
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Oceaneering played waiting game while market used ineffective tech
Many of the electronic tablets equipped with software for offshore inspection work in the last few years were ineffective, according to a boss at energy service firm Oceaneering.
Amid the rush to get tablets out on the market, Oceaneering opted to press pause and come up with a product that could really move the needle.
Thomas Aas Saethre, the firm’s vice-president of integrity management, said the decision to delay was “tough” in the face of pressure, both internal and external, to get technology into the hands of offshore workers.
However, Mr Saethre saw sense in the approach: “We took the view a couple of years ago, back when everyone had the fever about getting tablets out, that if you are only going to convert what you’re doing on paper onto a tablet, then the efficiency gain will not be that big.”
He said a lot of “tech effort” had been wasted by competitors, who had achieved nothing more than an “immature showcasing” of some devices that “did not add the efficiency they wanted”.
Oceaneering has now unveiled its own attempt at tablet-based inspection, which it claims can provide productivity gains of 30%.
Oceaneering’s Inform Inspect digital asset inspection system has been designed to streamline non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection management.
It gathers and stores standardised data in a cloud-based system, which makes information instantly available for analysis.
That, in turn, leads to better planning and use of manpower.
The hardware – the tablet itself – is rated for onshore and offshore applications and can be used in hazardous areas, though the speed with which the product can be used means workers will spend less time in dangerous environments.
Mr Saethre said the tablet was not the main cog in Inform Inspect – it’s just the device needed to collect the data – it’s the software that really improves the workflow for clients.
He said: “We’ve given our clients and inspectors a tailored system for inspection. It comes out of the box and can be used from day one. It requires very little setup time.
“We’ve standardised the way data is collected.”
Bill Boyle, senior vice-president for asset integrity, said the technology “transformed” approaches to planning and measuring inspection efficiencies.
Mr Boyle said Oceaneering already had an “agreement” in place with a global oil and gas operator for use of the system, adding: “Our customers can compile, execute and review work scopes in real-time, significantly reducing end-to-end inspection turnaround.
“Our technology is market-leading, field-proven and provides the only global, integrated approach for inspection management to deliver inherent cost efficiencies and safety benefits.”
Craigmill, Pitcaple, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom, AB51 5HP
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As a child, I read in my Weekly Reader that “science would free man from the burden of labor, and thus the man of the future would occupy his/her time in contemplating philosophical verities – or some such thing.
Yeah! They sure got that right!?!?
Many areas of knowledge – which have, or may have, dramatic effects upon the lives of billions – are today given only the most cursory treatment in secondary and University curriculums, if they are not omitted altogether. Many areas, and fields of knowledge, are rather esoteric, steeped in advanced mathematics and beyond the grasp of those schooled for socialization; thus when a scientific discipline proposes to argue the inevitable dire consequences for humankind if public policy (i.e., the law) does reflect the respective scientific discipline’s edicts, the general public is left to trusting the “experts” to explain the public’s interest.
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The “experts” of today – those for example which argue the “science” regarding “man-made global warming and climate change” is settled – echo the classical physicists which uncritically accepted “ether,” to complete the false Newtonian explanation for the: “totality of consistently interacting physical objects” i.e., the universe; the fiction of “ether” only took roughly 300 years for Physicists to jettison in favor of “fields.” The history of “science” is littered with fictions – myths – blindly believed by the leading scientists of their day. But, of course, “scientists” today are genetically more omniscient than their progenitors– at least it would seem to be the case – hence they may assert a matter such as “man-made global warming/climate change” is “settled science!”
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Such matters, as whether man’s activity and its global environmental impact could be publicly debated on CSPAN whereby a panel – composed of diametrically opposed credentialed persons could moderate series of debates upon additional sundry polemic topics e.g., the privatization of Social Security, abandoning the current tax–code for a revenue neutral national sales tax, or flat-tax, and in that wake; abolishment of the IRS, repeal of the 17th Amendment etc.; thus, allowing an un-informed public, to become informed – informed by the debates – allowing them to decide what ought to be codified, and what is unnecessary…
Such a proposal as this is necessary because the Press generally cannot be trusted (Note: as businesses – news organs, and their CEO’s are more interested in the “bottom-line” than they are the truth or the commonweal), and because the Media is inundated by University graduates which have – generally – sentimentally assimilated the dominant University ideological view, and thus they are dispositionally – if not epistemologically – incapable of objectively informing the public!
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BAHDĪNĀN
BAHDĪNĀN (Kurdish Bādīnān), name of a Kurdish region, river, dialect group, and amirate. The region comprises roughly the largely mountainous northern qażās of Mowṣel lewā of Iraq (according to the pre-1973 administrative division) including ʿAmādīya, ʿAqra, Dahōk, Zāḵū, Zībār (divided between Arbīl and Mowṣel lewās in 1944), and Šayḵān. The first four qażās were regrouped into a new administrative division, Dahōk moḥāfaẓa, in 1973. The majority of the population are Kurds (see figures in Edmonds, p. 439) and speak Kurmanji, the major Kurdish dialect group, also called Bādīnānī (see, among others, Jardine and Blau). The dominant religion is Islam (Shafiʿite Sunni), although the area, especially Šayḵān and Jabal Senjār, has been the stronghold of the minority religion Yazīdī. Other sizable, but declining, minorities are Christians (Chaldean/Assyrian) and Jews. The Zēy Bādīnān river is a stretch of the Great Zab River (Times Atlas, pl. 34) between its two tributaries, Ḵāzer River and Rūbār-ī Rawāndez. It forms the eastern boundary of Bahdīnān territory.
The Bahdīnān amirate, one of the more powerful and enduring Kurdish principalities, was founded by the eponymous Bahāʾ-al-Dīn, originally from Šams-al-Dīnān (q.v.; Kurd. Šamzīnān, region now forming part of Hakkari province in Turkey), who established his hereditary rule in the town of ʿAmādīya (Bedlīsī, pp. 145-46) in the wake of the decline of Zangid power (7th-8th/13th-14th centuries). Threatened by the expansionist and centralizing efforts of the Ottoman and Safavid empires, Bahdīnān princes were drawn into prolonged confrontations with these two rival powers. Inseparably linked with these external wars was the endless conflict with other Kurdish principalities, tribal chiefs, and religious and ethnic minorities. In spite of these upheavals, Bahdīnān survived until the mid-13th/mid-19th century when Moḥammad Pasha of Rawāndūz, the conqueror amir of the neighboring Soran principality captured ʿAqra and ʿAmādīya and deposed the rulers Esmāʿīl Pasha and Moḥammad Saʿīd Pasha (1248/1832). Bahdīnān authority was, however, restored under Esmāʿīl Pasha soon after the Ottoman government succeeded in defeating the Soran amir and putting an end to this principality in 1834. Pursuing their protracted centralization policy, the Ottomans were able to overthrow the Bahdīnān amirate in 1842 (Yaḥyā, no. 43, p. 157; Jwaideh).
Maḥfūẓ ʿOmar ʿAbbāsī, Amārat Bahdīnān al-ʿabbāsīya, Mosul, 1969.
Amīr Šaraf Khan Bedlīsī, Šaraf-nāma, ed. M. ʿAbbāsī, Tehran, 1343 Š./1964, pp. 145-56.
J. Blau, Le Kurde de ʿAmādiya et de Djabal Sindjar: Analyse linguistique, textes folkloriques, glossaires, Paris, 1975.
Ṣ. Damlūjī, Amārat Bahdīnān al-kordīya, Mosul, 1952.
C. J. Edmonds, Kurds, Turks and Arabs, London, 1957, p. 439.
R. F. Jardine, Bahdinan Kurmanji: A Grammar of the Kurmanji of the Kurds of Mosul Division and Surrounding Districts, Baghdad, 1922.
W. Jwaideh, The Kurdish Nationalist Movement. Its Origins and Development, Ph.D. dissertation, Syracuse University, 1960, pp. 165-68, 173-75.
Anwar Māʾī, al-Akrād fī Bahdīnān, Mosul, 1960.
The Times Atlas of the World, 7th ed., New York, 1985, pl. 34.
ʿAbd-al-Fattāḥ ʿAlī Yaḥyā, “al-Mollā Yaḥyā al-Mezūrī wa soqūṭ amārat Bādīnān,” Kārvān (Arbīl) 4, 1986, no. 41, pp. 149-59; no. 42. pp. 147-55; no. 43, pp. 149-60.
بهدینان bahdinan bahdinaan bahdynan
(A. Hassanpour)
Vol. III, Fasc. 5, p. 485
bahdinan
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JMU Adds Morgan State to Schedule
December 30, 2020 Jack Fitz Men's Basketball Leave a comment
By Jack Fitzpatrick
James Madison announced on Wednesday, Dec. 30 that it would be adding Morgan State to the non-conference schedule. The game is slated for Sunday, Jan. 3 at 6 PM ET, filling the originally scheduled CAA opener against Towson.
🚨SCHEDULE UPDATE🚨
The Dukes will be back at home on Sunday evening, as they welcome Morgan State to Harrisonburg for a 6pm matchup!
📰 | https://t.co/niqXGkINHx#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/gScPC7RtLq
— JMU Men's Basketball (@JMUMBasketball) December 30, 2020
Naturally, we now look ahead to the Bears and prepare ourselves for just the 10th meeting between the programs, the first since 2001. JMU is no stranger to the MEAC the Dukes lost earlier to Norfolk State 83-73 and fell last season to Coppin State at home.
Morgan State currently sits atop the MEAC standings at 3-2 overall and is coming off a win over CAA opponent Delaware. The Bears have some solid wins: taking down Rick Pitino’s Iona squad and Delaware while also taking care of business against Lincoln University, a DII school from Pennsylvania. The most questionable loss was to WV Tech, an NAIA school, 73-67 that leaves us with some questions.
JMU comes into this game at 3-3, and that record is a clear indication of this team. By that I mean, we truly have no idea just how good, or how bad, it is. Two of the Dukes’ three wins are against non-Division I opponents that left us with more questions than answers. It has been a weird season… to say the least.
Let us dive into this matchup.
James Madison (3-3)
PPG: 78.7
Opponents PPG: 67.8
Scoring Margin: 10.9
FG %: 44.8%
RPG: 38.2 (+1.9)
APG: 14.7
Other Numbers: 67.4% from the FT line only hitting 95 of 141.
Morgan State (3-2)
Opponents PPG: 72
Scoring Margin: 2.4
Other Numbers: 42% from behind the arc, 9th best in the nation
While Morgan State is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country don’t expect them to sit behind the line and just chuck up threes. The Bears rank 285 in three point attempts in the nation. Morgan State has three guys averaging double figures and has a balanced offensive attack.
JMU has every opportunity to win and while the two sides might look similar on paper there is some distance between them in terms of talent. Morgan State is ranked 308 in KenPom rankings while JMU is ranked about 50 spots higher at 251. (Norfolk State, the other MEAC school JMU lost to, is at 226 FWIW.)
JMU squandered its opportunities against VCU, shooting poorly from the free throw line and turning the ball over 14 times in the first half and 18 in total. JMU was sloppy to start that game and despite that, they were right there and almost pulled off the in-state upset.
The expectation is for JMU to win and do it by 10+ points, it is the better team on paper and on the court.
It is worth noting that the team won’t have Vado Morse available as he is coming back from injury so we will see a little different of a rotation. However, as long as Matt Lewis plays like himself and Christmas & Co. can get some of their shots to go JMU will be in prime position to win and set itself up for conference play.
Things I want to see
Bennett talked a little about this in his latest article, and the major point was wanting to see more of Michael Christmas and I agree with that 100%. I don’t want to see that, I need to see more of Christmas in this matchup. He has had a weird season, from being shut down to getting going again to another shutdown, his conditioning has seemed to be a problem but now at this point in the season and his performance in the VCU game, we need to see more Christmas in this rotation.
Another thing I want to see and is something that we never saw in the Rowe era, is JMU to handle its business. Granted in the Rowe era there never was a game they should have won, each game was a fight no matter who it was against. In this game though, JMU should win. I want to see JMU go out there and make a statement before heading into conference play. The CAA is weak this season and the winner of this league could very easily have six losses, the importance of this game can’t be understated. I view this as a tone-setter, almost like a ‘get right’ game. If they can go out and handle business against a lesser team that would be amazing to see.
And finally, fewer turnovers. Not much more to say than that. JMU is averaging 14 turnovers a game and I want to see that number shrink.
You can catch the game on Sunday on Flo Hoops, and if you are in the Harrisonburg area, on 106.9 FM or 1360 AM. Tip-off is set for Sunday, Jan. 6 at 6 PM ET.
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Debunking some of the Ukraine scandal myths about Biden and election interference
There is a long way to go in the impeachment process, and there are some very important issues still to be resolved. But as the process marches on, a growing number of myths and falsehoods are being spread by partisans and their allies in the news media.
The early pattern of misinformation about Ukraine, Joe Biden and election interference mirrors closely the tactics used in late 2016 and early 2017 to build the false and now-debunked narrative that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin colluded to hijack the 2016 election.
Facts do matter. And they prove to be stubborn evidence, even in the midst of a political firestorm. So here are the facts (complete with links to the original materials) debunking some of the bigger fables in the Ukraine scandal.
Myth: There is no evidence the Democratic National Committee sought Ukraine’s assistance during the 2016 election.
The Facts: The Ukrainian embassy in Washington confirmed to me this past April that a Democratic National Committee contractor named Alexandra Chalupa did, in fact, solicit dirt on Donald Trump and Paul Manafort during the spring of 2016 in hopes of spurring a pre-election congressional hearing into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. The embassy also stated Chalupa tried to get Ukraine’s president at the time, Petro Poroshenko, to do an interview on Manafort with an American investigative reporter working on the issue. The embassy said it turned down both requests.
You can read the Ukraine embassy’s statement here. The statement essentially confirmed a January 2017 investigative article in Politico that first raised concerns about Chalupa’s contacts with the embassy.
Chalupa’s activities involving Ukraine were further detailed in a May 2016 email published by WikiLeaks in which she reported to DNC officials on her efforts to dig up dirt on Manafort and Trump. You can read that email here. Myth: There is no evidence that Ukrainian government officials tried to influence the American presidential election in 2016.
The Facts: There are two documented episodes involving Ukrainian government officials’ efforts to influence the 2016 American presidential election. The first occurred in Ukraine, where a court last December ruled that a Parliamentary member and a senior Ukrainian law enforcement official improperly tried to influence the U.S. election by releasing financial records in spring and summer 2016 from an investigation into Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s lobbying activities. The publicity from the release of the so-called Black Ledger documents forced Manafort to resign. You can read that ruling here. While that court ruling since has been set aside on a jurisdiction technicality, the facts of the released information are not in dispute.
The second episode occurred on U.S. soil back in August 2016 when Ukraine’s then-ambassador to Washington, Valeriy Chaly, took the extraordinary step of writing an OpEd in The Hill criticizing GOP nominee Donald Trump and his views on Russia just three months before Election Day. You can read that OpEd here.
Chaly later told me through his spokeswoman that he wasn’t writing the OpEd for political purposes but rather to address his country’s geopolitical interests. But his article, nonetheless, was viewed by many in career diplomatic circles as running contrary to the Geneva Convention’s rules barring diplomats from becoming embroiled in the host country’s political affairs. And it clearly adds to the public perception that Ukraine’s government at the time preferred Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 election.
Myth: The allegation that Joe Biden tried to fire the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating his son Hunter Biden’s Ukrainian gas firm employer has been debunked, and there is no evidence the ex-vice president did anything improper.
The Facts: Joe Biden is captured on videotape bragging about his effort to strong-arm Ukraine’s president into firing Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. Biden told a foreign policy group in early 2018 that he used the threat of withholding $1 billion in U.S. aid to Kiev to successfully force Shokin’s firing. You can watch Biden’s statement here.
It also is not in dispute that at the time he forced the firing, the vice president’s office knew Shokin was investigating Burisma Holdings, the company where Hunter Biden worked as a board member and consultant. Team Biden was alerted to the investigation in a December 2015 New York Times article. You can read that article here.
The unresolved question is what motivated Joe Biden to seek Shokin’s ouster. Biden says he took the action solely because the U.S. and Western allies believed Shokin was ineffective in fighting corruption. Shokin told me, ABC News and others that he was fired because Joe Biden was unhappy that the Burisma investigation was not shut down. He made similar statements in an affidavit prepared to be filed in an European court. You can read that affidavit here.
In the end, though, whether Joe Biden had good or bad intentions in getting Shokin fired is somewhat irrelevant to the question of the vice president’s ethical obligation.
U.S. ethics rules require all government officials to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest in taking official actions. Ethics experts I talked with say Biden should have recused himself from the Shokin matter once he learned about the Burisma investigation to avoid the appearance issue.
And a senior U.S. diplomat was quoted in testimony reported by The Washington Post earlier this month that he tried to raise warnings with Biden’s VP office in 2015 that Hunter Biden’s role at the Ukrainian firm raised the potential issue of conflicts of interest.
Myth: Ukraine’s investigation into Burisma Holdings was no longer active when Joe Biden forced Shokin’s firing in March 2016.
The Facts: This is one of the most egregiously false statements spread by the media. Ukraine’s official case file for Burisma Holdings, provided to me by prosecutors, shows there were two active investigations into the gas firm and its founder Mykola Zlochevsky in early 2016, one involving corruption allegations and the other involving unpaid taxes.
In fact, Shokin told me in an interview he was making plans to interview Burisma board members, including Hunter Biden, at the time he was fired. And it was publicly reported that in February 2016, a month before Shokin was fired, that Ukrainian prosecutors raided one of Zlochevsky’s homes and seized expensive items like a luxury car as part of the corruption probe. You can read a contemporaneous news report about the seizure here.
Burisma’s own legal activities also clearly show the investigations were active at the time Shokin was fired. Internal emails I obtained from the American legal team representing Burisma show that on March 29, 2016 – the very day Shokin was fired – Burisma lawyer John Buretta was seeking a meeting with Shokin’s temporary replacement in hopes of settling the open cases.
In May 2016 when new Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko was appointed, Buretta then sent a letter to the new prosecutor seeking to resolve the investigations of Burisma and Zlochevsky. You can read that letter here.
Buretta eventually gave a February 2017 interview to the Kiev Post in which he divulged that the corruption probe was resolved in fall 2016 and the tax case by early January 2017. You can read Buretta’s interview here.
In another words, the Burisma investigations were active at the time Vice President Biden forced Shokin’s firing, and any suggestion to the contrary is pure misinformation.
Myth: There is no evidence Vice President Joe Biden did anything to encourage Burisma’s hiring of his son Hunter.
The Facts: This is another area where the public facts cry out for more investigation and raise a question in some minds about another appearance of a conflict of interest.
Hunter Biden’s business partner, Devon Archer, was appointed to Burisma’s board in mid-April 2014 and the firm Rosemont Seneca Bohai — jointly owned by Hunter Biden and Devon Archer — received its first payments from the Ukrainian gas company on April 15, 2014, according to the company’s ledgers. That very same day as the first Burisma payment, Devon Archer met with Joe Biden at the White House, according to White House visitor logs. It is not known what the two discussed.
A week later, Joe Biden traveled to Ukraine and met with then-Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. During that meeting, the American vice president urged Ukraine to ramp up energy production to free itself from its Russian natural gas dependence. Biden even boasted that “an American team is currently in the region working with Ukraine and its neighbors to increase Ukraine’s short-term energy supply.” Yatsenyuk welcomed the help from American “investors” in modernizing natural gas supply lines in Ukraine. You can read the Biden-Yatsenyuk transcript here.
Less than three weeks later, Burisma added Hunter Biden to its board to join Archer. To some, the sequence of events creates the appearance that Joe Biden’s pressure to increase Ukrainian gas supply and to urge Kiev to rely on Americans might have led Burisma to hire his son. More investigation needs to be done to determine exactly what happened. And until that occurs, the appearance issue will likely linger over this episode.
Myth: Hunter Biden’s firm only received $50,000 a month for his work as a board member and consultant for Burisma Holdings.
The Facts: This figure frequently cited by Biden defenders and the media significantly understates what Burisma was paying Hunter Biden’s Rosemont Seneca Bohai firm for his and Devon Archer’s services. Bank records obtained by the FBI in an unrelated case show that between May 2014 and the end of 2015, Hunter Biden’s and Archer’s firm received monthly consulting payments totaling $166,666, or three times the amount cited by the media. In some months, there was even more money than that paid. You can review those bank records here.
The monthly payments figures are confirmed by the accounting ledger that Burisma turned over to Ukrainian prosecutors. That ledger, which you can read here, also shows that in spring and summer of 2014 Burisma paid more than $283,000 to the American law firm of Boies Schiller, where Hunter Biden also worked as an attorney.
Myth: President Trump was trying to force Ukraine to reopen a probe into Burisma Holdings and its founder Mykola Zlochevsky when he talked to Ukraine’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in July of this year.
The Facts: Trump could not have forced the Ukrainians into opening a new Burisma investigation in July because the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s office had already done so on March 28, 2019, or three months before the call.
The prosecutors filed this notice of suspicion in Ukraine announcing the re-opening of the investigation. The revival of the case was even widely reported in the Ukrainian press, something U.S. intelligence and diplomats who are now testifying to Congress behind closed doors should have known. Here’s an example of one such Ukrainian media report at the time.
Myth: Former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko retracted or recanted his claim that U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch in 2016 identified people and entities she did not what to see prosecuted in Ukraine.
The Facts: In a March interview with me at Hill.TV captured on videotape, Lutsenko stated that during his first meeting with Yovanovitch in summer 2016, the American diplomat rattled off a list of names of Ukrainian individuals and entities she did not want to see investigated or prosecuted. Lutsenko called it a “do not prosecute” list. You can watch that video here. The State Department disputed his characterization as a fabrication, which Hill.TV reported in its original report.
A few weeks later, a Ukrainian news outlet claimed it interviewed Lutsenko and he backed off his assertion about the list. Several American outlets have since picked up that same language.
There is just one problem. I re-interviewed Lutsenko after the Ukrainian report suggesting he recanted. He adamantly denied recanting, retracting or changing his story, and said the Ukrainian newspaper simply misunderstood that the list of names were conveyed orally during the meeting and not in writing, just like he said in the original Hill.TV interview.
Here is Lutsenko’s full explanation to me back last spring: “At no time since our interview have I ever retracted the statement I made about the U.S. ambassador providing me a list of names of people and organizations she did not want my office to prosecute. Shortly after my televised interview with your news organization I was asked by a Ukraine reporter if I had a copy of the letter that Ambassador Yovanovitch provided me with the names of those she did not want prosecuted. The reporter misunderstood how the names were transmitted to me. I explained to the reporter that the Ambassador did not hand me a written list but rather provided the list of names orally over the course of a meeting.” Lutsenko reaffirmed he stood by his statements again in September.
It is important to note Lutsenko’s story was also backed up by State Department officials and contemporaneous memos before his interview was ever aired. For instance, a senior U.S. official I interviewed for the Lutsenko story reviewed the list of names that Lutsenko recalled being on the so-called do-not-prosecute list.
That official stated during the interview: ““I can confirm to you that at least some of those names are names that U.S. embassy Kiev raised with the Prosecutor General’s office because we were concerned about retribution and unfair treatment of Ukrainians viewed as favorable to the United States.”
Separately, both U.S. and Ukrainian official confirmed to me a letter written by then-U.S. embassy official George Kent in April 2016 in which U.S. officials pointedly (and in writing) demanded that Ukrainian prosecutors stand down an investigation into several Ukrainian nonprofit groups suspected of misspending U.S. foreign aid. The letter even named one of the groups, the AntiCorruption Action Centre, a nonprofit funded jointly by the State Department and liberal megadonor George Soros.
“We are gravely concerned about this investigation, for which we see no basis,” Kent wrote the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office in April 2016. You can read the letter here.
So even without Lutsenko’s claim, there is substantial evidence that the U.S. embassy in Kiev applied pressure on Ukrainian prosecutors not to pursue certain investigations in 2016.
Myth: The narratives about Biden, the U.S. embassy and Ukrainian election interference are conspiracy theories invented by Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to impact the 2020 election.
The Facts: Giuliani began investigating matters in Ukraine in late fall 2018 as a personal lawyer to the president. But months before his quest began, Ukrainian prosecutors believed they possessed evidence about Burisma, the Bidens and 2016 election interference that might interest the U.S. Justice Department. It is the same evidence that came to light this spring and summer and that is now a focus of the impeachment proceedings.
Originally, one of Ukraine’s senior prosecutors tried to secure a visa to come to the United States to deliver that evidence. But when the U.S. embassy in Kiev did not fulfill his travel request, the group of Ukrainian prosecutors used an intermediary to hire a former U.S. attorney in America to reach out to the U.S. attorney office in New York and try to arrange a transfer of the evidence. The Ukrainian prosecutors’ story about making the overture to the DOJ was independently verified by the American lawyer they hired.
So the activities and allegation now at the heart of impeachment actually pre-date Giuliani starting work on Ukraine. You can read the prosecutors’ account of their 2018 effort to get this information to Americans here.
Clinton campaign given defensive briefing about foreign threat, something Trump never got on Russia
October 24, 2019 John Solomon
As the Justice Department’s review into the now-debunked Russia collusion probe becomes more public, one issue likely to dominate debate is whether the FBI treated Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump differently during the 2015-16 presidential election.
Exhibit One in that debate may involve a December 2015 event that has been kept from public view for most of the last three years.
A half dozen sources with direct knowledge tell me that Clinton’s presidential campaign was given a defensive briefing from U.S. intelligence that month about a possible foreign threat.
Government officials have known for months about the briefing but were forbidden from talking about it because it was classified.
But in recent weeks congressional investigators and others were allowed to see a document where a reference to the briefing was left in an unclassified section of the memo.
My sources say the FBI was a participant in the briefing but they cannot tell me which foreign power was raised with Clinton’s team because it remains classified. Several said the threat did not involve Russia, Ukraine or China though.
FBI and Justice Department officials declined comment, and former Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta did not respond to phone and email requests for comment.
Whatever country was raised with Clinton’s campaign, the existence of the briefing itself is likely to revive concerns, at least among Republicans, that political bias caused the FBI to treat Trump and Clinton differently during the last presidential election.
While the FBI provided a generic briefing to candidate Trump about foreign threats, the bureau never gave Trump a defensive briefing during the election about its concerns that Russia was trying to compromise some of his campaign aides. Instead, the bureau opened a counterintelligence investigation and secured a secret FISA warrant to spy on some of the campaign’s activities, including former adviser Carter Page.
The fact that the Clinton campaign was given the sort of defensive briefing Trump never received is certain to set off new alarm bells.
Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have been pressing recently to force more transparency into the question of defensive briefings for public officials being targeted by foreign powers.
“The Department of Homeland Security has made clear that ‘[a] secure and resilient electoral process is a vital national interest.’ An essential part of that process is ensuring that all candidates for office are treated fairly and are fully and equally prepared to address any potential security and counterintelligence concerns,” the senators wrote in a letter to the FBI. “The apparent absence of any policy, procedure, or practice for conducting defensive briefings undermines that process by risking the appearance of bias or, at worst, causing actual prejudice to a candidate for office.”
Expect defensive briefings to remain an issue well into the 2020 election.
Steele, State and the Alfa Bank conspiracy theory exposed.
Official government photo of US State Department headquarters in Washington.
When Russia investigation Special Counsel Robert Mueller finally testified this summer, one of the few substantive revelations he made about something not specifically addressed in his final report involved a long-pedaled allegation that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a secret communications network through a computer server at Russia’s Alfa Bank.
“I believe it’s not true,” Mueller testified when questioned by Republican Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, confirming in public what FBI officials had privately told me and other reporters going back to late 2016.
We now have strong evidence that one of the events that gave life to that conspiracy theory was an Oct. 11, 2016 visit by the British intelligence operative Christopher Steele to the State Department, where the author of the now infamous anti-Trump dossier met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kathleen Kavalec.
Just a few days after the visit, Kavalec forwarded a document to FBI official Stephen Laycock on Oct. 13, 2016 as a followup to her contact with Steele that offered significant detail about the Alfa Bank theory based on unexplained pings between a server at the bank and one used by the Trump organization on the East Coast.
You can read the document here.
“Network logs show a distinctively human pattern of communications between a hidden server dedicated for use by the Trump Organization and the Russian financial company Alfa Bank, which has close ties to the Kremlin,” the document Kavalec forwarded to the FBI stated.
The memo also stated that after a New York Times reporter contacted Alfa Bank about the pings, the “hidden server belonging to Trump then disappears.” It added “no one but Alfa Bank was asked.” The document said people seeking more information on the allegations could contact a well known online computer expert who goes by the name Tea Leaves.
I obtained a copy of the original document Kavalec was provided. A second version of the memo — which was marked up with comments casting doubt on the veracity of the allegations — remains under tight hold at the Justice Department as prosecutors examine possible misconduct in the now-closed Russia probe.
Congressional investigators who have investigated the Kavalec-Steele meeting believe the Alfa Bank memo was downloaded from an Internet file server known as Mediafire and provided to Kavalec either by Steele or his longtime contact inside the State Department, Jonathan Winer.
State Department emails show Kavalec asked Winer to help retrieve a document starting on Oct. 12 based on what had been discussed in the meeting with Steele a day earlier.
“Thanks for bringing your friend by yesterday,” Kavalec wrote Winer, referring to Steele. “It was very helpful. I’ll be interested to see the article you mentioned.”
Investigators who have seen the redacted version of Kavalec’s transmission of the memo to the FBI say it clearly indicates Steele was involved in discussing the Alfa Bank allegations.
Steele’s own dossier shows he began investigating Alfa Bank connections to the Kremlin about a month before the meeting with Kavalec, penning a memo dated Sept. 14, 2016 entitled “Russia/US Presidential Election: Kremlin-Alpha Group Co-Operation.” Steele misspelled the bank’s name but suggested in the dossier it could be an avenue for Putin to influence the election. Alfa Bank long has denied any collusion and even sued Steele unsuccessfully for defamation
Whether Steele or Winer first provided the computer pings document, the theory soon became political fodder for Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm that was hired by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee to find dirt on Trump and Russia and which employed both Steele and and another Russian researcher named Nellie Ohr, the wife of a senior Justice Department official named Bruce Ohr.
In a December 2016 meeting with Bruce Ohr, Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson pedaled the Alfa Bank rumor again, information that Ohr subsequently provided to the FBI. Simpson told Ohr that a New York Times article dismissing the Alfa Bank theory was wrong, according to Ohr’s own notes.
“The New York Times story on Oct. 31 downplaying the connection between Alfa servers and the Trump campaign was incorrect,” Simpson was quoted as saying. “There was communication and it wasn’t spam.”
Separately, former FBI general counsel James Baker told Congress last year he received similar allegations about Alfa from a DNC lawyer named Michael Sussman and provided it to agents in the Russia case in late summer or early fall 2016.
As early as next week, the Justice Department inspector general will release his report on the FBI reliance on the Steele dossier to secure a FISA warrant authorizing the Russia probe’s surveillance on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page at the end of the 2016 election.
It is widely expected that Steele’s meeting with Kavalec will be cited in that report, possibly as a red flag missed by the FBI or DOJ before approving the FISA.
One thing is for certain. The now debunked conspiracy theory about Alfa Bank and Russia collusion was given life through Steele’s contact at State, fanned by career bureaucrats and the Fusion GPS firm.
It’s the sort of tale that makes some believe there is — or at least was — a “deep state” trying to influence the 2016 election.
The most important stories on the Ukraine scandal.
Lots of readers have asked me recently about what are the most important stories that I have reported on Ukraine, Joe Biden, the U.S. embassy in Kiev and George Soros.
Here is a quick cheat sheet of my columns on Ukraine that have garnered the most attention from my days writing at The Hill, starting with the April 1, 2019 column that started it all.
1.) Joe Biden’s 2020 Ukrainian Nightmare – A Closed Probe Is Revived
Two years after leaving office, Joe Biden couldn’t resist the temptation last year to brag to an audience of foreign policy specialists about the time as vice president that he strong-armed Ukraine into firing its top prosecutor.
Continue reading here.
2.) These once-secret memos cast doubt on Joe Biden’s Ukraine story
Former Vice President Joe Biden, now a 2020 Democratic presidential contender, has locked into a specific story about the controversy in Ukraine.
He insists that, in spring 2016, he strong-armed Ukraine to fire its chief prosecutor solely because Biden believed that official was corrupt and inept, not because the Ukrainian was investigating a natural gas company, Burisma Holdings, that hired Biden’s son, Hunter, into a lucrative job.
There’s just one problem.
3.) Document reveals Ukraine had already re-opened probe into gas firm tied to Joe Biden’s family before Trump phone call
4.) Ukrainian Embassy confirms DNC operative solicited Trump dirt in 2016
The boomerang from the Democratic Party’s failed attempt to connect Donald Trump to Russia’s 2016 election meddling is picking up speed, and its flight path crosses right through Moscow’s pesky neighbor, Ukraine. That is where there is growing evidence a foreign power was asked, and in some cases tried, to help Hillary Clinton.
In its most detailed account yet, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington says a Democratic National Committee (DNC) insider during the 2016 election solicited dirt on Donald Trump’s campaign chairman and even tried to enlist the country’s president to help.
5.) My interview with former Ukrainian General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko
6.) My interview with Ukrainian Parliamentary member Serhiy Leshchenko about the Manafort black ledger
Watch here and here.
7.) George Soros’ secret 2016 access to State Department exposes Democrats’ big money hypocrisy
Liberal mega-donor George Soros made some big bets during the last U.S. presidential election. One was that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency. Another was that he could reshape Ukraine’s government to his liking, and that his business empire might find fertile ground in that former Soviet state.
So when Donald Trump’s improbable march to the White House picked up steam in the spring of 2016, Team Soros marched to the top of the State Department to protect some of those investments, according to newly released department memos providing a rare glimpse into the Democratic donor’s extraordinary access to the Obama administration.
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Home Contact Submit an Update
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you understand and agree that we may, or may permit others to, compile, re-edit, adapt or modify your submission, or create derivative works therefrom, either on a stand-alone basis or in combination with other submissions, and you shall have no rights with respect thereto.
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Parula pitiayumi (Vieillot, 1817)
(Download Help) Parula pitiayumi TSN 178869
Common Name(s): Parula tropical [Spanish]
Tropical Parula [English]
Valid Name: Setophaga pitiayumi (Vieillot, 1817)
Current Standing: invalid - subsequent name/combination
Expert: Alan P. Peterson, M.D.
Notes: PO Box 1999 Walla Walla, Washington 99362-0999
Reference for: Parula pitiayumi
Expert: Richard C. Banks
Notes: Chief, Bird Section, U.S.G.S. - B.R.D. - P.W.R.C.
Source: AOU Check-List (07-2007), website (version Jul-2007)
Notes: American Ornithologists' Union's "List of the 2,046 Bird Species (With Scientific and English Names) Known From the A.O.U. Check-list Area" (AOU Check-list, 7th edition, updated with Supplements 42-48), maintained at http://www.aou.org/
Reference for: Parula pitiayumi, Tropical Parula [English]
Reference for: Parula tropical[Spanish]
Source: Gill & Wright (2006) corrigenda/updates - 21-Sep-2007, website (version 1.1)
Notes: Corrigenda & updates for "BIRDS OF THE WORLD Recommended English Names" available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
Source: IOC World Bird List (v 4.3), website (version 4.3)
Notes: Gill, F., and D. Donsker, eds. 2014. IOC World Bird List (v 4.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org [Accessed 11 September, 2014]
Source: Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource, 2007.09.18, website (version 18-Sep-07)
Notes: "Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource" maintained by Alan P. Peterson at http://www.zoonomen.net
Author(s)/Editor(s): Gill, Frank, and Minturn Wright
Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Birds of the World: Recommended English Names
Publication Place: Princeton, New Jersey, USA
ISBN/ISSN: 0-691-12827-8
Notes: Includes a CD-ROM with the full dataset
Author(s)/Editor(s): Lovette, Irby J., Jorge L. Pérez-Emán, John P. Sullivan, Richard C. Banks, et al.
Article/Chapter Title: A comprehensive multilocus phylogeny for the wood-warblers and a revised classification of the Parulidae (Aves)
Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, vol. 57
Page(s): 753-770
ISBN/ISSN: 1055-7903
Notes: doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.07.018
Geographic Division: North America
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Terry S. Riordan Warth, Ph.D.
MUSEUM QUALITY OBI
RARE ANTIQUE KIMONO
ANTIQUE HAORI
FRAMED ANTIQUE TEXTILE FRAGMENTS
ANTIQUE DECORATIVE ART
ANTIQUE FUKUSA or GIFT COVERS
NON TEXTILE ANTIQUES
SELECTIVE BARGAINS
Inventory Last Updated: 01/12/2021
Requests from the Trade Honored.
The Textile Art Collection
Copyright 2018 Japanese Textile Art.
Landscape with Ocean (3126)
Category: ANTIQUE HAORI
This is a fabulous example of a Japanese Man’s “Haori” or formal topcoat. It is entirely handmade, totally reversible, and has represented the height of formal ware for Japanese men for centuries. The outer layer of the garment is a very heavy, high quality, solid black Satin Silk with the exception of 5 white circles within which a pictorial symbol of the family crest or “Mon” has been painted. This family crest was one of the most difficult to create on Silk, and represents the Sun or “Hi” encircled by celestial elements. The solar symbol was derived from Japan’s legendary origins and the alleged genesis of the Imperial Family from the Sun Goddess. The inner stripe or “Hikiryo” in the center of the sun symbol implies a strong martial connection as it was used on banners in the earliest times to distinguish the fighting clans on the battlefield.
What makes the Haori for men so intriguing is the fact that the main source of decoration is on the inside of the garment (shown left), or the lining. The inner back panel of this dramatic Haori has been magnificently hand woven in 2 geometric shapes: the white circle or “Maru” which stands for perfection, harmony and completeness and which encloses the Kanji symbols; and the square or “Kiku” that portrays a dramatic vista of a rocky promontory overlooking the Inland Sea. The setting for this scene has been woven in a rare and unusual shade of light purple, while it also includes pure gold threads…all of which shine on the dark burnished gold background color of the inner lining which continues around the front of the garment. Only a member of a family of wealth and high status could have worn a garment of this quality.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.
Type Textile
Formal Haori or Topcoat
Approximate Date or Period
Late Meiji Era (1868 – 1912), prior to the turn of the century.
Fabric Content and Condition
Handwoven, satin silk garment with an intricate hand woven geometric design encompassing a marvelous landscape and Kanji characters. The inner lining has an unusual shade of lavender which was quite rare.
To hang as a display or work of art, or to wear (perhaps with the inside panel on the outside) for a very formal or elegant occasion. In excellent condition.
(3140) Handwoven Landscape
Winter Scene (3319)
Couture Woman’s Haori (3209)
Rare Actor’s Juban Dates to late 1700s (3337)
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Reason to Rock
May 27, 2020 newepicauthor
In the early 1960s big-band swing dances declined and gave way to rock ‘n’ roll, as the large size of these groups made touring very expensive and complex, compared to small, 3-5 member groups that came later. Teenagers were still listening to music that was sweet and soulless, manufactured pop with a beat for crooners such as Bobby Vinton and Bobby Vee. In 1958, Link Wray’s ‘Rumble’ was banned from the airwaves because it was a whole new sound and people did not like stuff that was different. The same year, Bobby Darin, was relaxin’ in the tub and he found out that there was a party goin’ on. The older hollow-body electric/upright bass eventually began to slink away into obscurity, as the curious new Fender bass guitar was first seen in the hands of Lionel Hampton’s bassist Roy Johnson who waxed on its ease of playing and transporting as well as its tonal presence on stage.
Pop music was blended with country when Lynn Anderson had a big hit with Joe South’s ‘Rose Garden’. Jimmy Buffett never blew out his flip flop because he needed some new Summer footwear, as he stepped on a pop top, which can be dangerous when you are drinking one Margarita after the other, and having trouble finding the salt. In 1967, the 1910 Fruitgum Company had their most successful chart hit with a song based on a children’s game ‘Simon Says’.
Music would be changed forever with the advent of Jimi Hendrix. The Spanish Castle Ballroom which was constructed in 1931 and located outside Seattle had served as a popular venue for young aspiring musicians and other men of mystery since its inception. The club started changing during the time when a young Seattle musician named Jimi Hendrix started frequenting this place along with his Gibson amplifier. Jimi always had his amplifier in his car and when a band that was playing at this club had a problem with theirs, the skinny black kid went to his car, to snag his amp, and loan it to the group, if they would give him permission so that he could play on stage along with the band. Lots of bands blew their amps in those days, so many would let him play with them as long as he loaned them his amp. Hendrix’s lingering fondness for Seattle’s music scene is indicated by the fact that years after he left the Northwest he penned ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ in tribute to his days hanging out at the old roadhouse. The club was demolished in April of 1968, roughly a year after the release of this nostalgic tune.
It’s very far away
It takes about a half a day to get there
If we travel by my, dragonfly
No it’s not in Spain
But all the same you know, it’s a groovy name
And the wind’s just right
Hang on my darling
Hang on if you want to go
Hear it’s a really groovy place
It’s uh, just a little bit of uh, said uh
Spanish Castle Magic
The clouds are really low
And they overflow with cotton candy
And battlegrounds red and brown
But it’s all in your mind
Don’t think your time on bad things
Just float your little mind around
Look out! Ooh
Hang on my darling, yeah
It’s a ha, as you can see
A really groovy place
It’s just a little bit of
Yeah baby, listen
Yeah, It’s all in your mind babe
Ow! Yeah
Hang on my darling, hey
Hang on, hang on if you want to go
Oh girl, that’s right baby
It’s a, a little bit of
Spanish Castle Magic, hey
Little bit of
Hey, I can’t sing this song
Get on baby, yeah
It’s all in your mind
Little bit of daydream here and there
Oh, yeah, oh, hey!
Everything’s going to be alright
Written for Sheryl’s Daily Word Prompt – Slink, for the Daily Spur prompt – Fruit, for FOWC with Fandango – Tub, for May Writing Prompts – Men of mystery, for Ragtag Community – Snag, for Di’s Three Things Challenge prompt words – Problem Ease Whole, for GC The Main Aisle and Sue W Nan’s Farm Weekly Prompt – Summer footwear and for Word of the Day Challenge Prompt – Rose.
Posted in Daily Spur, FOWC, Monthly Writing Prompts, New Daily Post, Ragtag Community, Three Things Challenge, Weekly Prompts, Word of the Day ChallengeTagged Daily Spur, FOWC, Monthly Writing Prompts, New Daily Post, Ragtag Community, Three Things Challenge, Weekly Prompts, Word of the Day Challenge
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12 thoughts on “Reason to Rock”
Very good combination as always Jim
Thanks Di, but I was all over the place with this.
It read OK to me though. I’m no good at combis, other than my Take Seven on Fridays or the wordles I do.
It wasn’t only Jimmy’s guitar playing and songwriting that made him a superstar, it was his style. The man knew the meaning of the word cool.
He had skills like no one else.
SueW says:
Thank you for linking this one with our Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge, some I remember and others not so well!
I would bet that everyone knows the Summer footwear song. Thanks for the wonderful prompt Sue.
badfinger20 (Max) says:
Didn’t know that Jim…thanks…said they tore it down.
His skills were insane.
Can you play the Hendrix chord?
I’ve played some of his songs before but never this one
https://www.fender.com/articles/tech-talk/purple-reign-the-hendrix-chord
Music is still constantly changing. Not always for the better.
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Aesthetics and politics 2
Aesthetics politics
Add: lagifyvo6 - Date: 2020-12-29 09:47:47 - Views: 1615 - Clicks: 1306
How aesthetics—understood as a more encompassing framework for human activity—might become the primary discourse for political and social engagement. " M Moreover, Rancière claims the relation aesthetics bears to politics is analogous to the relation Kant&39;s a priori forms bear to sense experience. The aestheticization of politics was an idea first aesthetics and politics 2 coined by Walter Benjamin as being a key ingredient to Fascist regimes. Aesthetics is "the system of a priori forms determining what presents itself to sense experience. In contrast to this interpretation, we find theromantics exploring and emphasizing the importance of aesthetics forethical and. University of California Press, Berkeley. Plato first formulated the idea by saying that art is mimesis, and, for instance, Bateaux in the eightee. Aesthetics and Politics has 2 available editions to buy at Half Price Books Marketplace.
An Interview of Cho. 1 Enlightenment and Sturm und Drang. Thus the noted English critic I. Numerous and frequently-updated resource results are available from this WorldCat. · Foreword Introduction: Aesthetics or Politics?
What is aesthetics and politics? Aesthetic Regionalism&39; can thus be seen as a political statement aesthetics and politics 2 and stance which vies against any universal notion of beauty to safeguard the counter-tradition of aesthetics related to what has been considered and dubbed un-beautiful just because one&39;s culture does not contemplate it, e. Who coined the aestheticization of politics? Is it trivial, or perhaps even irresponsible, to explore aesthetic themes at a time when the world is engulfed by war, genocide, terrorism, poverty, climate change and financial turmoil? It is still to be seen whether good design translates into good politics, or even election victory, however. Why indulge in painting, poetry or music when lives and.
There is a famous curve, for instance, obtained by the nineteenth century psychologist Wilhelm Wundt, which shows how human arousal is quite generally related to complexity of stimulus. They do not form a disparate collection but a conti. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,. Like the concept of Expression, the concept of Representation has been very thoroughly examined since the professionalization of Philosophy in the twentieth century. But in the twentieth century a different, more scientific and ahistorical form of literary criticism grew up in the United States and Britain: The New Criticism. Aesthetics is capable of (re)enchanting nature insofar as it bringsout a different conception of nature as organic rather than mechanic. 26, the CalArts MA Aesthetics and Politics program hosts the day-long AIAC conference at the West Hollywood Public Library. Friedrich Schlegel, one of the leading figures in Early GermanRomanticism, put this idea in a few memorable phrases: “TheRomantic imperative demands that all nature and science shouldbecome art and art should become nature and science” (FLP:586); “poetry and philosophy should be united” (CF:115), and “life and society should be made poetic” (AF:16).
1), but also in terms of its legacy. This book offers a passionate but systematically sustained defence of an aesthetic engagement with politics. 1954, Art and Visual Perception. 1958, Aesthetics, Harcourt Brace, New York. 2 Years The MA Aesthetics and Politics Program is a one-year full-time, plus one-year low-residency, track that engages students in an intensive critique of the relations between culture, politics and society in today’s demanding global context. In recent decades, a large number of romantic scholars have arguedthat romanticism, in general, and the romantic primacy of aesthetics,in particular, is a precursor of the fundamental outlook ofpostmodernist and poststructuralist views (see, for example,Lacoue-Labarthe and Nancy 1988, Bowie, Bowman, and Gasche1991).
On this organic conception, nature is (a) an organic whole, which isreciprocally interdependent on its parts; (b) a domain of teleologicalrather than merely mechanical causality; and (c) a dynamic and livingforce, which is self-organizing and self-generating (§5. Jerome Stolnitz, in the middle of the last century, was a Kantian, and promoted the need for a disinterested, objective attitude to art objects. Download it aesthetics and politics 2 once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Schlegel is not alone on this matter. But reason’s natural drive towardsthis “Absolute” is nonetheless significant and valuable (§3. Thethreat was embodied primarily in the worry that modern sciencealienated (rational and free) human beings from nature, which, throughthe lens aesthetics and politics 2 of this new science, had been viewed as a domain of brute,determined, mechanical causality (§5.
See full list on plato. A Meditation, a Political Act, an Art of Living Julia Kristeva, translated by S. Such an aesthetics, the contributors. · New Television: The Aesthetics and Politics of a Genre. View Test Prep - Film, Aesthetics, and Politics Chapter 2 Quiz. ” ― Walter Benjamin, Aesthetics and Politics. “Science should become poetic” insofar as it shouldapproach nature in the same way that criticism approaches romanticpoetry.
This article explores the hitherto under-explored confluence of conservatism and aesthetics and politics 2 avant-garde literature in the period by introducing The Senate, a Tory-Decadent journal that ran from 1894-7. Early and late, German, British and French, theromantics advocated what may legitimately be called “the primacyof the aesthetic”. COVID-19 Resources. Examples would be: some music, its score, and its performances; a drama, its script, and its performances; an etching, its plate, and its prints; and a photograph, its negative, and its positives. Art andaesthetics also provided a model for the romantic political ideal: ademocratic, egalitarian community grounded in the republican values ofliberty, equality and fraternity.
What is the aestheticization of politics? An Interview with Des Raj Kali Rajkumar Hans 2. Political ideology aesthetics and politics 2 as aesthetic: My explanatory theory, rooted in political psychology, which accounts for how and why liberals and conservatives create and consume such distinct political. On this account, aesthetics is central to politics.
2 Oz: Width: 6in. · (). This reading is based on the skepticism the romantics raisedabout first principles and about systematicity, the romantic emphasison human creation and language, historicism and hermeneutics, theirview of the fragmented nature of modern life a. Burke&39;s sublime, what is usually defined as. Digression and return: Aesthetics and politics in aesthetics and politics 2 Agnès Varda&39;s Les Glaneurs et la glaneuse () Studies in French Cinema: Vol. In aesthetics they found a mode of life that best approximates (evenif nev. The intersection between romantic aesthetics, ethics and politicsoffers a particularly clear challenge to the standard view of theromantics as anti-Enlightenment (discussed in §2). Edward Bullough, writing in 1912, would have called “disinterested attention” a “distanced” attitude, but he used this latter term to generate a much ful.
We are bored by the simple, become sated, even over-anxious, by the increasingly complex, while in between there is a region of greatest pleas. They do not form a disparate collection but a continuous, interlinked debate between thinkers who have become giants of twentieth-century intellectual history. An Interview with Kalyani Thakur Charal Jayati Gupta 4. In romanticism, the“aesthetic”—most broadly aesthetics and politics 2 that which concerns beautyand art—is not just one aspect of human life or one branch ofthe humanistic studies. Manifesto for Formalism defending both his Aesthetic Hypothesis, and his Metaphysical Hypothesis. 1914, Art, Chatto and Windus, London. It is debatable, as we saw before, whether this represents Kant’s total view of art, but the disinterested treatment of art objects which Stolnitz recommended was very commonly pursued in his period. In addition to proving the anti-Enlightenment interpretation of theromantics false, tracing these romantic notions of autonomy,Bildung and political community also offers a challenge toanother well-known interpretation of the movement as apolitical (seeSchmitt 1986).
Aesthetics and Politics (Radical Thinkers Book 13) - Kindle edition by Adorno, Theodor, Benjamin, Walter, Bloch, Ernst, Brecht, Bertolt, Lukacs, Georg. The aestheticization of politics was an idea first coined by Walter Benjamin as being a key ingredient to fascist regimes. As the social and political system is founded on the distribution of the sensible, it is an aesthetic order in a broad sense of the term.
One common concern strikingly unifies otherwise different romanticcontributions. Response theories of art were particularly popular during the Logical Positivist period in philosophy, that is, around the 1920s and 1930s. Keltner Part I.
Critics call Benjamin’s statement about aestheticization of politics a “cryptic” one and argue that Hitler’s fascistic regime was not the first case when politics “employed” art – a part of a culture responsible for aesthetic values formation. Martin Shuster’s New Television: The Aesthetics and Politics of a Genre makes the case that recent television programming, from the mid-1990s to today, constitute serious works of art as part of the genre of television and the moving image. · Aesthetics and politics continue to be deeply linked in Taiwanese election campaigning, then, with aesthetics sometimes revealing the underlying political substratum of Taiwanese party politics. · This is the second of a five part series exploring how the Left in the United States moved from a politics of building and challenging power to a politics of aesthetic, through the example of the. Romantic Poetry bringsout the limits of reason in virtue of being reflective,“hovering on the wings of poetic reflection, and capable ofraising that reflection again and again to a higher power” (AF:116).
Interestingly, scholars tend to explain romantic aesthetics not onlyin terms of its sources (discussed in §2. The aesthetic as working in tension and collaboration with culture and politics to reintroduce fractures and experiential complexity to homogenized languages of the market. Reliable information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) is available from the World Health Organization (current situation, international travel). Rather than a particular genre or kind of poetry,Romantic Poetry is poetry as such insofar as “all poetry is orshould be romantic” (Schlegel, AF: 116). Even a cursory glance through the writings of the romantics assuresthe reader that their interest in art and aesthetics is closely tiedto their epistemological and metaphysical concerns.
We have noted Kant’s views about the objectivity and universality of judgments of pure beauty, and there are several ways that these notions have been further defended. Like Kant, they believed that such an unconditioned totality isinaccessible to discursive reason and is, to that extent,unknowable to human beings. The classic mid-twentieth century text, with a aesthetics and politics 2 detailed, practical study of the principles of art criticism. Aesthetics and Politics, first published 1977 ((,)NLB 1977 Verso edition first published 1980 Verso Editions, 7 Carlisle Street, London W. One of the romantics’ central aims was to (re)enchant nature inthe face of what they regarded as a threat from modern science. Under this concep. Satyanarayana and Nicole Thiara Part I Speaking Out 1. Two Statements by Kristeva 1.
Up to the “de-definition” period, definitions of art fell broadly into three types, relating to representation, expression, and form. Gilroy, The Black Atlantic Situates racism and racialization at the core of modern European aesthetics, modernity, and the modern Western subject. In aesthetics and politics 2 Aesthetics and Politics the key texts of the great Marxist controversies over literature and art during these years are assembled in a single volume.
· Abstract. One such goal concerns what theGerman romantics, and following them, Coleridge, called the“Absolute” das Absolute. There is even now a four-volume encyclopedia devoted to the full range of possible topics. Similar sentiments and sloganshad been expressed just a little earlier in what is commonly regardedas the manifesto of German romanticis. We must first distinguish the artwork from its notation or “recipe,” and from its various physical realizations. The core issues in Philosophical Aesthetics, however, are nowadays fairly settled (see the book edited by Dickie, Sclafani, and Roblin, and the monograph by Sheppard, among many others). Tag: Aesthetics and Politics Event Janu. Isn’t representation just a matter of copying?
Of course, representational art is still to be found to this day, but it is no longer pre-eminent in the way it once was. Aesthetics and Politics Quotes Showing 1-3 of 3 “I came into the world under the sign of Saturn -- the star of the slowest revolution, the planet of detours and delays. CalArts’ MA Aesthetics & Politics Program Explores Art and Technology at AIAC Conference. 2 Romantic Poetry and Romantic Irony. This is because the romantics turned to aesthetics to a large extentin order to pursue, rather than to reject, some of the core ethicaland political values of the Enlightenment, such as autonomy orself-determination and the ideal of Bildung. Gombrich was the first to point out that modes of representation are, by contrast, conventional, and therefore have. Judith Misrahi-Barak, K. The aesthetic concept which came to be more appreciated in this period was associated with this, namely sublimity, which Edmund Burke theorized about in his “A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of our ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful.
Rather, if the romantic ideal is tomaterialize, aesthetics should permeate and shape human life. Methodologically, conceptually, and analytically, this collection. Aesthetics and Politics by Professor Theodor Adorno starting at . On Saturday Jan. The full field of what might be called “aesthetics” is a very large one. The eighteenth century was a surprisingly peaceful time, but this turned out to be the lull before aesthetics and politics 2 the storm, since out of its orderly classicism there developed a wild romanticism in art and literature, and even revolution in politics. Science was then contrasted sharply with Poetry, for instance, the former being supposedly concerned with our rational mind, the latter with our irrational emotions.
On this traditional interpretation, romanticismis antirationalist or irration. These essays make the case for a reignited understanding of aesthetics—one that casts aesthetics not as illusory, subjective, or superficial, but as a more encompassing framework for human. Abstract: The relationship between late-Victorian Decadence and Aestheticism and politics has long been vexed. Yes, we should embrace aesthetics as an essential aspect of understanding world politics; yes, questions of taste are central to who we are and what we do; and, yes, we can – and indeed should – indulge in artistic endeavours. Goodman, Wollheim, Wolterstorff, and Margolis have been notable contributors to the contemporary debate.
Aesthetics in this central sense has been said to start in the early eighteenth century, with the series of articles on “The Pleasures of the Imagi. Printed and bound in Great Britain by Whitstable Litho Ltd, Whitstable ISBNpaper) ISBNcloth) Contents Presentation I Ernst Bloch Georg L uk:ics Presentation II Bertolt Brecht. Out of this kind of study com. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Aesthetics and Politics (Radical Thinkers Book 13). The primacy thatthe romantics attributed to aesthetics is explained by (but is notreduced to) the roles that art and beauty may play in the pursuits ofepistemic and metaphysical goals.
Like the Russian Formalists and French Structuralists in the same period, the New Critics regarded what could be gleaned from the work of art alon. The dominance of representation as a central concept in art lasted from before Plato’s time to around the end of the eighteenth century. Aesthetics and politics aesthetics and politics 2 / Published: (1977) Aesthetics and radical politics / Published: () Handbook of phenomenological aesthetics / Published: () Reconstructing aesthetics : writings of the Budapest school / Published: (1986). The notations here are “digital” in the first. ” The sublime was co. A study of physiognomic properties from the viewpoint of gestalt psychology. Aesthetics and Politics.
Should we embrace aesthetics in politics? Richards tested responses to poems scientifically in an attempt to judge their value, and unsurprisingly found no uniformity. They do not form a disparate collection but. If representation could be understood simply in terms of copying, that would require “the innocent eye,” that is, one which did not incorporate any interpretation. The traditional form of art criticism was biographical and sociological, taking into account the conceptions of the artist and the history of the traditions within which the artist worked. org search. Aesthetics and Politics Edited by Mehita Iqani and Simidele Dosekun Moving far beyond predominant views of Africa as a place to be &39;saved&39;, and even more recent celebratory formulations of it as &39;rising&39;, African Luxury: Aesthetics and Politics highlights and critically interrogates the visual and material cultures of lavish and luxurious.
An Interview with Manoranjan Byapari Sipra Mukherjee 3. · An edition of Aesthetics and Politics (1980) Aesthetics and Politics Debates Between Bloch, Lukacs, Brecht, Benjamin, Adorno by Ernst Bloch. For over a century, romanticism has standardly been regarded as areaction against the Enlightenment (e. Additional Product Features: Dewey Edition: 22: Table of Content: Acknowledgments Introduction:Politics from &39;a bit of a distance&39; S. Much of Rancière’s recent work has been devoted to delineating different historical forms that this has taken. The MA Aesthetics and Politics Program is a one-year full-time, plus one-year low-residency, track that engages students in an intensive critique of the relations between culture, politics and society in today’s demanding global context. Benjamin said that "fascism tends towards an aestheticization of politics", in the sense of a spectacle in which it allows the masses to express themselves without seeing their rights recognized, and without affecting the relations of ownership which the proletarian masses.
Arnheim, R. Length: 9in. The primacy ofaesthetics may seem to speak in favor of this story because, on thisinterpretation, the romantics replaced the Enlightenment’s faithin the sovereignty of reason with a belief in the sovereignty of artand the affective and imaginative capacities that are involved inaesthetic experience. These essays make the case for a reignited understanding of aesthetics—one that casts aesthetics not as illusory, subjective, or superficial, but as a more encompassing framework for human activity. What kind of thing is a work of art?
See full list on iep. “Romantic Poetry” is a notion that Friedrich Schlegelcoined and described in most detail in Athenaeum Fragments(AF) number 116. docx from POLITICAL 001 at Santa Monica College. While there are very interesting andwell-established connections between romantic aesthetics and modernism(see Abrams 1971, Frye 1968, Cavell 1979), this section focuses on theattempt to draw a link between the former and postmodernism, a linkwhose ground is significantly weaker.
· For example, politics’ view. It argues that aesthetic sources can offer alternative insight: a type of reflective understanding that emerges not from applying the analytical skills that are central to the social sciences, but. Question 1: According to the author, the motion picture industry and the dominant. Moving far beyond predominant views of Africa as a place to be “saved,” and even more recent celebratory formulations of it as “rising,” African Luxury: Aesthetics and Politics highlights and critically interrogates the visual and material cultures of lavish and luxurious consumption already present on the continent. Like romantic poetry, nature should be viewed as an organicand spontaneous whole. Martin Shuster. Beardsley, M.
Eventbrite - Department of aesthetics and politics 2 Germanic Languages and Literatures presents Aesthetics & Politics in - Thursday, Novem | Saturday, Novem - Find event and ticket information. Briefly, this is how this explanation goes: in the aftermath ofKant’s philosophy, the romantics were concerned with theAbsolute, understood as the unconditioned totality of all conditions.
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Blog A Novel SongTrack
A Novel SongTrack
Karin Kallmaker 07/14/2016 Book News, Captain of Industry 3 Comments
Music has often inspired titles and moments in my stories. The title Substitute for Love I owe to Madonna and The Kiss that Counted to Catie Curtis, for example. What’s rare is when particular songs – their lyrics, tone, power – drive the creativity so much so that I know it’s a song that the characters have heard and responded to as well. After all, the characters are real people, right?
Take Radiohead’s angry, unvarnished “Creep.” In Captain of Industry, Suzanne Mason refers to the song as one she listened to nonstop throughout college. The lyrics, with lines like, “Your skin makes me cry,” would be powerful for her, as would the potent mix of rage, embarrassment and inadequacy that the classic recording conveys.
A first dance full of smoke and fire between Cinny and Natalie in Unforgettable of course has a reference to “Smooth,” the hot-summer-night collaboration of Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana. KT Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See” is the bounce in Jennifer Lamont’s step in the early days of her modeling career.
For Captain of Industry the connection to music developed over time. Sometimes I heard a new song (like “Surrender”) and realized it fit. Other times my mind turned to a particular song while writing scenes (“Suddenly I See”). Some songs were perfect for the moment and the characters’ tastes (“Creep”).
Because it was a wonderful distraction from actually writing, I created a playlist in my media library, though I only listened to it away from the keyboard. I do feel behind the curve as authors often publish playlists for their novels. Like I’ve left 2004, whee! Why devote a blog to something that’s sort of passe? Because I don’t want to forget the list. Thanks, estrogen.
The SongTrack
The songs range in content across humorous and coy first love, brash desire, and bone-melting longing, with styles from R&B to Heavy Metal to Pop and Rock.
Shooz – Herbie Hancock Instrumental drum riff.
Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall (featured in the opening of The Devil Wears Prada) “And everything around her is a silver pool of light.”
You Are My Kind – Seal, Santana “Stay with me baby / And that’s all I ask of you.”
Living for Love – Madonna “Took me to heaven and let me fall down / Now that it’s over I’m gonna carry on.”
Retrograde – James Blake (the use of dissonance to create sexual tension seemed perfect for the early years of Jennifer’s and Suzanne’s history) “Ignore everybody else / We’re alone now.”
Centuries – Fall Out Boy (with Suzanne Vega) “And just one mistake / Is all it will take.”
Pump It Up – Elvis Costello “She’s been a bad girl / she’s like a chemical.”
I Put a Spell on You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins rec Annie Lennox (Does any other voice cut glass around the heart like Annie’s?) “And I don’t care if you don’t want me / I’m yours right now.”
Must Be Crazy for Me – Melissa Etheridge “Don’t tell your friends / You’ve been hangin’ round.”
The Body is a Stairway of Skin – Over the Rhine (Karin Bergquist, vocal by Dido) “Breaking is the one thing we all fear.”
Was – Kenny Wayne Shepherd “It wasn’t wrong or right / How deep that knife could go.”
Inside the Fire – Disturbed “See her, you’ll never free her / You must surrender it all / In your life to meet again.”
Creep – Thom Yorke, Radiohead “But I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo / What the hell am I doing here? / I don’t belong here.”
Fight Through It – Melanie Fiona “I’ll fight through it / I’ll fight for you.”
Wishing it Was – Eagle-Eye Cherry, Santana “Always feel safe when things are bad / So I cannot let you come near.”
Elastic Heart – Sia “Well I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart / But your blade it might be too sharp.”
Surrender – Matisyahu “You are my tide, you are the one / Sing a song of creation / and an anthem for the young.”
Come and Get It – Paul McCartney, rec Badfinger “Did I hear you say / That there must be a catch?”
Feel Like Fire – Dido, Santana “I feel my love / Can give me what I want / For all time.”
A commentary on craft: The only song on this list actually mentioned in Captain of Industry is “Creep.” See previous blogs on use of song lyrics Asked and Answered: Song Lyrics and Should You? Song Lyrics in Fiction.
You can order a signed copy of either Unforgettable or Captain of Industry here.
#lesficLesbian RomanceMusic be the Food of Love
Seattle Park Lover
One of the most memorable scenes I’ve read in a book is music related. It’s when Rhett sings “Me and Mrs. Jones” in Unforgettable. I can totally see and hear her performing it in my head. I’ve even looked online to see if I could find something similar to buy for my music collection. But the only versions I’ve found with female singers all seem too light and airy or fast. The artists don’t seem to be into the thing that’s goin’ on.
Karin Kallmaker
That’s a terrific moment – and I can only find male singers’ versions of the song that come close to how Rett would sing it. Thanks for reminding me of it!
Thoughtful and Congenial are welcome visitors. Disrespect and Spite will be shown the door. Cancel reply
Roller Coaster at C-Spot Reviews
I enjoyed the dialogue as well as the minor characters in the story.
Substitute for Love at Bay Area Reporter
Substitute for Love may just be the best Kallmaker I've read in a long time, and given her extraordinary talent, that's saying something.
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How Deathloop, Gran Turismo 7, Spider-Man: Miles Morales Will Use PS5 Controller’s Fancy Features
Ari Notis
Photo: Sony
At first glance, the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller doesn’t look like a huge level-up over its predecessor, the DualShock 4. The shape is similar, the layout is near-identical, and the iconic button quadfecta (Square, Triangle, Circle, X) sure hasn’t gone anywhere. But there are a few subtle improvements. One Sony has trumpeted in recent months is the upgraded haptic feedback, and how it pertains to the new “adaptive” triggers.
In a post today on the PlayStation blog, developers of PS5 games shared some thoughts on how haptic feedback works in the DualSense. The coolest nugget of info comes courtesy of Arkane Studios’ Dinga Bakaba, game director for the upcoming first-person assassination game, Deathloop. Apparently, when your gun jams, the DualSense’s triggers will too. This “[gives] to the player an immediate feedback even before the animation plays out, which prompts the player in a physical way that they have to unjam their gun,” Bakaba said.
In June, during an 85-minute event called “The Future of Gaming,” Sony finally revealed the…
We can talk all we want about teraflops and processing power and high-fidelity graphics and other blatantly obvious technological advancements the next generation of consoles will bring. (Indeed, we at Kotaku have. A lot.) But I’d argue that subtle tweaks like this are just as big a deal. Sure, having your triggers jam up in the middle of a match sounds like the type of frustration that makes you want to pull your hair out. It also sounds, to toss out an overused buzzword, immersive as heck. Those who like Arkane’s particular flavor of immersive sim (Dishonored, 2017’s Prey) will likely get a kick out of it.
The blog also goes into other uses of the DualSense haptics. For instance, according to creative director Brian Horton, Spider-Man: Miles Morales will apparently feature a sort of rolling vibration. If you use a special move—say, Miles’ “Venom Punch”—you’ll feel the vibration start on the left-hand grip and move rightward across the controller, ending as you wrap up the attack. It’s a far cry from the typical, unlocalized rumble you’d feel while punching, or getting punched, in 2018’s Spider-Man.
Gran Turismo 7 will use the DualSense triggers’ haptics to mimic the feeling of a real vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. Sounds interesting to me, but maybe someone who better knows how cars work—someone who didn’t get in a minor collision just last week—would be better suited to explain it.
The DualSense will also help the weapons in next year’s Horizon Forbidden West “feel even more unique and satisfying to use,” said Mathis de Jonge, game director at Guerilla Games. He did not elaborate.
More Common DualSense
Fans Think The PlayStation 5 Controller Looks Like Totoro, Rei From Evangelion And More
Quick! When you look at the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, what do you see? Maybe you just see
The PS5 Controller Reimagined As Cute Characters And Human Personifications
There is a history of fans reimagining game consoles as humans. Typically, they’re turned into…
Staff Writer, Kotaku
phazonphazoff
These features sound awesome but how long is the battery life supposed to be on this controller? The PS4 controller battery life is atrocious.
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Gender and racial disparity for hospital emergency service usage in USA: a quantitative analysis for various age...
Gender and racial disparity for hospital emergency service usage in USA: a quantitative analysis for various age groups during 2010–2017
Subhendra N. Sarkar1^, Anthony F. DeVito1, Evans Lespinasse1, Faisal Khosa2
1Department of Radiologic Technology & Medical Imaging, New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA; 2Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Contributions: (I) Conception and design: SN Sarkar, AF DeVito, E Lespinasse; (II) Administrative support: E Lespinasse; (III) Provision of study materials: SN Sarkar, F Khosa; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: SN Sarkar, F Khosa; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: SN Sarkar, AF DeVito, F Khosa; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.
^ORCID: 0000-0002-5942-2801.
Correspondence to: Subhendra N. Sarkar, PhD. Department of Radiologic Technology & Medical Imaging, New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, 300 Jay St., A-414, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. Email: ssarkar@CityTech.CUNY.Edu.
Background: Annually emergency department (ED) services are utilized by more than 100 million Americans making ED usage trends important determinants of healthcare quality, outcomes and cost. Previous workers have demonstrated the existence of disparity in various healthcare services in USA although a comprehensive analysis has not been undertaken. Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model has offered insights for multiple factors of influence on an individual’s health and focuses on the relationships among these factors. The Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH; WHO initiatives) suggests that the social and environmental factors are at the root of most of the inequalities responsible for both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Methods: The objectives of this study were to quantify the existing disparity in ED usage between 2010–2017 by age, race and gender primarily using the Federal and State databases and comparing the quantitative trends with prior works from 2006–2020 that shed lights on health disparity. Single user normalization was developed to achieve randomization to reduce the heterogeneity of the database.
Results: Each age group was represented by the usage pattern of the “single” average individual revealing significantly different ED usage for different age groups. Black and white Americans as well as males and females showed large variation indicative of racial and gender disparity.
Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis demonstrating racial and gender specific variation in the usage of emergency health care services that exist in USA and seem to be multifactorial and age specific. Using a tool of single user normalization developed in this work as a means of randomization these disparities were quantified and may help identify such disparity trends in other regions that suffer from similar disparities.
Keywords: Gender and racial disparity; emergency services; single user normalization; COVID pandemic; Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model
Received: 25 May 2020; Accepted: 27 August 2020; Published: 25 December 2020.
doi: 10.21037/jphe-20-47
Health care disparity is an impious or iniquitous problem and has been a subject of healthcare policies and political debates for several decades. Measures, efforts and regulations have been evolving to try to mitigate disparity and allow fair resource allocation. Despite evidence and examples of disparity in the access to and provision of healthcare in various populations, there aren’t enough quantitative tools to measure disparity and to mitigate or eliminate it. There is a need to remove existing disparity due to socioeconomic forces which is not amplified by the users. It is important to determine how much emergency department (ED) overuse stems from individual factors like lack of insurance or primary referral sources and how much is due to systemic factors inherent in US healthcare. To fairly address the issue of unnecessary use of ED, it is prudent to assess if overuse is concentrated to a particular race or to a particular age group or a particular gender!
The goal of this analytical study was to examine and quantify disparity in racial and gender linked usage of ED services between 2010 and 2017 in USA and identify patterns for over or under use. The data for this study was compiled from publicly available sources based on the survey results of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) (1,2) and works of various researchers identifying problems in healthcare delivery.
Soto et al. reviewed (3) the current literature on racial and gender disparities in critical care and the mechanisms underlying these disparities in the course of acute critical illness that showed such disparities as multifactorial and involve individual, community, and hospital-level factors responsible at several points spanning the duration of the acute critical illness.
Schrager et al. analyzed (4) the NHAMCS ED Subfile (2) between 2005 and 2014 and showed that black patients had 14% less chances of receiving diagnostic imaging in the ED compared to white patients. Natale et al. studied (5) 20 North American EDs between 2007–2010 for a total of 5,847 patients consisting of 54% white, 34% black and 12% Hispanics where black children had 20% lower chance of getting CT imaging for blunt abdominal trauma.
Shah et al. looked at (6) a total of 6,710 ED visits comprising 61% white, 20% black and 14% Hispanics. Compared to white patients, black patients and other races had 22–30% lower chance of getting pain analgesics. Work by Kressin et al. showed (7) that insurance instability and uncontrolled blood pressure went together for 44,000 adult ED visits during 2005–2013 in Massachusetts for age group of 21–64 and higher rates of uncontrolled blood pressure existed for blacks and Hispanics. In particular, uninsured black patients fared worst, while white and Hispanic patients with consistent public insurance fared best.
Interestingly, Crowe et al. looked at (8) the gender and racial composition of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics and found that out of half a million that entered into the profession from 2008 to 2017 the proportion of females rose from 28% in 2008 to 35% in 2017 while black EMTs remained at 3–5% without any upward movement. From 1990 through 2017, Filut et al. observed (9) workplace discrimination even for advanced level healthcare providers—the physicians of color. Black physicians and women of color were discriminated through multiple sources; discrimination by patients was in the forms of refusal of care performed by black physicians.
Esper et al. analyzed (10) African American males that develop sepsis at a younger age needing ICU admission. Males developed more pulmonary infections resulting in 40% of sepsis cases while females developed sepsis from genitourinary sources that accounted for 10% of cases. African Americans in age groups <65 years developed more Gram-positive infections that were less responsive to therapy and led to severe illness and higher rates of acute organ failure as well as more invasive pneumococcal disease compared to whites.
Mohareb and co-authors noted (11) that HIV-infected individuals visited ED at 20% higher rates and consumed significantly more resources than the general population. Tabit et al. concluded (12) that without early consultation with a cardiologist in the ED low-socioeconomic urban patients for acute decompensated heart failure had over-utilized the ED (0.56 vs. 0.79, respectively) with increased re-hospitalization rate and health care cost. Pines et al. found (13) that during 2003–2005 staying back in ED longer after being admitted as in patient caused increased morbidity and mortality for black patients compared to whites admitted to ICU (6 vs. 5 hr) and to non-ICU beds (6.5 vs. 5.7 hr).
These national findings represented a baseline prior to full implementation of the 2010 Patient Protection under Affordable Care Act (ACA). It will be important to have sufficient quality control measures in ACA framework mitigating these disparities toward access and usage of ED services.
Work by Goyal et al. (14) revealed (racial and ethnic differences in antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections. In the data from 7 pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) studied, compared to white children, black and Hispanic children received much less antibiotics for these infections. Dotson and co-authors investigated (15) in 38 hospitals the impact of race and insurance status on ED diagnostics and treatment among children with Crohn’s disease between 2007 and 2013 for age ≤21 years. White children from a higher median household income and private insurance (57% vs. 30% Medicaid) had a 40% higher chance for complete blood count and C-reactive protein/erythrocyte tests and 52% more chance of receiving antiemetics compared to Medicaid insured. Repeat visits due to complication or relapse was 33% for blacks and 22% for whites.
Hudgins et al. observed (16) that although only 6% pediatric patients presented to PEDs, the complexity of cases is higher compared to pediatric patients presenting to general EDs, and PEDs had greater rates of hospitalization (10% vs. 4%). The background presented on ED usage reveals complexity, and heterogeneity caused by different factors in rural and urban settings as well as in small vs. large EDs. Kahan and Morris found (17) that randomization of multiple centers (small and large) statistically performs better than fixed-effects approaches, i.e., drawing conclusions from limited gender or race based data even if such first-hand analyses offer actionable, local insights. Random center effects models lead to increased statistical power and precision when some centers have small number of patients, when there is an imbalance between treatments or the distribution of patients within centers. Note in our quantitative analysis using single patient normalization we have implemented such randomization to flatten the group heterogeneity.
New contribution
“Single user” normalization
This work focuses on understanding the factors that might have resulted in moderate to significant utilization differences in ED service by four groups as we have defined and are normalized to the habits and needs of a single user. Analysis of federal and state reports and peer-reviewed articles on ED usage and overuse from year 2010–2017 was undertaken followed by discussions with emergency department physicians and academic radiologists to gain insight and relevance for this work. Four groups as listed below were compared across all ages:
All female ED users in US between 2010 and 2017;
All male counterparts;
All black ED users within the same period in US;
All white counterparts.
Essentially this work analyzed usage patterns as if each group was made up of a single user irrespective of the location, demographics, training, resources or capabilities of ED allowing uniform analyses irrespective of the size and share of ED use by each group and normalizing local variation in ED care due to income, insurance or access.
Flattening of heterogeneity by randomization
This normalization to generate one user’s behavior during a single year flattened the seasonal heterogeneity like holiday patterns or flu season or back to school trends, for example. There are populations in USA that have a much greater fraction of 1-year-old than 14, while other regions may have many more 14-year-old than 1 making ED usage by the age group <15 across the whole USA quite heterogeneous. Single patient normalization is an example of randomization (17) that is better suited when an age group in certain race has smaller number of patients, as number of blacks age ≥75 years, compared to whites or when there is an imbalance between treatments, like in Crohn’s disease for Medicaid insured children mentioned above, Dotson et al. (15).
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013).
The study population consisted of all adult patients (n=202,480) with documented race, ethnicity and gender in the NHAMCS ED Subfile (1,2) between 2010 and 2017. NHAMCS is an annual nationally representative sample survey of visits to EDs; outpatient departments; and hospital-based and freestanding ambulatory surgical centers. NHAMCS-ED subfile we selected and analyzed was a consecutive 8-year long probability trend sample of ED visits in the US, collected by the Centers for Disease Control from a total of 3,055 hospitals and a statistically adequate responding EDs [65–82 patient records per ED each year out of 100 randomly asked, exception (*) in the year 2011, Table 1]. The characteristics of the data analyzed in this work are summarized below. In addition, works by other researchers were searched from literature using keywords like racial disparity, gender disparity, emergency services and ED usage and were analyzed for US primary emergency care disparities for the publication period from 2006–2020. Learning points from such prior works and our analysis have been included in the discussion section.
Table 1 Patient records and ED services meeting study qualifications between 2010 and 2017
Total number of qualified hospitals [3,055] surveyed with eligible ED’s ranged from 279–535 during 2010–2017 provided response rates of 62.6% to 92%. From those respondents 70.4–95.1% had met the criteria (of at least 50% of total patient visits during an arbitrarily chosen 4-week reporting period) by submitting a total of 202,480 records (yearly ranged from 16,709–34,936 records. The coding errors for the eligible records ranged from 0 to 1.5% during the 8-year analysis presented here. The low number of qualified hospitals in 2011 (*) data, almost doubling of emergency department service areas (ESAs) and a small number of patient records collected warrant further research.
ED use data was classified in four cohorts: two primary genders and two primary races as:
Single user normalization model
Essentially this work analyzed usage patterns as if each group was made up of a single user irrespective of the population size allowing usage pattern to be compared without considering overall share of ED use by each group or including any variable related to income, health insurance or disease disparity. Each of these four groups were broken down to smaller, coherent age groups with similar usage; for example: all females age <15 vs. all males of age <15, all black patients (male and female) of age <15 vs. all white patients of age <15, and so on.
The total ED visits of each age group for each year were divided by the total US population of that age group to determine the ED usage fraction of a single person present in USA in each year (“single user normalized usage %”). Finally percentage differences of such usage fractions with relevant comparison groups were computed over the full US utilization by individual age groups.
Normalization steps
For example, the first entry (disparity %) in 2010 (Table 2) was computed as follows:
Table 2 Single patient normalized disparity % in ED usage, excess (+) or lack of use (–) by females compared to males with age between 2010 and 2017
Single patient normalized disparity % in ED usage in 2010 = 100% × (total number of males & females in US of age <15 in 2010) × [(total female visits of age <15/total females in US of age <15) – (total male visits of age <15/total males in US of age <15)]/(total female visits of age <15 + total male visits of age <15 during 2010).
Gender disparity
In Table 2 excess (+) or reduced (–) ED service usage (%) by female patients for various age groups is reported as compared to their male counterparts from 2010 to 2017 in the US.
The following three gender disparity trends were observed across various age groups:
Four age groups did not change the usage patterns over 8-year study period: age 15–24 (solid crimson) and those ages ≥75 (dashed black) showed females use ED approximately 25% more than males; females age 45–64 (solid red) and 65–74 (dotted blue) used ED same as males for these years.
Girls compared to boys, age <15 have used (35–45% less) ED throughout this period.
Young adult females, age 25–44, have used (15–25% more) ED service than adult male.
Race disparity
In Table 3 excess (+) or reduced (–) ED service usage (%) by black patients for various age groups is reported as compared to their white counterparts from 2010 to 2017 in US.
Table 3 Single patient normalized disparity % in ED usage, excess (+) or lack of use (–) by blacks compared to whites with age between 2010 and 2017
The following three racial disparity trends were observed across various age groups:
Two black patient groups, age <15, solid blue and 15–24, crimson dashed, show modest, increase in the ED use, by 13–19% compared to the whites at the same ages.
Blacks, age 25–44 (dashed green) showed a consistent, slightly more usage by about 10–14%. However, the usage for the two races for age 45–64 seems to be almost same.
Importantly, after age 65 we see a dramatic and full reversal in usage: significantly reduced usage by blacks as early as 2010/2011: the disparity becomes increasingly prominent as blacks grow older. Elderly, age 65–74 (blue dashed line) and geriatric, age ≥75 years (black solid line), show 50–100% less ED use compared to whites by 2017.
This work revealed large racial and gender differences in the use of ED services for most of the age groups in the nationally representative NHAMCS survey, between 2010 and 2017. We controlled for the contribution of population difference and singled out individual contributions from “herd behavior” in our analysis of ED utilization. The main advantage of the single user normalization (“methods” section) is its comparability without special accommodation to ED usage skewed by racial practices, age-related priorities, peer communication, geographic locations or ED size and specialty. For example, the differences in population, social communication and ED complexity for all the 1-year-old through all the 14-year-old were averaged out together by single user normalization for the age group of <15. We feel our single user representation model has a randomization advantage following the arguments of Kahan and Morris (17) in statistical strength.
On gender disparity across age groups
The results shown in Figure 1 emphasized that the need, usage and ED visit patterns were different for the two genders: for every 10 boys age <15 that visited the ED, only about 5–7 girls went to ED; for every 7 young males (age 15–44), 8–9 young females visited the ED while at middle to young old ages (45–75 yrs) both males and females used ED at a lower and almost at the same rate. At old geriatric age (≥75 yr), for every 4 male ED patients, the ED served 5 female patients. Carret et al. (18) observed that excessive ED use globally varied from 20% to 40% based on age and income variability. Female patients, patients without co-morbidities, without adequate insurance and those not referred to ED by a physician also showed excessive ED use.
Figure 1 Gender disparity for ED use among various age groups (trends extrapolated to 2009 and 2018). ED, emergency department.
On racial disparity across age groups
Racial disparity patterns also seem to be widespread: as shown in Figure 2, ED services were used very differently by blacks and whites although the disparity reversed at older age compared to the younger groups. In 2014, 4 black youths (age 15–24, orange line, +26.6%) made as many ED trips as 5 white youths while 4 geriatric black patients (age ≥75, green line, –106%) made only half as many trips to the ED as 4 white patients.
Figure 2 Racial disparity for ED use among various age groups (trends extrapolated to 2009 and 2018). ED, emergency department.
We may be able to draw one plausible cause for this: Rinaldi et al. observed (19) that non-physician healthcare providers as well as physicians practice of defensive medicine is mainly caused by fear of litigation; this includes both active and passive defensive medicine, such as over-investigation, over-treatment, and avoidance of high-risk patients. White elderly may have a greater litigation potential and less disease complexity than black patients of same age.
Kanzaria et al. surveyed (20) emergency medicine (EM) physicians about shared decision-making (SDM), a law under ACA, when physicians and patients collaboratively choose emergency management strategy from various reasonable options for patient-centered, high quality and effective emergency services. They found male and academic EM physicians tend to use less SDM for several perceived biases against SDM. Lack of black participation demonstrated by our analysis at middle and particularly at geriatric age raises the question if such patients were subjected to inadequate SDM at ED and had less choice compared to whites of same age.
There are several possible explanations for the differences observed in ED service utilization by race and gender, and the ultimate cause is likely a combination of factors. Given the nationally representative data source and the lack of clinical decision-making data, we cannot confirm whether the racial difference in ED use between black and white patients was the result of underuse by elderly black patients by choice or from economic and related constraints or overuse of ED services by elderly whites. The complexity or severity of disease burden or the awareness of it among whites could have been different and was not explored. It is unknown whether these racial differences observed had influenced health outcomes or whether the ED usage was clinically appropriate or followed any guideline recommendations.
Radiology department and inappropriate use of ED services
Of note, radiology service turnaround times and diagnostic accuracy intimately influence ED effectiveness and patient experience as well as quality of hospital care and readmissions. Jalal et al. (21,22) reviewed records during 2013–2017 from a tertiary ED environment to conclude that 24/7/365 radiology physician coverage significantly reduces turnaround time for diagnosis and thus disposition time in ED as corroborated by Hanna et al. (23). Additionally, Hanna et al. (24) also observed that in their patient population 60% of time a second imaging modality was applied without considering the results from the first as a demonstration of inefficient ED resource utilization. Quite frequently low-yield diagnostic imaging modalities for identifying the main issue have been used in ED causing prolonged turnaround time, unnecessary radiation exposure and added medical costs. Examples of such low-yield procedures are: shunt series radiography by Shuaib et al. (25), dedicated rib series from Shuaib et al. (26), sacrum and coccyx radiographs from works of Hanna et al. (27), routine use of facial CT from Shuaib et al. (28) as well as contrast enhanced head CT for non-traumatic neurological presentations in ED shown again by Shuaib et al. (29). Such inappropriate ED use causing prolonged turnaround time and treatment delays with added morbidity and costs when EDs are resource-starved might also cause disproportionate ED usage by specific populations.
Patient choice, role of urgent care and ACA
The growth and development of urgent care centers (UCC) in the context of overcrowded EDs could be partly responsible for somewhat preferred use of UCC by commercially insured. Declining competitiveness of ED services due to growing number of UCC for minor emergencies in major US cities may play a role in ED usage variation in recent years. Krause et al. reviewed (30) Truven Health MarketScan Research Databases of approximately 10M commercially insured UCC users in USA compared to approximately 93M primary care users during 2011–2015. They concluded that urgent care is meeting a need of convenience in spite of being costlier and is potentially replacing outpatient and emergency care for certain acute complaints. We feel since UCC requires upfront co-pay, several young black Americans may be preferably utilizing ED services while many young white Americans are choosing convenience over cost and hence UCC over ED. Coster et al. summarized (31) the reasons why some patients chose ED over UCC. They point to 24/7 access and confidence in acute ED primary care, higher urgency, greater anxiety, reassurance from emergency-based services, views of family, friends and healthcare professionals, convenient locations as well as having the full-service reputations as the primary reasons for choosing ED.
Gindi et al. found (32) the factors responsible for ED visits in 18% of their cohorts, aged 18–64 from 2013–2014. The visits were 77% due to seriousness of their presenting problems, 12% for emergencies occurring beyond outpatient office hours and 7% due to lack of insurance. Seriousness of the medical problems and lack of insurance were the primary reasons for the Medicaid and uninsured. Weinick et al. commented (33) on the implementation of health care reform under the ACA of 2010 and stressed that it is important to recognize that overall improvements in the US health care system might not automatically benefit all segments of the population equally. Based on our results we find the quality improvement efforts have not adequately removed various disparities nor created enough incentives for providers to serve minority patients in largely minority caring hospitals.
Study limitations
There are several limitations to the interpretation of the results we present in this investigation. As with other studies using the NHAMCS-ED survey, we recognize the inherent bias with using this data source, namely, heterogeneity in documentation from multi-center data pointed out by Vierron et al. (34) and missing responses. Most NHAMCS-ED data items have a nonresponse rate of approximately 5% to 10%. Patients missing race and ethnicity represented 6% of the study sample that is deemed acceptable for the current analysis.
However, despite this, the disparities in ED use by race and gender as demonstrated in this multiyear, nationally representative data analysis warrant further investigation due to potential bias from ignoring socioeconomic factors. Larger EDs tend to have longer wait times and a larger proportion of the black population, which may also contribute to the disparity of usage. This study did not adjust for the variables like insurance, family support and transportation available nor income or educational levels that could be confounding factors of preference, financial status and thus ED usage.
Therefore, we cannot specifically call these findings a true health care disparity. These are suggestive of but not conclusive enough to separate the differences that are due to structural, inherent weaknesses of healthcare from the ones that originate from individual choice and socioeconomic/educational make up of particular groups built over decades. The low number of qualified hospitals in 2011 (*) data (Table 1, “methods” section) while almost doubling of ESAs and a small number of patient records collected warrants scrutiny and was not addressed here.
Disparity models from past: Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model of determinants of health
The quality of health across all age groups depends on factors that are within as well as outside a patient’s control. Dahlgren and Whitehead model (1991/2007) ‘policy rainbow’ (35,36) describes multiple factors of influence on an individual’s health and focuses on the relationships between these factors, some of which are fixed (non-modifiable core factors: such as age, sex and genetics derived) and a set of individually modifiable factors: personal lifestyle, the physical and social, and broad socio-economic, cultural/environmental conditions. This “rainbow” model raises the awareness about the extent of influence of each of the factors on health, the feasibility of altering specific factors with specific actions that could influence additional linked factors. This widely recognized model allows one to construct hypotheses about the determinants of health as well as their interactions and influences on various health outcomes. In early 2000s in the US the relative impacts on early death from these determinants were approximately: 30% from genetic predispositions, 15% from social circumstances, 5% from environmental exposures, 40% from behavioral patterns and 10% from shortfalls in medical care (37).
However, the Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model is only applicable to US or other western countries with similar socioeconomic and environmental conditions and similar populations. Places with different population structure, different social conditions, may show a different result. For example, in a country where a pandemic or a civil war breaks out of control, health of the poor and middle class can deteriorate quite rapidly due to the general socio-economic and environmental disparity. In such a situation racial and gender inequality could result in suboptimal short- and long-term health among these classes. We believe such pandemics can skew the already heterogeneous database used in this work requiring further normalization than proposed here.
The 2003 WHO document ‘The Solid Facts’ points to such enormous differences in the social determinants of health and reviewed the causal relationships between social and environmental factors and poor health. Wilkinson and Marmot (37) have elicited the role of adequate policies in the presence of these basic differences. Both the works point out that poor social and economic circumstances affect health of those further down the social ladder at least twofold as well as early death compared to those near the top. The effects also run across the employment ladder similarly: lower ranking staff suffers much more disease and earlier death than higher ranking staff aggregated more with advancing age. These works seem to explain the significant disparity computed in the race disparity results of ours (Figure 2) for geriatric blacks i.e., a single black patient is twice less likely to take or get emergency service compared to a single white user of same age.
On behalf of the 2005 and 2010 WHO initiative, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), Solar and Irwin (38) drew the attention of governments, society, international organizations and donors to the health impacts of social determinants and highlighted various international and national causes of inequalities. It suggested practical ways of tackling these through creating better social conditions for vulnerable communities. According to CSDH, the social and environmental factors are at the root of most of the inequalities that result in both communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, the roles and failures of modern technological advances are not addressed in these documents. We may point out that genetic susceptibilities to disease for certain races or for a particular gender is ill understood and may produce devastating consequences for certain individuals as we are seeing with healthy life losses in COVID outbreak.
Also notice that the applicability of such models is limited to the identification and quantifiable analysis of disparity. Single user normalization approach in the current work normalizes the disparity trends with respect to group heterogeneity, geographic diversity and population size offering disparity quantification at the front end of policy and resource planning in regions that suffer from similar disparities. However, our work does not directly include or address the root causes of determinants of health while offer normalized quantification of trends that may help assess and apply Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow model (35,36) where health determinants have heterogeneous groups of users.
Future implications
In this national multiyear study of patients in the NHAMCS-ED survey, we observed large racial and gender differences in ED services usage after separating the population by age, race and gender and by normalizing the population differences for various groups. In this work we were able to pinpoint how likely a single female or a single black patient utilized ED services as compared to a male or a white user during 2010–2017 irrespective of geographic location or affordability. Black patients were less likely to utilize or receive ED imaging than white patients past the middle age but not so at earlier ages. These observed differences warrant further investigation to determine whether this represents true racial or gender disparity in patient care. Future research will likely benefit from local examination of socioeconomic factors as well as from the positive effects of technology, manpower and medical advances available in radiology and ED services in recent years.
Our work offers empirical research with a normalization model that, we believe, stratifies the disparity comparison issues from a highly useful, although heterogeneous dataset. Given that complex data may continue to be collected from diverse sources this analysis could offer objective tools to analyze and influence policy and resource planning in countries that suffer from similar disparities. Given that the complexity of data sources will continue to prevail, simple and effective tools are needed to quantify and effectively reduce disparities in spite of the heterogeneity of service data that are used to make policies and resource planning. By normalizing the differential emergency services arising from individual centers in such a multi-center database (39) requires a normalizing tool as we have proposed here. Our analysis with a single user conversion is a part of the randomization (17) that allowed quantification of the disparities and flattened the local and seasonal effects of disease, crowding of inner cities, geographic disadvantages, friends and family habits, cultural bias, specialized ED quality and ED reputation etc. across USA including the age variation of users of this large database.
The ED services disparity seems to have been highlighted in the current COVID pandemic crisis. Recently, according to the Huffington Post News entry by Ignaczak and Hobbes (40) CDC has not released coronavirus data by race or gender. But city and state data indicate that COVID cases are heavily afflicting the black population. In Chicago, 23% of residents are black but accounted for 58% of COVID deaths. In Milwaukee, roughly 25% population is black suffering with approximately one-half of COVID cases. In Louisiana, 7 out of 10 COVID victims were black. Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at a recent White House coronavirus task force briefing. “The things that get people into [intensive care]” and require them to be put on a ventilator—something that often leads to death—are the very factors, Fauci said, “that are, unfortunately, disproportionately prevalent in the African American population”.
This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis demonstrating racial and gender specific variation in the usage of emergency health care services that exist in USA and seem to be multifactorial and age specific. This study also found that the usage patterns from year to year were variable making prediction and resource planning a moving target. However, there were quantifiable trends of gender and racial disparities demonstrated by single user based randomization. This analysis may offer objective tools to analyze and influence policy and resource planning in regions that suffer from similar disparities. A current and stark example at the national level of such disparity is the disproportionate number of infections and deaths among blacks in current COVID Pandemic fallout in USA and deserves urgent attention. However, such pandemics can skew the already heterogeneous databases used in this work requiring further normalization than proposed here.
Funding: None.
Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jphe-20-47). FK is the recipient of the AFMC-May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award (2020). The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013).
Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NHAMCS micro-data file documentation, 2010-2017. Available online: ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Dataset_Documentation/NHAMCS
National Center for Health Statistics. Survey Instruments. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/ahcd_survey_instruments.htm
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Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Levelling up (part 1& 2): a discussion paper on European strategies for tackling social inequities in health. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2006.
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Cite this article as: Sarkar SN, DeVito AF, Lespinasse E, Khosa F. Gender and racial disparity for hospital emergency service usage in USA: a quantitative analysis for various age groups during 2010–2017. J Public Health Emerg 2020;4:28.
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7 edition of Making music meaningful found in the catalog.
Making music meaningful
A source book for beginning teachers
Published 1992 by W.C. Brown Publishers .
Instruction & Study,
Format Spiral-bound
Music in a Group. In a small group, encourage children to use language to direct the group in a song. They can tell each other what to play, deal out instruments and tell them how to play (e.g., “you play fast” or “you play loud”) and use commands like “start” and “stop.” Consider introducing members of the group with a “hello” song or leaving with a “goodbye” song. Make treats mentioned in books. Because How to Babysit a Grandma mentions snickerdoodle cookies, a grandmother asked me for my recipe. Sadly, I had to explain that I’d changed “oatmeal” to “snickerdoodle” simply because it was more fun to read.
Jamie York, author, Waldorf math educator, and math missionary, created the Making Math Meaningful ™ series as a developmentally-based math curriculum. Its goal is to strengthen basic skills, foster mathematical thinking, and spark enthusiasm for learning. The mission of Jamie York Press Inc is to inspire teachers to re-imagine mathematics and summon the courage to get off the math skills. Music and society have always been intimately related. Music reflects and creates social conditions - including the factors that either facilitate or impede social change. The development of recording techniques in the latter half of the 20th century has revolutionized the extent to which most people have access to music. All kinds of music are.
Start Making Music! There are a lot of different aspects involved with making music. Here are my top 3 suggestions: 1. Make Lots of Music! Skills are built through repetition. When you do something multiple times you get better, grow, and it becomes easier. 2. Work with Music Artists. There is nothing like getting hands-on experience. How to Understand Music. Co-authored by Michael Noble, PhD. Updated: Ma X. This article was co-authored by Michael Noble, PhD. Michael Noble is a professional concert pianist who received his PhD in Piano Performance from the Yale School of Music in He is a previous contemporary music fellow of the Belgian American Educational 92%(12).
Forty years evangelising in Britain
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Making music meaningful Download PDF EPUB FB2
Music, Meaning and Transformation: Meaningful Music Making for Life Making music meaningful book Dillon, Cedric Cullingford is Professor of Education at the University of Huddersfield, Previous books include Ethnicity and Englishness (with Ikhlaq Din), Prejudice and The Causes of Exclusion.] on *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
Music, Meaning and Transformation: Meaningful Music Making Cited by: item 3 Making music meaningful: A source book for beginni - Making music meaningful: A source book for beginni.
$ Free shipping. No ratings or reviews yet. Be the first to write a review. Best Selling in Nonfiction. See all. Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in. That, as a result of their participation, making music together will become a joyful part of their day-to-day lives.
Philosophy Dedicated to providing high quality early childhood music education, Making Music Meaningful emphasizes the joy derived from making music with others without the use of pre-recorded music. Songs of Resilience (Meaningful Music Making for Life) Hardcover – January 1, by Andy Brader (Author, Editor) › Visit Amazon's Andy Brader Page.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author. Are you an author. Cited by: 3. Music, Making music meaningful book and Transformation: Meaningful Music Making for Life - Ebook written by Steve Dillon.
Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read Music, Meaning and Transformation: Meaningful Music Making for Life.
Get this from a library. Making music meaningful: a source book for beginning teachers. [Franklin E Churchley;]. 3) You love music. 4) You love reading almost as much. The official TMimaS music library is an expansive one. This month, we present a few of our favorite books on recording, mixing, and making music that take a look at the process from both sides of the glass.
Mixing Guides: Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio by Mike Senior. Nicole Wassink founded Making Music Meaningful in She holds a Bachelor of Education (Elementary), a Master of Business Administration and received her training as an early childhood music educator at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Nicole operated Making Music Meaningful from to Making Music Meaningful, Gatineau, Quebec. likes. Come experience a lively program that introduces you and your baby, toddler or preschooler to the 5/5(1).
4 chapters online, 12 in the full book This book is a collection of solutions to common roadblocks in the creative process, with a specific emphasis on solving musical problems, making progress, and (most importantly) finishing what you start.
Modern Recording Techniques is a great read written by David Miles Huber, a 3 times Grammy Awards nominee in the electronic dance scene and surround sound. If you want a modern and up to date book about recording audio then you need to check out this one.
This is the 8th edition and includes information about tablets, connectivity options like Thunderbolt and touch technology. What is the ultimate music producers reading list. Here’s my shot at it To compile this list, I pulled out those few books I’ve encountered at various points over the last 15 years that had that profound, ‘eureka moment’ affect: in terms of giving me insight into technical skills, and how people with far more experience manage the physical processes of recording and mixing – but.
Making Music Meaningful, Gatineau, Quebec. likes. Come experience a lively program that introduces you and your baby, toddler or preschooler to the joy of making music.5/5(1).
| To better understand the effect of music in early childhood development, Carnegie Hall commissioned a new research paper from Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf, an expert in the field. Titled “Why Making Music Matters,” her research points to several key reasons why investing in children early and often is critical to healthy development and a successful future—and that music can play a role in.
SYNOPSIS: The full name of this trilogy of books is Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue - and it is indeed an uncommon dialogue.
The entire series is a captivating back and forth conversation between the author and ‘God’ - on topics ranging from religion and spirituality to education, love and politics.
Creating Meaningful Music Listening Experiences with Active Music Making DANIEL JOHNSON Abstract Of all musical activities, music listening is the (/) books by Laura Ingalls Wilder is regarded as a classic of American children’s literature.
The stories are about Wilder’s. The fact is, despite all the music tools and technology at our disposal nowadays, making music remains as difficult as ever. Why this is, and what you can do about it is the subject of a new book entitled Making Music - 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers.
Get this from a library. Musical practice as a form of life: how making music can be meaningful and real. [Eva-Maria Houben] -- Is musical practice 'real' - and how is it connected with everyday life.
Eva-Maria Houben shows that making music changes as soon as its meaning is not sought in a purpose-oriented production of. The MusicStars Online Competition provides young music students with an affordable, low-stress opportunity to perform, get helpful feedback and win a trophy.
Music Stars, now in it’s 10th season, is open to elementary school students of all levels. Song Maker, an experiment in Chrome Music Lab, is a simple way for anyone to make and share a song.
Song Maker, an experiment in Chrome Music Lab, is a simple way for anyone to make and share a song. Song Maker, an experiment in Chrome Music Lab, is a simple way for anyone to make. The National Federation of Music Societies is an Appointed Representative of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd trading as Making Music Insurance Services (MMIS), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).Part 2.
Music Quotes That Are The Most Famous Music Quotes (Beethoven, Adele, Mozart, etc.) Go to table of contents. I don’t make music for eyes. I make music for ears. Adele Click to tweet. Music is my religion.
Jimi Hendrix. Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a. A music video can help you promote your band through social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and ry to what you may think, a music video doesn't need to cost a fortune.
What's most important is that you have a good idea, a good team, and a well-defined budget.
stichtingdoel.com - Making music meaningful book © 2020
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The Panth’s Mental State – Part One – Assessment
By Tavleen Kaur
Trigger warning: This article discusses domestic violence, substance abuse, marital rape, suicide, hate violence, sexual harrasment, self-harm, and depression.
How is the Sikh panth doing? What is the current health of our community? Tavleen Kaur tries to answer these questions by talking to Sojhi Kaur. Together they explore the challenges the panth faces and what we can do to address them.
Let’s Play Bingo
Thank you for making time to read this article. I’m sorry to share that this is not a “feel good” article; rather, it’s simply one to feel. This is an interactive read. Before you scroll further down, please take a minute to fill out this Bingo sheet.
Let’s see how you fared compared to Sojhi Kaur.
Meet Sojhi Kaur
She’s a Sikh woman in her 60s who lived in India until her mid-20s, after which she moved to England to live with her husband. Sojhi Kaur filled out this bingo sheet, and perhaps unsurprisingly, she ticked off every single box. Every single one. What could she have possibly been through, and what kind of social network must she have that she identified with every box on the bingo sheet? She shares anecdotes explaining why every box is relatable for her.
…faces domestic violence // is physically violent
Sojhi Kaur feels especially woeful about this box. Her best friend is a survivor of domestic violence. Sojhi Kaur’s best friend felt hapless and stayed in an abusive marriage for more than a decade because, like Sojhi Kaur, she had moved to an entirely new country after getting married. Her abusive husband used immigration as leverage, and on top of that, the two of them had a baby girl. The woman had no other family in England, and she didn’t feel comfortable returning back to Punjab due to cultural stigma her parents would likely feel on account of their married daughter living in her maiden home. The woman felt stuck in every way. For these reasons, she endured many years of abuse. When Sojhi Kaur got wind of this situation, she helped her friend locate community resources to escape that toxic, violent environment.
…is struggling to meet their finances
This is Sojhi Kaur’s own life story. Like many women of her background and circumstances in England, she worked in a sewing factory. It was hard work with little pay. Her husband worked an unreliable labor job. The two of them lived on a shoestring budget, struggling to make ends meet for themselves and their two children. She has little savings and is unsure what life holds for her as she approaches her 70s.
…exhibits toxic masculinity
Sojhi Kaur says she has lost count on this one. She knows so many men in her community who exhibit toxic masculinity. In fact, her best friend’s abusive husband is a case in point. The names of her husband and his father, and of her own father come to her mind upon seeing this box on the bingo sheet. She recalls how these men would curse at their wives, misplace their anger on them, refuse to talk about their feelings, walk out in the midst of an argument rather than address the issue at hand, and fail to think about the repercussions of their actions. She wishes men could understand how hurtful “casual sexism” is and how such remarks have an adverse effect on men’s own psyches. She has seen and experienced so much toxic masculinity that she doubts she’s ever come across healthy masculinity, the kind in which men freely express, cry, create, be tender and vulnerable, and feel attuned.
…has faced sexual harassment or abuse
Sojhi Kaur goes quiet on this one. After a few minutes, she speaks up, though barely audible. She is trying to hold back tears. Aaho, she says choked up. Her only two words following this are, meri bhain (my sister). Many moons ago, Sojhi Kaur had briefly shared that her sister in Punjab had faced marital rape repeatedly. Menu puchheya vi nahi (x didn’t even ask me), her sister said. Her sister knew that what she had been put through was wrong, yet she couldn’t express the lack of consent (and thus, rape) in words that her family and relatives would find credible. Her sister’s ears bled each time she was told, “But he’s your husband! It’s your duty!” These comments come from a society whose country believes that criminalizing marital rape means “men will suffer.” Sojhi Kaur shakes her head recalling this.
…feels concerned about social issues affecting East Punjab
When Sojhi Kaur’s friends from gurdwara came back from a two-week stay in East Punjab, they described how different everything seemed from their previous trips. The “marbleization” of gurdwaras was off-putting, as was seeing a “theka” (liquor stand) every few miles. Hearing about the latter made Sojhi Kaur think about just how widespread the social and medical issue alcoholism is. Her friends also talked about how they and their hosts in Punjab had to be extra vigilant about the water they drank, even for brushing their teeth. Using filtered or bottled water is a privilege, leaving many others to use water that has become toxic due to use of carcinogenic pesticides that seep into the (rapidly depleting) groundwater. The beautiful green fields are a dangerous facade, concealing the horrors of extrajudicial killings of Sikhs by the Punjab police and thousands of suicides by farmers. Sojhi Kaur’s memory of Punjab teeters between it being the sweet homeland it was and a zone of social warfare that it is.
…faces gender-based discrimination // is a misogynist // is patriarchal
She sighs deeply at seeing this box on the Bingo sheet. Her children told her about the Pink Ladoo Project, a campaign that fights sexism and taboos surrounding the birth of girls. When some of Sojhi Kaur’s friends had baby girls, she could not believe the snarky comments and disapproval some of the relatives of those new mothers received. She has even heard of cases of Sikh women being forced to abort female fetuses or witness (or be coerced into committing) infanticide of baby girls. This historical and present social ill is the intersection of gender-based discrimination, misoygyny, and patriarchy. She is moved to tears every time she remembers Bibi Parkash Kaur and her institution, Unique Home in Jalandhar. The home is a haven for abandoned baby girls. Sojhi Kaur’s heart breaks when she thinks about the lost lives of born and unborn baby girls.
…relies on alcohol and/or drugs to cope
This one that really gets under Sojhi Kaur’s skin. Here she’s thinking of her father-in-law’s excessive drinking and the physical and verbal abuse that followed. Attempting to understand his addiction as a mental health issue, she tried really hard to be empathetic when he was still alive, though she could not wrap her head around how someone could be heartless and so careless about their own health, ergo be so blind to how their carelessness means constant worry for everyone around them. Sojhi Kaur read in the news that nearly one-third of Sikh community members in the U.K. say they have a family member who abuses alcohol. In other words, nearly one in every three Punjabi Sikhs in England have at least one family member who abuses alcohol. Sojhi Kaur often thinks about how this and other common health issues in our community—such as heart disease and diabetes—intersect to create a bleak, dangerous reality. She finds some comfort in knowing that language-accessible resources are now available to understand, cope with, and support individuals with alcohol use disorder.
…is homophobic // is transphobic
Sojhi Kaur used to have a hard time with this one. Until one of her fellow Punjabi Sikh friends from the factory shared that her daughter came out as a lesbian, Sojhi Kaur hadn’t really thought much about gender, sexuality, or queerness. Sojhi Kaur wondered what she would say and how she would react if one of her own children came out as LGBTQA+. Her immediate thought is of gratitude, that after all her family has been through, that her children feel comfortable confiding in her. Her friend was quite upset, saying that her daughter’s “ways” were “wrong,” and that her queerness reflected her parents’ failure. Sojhi Kaur knew that was a hurtful response, and while she didn’t agree with their views, she understood where the parents were coming from. After a lengthy process, all the family members have now come to terms with the fact that one member among them has transgressed “rules,” but that that’s how it shall be. This was the more “amicable” of instances. Sojhi Kaur knows about another few that were not so. Those comings out ended with total loss of contact among the family members, disownment, and depression.
In the past, sometimes she, too, found herself influenced by cultural baggage of “morality” and “izzat.” In those moments, she reflected on how most of us live our lives according to constructs. When someone challenges these constructs to pursue their own sense of self and identity, we look down upon them, maybe because their bravery makes us reflect on our own fears. Sojhi Kaur finds comfort in remembering how many “rules” and “traditions” the Gurus challenged and condemned. For one of the most poignant perspectives on homophobia among Brown communities, Sojhi Kaur cites Dr. Nayan Shah, Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity. Shah writes, “In political debates about who benefits from the extension of marriage licensing to gay and lesbian couples in both Canada and the United States, Sikh-Canadian religious leaders and black evangelical preachers condemned homosexuality as a ‘white disease’ and feared the acceptance of gay and lesbian couples would contaminate their racial and religious minority communities. The urge to make gender and sexual diversity invisible to their own communities is a survival strategy to deflect decades of white suspicion and state persecution that insisted that Asian, Black, and Latino communities were the source of sexual perversity.” She realizes our community has a lot to unpack and unlearn as we educate ourselves more.
Sojhi Kaur reflects on how Gurbani reminds us that the essence of all of Waheguru’s creation is jot (light). Being judgmental and hateful keeps us from seeing, believing, and feeling that jot dispersed among everyone and everything. Sojhi Kaur finds comfort and peace in the idea that once we see that jot in others and ourselves, no one seems an enemy or stranger:
ਕਾਨੜਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
ਬਿਸਰਿ ਗਈ ਸਭ ਤਾਤਿ ਪਰਾਈ ॥
ਜਬ ਤੇ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਮੋਹਿ ਪਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੈਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥
ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀਨੋ ਸੋ ਭਲ ਮਾਨਿਓ ਏਹ ਸੁਮਤਿ ਸਾਧੂ ਤੇ ਪਾਈ ॥੨॥
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਏਕੈ ਪੇਖਿ ਪੇਖਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਿਗਸਾਈ ॥੩॥੮॥
…is struggling to find employment
Sojhi Kaur herself and so many of her immigrant friends can relate to this one. She’s experienced first hand that networking plays a bigger role in securing employment than even merit. When Sojhi Kaur first moved from Punjab to England, she had a hard time finding work in any sector, particularly her field, education. She would see people less qualified than her get the jobs she was after. She quickly internalized the label of “unemployed,” and disliked that many equated “unemployed” with “incapable.” She wondered why her worth was connected to productivity, but that seemed to be the way of the world. Through word of mouth, Sojhi Kaur eventually landed employment in a sewing factory, a job she stayed with her entire working career and was never once offered a promotion. People don’t see laborers like her as having goals and aspirations. Her boss treated each of the factory employees as a cog in the wheel. Due to her experiences, she has so much respect for laborers. The whole world is now realizing what Sojhi Kaur has known all along—that the entire global economy depends on “low-skilled” labor, which has now conveniently been relabeled as a force of “essential workers.”
Continue to part two…
About Tavleen Kaur
Tavleen Kaur (she/her/hers) holds a PhD in Visual Studies from the University of California, Irvine. Her past work examines how the bodies and buildings of contemporary diasporic Sikh communities become targets of racialized hate violence. Her current research is on the formation of diasporas of undocumented Sikhs in Central and South America over the last few decades. She is passionate about architectural history and theory, and community development and mobilization. She particularly enjoys smashing the heteropatriarchy and conceptualizing a life outside the capitalist-militarist realities of the present day. Guru Nanak is her constant inspiration to pursue these ideas and projects.
Photo by BOSS Sikhi Camp
AbuseAlcohol AbuseBibi Parkash KaurCancerDepressionDomestic AbuseDomestic RolesDomestic ViolenceDrug AbuseDrug AddictionFarmersFemale InfanticidefinancesGenderGender EqualityGender RolesGreen RevolutionGurbaniGurdwaraGurdwarasGuruGuru Granth SahibGuru Nanak SahibHateHate CrimeHate CrimesHistoryHomophobiaHonorImmigrantImmigrationIzzatKhalsaKhalsa PanthLGBTQLGBTQ+LGBTQAMental HealthPanthPink LadooPunjabPunjabiPunjabi CultureRapeself-harmSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceSikhSikh GuruSikh HistorySikh PanthSikhiSikhismsubstance abusesuicideTavleen Kaurtoxic masculinityTransphobiaunemployment
Political Participation as Guru-oriented Action
Navigating Breast Cancer as a Kaur
The Panth’s Mental State - Part Two - Healing
Why Sikhs Should Stand in Solidarity With Indigenous People
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Saint Laurent Goes Virtual With Gossip Girl’s Newest Star
Hello Upper East Siders-you should commit the name Emily Alyn Lind to memory. The rising star is front and center in the forthcoming Gossip Girl reboot and has killer style to boot.
A Hollywood veteran at 18, Lind-who has been acting since 2008-is set to play a brand new character in the series, which focuses on a new generation of prep school Manhattanites.
Despite being thrust in the franchise that gave the world Serena van der Woodsen’s and Blair Waldorf’s spin on preppy, Lind is more about Parisian chic. The actress, who attended the virtual show for Saint Laurent’s spring/summer 2021 collection today, remembers being captivated by the eternal cool of Catherine Deneuve in head to toe Yves. “I remember seeing a photo of her in a Saint Laurent tux circa 1966,” Lind shared via email. “It shaped the way I saw fashion early on. I will always love seeing a woman in a suit. Saint Laurent revolutionized androgynous dressing, and by doing so has contributed to feminism and equality.”
Given her appreciation for originality and youthful insouciance, Lind was the right person to carry off Anthony Vaccarello’s daring latex designs. En route to her apartment pre-show, she gave a few of the latest Saint Laurent pieces a spin around the Lower East Side. Though her debut front row experience happened virtually with guest tuning in on their laptops instead of beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Lind dressed in the latest collections and enjoyed a beauty moment with makeup artist, Misha Shazada and hairstylist, Olivia Halpin. Throughout it all Lind was impressed by how close she felt to all the action. “I think human connection is essential, but seeing how artists have relentlessly found new ways to showcase their work even in these hard times is refreshing and inspiring,” she says. “The Saint Laurent show was captivating and made us feel close though we are physically far.”
Here, the rising star takes Vogue and her pre-show routine from early morning cereal to a trip on the F train.
The breakfast of champions.
Casual look for the park.
Subway from Lower East Side to Park Slope.
Will you accept this rose?
Two brushes a day keeps the dentist away.
I love you, New York, but Chicago still wins for the best slice.
It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.
Grace Hopper
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Imaging News Cycle Never Sleeps
Just when you think things in the photo industry are slowing down on the interesting news front, a two-week period like this one comes along and the scramble to cover it all is on. The mid-summer months in this industry have typically provided a fairly slow news cycle as there aren’t any big trade shows happening (this isn’t even a photokina year) and the big holiday new product announcements are still months away.
Yet the news that has broke over the last few weeks has been pretty interesting and has given this lazy mid-July pace we’d settled into a bit of a jolt. And that’s a good thing. Mind you, we’re not talking anything revolutionary here, but a few juicy photo nuggets that are certainly worth noting.
Light Field Competition
Let’s start with the rumor out of Japan that Panasonic is busy working on the first light field camera that uses interchangeable lenses. We just did a blog on this tech about its pioneers over at Lytro and the recent introduction of their new ILLUM camera that placed their “focus after you capture” capability inside a real legit shooting device.
Now Panasonic is allegedly developing a camera in the interchangeable lens category, with an early 2016 launch date, that will give the ILLUM some company but also add the ability and flexibility to change lenses. No word yet on what mount will be used or whether or not Panasonic is adding any new wrinkles to the Lytro tech, but we’ll keep you posted.
Lytro turns their “focus after the fact” trick by using an array of tiny microlenses that sit in front of the sensor, gathering light and depth information about the scene in front of them. That data is then computed and reconstructed as one image. An entirely different way than we’ve been used to for image capture, that of simply grabbing a moment in time and the process being done.
Even deeper in the rumor mill is word that Sony may be playing in the light field sandbox as well. Stay tuned.
Classic Cinema Video
We just thought this next piece of news was cool, if not truly earth shattering, as a company called Lumenati has developed the Lumenati CS1, essentially a smartcase for your iPhone that turns it into a classic cinema camera. In the Kickstarter stage currently, the CS1 is more than half way to its $75,000 launch goal.
As the company explains the CS1, “looks to combine the technological features of a digital device with the cool design, ergonomic ease and natural narrative that the lo-fi classic camera is known for.”
The design of the case also allows for swappable 58mm lenses, as well as a cold shoe for adding on microphones, lights, or other accessories. Lumenati says that the “lenses can be swapped to shoot in wide-angle, fisheye, and telephoto.” Too cool.
As is always the case with this kind of smartphone add-on the magic is in the accompanying app, as with it you can easily change the video’s focus, exposure, or frame rate. Filters can also be added to videos in real-time. The app will allow users to not only capture video but also to edit and share content with the press of a button.
Lensbaby for Smartphones
This next piece of news didn’t exactly change the photo world but we’re such big fans of the company and what they do, we think it’s a pretty big deal. Lensbaby just announced the latest additions to their product lineup, this time aimed at smartphone photographers. The new “Creative Mobile Kit” includes two lenses: the LM-20 and the LM-30, a mobile mounting mechanism, and a kickstand for long exposures.
The LM-20 lens provides that Lensbaby ‘center sweet spot of focus’ with the surrounding sharp blur drop-off; the LM-30 surrounds a sharply focused image with reflections – and both are just a ton of fun to play around with. Lensbaby states that their product is officially compatible with Apple’s iPhone 5/5s/5c, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus devices, in addition to Android devices running any operating system past Jelly Bean.
These guys have always produced cool, creative lenses and opening up that tech to the smartphone world was good news as far as we were concerned.
Thus ends a busy fortnight in the photo biz and some cool news during a hot month.
Last updated 15. July 2015
Thank you! Please share this article too, so that it can also help other people.
Author: Michael McEnaney
I am a veteran technology journalist with over 20 years experience covering consumer electronics and imaging tech as well as launching, editing/writing content, selling and marketing a variety of publications and websites. Most recently I helped NAPCO launch the Technologytell.com network of consumer tech websites and also helped launch the popular tech website TechTimes.com as well as launching his own website at www.your-digital-life.com that covers all consumers can do with their digital images and videos after they’ve captured them. My true passion has always been photography – both capturing life’s most precious moments as well as covering the pros that capture the world.
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Of the many ways to measure a year, my preference is the musical memories. 2017, for all its tumult, was a creative carnival. There were some brilliant and expertly executed highlights from old favorites this year. Japandroids, The War On Drugs, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and The Menzingers are instant classics in my catalog. But as far as taking the time to put some words down, I wanted to take my end-of-the-year list as an opportunity to highlight artists I would’ve loved to see get MORE attention for their work in the lists that I saw critics compiling, as opposed to those artists who everyone seems to agree did the best work. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of what caught my ears, here’s a playlist of some of my favorite songs from the year. And for more fun, here’s what I was looking forward to hearing this time last year (a couple wishes came true).
In no particular order, my list of the underrated music of 2017 that might be worth a listen or two:
Misterwives – Connect the Dots
This was easily one of my favorite records of this year, especially because it came in the form of a brand-new band discovery. I found Misterwives the same weekend as Record Store Day, and I bopped my way through the line curving around Amobea with “Machine” blaring in my ears. There’s a buoyancy and clarity to their sound that’s so fun and yet so strong, with lyrics are joyful, insightful and woke, sometimes all at the same time. In a year that ended with the voices of women being heard and celebrated, I think Mandy Lee’s output and Misterwives’ record was incredibly overlooked in music and pop culture circles. There’s still time, though, for Connect the Dots to take hold, and I’ll be here nodding along when it does.
Iron & Wine – Beast Epic
This is a band that many listeners might associate with being great at a different particular time, but I very much enjoyed Beast Epic. I thought it was beautiful, and full of thoughtful goodness. “Call It Dreaming” is, in particular, uplifting and lovely, I can think of at least two times I cried on the train listening to it. It joins a canon of other Iron & Wine songs (“Upward Over The Mountain,” “Walking Far From Home”) that instantly cut out my heart and serve it up to whatever waiting angeles want to sew it back in.
The Maine – Lovely Little Lonely
Oh, The Maine. A band that I fear will never have the recognition among rock/pop music critics that they so deserve, even though they still keep getting better with time. This album pushed their boundaries from the bubble-gum of American Candy slightly darker reflections, but still no shortage of hooks and earworm turns of phrase. A surprising addition to my workout playlists, this was both one of my most-anticipated albums of 2017 and one of my most-listened to.
The Killers- Wonderful Wonderful
Wonderful Wonderful got a bad odor attached to it way too quickly, there’s good stuff, there’s band that’s developing in the way they always were supposed to. The first 45 seconds of the album are probably the coolest part of it, but there’s a lot of other layers and meaning to it. Brandon Flowers has a cheeseball quality to him, but it’s not like that wasn’t on Hot Fuss either. I really like how thoughtful some of the lyrics seem, “are your excuses any better than your senators” is up there with the more socially observant takes from Flowers. The more I listened to it, the more layers I heard here — layers of rock music history, layers of references and layers of a band who is still finding their way, as all musicians ever are.
Carly Rae Jespen – “Cut To The Feeling”
I saw a tweet from someone who said that if there was any justice in pop radio, this song would be #1 airplay. Alas! Spotify’s Wrapped told me it was my most-listened to track this year, though, so there is that. Anyway, I know this isn’t an album and this is usually an albums list, but I can’t talk about my musical diiet in 2017 without talking about this song. For workouts, for pump-me-up moments, for sidewalk strolls, “Cut to the Feeling” is as perfect a pop song as I could ever imagine in any setting. Her voice is light and infused, the synths are sparkly and the chorus is soaring. More Carly Rae in 2018 and beyond, “Cut to the Feeling” proves she knows exactly what she’s doing and isn’t afraid to put it out there in any form.
Perfume Genuis – “Slip Away”
Another choice that rests as a song instead of an album — even though No Shape is a wonderful, thought-provoking listen that received accolades all over the place, this is the song that really stole my focus. It’s also easily one of my most-listened to tracks in 2017, a song I will forever associate with the year and the challenges and lessons it provided. I would love to see this band progress and grow, and earn more acclaim for such unique and inspired work.
Ruston Kelly – “Black Magic”
One of my favorite Americana/country discoveries of the year is Kacey Musgraves very talented husband Ruston Kelly – “Black Magic” is biting and classic and heartwrenching, and a hell of a fun to sing, too. It too became one of those songs I played in all times and all places, “Love is hell and nothing more than black magic” seems to me to be one of those lyrics that fell down from the sky and into waiting hands, meanings it’s hte most perfect, authentic, realized kind from the geniuses themselves.
Oh, and I loved Reputation. I listened to it on loop traveling to San Francisco for a fun weekend getaway, kept it on through train rides and strolls up to Lombard Street and while sitting on a park bench in Oakland. Now I play it on the bike, walking to my front door, waiting for the courthouse to open. I know there’s a lot of people out there who aren’t a fan of the way Taylor refrains from discussing politics/social justice, but I try not to judge people for their beliefs in the course of my daily life, and so I won’t get into that without having an opportunity to understand her as a person. So in spite of all the discussion, I’m calling it underrated, because the first reviews I read of it were all by white men and all throwing some kind of judgment toward it and it really kind of made me mad, that people were expecting so much and calling someone else’s work a disappointment. Do they not understand how creative output works, that it is not being created and poured into the world in order to appease someone else but because it had to come from the fingers of its creator before they fall off? I also love that it is first TS album to really tackle “mature” themes (she finally wrote songs about drinking and sex!). Taylor Swift at this point only does manifestos and while many are turning up their noses are her playing around with hip-hop and R&B stylings, she’s putting out work that’s exactly her, filter and polish and spit-shine and all. The control and focus and unapologetic honesty with oneself that that takes is something I really admire, something that’s worth channeling anywhere, anytime, any year.
Past years:
Happy New Year! I’m honestly optimistic about this one. I think it’s been awhile since I felt that way at the outset, but I’m going with it, looking ahead with curiosity to all the unknown the universe has in store. Throughout all the twists and turns that inevitably will arise, though, finding new music is still my constant joy. There’s something comforting about that, knowing that no matter what this year brings, at the end I’ll be left with a bunch of new music that moved me. 2016 will be tough to top on this front, as I was exposed to many different artists through reviewing opportunities and new communities, plus some of my longtime favorites like Jimmy Eat World and The Hotelier dropped incredible releases. But looking ahead at the calendar, I see plenty of highlights — here’s 10 albums I’m looking forward to (hopefully) listening to this year. I’ll revisit this in about 360 days to see where this wind up compared to my final favorites.
The Menzingers: If “Lookers” and “Bad Catholics” are any indication, After the Party will be an incredibly fun, punchy record — and perhaps the most poignant yet.
Japandroids: “Near To The Wild Heart of Life” is quickly making its mark as a life anthem, as all Japandroids songs rightly deserve. I imagine this album will rock.
Muna: Discovering this super-fun, super-edgy pop vocalist group was a great boon to my workout routine, and their latest single “I Know A Place” is a real earworm.
Taylor Swift: Can she top 1989? I don’t know. Probably. I won’t pretend I’m not excited to see what direction she heads in , or to have more songs to practice guitar.
Haim: Days Are Gone has held up incredibly well as an impressive debut, and I’m ready to be wowed with a follow-up imbued by their roaring success.
Ryan Adams: My love for the folk-rock troubadour only grows, even as he fashions himself into something of a retro-bluesy, Pettyesque figure. Especially then, even.
The Wonder Years: They’ve just announced they’re writing new stuff, so a 2017 release is possible/likely/high on my list of life-markers.
The xx: Something tells me the ambient, angsty chill pop of The xx will be perfect for LA’s rainy season, and perfectly sexy/cool.
The Killers: Sure, they’ll never again make Hot Fuss. But who says they have to? Give me that desert-inspired do-or-die attitude and trademark soaring choruses any day.
Ed Sheeran: I loved X. I still love X. Sheeran has an undenying sweetness, and a sensitivity that transfers beyond his gorgeous ballads. More please!
“Never thought I’d let a rumor ruin my moonlight.”
~Somebody Told Me
The Killers, Hot Fuss
What a memorable summer I had the year I turned 16. I had the best friends, a part-time job at the local amusement park by the lake, and music, music, everywhere, all the time, on the stereo, in headphones, at the church basement where I practiced ballet nightly.
What a memorable summer that was for modern music. We’ve seen lots of 10-year anniversary stories and collections commemorating albums that came out in 2004, and I cannot believe how long and short a decade can seem. Perhaps these albums are only so memorable because they were so formative for me – and other musically minded souls of my generation – but maybe, in some way, they mark something of a turning point for pop and rock, the branching of indie into the mainstream, that pre-hipster era when laptop production was just coming into the forefront and beards and acoustics and banjos were just starting to seem relevant again. Somehow, through all that, the concept of the band still hung around.
That summer, caught somewhere between a woman and a child, I found myself as obsessed with listening to albums I’d ever been. While preoccupations with boys and friends and fears filled my teenage head, I had found a culture to immerse myself in, a topic to become an expert on that would provide a starting point of conversation with others and emotional fulfillment in the lonely hours. I usually spent the mornings burning CDs to soundtrack laying out in the sun on my driveway, or for when my friends would come over in the afternoon to hang out in the basement before we walked down to 7-11 or the hill by Laurelton-Pardee school. Chief among the albums I played, over and over again, was “Hot Fuss,” the debut from this hot chart-topping Vegas band called The Killers.
From the danger-driven chorus of the opening track, “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine,” to the infectious “Mr.Brightside,” and the anthematic “All These Things That I’ve Done,” not a track on this album is to be missed. Something about The Killers was so fresh and edgy, without being too far afield from the pop rock formats buzzing through the airwaves. This was a post-punk revival, fueled by pedals and swift snare hits supplementing rich synth grooves underneath stories of sex and jealousy and living fast, but not without a gripping fear and fragility.
“Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone’s lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I’ve done.”
~All These Things That I’ve Done
Take the lead-in to the chorus of “Somebody Told Me,” the repeated hook about heaven with ascending chords, suspended and full. So much of this album is minor and dark, it is heavy but sparkling, like it’s studded with cheap rhinestones. I love how Brandon Flowers manages to pull off storytelling frontman without making it all about him (not on this album, anyway). Mostly, one of the main things I still really love about this album is how ringing and rich the production is. Every song on this album has layers upon layers of transcendent sounds, building and breaking , the kind painting a landscape far back in the mix, a backdrop for the band to dance in front of.
But I don’t know if I cared about those kind of details when I first listened to this album, over and over again – at least, not consciously. I think I liked the words and the attitude. I think I liked the recklessness, I think I liked how biting and angry the songs could be without being terribly depressing to listen to – see “Smile Like You Mean It,” or “Change Your Mind.” I know I liked how addicting this hooks are – the last day or so, I’ve probably listened to “Hot Fuss” three or four times through and every song is an earworm in its own way. What was extra cool about this record was *everybody* liked The Killers. I became friends with one of my coworkers at Sea Breeze, a kid named Steve with curly hair and tall socks who would always annoy the hell out of me, only after I caught him humming “All These Things That I’ve Done.” When I’d invite friends from all over town to my house, some older, some younger, some hipper, some weirder, this was an album I knew I could put on that would set a good vibe without being dry, dull or offensive to those with more refined modern tastes. Everyone knew “Mr.Brightside,” and then everyone knew “Somebody Told Me,” and somewhere in there, The Killers became a band with popularity among the masses that was OK for elitist emo listeners, too.
This album drummed up a lot of high hopes for The Killers as a band to watch. Sadly, I don’t know if they really delivered on that front. I’ve tried hard to get into their later stuff, and I have done quite well, but it’s not without biting my tongue through some really cringe-worthy, campy moments (see “Human” or “Flesh and Bone”). Tracks like “Dustland Fairytale” and obviously “When You Were Young,” though, have solidified their image as dusty, dramatic American rock band, one who took a shot in the dark on a debut and created one of the most memorable albums of the decade – for me, for certain, and probably for a lot of other listeners, too.
It’s been 10 years since The Killers released “Hot Fuss.” I wonder what it would feel like in their shoes, where the first album and the first hits are the ones everyone wants from you. It’s the classic catch-22 of striking gold – where do you from there? I’ve seen plenty of critics, and heard plenty of friends, deride their later work including the most recent, “Battle Born,” for being too theatrical, too formulaic, too boring. But I’ve found I enjoy it, especially the title track. While the edge, the cynicism, of their earlier work has dulled some, it’s been replaced with a wiser perspective. Instead of dark anguish of relationships like “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” or “Mr.Brightside,” there’s contemplation, there’s soul-searching. Instrumentally, where they once were trendsetters in pop rock, they’ve taken a more classic approach with clean guitar solos, well-balanced ambiance. They’ve got that dessert feel, though, that Vegas-Route 66-cowboy approach they cultivated during “Sam’s Town” and never really let go of.
One thing that’s remained consistent is Brandon Flowers’ songwriting – it is direct, it is cutting, it is comfort. It is literary, in a sort of post-modern way, about spirit and surroundings and sexuality. You could make an argument that, of all bands that have stuck around for a decade or so, The Killers have retained this sort of borderline pretension, not really *fitting* in any scenes and seeming like they’d be bothered if you tried to do so, but I’ve never been one to give much of a damn about that sort of thing if I’m enjoying listening to your music. And when you write songs this anthematic, how could I not?
“Up against the wall
There’s something dying on the street
When they knock you down
You’re gonna get back on your feet
Cause you can’t stop now
Did they break your heart?
And did they cause your soul to mourn
Remember what I said
Boy, you was battle born
Cause you can’t stop now.
~Battle Born
The Killers, Battle Born
Somehow, when there’s a band you’ve really loved, you love what they make regardless of it’s critical reception. For me, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Copeland, Jimmy Eat World….whatever they do, I will love. And I’ll feel some deeper connection to it, as if they’ve been releasing songs for a span of a few years that correlate to my own experiences.
This song, is gorgeous. Soft, melodic, floating…I love the direction this band has been going in. Album to album, Copeland shows off mature progression and and ability to create delicate soundscapes with poetic meaning and gentle emotion. They’re extremely patient, never pushing a song too far in one direction but always having a beginning, middle and an end.
“Cause it’s no good if you can have it all,
Well I’d give it back but I never stole the first part.
And it always goes when you need it the most,
The kindest love is still bleeding from the last shot.”
-Good Morning Fire Eater, Copeland
I knew it….tastemakers be dammned! THIS is the track on Day & Age that defines the album, and it’s quintessential new Killers. This performance warms my fucking heart. Everyone bashed & hated this album, but I think this performance proves their legitimacy and the strength of their songwriting.
This has become one of my “been-a-hard-day” songs. I love it with the full orchestra, it’s like a piece from a musical or something.
“The Dustland Fairytale begins
With just another white trash county kiss in ’61.
Long brown hair, and foolish eyes.
He’d look just like you’d want him to
Some kind of slick chrome American prince.
Blue Jean serenade
Moon river what you do to me?
I don’t believe you.
Saw Cinderella in a party dress, she was looking for a nightgown.
I saw the devil wrapping up his hands, he’s getting ready for the showdown.
I saw the minute that I turned away, I got my money on a pawn tonight.
Change came in disguise of revelation, set his soul on fire.
She said she always knew he’d come around.
And the decades disappear
Like sinking ships but we persevere.
God gives us hope but we still fear, we don’t know.
Your mind is poisoned.
Castles in the sky, sit stranded, vandalized.
The drawbridge is closing.
I saw the ending where they turned the page, I threw my money and I ran away.
Sent to the valley of the great divide
Out where the dreams all hide.
Out where the wind don’t blow,
Out here the good girls die.
And the sky won’t know
Out here the bird don’t sing
Out here the field don’t blow
Out here the bell don’t ring
Out here the good girls die
Now Cinderella don’t you go to sleep, it’s such a bitter form of refuge.
Why don’t you know the kingdoms under siege and everyone needs you?
Is there still magic in the midnight sun, or did you leave it back in ’61?
In the cadence of a young man’s eyes?
Out where the dreams all hide…”
~The Dustland Fairytale
The Killers, Day &Age
Not a horrible CD, but not mind-blowing either. The songs are theatrical and dramatic, lots of do or die attitude and really powerful parts and choices. But that kind of sound doesn’t always do it for me, so it’s not an album that’s going to get much repeat listen once i’m over it (which’ll be about 2 more minutes). This song was cool, really like the chorus. “I saw the devil wrapping up his hands/he’s getting ready for the showdown”–such a good line! Couple other cool spots like that on the album,one verse in the single that’s got some good lines, and Neon Tiger is catchy as hell. But I still like Hot Fuss better.
What it comes down to? The Killers think they’re a more important band than they really are in the scheme of things.
But I think that’s kind of their charm–what’s wrong with dreaming big?
So, Brandon Flowers displayed his sexiness for GQ (gah) right before The Killers album drops (Nov. 22).
Sexy? sexy.
Promote much? There’s validation in endorsements–especially when it’s modeling for GQ (and looking that good doing it). I’ve always liked them/him, though. I thought Sam’s Town was a great record, and the Sawdust b-sides are tons of fun.
Listened to this song a few times lately:
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Here he comes
He doesn’t look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentleman
Like you imagined
When you were young
Can we climb this mountain
Higher now than ever before
I know we can make it if we take it slow
Let’s take it easy
Easy now, watch it go
We’re burning down the highway skyline
On the back of a hurricane
That started turning
And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you used to live
They say the devil’s water
It ain’t so sweet
You don’t have to drink right now
But you can dip your feet
Every once in a little while
–The Killers, When You Were Young
Sam’s Town
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#85: Learning Creative Problem-Solving Skills, with Michele DeStefano
Michele DeStefano, law professor and founder of LawWithoutWalls, talks about how to be a creative problem solver.
Lawyerist Podcast
Stephanie Everett
Stephanie Everett leads the Lawyerist community and Lawyerist Lab. She is the co-author of Lawyerist’s new book The Small...
Laura Briggs
Laura Briggs left her teaching career mid-Ph.D. to pursue freelance writing in 2012. She spent the following seven years...
“Research shows that the best problem solvers are the best problem finders.”—Michele DeStefano
This week, Sam talks with Michele DeStefano, law professor and founder of LawWithoutWalls, about how to be a creative problem solver.
Michele DeStefano is a professor at the University of Miami School of Law and the founder and director of LawWithoutWalls, a part-virtual collaboratory that brings together students, faculty, practitioners, academics, entrepreneurs, business and law students, and venture capitalists from around the world to innovate legal education and practice.
Podcast: Lawyerist Podcast
The Lawyerist Podcast is a weekly show about lawyering and law practice hosted by Laura Briggs, Stephanie Everett, and Aaron Street.
Neil Tyra shares all the things they didn’t teach you in law school and some mistakes he made in his own practice that helped...
#310: Better, Faster, Smarter Decision Making, with Annie Duke
Annie Duke shares how to make a decision making strategy more effective & efficient in your everyday life.
#309: Tightening up Your Onboarding Process, with Maryellen Stockton
Lawyerist Coach and remote work expert, Maryellen Stockton, shares her tips on how remote companies can successfully onboard new employees.
#308: Redefining HR, with Lars Schmidt
HR expert Lars Schmidt explains why we should rethink our perspective on HR.
#307: Vision & Values: The Foundation of Your Business, with Stephanie Everett
Stephanie Everett and Laura Briggs chat about why clarity, vision, and values are about more than just team building.
#306: Getting to Know & Love Your Numbers, with Bernadette Harris
There are three numbers everyone should be paying attention to if they have a business, Bernadette Harris says.
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Congratulations to Ashley Hope Pérez!
It’s been quite a week for Carolrhoda Lab™! On Monday, Ashley Hope Pérez’s Out of Darkness received a Printz Honor at the ALA Youth Media Awards. The Printz Award and Honors are given to the best of the best in YA literature, and to be recognized by the committee is quite an achievement.
Ashley missed two calls from the committee on Sunday, as she was giving a paper at MLA’s annual convention in Austin.
“I actually had to return the call, which I did while watching people pass outside in the city where I was a college student at UT [University of Texas at Austin] a long time ago.” Ashley said of getting the news.
“My first thought was how excited my five-year-old son would be that I now have a ‘sticker’ on my book.”
For those of you who have yet to read Out of Darkness, it’s the story of Naomi Vargas, a young Latina living in New London in 1937. Set against the backdrop of the New London school explosion, one the worst school tragedies in American history, Out of Darkness is a brutal and gripping novel about race, segregation, love, and the forces that destroy people.
In honor of the Printz Honor, here’s a roundup of guest posts and Q&As with Ashley about how Out of Darkness came to be (all quotes are Ashley’s):
Q&A with ShelfLife@Texas: “Some people have suggested that Out of Darkness is a ‘brave’ book, but I think it’s equally important to acknowledge that reading about painful features of our past takes courage.”
Article on NBC Latino: “Hope can reside in a lot of places. . . . I want readers to take responsibility for finding hope even in a really dark world.”
Q&A with Latin@s in Kid Lit: “Sometimes describing that physical beauty [of East Texas] was a bit of a reprieve from the harshness of my characters’ circumstances. And I think I even managed to fall a bit in love with Wash myself.”
Guest post on Actin’ Up with Books: “The cover of Out of Darkness is stunning, but more important than its beauty is the fact that it so fully captures the feel of the story.”
Behind-the-scenes look at the making of Out of Darkness on Cynsations: “There was some serious cutting, reshaping, and expanding that happened over those years [of revision] . . .”
Q&A with Brazos Bookstore: “I write YA because it gives me access to smart, savvy readers who happen to be teens.”
In addition to the Printz Honor, Out of Darkness has received the following accolades:
A starred review from Kirkus Reviews
A starred review from School Library Journal
A Kirkus Best Books of the Year selection
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2015
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick
But in Ashley’s oldest son’s mind, she has yet to really start writing. “He’s shared with me his deep hope that someday I’d write a ‘real’ book, by which he means one with pictures,” she said.
And who knows? Perhaps Ashley will one day write a “real” book.
You can buy Out of Darkness on our website, on Indiebound, on Barnes & Noble, on Amazon, or by asking your local bookstore if they’ve got a copy in stock.
Lerner Wins Printz Honor and CSK Illustrator Honor!
Free Book Friday: Middle-Grade Madness Round 1
Lou! Is Now a Webseries!
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Book Awards, Staff book reviews
Number 3 in the Guardian Non Fiction list
Date: March 28, 2018Author: warwickshirelibrariesblog 0 Comments
I decided I would read each of the books on the Guardian ‘100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time’ list…
After a bit of a hiatus, it’s on to number 3 in the Guardian Non Fiction list – No Logo by Naomi Klein.
There is SO MUCH to say about this brilliant intelligent book, but if you have any interest in the nature of the world, or society, or politics or the economy, I would urge you to read it. Naomi Klein, who since writing this has written loads of other bestselling books (on climate change and President Trump for example) clearly did her research. She cuts through the mysteries of the foggy corporate word and tells you truths, events and controversies that ‘they’ wish you didn’t know. Hang on to your hats because this review – like the book – can’t be anything other than thorough.
The book is cut into four – the first three focusing on the limitations corporations are imposing on society, those of ‘No Space’, ‘No Choice’ and ‘No Jobs’. The fourth part, ‘No Logo’, is what Klein wants us to focus on – that the struggle between society and corporation is not a one-way street, that there has been a fight-back. I know this is meant to be a review, but the book is so overwhelming (and I’m such a convert to it) that I think brief summaries are a better way to give you an idea of what Klein is trying to say.
In ‘No Space’ Klein introduces us to the concept of the brand. Brands are almost everywhere, not just on billboards, but also on our clothes, in our newspapers, on our public transport. Klein is writing in 2000, before the internet really took off, but I realised that brands are all over our digital lifestyle too – on websites, pop-ups, apps, YouTube. Klein describes how brands are encroaching on our culture. (Is anyone else annoyed about the sudden adverts that have crept into the Duolingo app? They never used to be there!) It’s hard not to look, sometimes reasonably impossible, say if you’re waiting for your programme to continue on a catch-up site, or waiting for your film to start at the cinema. In America it seems a lot more pervasive – there’s Burger King pop-up kiosks in schools for lunch time, and contracts with University sports teams for Nike and Adidas. Brands are also great at taking over the dominant political theme of the day, and using it to further their goals – lots of shops sell Feminist branded clothing – but is this because they believe in it themselves, or they’re just hoping that their focus on equality brings them more custom? Klein would probably incline towards the latter.
In ‘No Choice’, Klein writes about how companies seek to monopolise the market, often using aggressive tactics. She explains how Wal-Mart does this by building huge stores out of town, buying in bulk, then slashing their prices so economically that independent retailers can’t compete. Until it caused controversy, Starbucks were known to intentionally find independent coffee shops in attractive parts of town, and offer the landlord a better deal to rent the same or similar space. Corporate censorship has also enabled companies to stifle diversity. In 1993 Wal-Mart, who at the time represented a 10% share in music sales, forced Nirvana to change their album artwork for In Utero, because its depiction of foetuses did not conform to their family-friendly brand. Klein also mentions mergers as a way of stymieing competition, and we have our own example – of Rupert Murdoch trying to take over Sky in January. He failed to do so, and the Authority that stopped him said that his company’s ‘news outlets are watched, read or heard by nearly a third of the UK’s population’ already, and that his merger with Sky would result in ‘too much control over news providers …and therefore too much influence over public opinion and the political agenda’. It happens a lot over many different mediums. Disney own ABC, 21st Century Fox, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar; Mars own M&Ms, Twix, Snickers, Galaxy, Starburst, Milky Way and Topic (among others).
In ‘No Jobs’, Klein details that so desperate are these corporations to make money, they will completely neglect and actively seek to weaken their workers’ rights, abroad and at home. We’ve all heard of sweatshops abroad, and Klein visits one in the Philippines. Mostly girls and young women work twelve hour shifts in oppressive and terrible conditions, for $6 a day, or less. ‘Some employers…keep bathrooms padlocked except for two fifteen-minute breaks, during which time all the workers have to sign in and out so management can keep track of their non-productive time…there are rules against talking.’ Back in the admittedly better-off West, Klein writes about a society where full-time contracts are in shorter and shorter supply. One Starbucks worker’s hours are capped at thirty-nine hours, one hour less than the legal ‘full-time’ cut-off, when Starbucks would be obliged to give her more benefits. Corporations it seems, cannot budge an inch.
“If Borders opened 38 new stores a year instead of 40,” a Borders clerk explained to Klein, “they could afford to give us a nice wage increase. On average it costs $7 million to open a superstore…”
“But,” another clerk interrupted, “if you say that directly to them, they say “Well, that’s two markets we don’t get into…. We have to saturate markets… we have to compete.”
In the last part of the book, ‘No Logo’, Klein shows us the other side of the coin, that these difficulties and limitations can be fought against, whether that means refusing to work with corporations, pointing out their abuses, graffitiing their adverts or even taking them to court. Pepsi lost a lot of contracts with USA University campuses after a group of students found out they had links to military regimes. Back when Klein was writing, ‘culture jamming’ was a popular way of getting the anti-establishment or anti-corporate message across. Culture jamming is the practice of ‘parodying advertisements and hijacking billboards’ to carry a drastically different meaning than the one originally intended. In today’s digital age, it doesn’t happen so much, but after the Florida school shooting this February, a billboard advertising a gun was powerfully ‘jammed’ from reading ‘Shoot a .50 caliber for $29’ to ‘Shoot a school kid for $29’. A few days ago Florida passed a new gun-law, so the mood may be changing, if only a little. Although corporations and brands are powerful, they can be easily and permanently dirtied – the Nestle milk scandal happened in the 1970s and 80s, but I still know people today who refuse to buy Nestle products.
I think the point Klein is making is that it’s worth challenging these businesses, these companies. She really believes that change can be brought about. ‘No Logo’ made me feel pretty cynical, but also a lot wiser about corporate motivation. It also made me despair a little, because how are we to change that? I’m not sure how much we can, but in the last portion of the book, Klein gives examples of how fighting back has produced change. Some of these changes have been pretty small in the grand scheme of things, but if that means, say, that Pepsi stop trading in Burma, or Florida pass a new gun-law, it’s worth it. Something is better than nothing. Klein writes that it’s not always fair or easy, but if it gives more rights and hope and power into the hands of the people, rather than the brands and corporations, then surely that’s worth fighting for.
R.L. Rugby Library.
Read #1 here
#ReadingResolution#readmoreGuardian Non FictionNaomi Klein
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Home » About » Blogs » Digital Library Blog » Your data + Google Dataset Search
Your data + Google Dataset Search
Amy E. Hodge
Stanford Digital Repository
"I was wondering if you know anything about getting datasets discoverable on Google Dataset Search?"
We recently received this query from a Stanford researcher who had deposited content into the Stanford Digital Repository.
The short answer: request a DataCite DOI from Stanford Libraries, which you can do by emailing doi-contact@lists.stanford.edu.
For those of you unfamiliar with Google Dataset Search or who are interested in the details behind the response, read on!
What is Google Dataset Search?
Google Dataset Search is a fairly new project from Google that is intended to function kind of like Google Scholar, except for data. It's a way for people to identify data resources, no matter where they live on the Web. Google Dataset Search searches the metadata for datasets available on the Web and then tells the user where the data live. It doesn't actually aggregate any of the data itself. As Google puts it, Google Dataset Search is "a tool designed to make it easier for researchers to discover datasets that can help with their work."(1)
How does Google find the datasets?
Google looks for Web content whose metadata includes certain schema.org metadata fields filled out in a particular way. Not all data repositories have implemented schema.org, and not all those using schema.org have implemented it in a way that allows Google to find and index their content. While recent work to the Stanford Libraries catalog included implementing schema.org for some of our content, DataCite has completed their schema.org implementation to ensure that their content is included in Google Datasets.(2)
Who is DataCite?
DataCite is a global non-profit organization that provides Digital Object Identifiers -- DOIs -- for research data. You can think of them as the counterpart to CrossRef, which is the organization most publishers use to provide DOIs for the articles you publish in their journals. A DOI will uniquely identify your data and its location on the Web. Stanford Libraries is a DataCite Member Organization, which means we are able to provide DOIs to researchers at Stanford for their research data.
What is the Stanford Digital Repository?
If you are looking for a way to make your research data available to others without having to field individual email requests or maintain your own server, then you're looking for the Stanford Digital Repository. We provide a self-service Web application for depositing your content into the SDR. Your files and a description of the content are then assigned a unique identifier and made available under the license you choose on a persistent URL, or PURL, page. We take care of your content in our preservation system and make sure that it is discoverable through the Libraries' catalog, which is crawled by Google.
How is the SDR related to DataCite, DOIs, and Google Dataset Search?
A DOI is only as good as the location of the content. If your data are in a location that is not being actively maintained and the link goes dead, your DOI will be dead as well. The DOI can be updated to point to a new link, but do you really want to remember to do that every time you have to move your files? That's why it's important to put your content in a location that you can rely on staying constant over time, like the Stanford Digital Repository.
Once your content is in the Stanford Digital Repository, you can request that we assign it a DataCite DOI. And with DataCite implementing schema.org in a way that is compliant with Google Dataset Search guidelines, your dataset should show up there once the dataset metadata at DataCite has been properly crawled by Google.
Contact us at sdr-contact@lists.stanford.edu for questions on depositing datasets or other scholarly content in the SDR.
Contact us at doi-contact@lists.stanford.edu for questions on how to get a DOI for your dataset.
(1) https://ai.googleblog.com/2018/09/building-google-dataset-search-and.html
(2) https://blog.datacite.org/taking-discoverability-to-the-next-level/
Posted in Digital Library Blog by Amy E. Hodge
Topics: Engineering, Stanford Digital Repository
Science Data Librarian
Expert Research Consulting
Posted in Stanford Libraries Blog
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SDR Deposit of the Month: Crocodile constraints
Posted in Digital Library Blog
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How to Move a PC Game to Another Hard Drive (Without Re-Downloading It)
Whitson Gordon
So you’re running out of hard drive space (maybe on that fast-but-tiny SSD of yours), and you need to move a few of your PC games to another hard drive. Don’t uninstall and re-download them! You can actually move your games to a new drive without having to wait hours to reinstall each one.
There are many ways to do this, but in my experience, most solutions fall into one of two categories. Here’s how to each method works.
Option One: Create Symlinks with Steam Mover
Despite its name, Steam Mover is an awesome app that will move any game—Steam, Origin, or otherwise—and play it without re-installing. It does this by creating a symbolic link at the old location, so your computer thinks everything’s in the same place—but all that space-eating data really resides on another hard drive.
Here’s how to use it:
Download Steam Mover and start it up. It’s completely portable, so you don’t need to install anything—just run the EXE file.
At the top of the window, select the folder where your game currently resides on the left. On the right, browse to where you’d like to move the game to. (If the folder doesn’t exist, you can create it now.)
Select your game from the list and click the blue arrow at the bottom.
Steam Mover will bring up a black command prompt window that shows you the progress of the copy. Let it run, and when it’s finished, your game should be in the new folder, with a “shortcut” in the original folder. You should be able to run it from Steam, Origin, or from that shortcut as if it never moved.
That’s it. You can repeat the process with as many games as you want, and move them back at any time by re-opening Steam Mover and clicking the blue “left” arrow at the bottom to move them back.
You can also make the symlinks yourself, without Steam Mover’s help, but Steam Mover makes it incredibly simple.
Option Two: Move the Game and Direct Your Game Manager to the New Location
If you’d prefer not to download extra software, you don’t have to—both Steam and Origin have ways to “detect” installed games after you’ve moved them. You just have to perform the right steps in the right order. If you’re using Steam:
Create a folder in the new location where you’ll store your games. If you’re on Steam, you’ll need to do it through Steam. Head to Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders and click “Add Library Folder”.
Navigate to your new Steam library folder and create a new folder within it called steamapps. Then, create a folder in steamapps called common.
Head to your current Steam folder and find the folder for the game you want to move. You’ll likely find it in steamapps/common. Copy the game’s folder, e.g. “Borderlands 2”, to the new steamapps/common folder you created in step 2.
Open Steam, right-click on the game you’re moving, and select “Delete Local Content”. This will uninstall the game from its original location.
When that’s done, click the Install button to re-install the game. In the “Choose location” dropdown, choose the Steam folder on your new hard drive.
Instead of re-downloading the game (which could take hours), Steam will detect the existing files there and make any necessary minor changes. When it’s done, you should be able to play the game as usual.
If you’re moving an Origin game, the steps are very similar, but just a tad simpler:
Open Windows Explorer and create a folder in the new location where you’ll store your games.
Head to your current Origin folder and find the folder for the game you want to move. Copy it to the new location, and delete the old files.
Open Origin and head to Origin > Application Settings > Advanced. Under “Downloaded Games”, click the “Change” button and direct it to the folder on your new hard drive. Don’t worry, this only affects newly-installed games, so your current library will not be affected.
Return to the “My Games” view and click the Download button to re-install the game. Instead of re-downloading the game (which could take hours), Origin will detect the existing files there and make any necessary minor changes. When it’s done, you should be able to play the game as usual.
If you want to install future games to your old hard drive, repeat step 3 with the old location.
This method may not work as well for games installed without a manager like Steam or Origin, but for everything I tested, it worked like a charm.
ReburnsABurningReturns
You forgot the most important thing to do every time you open Origin, which is to mutter a long, gutteral string of obscenities at EA for forcing us to use Origin in the first place.
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Get aboard the Smokefree Liverpool bus
on October 4, 2016 2 min read
Smokefree Liverpool team
A new service to encourage people in Liverpool to stop smoking has been launched.
Smokefree Liverpool, commissioned by Public Health Liverpool, will see a series of events taking place across the city over the next month, including a specially commissioned community ‘Smokefree bus’ which will visit communities offering help and advice to people to quit.
As well as the vast health benefits of quitting, people who give up save on average around £2,000 per year.
Smokefree Liverpool, which replaces the Roy Castle FagEnds service, offers a choice of free help and support including face to face support from friendly advisors, selected local pharmacies plus phone and text support. They also offer support for those wanting to quit e-cigarettes.
Last year, 6,307 people in Liverpool signed up for stop smoking support, with almost 50 percent still successful after four weeks.
Councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet member for health, said: “Stopping smoking is the biggest thing you can do to benefit your health, with 50% of smokers dying early.
“So whether you’re looking to prevent future ill health, increase your energy and improve your breathing or would simply like more money in your pocket, I would urge people to sign up.”
Dr Sandra Davies, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “We know that the vast majority of smokers in Liverpool are keen to quit and there is lots of support to help
“If you have tried unsuccessfully to stop smoking before, it doesn’t matter, sooner or later you will be successful if you are determined enough and have the right support.”
Around 1 in 4 people in Liverpool still smoke and figures compiled by ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) estimate the overall cost of smoking on the city is approximately £148.8m. This includes £22.3m costs to the NHS and £68.7m for smoking breaks and loss of productivity from sick days.
People wanting to give up smoking can get in touch with Smokefree Liverpool in the following ways:
Website: www.smokefreeliverpool.co.uk
Email: info@smokefreeliverpool.co.uk
Text: QUIT to 66777
Social media: Search Smokefree Liverpool on Facebook and @SFree_Liverpool on Twitter
The Smoke Free Bus will be in the following locations each day during October:
8.30am – 11.30am: Johnson Controls Speke, 25 Estuary Blvd, L24 8RF
11.30am – 2pm: Tesco West Derby, Deysbrook Lane, L12 8RF
10am – 12 noon: The Bridge Community Centre, 2 Daneville Rd, Walton, L4 9RG
9.30 – 11.30am: West Speke Health Centre, Blacklock Hall Road, Speke, L24 3TY
There will also be Smoke Free Liverpool events from 9am – 4pm on Church Street on Saturday 8 October and in Williamson Square on Saturday 15 October and Saturday 22 October with staff available to give advice and support.
James Stewart, who has given up smoking
James had been smoking 20-30 cigarettes a day and quit by attending a Smokefree Liverpool drop in group in Dovecot. He decided to quit smoking mainly due to health reasons saving the money was added bonus.
James said: “Ongoing to the drop in session I have learnt about how Smokefree Liverpool would be able to help me try to quit smoking. The stop smoking advisors where very helpful and understanding as they are all ex-smokers.
“They went through all the different products, tips and hints for quitting smoking. They also were at the end of the phone if I need to speak with them in between.
“I knew that the levels of carbon monoxide in my lungs would be measured each week so that motivated me to stay smoke free.
“I tried nicotine replacement therapy which helped with my craving a lot and each day of being smoke free I gained a great sense of achievement.
“I still go every other week to have my carbon monoxide reading just to keep me on track and motivated and now I have started to go to the Smokefree bus instead as it is really easy for me to get to.”
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Iodine: the Next Vitamin D? Part I
By Lara Pizzorno on July 19, 2018 in Cancer, Iodine
Despite the widely held assumption that Americans are iodine-sufficient due to the availability of iodized salt, the U.S. population is actually at high risk for iodine insufficiency. Iodine intake has been decreasing in the U.S. since the early 70s as a result of changes in Americans’ food and dietary habits, including the facts that iodized salt is infrequently used in restaurant and processed foods, and iodized salt sold for home use may provide far less than the amount of iodine listed on the container’s label. The widespread dispersal of perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate (competitive inhibitors of iodide uptake) in the environment blocks absorption of the little iodine Americans do consume, further compounding the problem.
In adults, iodine is necessary not only for the production of thyroid hormones, thus affecting systemic metabolism, but is now recognized to play a protective role against fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer. In addition, a relationship has been hypothesized between iodine deficiency and a number of other health issues including other malignancies, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Analogous to the case of vitamin D, a nutrient for which the 400 IU RDI, although capable of preventing rickets, has been proven inadequate for this pro-hormone’s numerous other functions in the body, the iodine RDI for adults of 150 mcg/day (220 mcg/day for pregnant women), while sufficient to prevent goiter (and cretinism), is inadequate for the promotion of optimal fetal brain development or optimal health in adults. Intake of 3-6 mg/day, an amount commonly consumed in Japan without increased incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis or hypothyroidism, may be necessary to support not only thyroid hormone production, but iodine’s important antioxidant functions in the breast and other tissues in which this trace mineral is concentrated.
Part I of this article discusses the numerous factors that place Americans at high risk for iodine insufficiency. Part II reviews iodine’s roles in the body, the relationship of iodine insufficiency to the above mentioned pathologies, available options in laboratory assessments of iodine levels, optimal intake, preferential forms of supplementation, and cofactors necessary for optimal iodine utilization.
Part I: Americans at High Risk for Iodine Insufficiency
Iodine deficiency, defined as urinary iodine excretion <100 mcg/L, is widespread not only in developing countries, but in European countries including Germany, France, Italy and Belgium, and, despite the assumption that Americans are iodine-sufficient, in the U.S. as well.1,2
The 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) revealed that iodine intake as measured by urinary iodine dropped ~50% from median levels of 320 mcg/L during the period of 1971-1974 to 1988-1994, to 165 mcg/L in 2001-2002. Among women of childbearing age (15-44 years), a group that may serve as “canaries in the coal mine” as they are more closely monitored due to the risk of cretinism associated with maternal iodine deficiency, the statistics were even worse—36% of women of childbearing age were not consuming sufficient dietary iodine (150 mcg/L), and 15% of them had urinary iodine levels (the standard means of evaluating iodine levels in the body) <50 mcg/L. The WHO defines iodine deficiency as a urinary iodine excretion <100 mcg/L; <50 mcg/L indicates moderate to severe deficiency.1,3,4 This situation appears to be worsening; the most recent NHANES (2003-2004) found a urinary iodine level <100 mcg/L in 29 +/-3.0%; <50 mcg/L in 11.3 +/- 1.8%; and <20 mcg/L in 2.4 +/- 1.2% of the U.S. population as a whole, including 15.1 =/- 3.2% of women of reproductive age.5 More recent data (2007) assessing iodine levels in the breast milk of lactating mothers in Boston revealed 47% contained insufficient amounts of iodine to meet infant requirements.6 These statistics clearly indicate that the U.S. population is at increasing risk for iodine deficiency.
Factors Contributing to Americans’ Risk for Iodine Deficiency
Changes in Food Production and Dietary Habits
Milk, and therefore dairy products, used to be a reliable source of iodine, but their content of the trace mineral has greatly decreased due to changes in the dairy industry, which has phased out the use of iodine-based disinfectants and reduced the use of iodine in feed supplements. When checked in 1989-1990, the average iodine content of U.S. whole cow’s milk had plummeted from a high of 602 (+/-184) mcg/L in 1978 to 155 (+/-19) mcg/L in 1990. In 2002, when researchers in Boston measured the iodine content of cow’s milk from 5 separate processing plants (sold as 18 brands of milk in local grocery stores), samples contained as little as 88 mcg/L, about half the amounts typically present in 1990 and only 15% of those seen in 1978.7,8 Furthermore, both children and adults consume much less milk today than in past decades.9,10,11
Bread was once a reliable source of iodine because of the use of iodate-based bread conditioners to prolong shelf life. Due to concerns about high bread iodine content in the 1960s, however, most commercial bakeries stopped using iodate bread conditioners, replacing them with bromate-based “flour improvers.” (Not only has the use of potassium bromate significantly reduced iodine intake in the U.S., but potassium bromate is a carcinogen, triggering thyroid follicular cell tumors, renal cell tumors, and mesotheliomas of the peritoneum in rats.12,13,14
The research conducted on dietary sources of iodine in Boston in 2002 also measured iodine content in 20 brands of bread, 17 of which contained an average of 10.1 mcg/slice, despite ingredient labeling that indicated use of iodate. Three brands contained an average of 300 mcg/slice, but only one of these breads indicated use of an iodate conditioner. So, while some breads may still be a good source of iodine, the consumer has no way of knowing which ones, nor how much is provided.8
Sea vegetables, such as kelp, dulse, hijiki, and nori, are an excellent source of iodine (¼ cup [dry weight] supplies 415 mcg). Their frequent use in Japanese cuisine is responsible for an average daily iodine intake estimated to range from 5,280 to 13,800 mcg (i.e., ~5-14 mg/day) among the Japanese.1 Sea vegetables, however, are not frequent American fare. Nori, the sea vegetable most frequently consumed seaweed by Americans due to its use in sushi, provides minimal amounts of iodine, much less than that found in any of the other seaweeds. Additionally, sea vegetables have a high affinity for heavy metals, so unless certified organic, they may be grown in polluted waters from which they will absorb not only healthful minerals, but contaminants such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and/or mercury.15
Iodine Content of Edible Seaweed 16
Seaweed Iodine (mg/8g*)
Kombu/kelp (Lamanaria) 34
Wakame (Undari) 3.2
Nori (Porphyra umbilicalis)** 0.94
Dulse (Palmaria) 5.1
Hijiki (Hisikia) 5.03
*8 mg = typical serving size in Asian cuisine
**A full flat sheet of nori (Porphyra tenera), used to make sushi, contains ~ 0.1 mg of iodine
This leaves iodized salt as the major source of dietary iodine for the majority of the U.S. population. Unfortunately, relying on salt to meet iodine requirements may not be effective for a number of reasons.
Americans have been told to limit salt intake, and many are taking the advice to heart. Because excessive sodium intake can increase hypertension risks, many agencies now promote reducing salt intake. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy American adults reduce their sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg (about 1 teaspoon)/day. A 1995 survey found 58% of men and 68% of women reported never or rarely using ordinary table salt.17 More recently, the American Medical Association has suggested that the FDA remove salt from the Generally Recognized as Safe list.18
Even individuals not actively limiting salt intake may not be getting much iodine along with their sodium. Research published in the January 2008 issue of Environmental Science and Technology indicates iodized salt in the U.S. is unlikely to contain the amount specified on the label, and even if it did, virtually all of the salt used in prepared foods in the U.S. is not iodized. 7
According to product labels, all U.S. iodized salt contains 45 mcg of iodine per gram, which translates to 400 mcg per teaspoon19, but when University of Texas researchers analyzed 88 samples of iodized table salt from 40 states, 53% of samples contained less. Iodine values in freshly opened, top-of-the container samples averaged 44.1 mcg/kg; however, actual values ranged from as little as 12.7 to 129 mcg/kg. And the amount of iodine within each can was not homogenous, but varied as much as 3.3 times among the 5 samples taken at different depths from the same container. Iodine was also found to decrease greatly during high humidity storage, although light or heat had little effect. At 80 and 90% relative humidity (e.g., in many areas of the U.S. during the summer months or in salt container set on the counter and exposed to steam during cooking any time of the year), the corresponding half-lives of iodine are 7.25 and 3.4 days. Even at low humidity (30-45% relative humidity), iodine loss has been reported to be 58.5% over 3.5 years. In sum, even if consuming iodized salt, we have no reliable idea of how much iodine is actually provided, and the longer a container of salt has been in use, particularly if exposed to humidity, the more likely its iodine content has significantly decreased.7
Of equal or greater concern, the use of iodized salt is not mandatory either in restaurants or in food processing in the U.S., and processed and restaurant food dominates the American diet. Americans are eating out a lot (an average of 4.9 meals a week for households earning $75,000/year),20 and even when eating at home, often rely on prepared processed foods. The American Heart Association estimates that 75% of the sodium Americans consume is from processed foods like tomato sauce, soups, condiments, canned foods and prepared mixes, i.e., it is non-iodized.21
So, despite the fact that the prepared food typically consumed by Americans contains high levels of sodium, with very few exceptions, that sodium is unaccompanied by iodine. Restaurants, fast-food outlets, and food processors claim they fear iodized salt might change the flavor of their products, a concern that turns out to be unsupported by fact. In 2006, UNICEF invited delegates from the Republic of Moldova to Switzerland, where all salt for both human and animal consumption must be iodized, to convince them to use iodized salt in food production. Iodine deficiency is common in Moldova where, every year, approximately 27,000 newborn babies suffer from brain damage as a result—a tragedy that has convinced lawmakers to mandate the use of iodized salt in all processed foods. Delegates visited food factories where they found that the addition of iodine to Swiss bread, baked goods, and world-renowned cheeses caused no change in the taste or consistency of these foods. Unfortunately, however, no such program exists in the U.S.22
Iodine Uptake Inhibitors—Perchlorate, Nitrate, Thiocyanate—are Ubiquitous
Iodides are absorbed via a transport protein called the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), the thyroid cell-surface protein responsible for ferrying iodide from the plasma into the thyroid. NIS is found in the gastric mucosa and other tissues that utilize and concentrate iodine, including mammary tissue, the salivary gland, and cervix.1 Perchlorate, in its form as an ammonium salt (not all perchlorates are ammonium bound, some are bound to potassium), is manufactured primarily for use as a rocket propellant, in explosives manufacture, and formerly, as a pharmaceutical, is also present in nitrate fertilizers, and is a highly potent competitive inhibitor for NIS transport with 30 times higher affinity for human NIS than iodine. (Use of perchlorate to treat hyperthyroidism was withdrawn in the United States because of severe adverse effects [aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis]; however, it is still used in some countries for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism induced by the antiarrhythmic drug, amiodarone).23,24,25,26,27
Disposal of perchlorate has resulted in significant contamination of groundwater throughout the western United States where perchlorate (at levels over 4 ppb) contaminates the drinking water of ~11 million people, which has caused concern at the Environmental Protection Agency. High levels of perchlorate have also been found in the U.S. food supply with perchlorate contamination documented in grain, fruit, vegetables, forage crops for livestock, and even in dietary supplements and flavor enhancing ingredients.25,28,29,30,31 In a recent study, perchlorate was detected in 20 of 31 dietary supplements tested, with the highest level (10 mcg/g) found in a supplement recommended for women as a prenatal nutritional supplement.32 Given these facts, it is not surprising that human milk has been found to contain five times the perchlorate levels (10.1 mcg/L) of cow’s milk (2 mcg/L).33
Recent evidence that perchlorate contamination of food and water is a widespread phenomenon has let to attempts to evaluate its effects on thyroid function in the general population. Analysis of the NHANES 2001-2002 revealed relationships between urinary perchlorate levels, urinary iodine levels, serum TSH, and serum T4 levels in adult men and women.31
Among women in the NHANES subset, 36% had low urine iodine levels (<100 mcg/L), which, since the NHANES subset is representative of the general population, translates to 2.2 million women nationwide. Perchlorate contamination, as little as 5 ppb, was associated with elevations of TSH and decreased serum T4 in the entire subset of 1,111 women, regardless of their iodine status. In women with low urine iodine levels (<100 mcg/L , which indicates iodine deficiency), perchlorate levels of 5 ppb were associated with a 16% decrease in T4 levels and elevation of TSH levels, consistent with inhibition of iodide uptake. In women with urine iodine levels <100 mcg/L, the group at highest risk of insufficient iodine for thyroid hormone production, exposure to 5 ppb perchlorate could theoretically result in subclinical hypothyroidism. (Subclinical hypothyroidism is currently defined as an elevated TSH with T3 and T4 levels within normal reference ranges.)31,34
Nitrate and Thiocyanate, Possibly More Significant NIS Competitors than Perchlorate
In addition to perchlorate, two other competitors for NIS, nitrate and thiocyanate, also acquired through drinking water and food, negatively impact iodine uptake, and because of their higher prevalence, may be much more significant than perchlorate. The iodine uptake inhibitory effects of nitrate and thiocyanate—as defined by their legally accepted maximal contaminant levels in drinking water— far exceed that of the currently debated reference dose for perchlorate of 0.0007 mg/k/day in drinking water.35
Nitrate is ubiquitous in food. It occurs naturally (e.g., in green beans, carrots, squash, spinach, and beets), is added as a preservative (in meat and fish), and finds its way into the food supply as a contaminant resulting from organic and mineral fertilizers. Analysis of winter iceberg lettuce purchased in Santa Cruz County, CA, in 1998, found an average of 973 mg of nitrate per kg of fresh weight. As a result of the agricultural use of nitrogen-containing organic and mineral fertilizers, nitrate is also common in surface and ground sources of drinking water.35
A survey of 5,500 private water supplies from 9 Midwestern states found 13% had nitrate concentrations >10 mg/L, the federal maximum contaminant level. Two million families are estimated to drink water from private wells that fail to meet the federal drinking-water standard for nitrate. In urban areas, municipal wastewater-treatment discharges on surrounding farmland aggravate the problem.36 Hypertrophy of the thyroid gland has been noted at nitrate levels exceeding 50 mg/L. School children living in a community in Slovakia, where drinking-water wells contained high nitrate levels (>50 mg/L), were found to have enlarged thyroid glands and signs of subclinical thyroid disorder (thyroid hypoechogenicity37 [low intensity echoes] by ultrasound [seen in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves disease], increased TSH levels, positive thyroperoxidase antibodies).38
Dietary thiocyanate also inhibits iodine uptake by the NIS. Brassica family vegetables contain compounds that can be converted to thiocyanates in the gut; however, cooking reduces the thiocyanate (and nitrate) content of vegetables, plus only about 50% of the thiocyanate produced in the gut is bioavailable. Cigarette smoking, however, is a significant source of thiocyanate in the body. Recent studies in the U.S. have found that thiocyanate concentrations in the breast milk of smokers were fourfold higher than those of non-smokers, and iodine content in the breast milk of smoking mothers was twofold reduced, likely due to the thiocyanate’s competitive inhibition for NIS in the mammary gland. Thiocyanate has a half-life of approximately 6 days, compared to 8 and 5 hours for perchlorate and nitrate respectively.35
Lastly, research suggests a synergistic effect of perchlorate with thiocyanate resulting in significantly more damage to thyroid function than either compound alone in iodine-deficient individuals. Data from the 2001-2002 NHANES revealed that in women with urinary iodine levels <100 mcg/L, the association between perchlorate and decreased T4 was 66% greater than in non-smokers. These results suggest that thiocyanate in cigarette smoke interacts with perchlorate at commonly occurring perchlorate exposures to negatively impact thyroid function to a much greater degree in individuals with urinary iodine levels <100 mcg/L.39 Little or no data are available on the daily-required dose of dietary iodine to withstand inhibition of NIS iodine—uptake by perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate present in American’s drinking water, food and exposure to cigarette smoke.35
The combination of changes in food production and American dietary habits have significantly decreased iodine consumption in the U.S. The majority of Americans may not even be meeting RDI recommendations for iodine, which given our unremitting, widespread, and increasing exposure to a variety of iodine uptake inhibitors, are likely insufficient for the promotion of optimal brain development or adult thyroid function.
In adults, iodine is necessary not only for the production of thyroid hormones, but has recently been recognized to play a protective role against fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer. A relationship has also been suggested between iodine deficiency and a number of other health issues including other cancers, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Part II of this article will suggest revising the RDIs to levels that consider these factors and are based on our recently developed understanding of iodine’s varied roles in the body and the relationship of iodine insufficiency to the above mentioned pathologies. Available options in laboratory assessments of iodine levels, preferential forms of iodine supplementation, and cofactors necessary for optimal iodine utilization will also be discussed.
Read Part II: Iodine: the Next Vitamin D? Not Just for Thyroid
Patrick L. Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):116-27. ↑
Vitti P, Rago T, Aghini-Lombardi F, et al. Iodine deficiency disorders in Europe. Public Health Nutr. 2001 Apr;4(2B):529-35. ↑
Hollowell JG, Staehling NW, Hannon WH, et al. 1998 Iodine nutrition in the United States: trends and public health implications: iodine excretion data from the National Health and Nutrition Surveys I and III (1971–1974 and 1988–1994). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Oct;83(10):3401-8. ↑
Caldwell KL, Jones R, Hollowell JG. Urinary iodine concentration: United States National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2002. Thyroid. 2005 Jul;15(7):692-9. ↑
Caldwell KL, Miller GA, Wang RY, et al. Iodine status of the U.S. population, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. Thyroid. 2008 Nov;18(11):1207-14. ↑
Pearce EN, Leung AM, Blount BC, et al. Breast milk iodine and perchlorate concentrations in lactating Boston-area women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:1673-1677. ↑
Dasgupta PK, Liu Y, Dyke JV. Iodine nutrition: iodine content of iodized salt in the United States. Environ Sci Technol. 2008 Feb 15;42(4):1315-23. ↑
Pearce EN, Pino S, He X, et al. Sources of dietary iodine: bread, cows’ milk, and infant formula in the Boston area. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jul;89(7):3421-4. ↑
Keller KL, Kirzner J, Pietrobelli A, et al. Increased sweetened beverage intake is associated with reduced milk and calcium intake in 3- to 7-year-old children at multi-item laboratory lunches. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Mar;109(3):497-501. ↑
Rampersaud GC, Bailey LB, Kauwell GP. National survey beverage consumption data for children and adolescents indicate the need to encourage a shift toward more nutritive beverages. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003 Jan;103(1):97-100. ↑
Bleich SN, Wang YC, Wang Y, et al. Increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among US adults: 1988-1994 to 1999-2004. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;89(1):372-81. ↑
Stasiak M, Lewiński A, Karbownik-Lewińska M. Relationship between toxic effects of potassium bromate and endocrine glands. Endokrynol Pol. 2009;60(1):40-50. ↑
World Health Organization Monograph. Potassium bromate. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1999;73:481-96. ↑
Kurokawa Y, Maekawa A, Takahashi M, Hayashi Y. Toxicity and carcinogenicity of potassium bromate–a new renal carcinogen. Environ Health Perspect. 1990 Jul;87:309-35. ↑
van Netten C, Hoption Cann SA, Morley DR, van Netten JP. Elemental and radioactive analysis of commercially available seaweed. Sci Total Environ. 2000 Jun 8;255(1-3):169-75. ↑
MacArtain P, Gill CI, Brooks M, et al. Nutritional value of edible seaweeds. Nutr Rev. 2007 Dec;65(12 Pt 1):535-43. PMID: 18236692. ↑
nteragency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research. Third Report on Nutrition Monitoring in the United States. Executive Summary. 1995; p.ES-10. ↑
American Medical Association. AMA calls for measures to reduce sodium intake in U.S. diet. 2006. ↑
Northwestern University Nutrition Fact Sheet. Iodine. ↑
Ebbin R. Americans’ Dining-Out Habits Restaurants USA. National Restaurant Association. November 2000. ↑
http://www.americanheart.org Shake Your Salt Habit.↑
Sevenier G. The Proof of the Pudding. April 14, 2006. ↑
Soldin OP, Braverman LE, Lamm SH. 2001 Perchlorate clinical pharmacology and human health: a review. 2001 Aug;23(4):316-31. ↑
Martino E, Bartalena L, Bogazzi F, Braverman LE. The effects of amiodarone on the thyroid. Endocr Rev. 2001 Apr;22(2):240-54. ↑
Wolff J. Perchlorate and the thyroid gland. Pharmacol Rev. 1998 Mar;50(1):89-105. ↑
Lawrence JE, Lamm SH, Pino S, et al. The effect of short-term low-dose perchlorate on various aspects of thyroid function. Thyroid. 2000 Aug;10(8):659-63. ↑
Dohán O, De la Vieja A, Paroder V, et al. The sodium/iodide Symporter (NIS): characterization, regulation, and medical significance. Endocr Rev. 2003 Feb;24(1):48-77. ↑
Sanchez CA, Krieger RI, Khandaker N, et al. Accumulation and perchlorate exposure potential of lettuce produced in the Lower Colorado River region. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Jun 29;53(13):5479-86. ↑
Sanchez CA, Crump KS, Krieger RI, et al. Perchlorate and nitrate in leafy vegetables of North America. Environ Sci Technol. 2005 Dec 15;39(24):9391-7. ↑
Sanchez CA, Krieger RI, Khandaker NR, et al. Potential perchlorate exposure from Citrus sp. irrigated with contaminated water. Anal Chim Acta. 2006 May 10;567(1):33-38. ↑
Blount BC, Pirkle JL, Osterloh JD, et al. Urinary perchlorate and thyroid hormone levels in adolescent and adult men and women living in the United States. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Dec;114(12):1865-71. ↑
Snyder SA, Pleus RC, Vanderford BJ, Holady JC. Perchlorate and chlorate in dietary supplements and flavor enhancing ingredients. Anal Chim Acta. 2006 May 10;567(1):26-32. ↑
Baier-Anderson C, Blount BC, Lakind JS, et al. Estimates of exposures to perchlorate from consumption of human milk, dairy milk and water, and comparison to current reference dose. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2006 Feb;69(3-4):319-30. ↑
Surks MI, Ortiz E, Daniels GH, et al. Subclinical thyroid disease: scientific review and guidelines for diagnosis and management. JAMA. 2004 Jan 14;291(2):228-38. ↑
De Groef B, Decallonne BR, Van der Geyten S, et al. Perchlorate versus other environmental sodium/iodide symporter inhibitors: potential thyroid-related health effects. Eur J Endocrinol. 2006 Jul;155(1):17-25. ↑
Greer FR, Shannon M; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. Infant methemoglobinemia: the role of dietary nitrate in food and water. Pediatrics. 2005 Sep;116(3):784-6. ↑
Blum M. Ultrasonography of the thyroid. Thyroid Disease Manager. Chapter 6c. ↑
Tajtakova M, Semanova Z, Tomkova Z, et al. Increased thyroid volume and frequency of thyroid disorders signs in schoolchildren from nitrate polluted area. Chemosphere. 2006 62 559–564. ↑
Steinmaus C, Miller MD, Howd R. Impact of smoking and thiocyanate on perchlorate and thyroid hormone associations in the 2001-2002 national health and nutrition examination survey. Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Sep;115(9):1333-8. ↑
About Lara Pizzorno
Lara Pizzorno, MDiv, MA, LMT A member of the American Medical Writers Association with 25+ years of experience writing for physicians and the public, Lara is Editor of Longevity Medicine Review as well as Senior Medical Editor for SaluGenecists, Inc. Recent publications include: Your Bones (Praktikos, April 2011), contributing author to the Textbook of Functional Medicine, (IFM, 2006), articles for Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal (Innovisions Communications, Inc., 2005 through present), and Textbook of Natural Medicine (Elsevier, 2005, e-dition through present); lead author of Natural Medicine Instructions for Patients (Elsevier, 2002); co-author of The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods (Scribner’s, 2005); and editor, The World's Healthiest Foods Essential Guide for the healthiest way of eating (George Mateljan Foundation, 2006 through present). In addition to reviewing the latest in longevity research for clinicians, Lara summarizes health & nutrition research for the Textbook of Natural Medicine e-dition, The World's Healthiest Foods (www.whfoods.org), and Dr. Joseph Pizzorno's blog as WebMD's Integrative Medicine & Wellness Expert. Lara graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude from Wheaton College (Norton, MA, 1970), received her Master's in Religious Studies with Honors from Yale Divinity School (New Haven, CT, 1973), Master's in Literature from the University of Washington (Seattle, 1986), and has been a licensed massage therapist since 1986. Avocations include Pilates, motorcycling, organic gardening, healthy cooking.
View all posts by Lara Pizzorno →
L-Citrulline: Restoring Erectile Function (Viagra Doesn’t)
Iodine: the Next Vitamin D? Part II
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Donald Trump met with Brazilian officials on Saturday. A few days later, one of them tested positive for coronavirus.
Trump pictured next to man with virus
by Megan Palin in the United States
A Brazilian government official who met with Donald Trump at his resort in Florida and posted a photo of himself standing next to the US president has tested positive for coronavirus days later.
Communications Secretary Fabio Wajngarten, who was confirmed on Thursday to have contracted COVID-19, was among a delegation of Brazilian government officials who dined with Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday.
Mr Wajngarten reportedly came down with flu-like symptoms after returning to Brazil and was taken to a military hospital to be tested for the virus.
According to Brazilian media outlets, several senior officials who were in the delegation with Mr Wajngarten - including Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro - are being monitored for symptoms.
The Brazilian president's office "has taken and is taking all necessary preventive measures to protect the health of the president and all staff that traveled with him to the United States," it said in a statement.
"This is because one of the officials in the group, Presidential Communications Secretary Fabio Wajngarten, is infected with the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as confirmed by a second test that was recently carried out."
“Make Brazil Great Again” @realdonaldtrump @mikepence @alvarogarnero 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
A post shared by Fabio Wajngarten (@fabiowajngarten) on Mar 7, 2020 at 4:47pm PST
It's not clear if the US President is also undergoing testing for the virus that has become a global pandemic.
Mr Trump said he was "not concerned" about his direct encounter with Mr Wajngarten.
"I did hear something about that," he said.
"We had dinner together in Florida, in Mar-a-Lago, with the entire delegation.
"I don't know if the press aide was there. If he was there, he was there. But we did nothing very unusual.
"Let me put it this way, I'm not concerned."
Mr Wajngarten joined Mr Bolsonaro - who has been dubbed a "Tropical Trump" - on a three-day trip to the US and on Saturday was at the Mar-a-Lago resort, where he posted a photo of himself wearing a "Make Brazil Great Again" cap while posing beside Mr Trump, who was holding a similar hat. A video from the event also showed him standing directly behind both presidents as they addressed a crowd.
Enjoyable and productive dinner with @realDonaldTrump and the President of Brazil @jairbolsonaro 🇺🇸🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/rHhVcyzS1J
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) March 8, 2020
🇧🇷🤝🇺🇸 President @JairBolsonaro will arrive in the U.S. tomorrow for a visit to the state of Florida, where he'll meet with President @realDonaldTrump. Brazil is the leading foreign investor in Florida.
(📸Photo: Presidents of Brazil & U.S. meet on March 2019 at the White House) pic.twitter.com/2rsmu3m3eX
— Embassy of Brazil in the USA 🇧🇷 (@BrazilinUSA) March 6, 2020
Mr Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, both presidential aides were also at the dinner on Saturday. The following day Mr Bolsonaro and his delegation visited the headquarters of the US military's Southern Command in Doral, also in the sunshine state, where the Brazilian president met with the commander, Admiral Craig Faller, the New York Times reports.
Mr Wajngarten initially denied a report on Wednesday that he had been tested for the virus, saying on his social media account that his health was fine. He is now in self-quarantine at home, according to the Brazilian government.
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Norco Co-operative Ltd chairman Greg McNamara. Marc Stapelberg
Norco makes record profit
by Mel McMillan
2nd Nov 2011 8:30 AM
NORCO Co-operative returned a record net profit of $4.2 million in the 2010/11 financial year.
The figure represents an increase of 61% on the previous year's $2.6 million profit.
Norco chairman Greg McNamara said the multi-million dollar profit was testament to the strength of the co-op's brand.
It was earned at a time in which supermarkets had heavily discounted generic brand milk.
"It shows how resilient the Norco brand is. It is recognised by the broader community," he said.
"(Consumers) are sticking with the Norco brand."
The growth related to growing volumes of milk being supplied into the fresh milk market.
About 50% of Norco's milk went into the domestic milk market under the Norco label, while much of the remainder was sold into generic brands.
Last year's average price of 51.84 cents per litre paid to members was slightly lower than the previous year.
The net profit of $4.2 million was a significant improvement on the $2.3 million result in 2009/10.
Mr McNamara said profits went back into the pockets of farmers or into growing the co-op.
Total sales revenue was a steady $351.5 million.
Mr McNamara said Norco's Lismore-based ice-cream business had attracted new clients and benefited from fewer competitors in the market.
Rural Retail and Agribusiness trading results were affected by the continuing difficult economic and environmental conditions, Mr McNamara said.
Total milk intake from members remained steady for the second consecutive year at 148.6 million litres, but the testing weather conditions did mean the co-operative purchased in more milk than the previous year.
Productivity on farm was also relatively stable despite the difficult conditions, with the average Norco farm supplying 851,000 litres per annum.
A total of $8.8 million in debt had also been repaid over three years.
Mr McNamara said the co-operative was exploring further international expansion.
About Norco
Norco Co-operative Limited was established in 1895 and is based in Lismore.
It has 283 active members.
Revenues were $351 million last financial year.
It is a dairy-based co-operative with 161 supplying farms.
It has business units of Norco Foods, Rural Retail/Agribusiness.
Norco is the manufacturer of a range of dairy products including milk, cheese and ice cream.
It also retails a diverse range of agricultural products across NSW and Queensland.
It is a manufacturer of stockfeeds and pet foods in both NSW and Queensland.
Norco endures milk price war
Norco boosts milk payout
Norco addresses milk inquiry
Norco sends milk to fill shelves
financial year milk norco profit
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Robbie Farah of the Tigers leaves the field following the teams last home game during the round 25 NRL match between the West Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015. AAP Image - Paul Miller
Wests’ method of Farah sacking simply madness
ROBBIE Farah comes across as a fractious personality. And it isn't difficult to imagine that he and head-strong Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor would clash.
But while Farah might have a side to him that may be irritating, no-one could seriously doubt his commitment to the club for which he has made 237 NRL appearances over 13 seasons.
And no-one could question his ability. Farah has played 13 times for the Blues, eight times for the Kangaroos and even today, at 31, he is one of the best dummy halves playing the game.
That the West Tigers no longer see him as the right fit for their organisation is absolutely the prerogative of the club, and coach Taylor.
And the coach would be a fool not to put his imprimatur on the team.
What is unpalatable about it though is the manner in which the Farah issue has been handled.
He was determined to be a one-club man - a rarity in our game in this modern era.
In fact such was his commitment to the Tigers that when they were unable to pay him his approved contract money for the past two seasons, he agreed to back-end the amount and lump it into his pay for seasons 2016-17.
The amount still owed, in the vicinity of $2 million supposedly, might seem exorbitant to us, and smell of poor management, but no blame can be laid at the feet of Farah.
He and his manager have orchestrated a ripper of a deal, and good luck to them.
And while the Tigers are not the first club to sack their captain - and that is effectively what they have done - the method and timing has been appalling.
Not only has it been a PR disaster for a club that is rock bottom in so many areas, no human resources boss worth their salt would have allowed what can be best described as a threat, to get past first base.
To be unwanted despite having two years to run on his contract is bad enough. But if he stays, the incumbent Blues Origin hooker has been told he will not be part of the 25-man NRL squad.
As baffling and as unrealistic as that ultimatum might appear to those of us on the outside looking in, it gets worse.
If Farah does find another club - and apparently the Raiders are interested in paying $250,000 a year for his services - the Tigers will still have to pick up the remainder of his salary, and include the amount in what is already a very sick salary cap.
And most Tigers fans, including Farah, who ironically has a degree in economics, can't see much sense or value in that.
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The Mad Scientist sets poor example
jason taylor nrl2015 robbie farah wests tigers
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Family First’s lead senate candidate Aidan McLindon.
Family First to stand for all Qld seats at election
by abennymorrison
FAMILY First will contest every seat in Queensland at the Federal Election.
The party also accused Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of attempting to create a last-minute referendum on gay marriage, a plot they described as ridiculous.
The party's lead senate candidate Aidan McLindon said despite the weak economy and the crippling problems in the agricultural, farming and manufacturing sectors, Mr Rudd had made a last-minute attempted to create a referendum on gay marriage.
"Well, bring it on - Family First is the only major party that has no problem in stating its opposition to such a ridiculous proposition," he said.
"It is a position that the silent majority are happy to support and it is reflected in the strong team of small business operators, community volunteers, tradies, stay-at-home mums and white-collar professionals who have put their hands up to run for Family First."
Mr Rudd used the Leaders' Debate on Sunday night to commit to bringing a bill on same sex marriage before parliament if re-elected.
Rivals say they want Slipper to contest poll
Tony Abbott's sex appeal comment lands him in UK press
aidan mclindon family first federal election 2013
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McPherson & Company #ad - Beneath a marble sky" brims with action and intrigue befitting an epic era when, alongside continuous war, architecture and its attendant arts reached a pinnacle of perfection. The story surrounding the construction of the taj Mahal occurs, against a scrim of fratricidal war, and, murderous rebellion, unimaginable wealth, not least of all, however, religious fundamentalism ruthlessly opposing tolerance and coexistence between the disparate peoples in the empire.
At that time, hindustan comprised all of modern Pakistan and Kashmir, most of eastern Afghanistan, and two-thirds of the Indian subcontinent roughly north of Bombay to the Himalayas. In a splendid debut, john Shors has crafted an immensely readable and well-researched historical novel of surprisingly contemporary relevance.
Beneath a Marble Sky #ad - Show more Show Less. In 1632, overwhelmed with grief over the death of his beloved wife, Mumatz Mahal, Shah Jahan, the Emperor of Hindustan, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum to symbolize the greatness of their love. Beneath a marble sky, recounts their story, " narrated by Princess Jahanara, eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and her own as well, a parallel tale of forbidden love enduring censure and extreme deprivations.
Temple of a Thousand Faces
Berkley #ad - Meanwhile, indravarman rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and quashing any hint of rebellion. Exiled from their homeland, he and his mystical wife Ajadevi set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people.
Now with temple of a thousand faces, he brings to life the legendary temple of Angkor Wat, an unrivaled marvel of ornately carved towers and stone statues. In his international bestseller beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors wrote about the ancient passion, beauty, and brilliance that inspired the building of the Taj Mahal.
Temple of a Thousand Faces #ad - There, in a story set nearly a thousand years ago, a royal love is tested, an empire is lost, and heroism is reborn. When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king, Indravarman. Moving from a poor fisherman's family whose sons find the courage to take up arms against their oppressors, to a beautiful bride who becomes a prize of war, betrayal, to an ambitious warrior whose allegiance is torn--Temple of a Thousand Faces is an unforgettable saga of love, and survival at any cost.
Readers guide included.
John Shors, Inc. #ad - The setting – china's great wall – is as much a personality in the tale as the husband and wife who live, and love, in its shadow. In unbound, history comes alive and literally takes your breath away and breaks your heart at the same time. M. J. All that prevents the violent end of a dynasty is the Great Wall.
A haunting tale of the enduring bonds that anchor and save us when all the other chains—poverty, cruelty, enslavement, degradation—have been broken. A gem of storytelling. Paula mclain, new york times bestselling author of The Paris Wife“An elegant and compelling epic told with Shors’ trademark understanding of human nature and ability to create characters who touch our hearts.
Rose, new york times bestselling author of The Library of Light and Shadow. Fan has been missing for a year when his wife, Meng, decides to do the impossible—to leave everyone and everything she knows in a daunting effort to find him. Yet even this famed fortification has weaknesses, and against his will, a talented Chinese craftsman is taken from his home and wife, so that he may labor alongside the wall’s defenders.
Unbound #ad - John shors reimagined one of the world’s greatest love stories—the romance that inspired the Taj Mahal—in his critically acclaimed, international bestseller Beneath a Marble Sky. At a time when many women fear even stepping outside their homes, Meng disguises herself as a man and begins a perilous journey of deliverance.
Now, with unbound, shors recreates an ancient and celebrated Chinese legend about a pair of young lovers separated by war and the Great Wall.
Beside a Burning Sea
Berkley #ad - Now, surrounded by enemies he is supposed to hate, he instead finds solace in their company—and rediscovers his love of poetry. The next, benevolence is split in two by a torpedo, killing almost everyone on board. One moment, the world war ii hospital ship Benevolence is patrolling the South Pacific on a mission of mercy—to save wounded American soldiers.
While sharing the mystery and beauty of this passion with Annie, the captivating but tormented woman he rescued, Akira grapples with the pain of his past while helping Annie uncover the promise of her future. Meanwhile, the remaining castaways endure a world not of their making—a world as barbaric as it is beautiful, as hateful as it is loving.
Beside a Burning Sea #ad - A small band of survivors, including an injured Japanese soldier and a young American nurse whom he saves from drowning, makes it to the deserted shore of a nearby island. From the author of beneath a marble sky comes an inspiring new novel of a man and a woman from different worlds whose love is put to the ultimate test as they struggle to survive an extraordinary set of circumstances.
View our feature on John Shors' Beside a Burning Sea. Akira has suffered five years of bloodshed and horror fighting for the Japanese empire. With the blend of epic storytelling and emotional intensity that distinguishes him as a unique talent, and war-torn countries—all, heroes and villains, in their own ways, John Shors reveals a powerful story of redemption focusing on unlikely lovers, fighting to survive.
The Demon Seekers: Book One
Blackfin Books #ad - Book one of the Demon Seekers™ series. Earth, 2171. It's been a century since hostile aliens turned Earth into a prison for the worst of their own kind, nearly wiping out humanity in the process. Seventeen-year-old tasia is a Seeker--a human survivor who hunts down the cruel creatures that conquered and destroyed her world.
With someone she never intended to care about. As the war for earth rages, Tasia's path leads her across a wounded, imperiled planet. Aided by unexpected companions, she heads toward her greatest fears--unaware that she's no longer the hunter, but the hunted, and that her fate has become her foe. Haunted by her failure to protect her loved ones, and burdened by powers she doesn't yet understand, Tasia finds herself on a daring journey she never intended to take.
The Demon Seekers: Book One #ad - . From hidden bases within the ruins of scorched cities, she and others like her have become accustomed to a life of violence and terror. When tasia's brother becomes ill and her family is ripped apart, she must leave all she knows in a desperate attempt to save him.
Dragon House
Berkley #ad - In the slums of a city that has known little but war for generations, having a home, Iris and Noah befriend children who dream of nothing more than of going to school, and being loved. Learning from the poorest of the poor, the most silent of the unheard, Iris and Noah find themselves reborn. Dragon house tells the tale of iris and Noah—two Americans who, as a way of healing their own painful pasts, open a center to house and educate Vietnamese street children.
Dragon House #ad - From the critically acclaimed author of beneath a Marble Sky and Beside a Burning Sea—the new novel from “a master storyteller, ”* set in contemporary Asia. From john shors comes an unforgettable story of redemption set in modern-day Vietnam. Resounding with powerful themes of suffering, and love, friendship, sacrifice, Dragon House brings together East and West, war and peace, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
Berkley #ad - Meanwhile, brooke begins to doubt her love for Ryan while her feelings for Patch blossom. In a landscape where nature's bounty seems endless, these two families are swept up in an approaching cataclysm that will require all their strength of heart and soul to survive. But when patch's brother, lek learns that patch is running from the law, Brooke, Ryan, accompanied by his girlfriend, arrives, and his presence puts Lek's family at risk.
Cross Currents #ad - There, struggling to make ends meet, small-resort owners Lek and Sarai are happy to give an American named Patch room and board in exchange for his help. Thailand's pristine Ko Phi Phi island attracts tourists from around the world.
G.P. Putnam's Sons #ad - But kya is not what they say. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens. Where the crawdads sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder.
. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. So in late 1969, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the so-called Marsh Girl. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand.
Where the Crawdads Sing #ad - 1 new york times bestsellermore than 4 million copies solda reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick"I can't even express how much I love this book! I didn't want this story to end!"--Reese Witherspoon"Painfully beautiful. The new york times book reviewfor years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast.
Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
The Storyteller's Secret: A Novel
Lake Union Publishing #ad - Through her courageous grandmother’s arrestingly romantic and heart-wrenching story, until now, Jaya discovers the legacy bequeathed to her and a strength that, she never knew was possible. An amazon charts, uSA Today, and Washington Post bestseller. From the bestselling author of trail of Broken Wings comes an epic story of the unrelenting force of love, the power of healing, and the invincible desire to dream.
The Storyteller's Secret: A Novel #ad - Nothing prepares jaya, a new York journalist, for the heartbreak of her third miscarriage and the slow unraveling of her marriage in its wake. Desperate to assuage her deep anguish, she decides to go to India to uncover answers to her family’s past. Intoxicated by the sights, and sounds she experiences, smells, Jaya becomes an eager student of the culture.
But it is ravi—her grandmother’s former servant and trusted confidant—who reveals the resilience, secret love, struggles, and tragic fall of Jaya’s pioneering grandmother during the British occupation.
The Demon Seekers: Book Three
Blackfin Books #ad - Assailed by human detractors and her own doubts, Tasia struggles to stay one step ahead of her foes. Though her powers have grown, so too has the determination of the demons who hunt her. Their ship approaches from across the universe. And tasia must finally decide whether to run from her destiny or to embrace it, whether to risk nothing or everything.
The fate of humanity rests in her hands. The demons gather. Book three of the Demon Seekers™️ series. Earth, 2171in a matter of days, the War for Earth will end. In a desperate attempt to force a decisive battle, she resolves to make a final stand in the ruins of a once-beautiful city. As her enemies plot to destroy her planet, seventeen-year-old Tasia must confront her darkest fears while trying to gather the last great human army.
The Demon Seekers: Book Three #ad - Hope carries her forward, but hate threatens everyone she loves. While tasia is inspired by her surging feelings for Jerico, she remains unaware of the looming danger of betrayal.
The Wishing Trees
Berkley #ad - Eager to honor the woman they loved, leaving notes to Kate in "wishing trees" along the way, Ian and Mattie embark on an epic journey, and encountering miracles large and small. It contains kate's final wish-a plea for him to take their ten-year-old daughter, on a trip across Asia, Mattie, through the countries they had always planned to visit.
The Wishing Trees #ad - And as they begin to find their way back to each other, they discover that healing is possible and love endures-lessons that Kate hoped to show them all along. Almost a year after the death of his wife, former high-tech executive Ian finds a letter that will change his life.
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View All Marine Events
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New thinking about pinking
September 1st, 2017 / By: Janice Kleinschmidt / Feature
Pink Away’s computer-controlled Halotron combines light and heat to activate its PA-15 solution and penetrate through cushion foam to kill streptoverticillium reticulum bacteria. Photo courtesy of Gestalt Scientific Corp.
Vinyl manufacturers and marine service providers contend with discoloration caused by a bacteria.
“Pink” brings to mind a little girl dressed as a princess, cotton candy at the county fair and plastic lawn flamingos. But for those in the marine industry, the word takes on a sinister connotation as a stain caused by streptoverticillium reticulum.
It’s a far greater menace than a never-washed red garment laundered with white fabrics, because vinyl pinking is a by-product from the aforenamed bacteria feeding on the plasticizers (phthalates) that impart flexibility to PVC. And while you can bleach a pink-stained towel or T-shirt, streptoverticillium reticulum is a tougher customer.
“Pink stain” or “pinking” has been identified as a problem arising in conjunction with government restrictions on the use of arsenic as an antimicrobial agent.
The original version of ASTM E-1428 dates back to 1999. Marine Fabricator has published articles on pink stain—the subject behind E-1428 and experts have talked about it at Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) expos. Boat owners and marine fabricators frequently see it. Nevertheless, pinking remains a poorly understood condition.
In fact, pink stain itself is a bit of a misnomer, as the discoloration on boat cushions that it describes also can appear purple, brown, blue, orange or yellow. It is a by-product of a microorganism that thrives in dark, hot, humid conditions—like the inside of a boat cushion under a cover.
“Some people in the marine industry are educated about it, but most do not understand what it is or what causes it,” says Ed Skrzynski, owner of Marco Canvas & Upholstery in Marco Island, Fla. “I have heard so many explanations of what it is and what causes it. It really depends on who is getting and giving the information. Most often, we find it is a boat dealer and end user not knowing it is a bacterial by-product, and they tend to push the blame back to the original equipment manufacturer and even vinyl manufacturers. The end user assumes their cushion cover is bleeding onto their vinyl upholstery, which is reinforced by their actions. When they uncover their boat after a period of time, they see a stain. So they clean it and the exposure to UVA and UVB rays eliminates it. After it is covered again, the stain comes back. Using intuition and deduction, they assume the cover is staining the upholstery.
“Even when we show them documents from universities that it is bacteria, they are dubious,” Skrzynski adds.
Halotron units from Gestalt Scientific Corp., part of the company’s Pink Away system, treat multiple stains simultaneously. Computerized light and heat activate a liquid that penetrates through cushion foam to kill streptoverticillium reticulum bacteria. Photo courtesy of Gestalt Scientific Corp.
Serious talk
“It’s a serious issue for some vinyl manufacturers. However, we don’t seem to be fielding as many calls in regard to it, and that could be a matter of the marine industry being better educated about it. Fabricators are now more aware of the need to choose higher-quality products,” says Mike VonWachenfeldt, technical service manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC of Glen Raven, N.C.
“It is serious as far as people buying new $160,000 to $200,000 boats,” says Mike Charpentier, manager of Paul’s Custom Canvas in Denver, Colo. He concurs that boat owners assume pink stain is a color transfer between materials rather than the result of a bacteria.
“I have to explain to them what the problem is and how we try to take care of it,” he says. Paul’s Custom Canvas inserts a SoftTouch® felt barrier between the cushion foam and vinyl upholstery.
“It’s not foolproof, but it helps,” Charpentier says.
“Whenever pinking occurs, it can be very painful for the fabricator. The most valuable asset that the fabricator has is their reputation,” says Tim Niehaus, president of The Miami Corp., a marine fabric and component distributor in Cincinnati, Ohio. “How they handle the situation will have a direct effect on their reputation.
“A few years back, we saw a spike in pinking cases,” he continues. “A good portion of that could be attributed to new regulations. Europe was first to ban the biocide that had been used in marine vinyl: arsenic. As companies made the move away from arsenic, they learned that their formulations for a new biocide [4.5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one] were not strong enough. They quickly reformulated, but that is not to say they have been able to put an end to pinking. I’m not sure you will ever be able to do that, though there is hope that technology might give us a solution.
“The pinking issue is really the food source for the microorganisms. Remove the food source—plasticizers in the vinyl—and you remove the problem,” he continues. “Many companies are looking at options such as thermoplastic olefin [TPO]. Unlike PVC, TPO does not use plasticizers. Plasticizers are a food source for the microorganisms that cause pinking. I have seen TPO alternatives come a long way over the last few years, but don’t expect the same hand that you get from PVC, because it simply is not there. We have looked at several TPOs and have yet to find one that we believe is a good solution.”
Bill Marriott, owner of Extreme Upholstery Design in Summerville, S.C., buys vinyl from only two suppliers. He had a solitary case of pinking years ago, but recalls hearing about a class-action lawsuit when a boat seat manufacturer got sued over pink stain and, in turn, sued the vinyl manufacturer. But he doesn’t know the outcome of the lawsuit.
“Out of the blue, all conversation stopped [with the company owner],” Marriott says. “He doesn’t want to discuss it.”
“Nobody can put their finger on every piece of the pie that makes pink stain happen, consistently or not consistently,” says Justin Jones, owner of SewLong–Custom Covers in Salt Lake City, Utah. “I have been told [by other marine fabricators] that they can use the same roll of vinyl on two boats and one will pink and the other won’t.
“We have been putting a felt liner, SoftTouch, on the inside of covers to create a barrier that, so far, seems to be working.”
“We have been educated about pinking since 2008,” Skrzynski says. “Once we found a vinyl manufacturer we never had problems with, we stuck with them.”
“You really need to inspect a vessel for any signs of pinking before providing a cover or reupholstering,” Skrzynski says. “I have found you can more easily see pinking with polarized sunglasses. I add a polarized lens cap to my camera to document as well. If we find it, we note on our estimate that the customer has existing pinking and send them information on it so they know what it is. We provide a caveat in the sales agreement that if the mold grows or comes back, they agree to hold us harmless.”
Marco Canvas & Upholstery will warranty against pink stain if the customer agrees to a full scrubbing that includes replacing foam or putting it through an autoclave boiler steamer and scraping the backing board and wiping it down with bleach. But, Skrzynski says, “Most customers won’t do that because the $5,000 job they were looking at is now more like $10,000.
“We have tried everything you can think of to try to eliminate pinking. The only product that we found works is Pink Away.”
Marco Canvas & Upholstery tested the chemical in 2013 when it was only a topical treatment—before it was developed by Gestalt Scientific Corp. as a system that involves a Halotron™ device that uses a powerful, narrow-spectrum light and heat to penetrate the chemistry through the vinyl. (See tab.)
The Miami Corp. also has tried Pink Away.
“It does remove the stain and effectively prevents it from coming back to that spot,” Niehaus says. “The system requires an investment. Whether or not it would be a good investment would be a decision that the fabricator has to make.”
Janice Kleinschmidt is a writer and magazine editor based in San Diego, Calif.
Where does pink stain come from?
A trio of engineers, a chemist, a physicist, and a marketing professional seem to have found a way to eliminate pink stains on vinyl cushions and kill the bacteria that causes it. Based in Redmond, Wash., Gestalt Scientific Corp. is “just starting the scale-up of the business” after working with early adopters, CEO Scott Laster says.
Gestalt’s Pink Away system combines a topical solution called PA-15 with a custom, computer-controlled “environment chamber”—called a Halotron™—that activates the PA-15 solution through a specific equation of heat and light.
“It requires six cycles to permanently eliminate the bacteria,” Laster says. Each cycle consists of brushing PA-15 onto the affected area and covering it with a Halotron for 10 minutes.
Gestalt Scientific sells the devices in kits of three and six units.
“Pinking doesn’t occur in one 5-by-5-inch area,” Laster explains, noting that the time it takes to treat a boat with pink stain makes Pink Away a viable tool with Halotrons running over different spots simultaneously.
A three-unit kit runs $7,500 and the amount of PA-15 to treat a boat costs about $50 to $75.
The system represents an investment, but Pink Away appears to be the only treatment that eliminates the bacteria at its source. For more information, visit www.gestaltscientific.com.
“One can observe an unsightly stain, dirt, or mildew growth on the surface of a marine seat and ask the question, “How did it get there?” Dirt carried by the wind or a sudden shower will carry the spores or seeds, inoculating the surface. Surface debris can easily be washed off, but what happens to the contamination that gets into a seam or stitch holes? A closer examination reveals that a marine seat is a very complex construction.… If contaminated dirt carried by rainwater gets inside the cushion, the biological growth cycle can begin. It is quite common for soil organisms growing in the foam cushion to produce colored by-products, the most notable of which is a pink compound. The dye is soluble in plasticizer and will diffuse and migrate to the vinyl surface. Even though the vinyl compound is adequately protected against mildew growth, pink staining can occur if contact is made with components of a seat which support mildew growth, and this stain cannot be removed by washing. In any case, the owner’s perception of the boat’s quality has been seriously affected.”
—Reprinted with permission from a bulletin by the Chemical Fabrics & Film Association in Cleveland, Ohio.
2021 MFA Time Standards Manual
Submission deadline extended for MFA Awards
Submission deadline approaching for MFA Awards
2 responses to “New thinking about pinking”
gestaltscientific says:
Marine vinyl pinking is also a serious matter in these days lots of boat owners are suffering from this.
Scott Adam says:
Pink stain in boat seats mainly a bacteria microorganism. That grow under the vinyl seats. Mainly it grows whose seats are wet for long time in warm weather. These wet seats are the main source of food bacteria. . In vinyl boat seats a phthalate ester found this plasticizers are good source of food to microorganism organism with some wet seats and warm moisture helps it to grow more.
Marine Fabricator Magazine is a publication of the Industrial Fabrics Association International
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in-house courses for organisations
The foundation of our training: enhancing attachment and bonding between babies and their parents through caring, nurturing touch.
email: sally@massageforbabies.com
massage for babies
© Copyright 2020 Massage for Babies
Website designed by Morris and Winrow
Oils - new study of sunflower oil and neonates
The latest research into natural oils and baby massage now seems to suggest that sunflower oil may disrupt the skin barrier.
However, there are five key points you should know:
• The experiments were done using neonates and ended before they reached five weeks of age, after which their skin tissues would have developed more
• Sunflower oil was found to hydrate the skin successfully
•The benefits of massaging babies may outweigh inconclusive evidence about natural oils
• Massaging babies without oil is not conducive to a positive experience
• Commercial baby oils, which are mineral oils, do not appear to have been tested in recent years. We know that they contain many additives including synthetic perfumes and preservatives which certainly can cause reactions on babies skin
Please do read the research paper, which can be downloanded here, and let me know if you have other thoughts or information on this topic.
Compact in-house course announced
In response to demand from local authorities, NHS Trusts and Children's Centres, Massage for Babies has introduced a three day in-house baby massage teacher training course where the training days are consecutive. Full information is available by email.
Baby Massage works for Children's Centres
A Government-funded report shows that baby massage courses are among the most successful programmes that Children's Centres can provide to support families.
‘While these programmes were not backed by randomised trials, they were found to be less expensive to deliver and were able to reach greater numbers.’ says the Oxford Universty team that analysed the work of 121 Children's Centres in England.
The full report and a summary, "Evaluation of Children’s Centres in England (ECCE)", are published by the Dept for Education.
MPs promote early attachment measures
There has been a call for a holistic preventative approach to ensure babies are given the care they need in the first two years of their lives and it is at the heart of a manifesto launched by a cross-party group of MPs. This includes an MP from the Conservatives, the LIberal Democrats, Labour and the Green Party.
The manifesto says at-risk families should be able to access evidence-based services that promote parent-infant interaction.
To do this it recommends that more early intervention services for babies should be evaluated to prove their effectiveness, including a scientific evaluation of parent-infant psychotherapy.
The manifesto includes the call for childminders and early years settings caring for under-twos to focus on the attachment needs of babies and infants,
A joint study by the Department for Education and the WAVE trust says that the first two years of life are a crucial period of human development and require more focused attention.
The report identifies the economic benefits of supporting parents and their infants and helping them to build strong relationships. Apparently this could save large amounts of money which are now being spent trying to deal with problems further up the line with adolescents who haven't benefitted from this vital early intervention.
“I wanted to massage my first child but, even though I was a massage therapist, I lacked the confidence to try it”
Sally Cranfield, Principal Tutor
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You are here: Home / HockeyBlog / Davis Payne looking to make major changes to Kings’ power play
Davis Payne looking to make major changes to Kings’ power play
January 21, 2013 By John Hoven
Jamie Kompon was perceived to be the fall guy for the Kings inept power play over the last few seasons. True or not, he’s now working in Chicago and former St Louis Blues head coach Davis Payne came to Los Angeles over the summer to replace him on Darryl Sutter’s coaching staff.
“I haven’t really gotten to see how he is on the bench and everything yet, but in practice he’s definitely an intense guy,” said Anze Kopitar earlier today, talking about the Kings’ newest assistant coach. “He definitely wants to be part of the team, part of the guys.”
To that end, Payne was heavily involved today in the on-ice coaching of the two power play units.
One group had Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Jeff Carter, Kopitar and Mike Richards. The other group was Alec Martinez, Slava Voynov, Dustin Brown, Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams.
“We’re working on getting better, trying to put the pieces in place,” surmised Kopitar.
Meanwhile, Brown seemed upbeat about the new looks.
“I think our power play finished in the middle of the pack last year in terms of team rank,” said the captain. “But it’s something you have to work on. It’s a big part of the game nowadays. I think we’ve got two pretty good units…I think they’re different types of (groups) too. The first one is more of a skill group and I think my group’s more of a ‘get the pucks to the net and crash.’ We have three righties too so it’s a unique situation where we all kind of interchange and just read off each other.”
Williams, part of Brown’s ‘crash’ unit, is already noticing what Payne brings to the coaching staff.
“Davis is obviously trying to put his stamp on things, and he’s obviously trying to help our team,” said the two-time Stanley Cup Champion. “He has a lot of insight though. He’s been a head coach in this league, so he has a lot of experience. Obviously, you get a little bit more respect when you have that.”
He was also quick to point out that after the Kings went 0-for-5 with the man advantage on Saturday, things need to turn around quickly.
“Everything is magnified right now,” explained Williams. “Normally, you might struggle the first 40 games and then have the rest of the 40 games be good and your power play suddenly ends up alright. In a 48-game season, it’s important to get it going right away. There’s no luxury of time.”
Following today’s workouts, where rookie Jake Muzzin was part of his unit, Doughty liked what he saw.
“Muzz was playing back on the point with me on the power play on the left side,” he said. “And we also have Kopi back there now running the half wall, so that should definitely help us be more successful.”
They’ll get another crack at things tomorrow night in Colorado against an Avalanche team who gave up two power play goals in seven tries this weekend.
Follow @mayorNHL
– If you’re not familiar with Davis Payne, click here to listen to him on the MayorsManor show. You’ll hear some funny stories about his playing days and get some background on the interview process he went though with Darryl Sutter before getting the job in LA.
– You can also catch Jamie Kompon and Jeremy Roenick on the MayorsManor show here.
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Filed Under: HockeyBlog, Interview, Kings, NHL, NHL Players, Prospect Profile, Spotlight Story Tagged With: Brown, coach, comments, Doughty, hockey, interview, Kings, Kopitar, Los Angeles, Mayor, MayorsManor, Muzzin, NHL, Payne, power play, quote, Williams
Mars says
Shaking up the PP lines, I like it!
I hope they find something and stick with it though, give the lines some chemistry.
I wasn’t a fan of the TM on the fly changes.
Sben88 says
One thing I noticed big time Saturday with chicago’s pp was that the weak side winger would be on the goal line and the weak side d man would skate from blue line a d pinch down to the weak side hash marks. Something I noticed Pittsburgh does too. It seems like the kings crash the net, and the weak side d waits on the half wall for a pass to get on net. Hopefully the kings can do something where the d men get more involved…
jmsalsa says
i thought we didn’t have a “power play” coach? wasn’t that the quote from sutter?
Back to the proverbial drawing board…
darren tucker says
there was no change on the power play. they still do the same thing all the time, its sad…
Darryl Sutter looking for his players to ‘bring it or watch’ says:
[…] Besides Kopitar’s return to the top line, the most noticeable change at practice today came within the two power play units. We talked with Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Justin Williams about the changes here. […]
MayorsManor First Goal Contest: GAME 2 – Kings at Avalanche says:
[…] you’re looking for an edge here, you may want to read this article about the changes being made to the Kings power play […]
Game 2: Kings at Avs – post-game notes, quotes and highlights says:
[…] much for that new look power play talked about here yesterday. The Kings went 0-6 with the man-advantage in last night’s 3-1 loss to the […]
MayorsManor First Goal Contest: Game 3 – Kings at Oilers says:
[…] you’re looking for a further edge, you may want to read this article about the changes the coaching staff recently made to the power play […]
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Amazing Animals Exotic Animal and Pet Show Debuts at Comedy Barn Theater
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 2016) — Where do trained pigs, parrots, housecats, dogs, a serval cat, a Burmese python, a kinkajou and a mini-donkey all perform together? The answer is at the new and original Amazing Animals Exotic Animal and Pet Show at The Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn,, produced by The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group. Anthony and Alena King, their trained “amazing animals,” animal trainer “Professor Bumblemoore,” (Corkey Miller, Action Animals, USA) and her trained exotic pets perform in a hilarious new pet variety show at The Comedy Barn Theater at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The show opened May 21.
The two-hour show includes zany comedy, animal antics and family fun for all ages. Ten high-diving housecats all perform in a comedy routine. They jump through hoops, move in a zig zag pattern, complete a high step routine, perform an Olympic pole balance, walk upside down, do super jumps, and even do a high diving stunt. In addition, pig stars Boris Bacon and Jessie Hamm compete with the audience in piggy games.
“We have a whole cast of fuzzy, furry, feathered and four-legged friends,” said David Fee, president and chief executive officer of Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group and co-owner of The Comedy Barn Theater. “We have exotic and domestic animals, a wonderful mix of live music and plenty of mayhem. Charlie the donkey astounds the audience with his mathematic skills, and we have wonderful waltzing dogs. We have dogs who roll over, do hurdle jumps and barrel rolls, hind leg stands, and some dogs even jump rope.”
“There are beautiful exotic birds,” Fee said. “The birds do comedy, skate, ride scooters and bicycles, go through Roman rings, perform on the high wire, dance, pull carts, see-saw, do foot juggling, fly through rings and achieve many other unusual feats.”
The Kings have performed on Animal Planet’s Pet Star, The Tonight Show, at theme parks, festivals, fairs, pet expos, conventions and corporate events across the country, in Branson, Mo., theaters, and with The Comedy Pet Variety Show in Lakeland, Fla., as well as with the Royal Hannelford Circus.
“The Kings have been performing at the Comedy Barn and their act has been so requested that we have opened up a matinee format where they can perform with all of their animals in one show,” said Fee. “A couple of their animals will also be in our regular Comedy Barn Show every night.”
Miller has accumulated over three decades of experience working with exotic animals. She has traveled all over the United States and Canada. She has worked with Oprah Winfrey, Brendan Fraser, Sidney Poitier, Jack Hanna, Steve Irwin, Jim Fowler, Bill Murray, Robert DeNiro, Maya Angelou, John Cusack, Hulk Hogan and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. She’s been seen on The Today Show and Late Night with David Letterman several times. Her animals have been seen in hundreds of major motion pictures, thousands of commercials and print ads.
All of Miller’s shows feature rescue animals that have found their “furever” home with her. Miller is a champion for the humane treatment of all animals and is a huge advocate for teaching children how to care for their pets properly.
Also featured in the matinee show is magician/comedian Greg Franklin as goofy Farmer Klemm. A native of Kannapolis, N.C., Franklin has performed professionally since he was 16 when he landed a part in the Paul Osborne Merlin Rainbow Mystery Cavern Show just down the road at the site of what is now lost Treasure Miniature Golf in Pigeon Forge.
Since then, he starred in his own magic show produced by Dallas-based Osborne at amusement parks all over America. He has owned his own magic store near Orlando, created a villainous professional wrestling character named “The fabulous Mister Franklin” and was appearing at The Carolina Nights Dinner Theater in Maggie Valley before coming to The Comedy Barn Theater.
Fee said, “Our goal is to offer clean, family entertainment at a reasonable price. The main focus of our new show is amazing animals; however, we have some pretty spectacular clogging, singing and magic, too. This is a variety show that the whole family can enjoy. We combine laughter with lots of fun and talented performers to delight people of all ages.”
Open year round, The Comedy Barn Theater has two shows nightly throughout the year as well as some scheduled matinees for groups throughout the season. Tickets for the new Amazing Animals matinee show are $29.95 plus tax for adults and $9.95 plus tax for children ages 3-11. Guests may purchase tickets to either the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud or The Smoky Mountain Opry at regular price and get a combo deal of $19.95 plus tax to add one, two, three, four or five additional Fee/Hedrick Shows including The Amazing Animals Show. In the combination package children are FREE per each paid adult ticket. Toll Free 1-800-29 LAUGH or (865) 428-5222. For more information, visit http://comedybarn.com/pigeon-forge-show/amazing-animals-exotic-pet-show.
CONTACT: Deborah Fee Newsom
Deborah@FeeHedrick.com
Tags Comedy Barn, family vacation, Fee/Hedrick Entertainment, Great Smoky Mountains, Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show, Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge Shows
← Outdoor Gravity Park Earns 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence → Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hosts ‘Music in the American Wild’ Events
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THEM by Robin Lochmann
Zippy Frames talks with Robin Lochmann about his animation short film, THEM.
In a forgotten village, where everyone is cut from the same cloth, a new, self-proclaimed leader arrives changing the local way of life. Dividing lines are carved out as the once unified society is torn and segregated. THEM is a cautionary tale of misguided ideologies, destructive leadership and of being an outsider. But most importantly, it is a film about celebrating what we have in common rather than what separates us.
Zippy Frames talks to Robin Lochmann about the socially conscious animation short film, THEM, which now premieres online.
ZF: How long have been gestating this idea, and what was its genesis? Contemporary social events, personal story or something else?
RL: The idea fell into place rather quickly after I had been experimenting with a miniature river that was originally intended for a music video. The video was canceled but I still liked the image of this golden river in a blackened landscape. I started placing some tiny characters into the scenes and then thought it would be interesting to tell the story of a society’s rise and fall from a bird's eye perspective. This was also just after Trump was elected so having a leader that was dividing the people seemed appropriate. It was important to me that although the film is full of symbolism, it would still be clear what was happening and that the story remained accessible. Using color to show different ideologies or beliefs was a way to simplify a larger concept and leave room for the audience to read into it what they saw fit. Once I had these elements the script practically wrote itself in a couple of days.
Watch THEM by Robin Lochmann
ZF: When making films that have a direct social connotation, it is tempting to forget the ramifications of the story itself, and go for the "message". But here the story itself is worked out well. Did you have a lot of drafts, ideas or everything came in naturally?
RL: The final film is actually pretty close to the first draft. I bounced the script off some friends and made a few slight changes but the heart of it didn’t change much.
ZF: Was the decision to have your characters' faces just a simple globe (no identifying facial characteristics) already there from the start of your development process?
RL: Yes it was there from the beginning. I started by testing stop-motion sketched characters and in the early versions they still had eyes. But it was always important to me that they didn’t have any other features because otherwise the story wouldn’t work. They should feel human in their movements and mannerisms but the audience should not view them so much as individuals but rather as a group that has a unified agenda. The only thing that they identify with is the color.
ZF: Why did you first shoot the background and then have the mock-up with the actors? And why use sets at all and not 3D?
RL: I love miniatures! I wanted to keep a handmade feel to the film even though the characters are digital. I did some tests myself before teaming up with some great miniature artists and prop makers in Berlin who brought it to a whole new level. Shooting all of the backgrounds first helped to know the exact placing of the characters and how much room they would have to maneuver in.
Making of THEM:
ZF: The actors' input is really quite strong. I remember watching the film, and one of the characters had to spit on the other character. It felt very real; what kind of instructions did you give to them?
RL: That’s nice to hear. Ryan James is an actor friend of mine who did all of the movement and a large part of the voice work. We had one day to capture all of the movements and we only had one motion capture set up so he had to do all of the different characters himself. When two or more characters would interact together we would just count out all the beats so he could hit the mark. This worked surprisingly well. He was also reading early drafts of the script so he knew the project well and there is certainly a lot of his personality in those movements. The actual task of doing the motion capture was fun because it felt like two adults playing pretend like children for a day. It was great.
ZF: Mo-cap can be both expensive and requires expertise as well. How did you figure all these out (and budget-wise) along with your producer?
RL: I still had intended to do the characters in stop motion until a few weeks after the shoot. But then I started seeing affordable motion capture solutions coming out that were getting some pretty decent results. It wouldn’t have been possible to do this even a year earlier because the technology wasn’t available unless you went to a really expensive motion capture stage. I found someone in Denmark who had been testing some different set ups and let me use one of his kits for a day. The hardware wasn’t actually on the market yet and the software was still in beta so there weren’t many resources to learn from. There was a lot of trial and error and clean up work needed on the mocap data and it took some time before I had a work flow down to actually get the characters into the scenes. This was by far the most painstaking part of making this film.
ZF: What do you think is the power of art and indie animation short during these times? Can it inform, alert, make people protest? How would you like for the "Them" project to reach out your audience?
RL: I do believe that culture can shape society. But I don’t think that it happens overnight or from one film or one piece of art. I see THEM more as being a small part of a much larger conversation. I don’t think I will be able to change peoples minds with one short film but I do feel like the message is one worth pushing out into the world and maybe it’s one extra drop in a larger pond. Being convinced that the message was worthwhile helped in keeping me motivated during the whole production.
ZF: What about your collaborators?
RL: I spent many hours working on this film but I couldn’t have done it without the brilliant crew of people that helped. We never had a budget for the film so it was all done out of my own pocket and by people being convinced of the idea and wanting to help. I had some really talented people who helped me in every department and every collaboration added something new to the film.
Film Review (Vassilis Kroustallis)
There are films which state the obvious and still feel relevant. THEM by Robin Lochmann belongs to this category, not just because of its zeitgeist (immigrant influx and our own behaviour); it will orchestrate a three-act narrative which follows a well-trodden path, but is still beguiling in its unfolding. Make no mistake, this is the settings of the underprivileged; the sets only alert to the fact that even in this settings, hate can erupt at any given time. Greed, natural resources exploitation and a lot of human stupidity ignite interaction; at the same time, the perfect globe as a non-identifying face both reveals conceals (when colored) the common humanity element. THEM is energetically shot, poignantly scored and competently laid out as a case for re-cognizing our common need to be together or perish.
About Robin Lochmann
Robin Lochmann was born and raised in Ireland where he studied media and film production. After college he worked on various film and TV productions in a variety of capacities before moving to Berlin in 2009 where his focus shifted more to post production. He continues to work in post as well as bringing his own ideas to screen and makes music videos, short films, art films, commercials and branded content.
Written, Directed and Animated by Robin Lochmann | Director of Photography: Mika Ceron | Music: Thomas Moked Blum | Produced by Robin Lochmann, Mathias Schwerbrook | Motion Capture Performer: Ryan James | Miniatures: Berton Pierce, Claudia Brugnaletti, Alex Friedrich | Sound Design and Mixing: Frank Kruse | Voice Recording: Ryan James | Foley: Carsten Richter | Mixing Assistant: Maxim Romasevich | Editing and Postproduction: Robin Lochmann | Postproduction Assistant: Laura Adel | Grading: Federico De Luca | Fluid Simulation: Alex Mackay | Associate Producer: Julia Radke | Voice and Vocal Performers: Ryan James, Yalin Özer, Keegan Luttrell, Gregory Norton, Patty Mulloy, Estrella Bonilla, Ljubina Krnjajic, Marco Wedel, Henning Koch | Set Assistants: Hamed Mehravaran, Filippo Spreafico, Keegan Luttrell | Thanks to: Birgit and Peter, Frank Nagel, The Post Republic GmbH, Michael Reuter, Petra Kader-Göbel, Alexis Jang, Martin Stebbing, Jilianne Schröder, Patrica Trenkle, Maria Swiderski, Nikolai Stefansky, Filmbauarbeiter GmbH & Co KG, Delight Rental Services GmbH, Twopair Films
Robin Lochmann Webpage
Them Short Film Webpage
TAGS: 3D animation, Selected Shorts, Robin Lochmann, Filmbauarbeiter GmbH & Co KG, Delight Rental Services GmbH, Twopair Films, The Post Republic GmbH, Mika Ceron, Thomas Moked Blum, Mathias Schwerbrook, Ryan James
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Gaze upon the glorious lineup for Gloss Records' Gloss Weekend
State Fair vs. Summerfest, and mindless Mindset Lists
Bar Rescue opens latest Milwaukee project, Campbell’s Irish Pub
Jim Jefferies takes on guns, immunization, his own fans at Pabst Theater
Take advantage, man: We're screening 'Friday' at Avalon Theater in September
Josh Hoppert
Are there really anti-Semitic messages hidden in a Shorewood sculpture?
Here are all of Aaron Rodgers' correct answers/questions from his appearance on Jeopardy!
Fine, let's talk about the new Arcade Fire album
RSVR
“Reservation-based virtual reality experience center” coming soon to Bay View
Good news for fans of The Lawnmower Man, Black Mirror, and/or wearing goggles: RSVR, a self-described “reservation-based virtual reality experience center,” is coming soon to Bay View. Brothers Ryan and Reid Spiering plan to open RSVR at 2210 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. According to a Class B Tavern License application, the projected opening date is January 1, 2020.
RSVR’s impending Bay View debut isn’t exactly breaking news. Back in July, the Milwaukee Business Journal revealed details of the VR venture:
By day, the venue will be open for corporate purposes. Businesses can rent out the space to use the virtual reality technology to interactively visualize a design before manufacturing it, said Ryan Spiering.
“Smaller firms that can’t afford the initial investment could rent out space and equipment from us,” he said.
On the weekends, he said, RSVR would be open to the public on a reservation-basis to play virtual reality video games.
The license application reveals more details. For one, RSVR will serve alcohol, and plans to build a “temporary bar on the rear patio.” Still, alcohol is expected to make up only 20 percent of total sales. (“VR time” is listed as the remaining 80 percent.)
RSVR will be relatively small, with an expected capacity of 25. There will be three booths for VR devices. Based on a rendering, the whole thing will kind of look like an Apple Store.
“RSVR is the premiere destination to experience Virtual Reality,” says the company’s website. “State of the art computers, ultra high definition headsets and a stunning atmosphere make RSVR the ideal choice for your next adventure.
“Are you an AEC professional, product designer, 3d artist, etc.?” the website continues. “Utilize our multipurpose VR and meeting room space to visualize your designs or host your next meeting.”
Hours are expected to be Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Monday, closed.
Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.
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Regulators question Google over location data
by Sherisse Pham and Taehoon Lee @CNNTech November 24, 2017: 8:21 AM ET
'Essential' smartphone, made by Android founder
Google is facing scrutiny for reportedly collecting data about the location of smartphone users without their knowledge.
Regulators in South Korea summoned Google (GOOGL) representatives this week to question them about a report that claimed the company was collecting data from Android devices even when location services were disabled.
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) "is carrying out an inquiry into the claims that Google collected users' Cell ID data without consent even when their smartphone's location service was inactive," Chun Ji-hyun, head of KCC's privacy infringement division, told CNNMoney on Friday.
U.K. data protection officials are also looking into the matter.
"Organizations are required by law to be transparent with consumers about what they are doing with personal information," said a spokesperson for the Information Commissioner's Office. "We are aware of the reports about the tracking system and are in contact with Google."
The probes follow a report by Quartz which found Android phones have been collecting addresses of nearby cellular towers. Those addresses were included in information, such as Cell ID codes, sent to Google for nearly a year.
Related: Amazon Key asks users to trade privacy for convenience
Google said the data was collected to improve notifications and message delivery, and was not stored on Google servers. Android phones are no longer requesting Cell ID codes, and collection should be phased out this month, it said.
"In January of this year, we began looking into using Cell ID codes as an additional signal to further improve the speed and performance of message delivery," a Google spokesman said in a statement to CNNMoney.
Google never incorporated the data into its system, "so that data was immediately discarded, and we updated [the network system] to no longer request Cell ID," the spokesman added.
Related: Marissa Mayer grilled by Congress over massive Yahoo security breach
If Google collected Cell IDs without consent, the company may have violated South Korea's Location Data Protection Act, whether the data was stored on Google's U.S. servers or not, said Hwang Sun-chul, an official with KCC's commission's privacy infringement division.
An official investigation has not yet been launched, and more information will likely need to come from Google's U.S. headquarters, Hwang said.
Android phones dominate the global market. In South Korea, smartphones using Google's Android operating system, including Samsung (SSNLF) and LG (LPL) devices, account for more than 80% of the market, according to research firm IDC.
CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published November 24, 2017: 8:21 AM ET
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Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Understanding the Automobile
Motor car History
Lancia Aprilia (1937-1949)
Production period:
Body versions :
Saloon , Coupé ,Cabriolet
Gasoline 1.35-1.5 liters
The Lancia Aprilia was an automobile manufacturer Lancia and was produced from 1937 to 1949 with a tota number of 27,636 vehicles. The car was offered as a four-door sedan and as a coupe of various external coachbuilders, 7,554 "Aprilias" were in total coupes. The Aprilia remained without a clear successor.
The Lancia Ardea , which had been introduced in 1939 and produced until 1953, was much smaller, the Lancia Aurelia introduced in 1950 was larger than the Aprilia. Only in 1960 appeared with the Lancia Flavia again a car of comparable size.The body of the car was tested in the wind tunnel of the Politecnico di Torino and optimized from the lessons learned. Presented was the model, which was the last vehicle that had been developed under the participation of Vicenzo Lancia, 1937. Initially, the sales were sluggish, since the innovations such as the rear independent suspension rather aroused reservations. Only when no problems had shown did the sales figures increase. Although Italy had converted from left to right traffic from 1924 to 1926, the vehicle was still manufactured as a right-hand drive.
The production continued during the Second World War, but declined in the years 1943 to 1945 with only a few copies.
Engines: Gasoline 1.35-1.5 liters (35-36 kW)
Width: 1470-1530 mm
Curb weight: 900 kg
Previous model: Lancia Artena
Built: 27,636
Lancia Appia sports (1956-1964) 4 / 29 Lancia Ardea (1939-1953)
Lancia Aprilia Specification (1937-1949)
Italian Automotive 1940s | Italian Automotive 1930s | Vehicles launched in 1937
Read more in this section
Lancia Stradale Rally (1982-1983)
Lancia Zeta Range (1994-)
Lancia Beta Montecarlo (1975-1981)
© 2021 Motor Car History
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MX Manager
British Motocross
Arenacross explodes into the O2…
BurfJanuary 15, 20130
Arenacross blew the roof off The O2 on Saturday night with 7,500 fans piling into the iconic London venue to watch the UK and Europe’s leading racers and Freestyle Motocross riders.
It was non-stop action all the way with top-flight professional racers sharing centre stage with world class FMX athletes and the country’s fastest up-and-coming youth stars as the four-round Arenacross tour got off to an adrenalin-charged start in the nation’s capital.
The big winner on the night was Buildbase Honda rider Adam Chatfield who picked up a cheque for £2,500 with victory in the 14-lap Main Event.
“It couldn’t have gone any better,” says 25-year-old Adam. “I won everything I could win – both my heat races and the final. It’s a great start to the season, I just need to see how I go in the rest of them. I went to America for 10 days before this just to get a bit of riding in and get stuff sorted out and it’s paid off.”
While the action was red-hot on the track, 40ft above the arena floor it was incendiary with two of the world’s biggest Freestyle Motocross talents taking on the best of British.
Spanish star Edgar Torronteras survived an early crash to wow the crowd with a polished performance.
“I am so, so, so happy to be here in London,” says ET. “Okay, so I had one crash but that’s not unusual – that’s life. Our sport is dangerous. It’s beautiful too. But dangerous”
Norwegian Andre Villa made his world debut on a four-stroke machine and wasted no time in showing exactly why he’s regarded as one of the world’s best.
“This was special,” says Andre. “It was my debut with the 450 four-stroke so I was really focussed here today. I didn’t want to mess up, I didn’t want to make any mistakes. I just wanted to entertain the audience the best that I could. I think we all did a good job and I think the show was great. The people left wanting more which is always the best way.
“It’s Belfast next and I’ve never been there before and I can’t wait to get there and ride my dirt bike and to see if it’s as good as it is here.”
Pic (c) Nuno Laranjeira
Revo Talon Team debut at the O2 Arenacross Previous post
TC third, Nunny sixth at Arenacross opener Next post
MX Vice Show: #30
Lewis PhillipsApril 29, 2020
The MX Vice Show: #29
Lewis PhillipsMarch 12, 2020
Lewis PhillipsMarch 4, 2020
Thomas on: Ken Roczen
Lewis PhillipsFebruary 28, 2020
Track Preview: Houston 1
2021-01-16 Qualifying footage from H1.
All Results: Houston 1
2021-01-16 Results straight from H1.
Press Day: Dean Wilson
2021-01-16 GoPro clip from Houston 1.
Update: Zach Osborne
2021-01-16 Osborne confirms status.
MXVICE
Unit 34a & 35a, Old Mills Industrial Estate, Paulton, Mainland UK
British MX Nationals British Youth and Amateur Motocross Games 90's Motocross Arenacross Australian Motocross Breaking News British Championship Dutch Masters European Motocross European Supercross Fantasy MX Manager
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April 5, 2020 by Myanm/art
Hybridized Beings: Soe Yu Nwe
Myanmar is a religious country. I am fascinated in the religious, spiritual and supernatural imagery and the role they play in shaping an individual’s identity or that of a society as a whole. In my work, I weave together these thoughts and fascination in my visual vocabulary as I began to define myself and depict my place in the world. Due to my interest in the supernatural, local animistic beliefs, and folklores, mythology is a source of inspiration. I am particularly interested in the female figures in Buddhist mythologies.
Featured prominently in this exhibition, is the the image of Naga Mae Daw (Burmese Dragon Queen). My interest in Naga Mae Daw developed after visiting Botataung Pagoda in my neighborhood. I was inspired by a Burmese Nat who was enshrined there called Mya Nan Nwe. She was a devoted Buddhist and believed by some to be the reincarnation of Naga (Burmese dragon). In this new body of work, I reconfigured a Naga Mae Daw’s head into various configuration, narrating and exploring notions of interiority, fertility, spirituality and the sense of confinement felt by being female in a conservative society such as Myanmar.
A name is a set of words in which a person is known and therefore a crucial part of one’s identity. How belief (thought system) and culture infiltrates into this signifier of oneself is fascinating to me. The imagery I used in my work reference my name and myself. My Chinese nick name is Tree(樹) Flower(花). Before deciding on “Tree Flower”, the oracle my family used to name me initially agreed on “Dragon Flower (龍花)”. My family deemed this name “too masculine” and declined the name. I am fascinated with this change and imagery from my name comprises the narratives of my work- Sculptures depicting my foot bound with that of my mother’s, imagery of Naga women and my hands transforming into the botanics reminiscent of Greek goddess Daphne. As I reconfigured these symbols and icons, I reflect upon my otherness through making- conceiving the self as a fluid, fragile and fragmented entity. Through transfiguration of my emotional landscape by poetically depicting nature and body in parts, I ponder the complexities of individual identity in globalized society.
Soe Yu Nwe is a pioneering ceramic artist from Myanmar. After earning her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States, she participated in multiple international exhibitions and artist residency programs. She recently joined the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane Australia and was named Forbes 30 under 30: Art and Style List in 2019. She currently lives between Yangon and the United States.
Posted in Artists, Exhibitions, Gallery SpaceTagged asian art, ceramic art myanmar, ceramics, Contemporary ceramics, glaze, Myanmar women, naga maedaw, sculptor, sculpture, Soe Yu Nwe, women artists
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Characters, Female, Minor Characters
SPOILERS AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!
If you haven't played Mystic Messenger completely, you might read something that will reveal to you the complete story of the game. So please pay attention!
사라 최
CEO of "Sugar Round"
Glam Choi (Sister)
Glam's Daughter (Niece)
Sarah Choi is a side character who is involved in the majority of Jumin Han's route, and can be considered as one of the two antagonists in the events of his route; the other being Glam Choi (Sarah's sister).
In Jumin's route, Chairman Han (Jumin's father) declares that his intentions to marry Glam and expresses wishes to make Sarah his son's fiance.
3 Role
5.1 Jumin Han
5.2 Chairman Han
5.3 Glam Choi
5.4 Elizabeth 3rd
Not much is known about Sarah's true personality other than her greed when it comes to money. She seems to be very loyal to her sister, Glam Choi, and is willing to go through tedious tasks to get what she wants. Sarah doesn't seem to be afraid of flaunting her looks and position as she calls herself Jumin Han's fiancee.
However, she becomes extremely defensive when her reputation is on the line, to the point of threatening to sue those who write bad things about her.
She portrays herself as an upbeat woman, very cheerful and caring. When talking to those other than her sister, she displays a fake persona. She seemingly pretends to act hurt and defeated when her advances on Jumin don't work, though sometimes making joking remarks at how cold he is towards her.
Sarah is shown as a relatively slender fair-skinned woman with long, magenta hair, light brown eyes and an hourglass figure. She is shown wearing blue earrings with a matching blue necklace, a long sleeved purple shirt with brown pants and a bag.
It is stated that she had undergone extreme plastic surgery to the point where she doesn't look similar to Glam Choi (Sarah's sister). Her appearance beforehand is unknown.
Glam Choi planned for Sarah to marry Jumin Han. After the failure of her company "Sugar Round" she received plastic surgery and a fake ID to approach Jumin's father on an arranged marriage. Once married, she wanted to sell her company at a large price knowing that Chairman Han of C&R would purchase it, which would, in turn, solve their financial issues.
Not much is known about Sarah's history. All that is stated is that at some point both her and Glam Choi were wealthy then lost their wealth, causing Sarah to undergo extreme plastic surgery and creating the food company Sugar Round so that they can marry into wealth, have them buy the company from them, then eventually leaving them with the money.
Sarah was supposed to marry Jumin, but the two never really got along very well.
Glam is Sarah's sister.
Sarah doesn't like Elizabeth and she has questioned why Jumin bothers with a cat, because she gets fur everywhere.
The name Sarah means "lady, princess, noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Sarah believes Jaehee Kang looks average.
Despite Sarah surname being the same as 707's and Unknown's, it is reasonable to assume they are not related as Choi is a common surname in South Korea.
Retrieved from "https://mystic-messenger.fandom.com/wiki/Sarah_Choi?oldid=32547"
More Mystic Messenger Wiki
0 Chat Room Timings
1 Phone Calls
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Naaju Viral Breaking News, International News, National News, Live Updates, Latest Headlines, Viral News, Top Stories, Trending Topics, Videos
Home/Health/Arizona reports 822 new coronavirus cases, 5 more deaths
Arizona reports 822 new coronavirus cases, 5 more deaths
A medical student takes a nasal swab sample for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 from a staff member at a nursery school in Budapest, Hungary, during the nationwide rapid test of healthcare workers and teachers, Hungarian social services, nurseries, kindergartens and teachers Monday November 30, 2020 (Zoltan Balogh / MTI via AP)
This is a regularly updated story with the latest information on the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for November 30, 2020.
PHOENIX – Arizona health officials reported 822 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday with five additional deaths.
That put the state’s documented totals at 326,817 COVID-19 infections and 6,639 deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
It was the lowest daily case report since November 9, although Monday’s COVID-19 updates still had lower numbers than on other days of the week.
Overall, key indicators of the pandemic have increased in Arizona at rates not seen since the first wave in June and July. Cases have increased since the beginning of October and reached record levels last week.
Arizona’s number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospital patients on Sunday was 2,513, a 25% increase over the past week and the highest since July 27.
The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 peaked on July 13 at 3,517 and then fell as low as 468 on September 27.
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care beds was 579 on Sunday, a 23% increase last week and the highest since August 5.
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care beds peaked on July 13 at 970 and then fell to 114 on September 22.
Statewide, 29% of all inpatient beds and 33% of all intensive care beds were filled with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients on Sunday, levels last seen in late July and early August . Overall, inpatient beds were 86% occupied and ICU beds were 89% full on Sunday.
Arizona’s weekly percentage of positivity for diagnostic tests for COVID-19, an indicator of the virus’s spread in the community, has reached its highest level in more than four months.
The positivity rate was 14% out of 107,669 tests reported last week, the highest since it was 16% for the week starting July 12.
The weekly rate peaked at 21% in late June and fell to 4% as recently as early October.
Official positivity rates are based on when samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage over the past few weeks may fluctuate as labs catch up with testing and results. are documented by the state.
Four days after hitting a record high of nearly 4,000, the seven-day moving average of new cases reported by the state’s health department fell to 3,761.43 on Sunday, according to the Associated Press tracking.
The seven-day case average had dropped after the summer wave as low as 373.14 on September 12.
The seven-day average of newly reported deaths is relatively stable compared to the number of cases and was 24.29 for Sunday.
The seven-day average of deaths peaked on July 30 at 94 and then fell as low as 5.57 on October 14.
Daily reports from the Arizona Department of Health showcase data on cases, deaths, and testing after the state receives and confirms statistics, which can be delayed by days or more. They do not represent actual activity over the past 24 hours.
The hospitalization data displayed each morning are reported the night before by the hospitals.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has no impact on some people and is severely disabling or fatal for others. People who are infected without symptoms – which include, but are not limited to, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing – are able to spread the virus.
Information on testing locations can be found on the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
Below are Monday’s latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic across the state, country, and the world:
Moderna Inc. has said it will ask US and European regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, as new study results confirm that the injections offer strong protection.
Globally, there were more than 62.86 million cases of COVID-19 and 1.46 million deaths as of Monday morning, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. The figures for the United States were around 13.38 million cases and 266,000 deaths.
Follow @ KTAR923
For all articles, information and updates on the coronavirus from KTAR News, visit ktar.com/coronavirus.
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Kiddwaya cries out as fan threatens him for “embarrassing” Erica
An angry fan has gone hard on former BBNaija housemate, Kiddwaya over comment he made in a recent interview with Punch Newspaper.
Recall we earlier reported that Kiddwaya had a chat with Tofarati Ige, a correspondent of the daily PUNCH newspaper during which he discussed his childhood, career, family and love life.
Kiddwaya whose real name is Terseer Waya said during the interview that he has no love life and isn’t dating any girl at the moment.
In the interview, when asked “Are you a playboy?”, he supplied the answer below;
“No, I am not. People think I am a playboy because I am gentle, nice and look good. I am just nice to women and I know how to treat them. The fact that I have a lot of women around me does not mean I am a playboy. If I want to get married today, I would do that. And, if I want to date a girl, I would also do that. If I want to get married, I would be committed to a long-term marriage. I don’t think I have a love life. I think I have a life and I am trying to find love.”
Are you saying you are single?, the inquisitive journalist asked further, but got a disappointing reply that reads, “You would have to wait and find out. The year is just starting.”
When asked, “How would you describe your relationship with Erica Nlewedim and how did you feel about her disqualification from BBN?“, Kiddwaya said;
“I don’t want to talk about her disqualification. She should be the one to talk about that. Besides, she is trying to move on from that. She does not want to be reminded about it every time. However, our relationship is cool.”
Sequel to all of these, an Erica die hard fan has come for Kiddwaya’s head threatening fire and brimstone.
The Twitter user who apears to be an Erica stan warned Kiddwaya to stop embarrassing her with particular reference to his recent interview.
The Erica stan warned that failure to desist from embarrassing the self-styled star girl would have him, his family and his late grandma dragged.
Worried, Kiddwaya took to his official Twitter and handle and tweeted, “So this is what it has come to now? Ok cool”, with a screenshot of the threat message attached.
So this is what it has come to now? Ok cool. pic.twitter.com/F7NuYQmLQj
— Kiddwaya (@RealKiddWaya) January 10, 2021
See screenshot of the threat message Kiddwaya received below;
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Vermont slaps patent troll with first-ever suit of its kind
24 May 2013 5 Law & order
Previous: Only 36% of small firms apply security patches. No wonder cybercrooks are stealing their cash
Next: Cybercrooks siphon $800,000 from US fuel distribution firm
Late last year, a patent troll had the gall to send thousands of letters to small businesses around the US, demanding payment of between $900 and $1,200 per worker for – get this – using scanners and then emailing scans.
According to Ars Technica’s Joe Mullen, this “brazen patent-trolling scheme” was conducted by a company called MPHJ Technology Investments, along with “dozens of shell companies with six-letter names.”
The state of Vermont has a problem with that. A big problem.
In a left-right double punch, the State Attorney General has filed a groundbreaking complaint [PDF] against the infamous scanner troll, while the state’s governor on Wednesday signed bill H.299 [PDF], the nation’s first-ever anti-patent trolling law.
It was bad enough that MPHJ was allegedly shaking down small businesses and thereby running afoul of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
To make matters worse, two of the businesses it allegedly picked on were nonprofits that assist developmentally-disabled people: Lincoln Street, a Springfield nonprofit that gives home care to developmentally-disabled Vermonters, and ARIS Solutions, a non-profit that helps the disabled and their caregivers with various fiscal and payroll services.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Vermont State AG William H. Sorrell quantified the blood-sucking and listed the ways that government is trying to stop the vampires:
Patent trolling is a national problem. A recent major study out of Boston University estimated the cost of patent trolling on the US economy at $29 billion in 2011 alone.
Representative Peter Welch recently co-sponsored the Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (“SHIELD”) Act of 2013 in Congress to address the problem and the Federal Trade Commission held a workshop to address patent trolling in December 2012.
Sorrell is alleging that the scanner troll neglected to conduct due diligence before sending the letters and made deceptive statements about its threats of suit and whether other companies had taken a license.
Indeed, the questionable - it might be more accurate to say laughable - legitimacy of MPHJ's patent is outlined here by Mike Lloyd, one of the management team at a patent-mapping software company.
As Lloyd demonstrates, patents relating to scanning and emailing documents are not only very plentiful; they also go far back in time before MPHJ got its grubby little paws on its own version - back to, for example, Xerox, which filed a similar patent in October 1993.
In an interview with Ars, Sorrell said that he's hoping that other states follow Vermont's lead:
All of a sudden, these nonprofits were getting threats... This caused consternation on behalf of a number of Vermont companies and caused them to incur expenses when they hired private legal counsel.
We're hopeful that other states will take action to protect their businesses and organizations. They've sent threatening letters all over the country.
We hope so too. Nice work, Vermont. Thank you for taking the lead on this.
Image of patent troll courtesy of Shutterstock.
5 comments on “Vermont slaps patent troll with first-ever suit of its kind”
spryte says:
Well done Vermont !!
Also, it’s about time other jurisdictions picked up the ball on this.
Was there not supposed to be a review/reform of the Patent Act to eliminate this kind of patent trolling?
wally says:
Now if they can only get jail time, it will be a good result
Ian K says:
Job well done….now if we could only stop the Getty Images Trolls…..
DSS says:
Thank you Vermont!
Jim Crozier says:
way to go!!
by Sally Adam
Home schooling – how to stay secure
S3 Ep14: Money scams, HTTPS by default, and hardcoded passwords [Podcast]
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Invoice OCR
Passport OCR
ID Card OCR
Text extraction / OCR
Invoice / Receipts
Table Extraction
Try Nanonets OCR →
A 2021 guide to Semantic Segmentation
by Anil Chandra Naidu Matcha 2 days ago 25 min read
Deep learning has been very successful when working with images as data and is currently at a stage where it works better than humans on multiple use-cases. The most important problems that humans have been interested in solving with computer vision are image classification, object detection and segmentation in the increasing order of their difficulty.
In the plain old task of image classification we are just interested in getting the labels of all the objects that are present in an image. In object detection we come further a step and try to know along with what all objects that are present in an image, the location at which the objects are present with the help of bounding boxes. Image segmentation takes it to a new level by trying to find out accurately the exact boundary of the objects in the image.
Source http://cs224d.stanford.edu/index.html
In this article we will go through this concept of image segmentation, discuss the relevant use-cases, different neural network architectures involved in achieving the results, metrics and datasets to explore.
What is image segmentation
We know an image is nothing but a collection of pixels. Image segmentation is the process of classifying each pixel in an image belonging to a certain class and hence can be thought of as a classification problem per pixel. There are two types of segmentation techniques
Source http://cs231n.stanford.edu/slides/2017/cs231n_2017_lecture11.pdf
Semantic segmentation :- Semantic segmentation is the process of classifying each pixel belonging to a particular label. It doesn't different across different instances of the same object. For example if there are 2 cats in an image, semantic segmentation gives same label to all the pixels of both cats
Instance segmentation :- Instance segmentation differs from semantic segmentation in the sense that it gives a unique label to every instance of a particular object in the image. As can be seen in the image above all 3 dogs are assigned different colours i.e different labels. With semantic segmentation all of them would have been assigned the same colour.
So we will now come to the point where would we need this kind of an algorithm
Use-cases of image segmentation
Handwriting Recognition :- Junjo et all demonstrated how semantic segmentation is being used to extract words and lines from handwritten documents in their 2019 research paper to recognise handwritten characters
Google portrait mode :- There are many use-cases where it is absolutely essential to separate foreground from background. For example in Google's portrait mode we can see the background blurred out while the foreground remains unchanged to give a cool effect
Source:- https://ai.googleblog.com/2018/03/mobile-real-time-video-segmentation.html
YouTube stories :- Google recently released a feature YouTube stories for content creators to show different backgrounds while creating stories.
Virtual make-up :- Applying virtual lip-stick is possible now with the help of image segmentation
Source:- https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/16/14946086/sephora-virtual-assistant-ios-app-update-ar-makeup
4.Virtual try-on :- Virtual try on of clothes is an interesting feature which was available in stores using specialized hardware which creates a 3d model. But with deep learning and image segmentation the same can be obtained using just a 2d image
Source:- https://arxiv.org/pdf/1807.07688.pdf
Visual Image Search :- The idea of segmenting out clothes is also used in image retrieval algorithms in eCommerce. For example Pinterest/Amazon allows you to upload any picture and get related similar looking products by doing an image search based on segmenting out the cloth portion
Source:- https://github.com/paucarre/tiefvision
Self-driving cars :- Self driving cars need a complete understanding of their surroundings to a pixel perfect level. Hence image segmentation is used to identify lanes and other necessary information
Source:- https://medium.com/intro-to-artificial-intelligence/semantic-segmentation-udaitys-self-driving-car-engineer-nanodegree-c01eb6eaf9d
Nanonets helps fortune 500 companies enable better customer experiences at scale using Semantic Segmentation.
Methods and Techniques
Before the advent of deep learning, classical machine learning techniques like SVM, Random Forest, K-means Clustering were used to solve the problem of image segmentation. But as with most of the image related problem statements deep learning has worked comprehensively better than the existing techniques and has become a norm now when dealing with Semantic Segmentation. Let's review the techniques which are being used to solve the problem
Fully Convolutional Network
The general architecture of a CNN consists of few convolutional and pooling layers followed by few fully connected layers at the end. The paper of Fully Convolutional Network released in 2014 argues that the final fully connected layer can be thought of as doing a 1x1 convolution that cover the entire region.
Source:- https://arxiv.org/abs/1411.4038
Hence the final dense layers can be replaced by a convolution layer achieving the same result. But now the advantage of doing this is the size of input need not be fixed anymore. When involving dense layers the size of input is constrained and hence when a different sized input has to be provided it has to be resized. But by replacing a dense layer with convolution, this constraint doesn't exist.
Also when a bigger size of image is provided as input the output produced will be a feature map and not just a class output like for a normal input sized image. Also the observed behavior of the final feature map represents the heatmap of the required class i.e the position of the object is highlighted in the feature map. Since the output of the feature map is a heatmap of the required object it is valid information for our use-case of segmentation.
Since the feature map obtained at the output layer is a down sampled due to the set of convolutions performed, we would want to up-sample it using an interpolation technique. Bilinear up sampling works but the paper proposes using learned up sampling with deconvolution which can even learn a non-linear up sampling.
The down sampling part of the network is called an encoder and the up sampling part is called a decoder. This is a pattern we will see in many architectures i.e reducing the size with encoder and then up sampling with decoder. In an ideal world we would not want to down sample using pooling and keep the same size throughout but that would lead to a huge amount of parameters and would be computationally infeasible.
Although the output results obtained have been decent the output observed is rough and not smooth. The reason for this is loss of information at the final feature layer due to downsampling by 32 times using convolution layers. Now it becomes very difficult for the network to do 32x upsampling by using this little information. This architecture is called FCN-32
To address this issue, the paper proposed 2 other architectures FCN-16, FCN-8. In FCN-16 information from the previous pooling layer is used along with the final feature map and hence now the task of the network is to learn 16x up sampling which is better compared to FCN-32. FCN-8 tries to make it even better by including information from one more previous pooling layer.
U-net builds on top of the fully convolutional network from above. It was built for medical purposes to find tumours in lungs or the brain. It also consists of an encoder which down-samples the input image to a feature map and the decoder which up samples the feature map to input image size using learned deconvolution layers.
Source:- https://arxiv.org/abs/1505.04597
The main contribution of the U-Net architecture is the shortcut connections. We saw above in FCN that since we down-sample an image as part of the encoder we lost a lot of information which can't be easily recovered in the encoder part. FCN tries to address this by taking information from pooling layers before the final feature layer.
U-Net proposes a new approach to solve this information loss problem. It proposes to send information to every up sampling layer in decoder from the corresponding down sampling layer in the encoder as can be seen in the figure above thus capturing finer information whilst also keeping the computation low. Since the layers at the beginning of the encoder would have more information they would bolster the up sampling operation of decoder by providing fine details corresponding to the input images thus improving the results a lot. The paper also suggested use of a novel loss function which we will discuss below.
DeepLab
Deeplab from a group of researchers from Google have proposed a multitude of techniques to improve the existing results and get finer output at lower computational costs. The 3 main improvements suggested as part of the research are
1) Atrous convolutions
2) Atrous Spatial Pyramidal Pooling
3) Conditional Random Fields usage for improving final output
Let's discuss about all these
Atrous Convolution
One of the major problems with FCN approach is the excessive downsizing due to consecutive pooling operations. Due to series of pooling the input image is down sampled by 32x which is again up sampled to get the segmentation result. Downsampling by 32x results in a loss of information which is very crucial for getting fine output in a segmentation task. Also deconvolution to up sample by 32x is a computation and memory expensive operation since there are additional parameters involved in forming a learned up sampling.
The paper proposes the usage of Atrous convolution or the hole convolution or dilated convolution which helps in getting an understanding of large context using the same number of parameters.
Source:- https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/24/5361/htm
Dilated convolution works by increasing the size of the filter by appending zeros(called holes) to fill the gap between parameters. The number of holes/zeroes filled in between the filter parameters is called by a term dilation rate. When the rate is equal to 1 it is nothing but the normal convolution. When rate is equal to 2 one zero is inserted between every other parameter making the filter look like a 5x5 convolution. Now it has the capacity to get the context of 5x5 convolution while having 3x3 convolution parameters. Similarly for rate 3 the receptive field goes to 7x7.
In Deeplab last pooling layers are replaced to have stride 1 instead of 2 thereby keeping the down sampling rate to only 8x. Then a series of atrous convolutions are applied to capture the larger context. For training the output labelled mask is down sampled by 8x to compare each pixel. For inference, bilinear up sampling is used to produce output of the same size which gives decent enough results at lower computational/memory costs since bilinear up sampling doesn't need any parameters as opposed to deconvolution for up sampling.
ASPP
Spatial Pyramidal Pooling is a concept introduced in SPPNet to capture multi-scale information from a feature map. Before the introduction of SPP input images at different resolutions are supplied and the computed feature maps are used together to get the multi-scale information but this takes more computation and time. With Spatial Pyramidal Pooling multi-scale information can be captured with a single input image.
Source:- http://kaiminghe.com/eccv14sppnet/index.html
With the SPP module the network produces 3 outputs of dimensions 1x1(i.e GAP), 2x2 and 4x4. These values are concatenated by converting to a 1d vector thus capturing information at multiple scales. Another advantage of using SPP is input images of any size can be provided.
ASPP takes the concept of fusing information from different scales and applies it to Atrous convolutions. The input is convolved with different dilation rates and the outputs of these are fused together.
Source:- http://liangchiehchen.com/projects/DeepLab.html
As can be seen the input is convolved with 3x3 filters of dilation rates 6, 12, 18 and 24 and the outputs are concatenated together since they are of same size. A 1x1 convolution output is also added to the fused output. To also provide the global information, the GAP output is also added to above after up sampling. The fused output of 3x3 varied dilated outputs, 1x1 and GAP output is passed through 1x1 convolution to get to the required number of channels.
Since the required image to be segmented can be of any size in the input the multi-scale information from ASPP helps in improving the results.
Improving output with CRF
Pooling is an operation which helps in reducing the number of parameters in a neural network but it also brings a property of invariance along with it. Invariance is the quality of a neural network being unaffected by slight translations in input. Due to this property obtained with pooling the segmentation output obtained by a neural network is coarse and the boundaries are not concretely defined.
To deal with this the paper proposes use of graphical model CRF. Conditional Random Field operates a post-processing step and tries to improve the results produced to define shaper boundaries. It works by classifying a pixel based not only on it's label but also based on other pixel labels. As can be seen from the above figure the coarse boundary produced by the neural network gets more refined after passing through CRF.
Deeplab-v3 introduced batch normalization and suggested dilation rate multiplied by (1,2,4) inside each layer in a Resnet block. Also adding image level features to ASPP module which was discussed in the above discussion on ASPP was proposed as part of this paper
Deeplab-v3+ suggested to have a decoder instead of plain bilinear up sampling 16x. The decoder takes a hint from the decoder used by architectures like U-Net which take information from encoder layers to improve the results. The encoder output is up sampled 4x using bilinear up sampling and concatenated with the features from encoder which is again up sampled 4x after performing a 3x3 convolution. This approach yields better results than a direct 16x up sampling. Also modified Xception architecture is proposed to be used instead of Resnet as part of encoder and depthwise separable convolutions are now used on top of Atrous convolutions to reduce the number of computations.
Global Convolution Network
Source :- https://arxiv.org/pdf/1703.02719.pdf
Semantic segmentation involves performing two tasks concurrently
i) Classification
ii) Localization
The classification networks are created to be invariant to translation and rotation thus giving no importance to location information whereas the localization involves getting accurate details w.r.t the location. Thus inherently these two tasks are contradictory. Most segmentation algorithms give more importance to localization i.e the second in the above figure and thus lose sight of global context. In this work the author proposes a way to give importance to classification task too while at the same time not losing the localization information
The author proposes to achieve this by using large kernels as part of the network thus enabling dense connections and hence more information. This is achieved with the help of a GCN block as can be seen in the above figure. GCN block can be thought of as a k x k convolution filter where k can be a number bigger than 3. To reduce the number of parameters a k x k filter is further split into 1 x k and k x 1, kx1 and 1xk blocks which are then summed up. Thus by increasing value k, larger context is captured.
In addition, the author proposes a Boundary Refinement block which is similar to a residual block seen in Resnet consisting of a shortcut connection and a residual connection which are summed up to get the result. It is observed that having a Boundary Refinement block resulted in improving the results at the boundary of segmentation.
Results showed that GCN block improved the classification accuracy of pixels closer to the center of object indicating the improvement caused due to capturing long range context whereas Boundary Refinement block helped in improving accuracy of pixels closer to boundary.
See More Than Once – KSAC for Semantic Segmentation
Deeplab family uses ASPP to have multiple receptive fields capture information using different atrous convolution rates. Although ASPP has been significantly useful in improving the segmentation of results there are some inherent problems caused due to the architecture. There is no information shared across the different parallel layers in ASPP thus affecting the generalization power of the kernels in each layer. Also since each layer caters to different sets of training samples(smaller objects to smaller atrous rate and bigger objects to bigger atrous rates), the amount of data for each parallel layer would be less thus affecting the overall generalizability. Also the number of parameters in the network increases linearly with the number of parameters and thus can lead to overfitting.
To handle all these issues the author proposes a novel network structure called Kernel-Sharing Atrous Convolution (KSAC). As can be seen in the above figure, instead of having a different kernel for each parallel layer is ASPP a single kernel is shared across thus improving the generalization capability of the network. By using KSAC instead of ASPP 62% of the parameters are saved when dilation rates of 6,12 and 18 are used.
Another advantage of using a KSAC structure is the number of parameters are independent of the number of dilation rates used. Thus we can add as many rates as possible without increasing the model size. ASPP gives best results with rates 6,12,18 but accuracy decreases with 6,12,18,24 indicating possible overfitting. But KSAC accuracy still improves considerably indicating the enhanced generalization capability.
This kernel sharing technique can also be seen as an augmentation in the feature space since the same kernel is applied over multiple rates. Similar to how input augmentation gives better results, feature augmentation performed in the network should help improve the representation capability of the network.
Video Segmentation
For use cases like self-driving cars, robotics etc. there is a need for real-time segmentation on the observed video. The architectures discussed so far are pretty much designed for accuracy and not for speed. So if they are applied on a per-frame basis on a video the result would come at very low speed.
Also generally in a video there is a lot of overlap in scenes across consecutive frames which could be used for improving the results and speed which won't come into picture if analysis is done on a per-frame basis. Using these cues let's discuss architectures which are specifically designed for videos
STFCN
Spatio-Temporal FCN proposes to use FCN along with LSTM to do video segmentation. We are already aware of how FCN can be used to extract features for segmenting an image. LSTM are a kind of neural networks which can capture sequential information over time. STFCN combines the power of FCN with LSTM to capture both the spatial information and temporal information
As can be seen from the above figure STFCN consists of a FCN, Spatio-temporal module followed by deconvolution. The feature map produced by a FCN is sent to Spatio-Temporal Module which also has an input from the previous frame's module. The module based on both these inputs captures the temporal information in addition to the spatial information and sends it across which is up sampled to the original size of image using deconvolution similar to how it's done in FCN
Since both FCN and LSTM are working together as part of STFCN the network is end to end trainable and outperforms single frame segmentation approaches. There are similar approaches where LSTM is replaced by GRU but the concept is same of capturing both the spatial and temporal information
Semantic Video CNNs through Representation Warping
This paper proposes the use of optical flow across adjacent frames as an extra input to improve the segmentation results
The approach suggested can be roped in to any standard architecture as a plug-in. The key ingredient that is at play is the NetWarp module. To compute the segmentation map the optical flow between the current frame and previous frame is calculated i.e Ft and is passed through a FlowCNN to get Λ(Ft) . This process is called Flow Transformation. This value is passed through a warp module which also takes as input the feature map of an intermediate layer calculated by passing through the network. This gives a warped feature map which is then combined with the intermediate feature map of the current layer and the entire network is end to end trained. This architecture achieved SOTA results on CamVid and Cityscapes video benchmark datasets.
Clockwork Convnets for Video Semantic Segmentation
This paper proposes to improve the speed of execution of a neural network for segmentation task on videos by taking advantage of the fact that semantic information in a video changes slowly compared to pixel level information. So the information in the final layers changes at a much slower pace compared to the beginning layers. The paper suggests different times
The above figure represents the rate of change comparison for a mid level layer pool4 and a deep layer fc7. On the left we see that since there is a lot of change across the frames both the layers show a change but the change for pool4 is higher. In the right we see that there is not a lot of change across the frames. Hence pool4 shows marginal change whereas fc7 shows almost nil change.
The research utilizes this concept and suggests that in cases where there is not much of a change across the frames there is no need of computing the features/outputs again and the cached values from the previous frame can be used. Since the rate of change varies with layers different clocks can be set for different sets of layers. When the clock ticks the new outputs are calculated, otherwise the cached results are used. The rate of clock ticks can be statically fixed or can be dynamically learnt
Low-Latency Video Semantic Segmentation
This paper improves on top of the above discussion by adaptively selecting the frames to compute the segmentation map or to use the cached result instead of using a fixed timer or a heuristic.
The paper proposes to divide the network into 2 parts, low level features and high level features. The cost of computing low level features in a network is much less compared to higher features. The research suggests to use the low level network features as an indicator of the change in segmentation map. In their observations they found strong correlation between low level features change and the segmentation map change. So to understand if there is a need to compute if the higher features are needed to be calculated, the lower features difference across 2 frames is found and is compared if it crosses a particular threshold. This entire process is automated by a small neural network whose task is to take lower features of two frames and to give a prediction as to whether higher features should be computed or not. Since the network decision is based on the input frames the decision taken is dynamic compared to the above approach.
Segmentation for point clouds
Data coming from a sensor such as lidar is stored in a format called Point Cloud. Point cloud is nothing but a collection of unordered set of 3d data points(or any dimension). It is a sparse representation of the scene in 3d and CNN can't be directly applied in such a case. Also any architecture designed to deal with point clouds should take into consideration that it is an unordered set and hence can have a lot of possible permutations. So the network should be permutation invariant. Also the points defined in the point cloud can be described by the distance between them. So closer points in general carry useful information which is useful for segmentation tasks
PointNet
PointNet is an important paper in the history of research on point clouds using deep learning to solve the tasks of classification and segmentation. Let's study the architecture of Pointnet
Input of the network for n points is an n x 3 matrix. n x 3 matrix is mapped to n x 64 using a shared multi-perceptron layer(fully connected network) which is then mapped to n x 64 and then to n x 128 and n x 1024. Max pooling is applied to get a 1024 vector which is converted to k outputs by passing through MLP's with sizes 512, 256 and k. Finally k class outputs are produced similar to any classification network.
Classification deals only with the global features but segmentation needs local features as well. So the local features from intermediate layer at n x 64 is concatenated with global features to get a n x 1088 matrix which is sent through mlp of 512 and 256 to get to n x 256 and then though MLP's of 128 and m to give m output classes for every point in point cloud.
Also the network involves an input transform and feature transform as part of the network whose task is to not change the shape of input but add invariance to affine transformations i.e translation, rotation etc.
A-CNN
A-CNN proposes the usage of Annular convolutions to capture spatial information. We know from CNN that convolution operations capture the local information which is essential to get an understanding of the image. A-CNN devised a new convolution called Annular convolution which is applied to neighbourhood points in a point-cloud.
The architecture takes as input n x 3 points and finds normals for them which is used for ordering of points. A subsample of points is taken using the FPS algorithm resulting in ni x 3 points. On these annular convolution is applied to increase to 128 dimensions. Annular convolution is performed on the neighbourhood points which are determined using a KNN algorithm.
Another set of the above operations are performed to increase the dimensions to 256. Then an mlp is applied to change the dimensions to 1024 and pooling is applied to get a 1024 global vector similar to point-cloud. This entire part is considered the encoder. For classification the encoder global output is passed through mlp to get c class outputs. For segmentation task both the global and local features are considered similar to PointCNN and is then passed through an MLP to get m class outputs for each point.
Let's discuss the metrics which are generally used to understand and evaluate the results of a model.
Pixel Accuracy
Pixel accuracy is the most basic metric which can be used to validate the results. Accuracy is obtained by taking the ratio of correctly classified pixels w.r.t total pixels
Accuracy = (TP+TN)/(TP+TN+FP+FN)
The main disadvantage of using such a technique is the result might look good if one class overpowers the other. Say for example the background class covers 90% of the input image we can get an accuracy of 90% by just classifying every pixel as background
Intersection Over Union
IOU is defined as the ratio of intersection of ground truth and predicted segmentation outputs over their union. If we are calculating for multiple classes, IOU of each class is calculated and their mean is taken. It is a better metric compared to pixel accuracy as if every pixel is given as background in a 2 class input the IOU value is (90/100+0/100)/2 i.e 45% IOU which gives a better representation as compared to 90% accuracy.
Source:- https://www.pyimagesearch.com/2016/11/07/intersection-over-union-iou-for-object-detection
Frequency weighted IOU
This is an extension over mean IOU which we discussed and is used to combat class imbalance. If one class dominates most part of the images in a dataset like for example background, it needs to be weighed down compared to other classes. Thus instead of taking the mean of all the class results, a weighted mean is taken based on the frequency of the class region in the dataset.
F1 Score
The metric popularly used in classification F1 Score can be used for segmentation task as well to deal with class imbalance.
Source:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F1_score
Average Precision
Area under the Precision - Recall curve for a chosen threshold IOU average over different classes is used for validating the results.
Loss functions
Loss function is used to guide the neural network towards optimization. Let's discuss a few popular loss functions for semantic segmentation task.
Cross Entropy Loss
Simple average of cross-entropy classification loss for every pixel in the image can be used as an overall function. But this again suffers due to class imbalance which FCN proposes to rectify using class weights
UNet tries to improve on this by giving more weight-age to the pixels near the border which are part of the boundary as compared to inner pixels as this makes the network focus more on identifying borders and not give a coarse output.
Focal Loss
Focal loss was designed to make the network focus on hard examples by giving more weight-age and also to deal with extreme class imbalance observed in single-stage object detectors. The same can be applied in semantic segmentation tasks as well
Dice Loss
Dice function is nothing but F1 score. This loss function directly tries to optimize F1 score. Similarly direct IOU score can be used to run optimization as well
Tversky Loss
It is a variant of Dice loss which gives different weight-age to FN and FP
Hausdorff distance
It is a technique used to measure similarity between boundaries of ground truth and predicted. It is calculated by finding out the max distance from any point in one boundary to the closest point in the other. Reducing directly the boundary loss function is a recent trend and has been shown to give better results especially in use-cases like medical image segmentation where identifying the exact boundary plays a key role.
The advantage of using a boundary loss as compared to a region based loss like IOU or Dice Loss is it is unaffected by class imbalance since the entire region is not considered for optimization, only the boundary is considered.
Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hausdorff_distance
The two terms considered here are for two boundaries i.e the ground truth and the output prediction.
LabelMe :-
Image annotation tool written in python.
Supports polygon annotation.
Open Source and free.
Runs on Windows, Mac, Ubuntu or via Anaconda, Docker
Link :- https://github.com/wkentaro/labelme
Source :- https://github.com/wkentaro/labelme
Computer Vision Annotation Tool :-
Video and image annotation tool developed by Intel
Free and available online
Runs on Windows, Mac and Ubuntu
Link :- https://github.com/opencv/cvat
Vgg image annotator :-
Free open source image annotation tool
Simple html page < 200kb and can run offline
Supports polygon annotation and points.
Link :- https://github.com/ox-vgg/via
Source :- https://github.com/ox-vgg/via
Rectlabel :-
Paid annotation tool for Mac
Can use core ML models to pre-annotate the images
Supports polygons, cubic-bezier, lines, and points
Link :- https://github.com/ryouchinsa/Rectlabel-support
Labelbox :-
Paid annotation tool
Supports pen tool for faster and accurate annotation
Link :- https://labelbox.com/product/image-segmentation
As part of this section let's discuss various popular and diverse datasets available in the public which one can use to get started with training.
Pascal Context
This dataset is an extension of Pascal VOC 2010 dataset and goes beyond the original dataset by providing annotations for the whole scene and has 400+ classes of real-world data.
Source :- https://cs.stanford.edu/~roozbeh/pascal-context/
Link :- https://cs.stanford.edu/~roozbeh/pascal-context/
COCO Dataset
The COCO stuff dataset has 164k images of the original COCO dataset with pixel level annotations and is a common benchmark dataset. It covers 172 classes: 80 thing classes, 91 stuff classes and 1 class 'unlabeled'
Source :- http://cocodataset.org/#home
Link :- http://cocodataset.org/
Cityscapes Dataset
This dataset consists of segmentation ground truths for roads, lanes, vehicles and objects on road. The dataset contains 30 classes and of 50 cities collected over different environmental and weather conditions. Has also a video dataset of finely annotated images which can be used for video segmentation. KITTI and CamVid are similar kinds of datasets which can be used for training self-driving cars.
Source :- https://www.cityscapes-dataset.com/
Link :- https://www.cityscapes-dataset.com/
Lits Dataset
The dataset was created as part of a challenge to identify tumor lesions from liver CT scans. The dataset contains 130 CT scans of training data and 70 CT scans of testing data.
Source :- https://competitions.codalab.org/competitions/17094
Link :- https://competitions.codalab.org/competitions/17094
CCP Dataset
Cloth Co-Parsing is a dataset which is created as part of research paper Clothing Co-Parsing by Joint Image Segmentation and Labeling . The dataset contains 1000+ images with pixel level annotations for a total of 59 tags.
Source :- https://github.com/bearpaw/clothing-co-parsing
Pratheepan Dataset
A dataset created for the task of skin segmentation based on images from google containing 32 face photos and 46 family photos
Source :- http://cs-chan.com/downloads_skin_dataset.html
Link :- http://cs-chan.com/downloads_skin_dataset.html
Inria Aerial Image Labeling
A dataset of aerial segmentation maps created from public domain images. Has a coverage of 810 sq km and has 2 classes building and not-building.
Source :- https://project.inria.fr/aerialimagelabeling/
Link :- https://project.inria.fr/aerialimagelabeling/
S3DIS
This dataset contains the point clouds of six large scale indoor parts in 3 buildings with over 70000 images.
Source :- http://buildingparser.stanford.edu/dataset.html
Link :- http://buildingparser.stanford.edu/dataset.html
We have discussed a taxonomy of different algorithms which can be used for solving the use-case of semantic segmentation be it on images, videos or point-clouds and also their contributions and limitations. We also looked through the ways to evaluate the results and the datasets to get started on. This should give a comprehensive understanding on semantic segmentation as a topic in general.
To get a list of more resources for semantic segmentation, get started with https://github.com/mrgloom/awesome-semantic-segmentation.
An overview of semantic image segmentation
Semantic segmentation - Popular architectures
A Beginner's guide to Deep Learning based Semantic Segmentation using Keras
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NJBIA > NJBIA News & Opinion > Is New Jersey’s Reopening Moving Fast Enough?
Is New Jersey’s Reopening Moving Fast Enough?
By Steve Wilson
Officials from the governor’s office characterize reopening as a success from the perspective of preventing the spread of COVID-19, though they emphasize that more work needs to be done. From NJBIA’s point of view, however, the pace of reopening, given the fact that our numbers continue to trend in the right direction, is threatening the survival of a growing number of New Jersey businesses.
Such is the dilemma of policymakers in the age of coronavirus.
The debate on whether New Jersey is reopening fast enough played out during a virtual meeting this morning of NJBIA’s Government Affairs Policy Committee, with about 75 NJBIA member companies hearing from and asking questions of Joseph Kelley, deputy chief of staff for Economic Growth, and Candice Alfonso, senior economic development project manager for Gov. Phil Murphy.
Kelley acknowledged that New Jersey’s Stage 2 reopening is in a bit of a pause, but said he is cautiously optimistic that the hybrid of indoor and outdoor activity that’s been approved will allow businesses to keep their doors open without New Jersey experiencing the surge of infections happening in so many other states.
New Jersey businesses are resilient and nimble and able to reinvent themselves and figure out new ways to be profitable and manage the crisis in a way that keeps people safe, Kelley said.
NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka suggested it was unfair to compare New Jersey businesses to many other states, particularly the ones that snubbed their noses at the virus threat early on. Rather, New Jersey businesses are largely following the rules and being accountable and responsible in a way that justifies moving forward with reopening rather than pausing.
NJBIA has consistently said that any time a business can meet all of the specific standards the administration has said are necessary for a safe reopening, they should be permitted to reopen.
She also said that government wasn’t the only consideration; businesses have to convince their customers and clients, as well as their own employees, that their place of business is safe.
“Those other states that had bad impacts on indoor dining, gyms, all those things that continue to remain closed because they went in without safeguards,” Siekerka said. “This business community takes very seriously the health and welfare of their workforce, their clients, patrons, vendors, and anyone who frequents their facilities.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, when a business can check those boxes, they should be given the opportunity to open their doors, and it’s incumbent upon them to build consumer confidence,” she said.
Filed Under: Coronavirus, NJBIA News & Opinion Tagged With: coronavirus, Government Affairs, Reopening, small business
Andrew H Billing says
To keep things real Governor Murphy should start announcing the number of daily small business bankruptcy filings in his daily briefings.
Kevin Kelly says
Unfortunately New Jerseyans are being affected by the poor decisions made by other states that reopened too soon. With the virus now raging in over thirty states it would be irresponsible to fully reopen here. Measured reopening will allow us to gradually return to life as we knew it before COVID, but this pandemic is far from over. During this time the State and Federal governments must help shuttered businesses survive.
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Home Lifestyle Nature & Science Australia’s regulator opens the door for SpaceX Starlink internet service – CNBC
Australia’s regulator opens the door for SpaceX Starlink internet service – CNBC
A stack of 60 SpaceX Starlink satellites float in orbit above the Earth.
SpaceX took a first step toward offering its Starlink internet service in Australia, after the country’s telecommunications regulator gave initial approval for the satellite network.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) added SpaceX Services to its “Foreign Space Objects Determination” list, according to government filings on Jan. 24. The amendment means that SpaceX will be able to apply for key licenses to communicate between its satellites and “earth stations” on the ground in Australia.
It’s an important foot in the door for SpaceX, as the company must have regulatory approvals in place for countries it wants to connect to Starlink’s broadband services. Two years ago SpaceX got approval from the Federal Communications Commission to provide Starlink services in the U.S.
Starlink is SpaceX’s plan to build an interconnected network of about 12,000 small satellites, to provide high-speed internet to anywhere in the world.
It’s a project SpaceX has steadily been raising capital for, as President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said two years ago “it will cost the company about $10 billion or more” to build the Starlink network. Last year SpaceX raised over $1.3 billion in new funding, with recent investor Ontario Teachers noting the future growth potential of Starlink.
If SpaceX can overcome the technological challenges of building and distributing this service, the company is optimistic on its potential demand and revenue. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in May estimated that Starlink could bring in revenue of $30 billion a year – or about 10 times the highest annual revenue it expects from its core rocket business.
Steps remaining before Starlink serves Australia
SpaceX is early in its launch campaign for Starlink, with the company having launched 240 Starlink broadband satellites so far – with the first 60 of those being considered demonstration versions of the satellites. SpaceX plans to launch two batches of 60 Starlink satellites per month, aiming to begin offering services later this year once at least 360 satellites are in orbit. After that, SpaceX will need 1,440 Starlink satellites to provide coverage to any place in the world.
If SpaceX gets the approvals it needs, Australia may be one of the first places outside of the U.S. to join the network. SpaceX’s Matt Botwin, the company’s director of global satellite government affairs, wrote in a letter to ACMA outlining just how all-encompassing Starlink’s market would be.
“Offer satellite-based broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental, and professional users throughout Australia,” Botwin wrote.
But SpaceX still may face a fight in Australia, as the country’s telecommunications giant Foxtel wrote a letter of protest to the ACMA regarding Starlink. The TV conglomerate said that Starlink’s services would interfere with Foxtel’s current satellite service.
“This is a crucial link in our product delivery chain, and the consequences of interference, outages or degradations of margin are at the highest end of the spectrum of consequences for a business such as Foxtel,” the company wrote. “We hold very high levels of concern regarding the interference potential.”
Foxtel is a joint venture that is majority-owned by News Corp Australia – a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
Australia also added satellite operators Kepler Communications and Swarm Technologies to its “Foreign Space Objects Determination” list in the amendment.
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Home/Business/Sony turnaround architect Hirai to retire as chairman
Sony turnaround architect Hirai to retire as chairman
FILE PHOTO: Kazuo Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Corporation, speaks during a news conference at the 2018 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 8, 2018. REUTERS/Steve Marcus
TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony Corp on Thursday said chairman Kazuo Hirai, who helped engineer the electronics giant’s recent revival, will retire in June, bowing out as the Japanese company is on track for another record profit this year.
Hirai, together with his finance chief Kenichiro Yoshida, helped reinvent Sony as an entertainment company with stable revenue from music content and gaming, after battling years of losses from consumer electronics such as television sets.
Once a market leader in consumer electronics, the maker of the Walkman and Trinitron TV fell behind the likes of Apple in innovation after the release of the iPod in 2001 and then the iPhone in 2007. It then also lost out to more nimble Asian rivals in price competition.
Under Hirai, who succeeded Howard Stringer as CEO in 2012, Sony sold off its ailing personal computer division and streamlined its television and smartphone businesses.
Yoshida last year took over as chief executive. Hirai will continue to act as a senior adviser to the company, Sony said.
Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by David Dolan
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2 Magat Dam gates remain open, Isabela residents cautioned | Inquirer News
newsinfo / Regions
2 Magat Dam gates remain open, Isabela residents cautioned
By: Darryl John Esguerra - Reporter / @DJEsguerraINQ
INQUIRER.net / 10:29 AM November 29, 2020
Magat Dam. Image from the National Irrigation Administration – MARIIS website
MANILA, Philippines — Residents of several municipalities in the province of Isabela are being asked to take precautions as two gates of Magat Dam remained open on Sunday morning to release water, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Pagasa’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Section said the opening of the two gates was at 3 meters as of 9 a.m., releasing 697 cubic meters per second of water.
Areas likely to be affected are the municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian, and Gamu.
“Residents and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) concerned are still advised to maintain all the necessary appropriate actions,” Pagasa said.
The water level at Magat Dam was at 189.14 meters above sea level as of 9 a.m. This was slightly lower than the 189.22 meters above sea level reading as of 6 a.m. on Saturday.
The dam’s spilling level is 193 meters.
On Saturday, the National Irrigation Administration-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MRIIS) announced that gates 3 and 4 of the dam will be opened to release water.
In its weather forecast Sunday morning, the state weather bureau reported that the tail-end of a frontal system or the interaction of cold air and warm air from the Pacific Ocean will bring rains over several areas in Luzon including Cagayan Valley.
Cagayan River water level slowly rising, flood warning issued
Ryan Garcia to Pacquiao: ‘Please pass the torch to me’
TAGS: Cagayan River, Flood, Isabela, Magat Dam, NIA, Pagasa, Philippines
De La Hoya eyes Pacquiao-Garcia bout this year
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Home » Latest Stories » Canada News » Canadian Government Looks to End Illegal Downloading of Movies, TV Shows, Etc.
Canadian Government Looks to End Illegal Downloading of Movies, TV Shows, Etc.
Posted BY Cole Kruper
Piracy. Everyone probably knows what it is, and many have done it. Illegally downloading movies, TV shows, music, etc, is commonplace throughout the world. Other countries have attempted to implement legislation to prevent it. The United States has the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Britain also has legislation to hopefully deal with the issue as well. In both nations however, laws don’t seem to be stopping anyone from illegally downloading copyrighted content.
Piracy has been a concern for a number of years, and that concern is growing. Recently, the Pirate Bay was taken down by law enforcement. The Interview, a controversial new movie that almost wasn’t released was pirated 200,000 times in one day.
In Canada, the “Copyright Modernization Act” took effect on January 1st, 2015. The new act will hopefully give copyright holders a new way to protect their content from illegal downloading. The new act now gives copyright holders the ability to request Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) to relay warnings to those participating in illegal downloading. (When I say request, I mean ISP’s really don’t have much of a choice in the matter.) In the event the activity continues, the copyright holder could pursue legal action.
The good news is, your privacy is safe. ISP’s aren’t required to hand over your name in the event you do get a warning for illegal downloading, but that changes in the event of a lawsuit. They may have to make you name available in the event of a lawsuit.
Although on paper, this sounds like a wonderful idea to end piracy; by scaring people with the treat of legal action, will it really work? Probably not. Laws in other nations haven’t really stopped anyone, so why would Canada, which is behind when it comes to this kind of legislation in the first place, be any better? A notice will probably scare some people away from piracy, but others will probably scoff at the warning. The warning itself isn’t legal action, although it looks like copyright holders may threaten legal action if the activity continues.
A better way to solve this problem is making legal options more available and affordable. Canada has Netflix, but a large majority of Canadians use proxy’s to access the US version because of a lack of shows they really want to see. Netflix is now combating international users who are using proxy’s, which will probably drive many people back to illegal downloading. When it comes to illegal downloading, it may be a very similar root cause as to why so many Netflix users use proxy’s in the first place. Spotify, Rdio, they’ll both pretty good services. I use Spotify, and have no problems with it, but it too doesn’t have all of the songs I’d like to see there and I’d imagine there are many others out there who have encountered this issue from time to time. This comes down to licencing at the end of the day; the same goes for Netflix and any other service that legally offers streaming of copyrighted content. But, certain things not being available on these services drives many people to piracy, especially considering just how expensive it gets to individually purchasing every movie, TV show and song you want to see or listen to. Wider availability of this content on legal streaming services would probably stop many people from pirating content. Sending people notices probably won’t. Legislation has proven ineffective elsewhere, and there is nothing special in this act that is going to make it any different in Canada.
The fight against piracy has to be up to the private companies that produce the content in question, not government. The government can dream up as much legislation as they want, but they can’t do anything about the availability of this content. Better availability and affordability is where the answer lies in the fight against online piracy.
What do you think? Will this be an effective piece of legislation that will stop people from pirating content online, or was it a waste of government resources?
CanadacopyrightCopyright Modernization ActFederal GovernmentgovernmentLawsLegislationPiracy
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News from across the Great Plains
UPDATE: Missing Winnipeg teen has been located
By Staff Writer on January 8, 2021
The Winnipeg Police Service reports that 16-year-old, Justice Cook, who was missing since Thursday, has been safely located.
UPDATE: Winnipeg police say 21-year-old woman missing since March safely located
By Staff Writer on May 20, 2020
Winnipeg police say 21-year-old, Tina Owen, who was missing since the end of March, has been safely located.
UPDATED: Missing 16-year-old girl from Long Plain First Nation safely located
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service says a missing 16-year-old girl from Long Plain First Nation has been safely located and they thank the public for their assistance.
UPDATE: Missing 11-year-old Winnipeg girl safely located
By Staff Writer on April 1, 2020
11-year-old, Lailani Currie, who had been missing for almost a week has been safely located.
UPDATE: Winnipeg police locate missing 17-year-old girl
By Staff Writer on March 23, 2020
Winnipeg police say 17-year-old, Michelle Grozelle, has been safely located.
UPDATE: Missing 11-year-old girl in Winnipeg, safely located
Winnipeg police say 11-year-old, Lailani Currie, missing since March 10, has been safely located.
UPDATE: Missing 17-year-old girl last seen in North End, safely located
By Staff Writer on January 31, 2020
Winnipeg police report that 17-year-old Noreen Osborne has been safely located.
UPDATE: Missing 12-year-old girl in Winnipeg safely located
12-year-old Ailyah Campbell has been safely located.
UPDATE: Winnipeg police report Colleen Eaglestick has been safely located
By Staff Writer on December 30, 2019
Colleen Eaglestick, who went missing in mid-December has been safely located, Winnipeg police say.
UPDATE: Missing woman and 1-year-old son have been located
Winnipeg police say Jamie Lathlin and her 1-year-old son have been safely located.
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Home News Bears sink Dolphins in double-overtime squeaker; state playoff game slated for Tuesday
Ocracoke School/Sports
Bears sink Dolphins in double-overtime squeaker; state playoff game slated for Tuesday
The Ocracoke Dolphins huddle after falling to Bear Grass in the Atlantic 5 Tournament championship game Feb. 20 in Columbia. Photo by Denny Widener
By Richard Taylor
COLUMBIA — The Ocracoke Dolphins almost pulled off another last-minute miracle win Wednesday night against the Bear Grass Bears in the Atlantic 5 Conference Tournament title game, but they lost by two points, 75-73, in double overtime.
Behind by nine points at the half, 34-25, the Dolphins found their groove and fought back to 63-57 after three periods.
Midway through the fourth period, the Dolphins tied the game 63-63 on a Mason Fuller 3-pointer. With less than a minute remaining, Sam Evans sank two free throws to give the Dolphins their first lead of the game, 65-63.
Single foul shots by Colby Austin and Evans gave the Dolphins a 67-64 lead with less than a minute remaining. Hope was in the air.
Austin and conference player-of-the-year Lelon Stotesberry traded free throws until Ocracoke was ahead, 69-66.
Bear Grass wasn’t ready to give up. With one second remaining on the clock, the six-foot, three-inch senior center hit a long-range 3-pointer, tying the game at 69-69 and sending it into overtime.
Neither team scored in the first four-minute extra period, prompting a second overtime. Then, a 3-pointer by Reese Gaskins gave the Dolphins a brief 73-72 lead with 2:28 remaining.
A subsequent layup and foul shot by Stotesberry put the Bears up 75-73. Hampered by the absence of a sick Kalai Samick and Cole Gilbert and Perry Austin having fouled out, the Dolphins never made another shot before the end.
Reese Gaskins led the Dolphins in scoring with 27 points, including five 3-pointers. Team leader Colby Austin had 24 points including five 3-pointers. Mason Fuller scored eight points, Sam Evans had seven, Perry Austin finished with six and Gilbert had two.
But this was just a tournament loss. “This game is really of no consequence for the state seedings,” Ocracoke School Athletic Director Adam Burleson, who called the game, told the WOVV 90.1 FM radio audience.
Since the Dolphins won the regular season conference championship, they will return to the gym Tuesday at 6 p.m. for a state 1A playoff game with an opponent to be determined after all of the state conference championships are completed.
The long bus ride back to the Hatteras ferry Wednesday night left much time for reflection and what-ifs. But at midnight, Hatteras was fogged-in. While Coach David Allewalt and driver Denny Widener stayed on the activity bus, Athletic Director Adam Burleson released the players to their parents so they could stay overnight in a nearby motel.
Allewalt will be a guest on Peter Vankevich’s “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” WOVV interview show at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Ocracoke Dolphins basketball
Previous articleDolphins crush Lakers in conference semifinal; championship game tonight at Columbia
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Latest on RegulationCode consultation: the story so far…
Code consultation: the story so far…
Penny Babb
Head of Policy & Standards, and project manager for the review of the National Statistics designation, Office for Statistics Regulation
I am very pleased to say that we received more than 100 formal and informal responses to our Code of Practice consultation. These have come in via our formal consultation questionnaire, as well as through comments in emails. I and my colleagues have also gained valuable insight through many conversations and discussions in our road-trip of seminars and meetings with many statistics producers and user groups. I was encouraged to see just how many of you attended these events and it was really good to hear your views – thank you!
We now are working our way through the detail of the feedback and beginning to compile our consultation response. We have a lot of work to do. Your feedback has proven a rich source of constructive criticism and ideas for further improving the Code. Everyone involved in this work here in the Office very much feels the strength of a common resolve to produce a Code that can support public confidence in data and statistics.
Here is an outline of the responses we have received.
We had lots of comments about the Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV) framework. Some supported it as being clear and supporting the public value of statistics for citizen; others felt that it needed to be clarified, extended or amended. Our overall view is that respondents see the framework as helpful, particularly in giving a succinct overview of what producers of statistics should be aiming for; but that there is a lot of subtlety we need to bring out in how the framework is explained and applied.
We received interest from a range of organisations in voluntary compliance but we were also told that there is a need for a clearer explanation of how the Code should be applied beyond Official Statistics by producers and us.
The Code was largely found to be clear but with some areas of repetition in the sections where we targeted difference audiences (relating to our wider advocacy of the Code to non-official statistics producers, both inside and outside government).
The Trustworthiness pillar can be further refined in relation to orderly release, independence, data governance and consent. Respondents asked for clarification on Pre-Release Access.
The Quality pillar can be further refined in relation to improving its applicability to all data types, including emerging ways of obtaining data, and to better reflect the nature of the coherence principle as a cross-cutting topic.
The Value pillar can be enhanced by more fully capturing the dimension of timeliness; better reflecting value for money and public benefit in relation to statistics production; as well as, clarifying the Code’s relevance to different ways of publishing data and statistics.
The data diagnostic tool was generally welcomed and thought to be useful by expert users and statistics producers.
There was strong support in the role of the Authority as the independent regulator, as well as an advocate of good practice across all publishers of data and statistics. There was a request for clarity over the ways in which it can challenge misuse of statistics and poor practice.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts about the Code – keep an eye on our blog for a further update about how we plan to address some of these comments. We hope to publish our consultation response in November.
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Synecdoche, New York: The Shooting Script
Books By Charlie Kaufman
All Formats Kindle Edition Audible Audio Edition Hardcover Paperback Sort by: Popularity Popularity Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Avg. Customer Review Publication Date Sort by:Popularity
Antkind: A Novel 07/07/2020
by Charlie Kaufman
The hilarious debut novel from the Oscar®-winning screenwriter of Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Synecdoche, New York.
‘Riotously funny’ New York Times
‘Just as loopy and clever as his movies’ Washington Post
B. Rosenberger Rosenberg, neurotic and underappreciated film critic (failed academic, filmmaker, paramour, shoe salesman who sleeps in a sock drawer), stumbles upon a hitherto unseen film by an enigmatic outsider – a three-month-long stop-motion masterpiece that took its reclusive auteur ninety years to complete. Convinced that the film will change his career trajectory and rock the world of cinema to its core, that it might possibly be the greatest movie ever made, B. knows that it is his mission to show it to the rest of humanity. The only problem: the film is destroyed, leaving him the sole witness to its inadvertently ephemeral genius.
All that’s left is a single frame from which B. must somehow attempt to recall the work of art that just might be the last great hope of civilization. Thus begins a mind-boggling journey through the hilarious nightmarescape of a psyche as lushly Kafkaesque as it is atrophied by the relentless spew of Twitter. Desperate to impose order on an increasingly nonsensical existence, trapped in a self-imposed prison of aspirational victimhood and degeneratively inclusive language, B. scrambles to re-create the lost masterwork while attempting to keep pace with an ever-fracturing culture of “likes” and arbitrary denunciations that are simultaneously his bête noire and his raison d’être.
A searing indictment of the modern world, Antkind is a richly layered meditation on art, time, memory, identity, comedy, and the very nature of existence itself – the grain of truth at the heart of every joke.
Other Formats:: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers (AU)
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June: Jonathan Qu's / 3 Podiums at Stafford 70.3 / Georgina 1st / 27 PACTRACers compete at Dambuster / PACTRACers in Venice, Nice and Luxembourg / Paul V Qu's for Worlds /
by Steve Hope on Mon, 31st October 2016
PACTRAC had some good results at the Nottingham Triathlon, with
Jonathan Oakey finishing 29th overall and 5th in his Age Group (U20).
Jonathan Oakey 61:24
Jon Crowley 64:16
Mark Wethersby 64:19
Jonathan Oakey qualified for the European Sprint Triathlon
Championships next year in his under 20 Age Group. These will
be held in Dusseldorf and it will be his first time representing GB..
Mark Wethersby took the honours In the third Pactrac Mini Series.
Jonathan Arnold led Ben Garton out of the water, with Susie Freeman
following 42 seconds later ahead of Tom Dyke. Mark was another 23
seconds behind, but he soon picked up the athletes in front, and came
into T2 1:40 minutes ahead of Sean Beard. Mark then pulled another 31
seconds out of Sean on the run to come home 2:11 ahead. This was Mark's
first Mini Series win, having recorded a second place in Mini 1, two
weeks earlier.
Steve Hope competed in Challenge Venice. This was an ironman-distance
race, organised by rival company Challenge.
The distances were:
Swim 2.4 miles in the sea from Venice, directly following the causeway
to the mainland at Mestre.
bike 112 miles - out, 3 laps and back, all on fast, flat rouds, but you
had to constantly watch for rough patches of road.
run 26.2 miles - 5 laps all around the large park.
I had a decent swim, a great bike and a poor run. I slowed on the run,
but ran all of the way and have to be satisfied with the result.
301. Steve Hope 1.08.31 5.30.16 4.54.01 = 11.32.48 Age Group 12.
2 members competed in Ironman Nice over the classic distance of:
swim 2.4 miles in the Mediterranean Sea.
bike 112 miles with some long and tough climbs.
run 26.2 miles.
Paul Lunn came 6th in his Age Group and narrowly missed out on a podium
41. Paul Lunn 1.01.47 5.18.20 3.07.55 = 9.28.02 Age Group 6th.
1114. Daniel Fitzjohn 1.23.56 6.36.39 3.50.52 = 11.51.27 AG 236.
Georgina Jennings was the only Pactrac representative in the Beccles
Sprint Triathlon. Georgina came 2nd in the over 55 Age Group. She had a
good bike section which gave her a lead of 2:20 minutes going into the
run. If the run had been the usual 3 miles she would probably have come
first, but it was an over-distanced 4.5 miles and she came home a
gallant second,
86. Georgina Jennings 11.44 44.35 43.24 = 1.39.43
The PACTRAC Juniors competed in the Walden Triathlon at the weekend.
This was a Regional qualifier for the Eastern Region, with .
some very competitive racing at a well organised event.
TS3 - Katie Tasker came 3rd - a good performance as she was not at
her absolute best.
She was in 2nd place half way through the run. This result puts her in
a good position for selection but she will need another quality
performance at Cambridge later this month to secure selection.
TS2 - Olivia Corner came 5th and was the best 'Younger Year'
competitor. She did not 'fire' on the bike as she can and finished 30 seconds off the
She had a much better swim and a good run. All is not lost as the Cambridge
course will suit her more.
Toby Cooke had a good race and finished in Mid division a much improved
swim helped his cause greatly.
Chloe Moore found the run tough. She is
making progress and enjoyed her race.
TriStar 2.
23 Toby Cooke 3:27 15.26 10:13 = 29:06
3 KatieTasker 4:39 18.28 12:10 = 35:17
TriStar 2 female.
5 Olivia Corner 3:28 14.36 8:57 = 27:01
33 Chloe Moore 4:54 19.29 15:08 = 39:31
4 members of PACTRAC competed in the Half-Ironman 70.3 in
swim 1.2 miles in Chasewater Lake.
bike 56 miles on closed but often rough roads, with lots of turns.
run 13.1 miles - 3 laps based around the lake.
Roger Canham came first in his Age Group and qualified to compete in
the Half-Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mooloolaba, Queensland, on
Australia's Sunshine Coast, on 4th September.
Robin Brookes and Terry Murphy just missed out, both recording 3rd
place in their respective Age Groups. This is Terry's first venture
into long-distance triathlon's, and he sought the advice of a coach to
follow a set training regime, that saw much improvement in all 3
57. Roger Canham 32:40 2:36:42 1:28:14 = 4:45:09 AG 1st.
179. Robin Brookes 33:34 2:43:55 1:42:19 = 5:08:50 AG 3.
275. Giles Cooper 35:08 2:54:44 1:44:12 = 5:22:04 AG 8.
1554. Terry Murphy 52:11 3:19:37 2:28:47 = 6:55:18 Age Group 3rd.
=---------------------
Georgina Jennings was PACTRAC's sole representative in the Sudbury
Sprint Triathlon organised by the local Sudbury Triathlon Club.
Georgina managed to win the 60+ Age Group by 1 minute. She was the
first over 60 year old, male or female, and competed against athletes
10-years her junior. She went into the run with a near 3-minute cushion
and ran well.
swim 400 metres in the pool.
bike 13.5 miles.
run 3 miles.
45th. Georgina Jennings 9:26 46:28 29:21 = 85:15 Age Group (over 60) 1st.
Dave Patmore-Hill competed in the IRONMAN 70.3 in the Moselle Region of Luxembourg.
swim 1.2 miles in the Mosel river on the boarder between the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Germany.
bike 56 miles along the vinyards and through the hilly countryside.
run 13.1 miles through the Mosel valley around the town of Remich and along the riverside.
Actually, due to the high river conditions, the race was changed to a
Duathlon, with the swim being replaced by a 3-mile run. Dave came into
T1 in 3rd place in his Age Group, before dropping a few places on the
bike in poor conditions.
Dave said: "I was really pleased with some of today's efforts at
Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg. Going into the race I have done nil duathlon
training as I was expecting a triathlon. It was a 3 mile first run
which I completed in 17.57. This put me in 3rd place, going out on the
bike, but I had dropped to 58th coming back in; before running back up
to 21st. I had a terrible 2nd transition as I couldn't find my run kit,
which added another 3 mins onto transition, so the finish time of 4.37
hours could have been better.
I'm pleased with the start to the season's racing, but need to get more
effort on the bike and I'm sure a podium will be here this year."
Beth Brooks competed in the Great East Swim at Alton Water. She said
"Feeling proud. So pleased! 2 miles in 58.20, in quite rough
conditions. It was pretty warm in the lake though at 18°c, which was
warmer than the air temperature on the bank! Thoroughly enjoyed this
morning at Alton Water." She is already thinking of doing the 3-mile
swim next year.
Since 2002 the Dambuster Triathlon has become a well established,
national standard event, on the triathlon calendar.
This year the event, held at Rutland Water, was an Age Group
qualification event for the World Triathlon Championships later this
year, in Mexico, in September.
The 15th Dambuster Triathlon proved to be a hard days racing in
overcast, cold, windy conditions.
Swim 1500 metres - in Rutland Water. One lap of a spectator-friendly,
tried and tested course, starting in front of the Harbour Bar.
Bike 26 miles - around Oakham, Uppingham, Morcott and Empingham. A good
testing course, well suited to strong bikers. Their are 4 big hills,
including the triple hills of the Rutland Ripple between Oakham and
Uppingham. Their is also the long hill at Steadfold Lane, near to
Ketton Cement; with the rest of the course, surprisingly undulating,
but on good road surfaces.
Run 6.25 miles - including crossing the dam and back twice, so you can
see the competition for much of the run.
750 athletes finished this prestigious triathlon, including 27
PACTRACers. 3 finished in the top 10 in their Age Group, with only one,
Paul Vernon, qualifying for the World Championships in Mexico. However,
Paul has a young family and has decided not to travel.
Chris Waghorn in his first venture at this distance said "I'm Done. Too
exhausted to say much more than that. Mission accomplished."
17. Paul Vernon 26:32 66:09 34:59 = 2:07:40 AG 3rd.
68. Mark Weathersby 27:28 70:34 38:42 = 2:16:44 AG 14.
97. Jaap Flikweert 25:10 73:32 40:50 = 2:19:32 AG 9.
126. Wayne Stainsby 26:17 76:10 40:06 = 2:22:33 AG 23.
177. Richard Nixon 24:05 75:45 46:47 = 2:26:37 AG 24.
190. Giles Cooper 27:54 77:05 42:38 = 2:27:37 AG 16.
205. Chris Pike 28:07 76:22 44:04 = 2:28:33 AG 19.
232. Simon Pauffley 26:38 79:43 44:22 = 2:30:43 AG 7.
233. Daniel Fitzjohn 32:39 77:14 40:52 = 2:30:45 AG 35.
239. Peter Harris 29:53 74:47 47:09 = 2:31:49 AG 26.
247. Simon Guerin 24:38 78:53 49:00 = 2:32:31 AG 34.
257. Gary Cooper 26:14 79:39 47:18 = 2:33:11 AG 38.
264. Andy Gregg 34:05 77:26 42:23 = 2:33:54 AG 40.
282. Charlie Brookes 26:50 82:05 46:12 = 2:35:07 AG 43.
297. Richard Ardern 29:05 84:42 42:13 = 2:36:00 AG 48.
391. Gary Shoemake 29:13 83:49 49:07 = 2:42:09 AG 62.
417. David Naylor 28:22 86:38 49:21 = 2:44:21 AG 47.
468. Martin Etchells 25:12 89:40 52:38 = 2:47:30 AG 24.
476. Jonathan Webb 30:44 88:48 49:06 = 2:48:38 AG 75.
487. Mark Stevens 20:39 94:13 54:44 = 2:49:36 AG 64.
489. Paul Jephcott 32:25 87:27 49:50 = 2:49:42 AG 25.
518. Chris Waghorn 28:08 93:05 51:01 = 2:52:14 AG 84.
552. Pedro Polson 24:08 92:58 57:31 = 2:54:37 AG 28.
561. Simon Taylor 35:43 87:06 52:41 = 2:55:30 AG 29.
598. Andy Rawlins 34:02 97:28 47:33 = 2:59:03 AG 100.
603. Kate Armstrong 33:38 97:32 48:12 = 2:59:22 AG 38.
653. Sue Davys 34:33 93:44 57:51 = 3:06:08 AG 42.
PACTRAC held their 5th Wednesday night Mini Series Triathlon last
Wednesday. Plenty of rain for the 4th time out of 5 and the threat of
lightening again suppressed the number of competitors.
The course and distances were the same:
swim 400 yards in Oundle's 50-yard pool.
bike 10-miles around Glapthorn and the Benefields.
run 3.5 miles - out to Glapthorn and back.
Paul Vernon won his 3rd Mini Series race of the year, this time by 3
1/2 minutes from Jonathan Oakey.
Paul won in a season's best time of 49:06 with runner-up Jonathan
recording another PB.
Jonathan was first out of the water, nearly 1/2 minute up on Abi
Schofield, who had Susie Freeman in close attendance. Dave Allsop was
the next out. He had 1/2 minute head start on Paul at this point and
over a minute on Sean Beard.
Paul had the fastest bike split of the night and came into T2 81
seconds ahead of Jonathan. Further back, Dave had been almost caught by
Sean, and came in just ahead of him.
Christina Cork, Abi and Susie had a battle for first lady, with
Christina riding away from the other two, and then holding them off on
the run, as the other two gradually caught back. Only 48 seconds
separated them at the finish.
Paul Vernon also had the fastest run of the night to take a good lead
in the overall Mini Series, with 3 wins so far. It is your best 5 races
that count. Jonathan was a well deserved 2nd, with Sean pulling away
from Dave for 3rd.
Only 3 PB's were recorded on a damp night, but the racing was
competitive as usual.
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Brodhead Watershed Assn: Feb. 9: Kids, Explore The H2Olympics; Feb. 16 Pasold Farm Hike In Monroe County
The Brodhead Watershed Association will host two upcoming events in Monroe County for kids and the whole family.
Water Wiser Kids Explore The H2Olympics
On February 9 kids and their grownups take part in the H2Olympics at Brodhead Creek Heritage Center in Analomink from 12:30 to 2:00.
An environmental educator will guide elementary-age children as they work alone and in teams at action stations.
At each station, kids will explore different properties of water. How does water carry things? Absorb things? Change things? How does water “hold together”? They’ll imagine what the water might do in each situation, then test their hypotheses, observe the results, and sketch what actually happens. Was the hypothesis correct? Why? Why not? What would change the result?
The Indoor H2Olympics brings out the natural scientist in every kid. Grownups may be surprised, too!
To register call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
This program is part of the Water Wiser Kids Series sponsored by Brodhead Watershed Association, funded by a Dr. Claus Jordan Endowment Grant from Lehigh Valley Health Network Pocono Foundation.
Winter Hike At Pasold Farm
On February 16 find out what makes the trail loop at Pasold Farm in Barrett Township so special during the winter by joining naturalist Patti O’Keefe for a winter walk starting at 10:00 a.m.
The low, near-solstice sun paints the leafless trees and their lanky shadows gold and black. You see long views of the land, its folds and rises. The trail, newly widened, is wet after record-breaking rains.
Through woods on either side, you see elephant-sized boulders with lichen and ferns growing from every crevice, like crazy-big Chia pets. Many of them are slowly being split by white pine seedlings, their thread-like roots working into microscopic fissures, the finest of filaments able to crack ancient rock.
The spring that once served Pasold Farm is beautifully preserved, and there’s no risk of missing the spot, now that a hand-carved sign points the way. Water rises from among the roots of an old oak and is tamed in a square, man made pool.
Fly Fishing in America began on the Brodhead. It is still considered one of the finest trout streams in the world. Thanks to the people of Barrett Township who conserved this land, fishing this historic stream is open to all.
To register and get directions, Call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727; email info@brodheadwatershed.org.
The hike is part of the Get Outdoors Poconos series administered by Brodhead Watershed Association and supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website.
Posted by David E. Hess at 3:07 PM No comments :
House Environmental Committee Holds Feb. 5 Informational "State Of The State" Meeting
On January 31, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced the Committee will hold a "State Of The State" informational meeting on February 5.
Invited as guests are Associated Petroleum Industries of PA, Marcellus Shale Coalition, Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Gov. Wolf presents his FY 2019-20 budget request at Noon the same day.
The meeting will be held in Room 205 of the Ryan Building starting at 10:00. Committee meetings are usually webcast through the House Republican website.
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.
DEP Working With Villanova University On Update To Stormwater BMP Manual
The Department of Environmental Protection is working with Villanova University to update and modernize its 13-year-old Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual.
Ramez Ziadeh, DEP’s Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, mentioned the update at the January 16 meeting of the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee. Reducing pollution from stormwater is a key part of what Pennsylvania must do to meet its Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations.
Since December of 2006, the Stormwater BMP Manual has served as a technical reference guide containing planning concepts and design standards that developers, communities and project planners can use to satisfy Pennsylvania’s stormwater management requirements.
DEP has contracted with Villanova University and a team headed by Dr. Robert Traver, Director of Villanova’s Urban Stormwater Partnership and faculty researcher of Villanova’s Center for Resilient Water Systems who is currently working to provide the Department of Environmental Protection with a draft updated Stormwater BMP Manual.
The first goal of the update is to first evaluate the existing BMP’s in the Manual in terms of the latest science and in-field experience on their effectiveness, water pollution reduction potential and ongoing maintenance and costs.
The second is to organize the BMPs into a menu of practices emphasizing first in a hierarchy those practices that use a natural systems approach in their design and function while at the same time are the most effective at achieving stormwater flow and rate objectives as well as water pollution reductions.
Nearly 20 years of experience with building and operating green infrastructure projects under the Growing Greener Program and recent research presented to the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee demonstrates stormwater practices based on natural system functions are more effective at reducing flooding and water pollution.
Third, the Villanova team will recommend new best management practices developed or perfected since the 2006 Manual was adopted to achieve stormwater and pollution reduction objectives.
DEP hopes to have a draft Manual available for public review during the third quarter of this year and would look to formalize it as a technical guidance document.
The agency will be looking to engage a broad set of stakeholders in the review of the draft Manual, including the Water Resources Advisory Committee, to provide input into the practices and the proposed prioritization of BMP.
Click Here to review a copy of the existing Stormwater BMP Manual.
Villanova's Dr. Robert Traver Receives National Environmental & Water Resources Institute Lifetime Achievement Award
Gov. Wolf Proposes A $4.5 Billion, 4-Year Restore Pennsylvania Community & Environmental Infrastructure Investment Program
Gov. Wolf Announces $121 Million In Funding For Water Infrastructure Projects in 20 Counties, $1.1 Million For Nonpoint Projects
Allegheny Institute: Review Of Pittsburgh Water Authority’s 5-Year Infrastructure Plan: The Price That Has To Be Paid For Years Of Neglect
Senate State Government Committee Unanimously Approves, Reports Out Bill Recognizing Eastern Hellbender
Posted by David E. Hess at 12:53 PM No comments :
Octorara High Students Explore Local History, Learn To Protect Fresh Water In Chester County
Octorara High School students spent three days last fall experiencing and learning about their local parts of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, with the help of the Stroud Water Research Center. They also discovered the impacts their choices make to promote its health and integrity.
The group of 13 students, and their teacher of animal and plant science Helena Martin, participated in a free program led by Stroud Water Research Center.
The Center provides education programs and professional development for schools and teachers in the Susquehanna River Watershed and across the country, along with the Sultana Education Foundation, which inspires people in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to preserve and restore America’s largest estuary.
Octorara High School specializes in providing students with career and technical education.
On the first day, Chris Cerino, vice president of SEF, introduced the students to the rich history of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and Tara Muenz, Stroud Water Research Center’s assistant director of education, prepared them for the following two days of outdoor educational adventures to engage them in the watershed.
On day two, the students headed to the Stroud Center to learn about water quality and how to perform surveys and assessments to better understand the health of a local waterway.
Recent rain had made White Clay Creek too deep for the students to collect macroinvertebrates, but they still experienced a tour of the laboratories learning about careers in science and topics in freshwater ecology, including watersheds, stream orders, chemistries, and how to enter their data into the Water Quality App™.
By day three, the skies had cleared, and the students and staff set off in canoes on the Octoraro Reservoir to experience the fun and beauty this freshwater resource had to offer. For some, it was their first time canoeing.
They also learned more about their place and role in the watershed. Activities included seine fishing and aquatic insect collection, wildlife observation in the marsh, and water quality monitoring.
“Seeing the wildlife and litter while learning how the marshes filter pollution and their importance, really stuck with me and I’m hoping with the students too,” said Ms. Martin.
“We wanted the students to have fun learning about the local history, environment, and to ultimately discover how we as humans impact water quality through our choices,” said Muenz.
One student said, “This is so much fun, and we did a lot of laughing and saw a lot of cool animals.”
The program was made possible by a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and Sultana Education Foundation.
The partnership will continue over the next year so that more students and teachers from Octorara High School and the surrounding area can enjoy similar experiences.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream. Click Here to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter. Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, include them in your Circle on Google+ and visit their YouTube Channel.
NewsClip:
Stroud Water Research Center Recognizes Robin L. Vannote’s Watershed Work
(Reprinted from the Stroud Water Research Center newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
On January 31, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a $4.5 billion, 4-year Restore Pennsylvania initiative to fund high-impact community and environmental infrastructure projects that he said will help catapult Pennsylvania ahead of every state in the country in terms of technology, development and infrastructure.
Restore Pennsylvania has 5 priority areas-- High Speed Internet Access; Storm Preparedness and Disaster Recovery; Downstream Manufacturing, Business Development and Energy Infrastructure; Demolition, Revitalization and Renewal; and Transportation Capital Projects.
It would be funded by monetizing a severance tax on natural gas production in Pennsylvania that would generate $300 million a year, over and above the existing Act 13 drilling impact fee.
“Over the past four years my administration has worked hard to improve our infrastructure and build strong, stable communities across the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Wolf. “We’ve made progress, but we still have more work to do.”
“It is far past time that Pennsylvanians stop allowing our Commonwealth to be the only state losing out on the opportunity to reinvest in our communities,” said Gov. Wolf. “And as long as that is allowed to continue – my vision of a restored Pennsylvania that is ready to compete in the 21st century economy will never become reality.”
The Governor said this proposal is separate from the budget because it is not intended to make up for funding deficits in the regular budget.
Senators John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and Tom Killion (R-Delaware) will co-sponsor the implementing legislation in the Senate.
Representatives Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) and Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery) will co-sponsor implementing legislation in the House.
“Restore Pennsylvania is a bold and innovative plan to inject billions of dollars into infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth through a fair severance tax,” said Sen. John Yudichak. “I applaud Governor Wolf for working in a bipartisan fashion to craft a plan that will benefit all Pennsylvanians.”
"We can no longer afford to lose billions of dollars by not having a sensible severance tax on drillers,” said Sen. Tom Killion. “I thank Governor Wolf for his strong leadership on this issue. I am proud to work with Senator Yudichak on passing the governor's proposal in the senate. Let's finally get this done for Pennsylvania's families."
“As the Democratic chairman of the House Finance Committee, I appreciate the difficulty behind fairly and effectively raising revenue,” said Rep. Jake Wheatley. “This is a reasonable severance tax, with exciting new ideas on how to maximize our investment. That’s why I’m pleased to be one of the prime sponsors of this legislation, along with looking forward to working with the governor and my Republican colleagues to finally get this done.”
“It is time that we faced our responsibilities honestly and tapped our vast natural gas resources in a way that will allow us to invest in Pennsylvania’s future success,” Rep. Thomas Murt said. “Restore Pennsylvania will help us upgrade transportation infrastructure, fight blight, and address contamination issues like lead and PFAS in my district and throughout the Commonwealth.”
Environmental Elements
The environmental elements include funding for flood damage reduction and floodplain restoration projects, stormwater pollution reduction to help communities comply with the MS4 requirements, helping families recover from disasters, brownfield and contaminated site cleanup, funding to preserve open space, address the State Park maintenance backlog, for farmland preservation, abandoned mine cleanup and creating new recreation opportunities, improving energy efficiency, installing combined heat and power and micro-grid system, improving dirt and gravel roads and for transit capital projects.
This initiative represents the first new funding to support local environmental restoration projects since the Growing Greener Program was enacted in 1999 under Gov. Ridge and had its funding expanded in 2002 under Gov. Schweiker.
With this proposal, Gov. Wolf joins the Republican and Democratic governors of Maryland, New York and Virginia, upstream and downstream of Pennsylvania in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, who have already laid out extensive plans in their states to address critical water-related environmental funding issues.
Here are some highlights on the environment-related elements of the Restore Pennsylvania proposal--
-- Critical Flood Control Infrastructure: Last year was the wettest year on record in Pennsylvania, and modelling suggests that increased rain will continue.
Communities across the state were impacted by record-breaking rainfall, flash flooding and river flooding across the state, from Philadelphia in the east and Allegheny County in the west to Bradford and Columbia in the north and widespread devastation in Schuylkill, Lebanon, York and Lancaster Counties in Central Pennsylvania, among others.
A single storm in early August created more than $60 million in damage to transportation infrastructure alone in the middle of the state.
A Center for Rural Pennsylvania study done by Penn State in 2017 showed the frequency and duration of heavy precipitation events increased 71 percent from 1958 to 2013.
The devastation these natural disasters leave in their wake demonstrate all too clearly that Pennsylvania’s legacy infrastructure needs to be updated to handle changing weather and new development.
Many needed projects involve streambank restoration to restore flow and prevent future erosion.
Other projects will be for floodplain restoration, which allows stormwater to spread out and slow down, so it can be absorbed into the groundwater, rather than flooding over streambanks.
Additional critical flood control infrastructure includes dams, levees and flood walls.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding for flood prevention that will protect against severe weather and save homes and businesses in flood prone areas across the state. It will provide funding to help towns and cities prepare for flooding and severe weather, upgrade flood walls and levees, replace high-hazard dams, and conduct stream restoration and maintenance.
-- Helping Families Rebuild After Disasters: In the aftermath of severe storms and other disasters, homeowners who have in some cases lost everything need immediate assistance to begin to put their lives back together.
While Federal Emergency Management Agency funding is available to assist property owners recovering from events that have been declared a Major Disaster, and funding is available from the U.S. Small Business Administration for some smaller events, there is currently very limited help available for Pennsylvanians who experience catastrophic losses due to localized flooding or other severe weather events that were not declared a Major Disaster by the federal government.
Restore Pennsylvania will establish a disaster relief trust fund to assist individuals who suffer losses that are not compensated by FEMA or other programs.
-- Stormwater Infrastructure: Across Pennsylvania, communities large and small are struggling to implement new federal requirements that they manage stormwater to prevent pollution from flowing into local streams and rivers.
Nearly 1,000 communities with municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) are currently preparing to implement a Pollutant Reduction Plan to reduce discharges from their storm sewers into local waterways.
While funding this new infrastructure is a challenge, it is also an opportunity to create local jobs to construct and maintain green infrastructure that captures stormwater where it falls while also beautifying downtowns with rain gardens, parks, and streetscape improvements.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide grants to municipalities moving forward with Pollutant Reduction Plans to help them implement creative solutions to comply with their stormwater mandates and transform their communities.
Additional state funding will reduce the need for new stormwater fees, which have proven unpopular where they have been proposed.
Additional incentives will be provided for communities that are working collaboratively with their neighbors to tackle the problem in the most efficient manner possible.
-- Brownfield Clean-Up: In communities across the state, underutilized and abandoned former industrial and commercial sites sit waiting for cleanup to unlock their potential as a catalyst for new manufacturing and economic development.
Frequently these sites have existing infrastructure, historic buildings and close proximity to transportation that make them attractive locations for redevelopment and reuse.
Revitalizing these locations improves the health and quality of life of our citizens and injects much-needed revenue into our local communities by returning once lifeless properties to the tax rolls.
Pennsylvania’s land recycling program has long been lauded as a national model for the successful cleanup of brownfields, with over 6,000 sites having been successfully cleaned up and returned to productive use.
With the long-anticipated phase out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax in 2016, which helped fund the program, there is now a need to identify funding to ensure that this critical work can continue.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding to ensure the continuation of Pennsylvania’s Brownfields program, ensuring that more sites can be returned to use for recreation, or returned to the tax rolls as commercial, residential, or industrial sites.
Restore Pennsylvania will increase resources for addressing blight by providing financial resources at the local level to establish land banks and acquire and demolish blighted buildings in order to create new development opportunities or provide new green space. The funding will be administered by entities established by the legislature as land banks or demolition funds.
-- Contaminant Remediation: In addition to remaining brownfields, many residential homes and neighborhoods still face issues with contaminants like lead and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Studies continue to find elevated lead levels in blood tests of Pennsylvania’s youngest residents, a result of Pennsylvania’s older housing stock, 70 percent of which was built before the 1978 ban on lead paint. Long-term exposure to lead paint can have devastating developmental consequences including lowered-IQ, memory problems, and other neurological and behavioral effects.
To help prevent the ongoing exposure of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations, we must redouble our level of effort to remediate lead paint from homes throughout the Commonwealth.
There have also been recent discoveries of PFAS contaminants in numerous communities across the Commonwealth, threatening the safety of residents’ drinking water. The cleanup costs associated with addressing these chemicals can be significant, and without the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund there are few funding options available at the state level.
Restore Pennsylvania will fund expanded efforts to remove lead and other contaminants from communities.
-- Green Infrastructure (Open Space, State Park Maintenance, Farmland Preservation, Pollution Reduction, Abandoned Mine Cleanup, New Recreation Opportunities): Pennsylvania has long recognized the need to invest to protect open space, address maintenance needs in state parks, preserve working farms, install farm best management practices, clean up abandoned mines and restore watersheds, provide funds for recreational trails and local parks, help communities address land use, and provide new and upgraded water and sewer systems.
These projects help create prosperous and sustainable communities, protect the environment, add quality of life value that attracts jobs, contribute to Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation and tourism industries, and improve public health.
Moreover, the outdoor recreational opportunities provided by our state’s network of parks, trails, greenways, riverfronts and other open spaces are increasingly cited as an important factor in where residents decide to live and work, creating a major incentive to invest in creating these opportunities as a strategy to attract and retain the workforce that will power Pennsylvania’s economy tomorrow.
However, significant need continues to exist. Over 19,000 miles of streams and rivers do not meet federal and state water quality standards. Nearly 200,000 acres of abandoned mine land remain across 43 Pennsylvania counties.
More than 2,000 working farms remain on county waiting lists to be preserved. Over 200,000 orphaned and abandoned wells pollute our landscape.
There is a significant backlog of needed infrastructure work to fix deteriorating buildings, water and sewer treatment systems and trails and roads in the state parks and state forests.
The legislature in recent sessions has recognized the need to continue the success of prior initiatives to address these ongoing issues, but no consensus on a new source of funding has emerged.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide significant new funding to enable new environmental projects and new recreational opportunities across the state, including infrastructure and maintenance in state parks, creation and revitalization of new local parks, and funding for new hiking, biking and ATV trail projects.
-- Energy Infrastructure/Conservation: Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse. Our coal fueled the industrial revolution, our power plants keep lights on throughout the northeast.
Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has emerged as a leading state in production of clean burning natural gas, and we currently outproduce every state but Texas.
The first decade of development has seen a rush to build wells and pipelines to take gas to markets where it can be used.
In the second decade, we need to focus on making sure we capture the benefits of this prolific resource in Pennsylvania to spur manufacturing and drive job creation in downstream industries.
Royal Dutch Shell is currently undertaking the largest development project that this commonwealth has ever seen in Beaver County northwest of Pittsburgh. This is the first major project of its kind in the United States built away from the Gulf Coast region in a generation.
When this ethane cracker plant opens early in the 2020s, it will produce millions of pounds of plastic pellets, the building blocks for everything from water bottles to airplane parts.
To realize the full potential of this massive investment, Pennsylvania needs to seize the opportunity to jump start advanced manufacturing facilities that will take the building blocks, and turn them into high value products, employing Pennsylvanians with well paid, family supporting jobs.
To prepare for this opportunity and assist existing manufacturers and businesses across the state to take advantage of the benefits of locally-produced natural gas to lower costs, reduce emissions, and power an advanced industrial revolution in Pennsylvania.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding for infrastructure that helps build manufacturing facilities and other downstream businesses for the natural gas produced in Pennsylvania while helping businesses and individuals use more of Pennsylvania’s natural gas in their homes, creating jobs, lowering costs, and improving energy efficiency.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding to develop pad-ready locations in prime locations and areas ripe for development with an emphasis on downstream manufacturers and support for businesses.
This funding will expand the extremely successful Business in Our Sites program which empowers communities and economic development partners to attract expanding businesses by building an inventory of ready sites.
Approved projects can use the funding for any site development activities required to make the site shovel-ready. Sites can be previously utilized property or undeveloped property that is planned and zoned for development including former or underutilized industrial, commercial, military, mining, railroad, or institutional sites or buildings.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide increased spending flexibility to ensure that more communities and businesses across the state have access to low-cost, clean-burning natural gas and will also provide grants to help downstream businesses install combined heat and power and micro-grid systems at existing or new facilities.
-- Transportation/Transit: Pennsylvania has roughly as many state-maintained road miles as New England, New York, and New Jersey combined and keeping our large system in a state of good repair requires continued investment.
The American Society of Engineers’ 2018 “infrastructure report card” gives Pennsylvania a D+ rating for the quality of its roads and bridges and a D for transit.
A safe and reliable transportation network is essential for Pennsylvania residents, businesses, and visitors and improving and maintaining this extensive multimodal system requires stable, sufficient funding.
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding for local road upgrades, create new flexible funding options for businesses that need local infrastructure upgrades to enable development projects, and multimodal and large-scale capital projects for transit.
Restore Pennsylvania will accelerate progress of projects to resurface, repave and repair four-digit roads and provide technical assistance and funding for dirt and gravel roads throughout the state.
Restore Pennsylvania will create a flexible funding tool to enable capacity upgrades needed to support development where TIIF funding is not available.
Restore Pennsylvania will support new capital projects at public transit capital projects throughout the state.
Click Here for a more detailed description of the entire Restore Pennsylvania initiative. Click Here for the Governor's announcement.
Gov. Wolf will make his formal budget address to a joint session of the Senate and House on February 5.
House Republican Leaders issued this statement about Gov. Wolf's Restore Pennsylvania proposal-- "The governor's proposal includes three of the worst ways to grow an economy: taxing, borrowing and uncontrolled government spending.
“While improving Pennsylvania's aging infrastructure is a shared goal, it cannot come at the expense of the Commonwealth's economy and taxpayers.
“Unfortunately, the governor has not included the General Assembly in the development of this proposal. If he had, he would know that there are not enough votes to enact a new energy tax, borrow billions of dollars and spend monies on more government programs.”
[Note: In 2012, a Republican General Assembly and Governor authorized a $4.5 billion bond issue to pay back the federal government’s unemployment compensation trust fund securitized by fees paid by state businesses.]
Marcellus Shale Coalition president David Spigelmyer issued this statement--
“Pennsylvania’s tax on natural gas – the impact fee – generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually for critical infrastructure programs across the entire Commonwealth. This existing annual tax revenue, when combined with other business taxes paid by the industry as well as lease bonuses and royalties tied to natural gas development on state land, has provided nearly $5 billion in revenue since unconventional shale gas development began.
“Imposing additional energy taxes will cost consumers, hurt local jobs, especially among the building and labor trades, and negatively impact investment needed to safely produce clean and abundant energy that’s ushering in a new era of manufacturing growth.
“We’ll continue to work with leaders in Harrisburg on solutions to drive continued economic growth, environmental progress and a brighter future for the entire Commonwealth.”
NewsClips:
Gov. Wolf Outlines Plan To Restore Critical Pennsylvania Infrastructure
AP-Levy: Wolf Seeks $4.5B Capital Program Paid By Marcellus Shale Tax
Esack: Wolf Wants $4.5 Billion to Corral Sewage, Attack Blight And Boost Internet Speeds
Wolf Wants Natural Gas Severance Tax To Pay For Massive Infrastructure Rebuild
Gov. Wolf Seeks A Severance Tax Once Again
Pennsylvanians Urged To Help Preserve The Legacy Of PA's State Parks & Forests
Growing A Cleaner, Greener Pennsylvania In 2019: Opportunities For House And Senate Leadership
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Rep. Christina Sappey 158th District / Chester County
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Rep. Christina Sappey
Save the Date postcard with important local events. Read more
Sappey welcomes state boys cross country champions from Downingtown West High School to state Capitol
(Nov 18, 2019) Rep. Christina Sappey
HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 – State Rep. Christina Sappey welcomed Downingtown West High School’s boys’ cross-country team, The Whippets, to the Pennsylvania House chamber today to commemorate their Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 3A championship title. The Whippets earned their second PIAA title in five years this month by finishing the competition with 65 points, beating La Salle High School by 19 points. “I’m very proud to welcome The Whippets to the Capitol to recognize the dedication and determination that earned them this state title,” Sappey said. “My son was a Whippet throughout his four years at Downingtown West High School, so to watch this team continue to succeed is truly incredible for me. I’d like to remind the team that your community is very proud of this accomplishment and we wish you the best of luck as you head to regionals at the end of this month.” Click here for photos of Rep. Sappey on the House floor with The Whippets. Read more
Sappey to host charitable item donation drive Nov. 16
KENNETT SQUARE, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, will host a charitable item donation drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Willowdale Town Center, 698 Unionville Road in Kennett Square, to benefit local families in need this holiday season. Sappey said donations of nonperishable food items, toys and games, pet items, electronics, and more will be accepted. All donations will go to Green Drop, Chester County Food Bank, David’s Drive, Toys for Tots and the Brandywine Valley SPCA. “I know us to be a very caring and generous community, eager to help those in need. My hope is that this event will be a one-stop drop for our charitable giving during a busy time of year”, Sappey said. A full wish list can be found on Sappey’s website, pahouse.com/sappey . Residents with questions regarding acceptable items may contact Sappey’s district office at 484-200-8264. Read more
Pennsylvania grant book
2019-20 Pennsylvania grant & resource directory Read more
2019 Charitable item donation drive wish list
Green Drop We accept new or gently used items including: Clothing & Shoes All men’s, women’s, children and infant clothing including outerwear, underwear, shoes and boots, jackets, ties, shirts, dresses, blouses, sweaters, pants, hats, gloves, handbags, purses, raincoats and overcoats, swimsuits, sandals, shorts, sleepwear, jeans, T-shirts and formal wear. Household Items Cosmetics and toiletries (unopened), eyeglasses and sunglasses, artificial flowers and trees, umbrellas, yarns and material, knick-knacks, antiques, jewelry, luggage, buttons, musical instruments, towels, area rugs 6x9 or smaller, Christmas and seasonal decorations, novelties, framed pictures and paintings, yard tools, hardware tools, bedding, draperies, blankets, bedspreads, quilts, sheets, pillows and pillow cases. Kitchenware Cookware and bakeware, dishes, utensils, flatware, silverware, pots and pans, Tupperware, glasses and cups, serving plates and trays and canning jars. Games/Toys Fisher Price and Little Tikes items, bicycles, tricycles, board and other games, stuffed animals, software for Playstation, Xbox and Wii. Small Appliances Irons and ironing boards, sewing machines, microwaves, clocks, hair dryers, electric griddles, blenders, coffee makers and toasters. Electronics Flat screen TVs, computer items including towers, printers, flat screen Read more
Supporting our First Responders
As a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I am strongly advocating for greater support for our volunteer emergency service companies. Across the Commonwealth, first responder agencies are in dire need of volunteers. Our current economy has made it increasingly difficult for volunteer recruitment and retention. It is crucial that we address this concern now, as costs related to hired response teams would be detrimental for local municipalities. Recognizing the challenges facing our emergency service companies, in 2017 the legislature adopted Senate Resolution 6. This resolution created a statewide commission to analyze the volunteer shortage and develop recommendations. Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved the following bills, based on the commission’s recommendations, to help these organizations address the critical volunteer shortage while assisting those who answer the call. The bills include: HB 1839 , HB 1705 : Property Tax Relief for Volunteers – active members of volunteer fire companies and non-profit ambulance companies listed on their primary residence’s property tax bills would be eligible for credits of up to 100% of their property taxes, depending on local ordinances and school districts. HB 1773 , HB 1786 : Student Loan Help for Volunteers – active members of volunteer fire companies and non-profit ambulance companies could get tuition assistance and Read more
Sappey to host Veterans Day recognition ceremony
(Oct 31, 2019) Rep. Christina Sappey
West Chester, Oct. 31 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, will host a veterans’ recognition ceremony in the 158th Legislative District from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1282 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester. Veterans of all military branches and their families are invited to attend. Sappey said the traditional ceremony is free to attend and will honor the selfless service of the veterans in attendance. “It’s important to recognize what our veterans and their families have given for us,” Sappey said. “This Veterans Day I’d like to show my gratitude for all the sacrifices they’ve made to protect us and our freedoms.” Veterans should RSVP to the ceremony by contacting Sappey’s office by calling 484-200-8264 or by emailing repsappey@pahouse.net. Read more
10/15/19 – Stormwater Management and Infrastructure – West Chester
Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Christina Sappey. Read more
Sappey hosts hearing on stormwater management
Rep. Christina Sappey hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing to discuss the importance of stormwater management. She discussed the impact this issue is having on homeowners and aging infrastructure. Read more
Sappey, Policy Committee examine stormwater management and infrastructure
State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, hosted a House Policy Committee hearing at the East Bradford Township Building on severe weather’s impact on infrastructure and stormwater management. Read more
Sappey presents Unionville Fair with citation for 95th year
State Rep. Christina Sappey presented the Unionville Community Fair with a House of Representatives citation on Saturday, Oct. 5 in recognition of the event’s 95th year. Read more
Sappey supports legislation to improve workplace environment, protect victims of sexual harrasment
Rep. Christina Sappey has co-sponsored legislation that would change how employers and the General Assembly deal with sexual harassment. Read more
Sappey to host two Senior Expos
(Sep 25, 2019) Rep. Christina Sappey
State Rep. Christina Sappey has announced she will host a Northern 158th Senior Expo on Saturday, Oct. 12 at West Chester East High School and a Southern 158th Senior Expo on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Kennett Middle School, 195 Sunny Dell Road, Landenberg. Read more
Sappey supports legislation to curb scam calls, robocalls
While scam calls can be annoying and aggravating, they are of particular concern to vulnerable populations, such as seniors, in Pennsylvania. There are several actions I support currently being pursued at the state level. Read more
Sappey, Dinniman announce nearly $740,000 for environmental projects
State Rep. Christina Sappey and state Sen. Andy Dinniman announced nearly $740,000 in state funding to support four greenways, trails and watershed reclamation projects in Chester County. Read more
Sappey supports legislation for veterans, first responders
As a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I am committed to assisting those who make sacrifices for our community each and every day. Read more
Sappey supports workers’ rights
The following pieces of legislation will provide for greater fairness and opportunities in the workplace while strengthening workers’ rights and our community overall. Read more
Sappey announces $105,000 grant awarded to New Garden Airport
(Aug 28, 2019) Rep. Christina Sappey
A state grant for $105,000 has been awarded to New Garden Airport to make improvements to the facility, state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, announced Wednesday. Read more
Sappey supports quality education for all
Ensuring an enriching education and academic experience for our students remains a priority for me. I’m working in Harrisburg to make sure our children have what they need to succeed Read more
Sappey to hold policy hearing on local government challenges with stormwater management, infrastructure
HARRISBURG, Aug. 23 – State Rep. Christina Sappey will host a House Policy Committee public hearing in October to examine the numerous negative impacts to state and local infrastructure brought about by increasingly severe weather in Pennsylvania. The hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the East Bradford Township Building, 666 Copeland School Road in West Chester. Sappey, D-Chester, requested the hearing to discuss the issue of severe storms and best-practices for managing them. She will be joined by fellow House members, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. “It’s no secret that our roads and bridges are failing, and the increase in severe storms that we are experiencing is exacerbating the problem,” Sappey said. “We all have witnessed the aftermath and dealt with the consequences of flooding, erosion and washed-out roadways.” According to the National Weather Service, Chester County received more than 22 inches above normal rainfall in 2018. The severity and number of storms also have been increasing across the commonwealth. “Since taking office, I have met with many municipal officials throughout the 158 th Legislative District,” Sappey said. “Plain and simple, we need to address how we handle stormwater. It’s a serious safety concern and a top priority for me. “I hope to see you for this important discussion.” Read more
Sappey supports legislation to curb gun violence
(Aug 06, 2019) Rep. Christina D Sappey
It is important that we never become numb to gun violence occurring in our communities. It is also important to support responsible gun owners and their rights. Read more
Contact Rep. Christina Sappey
Please use the form below to email Rep. Christina Sappey.
Rep. Sappey's Office Information
Kennett Square Office
Willowdale Town Center
698 Unionville Rd
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HIV services at your fingertipsThe National AIDS Commission Belize launches HIV mobile App
Image: National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize Mobile App
The National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize has launched the country’s first HIV services mobile App. As part of the HIV, AIDS, and Tuberculosis (TB) response in Belize, the NAC collaborated with software development firm LXJ Code Belize to develop and launch the App, which is now available on both IOS and Android platforms.
According to the NAC, the app is a readily available source of information on all the major HIV service facilities in the country. It provides the user with real-time data on the nearest health facility, services offered, location, links the user to the service providers’ Facebook and website for more information and provides timely updates on upcoming events from varying partner agencies within Belize’s HIV response. The NAC Health Services App is meant to function as a gateway that links innovation and necessity.
The NAC highlighted that the creation of the App became necessary due to the lack of readily available knowledge on HIV services available in Belize. The commission views this as one of the main barriers to achieving the 90-90-90 Targets as Belizeans have reported not having adequate information on available HIV services.
In 2016, the NAC in collaboration with CODE-IT launched its first app, titled “Infections”. The gaming app was designed to engage users in a fun and interactive gaming experience while imparting key knowledge about HIV and AIDS. This app was a pioneering effort and was recognized as one of the most innovative communication strategies in the region. “Infections” is free for download at the Google Play store.
For more information on both Apps, visit the NAC’s website.
Source: National AIDS Commission (NAC) Belize
PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU)
13-15 Area F Plantation, Turkeyen,
Greater Georgetown, Guyana
TEL: (592) 222-0001 – 75
Copyright 2021 PAN CARIBBEAN PARTNERSHIP AGAINST HIV/AIDS (PANCAP)
CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana.
This website is made possible by the support of the American People through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project (AID-OAA-A-13-00068). The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, PEPFAR, USAID, or K4Health.
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Rimac ‘C_Two’ does 0-60mph in 1.85 seconds, has 1914hp (videos)
Yes, it looks like the Tesla Roadster 2.0 will be knocked from its pedestal soon with the new Rimac Concept_Two set to conquer the 0-60mph (97km/h) sprint in just 1.85 seconds. The Croatian company is...
New Rimac hypercar previewed, set to be world’s quickest car (video)
Rimac has sent out a teaser of its next model, before it makes its debut at the Geneva motor show next week. The new model is set to be even more powerful and faster than...
Rimac previews new ‘game-changing’ model before Geneva
It looks like Rimac is planning a new electric supercar, following the launch of the insane Concept_One of several years ago. The company sent out this teaser image onto its Facebook page. In typical teaser...
Video: Rimac One vs Tesla Model S vs LaFerrari
News regarding the super-exclusive Rimac Concept One has been hard to find recently, but we’ve stumbled upon a pretty special clip from Archie Hamilton Racing illustrating just how quickly it can move off the line...
800kW Rimac Concept_One revealed, will go into production
There’s a new 800kW hypercar on the block, however, chances are you’ve never heard of it, or its maker. Rimac, a Croatian marque, is planning to make the Geneva Motor Show its own as it...
Applus-Idiada ‘Volar-E’ 596kW EV sports car set for Geneva
It seems every week an all-new company sets out to produce a fully electric sports car. This time we hear of such from a Spanish company called Applus+Idiada. It’s planning to unveil the ‘Volar-E’ at...
Rimac One Concept all-electric supercar priced at $980K
Remember the rather striking Rimac One Concept from late last year? The Croatian company has now put a price on the electric supercar, and pitched it just under US$1 million (approximately AU$940,000). It seems kind...
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Posts Tagged ‘depictions’
Gordon Ramsay targets Tracy Grimshaw in rant
Posted in Local News, tagged A Current Affair, a lesbian, a pig, activities., animal, audience, Australian journalist, Botox doctor, celebrity chef, Channel Nine, Chef, chief executive, comedian, comment, commented, cook, cooking., create, crowd, Current Affair, David Gyngell, depicting a woman, depictions, deriding her looks?, describe lesbians., dump him Australia., executive producer, facial mole, food and wine, food expo, FOUL-mouthed, Friday nightsponsor, gasps, get paid, Good Food and Wine Show, Gordon Ramsay., Grant Williams, great relationship, Grimshaw, Grimshaw's, Grimshaw's sexual preference, Hell's Kitchen, high profile, highly derogatory, holy crap, immediately, impress, inappropriate, incident, interview, interviewed, joke, kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, LG, Local News, looks, major sponsor, Melbourne, Melinda Tankard Reist, money, nightmare., Nine's, obscene, of women., out of order., pretty good, programs, public, publicly, putrid tirade, Ramsay's sponsors, rating highly, reacted, references, remove, send him packing.", sexist rant., sexuality, shocked, shocked audiences, Simon Cowell's, spokeswoman for Ramsay, sponsors, stunt, Sunday Herald Sun reports., support, term, The Chaser.", too far, Tracy Grimshaw, trip, verbal abuse, vilifying, wart, Women's Forum Australia on June 7, 2009| 2 Comments »
FOUL-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay has shocked a public audience by vilifying high profile Australian journalist Tracy Grimshaw in an obscene, sexist rant.
The putrid tirade, which included references to Grimshaw’s looks, sexuality and depictions of her as a pig, shocked audiences who went to see the celebrity chef at the Good Food and Wine Show in Melbourne.
Ramsay told an audience of several thousand people that Grimshaw was “a lesbian”, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.
When the crowd reacted with gasps, he said: “What? I’m not saying she’s a …”
The phrase that Ramsay used was a highly derogatory term often used to describe lesbians.
Ramsay also showed a picture of a woman – who appeared to be naked – on her hands and knees with the features of a pig and multiple breasts.
Tracy Grimshaw,” he told the audience. “I had an interview with her yesterday – holy crap.
“She needs to see Simon Cowell’s Botox doctor.”
Ramsay – who later dismissed the comments as a joke – went on with more innuendos about Grimshaw’s sexual preference and activities.
The crude remarks did not impress Channel Nine chief executive David Gyngell, who phoned Ramsay to tell him they were inappropriate and that he had gone too far.
Just a year ago, the celebrity chef had been lauded as the network’s saviour, with his programs Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares rating highly.
Mandy Saunders was at the food expo with her two children and elderly mother.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing – it was disgusting,” Ms Saunders said.
“The show is meant for families. That was way out of order.”
Anthony Kavroulas was also in the audience at Ramsay’s performance.
“What can I say? It was totally sexist,” Mr Kavroulas said.
Women’s groups also expressed their disgust, saying it was wrong that Ramsay was making money by comparing women with animals.
Melinda Tankard Reist, from Women’s Forum Australia, said Ramsay’s sponsors should dump him and he should leave Australia.
“Ramsay’s sexist and demeaning actions are offensive to every Australian woman,” Ms Reist said.
“Why should he get paid for depicting a woman as an animal and publicly deriding her looks?
“He shouldn’t be making money through the verbal abuse of women.
“Gordon Ramsay is no longer welcome here. The sponsors of his trip should immediately remove their support and send him packing.”
LG, a major sponsor of the Good Food and Wine Show, said it did not want to comment on the incident.
Ramsay appeared on Nine’s A Current Affair and was interviewed by Tracy Grimshaw on Friday night.
During the interview, he commented on Grimshaw’s facial mole, asking: “Is that a wart? It looks like your little sister’s on your lip.”
Grimshaw appeared to take that remark well.
But A Current Affair executive producer Grant Williams said yesterday the chef had gone too far and should stick to cooking and lay off the comedy.
“We know Gordon Ramsay sets out to shock, but if what we’re being told is true, we’re very surprised,” Williams said.
“Frankly, although it’s plainly a joke, it’s out of order.
“Gordon has proved here that he doesn’t need to be in the kitchen to create a nightmare.
“As a comedian, he makes a pretty good cook. Maybe he’d be better off at The Chaser.”
A spokeswoman for Ramsay said the stunt was just a joke and should have been taken as one.
“He really respects Tracy Grimshaw as a journalist. It was just a joke,” Sarah Armstrong said.
“She interviews him every time he comes to Australia. They have a great relationship.”
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Title: On the Statistical Properties of Cospectra
Authors: Huppenkothen, D.
Journal: THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT SERIES
Abstract: In recent years, the cross-spectrum has received considerable attention as a means of characterizing the variability of astronomical sources as a function of wavelength. The cospectrum has only recently been understood as a means of mitigating instrumental effects dependent on temporal frequency in astronomical detectors, as well as a method of characterizing the coherent variability in two wavelength ranges on different timescales. In this paper, we lay out the statistical foundations of the cospectrum, starting with the simplest case of detecting a periodic signal in the presence of white noise, under the assumption that the same source is observed simultaneously in independent detectors in the same energy range. This case is especially relevant for detecting faint X-ray pulsars in detectors heavily affected by instrumental effects, including NuSTAR, Astrosat, and IXPE, which allow for even sampling and where the cospectrum can act as an effective way to mitigate dead time. We show that the statistical distributions of both single and averaged cospectra differ considerably from those for standard periodograms. While a single cospectrum follows a Laplace distribution exactly, averaged cospectra are approximated by a Gaussian distribution only for more than ∼30 averaged segments, dependent on the number of trials. We provide an instructive example of a quasi-periodic oscillation in NuSTAR and show that applying standard periodogram statistics leads to underestimated tail probabilities for period detection. We also demonstrate the application of these distributions to a NuSTAR observation of the X-ray pulsar Hercules X-1.
URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4365/aabe38
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/aabe38
Bibcode ADS: 2018ApJS..236...13H
Huppenkothen_Bachetti_2018_On the Statistical Properties of Cospectra.pdf Pdf editoriale 973.6 kB Adobe PDF View/Open
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References of "Wahl, Laurent 40020854"
Fatigue in the Core of Aluminium Honeycomb Panels: Lifetime Prediction compared to Fatigue Tests
Wahl, Laurent ; Maas, Stefan ; Waldmann, Danièle et al
in International Journal of Damage Mechanics (2014), 23 no.5
In comparison to their weight, honeycomb composite structures have a high bending stiffness, which makes them very suited for every application where little weight is important, like airplanes, railway ... [more ▼]
In comparison to their weight, honeycomb composite structures have a high bending stiffness, which makes them very suited for every application where little weight is important, like airplanes, railway-cars and vehicles. The sandwich panels consist of two thin and stiff aluminium face sheets , which are bonded to a thick and lightweight aluminium honeycomb core. These structures are subjected to dynamic loading. However, in literature, there are hardly any fatigue properties of the honeycomb core described. The fatigue properties of the core are investigated using the finite element method and experiments. Depending on the load application, the honeycomb core fails either through core indentation or shear failure. For a fatigue prediction, both failure modes have to be investigated. Additionally the physical behavior of the honeycomb core is depending on the orientation of the core. Hence, fatigue tests were conducted in three directions of the core: the stiffest direction, the most compliant direction and the direction with the highest stresses. A three-point bending test setup was built to study the fatigue properties of the honeycomb core. Several fatigue tests were carried out with a load ratio of R=0.1 (maximum load 10 times bigger than minimum load) and the fatigue diagrams being illustrated. Additionally, Food-Cart Roller Tests (wheels of a cart rolling in a circle on a floor panel) were done to dynamically test the panels in every angle. The sandwich structures were modeled with the ANSYS finite element software. The simulations, which were used to determine the stress amplitudes in the specimens, are described in the following pages. In addition, buckling analyses were used to examine core indentation failure. Based on these simulations, failure predictions can be made. The fatigue life of the examined specimens is successfully approximated in this manuscript, with the lifetime analysis being based on the FKM-guideline (error less than 14% in load amplitude). [less ▲]
Detailed reference viewed: 198 (23 UL)
Ermüdungseigenschaften des Wabenkerns von sandwichpaneelen aus Aluminium
Wahl, Laurent
In comparison to their weight, honeycomb composite structures have a high bending stiffness, which makes them very suited for every application where little weight is important, like airplanes, railway-cars and vehicles. These structures are subjected to cyclic loading. The sandwich panels consist of two thin and stiff aluminium face sheets, which are bonded to a thick and lightweight aluminium honeycomb core. The shear stresses in the core of these structures depend strongly on the angle of the load application, because the core is not homogeneous. The distribution and the level of the shear stresses are investigated using analytical calculations. The load direction which induces highest stresses in the honeycomb core is derived. This direction is not the W-direction, which is the most compliant one. In literature, there are few fatigue properties of the honeycomb core described. The fatigue properties of the core are investigated in this work using the finite element method and experiments. The experimental investigations consist of three-point bending tests, pulsating roller tests, Food-Cart Roller tests and several tests on real components. Depending on the load application, the honeycomb core fails either through core indentation or shear failure. Several fatigue tests were carried out at constant load amplitude and the failure mode is investigated. The sandwich structures were modeled with the ANSYS finite element software. The number of elements is reduced by replacing the honeycomb core with a homogeneous core with orthotropic properties. In order to get the stresses in the honeycomb core at the critical location, a submodel was created. In this work, some equations are derived in order to calculate the real shear stresses from the shear stresses of the homogeneous core. In addition, imperfections are included in the model. Furthermore, buckling analyses were used to examine core indentation failure. Based on these simulations, both failure modes described above can be explained. Core indentation occurs, when the honeycomb cells are buckling due to the load application. The buckling of the cells can be avoided by using a smoother load application. In this case, the core fails in the three-point bending test by shear failure. The fatigue life of the examined specimens is successfully approximated in this manuscript, with the lifetime analysis being based on the FKM-guideline. Every simulation is validated by experimental results. [less ▲]
Shear Stresses in Honeycomb Sandwich Plates: Analytical Solution, Finite Elemente Method and Experimental Verification
in Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials (2012), 14(4), 449-468
Honeycomb composite structures are used in airplanes, railway cars and vehicles. The sandwich panels consist of two stiff face sheets of aluminium, which are bonded to a very lightweight honeycomb core of ... [more ▼]
Honeycomb composite structures are used in airplanes, railway cars and vehicles. The sandwich panels consist of two stiff face sheets of aluminium, which are bonded to a very lightweight honeycomb core of aluminium. Compared to normal plates, sandwich panels have a very high stiffness and simultaneously a low weight. The core of these structures is mainly subjected to shear stresses. The shear stresses depend strongly on the angle of the load application. The distribution and the level of the shear stresses are investigated using analytical calculations. The load direction which induces highest stresses in the honeycomb core is derived. This direction is not the W-direction, which is the most compliant one. When doing finite element simulations of honeycomb cores, often the core is homogenized in order to reduce the calculation time. In this article, some equations are derived in order to calculate the real shear stresses from the shear stresses of the homogeneous core. The equations are validated by finite element simulations and partially by tests. Three-point bending tests and additionally some Food Cart Roller Tests were conducted in order to test the panels in different angles. [less ▲]
Shear stresses in honeycomb sandwich plates: Analytical solution, finite element method and experimental verification
in Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials (2012), 4
Detailed reference viewed: 1131 (11 UL)
Fatigue in Aluminium Honeycomb-core Plates
Wahl, Laurent ; Zürbes, Arno ; Maas, Stefan et al
in Benchmark: The International Magazine for Engineering Designers & Analysts (2011), (January), 26-32
Honeycomb composite lightweight structures made of aluminium or aramid fibres are used in airplanes, railway carriages and automobiles. These structures are subjected to dynamic loading but hardly any ... [more ▼]
Honeycomb composite lightweight structures made of aluminium or aramid fibres are used in airplanes, railway carriages and automobiles. These structures are subjected to dynamic loading but hardly any fatigue properties of the honeycomb core exist in current literature. Hence here a theoretical and experimental approach is presented. [less ▲]
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Assignment 1 Please read ALL directions below before starting your final assignment. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Read the entire case study
Assignment 1 Please read ALL directions below before starting your final assignment.
1. Read the entire case study carefully and then respond to the four Discussion Questions on page 5. Answer all questions and all parts of each question.
2. Develop each answer to the fullest extent possible, including evidence from the case and citations from course resources, where applicable, to support your arguments.
3. Submit your assignment as a separate MS Word document in your assignments folder. Do not type your answers into the case study document.
4. Include a Cover Page with Name, Date, and Title of Assignment.
5. Do not include the original question. Use the following format: Question 1, Question 2, etc.
6. Each response should be written in complete sentences, doublespaced and spell-checked. Use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins on all sides.
7. Include page numbers according to APA formatting guidelines. 8. Include citations in APA format at the end of each answer.
9. You must submit to the assignment link by the due date. A missing assignment will be assigned a grade of 0. © 2008 Society for Human Resource Management.
Alan Cabelly, Ph.D. 2 Case Overview Part A In August, Jason Hubbs submitted a résumé to the human resource department of Big Time Computers Inc. in response to an advertisement in the local newspaper for a senior technical writer. The résumé was forwarded to Big Time’s Manager of Technical Publications, Lisa Cavanaugh, for her consideration. Big Time Computers is a local high-tech firm with sales offices throughout the United States and Europe. At the time of the senior technical writer job advertisement, Big Time employed about 1,200 people. Big Time designs and manufactures high-end computer systems that sell in the $500,000 to $6,000,000 range. Big Time’s products are sophisticated and complex, and the working atmosphere is highly technical. The engineering department is the largest and most dominant department. Engineers are in management positions throughout the company, including top-level management. Due to the sophistication and complexity of their products, employees in marketing, customer service, and technical publications are required to have strong technical backgrounds; many have engineering or computer science degrees. The technical publications department employed 14 people. This included the manager, two senior writers (Mark Samson and Chris Murray), seven writers, one technical editor (Colton Hamrick), and three editorial assistants. The manager had a business degree and had been working in the technical publications field for 12 years. The senior writers had four-year engineering degrees; the other seven writers had engineering degrees, computer science degrees, or two-year associate’s degrees in a technical field. The technical editor had an English degree and an associate’s degree in electronics, and the editorial assistants had English or liberal arts degrees. The department had a well-established set of procedures for new manuals and manual revisions. When given a writing assignment, the writer would do the necessary research by reading product specifications and interviewing the engineers involved with the product. The writer would then develop an outline which was reviewed by the appropriate engineers and the technical publications project leader responsible for that product. The writer then wrote a first draft which was edited by the technical editor and reviewed company-wide. The reviewer list included key people from each area of the company. After making necessary changes, the writer submitted the manual for a brief second review and made additional changes. An editorial assistant did proofreading and formatting before each review, and when the two reviews were complete, the editorial assistant did the final proofing and formatting. The manual was then printed. This extensive review procedure gave the writers a great deal of exposure throughout the company. © 2008 Society for Human Resource Management. Alan Cabelly, Ph.D. 3 The current job opening was a new position at Big Time that was necessitated by an increased workload. Although some internal people wanted to apply for the job, Cavanaugh believed that no internal candidates had the necessary skills for the position; besides, she thought it would be good to bring in new blood at the top. She found one strong résumé and began the hiring process. In considering Jason Hubbs’s résumé, Cavanaugh noted that Hubbs had a computer science degree, was working toward a Doctoral degree, and had three years’ experience as a technical writer in a local high-tech firm. Cavanaugh was impressed with Hubbs’s credentials and scheduled an interview date. Cavanaugh included herself, the technical editor and the two senior writers on Hubbs’s interview schedule. Cavanaugh’s interview was general, focusing on background, goals and work habits. Hamrick, the technical editor, asked questions regarding writing skills and techniques, while Samson and Murray, the senior writers, focused on Hubbs’s technical skills. Cavanaugh then met with the interviewers to determine if Hubbs was qualified for the senior technical writer job. Cavanaugh was pleased with Hubbs’s responses to her general questions and liked the writing samples he had given her. Hamrick felt that Hubbs had answered the interview questions well, but had reservations about his interpersonal skills and ability to integrate into the department. He also had some concerns about one of the writing samples. Samson and Murray thought his technical skills were excellent and had no strong feelings either way about his interpersonal skills. Cavanaugh, Samson, and Murray all felt that Hubbs should be hired; Hamrick disagreed. Cavanaugh checked two of Hubbs’s three references and got good reports on his skills and work habits. She hired him. © 2008 Society for Human Resource Management. Alan Cabelly, Ph.D. 4 Big Time Computers inc. Technical Publications Department © 2008 Society for Human Resource Management. Alan Cabelly, Ph.D. Lisa Cavanaugh Mark Samson 5
Answer the following:
1. Evaluate the recruiting strategy and methods used by the hiring manager and identify and discuss any gaps or limitations. Explain and defend your answers. •
Do you agree or disagree with the recruiting strategy? •
Do you agree or disagree with the decision to not consider internal candidates? •
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of internal vs. external recruiting methods as they apply to this case. •
Discuss 3 additional recruiting sources that could have been used to find potential candidates and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each as they apply to this case
2. A) Evaluate the selection methods, including the interviewing process used by the hiring manager. Do you believe they were effective? Discuss any limitations or challenges that may exist with the selection methods and the interview process used.
B) Discuss 3 other selection methods that could have been used and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each as they apply to this case.
3. Evaluate the decision of the hiring manager to make the candidate an offer despite the concerns of Hamrick. Do you agree or disagree that a hiring decision should have been made without consensus among all three team members? Are there any additional steps or considerations the hiring manager could have taken with Hamrick?
4. Based on the recruiting and selection processes used, do you believe the hiring manager was prepared to make a hiring decision? Why or why not?
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Generative and Computer Art
Two-Sided Flyer from a Jeff "The Wizard" Mills performance
[Early Techno]
MILLS, Jeff
8 1/2 x 11. Xeroxed. Fading and pinhole at top from hanging. Detroit: 1985. Flyer from an extremely early Mills sess...
Inv. #1001
Revolt in Socialist Yugoslavia, June, 1968
[Detroit's Black & Red Press]
PERLMAN, Fredy
Detroit: Black & Red, 1973. 2nd edition (Black & Red originally issued this as "Birth of a Revolutionary Move...
Ann Arbor Sun, Vol. 3, Issue No. 8, Apr. 11–25, 1975—Nearing Victory in Indochina
Ann Arbor, Mich.: SUN Inc., 1975. 11 1/2 x 15 inches. pp. [cover], 2-35, [back cover]. Good: cover is fragile at spin...
Ann Arbor Sun, Vol. 3, Issue No. 16, July 30–Sept. 3, 1975—Police-Heroin Conspiracy
Ann Arbor: SUN Inc., 1975. 11 1/2 x 15 inches. pp. [cover], 2-8, ["Kulchur" pullout of 14 pages], 9-15, [back cover]....
Ann Arbor Sun, Vol. 2, Issue No. 2, Jan. 25–Feb. 8, 1974
Ann Arbor, Mich.: SUN Inc., 1974. 11 1/2 x 15 inches. pp. [cover], 2-19, [back cover]. Good+ condition: some tiny tea...
LETTERHEAD FROM JOHN SINCLAIR'S RAINBOW ENERGIES CORPORATION
SINCLAIR, John Detroit: Rainbow Energies Corporation, [1970s] 8 1/2 x 11 inches (22 x 28 cm). Offset on 25% cotton f...
KICK OUT THE JAMS: DETROIT'S CASS CORRIDOR 1963–1977
CUMMINGS, Frederick J; BELLOLI, Jay: JACOB, Mary Jane Detroit: Detroit Institute of Arts, 1980 9 1/4 x 12 inches. 23...
[Artists' Workshop Press] YOUR SWEET ALL/ALICE IS IN YOU
SINCLAIR, John, editor; KLINGENBERGER, Buzz; RUDOLPH, Ed Detroit: Artists' Workshop Press, 1967 5 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches...
© 2021, Pictograph Books
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About Ema
Digital Mobilisation
Concealed Ancestors
Between Wind and Water
PIMPI Winter Series 2015
The Veiqia Project
Dravuni: Sivia yani na Vunilagi – Beyond the Horizon
The Perpetual Flux of Transitional Otherness
Leilani Kake
Pacific Art for Pacific Audiences: Grassroots Curating in South Auckland
Curating Pacific Spaces: Oceania and the White Cube
#2girls1conference
Art Auction (2013)
Le Malelega A Le To’elau Art Auction
PIMPI Winter Series
PIMPImanifesto
Posts tagged ‘Vinesh Kumaran’
#PIMPIWinterSeries launched!
The first exhibition of the 2017 PIMPI Winter Series, Hello, my name is Vinesh opened at Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery on Saturday 17 June. Photos were taken by Gopal Aupouri and Julia Mage’au Gray – thank you! The public programme event for this exhibition is a speed networking night, South Auckland stylee – it’s on Saturday 1 July, mor details coming soon!
Categories: Pacific Art + Artists
Tagged: Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery, Mangere, PIMPI Winter Series, Vinesh Kumaran, Ōtāhuhu
10 years of collaboration // #PIMPIWinterSeries
Hello, my name is Vinesh opens this weekend at Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery as the first exhibition of the 2017 PIMPI Winter Series. Photographer, Vinesh Kumaran and I have been working together on projects for more than a decade!
The first exhibition I produced with Vinesh’s work was called (Re)Locating Home, a group show that was staged in Suva, Fiji and at Fresh Gallery Ōtara in 2006. Vinesh’s work was a single wall-mounted image and a beautiful book of photographs documenting a highly personal journey retracing his family’s historical migration from India to Fiji and on to South Auckland. I witnessed his work drawing people in, sharing insights to a journey many would only dream of.
Vinesh and I have since collaborated on photographs for exhibitions, public display, publications and online galleries, but this is the first time we’ve made an exhibition about photographs Vinesh took on an iPhone!
Hello, my name is Vinesh is a title devised over a few drinks with Vinesh, designer Edgar Melitao and curator Nigel Borell. The original concept for the exhibition was developed for Māngere Arts Centre but the exhibition didn’t eventuate. Using the impressive artistic direction of Edgar Melitao and a tag team of curators, we had hoped to help Vinesh realise this important project in the most beautiful way, symbolically in the neighbourhood he grew up in.
One year on, Hello, my name is Vinesh has been re-born, produced by just me, but informed by those initial brainstorms with the Vinesh Kumaran dream team! This special show breathes life into the 2017 PIMPI Winter Series as the first exhibition of the series. It is a complete privilege to help see this exhibition come to life and we are both super grateful for the support of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board.
Hello, my name is Vinesh opens at 6pm on Saturday 17 June and runs from Monday – Friday, 7am – 3pm and Saturdays, 9am – 2pm, until Friday 7 July at Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery, 507 Great South Road, Ōtāhuhu, South Auckland.
Categories: PIMPI Exhibitions
Tagged: Ba, Fiji, Fijian Art, Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery, Mangere, Pacific Art, PIMPI Winter Series, Vinesh Kumaran, Ōtāhuhu
Vinesh Kumaran: Instagram Portraits
In the age of Insta-challenges, selfies and the social currency of the click-like-share economy, visual culture can momentarily engage a seemingly infinite audience in a singular moment between photographer, lens and subject – viewer, screen and device.
In 2014, South Auckland-based photographer Vinesh Kumaran set himself the challenge of using his iPhone to shoot and share a portrait a day via photo-sharing app, Instagram. Initially conceived as a means to keep creatively active between commercial jobs, the project became a daily ritual, a visual discipline and public obsession that engaged new and diverse audiences with each new addition.
The impressive series was made over 365 days; it traces Kumaran’s footprints across Auckland, to the Far North and Sāmoa, around Aotearoa and deep into the nooks and crannies of his home suburb of Māngere. Through the square lens of Instagram, we encounter people and spaces, roller doors and weatherboards, living rooms, bikes, balls, mangroves… mats, scooters, bus stops…radiant juxtapositions and intriguing suburban camouflage.
In captions that accompany the portraits, each subject is credited; their name and age, where they live and sometimes where they are originally from. In short quotes that follow, the subject’s voice elevates the image and demystifies the gaze. Kumaran has approached strangers in the street, human to human, eye to eye; the quotes are sometimes secrets and sometimes mundane, but represent the space between the artist, the camera and the subject, and exist as the residue of the encounter.
Kumaran developed a keen interest in portraiture from documenting a highly personal journey retracing his family’s historical migration from India to Fiji and on to Aotearoa. The experience helped form an acute awareness of the power of the lens and the position of the photographer. His ability to manoeuvre through cultural difference, to find a common moment of connection has come to be a defining feature of his work, and the power of this common ground is most evident in projects that reflect and respond to his own lived experience.
“Open All Hours” series (2013) by Vinesh Kumaran
Open All Hours (2013), a series of portraits of dairy shop owners behind their counters, draws on Kumaran’s own experience of working in his family dairy. An experimental body of work documenting sugarcane farmers at the start of their days was made in Ba, the small town in rural Viti Levu, Fiji, where he grew up.
In his 2014-15 Instagram portrait project, Kumaran didn’t set out to create a ‘Humans of South Auckland’ type archive; the people of South Auckland so heavily represented in the series are a reflection of the artist’s life. He lives in Māngere, visits friends and relatives, shops and strolls in Papatoetoe, Manukau, Manurewa, Ōtāhuhu. The people he has encountered paint a rich picture of the region’s enormous diversity, connected by the common ground of being here, now. It is perhaps a timely depiction of a community in transition, where creeping gentrification and the inevitable displacement and resulting cultural shift, are redefining South Auckland every day.
This article was originally published in Art New Zealand (Issue 156, Summer 2015-16)
Hello, my name is Vinesh is a solo exhibition consisting of 74 Instagram portraits made between 2014-15. The exhibition opens the 2017 PIMPI Winter Series, supported by the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board and produced for Lime Espresso Bar & Eatery in Ōtāhuhu. Find out more here.
Categories: Pacific Art + Artists, PIMPI Exhibitions, South Auckland
Tagged: Gentrification, Hello, Instagram, Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, my name is Vinesh, Otahuhu, South Auckland, Vinesh Kumaran
Hello, my name is Vinesh
Hello, my name is Vinesh is a solo exhibition by Māngere-based photographer, Vinesh Kumaran. Starting in 2014, Vinesh challenged himself to make a portrait a day for 365 days. The project became an obsession that led him to explore and engage with his landscape and communities in new ways every day. His approach would always start with, Hello… my name is Vinesh.
In the first exhibition of the 2017 PIMPI Winter Series, Vinesh presents 74 portraits from the series, along with the stories and insights shared between photographer and subject at the moment the photograph was made. Using Instagram as a platform to upload and share the portraits, Vinesh connected the project and the people to another audience, who readily added to the narrative of each photograph with commentary and tags.
Although Vinesh has exhibited widely in New Zealand, and also in Fiji, Hello, my name is Vinesh is the artist’s first solo exhibition.
Vinesh Kumaran was born and raised in the small rural town of Ba, Fiji and the South Auckland suburb of Mangere, New Zealand.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Visual Arts enabled his first foray into photography. His graduate work documented a highly personal journey retracing his family’s historical migration from India to Fiji and on to New Zealand. The experience helped form an acute awareness of the power of the lens and the position of the photographer.
Four years at art school gave Vinesh a strong technical and critical perspective on the discipline of photography as well as a deep respect for portraiture. After graduating, he dove enthusiastically into the world of commercial photography learning with every opportunity. Committed and determined, Vinesh has established an impressive reputation and worked on notable national and international campaigns in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Vinesh has established long term relationships within the arts and cultural sectors in South Auckland, which have enabled a number of opportunities to explore and develop his portraiture portfolio. From promotional to editorial and gallery-based photography, Vinesh treats portraiture as a collaboration ultimately capturing a moment of connection.
Check out more work by Vinesh Kumaran here.
OPENING: 6pm, Saturday 17 June
Hello, my name is… // Speed Networking Night: 6pm, Saturday 1 July
EXHIBITION: 19 June – 7 July
Tagged: Otahuhu, Pacific Art, Photography, PIMPI Winter Series, Portraiture, South Auckland, Vinesh Kumaran
Taku Tāmaki – Auckland Stories South at MIT Manukau
I was privileged to be invited to speak briefly at the opening of Taku Tāmaki – Auckland Stories South at MIT Manukau yesterday. This awesome little exhibition is open for the next year and I love it! Check it out next time you’re in South Auckland. My korero went a bit like this:
I want to acknowledge the speakers who have come before me, it’s my privilege to be standing up here as a local, an artist, and a proud resident of Ōtara-Papatoetoe, South Auckland.
A blog post about the voice and involvement of ‘source communities’ in the curation and management of objects and stories from indigenous peoples has stirred up anger and outrage, sadness and frustration in the past week. Tiffany Jenkins’ polarising perspective has inspired broad commentary about authorship, ownership, racism and privilege which is too often found just below the surface in the international Museum space.
I want to acknowledge Simon and Kelly, Kolokesa and Amiria, an inspiring team of conscious and caring professionals who represent a new era of Museum practice. Bringing this show to us here in Manukau shifts the focus, it re-aligns the centre… an act that quietly changes the game of Museum practice in Aotearoa. Thank you.
It was my privilege to be consulted in the development of this important exhibition. I want to thank the team for listening, accommodating for me and my toddler, taking time to hear and appreciate the nuances of living and working, and feeling proud of being a South Aucklander.
I want to acknowledge the whole team who has created this exhibition – I know that time and energy has gone into every aspect of what we see here, your consideration and attention to detail, your skill and expertise, elevates our stories and I’m grateful for your efforts.
I wanted to acknowledge too that… I’m here on purpose. I choose to live here. This is my place to stand, not by accident, but by informed choice. I migrated to Manukau, not to New Zealand, or Auckland, to this place, and I’m still here because this place gives me life, it settles me, reminds me where I came from and where I can go.
I love feeling so close to the Pacific, I loved being a student and later working at an institution which prides itself on raising the bar of Pasifika achievement. Pacific people feel at home in Manukau because we see ourselves, our norms, our culture and languages represented in our environments. And that helps.
It makes all the difference when our stories and experiences are celebrated, not for overcoming adversity, but for making massive strives for our communities on national and international levels.
I appreciate that this exhibition highlights the socio-economic, political and historical forces that shape our lives here in Manukau. These factors affect and inspire so much of the vibrant culture of creative expression, of visual and performing arts, of music and spoken word that are proudly coming out of our art centres, our churches, homes, halls and neighbourhoods.
I learned my craft as a curator here at MIT; I learned to appreciate the value of creativity and the value of my position, my space, my voice and context. MIT opened doors to me I hadn’t even considered, and I’m incredibly proud to take this institution with me wherever I go.
Although I now find myself working outside of the Arts, Manukau reminds me every day that art is a vehicle to talk about people, and culture and belonging, and when those things are in the foreground, when those stories and nuances are heard, reflected and honoured, a community thrives, and that’s where I want to be.
A last acknowledgement; to Vinesh Kumaran, the photographer, creative visionary whose talent I’ve been privileged to feed off for the past decade – thank you. And to my colleagues from Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura – I’m on a new journey of service and celebration with you, for the love of South Auckland, thank you for your support.
Vinaka vakalevu, fa’afetai tele lava, malo ‘aupito.
Categories: Talks and Workshops
Tagged: Auckland Museum, Manukau, Manukau Institute of Technology, MIT, South Auckland, Taku Tamaki, Tiffany Jenkins, Vinesh Kumaran
Polyfest Portrait Project 2014, MIT Manukau
A series of six photographs from the Polyfest Portrait Project is now on permanent display at Manukau Institute of Technology’s new centrally located Manukau campus! Commissioned by the Institute, the series is entitled, Portrait of a Generation. This selection was made specifically for the site – the massive exterior wall of the new campus theatre; the photographs are best viewed from outside the building on Davies Avenue.
The Polyfest Portrait Project is an ongoing photographic collaboration between Manukau Institute of Technology graduates, Vinesh Kumaran, photographer, and artist Ema Tavola.
Since 2009, they’ve set up a make-shift photo studio at the festival to document elements of personal style from bold fashion ensembles to eye-catching hair art. In a series of now over 300 photographs, the Polyfest Portrait Project captures youth in South Auckland as proud, culturally grounded and full of potential.
Vinesh and Ema worked with MIT Faculty of Creative Arts students to produce the 2014 series sharing their knowledge and experience in photography and portraiture techniques, project management and curatorial processes.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at MIT enabled Vinesh’s first foray into photography. His graduate work documented a highly personal journey retracing his family’s historical migration from India to Fiji and on to New Zealand. The experience helped form an acute awareness of the power of the lens and the position of the photographer.
Studying visual arts gave Vinesh a strong technical and critical perspective on the discipline of photography as well as a deep respect for portraiture. After graduating, he moved into the commercial sector where he’s been able to work on notable national and international photographic campaigns in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. He’s currently working on a powerful series of daily portraits of individuals he encounters on his travels and within his day-to-day life living in Māngere; the entire series is shot on an iPhone and accessible via Instagram.
Ema majored in sculpture and loved contextual studies and writing. With a special interest in Pacific art and audiences, she got involved with volunteering opportunities and started working on public exhibitions and community events during her final year of study. She went on to manage Fresh Gallery Otara and held the role of Pacific Arts Coordinator for Manukau City Council (later Auckland Council) from 2006-2012. Ema now works as a freelance arts manager, curator and advisor offering an annual internship to senior Creative Arts students to gain professional experience in arts project management.
Check out another selection of works from the 2014 Polyfest Portrait Project published on the NZ Herald website.
Hear Vinesh and Ema discussing the second manifestation of the Polyfest Portrait Project in the form of the Polyfest Hair Project that was first shown at Fresh Gallery Otara in May 2012.
Categories: Pacific Art + Artists, SOUTH, South Auckland, Style
Tagged: Manukau, MIT Manukau, Polyfest, South Auckland, Vinesh Kumaran
Fresh 2.0 #SouthAuckland
Fresh Gallery Otara was established in May 2006 by Manukau City Council in partnership with the Otara community in South Auckland. As the manager and driver of Fresh, I produced 66 exhibitions from 2006-2012; I invested my blood, sweat and tears into the Gallery and loved my job but in June 2012, I left the role. The then Curatorial / Gallery Assistant, Nicole Lim took the reigns and has overseen the Gallery’s recent refurbishment and significant expansion.
This week, Fresh Gallery Otara re-opens as a new space under new leadership. I have unwavering support and loyalty to Nicole Lim and I can’t wait to see her first show in the new space.
Juan Castillo is a Chilean artist who produced a multifaceted work called Minimal-Baroque in 2006 as part of his residency at what was then Manukau School of Visual Arts. He collaborated with Otara artist, Leilani Kake to film a series of vox pops at Fresh Gallery Otara, asking members of the community and visitors to Fresh, “What is Art?”
The video is a historical and fascinating insight into community perceptions of the word ‘art’ – I’m so glad Nicole has chosen to re-show it.
Vinesh Kumaran is a long-time collaborator and his input into Fresh Gallery Otara, SOUTH publication and the Pacific Arts Summits has been significant. His excellent series shot for the exhibition South Style (2009) is being re-shown and like Minimal-Baroque, exists as a historical record of South Auckland social history.
Fresh 2.0 is an exhibition that recognises the legacy of Fresh Gallery Otara, its significant relationships with Manukau Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Creative Arts (previously known as Manukau School of Visual Arts) and its enormous potential as a hub for creativity in the heart of grassroots South Auckland.
Great job, Nicole and go well, Fresh!
Categories: Pacific Art + Artists, South Auckland
Tagged: Fresh, Fresh Gallery Otara, Juan Castillo, Martin Leung-Wai, Otara, South Auckland, Tui Emma Gillies, Vinesh Kumaran, Waiora Palalagi
Who… What… Why?
PIMPI KNOWS is a platform for advocacy, promotion and commentary about Pacific art and artists.
Central to PIMPI is curator / arts manager, Ema Tavola and her love and loyalty for Oceania and South Auckland.
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The Curatorial Practice of Ema Tavola
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© Ema Tavola and PIMPI KNOWS, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ema Tavola and PIMPI KNOWS with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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RENOWNED NATHAN EAST
May 7, 2014 Pink and Blue Notes
If you’re a fan of the best musicians in the world, or if you’ve ever listened to any music, I assure you you’ve heard the sounds of Nathan East. He’s been making music for the last 40 years and has set a precedent that far supersedes most musicians’ careers. Nathan is driven by his passion for music and his family. Those forces have propelled him to the top of his craft. Additionally, he is a founding member of the renowned group, Fourplay whom he still performs with. All throughout his career, he’s been a sought-after collaborative force that has worked with the best in the industry in a variety of genres. At the behest of fellow musicians, East took a leap into the spotlight releasing his debut solo self-titled album, “Nathan East.” For his fans worldwide who love his music, he has delivered a collection of songs that will leave you longing for more. For this project, he joined forces with Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Michael McDonald, Sara Barielles, and his own son featured on the song “Yesterday.” Although this is Nathan’s solo album, he remains true to who he is as a seasoned musician and welcomes his collaborators to showcase their talents, as well.
Nathan tells me about his journey and how blessed he feels everyday.
https://mm2513.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/nathan-east.mp3
Jazz Artist"Yesterday", Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Fourplay, Michael McDonald, Nathan East, Sara Barielles
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We all relate to the healing power of music.
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Advanced Certificate Admissions
04/10/2020 by Joseph
Olivet Seminary Releases New Courses
Olivet Seminary (OS) has recently created five new courses. In order to release theses courses by April, OS's editing team strived to work on them in the first quarter of this year. Each course aims for students to discover a fresh, compelling, and biblically rooted vision of Christianity. The new lectures cover threefold divisions of theology - Theology, Bible, and Ministry - in a balanced fashion.
With an emphasis on church planting and its growth, first of all, Dr. William Wagner explores missiological issues with his lectures: "How to Start a Church," and "How to Grow a Church." On the basis of 'Biblical Literacy,' furthermore, Dr. Tom Cowley examines biblical studies with his lectures: "A Biography of Jesus," "Remember the Heart of the Bible." Last but not least, "Bible-centered Worship" was lectured by Dr. Merrill Smoak, who had served a music director for more than three decades.
The format of each course is similar to Ted Talks, a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes. The level of each lecture is midway between academic and local congregation so that anyone who seeks God and wants to know the Gospel can learn from it.
201 Seminary Drive Mill Valley, CA 94941
info@class.olivetseminary.org
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Welcome to The Playbook, hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, author and keynote speaker David Meltzer. On the podcast you’ll find a mix of interviews, Q&A, , fireside chats, keynotes and exclusive conversations with the most influential CEO’s, sports icons, and successful entrepreneurs who share their personal and professional play-by-play of the “what”, “why”, and “how” to achieve anything you set your mind to.
The Playbook David Meltzer, Entrepreneur.com
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Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott: "The Mother of Coaching" | #ThePlaybook 350
Dr. Chérie Carter-Scott, best selling author, master certified executive and life coach, who is often called ”The Mother of Coaching”, talks about the power of forgiveness to wipe away your emotional debts and start with a clean slate. She also shares a personal story to highlight the need to be humble, even when it seems like everything is going your way.
Carter-Scott and host of #ThePlaybook, David Meltzer, share their thoughts on a variety of topics including why you need to have a sense of humor in relation to the lessons that come your way, how to accept the challenges that come, and why gratitude is at the core of our existence.
2 Minute Drill | Episode 2
Today’s episode is the 2nd episode of my new TV Show, “2 Minute Drill.” It is the first "Pitch Only" show with four contestants competing for over $50,000 of cash and prizes. Joining me today are Will Ford, the president and co-founder of Launchboom, and Rory Cutaia, the CEO of Verb Technologies. You’ll hear four pitches and feedback from the three of us and in the end, Rory will determine the winner of over $50,000 in cash and prizes.
You can watch 2 Minute Drill on Friday’s at 8:30 pm PT on Bloomberg TV and on Amazon Prime Video.
Tweet me @davidmeltzer photos of you watching 2 Minute Drill and come ask me questions live every Friday at 11:00am PT / 2:00 pm ET during my Free Training. You can text me at (949) 298-2905 or email david@dmeltzer.com to join.
Richard Thalheimer: Founder of The Sharper Image | #ThePlaybook 349
On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Richard Thalheimer, founder and former CEO of The Sharper Image and author of Sharper Image Success, discusses:[1:10] - The leadership style he ascribes to called “management by opportunity”[3:35] - Why it’s possible for entrepreneurs to fail their way to success[14:45] - How he built Sharper Image with customer service as the main focus[15:50] - The two “cliches” that he believes are important for everyone on earth to understand
Gratitude is a Superpower
What you believe, whether positive or negative, determines what you receive. A positive perception of all the opportunities that are in your past, your present and your future will empower you to take advantage of them. A scarcity mindset does the opposite, discouraging you from even looking for new opportunities.
Tweet me @davidmeltzer what you are grateful for and ask me questions live every Friday at 11:00 am PST / 2:00 pm EST. Text me at (949) 298-2905 or email me at david@dmeltzer.com to join!
John Hennessy: Chairman of Alphabet | #ThePlaybook 348
On this episode of #ThePlaybook, John Hennessy, chairman of Alphabet and former president of Stanford University, shares his thoughts on:[2:43] - The "formula” he says that is behind building great companies[8:17] - The three key things he looks for when evaluating a startup[14:30] - The risks that come with focusing on your legacy too early in your career[16:46] - Why his favorite Socrates quote is essential for entrepreneurs to understand
What to Include in a Pitch | Road to Revenue #42
We’ve got another edition of our “Road to Revenue” series and in honor of the launch of my new TV Show, 2 Minute Drill, it’s all about what to include in a pitch.
The six areas to focus on in a perfect pitch are:
1. Build Your Credibility First
2. Emotional Attachment
3. Reasons to Invest
4. Impacts of your business
5. Capabilities
6. Quantitative Ask
Tweet me @davidmeltzer your favorite takeaway from today’s episode and check the description for my email and text number to find out where you can contact me at any time.
Click here to follow the Road to Revenue playlist on Spotify
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Home Features Company Profiles Women in Power: Jodi Goldman
Women in Power: Jodi Goldman
Jodi Goldman is running the business since the death of her husband Larry Goldman.
From Caregiver to Caretaker
Following the passing of Larry Goldman; Marine Industry Icon and World Champion Powerboat Racer; his wife Jodi Goldman stepped up and into the role of President of Extreme Marine, Inc. aka Xtremepowerboats.
In May 2017 when Larry passed, Jodi’s journey lead her in a direction she would have never imagined for herself, her daughter Jilian and son Jacob. Jilian was in college in Fort Myers and Jacob was preparing to head off to pursue his studies the following year.
Haulover Marine Center
As Larry’s final words and wishes were to “Keep the business going!” – there was no way that the family would ever let his dream not be fulfilled.
Jodi said “we were together for 30 years and I had never took part in the day to day affairs. What I did know was only what I would hear him discussing and what he shared with me. I knew things would be okay with the supportive crew that we had at Extreme Marine by my side.”
What happened shortly thereafter was that the South Florida boating industry gained its newest woman in power and Goldman was running the showing at Extreme Marine located inside the beautiful new Haulover Marine Center. The office has larger than life pictures of Larry and his life in the Offshore Powerboat world. With a crew of 14 dedicated and committed employees on hand, it was as if Jodi gained an extra-large extended family.
Jodi and Jilian working side-by-side with Jose Pagan.
The Director of Operations; Fran Rittner is one of those employees and truly a woman in power herself. She has worked side by side with Larry for the past 10 years handling all of the office affairs, and anything else that Larry or the business needed. Having Jodi come on board everyday and learn all there was to learn was a true testament to “Women in Power!”
Jodi and Mike Nance.
Goldman’s focus was now on mapping out Extreme Marine’s future. With her crew guiding her and providing valuable input every step of the way. “When Larry founded Xtremepowerboats, he built it around the big, bad, beautiful and exotic high performance boats that he loved so much. But that was Chapter One. I needed to create a Chapter Two that would offer more and different services to provide to our customers.” Her service managers Mike Nance and Jose Pagan have been instrumental in helping create this new chapter.
She explained, “this is South Florida and we are the boating capital of the world. I felt we needed a business model to include the family segment of boating and not just limit ourselves to high performance only.” And so it began…the Center Consoles arrived.
Jodi does not deny there are challenges along the way, but only 1.5 years later, she proudly announced two of her greatest accomplishments thus far. Extreme Marine, Inc. is now a Mercury and Yamaha certified dealer and has since picked up Marquis Larson “Striper” Center Consoles.
Extreme Marine launched the family friendly line last March but has seen the biggest push following the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Customers old and new were able to connect with the Goldman family and crew face to face.
The three women in power running the office–Fran Rittner alongside mother and daughter Jodi and Jilian Goldman.
Running the marketing end of the business has been designated to Larry & Jodi’s two children. Jilian, age 22 and in her senior year at Florida Atlantic University said “this business is something my dad loved and now having the opportunity to help run Extreme makes me feel more connected to him.” Ever since Jilian was a little girl she was always front and center at all the Poker Runs and Boat Shows with her dad. Today, Jodi turns to her daughter when she has a question because of Jilian’s know how and experience.
Jodi and her son Jacob.
Jacob Goldman, aged 19 is a sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University and told me via our conference call “At first it was a culture shock to see us split the business and add the center console line because we have always been so high performance oriented. But I think it’s a good addition.” He’s definitely planning on following in his dads footsteps and make “bigger footsteps” upon completing his degree…. and he surely will!
In August of 2008, I wrote the cover feature for Poker Runs America on Larry Goldman (Vol 10 Issue 8) and in that story Goldman told me in her own words, “Larry gives 100-percent all the time and his intention is quite simple — keep everyone happy. His commitment and drive to please at times consumes him, but this dedication, also makes me love and respect him even more.”
Eleven years has passed since that publication and now the same can be said for Goldman. She is a woman in power who picked up where her husband left off and is committed to giving 100-percent all the time to keep everyone happy. Without doubt, Larry is looking down from heaven and is XTREMEly proud of her, Jilian and Jacob and their start of Chapter Two.
Haulover Marine’s Impressive 508 “hurricane-proof” rack storage.
For any PRA readers attending the Miami International Boat Show this coming February, please look for Xtreme Powerboats inside the tents or check out their website at www.Xtremepowerboats.com to become further acquainted with their vast sales, service center and storage facility offerings.
By Dina Paolella
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Boat Show is on in Fort Lauderdale Oct 28 – Nov 1
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Tamar Braxton Offers Intimate Tour Inside Her Gorgeous Home
In a magazine exclusive, she gives a tour of her fabulous abode.
Always in the mood to highlight her overall fabulous lifestyle, Tamar Braxton recently decided to extend that to her home as well, by letting fans take a peek inside. In a magazine exclusive, she gives a tour of her fabulous abode.
Offering an exclusive look of her home with People magazine, Tamar Braxton serves up her lovable and familiar brand of sassy humor while giving the grand tour.
Some highlights from the behind-the-scenes look at Casa Braxton are below:
Reality star and singer Tamar Braxton, 39, has an entire room in her 8-bedroom, 11-bathroom Calabasas, Calif., estate dedicated just to champagne.
“Champagne is every girl’s dream,” Braxton tells PEOPLE. “I just wanted to live out a fantasy. How many times do you get the chance to build a champagne bar?”
The dark wood bar — with sexy animal-print bar stools — also includes a lounge area with a couch and a TV, and was inspired by The Dorchester hotel in London.
“I wanted to turn my bar into a living room slash bar, where it’s comfortable,” explains Braxton, who says her champagne bar was her “ultimate favorite” room to decorate. “It gives me that same old tavern, homey, comfy feel. But it feels expensive.”
While her husband Vince, 44, was skeptical about having a champagne bar in their home, Braxton says he spends a lot of time there now. “It’s his favorite room to go into,” she says. “He watches all of his games on that television. It’s just so inviting.”
For the in-depth look at Tamar’s home, which includes a behind-the-scenes video, head over to People.com. You can also check out the multiple page spread in the new issue out on Friday.
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Tamar Braxton Offers Intimate Tour Inside Her Gorgeous Home was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
Celebrity Homes , celebrity news , Entertainment News , Tamar Braxton
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Emails show Ukraine prosecutor general was pitched ‘high-level’ access to Hillary Clinton’s campaign
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Section: World Tribune (USA)
Friday, December 18 , 2020 - 0:02 (EET) Section: World Tribune (USA)
FPI / December 17, 2020 By Judicial Watch Judicial Watch announced it received records from the State Department revealing that then-United States Deputy Chief of Mission to Ukraine and current Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent sent an email to then-Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch stating...
Sunday, December 13 , 2020 - 23:02 (EET) Section: World Tribune (USA)
FPI / December 13, 2020 By Judicial Watch Judicial Watch announced that it received records from the State Department which show that former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie “Masha” Yovanovitch had specifically warned in 2017 about corruption allegations against Burisma Holdings. During her November 2019 testimony in the impeachment proceedings...
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FPI / September 20, 2020 By Judicial Watch Judicial Watch announced that it received records from the State Department that include a January 17, 2017, email from George Kent, the Obama administration’s deputy assistant secretary of state in charge of Ukraine policy, which was copied to then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch,...
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Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about U.S. concerns over China’s attempt to purchase a Ukrainian engine manufacturer, the State Department said on Aug. 29. Pompeo raised concerns over “malign” Chinese investment in...
Ukraine investigating Biden’s role in firing of top prosecutor
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by WorldTribune Staff, February 28, 2020 An investigation is underway into allegations that Joe Biden threatened to withhold U.S. funding to Ukraine if the nation’s leaders did not fire their top prosecutor, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigations has confirmed. The investigation was launched in response to a court order, after the...
Ukraine’s Zelensky: ‘We dearly appreciate’ President Trump: ‘New sentiment, a new attitude’
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by WorldTribune Staff, January 31, 2020 Asked whether President Donald Trump’s impeachment has spoiled U.S.-Ukraine relations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said “it seems to me it’s the other way around.” Zelensky said the United States has been “and will remain our key ally in defending sovereignty and territorial...
Fired Ukrainian prosecutor files criminal complaint against Joe Biden
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by WorldTribune Staff, January 30, 2020 The Ukrainian prosecutor who Joe Biden boasted about getting fired has filed an official criminal complaint against the former vice president, a report said. Viktor Shokin on Tuesday filed the complaint with Ukraine’s interim director of the National Bureau of Investigation against Biden for...
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by WorldTribune Staff, January 8, 2020 Iran is refusing to hand over the black boxes from a Ukrainian passenger jet which crashed minutes after takeoff from Teheran on Tuesday. According to reports, all 176 people on board died. Iranian officials claimed the crash was caused by an engine fire. Ukraine initially accepted this theory, but […]...
GREATEST HITS, 18: Joe Biden’s additional problems: Ukraine, China and his son
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: Countdown: Top stories of 2019 by WorldTribune Staff, April 3, 2019 While what is being called his inappropriate behavior toward women and young girls is dominating the headlines, Joe Biden also faces major corruption issues involving China, Ukraine and his son Hunter, analysts say. Peter Schweizer, Government...
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US10363130B2 - Devices and systems for docking a heart valve - Google Patents
Devices and systems for docking a heart valve Download PDF
US10363130B2
US10363130B2 US15/422,354 US201715422354A US10363130B2 US 10363130 B2 US10363130 B2 US 10363130B2 US 201715422354 A US201715422354 A US 201715422354A US 10363130 B2 US10363130 B2 US 10363130B2
Dustin P. Armer
Michael D. Franklin
Sergio Delgado
Abhijeet Joshi
Dinesh L. Sirimanne
Russell T. Joseph
Eason Michael Abbott
Tram Ngoc Nguyen
Son V. Nguyen
Hien Tran Ngo
Vivian Tran
Charles L. Bowman
Stanton J. Rowe
Edwards Lifesciences Corp
2017-02-01 Application filed by Edwards Lifesciences Corp filed Critical Edwards Lifesciences Corp
2017-03-16 Assigned to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION reassignment EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ROWE, STANTON J., FROIMOVICH ROSENBERG, ALEJANDRO J., SIRIMANNE, DINESH L., ABBOTT, EASON MICHAEL, ARMER, DUSTIN P., BOWMAN, CHARLES L., DELGADO, Sergio, FRANKLIN, MICHAEL D., JOSHI, ABHIJEET, NGO, HIEN TRAN, NGUYEN, JENNY, NGUYEN, SON V., NGUYEN, TRAM NGOC, TRAN, VIVIAN, VALDEZ, MICHAEL G., JOSEPH, RUSSELL T.
2017-04-28 Priority claimed from US29/602,274 external-priority patent/USD867595S1/en
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A61F2/24—Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
A61F2/2409—Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue
A61F2/2412—Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves
A61F2/2418—Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
A61F2/2427—Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
A61F2/2436—Deployment by retracting a sheath
A61F2/2475—Venous valves
A61F2/95—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
A61F2/9517—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts handle assemblies therefor
A61F2002/9517—
A61F2220/00—Fixations or connections for prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
A61F2220/0008—Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
A61F2220/0025—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
A61F2220/0075—Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
A61F2250/00—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
A61F2250/0058—Additional features; Implant or prostheses properties not otherwise provided for
A61F2250/006—Additional features; Implant or prostheses properties not otherwise provided for modular
A61F2250/0069—Sealing means
Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions are connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions are constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions are connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/292,142, filed on Feb. 5, 2016. U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/292,142 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to heart valves and, in particular, docking stations/stents, delivery systems, and methods for use in implanting a heart valve, e.g., a transcatheter heart valve (“THV”).
Prosthetic heart valves can be used to treat cardiac valvular disorders. The native heart valves (the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid and mitral valves) serve critical functions in assuring the forward flow of an adequate supply of blood through the cardiovascular system. These heart valves can be rendered less effective by congenital, inflammatory, or infectious conditions. Such conditions can eventually lead to serious cardiovascular compromise or death. For many years the definitive treatment for such disorders was the surgical repair or replacement of the valve during open heart surgery.
A transcatheter technique can also be used for introducing and implanting a prosthetic heart valve using a flexible catheter in a manner that is less invasive than open heart surgery. In this technique, a prosthetic valve can be mounted in a crimped state on the end portion of a flexible catheter and advanced through a blood vessel of the patient until the valve reaches the implantation site. The valve at the catheter tip can then be expanded to its functional size at the site of the defective native valve, such as by inflating a balloon on which the valve is mounted. Alternatively, the valve can have a resilient, self-expanding stent or frame that expands the valve to its functional size when it is advanced from a delivery sheath at the distal end of the catheter.
Transcatheter heart valves (THVs) may be appropriately sized to be placed inside most native aortic valves. However, with larger native valves, blood vessels, and grafts, aortic transcatheter valves might be too small to secure into the larger implantation or deployment site. In this case, the transcatheter valve may not be large enough to sufficiently expand inside the native valve or other implantation or deployment site to be secured in place.
Replacing the pulmonary valve, which is sometimes referred to as the pulmonic valve, presents significant challenges. The geometry of the pulmonary artery can vary greatly from patient to patient. Typically, the pulmonary artery outflow tract after corrective surgery is too wide for effective placement of a prosthetic heart valve.
This summary is meant to provide examples and is not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. For example, any feature included in an example of this summary is not required by the claims, unless the claims explicitly recite the feature. The description discloses exemplary embodiments of expandable docking stations for an expandable valve, catheters for the expandable docking stations, and handles for the catheters. The docking stations, catheters, and handles can be constructed in a variety of ways.
In one embodiment, for example, a docking station can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. In one embodiment, the valve seat can be substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size, i.e., the diameter of the valve seat may only be able to increase a maximum of 0-4 mm. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand and extend outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes (e.g., over a range of sizes of expansion and/or over a range of sizes within the circulatory system or vasculature, for example, it may be able to provide a seal when expanding in different blood vessels or locations of a variety of shapes and sizes). The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions can be configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position. The expandable docking station can expand and provide a seal over a range from 27 mm to 38 mm. The expandable docking station can expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L. The valve seat and the one or more sealing portions can act as an isolator that reduces or prevents radial outward forces of an expandable valve in the valve seat from being transferred to the one or more sealing portions or the one or more retaining portions. The docking station can be configured such that pressure of blood enhances the retention by the retaining portions. The one or more retaining portions can be configured such that force applied by at least one of the one or more retaining portions at the deployed position is in proportion to the pressure of blood acting on the docking station. The one or more retaining portions can be configured such that force applied by at least one of the one or more retaining portions is greater when the heart is in a diastolic phase than when the heart is in the systolic phase. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. The sealing portion can comprise a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric, polymer, and/or other material. The sealing portion can comprise an open cell foam. A portion of the docking station can be permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station can be impermeable to blood. A portion of the docking station that is impermeable to blood can extend from at least the valve seat to at least the sealing portion. The docking station can be adjustable in length. The docking station can include a first half that a second half of the docking station can adjustably extend into to adjust the length. The one or more retaining portions can extend radially outward of the one or more sealing portions when the docking station is in an unconstrained state. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a system can include an expandable docking station and an expandable valve. The expandable docking station can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can expand to a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and can be constructed to expand and extend radially outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes of expansion. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions can be configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position. The expandable valve can include an expandable frame and a valve element. The expandable frame can be expanded to engage the valve seat of the docking station. The valve element can be connected to the expandable frame. The expandable docking station and expandable valve can be configured such that, when implanted in a portion of a circulatory system, a radial outward force applied by the sealing portions to the portion of the circulatory system, when sealing portions are within the range of sizes, is less than ½ (and can be less than ⅓, less than ¼, less than ⅛, or less than 1/10) of a radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat. The expandable docking station can be configured such that, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, the diameter of the valve seat is not increased more than 3 mm (or not more than 1 mm, 2 mm, or 4 mm) by the radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat. The range of sizes of the sealing portions can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The expandable docking station can be configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system.
The expandable docking station can be configured such that, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, pressure of blood on the expandable docking station enhances retention by the retaining portions. The expandable docking station can be configured such that force applied by the retaining portions, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, is in proportion to the pressure of blood acting on the assembly. The expandable docking station can be configured such that force applied by the retaining portions, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, is greater when the heart is in a diastolic phase than when the heart is in the systolic phase. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. The sealing portion can comprise a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric. The sealing portion can comprise an open cell foam. A portion of the docking station can be permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station can be impermeable to blood. A portion of the docking station that is impermeable to blood can extends from at least the valve seat to at least the sealing portion. The docking station can have an overall length that is adjustable. The docking station can include a first half (i.e., portion) that a second half (i.e., portion) of the docking station can adjustably extend into to adjust the overall length. In other words, the length of the docking station can be adjusted by moving the second half/portion relative to the first half/portion, and the first half/portion may be moved independently from the second half/portion (e.g., one half/portion may remain in place while the other half/portion moves). If one of the first or second halves/portions extends inside the other half/portion and overlaps to adjust the length, the first half/portion and second half/portion may be adjusted to change the amount/length of overlap between the two. The one or more retaining portions can extend radially outward of the one or more sealing portion when the docking station is in an unconstrained state. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method can include expanding a docking station and expanding a valve in the docking station. The docking station can be expanded such that a valve seat of the docking station expands to a valve seat deployed size and a sealing portion expands to a sealing size that is within a range of sealing sizes. A frame of an expandable valve can be expanded to engage the valve seat of the docking station. A radial outward force applied by the sealing portions over the range of sealing sizes can be less than ½ (and can be less than ⅓, less than ¼, less than ⅛, or less than 1/10) of a radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat after expanding the frame. The valve seat of the docking station can be configured such that a diameter of the valve seat is not increased more than 2 mm (or not more than 1 mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm) by the radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat. The range of sealing sizes of the docking station can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. Other features/steps described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment a system can include an expandable docking station and an expandable valve. The expandable docking station can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can expand to a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and can extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions can be configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position. The expandable valve can comprise an expandable frame and a valve element. The expandable frame can expand to engage the valve seat of the docking station. The valve element can be connected to the expandable frame. A pressure of blood acting on the valve and docking station can enhance retention by the retaining portions at the deployed position.
The valve seat can be configured such that the valve seat is not substantially expanded radially outwardly by a radially outward force of the expandable valve. The range of sizes of the sealing portions can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The docking station can be configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L. Force applied by the retaining portions can be in proportion to the pressure of blood acting on the assembly. Force applied by the retaining portions can be greater when the heart is in a diastolic phase than when the heart is in the systolic phase. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. The sealing portion can comprise a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric. The sealing portion can comprise an open cell foam or other material. A portion of the docking station can be permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station can be impermeable to blood. A portion of the docking station that is impermeable to blood can extend from at least the valve seat to at least the sealing portion. The docking station can be adjustable in length. The docking station can include a first half (i.e., portion) that a second half (i.e., portion) of the docking station can adjustably extend into to adjust the overall length. In other words, the length of the docking station can be adjusted by moving the second half/portion relative to the first half/portion, and the first half/portion may be moved independently from the second half/portion (e.g., one half/portion may remain in place while the other half/portion moves). If one of the first or second halves/portions extends inside the other half/portion and overlaps to adjust the length, the first half/portion and second half/portion may be adjusted to change the amount/length of overlap between the two. The one or more retaining portions can extend radially outward of the one or more sealing portion when the docking station is in an unconstrained state. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method can include expanding a docking station and expanding a valve in the docking station. The docking station can be expanded such that a valve seat of the docking station expands to a valve seat deployed size and a sealing portion expands to a sealing size that is within a range of sealing sizes. A frame of an expandable valve can be expanded to engage the valve seat of the docking station. A pressure of blood acting on the valve and docking station can enhance retention by the retaining portions at the deployed position. The valve seat of the docking station can be configured such that a diameter of the valve seat is not increased more than 2 mm (or not more than 1 mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm) by the radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat. The range of sealing sizes of the docking station can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. Other features/steps described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one embodiment, for example, a docking station can include a valve seat, and one or more sealing portions. The valve seat can be expanded to a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. A length of the docking station can be adjustable. The docking station can include a first half (i.e., portion) that a second half (i.e., portion) of the docking station can adjustably extend into to adjust the overall length. In other words, the length of the docking station can be adjusted by moving the second half/portion relative to the first half/portion, and the first half/portion may be moved independently from the second half/portion (e.g., one half/portion may remain in place while the other half/portion moves). If one of the first or second halves/portions extends inside the other half/portion and overlaps to adjust the length, the first half/portion and second half/portion may be adjusted to change the amount/length of overlap between the two.
The valve seat can be constructed such that the valve seat is not substantially expandable radially outwardly by a radially outward force of an expandable valve. A range of sizes of the sealing portion can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The docking station can be configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L. The valve seat and the one or more sealing portions can act as an isolator that substantially prevents radial outward forces of an expandable valve from being transferred to the one or more sealing portions. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. The sealing portion can comprise a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric. The sealing portion can comprises an open cell foam. A portion of the docking station can be permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station can be impermeable to blood. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a system can include an expandable docking station and an expandable valve. The expandable docking station can include a valve seat, and one or more sealing portions. The valve seat can expand to a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and can extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. A length of the docking station can be adjustable, e.g., adjustable in the same or similar ways to those discussed elsewhere herein. The expandable valve can comprise an expandable frame and a valve element. The expandable frame can expand to engage the valve seat of the docking station. The valve element can be connected to the expandable frame. A second half of the docking station may extend into a first half of the docking station to make the length of the docking station adjustable. The valve seat may be configured such that the valve seat is not substantially expanded radially outwardly by a radially outward force of the expandable valve. The docking station can be configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. The sealing portion can comprise a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric. The sealing portion can comprise an open cell foam. A portion of the docking station can be permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station can be impermeable to blood. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method can include expanding a multiple piece docking station and expanding a valve in the docking station. A first docking station half or portion can be expanded. A portion/section of a second docking station half or portion can be positioned in the first docking station half, e.g., such that a desired length overlaps. The second docking station half can be expanded in the first docking station half to set a length of the docking station. The docking station can have valve seat and a sealing portion. A frame of an expandable valve can be expanded to engage the valve seat of the docking station. The valve seat can be configured such that the valve seat is not substantially expanded radially outwardly by a radially outward force of an expandable valve. A predetermined size of the sealing portion of the docking station can be from 27 mm to 38 mm. The valve seat can be formed by a suture, ring, band, structural arrangement, material, foam, and in other ways. Other features/steps described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a delivery catheter can include and outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube can have a distal opening. The inner tube can be disposed in the outer tube such that a gap is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube can have an opening at a proximal end and can have one or more side openings. The delivery catheter can be configured such that injecting flushing liquid into the proximal end of the inner tube flushes the flushing liquid through the inner tube with at least some of the flushing liquid exiting the inner tube through the one or more side openings to fill the gap and flush air out the distal opening of the outer tube. The inner tube can have a distal opening and the delivery catheter can be configured such that the filling of the inner tube with the flushing liquid at the proximal end flushes the air out of the distal opening of the inner tube. The inner tube can be filled with the flushing liquid at an opening for a guide wire at the proximal end of the inner tube. The delivery catheter can be configured such that the air in the inner tube can be flushed out through the distal opening of the inner tube and through an opening in a nosecone that can be connected to the inner tube. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method can flush air from a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can include an outer tube having a distal opening, an inner tube that has a proximal opening at a proximal end of the inner tube and one or more side openings, and a gap formed in between the inner tube and the outer tube. Flushing liquid can be injected into the proximal end of the inner tube, such that the flushing liquid flows through the inner tube and at least some of the flushing liquid exits the inner tube through the one or more side openings to fill the gap and flush air out the distal opening of the outer tube. The inner tube can be filled with the flushing liquid through the proximal opening, and the proximal opening can also be used for passing a guide wire through the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be inserted into a blood vessel after the air has been flushed out. Other features/steps described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a catheter and docking station a sleeve, a docking station retainer, and a docking station. The docking station retainer can be disposed in the sleeve. The docking station retainer can include one or more retainer recesses. The docking station can be disposed in the sleeve. The docking station can include one or more extensions releasably attached to the docking station retainer. Each extension of the one or more extensions can include a head disposed in at least one of the one or more retainer recesses. Each extension of the one or more docking extensions can be configured to contact the docking station retainer at only two points. The head can be triangular and two heads may be included. The one or more retainer recesses can be a rectangular recess in the docking station retainer. Sides of the head can extend away from one another at an angle of between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. The sleeve can engage the one or more extensions to retain the one or more heads in the retainer recess when the sleeve is positioned over the one or more extensions. The one or more extensions can spring radially outward relative to the docking station retainer when unconstrained by the sleeve to release the one or more extensions from the docking station retainer. The one or more extensions can be tilted in the one or more recesses. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method of using a docking station can include placing a head of a docking station extension in a recess of a docking station retainer such that the docking station extension contacts the docking station retainer at only two points. The docking station and the docking station retainer can be placed in a sleeve. The sleeve can engage the docking station extension to retain the head of the docking station extension in the recess. The head can be triangular. The recess can be a rectangular recess in the docking station retainer. Sides of the head can extend away from one another at an angle of between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. The retainer and the docking station can be removed from the sleeve such that the head of the docking station extension springs radially outward relative to the docking station retainer to release the docking station extension from the docking station retainer. The extension can be tilted in the recess. Other features/steps described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly for deploying a docking station includes a handle and a catheter. The handle can include a housing, a drive member, and a driven member. The drive member can be rotatably coupled to the housing. The driven member can be coupled to the drive member and the housing, such that rotation of the drive member moves the driven member linearly in the housing. The catheter can include and outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve can be fixedly connected to the driven member. The inner sleeve can be disposed in the outer sleeve and can be fixedly connected to the housing. Rotation of the drive member can move the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. The drive member can comprise a wheel having a gear portion. The drive member can comprise an internally threaded member. The driven member can comprise a gear rack. The driven member can comprise an externally threaded member. A ratchet mechanism can be moveable from an engaged position to a disengaged position, such that when the ratchet is in the engaged position the drive member is able to be rotated in only one direction. A luer port may be fixed to the inner sleeve. A luer port and the inner sleeve can be configured to accept a guide wire that extends through the inner shaft. Other features described elsewhere in this disclosure may also be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method of deploying a docking station can include rotating a drive member relative to a housing to linearly move a driven member in the housing. An inner sleeve can be fixed to the housing and an outer sleeve can be fixed to the driven member. Rotation of the drive member moves the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve. The drive member can linearly move the driven member by engagement of gear teeth. The drive member can linearly move the driven member by engagement of threads. The drive member can be configured for rotation in only one direction. The first and second sleeves can be moved over a guide wire.
Various features as described elsewhere in this disclosure may be included in the examples summarized here and various methods and steps for using the examples and features may be used, including as described elsewhere herein.
Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosed inventions can be obtained from the following description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like reference numerals.
To further clarify various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the certain embodiments will be made by reference to various aspects of the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, while the figures may be drawn to scale for some embodiments, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for all embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1A is a cutaway view of the human heart in a diastolic phase;
FIG. 1B is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase;
FIGS. 2A-2E are sectional views of pulmonary arteries illustrating that pulmonary arteries may have a variety of different shapes and sizes;
FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective views of pulmonary arteries illustrating that pulmonary arteries may have a variety of different shapes and sizes;
FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a compressed docking station being positioned in a circulatory system;
FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of the docking station of FIG. 4A expanded to set the position of the docking station in the circulatory system;
FIG. 4C is a schematic illustration of an expandable transcatheter heart valve being positioned in the docking station illustrated by FIG. 4B;
FIG. 4D is a schematic illustration of the transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 4C expanded to set the position of the heart valve in the docking station;
FIG. 4E illustrates the docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in an irregularly shaped portion of the circulatory system;
FIG. 4F illustrates the docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 6A is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station and deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 6B is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 7A is an enlarged schematic illustration of the docking station and transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 6B when the heart is in the systolic phase;
FIG. 7B is a view taken in the direction indicated by lines 7B-7B in FIG. 7A;
FIG. 7C is a graph showing a relationship between a docking station diameter and a radial outward force applied by the docking station;
FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the human heart in a diastolic phase with a docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 9A is an enlarged schematic illustration of the docking station and transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 8 when the heart is in the diastolic phase;
FIG. 10A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 10B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 10C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 10D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 11A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping docking station;
FIG. 11B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping docking station;
FIG. 11C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping docking station;
FIG. 11D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of telescoping docking station;
FIG. 13D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping docking station;
FIG. 14E illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 14F illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 14G illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with a transcatheter heart valve disposed inside the docking station;
FIG. 15A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame of a docking station;
FIG. 15B illustrates a side profile of the frame of illustrated by FIG. 15A;
FIG. 16 illustrates the docking station frame of FIG. 15A in a compressed state;
FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the docking station frame of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the docking station frame of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a docking station having a plurality of covered cells and a plurality of open cells;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 with a portion cut away to illustrate a transcatheter heart valve expanded into place in the docking station;
FIG. 20 illustrates a side profile of the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 when implanted in a vessel of the circulatory system;
FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the of the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 when installed in a vessel of the circulatory system;
FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the of the docking station and valve illustrated by FIG. 19 when implanted in a vessel of the circulatory system;
FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a side profiles of the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 when implanted in different size vessels of the circulatory system;
FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate side profiles of the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 when implanted different sized vessels of the circulatory system with a schematically illustrated transcatheter heart valve having the same size installed or deployed in each docking station;
FIG. 26A is a sectional view illustrating a side profile of an exemplary embodiment of a docking station placed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 26B is a sectional view illustrating a side profile of an exemplary embodiment of a docking station placed in a pulmonary artery and a schematically illustrated valve placed in the docking station;
FIG. 26C is a sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a docking station placed in a pulmonary artery and a valve placed in the docking station;
FIG. 27 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a docking station;
FIG. 28 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping docking station;
FIG. 29 is a side view of the docking station of FIG. 28 where two parts of the docking station have been telescoped together;
FIG. 30 is a sectional view illustrating a docking station placed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 31B is a sectional view illustrating a side profile of an exemplary embodiment of a docking station placed in a pulmonary artery and a valve placed in the docking station;
FIG. 32A is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station and deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 32B is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 33A is an enlarged schematic illustration of the docking station and transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 32B when the heart is in the systolic phase;
FIG. 33B is a view taken in the direction indicated by lines 33B-33B in FIG. 33A;
FIG. 34 is a cutaway view of the human heart, docking station, and transcatheter heart valve deployed in the pulmonary artery illustrated by FIG. 32B when the heart is in the diastolic phase;
FIG. 35A is an enlarged schematic illustration of the docking station and transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 34 when the heart is in the diastolic phase;
FIG. 36A is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station being deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 36B is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 36C is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station and transcatheter heart valve deployed in a pulmonary artery;
FIG. 37A is an enlarged schematic illustration of the docking station and transcatheter heart valve of FIG. 36C when the heart is in the systolic phase;
FIG. 38 is a cutaway view of the human heart, docking station, and transcatheter heart valve deployed in the pulmonary artery illustrated by FIG. 36C when the heart is in the diastolic phase;
FIG. 40B is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with a docking station deployed in the pulmonary artery;
FIG. 40C is a cutaway view of the human heart in a systolic phase with the docking station and a transcatheter heart valve deployed in the pulmonary artery;
FIGS. 44-47, and 48A-48C illustrate examples of valve types that may be deployed in a docking station, e.g., one of the docking stations described or depicted herein;
FIG. 49A is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a catheter;
FIG. 49B is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a catheter with a docking station crimped and loaded in the catheter;
FIGS. 50A-50D illustrate deployment of a docking station from a catheter;
FIG. 51 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a nosecone of a catheter;
FIG. 52 is a view taken as indicated by lines 52-52 in FIG. 51;
FIG. 53 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a distal portion of a catheter;
FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a holder for retaining a docking station in a catheter;
FIGS. 57A and 57B illustrate side views of extensions of a docking station disposed in the holder;
FIG. 58 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a handle for a docking station catheter;
FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the handle of FIG. 58;
FIG. 60 is an exploded sectional view of parts of the handle of FIG. 58;
FIG. 61 is an exploded perspective sectional view of parts of the handle of FIG. 58;
FIG. 62 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a handle for a docking station catheter with a side cover removed;
FIG. 63 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 62 illustrating a flushing system of a catheter;
FIGS. 64A and 64B are views of the handle illustrated by FIG. 62 with an opposite side cover removed to illustrate extension and retraction of an outer sleeve of a docking station catheter;
FIG. 65 is an exploded view of the handle of FIG. 62;
FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the handle illustrated by FIG. 62 with the opposite side cover removed
FIG. 67 is a side view of the handle illustrated by FIG. 62;
FIG. 68 is a side view of an indexing wheel of the handle illustrated by FIG. 62 in a ratcheting state;
FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the indexing wheel of FIG. 68 in the ratcheting state;
FIG. 70 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 69;
FIG. 71 is a partial sectional view of the indexing wheel illustrated by FIG. 68 disposed in a handle housing;
FIG. 72 is a view that is similar to FIG. 71 in a disengaged state; and
FIG. 73 is a side view of an indexing wheel of the handle illustrated by FIG. 62 in the disengaged state.
The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and operation do not depart from the scope of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for providing a docking station or landing zone for a transcatheter heart valve (“THV”), e.g., THV 29. In some exemplary embodiments, docking stations for THVs are illustrated as being used within the pulmonary artery, although the docking stations (e.g., docking station 10) may be used in other areas of the anatomy, heart, or vasculature, such as the superior vena cava or the inferior vena cava. The docking stations described herein can be configured to compensate for the deployed THV being smaller than the space (e.g., anatomy/vasculature/etc.) in which it is to be placed.
It should be noted that various embodiments of docking stations and systems for delivery and implant are disclosed herein, and any combination of these options may be made unless specifically excluded. For example, any of the docking stations devices disclosed, may be used with any type of valve, and/or any delivery system, even if a specific combination is not explicitly described. Likewise, the different constructions of docking stations and valves may be mixed and matched, such as by combining any docking station type/feature, valve type/feature, tissue cover, etc., even if not explicitly disclosed. In short, individual components of the disclosed systems may be combined unless mutually exclusive or otherwise physically impossible.
For the sake of uniformity, in these Figures and others in the application the docking stations are depicted such that the pulmonary bifurcation end is up, while the ventricular end is down. These directions may also be referred to as “distal” as a synonym for up or the pulmonary bifurcation end, and “proximal” as a synonym for down or the ventricular end, which are terms relative to the physician's perspective.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are cutaway views of the human heart H in diastolic and systolic phases, respectively. The right ventricle RV and left ventricle LV are separated from the right atrium RA and left atrium LA, respectively, by the tricuspid valve TV and mitral valve MV; i.e., the atrioventricular valves. Additionally, the aortic valve AV separates the left ventricle LV from the ascending aorta (not identified) and the pulmonary valve PV separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery PA. Each of these valves has flexible leaflets extending inward across the respective orifices that come together or “coapt” in the flowstream to form the one-way, fluid-occluding surfaces. The docking stations and valves of the present application are described primarily with respect to the pulmonary valve. Therefore, anatomical structures of the right atrium RA and right ventricle RV will be explained in greater detail. It should be understood that the devices described herein may also be used in other areas, e.g., in the inferior vena cava and/or the superior vena cava as treatment for a regurgitant or otherwise defective tri-cuspid valve, in the aorta (e.g., an enlarged aorta) as treatment for a defective aortic valve, in other areas of the heart or vasculature, in grafts, etc.
The right atrium RA receives deoxygenated blood from the venous system through the superior vena cava SVC and the inferior vena cava IVC, the former entering the right atrium from above, and the latter from below. The coronary sinus CS is a collection of veins joined together to form a large vessel that collects deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle (myocardium), and delivers it to the right atrium RA. During the diastolic phase, or diastole, seen in FIG. 1A, the venous blood that collects in the right atrium RA enters the tricuspid valve TV by expansion of the right ventricle RV. In the systolic phase, or systole, seen in FIG. 1B, the right ventricle RV contracts to force the venous blood through the pulmonary valve PV and pulmonary artery into the lungs. In one exemplary embodiment, the devices described by the present application are used to replace or supplement the function of a defective pulmonary valve. During systole, the leaflets of the tricuspid valve TV close to prevent the venous blood from regurgitating back into the right atrium RA.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3D, the shown, non-exhaustive examples illustrate that the pulmonary artery can have a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. For example, as shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 2A-2E and the perspective views of FIGS. 3A-3D, the length L, diameter, D, and curvature or contour may vary greatly between pulmonary arteries of different patients. Further, the diameter D may vary significantly along the length L of an individual pulmonary artery. These differences can be even more significant in pulmonary arteries that suffer from certain conditions and/or have been compromised by previous surgery. For example, the treatment of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) often results in larger and more irregularly shaped pulmonary arteries.
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a cardiac anomaly that refers to a combination of four related heart defects that commonly occur together. The four defects are ventricular septal defect (VSD), overriding aorta (the aortic valve is enlarged and appears to arise from both the left and right ventricles instead of the left ventricle as in normal hearts), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve and outflow tract or area below the valve that creates an obstruction of blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery), and right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the muscular walls of the right ventricle, which occurs because the right ventricle is pumping at high pressure).
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) refers to an anomaly where the aorta and the pulmonary artery are “transposed” from their normal position so that the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle.
Surgical treatment for some conditions involves a longitudinal incision along the pulmonary artery, up to and along one of the pulmonary branches. This incision can eliminate or significantly impair the function of the pulmonary valve. A trans-annular patch is used to cover the incision after the surgery. The trans-annular patch reduces stenotic or constrained conditions of the pulmonary artery PA, associated with other surgeries. However, the impairment or elimination of the pulmonary valve PV can create significant regurgitation and, prior to the present invention, often required later open heart surgery to replace the pulmonary valve. The trans-annular patch technique can result in pulmonary arteries having a wide degree of variation in size and shape (See FIGS. 3A-3D)
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4F, in one exemplary embodiment an expandable docking station 10 includes one or more sealing portions 410, a valve seat 18, and one or more retaining portions 414. The sealing portion(s) 410 provide a seal between the docking station 10 and an interior surface 416 of the circulatory system. The valve seat 18 provides a supporting surface for implanting or deploying a valve 29 in the docking station 10 after the docking station 10 is implanted in the circulatory system. The retaining portions 414 help retain the docking station 10 and the valve 29 at the implantation position or deployment site in the circulatory system. Expandable docking station 10 and valve 29 as described in the various embodiments herein are also representative of a variety of docking stations and/or valves that might be known or developed, e.g., a variety of different types of valves could be substituted for and/or used as valve 29 in the various docking stations.
FIGS. 4A-4D schematically illustrate an exemplary deployment of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the circulatory system. Referring to FIG. 4A, the docking station 10 is in a compressed form/configuration and is introduced to a deployment site in the circulatory system. For example, the docking station 10, may be positioned at a deployment site in a pulmonary artery by a catheter (e.g., catheter 3600 as shown in FIGS. 50A-50D). Referring to FIG. 4B, the docking station 10 is expanded in the circulatory system such that the sealing portion(s) 410 and the retaining portions 414 engage the inside surface 416 of a portion of the circulatory system. Referring to FIG. 4C, after the docking station 10 is deployed, the valve 29 is in a compressed form and is introduced into the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. Referring to FIG. 4D, the valve 29 is expanded in the docking station, such that the valve 29 engages the valve seat 18. In the examples depicted herein, the docking station 10 is longer than the valve. However, in other embodiments the docking station 10 can be the same length or shorter than the length of the valve 29. Similarly, the valve seat 18 can be longer, shorter, or the same length as the length of the valve 29.
Referring to FIG. 4D, the valve 29 has expanded such that the seat 18 of the docking station supports the valve. The valve 29 only needs to expand against the narrow seat 18, rather than against the wider space within the portion of the circulatory system that the docking station 10 occupies. The docking station 10 allows the valve 29 to operate within the expansion diameter range for which it is designed.
FIG. 4E illustrates that the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system, such as the inner surface of a blood vessel or anatomy of the heart can vary in cross-section size and/or shape along its length. In an exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 is configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L to conform to shape of the inner surface 416. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 is configured such that the sealing portion(s) 410 and/or the retaining portion(s) engage the inner surface 416, even though the shape of the blood vessel or anatomy of the heart vary significantly along the length L of the docking station. The docking station can be made from a very resilient or compliant material to accommodate large variations in the anatomy. For example, the docking station can be made from a highly flexible metal, metal alloy, polymer, or an open cell foam. Examples of a metals and metal alloys that can be used include, but are not limited to, nitinol, elgiloy, and stainless steel, but other metals and highly resilient or compliant non-metal materials can be used. For example, the docking station 10 can have a frame or portion of a frame (e.g., a self-expanding frame, retaining portion(s), sealing portion(s), valve seat, etc.) made of these materials, e.g., from shape memory materials, such as nitinol. These materials allow the frame to be compressed to a small size, and then when the compression force is released, the frame will self-expand back to its pre-compressed diameter.
An example of an open cell foam that can be used to form the docking station or a portion of the docking station is a bio-compatible foam, such as a polyurethane foam (e.g., as may be obtained from Biomerix, Rockville, Md.). Docking stations described herein can be self expanding and/or expandable with an inflatable device to cause the docking station to engage an inner surface 416 having a variable shape.
FIG. 4F illustrates the docking station 10 and a valve 29 implanted in a pulmonary artery PA. As mentioned with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3D, the shape of the pulmonary artery may vary significantly along its length. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 is configured to conform to the varying shape of the pulmonary artery PA in the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 4E.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5F, in one exemplary embodiment an expandable docking station 10 is made from an expandable foam material, such as an open cell biocompatible foam. The outer surface 510 of the foam material can serve as the sealing portion 410. In this example, a valve seat 18 can be provided on the inner surface 512 of the foam material as illustrated, or the inner surface 512 can serve as the valve seat. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 5A-5F, the retaining portions 414 are omitted, though retaining portions can be used. In one embodiment, foam material can be used together with an expandable frame (e.g., of metal, shape memory material, etc.). The foam material can cover or extend the full length of the frame or only a portion of the length of the frame.
FIGS. 5A-5D schematically illustrate deployment of the foam docking station 10 and valve 29 in the circulatory system. Referring to FIG. 5A, the docking station 10 is in a compressed form and is introduced to a deployment site in the circulatory system. For example, the docking station 10, may be positioned at a deployment site in a pulmonary artery by a catheter (e.g., catheter 3600 shown in FIGS. 50A-50D). Referring to FIG. 5B, the docking station 10 is expanded in the circulatory system such that the sealing portion 410 engage the inside surface 416 of the circulatory system. Referring to FIG. 5C, after the docking station 10 is deployed, the valve 29 is in a compressed form and is introduced into the valve seat 18 or inner surface 512 of the docking station 10. Referring to FIG. 5D, the valve 29 is expanded in the docking station, such that the valve 29 engages the valve seat 18 or inner surface 512 (e.g., where inner surface 512 acts as the valve seat).
FIG. 5E illustrates that the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system, such as the inner surface of a blood vessel or anatomy of the heart may vary in cross-section along its length. In an exemplary embodiment, the foam docking station 10 is configured to expand radially outwardly to varying degrees along its length L to conform to shape of the inner surface 416.
FIG. 5F illustrates the foam docking station 10 and a valve 29 implanted in a pulmonary artery PA. As mentioned with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3D, the shape of the pulmonary artery may vary significantly along its length. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 is configured to conform to the varying shape of the pulmonary artery PA in the same or a similar manner as described with respect to FIG. 4E.
Referring to FIG. 6A, a docking station, e.g., a docking station as described with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D, is deployed in the pulmonary artery PA of a heart H. FIG. 6B illustrates a valve 29 deployed in the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 6A. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 7A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 6B. When the heart is in the systolic phase, the valve 29 opens. Blood flows from the right ventrical RV and through the pulmonary artery PA, docking station 10, and valve 29 as indicated by arrows 602. FIG. 7B illustrates space 608 that represents the valve 29 being open when the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 7B does not show the interface between the docking station 10 and the pulmonary artery to simplify the drawing. The cross-hatching in FIG. 7B illustrates blood flow through the open valve. In an exemplary embodiment, blood is prevented from flowing between the pulmonary artery PA and the docking station 10 by the sealing portion(s) 410 and blood is prevented from flowing between the docking station 10 and the valve 29 by seating of the valve 29 in the seat 18 of the docking station 10. In this example, blood is substantially only flowing or only able to flow through the valve 29 when the heart is in the systolic phase.
FIG. 8 illustrates the valve 29, docking station 10 and heart H illustrated by FIG. 6B, when the heart is in the diastolic phase. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 closes. FIG. 9A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 8. Blood flow in the pulmonary artery PA above the valve 29 (i.e. in the pulmonary branch 760) is blocked by the valve 29 being closed and blocking blood flow as indicated by arrow 900. The solid area 912 in FIG. 9B represents the valve 29 being closed when the heart is in the diastolic phase.
In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 acts as an isolator that prevents or substantially prevents radial outward forces of the valve 29 from being transferred to the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system. In one embodiment, the docking station 10 includes a valve seat 18 (which is not expanded radially outwardly or is not substantially expanded radially outward by the radially outward force of the THV or valve 29, i.e., the diameter of the valve seat is not increased or is increased by less than 4 mm by the force of the THV), and anchoring/retaining portions 414 and sealing portions 410, which impart only relatively small radially outward forces 720, 722 on the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system (as compared to the radially outward force applied to the valve seat 18 by the valve 29).
When no docking station is used, stents and frames of THVs are held in place in the circulatory system by a relatively high radial outward force 710 of the stent or frame 712 of the THV acting directly on the inside surface 416 of the circulatory system. If a docking station is used, as in the example illustrated by FIG. 7A, the stent or frame 712 of the valve 29 expands radially outward or is expanded radially outward to impart the high force 710 on the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. This high radially outward force 710 secures the valve 29 to the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. However, since the valve seat 18 is not expanded or is not substantially expanded by the force 710, the force 710 is isolated from the circulatory system, rather than being used to secure the docking station in the circulatory system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 722 of the sealing portions 410 to the inside surface 416 is substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve 29 to the valve seat 18. For example, the radially outward sealing force 722 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve. In one exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 722 of the sealing portions 410 is selected to provide a seal between the inner surface 416 and the sealing portion 410, but is not sufficient by itself to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 720 of the anchoring/retaining portions 414 to the inside surface 416 is substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve 29 to the valve seat 18. For example, the radially outward sealing force 720 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve.
In one exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 720 of the retaining portions 414 is not sufficient by itself to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system. Rather, the pressure of the blood 608 is used to enhance the retention of the retaining portions 414 to the inside surface 416. Referring again to FIG. 6A, when the heart is in the systolic phase, the valve 29 is open and blood flows through the valve as indicated by arrows 602. Since the valve 29 is open and blood flows through the valve 29, the pressure P applied to the docking station 10 and valve 29 by the blood is low as indicated by the small P and arrow in FIG. 7A. Even though small, the pressure P forces the docking station and its upper retaining portions 414 against the surface 416 generally in the direction indicated by arrow F. This blood flow assisted force F applied by the retaining portions F to the surface 416 prevents the docking station 10 and valve 29 from moving in the direction 602 of blood flow in the systolic phase of the heart H.
Referring to FIG. 9A, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 is closed and blood flow is blocked as indicated by arrow 900. Since the valve 29 is closed and the valve 29 and docking station 10 block the flow of blood, the pressure P applied to the docking station 10 and valve 29 by the blood is high as indicated by the large arrow P in FIG. 9A. This large pressure P forces the lower retaining portions 414 against the surface 416 generally in the direction indicated by the large arrows F. This blood flow assisted force F applied by the retaining portions F to the surface 416 prevents the docking station 10 and valve 29 from moving in the direction indicated by arrow 900.
Since the force applied by the upper and lower retaining portions 414 is determined by amount of pressure applied to the valve 29 and docking station 10 by the blood, the force applied to the surface 416 is automatically proportioned. That is, the upper retaining portions are less forcefully pressed against the surface 416 when the heart is in the systolic phase than the lower retaining portions are pressed against the surface 416 when the heart is in the diastolic phase. This is because the pressure against the open valve 29 and docking station 10 in the systolic phase is less than the pressure against the closed valve and docking station in the diastolic phase.
The valve seat 18 and sealing portion 410 can take a wide variety of different forms. For example, the valve seat 18 can be any structure that is not expanded radially outwardly or is not substantially expanded radially outward by the radially outward force of the THV (i.e., the diameter of the valve seat in the deployed position/configuration may not expand or may expand less than 4 mm, e.g., the diameter may only expand 1-4 mm larger when the valve is deployed in the valve seat). For example, the valve seat 18 can comprise a suture or a metal ring that resists or limits expansion. However, in one embodiment, the valve seat 18 (or any valve seat described herein) can be expandable over a larger range, for example, the diameter may expand between 5 mm and 30 mm larger when a valve is deployed in the valve seat. In one embodiment, the diameter might expand from 5 mm or 6 mm in diameter to 20 mm-29 mm, 24 mm, 26 mm, 29 mm, etc. in diameter, or expand from and to different diameters within that range. Even if more expandable, the valve seat can still be restricted in expansion, e.g., restricted to avoid expansion of the valve seat beyond an expanded diameter of a valve to be placed in the valve seat or to avoid expansion beyond a diameter that will securely hold the valve in the valve seat via the forces created therebetween. The valve seat 18 can be part of or define a portion of the body of the docking station 10, or the valve seat 18 can be a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station. The valve seat 18 can be longer, shorter, or the same length as the valve. The valve seat 18 can be significantly shorter than the valve 29 when the valve seat 18 is defined by a suture or a metal ring. A valve seat 18 formed by a suture or metal ring can form a narrow circumferential seal line between the valve 29 and the docking station.
The sealing portion(s) 410 of various embodiments can take a wide variety of different forms. For example, the sealing portion(s) 410 can be any structure that provides a seal(s) between the docking station 10 and the surface 416 of the circulatory system. For example, the sealing portion(s) 410 can comprise a fabric, a foam, biocompatible tissue, a combination of these, etc. The sealing portion(s) 410 can be part of or define a portion of the body of the docking station 10, and/or the sealing portion(s) 410 can be a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station. The docking station 10 may include a single sealing portion 410 or two, or more than two sealing portions.
As mentioned above, in one exemplary embodiment the sealing portion(s) 410 is configured to apply a low radially outward force to the surface 416. The low radially outward force can be provided in a wide variety of different ways. For example, sealing portion may be made from a very compressible or compliant material. Referring to FIG. 7C, in one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 body is made from an elastic or superelastic metal. One such metal is nitinol. When the body of a docking station 10 is made from a lattice of metal struts, the body can have the characteristics of a spring. Referring to FIG. 7C, like a spring, when the body of the docking station is unconstrained and allowed to relax to its largest diameter the body of the docking station applies little or no radially outward force. As the body of the docking station 10 is compressed, like a spring, the radially outward force applied by the docking station increases. As is illustrated by FIG. 7C, in one exemplary embodiment the relationship of the radially outward force of the docking station body to the expanded diameter of the docking station is non-linear, although, in one exemplary embodiment, the relationship could also be linear. In the example illustrated by FIG. 7C, the curve 750 illustrates the relationship between the radially outward force exerted by the docking station 10 and the compressed diameter of the docking station. In the region 752, the curve 750 has a low slope. In this region 752 the radially outward force is low and changes only a small amount. In one exemplary embodiment, the region 752 corresponds to a diameter between 25 mm and 40 mm, such as between 27 mm and 38 mm. The radially outward force is small in the region 752, but is not zero. In the region 754, the curve 750 has a higher slope. In this region 754 the radially outward force increases significantly as the docking station is compressed. In one exemplary embodiment, the body of the stent is constructed to be in the low slope region 752. This allows the sealing portions 710 to apply only a small radially outward force to the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system over a wide range of diameters.
The retaining portions 414 can take a wide variety of different forms. For example, the retaining portion(s) 414 may be any structure that sets the position of the docking station 10 in the circulatory system. For example, the retaining portion(s) 414 may press against or into the inside surface 416 or extend around anatomical structure of the circulatory system to set the position of the docking station 10. The retaining portion(s) 414 may be part of or define a portion of the body of the docking station 10 or the retaining portion(s) 414 may be a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station. The docking station 10 may include a single retaining portion 414 or two, or more than two retaining portions.
FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate that the docking station 10 can have any combination of one or more than one different types of valve seats 18 and sealing portions 410. In the example illustrated by FIG. 10A, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion is integrally formed with the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 10B, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion 410 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 10C, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion is integrally formed with the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 10D, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10.
As mentioned above, the length of the pulmonary artery PA and other anatomical structures of the circulatory system may vary greatly from patient to patient. Referring to FIGS. 11A-11D, in one exemplary embodiment the length of the docking station 10 is adjustable as indicated by arrow 1100. This adjustability 1100 refers to the ability of the implanted/expanded length of the docking station to be adjusted, rather than the inherent change in length that occurs when a stent expands from a compressed state to an expanded state. The length may be adjusted in a wide variety of different ways. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 11A-11D, the docking station 10 includes a first half 1102 and a second half 1104. The use of the word “half” as used herein with respect to two part docking stations is synonymous with “portion” and does not require the first and second half or first and second portion to be equal in size, i.e., the first half could be larger/longer than the second half and vice versa. In one embodiment, the second half 1104 can be inserted or “telescoped” into the first half 1102. The amount of insertion or “telescoping” sets the length of the docking station 10. Any of the docking stations 10 shown and described in this patent application can be adjustable in length by making the docking stations from two parts that are telescoped together or are otherwise adjustable relative to each other. In one embodiment, a length of a single-piece docking station can be collapsible and expandable. In one embodiment, a docking station may be formed of a material that can change shape to adjust the length. In one embodiment, more than two portions (e.g., 3, 4, or more portions) can be combined in similar ways and include one or more similar features as first half 1102 and second half 1104.
In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the docking station 10 can be adjusted in the pulmonary artery PA by first deploying the first half 1102 of the docking station 10 in the pulmonary artery. For example, the first half 1102 may be positioned and expanded as desired, e.g., such that a distal end 1106 of the first half is aligned with or extends somewhat past the branch of the pulmonary artery. After the first half 1102 is expanded in the pulmonary artery, the compressed second half 1104 can be positioned with a distal end 1110 disposed in the proximal end 1108 of the first half 1102. In one embodiment, the position of the second half 1104 is selected such that the sealing portion 410 and retaining portion 414 will make contact with the pulmonary artery and set the position of the docking station 10 in the pulmonary artery. Once properly positioned, the second half 1104 is expanded. In one embodiment, the distal end of 1110 of the second half 1104 frictionally engages the proximal end 1108 of the first half to secure the two halves 1102, 1104 together. In one embodiment, a lock(s), locking mechanism, suture(s), interlacing, link(s) and/or other attachment device/mechanism may be used to help secure the halves/portions together.
In the examples illustrated by FIGS. 11A-11D, the seat 18 and the sealing portion 410 are included on the second half 1104 of the docking station 10. However, in other embodiments the seat 18 and/or the sealing portion 410 can be included on the first half 1102. FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate that the halves 1102, 1104 of the docking station 10 can have any combination of different types of valve seats 18 and sealing portions 410. In the example illustrated by FIG. 11A, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station half 1104 and the sealing portion is integrally formed with the body of the docking station half 1104. In the example illustrated by FIG. 11B, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station half 1104 and the sealing portion 410 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station half 1104. In the example illustrated by FIG. 11C, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station half 1104 and the sealing portion is integrally formed with the body of the docking station half 1104. In the example illustrated by FIG. 11D, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station half 1104 and the sealing portion 410 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station half 1104.
FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate exemplary embodiments of docking stations 10 with two sealing portions 410. The docking station 10 can have any combination of one or more than one different types of valve seats 18 and sealing portions 410. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12A, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portions 410 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12B, the valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portions 410 are separate components that are attached to the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12C, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portions are integrally formed with the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12D, the valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portions are separate components that are attached to the body of the docking station 10.
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate that the docking stations illustrated by FIGS. 12A-12D can be two-piece telescoping docking stations. The pieces 1102, 1104 of the docking station 10 can have any combination of one or more than one different types of valve seats 18 and sealing portions 410 on either or both of the two pieces. In the example illustrated by FIG. 13A, the first half 1102 includes an integral sealing portion 410. The second half 1104 includes a valve seat 18 that is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portions 410 is integrally formed with the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 13B, the first half 1102 includes a sealing portion 410 that is separate from the body of the first half 102. The valve seat 18 is a separate component that is attached to the body of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion 410 is a separate components that is attached to the body of the docking station. In the example illustrated by FIG. 13C, the first half 1102 includes an integral sealing portion 410. The valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the second half 1104 of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion 410 is integrally formed with the body of the second half 1104. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12D, the first half 1102 includes a sealing portion 410 that is separate from the body of the first half 102. The valve seat 18 is integrally formed with the body of the second half 1104 of the docking station 10 and the sealing portion 410 is a separate components that is attached to the body of the second half 1104.
Referring to FIGS. 14A-14G, in one exemplary embodiment the docking station 10 can include a permeable portion 1400 that blood can flow through as indicated by arrows 1402 and an impermeable portion 1404 that blood cannot flow through. In one exemplary embodiment, the impermeable portion 1404 extends from at least the sealing portion 410 to the valve seat 18 to prevent blood from flowing around the valve 29. In one exemplary embodiment, the permeable portion 1400 allows blood to freely flow through it, so that portions of the docking station that do not seal against the inside surface 416 of the circulatory system or seal against the valve 29 do not block the flow of blood. For example, the docking station 10 may extend into the branch of the pulmonary artery and the portion 1400 of the docking station 10 that extends into the pulmonary artery freely allows blood to flow through the docking station 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the permeable portion 1400 allows blood to freely flow through it, so that areas 1420 between the docking station and the circulatory system are flushed with blood as the heart beats, thereby preventing blood stasis in the areas 1420.
The impermeable portion 1404 can take a wide variety of different forms. The impermeable portion 1404 may be any structure or material that prevents blood to flow through the impermeable portion 1404. For example, the body of the docking station 10 can be formed from wires or a lattice, such as a nitinol wire or lattice, and cells of body are covered by an impermeable material (See FIG. 18). A wide variety of different materials may be used as the impermeable material. For example, the impermeable material may be a blood-impermeable cloth, such as a PET cloth or biocompatible covering material such as a fabric that is treated with a coating that is impermeable to blood, polyester, or a processed biological material, such as pericardium.
FIGS. 14A-14G illustrate that a wide variety of docking station configurations can be provided with a permeable portion 1402. The sealing portion 410 may be integrally formed with the body of the docking station as illustrated by FIGS. 14B, 14D, and 14F or separate as illustrated by FIGS. 14C, 14E and 14G. In FIGS. 14F and 14G the docking station 10 includes portions 1410. These portions 1410 are similar to the sealing portions 410, but a seal is not formed with the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system, because the portion 1410 is part of the permeable portion 1402. The valve seat 18 may be separately formed from the body of the docking station as illustrated by FIGS. 14A-14C or integrally formed with the body of the docking station 10 as illustrated by FIGS. 14D-14G.
FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17A, and 17B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a frame 1500 or body of a docking station 10. The frame 1500 or body can take a wide variety of different forms and FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17A, and 17B illustrate just one of the many possible configurations. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 15A, 15B, 16, 17A, 17B, and 18, the docking station 10 has a relatively wider proximal inflow end 12 and distal outflow end 14, and a relatively narrower portion 16 that forms the seat 18 in between the ends 12, 14. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B, the frame 1500 of the docking station 10 is preferably a wide stent comprised of a plurality of metal struts 1502 that form cells 1504. In the example of FIGS. 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B, the frame 1500 has a generally hourglass-shape that has a narrow portion 16, which forms the valve seat 18 when covered by an impermeable material, in between the proximal and distal ends 12, 14. As described below, the valve 18 expands in the narrow portion 16, which forms the valve seat 18.
FIGS. 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B illustrate the frame 1500 in its unconstrained, expanded condition. In this exemplary embodiment, the retaining portions 414 comprise ends 1510 of the metal struts 1502 at the proximal and distal ends 12, 14. The sealing portion 410 is between the retaining portions 414 and the waist 16. In the unconstrained condition, the retaining portions 414 extend generally radially outward and are radially outward of the sealing portion 410. FIG. 16 illustrates the frame 16 in the compressed state for delivery and expansion by a catheter. The docking station can be made from a very resilient or compliant material to accommodate large variations in the anatomy. For example, the docking station can be made from a highly flexible metal, metal alloy, polymer, or an open cell foam. An example of a highly resilient metal is nitinol, but other metals and highly resilient or compliant non-metal materials can be used. The docking station 10 may be self expanding, manually expandable (e.g., expandable via balloon), or mechanically expandable. A self-expanding docking station 10 may be made of a shape memory material such as, for example, nitinol.
FIG. 18 illustrates the frame 1500 with impermeable material 21 attached to the frame 1500 to form the docking station 10. Referring to FIG. 18, in one exemplary embodiment a band 20 extends about the waist or narrow portion 16, or is integral to the waist to form an unexpandable or substantially unexpandable valve seat 18. The band 20 stiffens the waist and, once the docking station is deployed and expanded, makes the waist/valve seat relatively unexpandable in its deployed configuration. In the example illustrated by FIG. 19, the valve 29 is secured by expansion of its collapsible frame into the narrow portion 16, which forms the valve seat 18, of the docking station 10. As is explained above, the unexpandable or substantially unexpandable valve seat 18 prevents the radially outward force of the valve 29 from being transferred to the inside surface 416 of the circulatory system. However in another exemplary embodiment, the waist/valve seat of the deployed docking station may optionally expand slightly in an elastic fashion when the valve is deployed against it. This optional elastic expansion of the waist 18 may put pressure on the valve 29 to help hold the valve 29 in place within the docking station.
The band can take a wide variety of different forms and can be made from a wide variety of different materials. The band 20 can be made of PET, one or more sutures, fabric, metal, polymer, a biocompatible tape, or other relatively unexpandable materials known in the art that are sufficient to maintain the shape of the valve seat 18 and hold the valve 29 in place. The band can extend about the exterior of the stent, or can be an integral part of it, such as when fabric or another material is interwoven into or through cells of the stent. The band 20 may be narrow, such as the suture band in FIG. 18, or may be wider. The band can be a variety of widths, lengths, and thicknesses. In one non-limiting example, the valve seat 18 is between 27-28 mm wide, although the diameter of the valve seat should be within the operating range of the particular valve 29 that will be secured within the valve seat 18, and can be different than the foregoing example. The valve 29, when docked within the docking station, can optionally expand around either side of the valve seat slightly. This aspect, sometimes referred to as a “dogbone” (e.g., because of the shape it forms around the valve seat or band), can also help hold the valve in place.
FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the docking station 10 of FIG. 18 implanted in the circulatory system, such as in the pulmonary artery. The sealing portions 410 provide a seal between the docking station 10 and an interior surface 416 of the circulatory system. In the example of FIGS. 20 and 21, the sealing portion 410 is formed by providing an impermeable material 21 (See FIG. 21) over the frame 1500 or a portion thereof, In particular, the sealing portion 410 can comprise the lower, rounded, radially outward extending portion 2000 of the frame 1500. In an exemplary embodiment, the impermeable material 21 extends from at least the portion 2000 of the frame 1500 to the valve seat 18. This makes the docking station impermeable from the sealing portion 410 to the valve seal 18. As such, all blood flowing in the inflow direction 12 toward the outflow direction 14 is directed to the valve seat 18 (and valve 29 once installed or deployed in the valve seat).
In a preferred embodiment of a docking station 10, the inflow portion has walls that are impermeable to blood, but the outflow portion walls are relatively open. In one approach, the inflow end portion 12, the mid-section 16, and a portion of the outflow end portion 14 are covered with a blood-impermeable fabric 21, which may be sewn onto the stent or otherwise attached by a method known in the art. The impermeability of the inflow portion of the stent helps to funnel blood into the docking station 10 and ultimately flow through the valve that is to be expanded and secured within the docking station 10.
From another perspective, this embodiment of a docking station is designed to seal at the proximal inflow section 2000 to create a conduit for blood flow. The distal outflow section, however, is generally left open, thereby allowing the docking station 10 to be placed higher in the pulmonary artery without restricting blood flow. For example, the permeable portion 1400 may extend into the branch of the pulmonary artery and not impede or not significantly impede the flow of blood past the branch. In one embodiment, blood-impermeable cloth, such as a PET cloth for example, or other material covers the proximal inflow section, but the covering does not cover any or at least a portion of the distal outflow section 14. As one non-limiting example, when the docking station 10 is placed in the pulmonary artery, which is a large vessel, the significant volume of blood flowing through the artery is funneled into the valve 29 by the cloth covering 21. The cloth 21 is fluid impermeable so that blood cannot pass through. Again, a variety of other biocompatible covering materials may be used such as, for example, foam or a fabric that is treated with a coating that is impermeable to blood, polyester, or a processed biological material, such as pericardium.
In the example illustrated by FIG. 21, more of the docking station frame 1500 is provided with the impermeable material 21, forming a relatively large impermeable portion 1404. In the example illustrated by FIG. 21, the impermeable portion 1404 extends from the inflow end 12 and stops one row of cells 1504 before the outflow end. As such, the most distal row of cells 1504 form a permeable portion 1400. However, more rows of cells 1504 can be uncovered by the impermeable material to form a larger permeable portion. The permeable portion 1400 allows blood to flow into and out of the area 2130 as indicated by arrows 2132. With respect to the inflow end 12, it should be noted that since the cells 1504 are generally diamond shaped, blood is able to flow between the docking station 10 and the surface 416, until the sealing portion 410 is reached. That is, blood can flow into and out of the areas 2100 in one exemplary embodiment.
The valve seat 18 can provide a supporting surface for implanting or deploying a valve 29 in the docking station 10. The retaining portions 414 can retain the docking station 10 at the implantation position or deployment site in the circulatory system. The illustrated retaining portions have an outwardly curving flare that helps secure the docking station 10 within the artery. “Outwardly” as used herein means extending away from the central longitudinal axis of the docking station. As can be seen in FIG. 20, when the docking station 10 is compressed by the inside surface 416, the retaining portions 414 engage the surface 416 at an angle α (normal to the surface to the tangent of the midpoint of the surface of the retaining portion 414) that can be between 30 and 60 degrees, such as about 45 degrees, rather than extending substantially radially outward (i.e. a is 0 to 20 degrees or about 10 degrees) as in the uncompressed condition (See FIG. 15B). This inward bending of the retaining portions 414 as indicated by arrow 2020 acts to retain the docking station 10 in the circulatory system. The retaining portions 14 are at the wider inflow end portion 12 and outflow end portion 14 and press against the inner surface 416. The flared retaining portions 414 engage into the surrounding anatomy in the circulatory system, such as the pulmonic space. In one exemplary embodiment, the flares serve as a stop, which locks the device in place. When an axial force is applied to the docking station 10, the flared retaining portions 414 are pushed by the force into the surrounding tissue to resist migration of the stent as described in more detail below. In a specific embodiment, the docking station generally has an hourglass shape, with wider distal and proximal end portions that have the flared retaining portion and a narrow, banded waist in between the ends, into which the valve is expanded.
FIG. 22 illustrates the docking station 10 deployed in the circulatory system and a valve 29 deployed in the docking station 10. After the docking station 10 is deployed, the valve 29 is in a compressed form and is introduced into the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. The valve 29 is expanded in the docking station, such that the valve 29 engages the valve seat 18. In the example illustrated by FIG. 22, the docking station 10 is longer than the valve. However, in one embodiment, the docking station 10 may be the same length or shorter than the length of the valve 10.
The valve 29 may be delivered to the site of the docking station via conventional means, such as by balloon or mechanical expansion or by self-expansion. When the valve 29 is expanded, it nests in the valve seat of the docking station 10. In one embodiment, the banded waist is slightly elastic and exerts an elastic force against the valve 29, to help hold the THV in place.
FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate that the docking station 10 can be used to adapt a variety of different sizes of circulatory system anatomies for implantation of a valve 29 having a consistent size. In the example of FIGS. 23A and 23B, the same size docking station 10 is deployed in two different sized vessels 2300, 2302, such as two differently sized pulmonary arteries PA. In the example, the vessel 2300 illustrated by FIG. 23A has a larger effective diameter than the vessel 2302 illustrated by FIG. 23B. (Note that in this patent application the size of the anatomy of the circulatory system is referred to by the term “diameter” or “effective diameter.” The anatomy of the circulatory system is often not circular. The terms “diameter” and “effective diameter” herein refers to the diameter of a circle or disc that could be deformed to fit within the non-circular anatomy.) In the example illustrated by FIGS. 23A and 23B, the sealing portion 410 and the retaining portions 414 conform to contact each vessel 2300, 2302. However, the valve seat 18 remains the same size, even though the sealing portion 410 and the retaining portions 414 are compressed. In this manner, the docking station 10 adapts a wide variety of different anatomical sizes for implantation of a standard or single sized valve. For example, the docking station may conform to vessel diameters of 25 mm and 40 mm, such as 27 mm and 38 mm and provide a constant or substantially constant diameter valve seat of 24 mm to 30 mm, such as 27 mm to 28 mm. However, the valve seat 10 can be adapted for applications where the vessel diameter is larger or smaller than 25 mm to 40 mm and provide valve seats that are larger or smaller than 24 mm to 30 mm.
Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, a band 20 maintains a constant or substantially constant diameter of the valve seat 18, even as the proximal and distal ends of the docking station expand to respective diameters necessary to engage with the inside surface 416. The diameter of the pulmonary artery PA can vary considerably from patient to patient, but the valve seat 18 in the deployed configuration consistently has a diameter that is within an acceptable range for the valve 29.
FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate side profiles of the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 18 when implanted in different sized vessels 2300, 2302 of the circulatory system with a schematically illustrated transcatheter heart valve 29 having the same size installed or deployed in each docking station 10. In this example, the docking station 10 both accommodates vessels 2300, 2302 having a variety of different sizes and acts as an isolator that prevents or substantially prevents radial outward forces of the valve 29 from being transferred to the vessels. The valve seat 18 is not expanded radially outwardly or is not substantially expanded radially outward by the radially outward force of the valve 29 and the anchoring/retaining portions 414 and the sealing portions 410 impart only relatively small radially outward force on the vessels 2300, 2302 (as compared to the radially outward force applied to the valve seat 18 by the valve 29), even when the docking station is deployed in a vessel 2302 having a smaller diameter.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 24 and 25, the stent or frame 712 of the valve 29 expands radially outward or is expanded radially outward to import the high force 710 on the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. This high radially outward force 710 secures the valve 29 to the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. However, since the valve seat 18 is not expanded or is not substantially expanded by the force 710, the force 710 is isolated from the circulatory system, rather than being used to secure the docking station in the circulatory system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 722 of the sealing portions 410 to both the larger vessel 2300 and the smaller vessel is substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve 29 to the valve seat 18. For example, for the smallest vessel to be adapted by the docking station 10 for valve implantation, the radially outward sealing force 722 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve. In one exemplary embodiment, the radially outward force 722 of the sealing portions 410 is selected to provide a seal between the inner surface 416 and the sealing portion 410, but is not sufficient by itself to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system. In one embodiment, the radially outward force 722 is sufficient to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 18 also includes anchoring/retaining portions 414 that apply radially outward forces 720 that are substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve 29 to the valve seat 18. For example, for the smallest vessel to be adapted by the docking station 10 for valve implantation, the radially outward sealing force 720 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve. In one embodiment, the radially outward force 720 of the anchoring/retaining portions 414 is not sufficient by itself to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system. In one embodiment, the radially outward force 720 is sufficient to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system.
In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 frame 1500 is made from an elastic or superelastic material or metal. One such metal is nitinol. When the frame 1500 of the docking station 10 is made from a lattice of metal struts, the body can have the characteristics of a spring. Referring to FIG. 7C, like a spring, when the frame 1500 of the docking station 10 illustrated by FIGS. 24 and 25 is unconstrained and allowed to relax to its largest diameter the frame of the docking station applies little or no radially outward force. As the frame 1500 of the docking station 10 is compressed, like a spring, the radially outward force applied by the docking station increases. As is illustrated by FIG. 7C, in one exemplary embodiment the relationship of the radially outward force of the docking station frame 1500 to the expanded diameter of the docking station is non-linear, though it can also be linear. In the example illustrated by FIG. 7C, the curve 750 illustrates the relationship between the radially outward force exerted by the docking station 10 and the compressed diameter of the docking station. In the region 752, the curve 750 has a low slope. In this region 752 the radially outward force is low and changes only a small amount. In one exemplary embodiment, the region 752 corresponds to a diameter between 25 mm and 40 mm, such as between 27 mm and 38 mm. The radially outward force is small in the region 752, but is not zero. In the region 754, the curve 750 has a higher slope. In this region 754 the radially outward force increases significantly as the docking station is compressed. In one exemplary embodiment, the body of the stent is constructed to be in the low slope region 752 for both a largest vessel 2300 (FIG. 24) accommodated by the docking station 10 and a smallest vessel 2302 (FIG. 25). This allows the sealing portions 710 to apply only a small radially outward force to the inner surface 416 of the circulatory system over a wide range of diameters.
FIGS. 26A-26C illustrate the docking station 10 of FIG. 18 implanted in a pulmonary artery. FIG. 26A illustrates the profile of the docking station 10 implanted in the pulmonary artery PA. FIG. 26B illustrates the profile of the docking station 10 implanted in the pulmonary artery PA with a schematically illustrated valve 29 installed or deployed in the docking station 10. FIG. 26C illustrates the docking station 10 and valve 29 as depicted in FIG. 22 implanted in the pulmonary artery PA. As mentioned with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3D, the shape of the pulmonary artery may vary significantly along its length. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 is configured to conform to the varying shape of the pulmonary artery PA. The docking station 10 is illustrated as being positioned below the pulmonary artery bifurcation or branch. However, often the docking station 10 will be positioned such that the end 14 extends into the pulmonary artery bifurcation 210. When it is contemplated that the docking station 10 will extend into the pulmonary artery bifurcation, the docking station 10 can have a blood permeable portion 1400 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 21).
FIG. 27 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a docking station 10. The docking station 10 includes a frame 2700 and an external sealing portion 410. The frame 2700 or body can take a wide variety of different forms and FIG. 27 illustrates just one of the many possible configurations. In the example illustrated by FIG. 27 the docking station 10 has a relatively wider proximal inflow end 12 and distal outflow end 14, and an elongated relatively narrower portion 2716. The seat 18 and sealing portion 410 can be provided anywhere along the length of the elongated relatively narrow portion 2716. In the example illustrated by FIG. 27, the frame 2700 of the docking station 10 is preferably a stent comprised of a plurality of metal struts 1502 that form cells 1504. The frame 2700 or portion(s) of the frame can optionally be covered by an impermeable material 21 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 18).
FIG. 27 illustrates the frame 2700 and sealing portion 410 in their unconstrained, expanded condition/configuration or deployed configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, the retaining portions 414 comprise ends 1510 of the metal struts 1502 at the proximal and distal ends 12, 14. The sealing portion 410 can be a separate component that is disposed around the frame 2700 between the retaining portions 414. In the unconstrained condition, the retaining portions 414 extend generally radially outward and may be radially outward of the sealing portion 410.
The docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 27 may be made from a very resilient or compliant material to accommodate large variations in the anatomy. For example, the docking station may be made from a highly flexible metal (e.g., the frame in the FIG. 27 example) and cloth and/or an open cell foam (e.g., the sealing portion in the FIG. 27 example). An example of a highly resilient metal is nitinol, but other metals and highly resilient or compliant non-metal materials can be used. An example of an open cell foam that can be used is a biocompatible foam, such as a polyurethane foam (e.g., as may be obtained from Biomerix, Rockville, Md.). In one embodiment, a foam forming the sealing portion may also form a valve seat on its inner surface.
Still referring to FIG. 27, the frame 2700 and/or the separate sealing portion 410 may include an optional a band 20 to form an unexpandable or substantially unexpandable valve seat 18. In another exemplary embodiment, the frame 2700 may be configured to be substantially unexpandable in the area of the valve seat 18 without the use of a band 20. The optional band 20 stiffens the frame 2700 and/or sealing portion and makes the valve seat relatively unexpandable.
The optional band 20 can take a wide variety of different forms, can be made from a wide variety of different materials, and can be the same as or similar to bands discussed elsewhere in this disclosure. The band 20 can be made of PET, one or more sutures, fabric, metal, polymer, a biocompatible tape, or other relatively unexpandable materials known in the art that are sufficient to maintain the shape of the valve seat 18 and hold the valve 29 in place. The band can extend about the exterior of the stent, or can be an integral part of it, such as when fabric or another material is interwoven into or through cells of the stent. The band 20 can be narrow, such as the suture band in FIG. 18, or can be wider as illustrate by the dashed line in FIG. 27. In one non-limiting example, the valve seat 18 is between 27-28 mm in diameter, although the diameter of the valve seat should be within the operating range of the particular valve 29 that will be secured within the valve seat 18, and may be different than the foregoing example.
FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate a modified version of the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 27 that is expandable in length. As mentioned above, the length of the pulmonary artery PA and other anatomical structures of the circulatory system may vary greatly from patient to patient. Referring to FIG. 29, in one exemplary embodiment the length of the docking station 10 is adjustable as indicated by arrow 1100. The length may be adjusted in a wide variety of different ways, e.g., it can be adjustable in any of the ways described elsewhere in this disclosure. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 28 and 29, the docking station 10 includes a first half 1102 and a second half 1104. The second half 1104 can be inserted or “telescoped” into the first half 1102. The amount of insertion or “telescoping” sets the length of the docking station 10.
In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the docking station 10 is adjusted in the pulmonary artery PA by first deploying the first half 1102 of the docking station 10 in the pulmonary artery. For example, the first half 1102 may be positioned and expanded such that a distal end 1106 of the first half is aligned with or extends somewhat past the branch of the pulmonary artery. After the first half 1102 is expanded in the pulmonary artery, the compressed second half 1104 is positioned with a distal end 1110 disposed in the proximal end 1108 of the first half 1102. The position of the second half 1104 is selected such that the sealing portion 410 and retaining portion 414 will make contact with the pulmonary artery and set the position of the docking station 10 in the pulmonary artery. Once properly positioned, the second half 1104 is expanded. The distal end of 1110 of the second half 1104 frictionally engages the proximal end 1108 of the first half to secure the two halves 1102, 1104 together. In one embodiment, a lock(s), locking mechanism, suture(s), interlacing, link(s) and/or other attachment device/mechanism may (also or alternatively) be used to secure the two halves together.
In the examples illustrated by FIGS. 28 and 29, the seat 18 and the sealing portion 410 are included on the first half 1102 of the docking station 10. However, in other embodiments the seat 18 and/or the sealing portion(s) 410 can be included on the second half 1104 or in different locations on the first half and/or the second half.
FIGS. 30 and 31A illustrate the docking station 10 of FIG. 27 of FIGS. 28 and 29 implanted in the circulatory system, such as in the pulmonary artery PA. The sealing portion 410 provides a seal between the docking station 10 and an interior surface 416 of the pulmonary artery PA. In the example of FIGS. 30 and 31A, the sealing portion 410 is an expanding material, such as an expandable open cell foam over the frame 2700. In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing portion 410 coincides or at least overlaps with the valve seat 18. When the sealing portion 410 does not overlap with the valve seat 18, an impermeable material 21 may be provided over a portion of the frame (e.g., from the sealing portion 410 to the valve seat 18 to make the docking station impermeable from the sealing portion 410 to the valve seal 18). Whether the sealing portion 410 overlaps with the valve seat 10 or an impermeable material is provided from the sealing portion 410 to the valve seat 18, all blood flowing in the inflow direction 12 toward the outflow direction 14 is directed to the valve seat 18 (and valve 29 once installed or deployed in the valve seat).
In one exemplary embodiment of a docking station 10, at least the outflow portion 14 of the frame 2700 is relatively open. Referring to FIG. 31A, this allows the docking station 10 to be placed higher in the pulmonary artery without restricting blood flow. For example, the open cells 1504 may extend into the branch or bifurcation of the pulmonary artery and not impede or not significantly impede the flow of blood past the branch. The open cells 1504 allow blood to flow through the frame 1500 as indicated by arrows 3132 in FIG. 31A.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 30 and 31A, the docking station 10 is retained in the pulmonary artery PA by expanding one or more of the retaining portions 414 radially outward into an area 210, 212 of the pulmonary artery PA where the inside surface 416 also extends outward. For example, the retaining portions 414 may be configured to extend radially outward into the pulmonary bifurcation 210 and/or the opening 212 of the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle RV. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 can be an adjustable docking station. For example, docking station 10 can be a telescoping docking station as illustrated by FIG. 28 and the first portion 1102 is deployed such that the retaining portions 414 extend radially outward into the pulmonary bifurcation 210). The second portion 1104 can then be positioned in the first portion 1102 such that its retaining portions 414 coincide with the opening of the pulmonary artery or another outwardly extending area of the pulmonary artery. Once in position, the second portion 1104 can be expanded to secure the second section 1104 to the first section 1102 and to secure the second section to the pulmonary artery at the opening 212 or other outwardly extending area.
Referring to FIG. 31B, the valve seat 18 provides a supporting surface for installing or deploying a valve 29 in the docking station 10. The valve may be installed or deployed in the valve seat using the steps disclosed here or elsewhere in this disclosure. The anchoring/retaining portions 414 retain the docking station 10 at the implantation or deployed site/position in the circulatory system. After the docking station 10 is deployed, the valve 29 is in a compressed form and can be introduced into the valve seat 18 of the docking station 10. The valve 29 can be expanded in the docking station, such that the valve 29 engages the valve seat 18. The valve 29 can be delivered to the site of the docking station via conventional means, such as by balloon or mechanical expansion or by self-expansion. When the valve 29 is expanded, it nests in the valve seat of the docking station 10.
Referring to FIG. 32A, the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 is deployed in the pulmonary artery PA of a heart H. FIG. 32B illustrates a generically illustrated valve 29 deployed in the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 32A. In FIGS. 32A and 32B, the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 33A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 32B. When the heart is in the systolic phase, the valve 29 opens. Blood flows from the right ventrical RV and through the pulmonary artery PA, docking station 10, and valve 29 as indicated by arrows 3202. FIG. 33B illustrates space 3208 that represents the valve 29 being open when the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 33B does not show the interface between the docking station 10 and the pulmonary artery to simplify the drawing. The cross-hatching in FIG. 33B illustrates blood flow through the open valve. In an exemplary embodiment, blood is prevented from flowing between the pulmonary artery PA and the docking station 10 by the seal 410 and blood is prevented from flowing between the docking station 10 and the valve 29 by seating of the valve 29 in the seat 18 of the docking station 10. In this example, blood is substantially only or only able to flow through the valve 29 when the heart is in the systolic phase.
FIG. 34 illustrates the valve 29, docking station 10 and heart H illustrated by FIG. 32B, when the heart is in the diastolic phase. Referring to FIG. 34, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 closes. FIG. 35A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 34. Blood flow in the pulmonary artery PA above the valve 29 (i.e. in the pulmonary branch 210) is blocked by the valve 29 being closed and blocking blood flow as indicated by arrow 3400. The solid area 3512 in FIG. 35B represents the valve 29 being closed when the heart is in the diastolic phase.
Referring to FIG. 33A, the radially outward force 720 of the anchoring/retaining portions 414 to the inside surface 416 is substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve 29 to the valve seat 18. For example, the radially outward sealing force 720 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve.
Referring to FIGS. 33A and 35A, in one exemplary embodiment the radially outward force 720 of the retaining portions 414 is not sufficient by itself to retain the position of the valve 29 and docking station 10 in the circulatory system. Rather, the pressure of the blood 3208 is used to enhance the retention of the retaining portions 414 to the inside surface 416. Referring again to FIG. 33A, when the heart is in the systolic phase, the valve 29 is open and blood flows through the valve as indicated by arrows 3202. Since the valve 29 is open and blood flows through the valve 29, the pressure P applied to the docking station 10 and valve 29 by the blood is low as indicated by the small P and arrow in FIG. 33A. Even though small, the pressure P forces the docking station and its upper retaining portions 414 against the surface 416 generally in the direction indicated by arrow F (the small F represents a relatively low force). This blood flow assisted force F applied by the retaining portions F to the surface 416 prevents the docking station 10 and valve 29 from moving in the direction 3302 of blood flow in the systolic phase of the heart H.
Referring to FIG. 35A, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 is closed and blood flow is blocked as indicated by arrow 3400. Since the valve 29 is closed and the valve 29 and docking station 10 block the flow of blood, the pressure P applied to the docking station 10 and valve 29 by the blood is high as indicated by the large arrow P in FIG. 35A. This large pressure P forces the lower retaining portions 414 against the surface 416 generally in the direction indicated by the large arrows F (the large F represents a relatively larger force). This blood flow assisted force F applied by the retaining portions F to the surface 416 prevents the docking station 10 and valve 29 from moving in the direction indicated by arrow 3400.
Referring to FIGS. 33A and 35A, since the force applied by the upper and lower retaining portions 414 is determined by amount of pressure applied to the valve 29 and docking station 10 by the blood, the force applied to the surface 416 is automatically proportioned. That is, the upper retaining portions are less forcefully pressed against the surface 416 when the heart is in the systolic phase than the lower retaining portions are pressed against the surface 416 when the heart is in the diastolic phase. This is because the pressure against the open valve 29 and docking station 10 in the systolic phase is less than the pressure against the closed valve and docking station in the diastolic phase.
Methods of treating a patient (e.g., methods of treating heart valve dysfunction/regurgitation/etc.) may include a variety of steps, including steps associated with introducing and deploying a docking station in a desired location/treatment area and introducing and deploying a valve in the docking station. For example, FIG. 36A illustrates the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 being deployed by a catheter 3600. The docking station 10 can be positioned and deployed in a wide variety of different ways. Access can be gained through the femoral vein or access can be percutaneous. Generally, any vascular path that leads to the pulmonary artery may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, a guidewire followed by a catheter 3600 is advanced to the pulmonary artery PA by way of the femoral vein, inferior vena cava, tricuspid valve and right ventrical RV. The docking station 10 can be placed in the right ventricular outflow tract/pulmonary artery PA to create an artificial conduit and landing zone for a valve (e.g., a transcatheter heart valve) 29.
Referring to FIG. 36B, the docking station illustrated by FIG. 18 is deployed in the pulmonary artery (PA) of a heart H. FIG. 36C illustrates a valve 29 deployed in the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 32A. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 36C, 37A, 38, 39A, and 39B, the valve 29 is depicted as a SAPIEN 3 THV provided by Edwards Lifesciences; however, a variety of other valves may also be used. In FIGS. 36A-36C, the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 37A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 36C. When the heart is in the systolic phase, the valve (e.g., Sapien 3 valve) is open. Blood flows from the right ventrical RV and through the pulmonary artery PA, docking station 10, and valve as indicated by arrows 3202. FIG. 37B illustrates space 3208 that represents the valve being open when the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 37B does not show the interface between the docking station 10 and the pulmonary artery to simplify the drawing. The cross-hatching in FIG. 37B illustrates blood flow through the valve. In an exemplary embodiment, blood is prevented from flowing between the pulmonary artery PA and the docking station 10 by the seal 410 and blood is prevented from flowing between the docking station 10 and the valve by seating of the valve in the seat 18 of the docking station 10. In this example, blood is substantially only or only able to flow through the valve when the heart is in the systolic phase.
FIG. 38 illustrates the valve 29, docking station 10 and heart H illustrated by FIG. 36C, when the heart is in the diastolic phase. Referring to FIG. 38, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 closes. FIG. 39A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve (e.g., Sapien 3 valve) in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 38. Blood flow in the pulmonary artery PA above the valve 29 (i.e. in the pulmonary branch 210) is blocked by the valve 29 being closed and blocking blood flow as indicated by arrow 3400. The solid area 3512 in FIG. 39B represents the valve 29 being closed when the heart is in the diastolic phase.
Referring to FIG. 39A, the radially outward force 720 of the anchoring/retaining portions 414 to the inside surface 416 is substantially smaller than the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve (e.g., Sapien 3 valve) to the valve seat 18. For example, the radially outward sealing force 720 can be less than ½ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅓ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ¼ the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve, less than ⅛, or even less than 1/10 the radially outward force 710 applied by the valve. The 29 mm size Sapien 3 valve typically applies radially outward force 710 of about 42 Newtons. In one embodiment, the radially outward force of deployed docking stations described herein or one or more portions of a deployed docking stations can be between about 4 to 16 Newtons, though other forces are also possible.
FIG. 40A illustrates the docking station illustrated by FIG. 27 or 28 being deployed by a catheter 3600. Referring to FIG. 40B, the docking station illustrated by FIG. 27 or 28 is deployed in the pulmonary artery PA of a heart H. FIG. 40C illustrates a valve 29 deployed in the docking station 10 illustrated by FIG. 40A. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 36C, 37A, 38, 39A, and 39B, the valve 29 is a SAPIEN 3 THV provided by Edwards Lifesciences, though a variety of different valves may be used. In FIGS. 40A-40C, the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 41A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 40C. When the heart is in the systolic phase, blood flows from the right ventrical RV and through the pulmonary artery PA, docking station 10, and valve 29 as indicated by arrows 3202. FIG. 41B illustrates space 3208 that represents the valve 29 being open when the heart is in the systolic phase. FIG. 41B does not show the interface between the docking station 10 and the pulmonary artery to simplify the drawing. The cross-hatching in FIG. 41B illustrates blood flow through the valve 29. In an exemplary embodiment, blood is prevented from flowing between the pulmonary artery PA and the docking station 10 by the seal 410 and blood is prevented from flowing between the docking station 10 and the valve 29 by seating of the valve in the seat 18 of the docking station 10. In this example, blood is substantially only or only able to flow through the valve when the heart is in the systolic phase.
FIG. 42 illustrates the valve 29, docking station 10 and heart H illustrated by FIG. 40C, when the heart is in the diastolic phase. Referring to FIG. 42, when the heart is in the diastolic phase, the valve 29 closes. FIG. 43A is an enlarged representation of the docking station 10 and valve 29 in the pulmonary artery 29 of FIG. 42. Blood flow in the pulmonary artery PA above the valve 29 (i.e. in the pulmonary branch 210) is blocked by the valve 29 being closed and blocking blood flow as indicated by arrow 3400. The solid area 3512 in FIG. 43B represents the valve 29 being closed when the heart is in the diastolic phase.
Referring to FIG. 43A, the docking station 10 is retained in the pulmonary artery PA by expanding one or more of the retaining/anchoring portions 414 radially outward into an area 210, 212 of the pulmonary artery PA where the inside surface 416 also extends outward. For example, the retaining portions 414 may be configured to extend radially outward into the pulmonary bifurcation 210 and/or the opening 212 of the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle RV. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station 10 can be an adjustable and/or multiple component docking station. For example, docking station 10 can be a telescoping docking station as illustrated by FIG. 28 and the first portion 1102 can be deployed such that the retaining portions 414 extend radially outward into the pulmonary bifurcation 210 and the second portion 1104 can be positioned in the first portion 1102 such that its retaining portions 414 coincide with the opening 212 of the pulmonary artery. The extension of the retaining portions 414 into the areas 210, 212 set the position of the docking station 10 in the pulmonary artery PA and help prevent the pressure P shown in FIG. 43A from moving the docking station.
The valve 29 used with the docking station 10 can take a wide variety of different forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the valve 29 is configured to be implanted via a catheter in the heart H. For example, the valve 29 may be expandable and collapsible to facilitate transcatheter application in a heart. However, in other embodiments, the valve 29 may be configured for surgical application. Similarly, the docking stations described herein may be placed using transcatheter application/placement or surgical application/placement.
FIGS. 44-48 illustrate a few examples of the many valves or valve configurations that can be used. Any valve type may be used and some valves that are traditionally applied surgically may be modified for transcatheter implantation. FIG. 44 illustrates an expandable valve 29 for transcatheter implantation that is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,825, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An example of a tri-leaflet valve is shown and described in Published Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. WO 2000/42950, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another example of a tri-leaflet valve is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,281, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another example of a tri-leaflet valve is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,418, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIGS. 45-47 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an expandable tri-leaflet valve 29, such as the Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve. Referring to FIG. 45, in one exemplary embodiment the valve 29 comprises a frame 712 that contains a tri-leaflet valve 4500 (See FIG. 46) compressed inside the frame 712. FIG. 46 illustrates the frame 712 expanded and the valve 29 in an open condition. FIG. 47 illustrates the frame 712 expanded and the valve 29 in a closed condition. FIGS. 48A, 48B, and 48C illustrate an example of an expandable valve 29 that is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,782, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An example of a valve is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,728, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another example of a valve is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,629, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another example of a valve is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,099, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Any of these or other valves may be used as valve 29 in the various embodiments disclosed herein.
FIGS. 49A, 49B and 50A-50D illustrate a distal portion of an exemplary embodiment of a catheter 3600 for delivering and deploying the docking station 10. The catheter 3600 can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated example, the catheter 3600 includes an outer tube/sleeve 4910, an inner tube/sleeve 4912, a docking station connector 4914 that is connected to the inner tube 4912, and an elongated nosecone 28 that is connected to the docking station connector 4914 by a connecting tube 4916.
The docking station 10 can be disposed in the outer tube/sleeve 4910 (See FIG. 49B). Elongated legs 5000 can connect the docking station 10 to the docking station connector 4914 (See FIG. 49B). The elongated legs 5000 can be retaining portions that are longer than the remainder of the retaining portions 414. The catheter 3600 can be routed over a guidewire 5002 to position the docking station 10 at the delivery site.
Referring to FIGS. 50A-50D, the outer tube 4910 is progressively retracted with respect to inner tube 4912, the docking station connector 4914, and the elongated nosecone 28 to deploy the docking station 10. In FIG. 50A, the docking station 10 begins to expand from the outer tube 4910. In FIG. 50B, a distal end 14 of the docking station 10 expands from the outer tube 4910. In FIG. 50C, the docking station 10 is expanded out of the outer tube, except the elongated legs 5000 remain retained by the docking station connector 4914 in the outer tube 4910. In FIG. 50D, docking station connector 4914 extends from the outer tube 4910 to release the legs 5000, thereby fully deploying the docking station. During deployment of a docking station in the circulatory system, similar steps may be used and the docking station may be deployed in a similar way.
FIGS. 51 and 54 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the nosecone 28. In one exemplary embodiment, the nosecone 28 is an elongated flexible tip or distal end 5110 on a catheter used to assist feeding the catheter 3600 into the heart. In the illustrated examples, nosecone 28 is a long, gradually-tapering cone, with the narrow, distal end of the cone being relatively flexible. In one non-limiting embodiment, a nosecone has a length of 1.5 inches, with an inner lumen 5200 of the nosecone 28 having an inner diameter of 0.04 inches to accommodate the guidewire 5002. In one embodiment, as the diameter of the nosecone 100 increases from the narrow distal end to the wider proximal end, the cone becomes gradually more stiff. This may be due to the increase in thickness and/or the nosecone may be constructed from different materials having different durometers. Optionally, the stiffness of the nose cone at the point it connects with the outer tube 4910 may be approximately the same as the stiffness of the outer tube 4910, in order to prevent a sudden change in stiffness. In the examples illustrated by FIGS. 51 and 54, the elongated distal ends 5110 of the nosecone 28 are the same. In one embodiment, the taper of the nosecone 28 extends the full length or only a portion of the length of the nosecone 28 from end to end. To form the taper an outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can increase in a distal to proximal direction. The taper can take a variety of shapes and the outer surface of the taper can be at a variety of angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nosecone 28.
In one exemplary embodiment, a longer distal end 5110 of the nosecone 28 assists in navigating around a bend or curve in the patient's vasculature. Because of the increased length of the nosecone 28 more of the tip gets around the bend, and creates a “follow-the-leader” effect with the remainder of the nose cone.
In the example illustrated by FIG. 51, the base or proximal end 5112 of the nosecone 28 has a proximal angled portion 5308 adjacent to a shelf 5310. The proximal angled portion does not catch on the docking station 10 that has been implanted in the heart, when the delivery catheter is retrieved. Thus, the proximal base portion 5112 allows for easier removal of the delivery system. Referring to FIG. 53, as the angled portion 5308 (or “ramp”) of the base portion 5112 is retracted into the outer tube 4910, the ramp 5308 enters the delivery catheter first, followed by the shelf 5310. When the nose cone 28 engages with the outer sleeve/tube 4910, the inner diameter of the outer sleeve rides up the ramp 5308, and then rests on the shelf 5310 (which can be flat or substantially flat, e.g., 180° or 180°±5° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nosecone 28). The inner diameter of the outer sleeve/tube 4910 can be slightly less than the diameter of the shelf 5310, to ensure a snug fit.
In one non-limiting example, the shelf 5310 of the nosecone 28 fits snugly into a lumen or outer lumen of the catheter assembly 3600 which, in one non-limiting example, can have a diameter of approximately 0.2 inches or between 0.1 inches and 0.4 inches. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the largest portion of the nosecone 28 can be 0.27 inches or between 0.2 inches and 0.4 inches, with a diameter at the distal tip of the nosecone of 0.069 inches or between 0.03 inches and 0.1 inches. Again, these dimensions are for illustrative purposes only. For example, the outer diameter or largest outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be larger than the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910 (e.g., slightly larger as illustrated), the outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910, or the outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be smaller (e.g., slightly smaller) than the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910.
In the example illustrated by FIG. 54, the entire base or proximal end/portion 5112 of the nosecone 28 is angled. The continuously angled proximal end 5112 does not catch on the docking station 10 that has been implanted in the heart, when the delivery catheter is retrieved. Thus, the base portion 5112 allows for easier removal of the delivery system. Referring to FIG. 55, the outer tube 4910 may include a chamfer 5500 to accept and mate with the continuously angled proximal end 5112.
In one non-limiting example, the continuously angled proximal end 5112 of the nosecone 28 fits snugly into the outer tube/sleeve 4910 (which can optionally be chamfered) of the catheter assembly 3600. The outer diameter or largest outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be larger (e.g., slightly larger) than the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910, the outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910 as illustrated, or the outer diameter of the nosecone 28 can be smaller (e.g., slightly smaller) than the outer diameter of the outer tube 4910.
The docking station 10 can be coupled to the catheter assembly, or a docking station connector 4914 of the catheter assembly, in a wide variety of different ways. For example, the docking station 10 could be coupled with the catheter assembly with a lock(s), locking mechanism, suture(s) (e.g., one or more sutures releasably attached, tied, or woven through one or more portion of the docking station), interlocking device(s), a combination of these, or other attachment mechanisms. Some of these coupling or attachment mechanisms may be configured to allow for the docking station to be retracted back into the catheter assembly without causing the docking station to catch on edges of the catheter assembly, e.g., by constraining the proximal end of the docking station to a smaller profile or collapsed configuration, to allow for adjustment, removal, replacement, etc. of the docking station. FIGS. 56, 57, 57A, and 57B illustrate one non-limiting example of how docking station 10 may be coupled to the docking station connector 4914. As is illustrated by FIGS. 50A-50D, when the docking station 10 is pushed out of the outer tube, it self-expands in one exemplary embodiment. One approach to controlling expansion of the docking station 10 is to anchor at least one end, such as the proximal end 12, of the stent to the docking station connector 4914. This approach allows a distal end 14 of the stent to expand first, without the proximal end expanding (See FIG. 50B). Then when the stent is moved relatively forward with respect to the outer tube 4910, the proximal end 12 disengages from the docking station connector 4914, and the proximal end 12 of the docking station is permitted to expand (See FIG. 50D).
One way of accomplishing this approach is to include one or more extensions 5000 on at least the proximal end of the stent 12. In the illustrated examples, two extensions are included. However, any number of extensions 5000, such as two, three, four, etc. can be included. The extensions 5000 can take a wide variety of different forms. The extensions 5000 can engage with the docking station connector 4914 within the outer tube 4910. In one exemplary embodiment, the docking station connector 4914 may engage an inner face 5600 of the extensions 5000. In one exemplary embodiment, other than possible engagement of an inner face 5600 (See FIG. 57A) of the extensions 5000 with the docking station connector 4914, the extensions 5000 and docking station connector 4914 are configured to limit the retaining engagement therebetween to two points when the distal portion of the catheter assembly and/or docking station are in a straight or substantially straight configuration, but these could similarly be configured to limit the retaining engagement another number of points, e.g., three to six points. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner face 5600 of the extensions 5000 do not contact with the docking station connector 4914 when the distal portion of the catheter assembly and/or the docking station is in a straight or substantially straight configuration, due to the radially outward biasing force of the compressed extensions. In this embodiment, the inner face 5600 of the extensions 5000 could contact the docking station connector 4914 due to bending of the catheter assembly 3600 and/or the docking station. The extensions 5000 may include heads 5636 with sides 5640 that extend away from a straight portion 5638 at an angle β (See FIG. 57A), such as between 30 and 60 degrees. Such heads 5636 may be generally triangular as illustrated or the angularly extending sides 5640 may be connected together by another shape, such as a rounded shape, a rectangular shape, pyramidal shape, or another shape. That is, the heads 5636 may function in the same manner as the illustrated triangular head, without being triangular.
The delivery catheter 3600 constantly bends and curves as it moved through the vasculature of the patient's body. A head 5636 that transitions directly from an straight portion 5638 of the extension 5000 to a T-shape, curved T-shaped, circular or spherical shape will generally have more than two point retaining contact with its holder (other than possible engagement of an inner face 5600 (See FIG. 17A) of the extension 5000 with the docking station connector 4914). Referring to FIGS. 57A and 57B, a head 5636 with sides 5640 that extend away from one another at an angle β, such as a triangular head, results in the head 5636 only touching the docking station connector 4914 at two points 5702, 5704. In the example illustrated by FIG. 57A, the two points are corners formed by a T-shaped recess 5710. As shown in FIG. 57B, the extension 5000 can tilt as the catheter 3600 and docking station 10 moves through the body during delivery. In one exemplary embodiment, this tilting can also result in only two point contact between the extension 5000 and the docking station connector 4914 as illustrated by FIG. 57B (other than possible engagement of an inner face 5600 (See FIG. 17A) of the extension 5000 with the docking station connector 4914). As such, the extension 5000 can tilt during delivery, increasing the flexibility of the catheter 3600 in the area of the docking station 10, while the two point contact prevents binding between the extension 5000 and the connector 4914.
Referring to FIGS. 56, 57, 57A, and 57B, the heads 5636 fit into the T-shaped recesses 5710 in a holder to holds the proximal end 12 of the docking station while the distal end self-expands within the body. The docking station connector 4914 remains in the delivery catheter until moved relatively out of the catheter (i.e. by retracting the outer tube/sleeve 4910 or by advancing the connector 4914, See FIG. 50D). Referring to FIG. 56, the outer tube/sleeve 4910 of the catheter 3600 can be closely disposed over the connector 4914, such that the heads 5636 are captured in the recesses 5710, between the outer tube/sleeve 4910 and the body of the connector 4914. This capturing in the recesses 5710 holds the end of the docking station 10 as the docking station expands. In this manner, delivery of the docking station 10 is controlled.
Referring back to FIG. 50D, at the end of the expansion of the docking station 10—when the distal end of the stent has already expanded—the connector 4914 is moved relatively out of the outer sleeve. The heads 5636 are then free to move radially outward and disengage with the respective recesses 5710 (see FIG. 56).
In one embodiment, all of the extensions 5000 are the same length. As the connector is moved relatively out of the outer tube/sleeve 4910, the recesses 5710 are simultaneously relatively moved out of the outer sleeve 4910. Since the extensions 5000 are all the same length, the recesses 5710 with the heads 5636 will all emerge from the delivery outer sleeve 4910 at the same time. Consequently, the heads 5636 of the docking station will move radially outward and release all at once.
In an alternative embodiment, the docking station 10 is provided with extensions 5000 having heads 5636, but at least some of the extensions 5000 are longer than others. That way, as the connector 4914 is gradually moved relatively out of the outer sleeve 4910, the shortest extensions 5000 are released first from their respective recess(es) 5710. Then, as the connector 4914 is moved relatively further out of the outer sleeve 4910, the longer of the extensions 5000 are released from the respective recess(es) 5710. As is described above, in one exemplary embodiment the docking station 10 can be deployed with a catheter/catheter assembly 3600. The catheter/catheter assembly 3600 is advanced in the circulatory system to a delivery site or treatment area. Once at the delivery site, the docking station 10 is deployed by moving an outer sleeve or tube 4910 relative to an inner sleeve or tube 4912 and attached connector 4914 and docking station 10 (See FIGS. 50A-50D). The outer sleeve 4910 can be moved relative to the inner sleeve 4912 in a wide variety of different ways. FIGS. 58-61 and 62-73 illustrate examples of tools or handles 5800, 6200 that can be used for moving a catheter 3600 in the circulatory system and relatively moving an outer sleeve 4910 relative to an inner sleeve 4912 of the catheter 3600, e.g., to deploy/place a docking station.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 58-61, the handle 5800 includes a housing 5810, a drive member 5812, and a driven shaft 5814. In the illustrated example, rotation of the drive member 5812 as indicated by arrow 5816 relative to the housing 5810 moves the driven shaft 5814 linearly as indicated by arrow 5818. Referring to FIG. 60, the inner sleeve 4912 is fixedly connected to the housing 5810 as indicated by arrow 6000 and the outer sleeve 4910 is fixedly connected to the driven shaft 5814 as indicted by arrow 6002. As such, rotating the drive member 5812 in a first direction retracts the outer sleeve 4910 relative to the inner sleeve 4912 and rotating the drive member 5812 in the opposite direction advances the outer sleeve 4910 relative to the inner sleeve 4912.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 58-61, the housing 5810 includes an annular recess 5820. The drive member 5812 includes an annular projection 5822. The annular projection 5822 fits within the annular recess to rotatably couple the drive member 5812 to the housing 5810. The drive member 5812 includes an engagement portion 5830 that extends from the housing to allow a user to rotate the drive member 5812 relative to the housing 5810.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 58-61, the housing 5810 includes a linear recess 5840 or groove (See FIG. 59). The driven shaft 5814 includes a linear projection 5842. The linear projection 5842 fits within the linear recess 5840 to slideably couple the driven shaft 5814 to the housing 5810.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 58-61, the drive member 5812 includes internal threads 5850. The driven shaft 5814 includes an externally threaded portion 5852. The externally threaded portion 5852 mates with the internal threads 5850 to operationally couple the drive member 5812 to the driven shaft 5814. That is, when the drive member 5812 is rotated relative to the housing 5810 as indicated by arrow 5816, the driven shaft 5814 is prevented from rotating due to the linear projection 5842 that fits within the linear recess 5840. As such, rotation of the drive member 5812 in the housing 5810 causes the driven shaft 5814 to linearly slide 5818 along the linear recess 5840 due to the engagement of the externally threaded portion 5852 mates with the internal threads 5850. Since the outer shaft/tube 4910 is connected to the driven shaft 5814 and the inner shaft/tube 4912 is connected to the housing 5810, the outer shaft/tube 4910 is advanced and retracted relative to the inner shaft/tube 4912 by rotation of the drive member 5812.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 58-61, the outer shaft/tube 4910 is fixedly connected in a recess 5850 in the driven shaft 5814 and an optional seal 5852 is provided between the outer shaft/tube 4910 and the inner shaft/tube 4912 and/or between the outer shaft/tube 4910 and the driven shaft 5814. A luer port 5862 is fixedly connected to the housing 5810, e.g., a proximal end of the housing 5810 as shown. The inner shaft/tube 4912 is fixedly connected in a recess 5860 in the luer port 5862. The luer port 5862 is configured to accept a guide wire 5002 (See FIG. 49) that extends through the inner shaft/tube 4912.
In the example illustrated by FIG. 62-67, the handle 6200 includes a housing 6210, a drive wheel 6212, and a driven member 6214. In the illustrated example, rotation of the drive wheel 6212 as indicated by arrow 6216 relative to the housing 6210 moves the driven member 6214 linearly as indicated by arrow 6218 (compare the position of the driven member 6214 in FIGS. 64A and 64B). Referring to FIG. 62, the inner sleeve/tube 4912 is fixedly connected to the housing 6210 and the outer sleeve/tube 4910 is fixedly connected to the driven member 6214. As such, rotating the drive wheel 6212 in a first direction retracts the outer sleeve 4910 relative to the inner sleeve 4910 and rotating the drive wheel 6212 in the opposite direction advances the outer sleeve/tube 4910 relative to the inner sleeve/tube 4912. Although, in the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 58-73, the inner sleeve/tube 4912 is shown and described as being connected unmovably relative to the handle or a proximal end of the handle while the outer sleeve/tube 4910 is movable relative to the handle or a proximal end of the handle, in one embodiment using similar concepts, the inner sleeve/tube 4912 could be moveable relative to the handle or a proximal end of the handle while the outer sleeve/tube 4910 is connected unmovably relative to the handle or a proximal end of the handle, or both the inner sleeve/tube 4912 and outer sleeve/tube 4910 may be configured to be movable relative to each other and relative to the handle or proximal end of the handle.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 62-67, the housing rotatably accepts an axle 6822 of the drive wheel 6212 to rotatably couple the drive wheel to the housing 6210. The drive wheel 6212 includes an engagement portion 6230 that extends from the housing 6210 to allow a user to rotate the drive wheel 6212 relative to the housing 6210.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 62-67, the housing 6210 includes a linear projection 6240 (See FIG. 66). The driven member 6214 includes a linear groove 6242 (See FIGS. 62, 66) that the projection 6240 fits within to slideably couple the driven member 6214 to the housing 6210.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 62-67, the drive member 6212 includes a pinion gear 6250. The driven member 6214 includes a gear rack portion 6252. The pinion gear 6250 meshes with the gear rack portion 6252 to operationally couple the drive wheel 6212 to the driven member 6214. That is, when the drive wheel 6212 is rotated relative to the housing 6210 as indicated by arrow 6216, the driven member 6214 slides relative to the housing 6210 due to the linear projection 6240 that fits within the linear recess 6242. As such, rotation of the drive member 6212 relative to the housing 6210 causes the pinion gear 6250 to drive the gear rack portion 6252 to cause the driven member 6214 to linearly slide 6218 relative to the housing 6210. Since the outer shaft/tube 4910 is connected to the driven member 6214 and the inner shaft/tube 4912 is connected to the housing 5810, the outer shaft/tube 4910 is advanced and retracted relative to the inner shaft/tube 4912 by rotation of the drive wheel 6212.
In the example illustrated by FIGS. 62-67, the outer shaft/tube 4910 is fixedly connected in a support portion 6250 that extends from the gear rack portion 6252 of the driven member 6214 and an optional seal (not shown) is provided between the outer shaft/tube 4910 and the inner shaft/tube 4912 and/or between the outer shaft/tube 4910 and the driven member 6214. A luer port 5862 is fixedly connected to the housing 6210, e.g., at a proximal end of the housing 6210. The inner shaft/tube 4912 is fixedly connected in a recess 5860 in the luer port 5862. The luer port 5862 is configured to accept a guide wire 5002 (See FIG. 49) that extends through the inner shaft/tube 4912.
Referring to FIG. 63, in one exemplary embodiment, the catheter 3600 may be flushed by applying a fluid to the inner tube 4912, such as to the inner tube via the luer port 5862. As is described above, the delivery catheter 3600 includes an outer lumen formed within an outer tube/sleeve 4910 and an inner lumen formed within an inner tube/sleeve 4912, and the inner lumen and inner tube 4912 are longitudinally co-axial with the outer lumen and outer tube 4910. An annular lumen/gap/space 6348 in between the inner tube 4912 and outer tube 4910 that may result from, for example, the need to provide space for a crimped stent to travel through the catheter 3600. This gap/space 6348 can initially be filled with air, which can be subsequently expelled and replaced with a liquid, e.g., a saline solution. Flushing in this way can be done with the various handle embodiments shown in FIGS. 58-73.
In one exemplary embodiment, a fluid such as saline or another suitable fluid, flows from the luer port 5862 and through the inner lumen of inner tube 4912 as indicated by arrow 6360. In this embodiment, the inner tube 4912 is provided with one or more flushing apertures 6354. The fluid flows through the inside of the inner tube 4912, out the apertures 6354 as indicated by arrows 6370 and into the gap/space 6348.
As the gap/space 6348 fills with fluid, air is pushed out of the delivery catheter through the distal end of the outer tube 4910. In one exemplary embodiment, the nosecone 28 is disengaged from the distal end of the outer tube 4910 to allow the air to flow out of the outer tube and out of the catheter 3600. Fluid also flows through the inner lumen of the inner tube 4912 to push air out of the inner lumen. In one exemplary embodiment, the air is forced out of the inner lumen through the opening 6390 in the end of the nosecone 28 (See FIGS. 49A and 49B). This flushing procedure is performed before the delivery catheter 3600 is introduced into the body. The device and method of this approach saves space as compared to, for example, providing a side port on the outer tube 4910 for introducing a flushing fluid into the delivery catheter assembly or gap/space 6348.
Referring to FIGS. 68-73, in one exemplary embodiment, the handle 6200 illustrated by FIGS. 62-67 can be provided with a ratchet mechanism 6800. The ratchet mechanism 6800 can take a wide variety of different forms and can be used with the handle 6200 in a variety of different ways. In one exemplary embodiment, the ratchet mechanism 6800 is used during a “recapture” of the docking station 10 to pull it back into the delivery catheter 3600. The force required to recapture the docking station can be significant. As such, the ratchet mechanism 6800 can be configured such that, when the ratchet mechanism is engaged (FIGS. 68-71), the drive wheel 6212 can only be rotated in the direction that draws the docking station 10 back into the outer tube/sleeve 4910. That is, the spring force of the docking station 10 is prevented from pulling the docking station back out of the outer tube by the ratchet mechanism 6800. The operator can recapture the docking station 10 sequentially, without the docking station slipping back if the operator lets go of the drive wheel 6212, for instance.
Referring to FIGS. 68-71, one exemplary ratchet system uses projections 6810 with stop surfaces 6812 on one side of the projections and ramp surfaces 6814 on the other side of the projections. FIGS. 68-71 illustrate an engaged condition where a ratchet arm 6892 is positioned to engage with the projections 6810 to permit the wheel drive wheel 6212 to rotate in one direction, and to prevent the drive wheel from turning in the opposite direction. For example, the ratchet arm 6892 may be configured to ride over the ramped surfaces 6814 to allow movement of the drive wheel 6212 in the retracting direction 6850. For example, the ratchet arm 6892 may flex to ride over the inclined ramped surfaces 6814. The stop surfaces 6812 are configured to engage the ratchet arm 6892 and prevent rotation of the drive wheel in the advancing direction 6852. For example, the stop surfaces 6812 may be substantially orthogonal to a side surface 6870 of the drive wheel 6212 to prevent the ratchet arm from moving over the projection 6810.
FIGS. 72 and 73 illustrate the ratchet mechanism 6800 with the ratchet arm 6892 moved out of engagement with the projections 6810. This allows the drive wheel 6212 to be turned in either direction. For example, the ratchet mechanism 6800 may be placed in the disengaged condition to allow the drive wheel 6212 to be turned in either direction as the docking station 10 is being deployed.
In ratchet systems, it is common to place the ratchet teeth on the outer perimeter of the wheel. By putting the teeth on the face of the wheel, the radial diameter of the wheel can be reduced, saving space. It also allows the outer perimeter of the wheel to be used as a grip for the thumb rather than, for example, having a second wheel for gripping that is in engagement with a first wheel. The wheel itself is also allowed to be thinner. The wheel may be made of any suitable material, such as polycarbonate.
Referring to FIG. 71, in one embodiment the ratchet arm 6892 can be bent so that a portion of the arm can rest on a stabilizing bar 194 extending from a housing wall or otherwise located within the housing, to prevent the arm 6892 from twisting as force from movement of the wheel is applied to the arm.
The foregoing primarily describes embodiments of docking stations that are self-expanding. But the docking stations and/or delivery devices shown and described herein can be modified for delivery of balloon-expandable and/or mechanically-expandable docking devices, within the scope of the present disclosure. That is to say, delivering balloon-expandable and/or mechanically-expandable docking stations to an implantation location can be performed percutaneously using modified versions of the delivery devices of the present disclosure. In general terms, this includes providing a transcatheter assembly that can include a delivery sheath and/or additional sheaths as described above. In the case of balloon-expandable docking stations, the devices generally further include a delivery catheter, a balloon catheter, and/or a guide wire. A delivery catheter used in a balloon-expandable type of delivery device can define a lumen within which the balloon catheter is received. The balloon catheter, in turn, defines a lumen within which the guide wire is slideably disposed. Further, the balloon catheter includes a balloon that is fluidly connected to an inflation source. With the docking station mounted on the balloon, the transcatheter assembly is delivered through a percutaneous opening in the patient via the delivery device. Once the docking station is properly positioned, the balloon catheter is operated to inflate the balloon, thus transitioning the docking station to an expanded arrangement.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. All combinations or subcombinations of features of the foregoing exemplary embodiments are contemplated by this application. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
The invention claimed is:
1. An expandable docking station for an expandable valve comprising:
a valve seat that is substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size;
one or more sealing portions connected to the valve seat that are constructed to expand radially outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes; and
one or more retaining portions connected to the one or more sealing portions that are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position;
wherein the valve seat and the one or more sealing portions act as an isolator that reduces or prevents radial outward forces of an expandable valve in the valve seat from being transferred to the one or more sealing portions or the one or more retaining portions.
2. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the range of sizes comprises 27 mm to 38 mm.
3. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein, along a length L of the docking station at multiple different cross-sectional planes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the docking station, the docking station is configured to expand radially outwardly to different cross-sectional sizes.
4. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the docking station is configured such that pressure of blood enhances the retention by the one or more retaining portions by causing the one or more retaining portions to angularly press against surrounding tissue generating a retention force counteracting force caused by the pressure of the blood.
5. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the valve seat comprises a suture.
6. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the sealing portion comprises a portion of a metal frame covered with a fabric.
7. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the sealing portion comprises an open cell foam.
8. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein a portion of the docking station is permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station is impermeable to blood.
9. The expandable docking station of claim 1 wherein the one or more retaining portions extend radially outward of the one or more sealing portions when the docking station is in an unconstrained state.
10. A system comprising:
an expandable docking station that includes:
a valve seat that expands to a deployed size;
one or more sealing portions connected to the valve seat that are constructed to expand radially outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes of expansion; and
an expandable valve that comprises:
an expandable frame that is expandable to engage the valve seat of the docking station;
a valve element connected to the expandable frame;
wherein the expandable docking station and expandable valve are configured such that, when implanted in a portion of a circulatory system, a radial outward force applied by the sealing portions to the portion of the circulatory system when within the range of sizes is less than ½ of a radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the expandable docking station is configured such that, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, the diameter of the valve seat is not increased more than 3 mm by the radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the range of sizes comprises 27 mm to 38 mm.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the expandable docking station is configured to expand radially outwardly when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system such that the expandable docking station had different diameters at multiple different cross-sectional planes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the docking station.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the expandable docking station is configured such that, when implanted in the portion of the circulatory system, pressure of blood on the expandable docking station enhances retention by causing the one or more retaining portions to angularly press against surrounding tissue generating a retention force counteracting force caused by the pressure of the blood.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein a portion of the docking station is permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station is impermeable to blood.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein the one or more retaining portions extend radially outward of the one or more sealing portion when the docking station is in an unconstrained state.
17. A method of implanting an expandable valve in a docking station comprising:
expanding a docking station such that a valve seat of the docking station expands to a valve seat deployed size and a sealing portion expands to a sealing size that is within a range of sealing sizes;
expanding a frame of an expandable valve to engage the valve seat of the docking station; and
wherein a radial outward force applied by the sealing portions over the range of sealing sizes is less than ½ of a radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat after expanding the frame.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein a diameter of the valve seat is not increased more than 2 mm by the radial outward force applied by the expandable frame to the valve seat.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the range of sealing sizes comprises 27 mm to 38 mm.
20. An expandable docking station comprising:
a valve seat that is unexpandable beyond a deployed size;
a sealing portion connected to the valve seat constructed to expand radially outward of the valve seat and provide a seal between the valve seat and surrounding tissue, when implanted, to prevent leakage around the valve; and
retaining portions coupled to the one or more sealing portions that are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position;
wherein the docking station acts as an isolator that reduces or prevents radial outward forces of an expandable valve in the valve seat from being transferred to one or more of the sealing portion and the retaining portions.
21. The expandable docking station of claim 20 wherein the docking station is configured to have a continuously changing cross sectional shape moving from cross-sectional plane to cross-sectional plane along its length.
22. The expandable docking station of claim 20 wherein the retaining portions are angled such that pressure of blood enhances the retention by the retaining portions by causing the retaining portions to angularly press against surrounding tissue to generate a retention force counteracting a force caused by the pressure of the blood.
23. The expandable docking station of claim 20 wherein a portion of the docking station is permeable to blood and a portion of the docking station is impermeable to blood.
24. The expandable docking station of claim 20 further comprising one or more extensions releasably attachable to a docking station retainer of a delivery catheter, wherein each extension of the one or more extensions includes a triangular head disposable in at least one of one or more rectangular retainer recesses of the docking station retainer.
US15/422,354 2016-02-05 2017-02-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve Active 2037-05-12 US10363130B2 (en)
US15/422,354 US10363130B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
CN201780009758.3A CN108601654A (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 For docking valvular device and system
PCT/US2017/016587 WO2017136778A1 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
CA3009844A CA3009844A1 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
MX2018008605A MX2018008605A (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve.
SG11201805418QA SG11201805418QA (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
EP17748310.4A EP3410987A4 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
AU2017214672A AU2017214672B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
CR20180338A CR20180338A (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
JP2018540808A JP6735838B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Heart valve docking device and system
US29/602,274 USD867595S1 (en) 2017-02-01 2017-04-28 Stent
US16/290,628 US20190231521A1 (en) 2016-02-05 2019-03-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
JP2020027120A JP2020078583A (en) 2016-02-05 2020-02-20 Devices and systems for docking heart valve
US29/602,274 Continuation-In-Part USD867595S1 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-04-28 Stent
US16/290,628 Continuation US20190231521A1 (en) 2016-02-05 2019-03-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
US10363130B2 true US10363130B2 (en) 2019-07-30
US15/422,354 Active 2037-05-12 US10363130B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2017-02-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
US16/290,628 Pending US20190231521A1 (en) 2016-02-05 2019-03-01 Devices and systems for docking a heart valve
US (3) US10363130B2 (en)
CR (1) CR20180338A (en)
MX (1) MX2018008605A (en)
SG (1) SG11201805418QA (en)
USD867595S1 (en) 2017-02-01 2019-11-19 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Stent
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Tag: Russell Martin
Let’s talk about The Lady & The Trump…unplugging the TSN live mic…bye-bye Bobby Loooo…the Toronto Star and BS…give that Muppet a Cookie…the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Lucky strike…CFL boos and booze…and other things on my mind
Another Sunday smorgas-bored…and, in a salute to the women’s World Cup, it’s a red card for you and a yellow card for you and a goooooal for all the straight shooters in the past week…
Goooooal! Somehow, the women’s World Cup became a story of The Lady & The Trump last week, and it provided a delightful bit of symbolism, in that Megan Rapinoe has done to Donald Trump what she hopes American voters will do next year—give him the boot.
After being called out by the U.S. president for (apparently) dissing Betsy Ross’ stars-n-stripes needlework, the Team USA co-captain hoofed the only two balls that found the back of the net for the Yankee Doodle Damsels in a 2-1 victory over France on Friday in Paris, sending them forward to a semifinal date with the Lionesses of England.
So there’s your basic difference between Trump and Rapinoe: He puts his foot in his mouth, she let’s her feet do the talking.
Red Card: Donald freaking Trump. What a cad. You’d think that a dustup with Iran, a trade squabble with China, border wall bickering, and a trip to Asia would be enough to occupy the American president’s time, but no. He had to pick a fight with Rapinoe two days before she led her side onto the pitch for the quarterfinal skirmish v. the French. His timing was most peculiar. But, then, Trump is a most peculiar fellow. His Twitter hissy fit stemmed from a months-old clip of Rapinoe saying “I’m not going to the fucking White House” should the Americans win the soccer tournament. Well, why would she want to go? I mean, she has two strikes against her in the Trumpiverse: She’s a she and she’s lesbian. Those aren’t bad things in the real word, but that isn’t where Trump resides.
Goooooal! Rapinoe wasn’t the only U.S. player who refused to back down from the Bully-in-Chief. Ali Krieger, also a lesbian, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her teammate in this tweet: “In regards to the ‘President’s’ tweet today, I know women who you cannot control or grope anger you, but I stand by @mPinoe & will sit this one out as well. I don’t support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable.” Love it.
Yellow Card: TSN has announced plans for 18 live mic games during the Canadian Football League season. This was a good gimmick. Once. It soon became extremely irritating, with gusts up to unlistenable last year. Honestly, I’d rather lend an ear to the squawking of Rod Black, Duane Forde and Glen Suitor. Yup, that’s how bad a live mic game is.
Goooooal! Hayley Wickenheiser and Roberto Luongo. Hayley becomes the seventh female player to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame, and I should say so. She wore the Maple Leaf for 23 years, helping Canada collect four Olympic Games gold medals and seven world titles along the way. Bobby Loooooo, meanwhile, also has world and Olympic championships on his resumé, so he’s earned his day of rest after 20 winters of getting in the way of 95-100 m.p.h. pucks for the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and, of course, his home and native land. He also does boffo work on Twitter.
Red Card: The Toronto Star continues to provide Damien Cox with a soap box for his misguided and illogical spewings. In his latest alphabet fart, served up on Twitter, Cox pooh-poohed two National Hockey League trinkets: “Selkes and Lady Byngs are the biggest bullshit consolation prize awards. They mean squat when it comes to who are the true stars.” Let’s see, the following have won the Selke and/or Lady Byng trophies: Pavel Datsyuk, Anze Kopitar, Patrice Bergeron, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Federov, Ron Francis, Doug Gilmour, Bobby Clarke, Bob Gainey, Johnny Gaudreau, Martin St. Louis, Alexander Mogilny, Joe Sakic, Wayne Gretzky, Paul Kariya, Brett Hull, Mike Bossy, Jari Kurri, Rick Middleton, Butch Goring, Marcel Dionne, Jean Ratelle, Gilbert Perreault, Johnny Bucyk, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Dave Keon, Red Kelly. To the best of my knowledge, not one of those “true stars” declined his “bullshit consolation prize.” So someone is definitely full of BS, and in this case it isn’t the NHL.
Goooooal! The New York Yankees paid tribute to the LGBTQ community with a plaque acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising. It was placed in Monument Park next to markers honoring Jackie Robinson and Nelson Mandela. The baseball club, along with Stonewall Inn co-owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, also awarded five $10,000 college scholarships to graduating high school kids, one from each of New York City’s boroughs. Nice.
Goooooal! The Chicago Cubs recruited good, ol’ Cookie Monster from Sesame Street to warble Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field on Thursday. It’s believed that Cookie is the first Muppet to perform the ritual since Don Cherry.
Goooooal! and a Yellow Card: TSN and Sportsnet will combine to broadcast 19 WNBA games this season (that’s the goooooal!), but where were the two networks when the Canadian Women’s Hockey League was starving for attention (that’s the yellow card)? Televising a game a week might not have saved the CWHL from the dumpster, but I guess we’ll never know, will we.
Red Card: Sportsnet has punted Doug MacLean from its roster of hockey natterbugs. It doesn’t matter that Mac’s one great flaw was describing everything and everyone in the NHL as “unbelievable!” He and Brian Burke were terrific together on Hockey Central at Noon, especially during the Ask the GM segment on Fridays, and I suppose his dismissal means extra servings of the resident meathead, Nick Kypreos, as well as spare parts like Anthony Stewart and Mike Zigomanus. Ugh.
Goooooal! Gotta close this segment on a positive note and, once again, I salute TSN’s soccer panel of Clare Rustad, Kaylyn Kyle and Diana Matheson. Those girls are insightful, instructive, knowledgeable, blunt and playful, and it doesn’t bother me that they discuss cosmetics or hair styles or losing an earring on occasion. Why would that bother anyone? (Having said that, host Kate Beirness needs to turn down the volume. Not everything is worth shouting about.)
Connie Laliberte, Janet Arnott, Cathy Gauthier and Cathy O back in the day.
Such sad news that Janet Arnott has passed away. We’re talking curling royalty, kids. Janet was a seven-time provincial champion (five as lead for her sister, Connie Laliberte, and one each with Jennifer Jones and Cathy O), a world champion, and she coached the Jones team during its gold-medal journey at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. Whenever there’s a discussion about legendary Pebble People from Manitoba, the name Janet Arnott has to be part of the conversation. More important, by all accounts she was a lovely person.
Speaking of legends, and lovely people, a word to the wise: Do not, under any circumstances, ask Winnipeg Blue Bombers play-by-play dude Knuckles Irving about provincial health care. Just don’t.
Lucky Whitehead
Lucky Whitehead showed some serious lickety-split and catch-me-if-you-can escapability in the Bombers 28-21 W over the E-Town Eskimos on Thursday night at Football Follies Field in Fort Garry, and I think we can all agree that Winnipeg FC might have found the big-play dude it lacked in recent seasons. I’m not sure what impressed me the most, though. His two touchdowns or Lucky’s long red locks. The guy has to have the best hair in the CFL. Or any league for that matter.
Richie Hall
The Bombers were out-numbered by a wide margin v. the Eskimos. They were out-run, out-passed, out-kicked, out-possessioned, out-turnovered and out-sacked. But not outscored. And that’s the question I asked back in February, right after GM Kyle Walters convinced Willie Jefferson that he’d look better in blue-and-gold than green-and-white: Who’s going to score on the Bombers? Ya, I realize they allowed E-Town quarterback Trevor Harris to move the Eskimos up and down the field like a halftime marching band, but guess what? The band didn’t score any touchdowns and neither did Harris and Co. You won’t be beaten too often when limiting the opposition to three-pointers, and Richie Hall’s defensive dozen has surrendered 10 field goals against just one touchdown in two matches. Works for me.
Matt Nichols
The Bombers are 2-nada on the season, one of three unbeaten sides, yet the wolves are at the door. QB Matt Nichols? Meh. The defence? Flimsy. The coaching? A notch below meh. Tough crowd. My favorite commentary is this: There’s “room for improvement.” Well, duh. That isn’t exactly penetrating analysis. It’s like telling a bald man there’s room for hair on his head. He knows already.
CFL outfits are struggling to find new customers, and it appears they’re trying to ply them with liquor. To date, the Tranna Argonauts and Bombers have sold suds on the cheap in a bid to put people in the pews, and the Eskimos plan to do the same next month. So those won’t be boos you hear, it’ll be booze. (I’m giving myself a red card for that groaner.)
Did Rod Black really call Hamilton Tabbies quarterback Jeremiah Masoli “the Great 8” on Friday night? Yes. He did. C’mon, Blackie. There’s only one Great 8 and he doesn’t throw footballs in the Hammer. A yellow card for you!
Kirk Penton
Really enjoying Kirk Penton’s scribblings in The Athletic, notably the raw content provided by anonymous CFL coaches and managers. Two samples from Kirk’s most recent offering:
* “When Saskatchewan signed Solomon Elimimian, that GM in BC (Ed Hervey) threw him under the bus. No need to disrespect a player who’s been wearing your colours. Maybe he’s done. Maybe he isn’t. He isn’t playing yet for the Riders, so it’s hard to say. But the tape tells us B.C. doesn’t have a middle linebacker to replace him. They’re not very good on defence as a football team. Not close to what (DeVone) Claybrooks had in Calgary. As coaches, you can’t ask us to make chicken salad out of chicken shit.”
* “I didn’t like how Montreal handled their business, firing (Mike) Sherman before he coached a game. Nothing against Khari (Jones), but I hope Hamilton sticks a boot so far up their asses that a mickey won’t ease their pain.”
Tip of the bonnet to good Canadian boy Russell Martin. The former Tranna Blue Jays catcher took the mound the other night for the Los Angeles Dodgers and retired the Arizona Diamondbacks in order. It’s the second 1-2-3 inning of his career, which is no doubt a record for a position pitcher.
And, finally, oddest headline of the week was served up by Global News, and it had nothing to do with sports: “Cities get hotter during heat waves.” Who knew?
Author pattidawnswanssonPosted on June 30, 2019 September 12, 2019 Categories SportsTags Alex Delvecchio, Alexander Mogilny, Ali Krieger, Anthony Stewart, Anze Kopitar, Arizona Diamondbacks, B.C. Lions, Betsy Ross, Bob Gainey, Bob Irving, Bobby Clarke, Bobby Hull, Brett Hull, Brian Burke, Butch Goring, Calgary Stampeders, Canadian Football League, Cathy Gauthier, Cathy O, Chicago Cubs, Clare Rustad, Connie Laliberte, Cookie Monster, Curling, Damien Cox, Dave Keon, Devone Claybrooks, Diana Matheson, Don Cherry, Donald Trump, Doug Gilmour, Doug MacLean, Duane Forde, Ed Hervey, Edmonton Eskimos, Florida Panthers, Gilbert Perreault, Glen Suitor, Global News, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Hayley Wickenheiser, Hockey Central at Noon, Hockey Hall of Fame, Jackie Robinson, Janet Arnott, Jari Kurri, Jean Ratelle, Jennifer Jones, Jeremiah Masoli, Joe Sakic, Johnny Bucyk, Johnny Gaudreau, Kate Beirness, Kaylyn Kyle, Kirk Penton, Kyle Walters, Lady Byng Trophy, LGBT, Los Angeles Dodgers, Lucky Whitehead, Marcel Dionne, Martin St. Louis, Matt Nichols, Megan Rapinoe, Mike Bossy, Mike Sherman, Mike Zigomanus, Montreal Alouettes, Nelson Mandela, New York Islanders, New York Yankees, Nick Kypreos, Olympic Games, Patrice Bergeron, Paul Kariya, Pavel Datsyuk, Red Kelly, Richie Hall, Rick Middleton, Roberto Luongo, Rod Black, Ron Francis, Russell Martin, Selke Trophy, Sergeir Federov, Sochi, Sportsnet, Stan Mikita, Steve Yzerman, Stonewall Inn, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, The Athletic, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Star, TSN, United States, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Gretzky, White House, Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, women's World Cup, World Cup, Wrigley Field3 Comments on Let’s talk about The Lady & The Trump…unplugging the TSN live mic…bye-bye Bobby Loooo…the Toronto Star and BS…give that Muppet a Cookie…the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Lucky strike…CFL boos and booze…and other things on my mind
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EXCLUSIVE: Dolores Huerta on Backing Karen Bass over Kamala for VP – 1,500 Mathematicians Refuse to Work on Predictive Police – Mexico’s Untold COVID Strikes
Congresswoman Karen Bass (center in blue) surronded by female members of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Photo: Andrew Mangum / San Francisco Chronicle)
By: Mike Elk July 22, 2020
Greetings from the Burgh, where it appears that the Toronto Blue Jays may not, after all, be moving to town to play a shortened season. Hopefully, I can get a refund on all the “Pittsburgh Blue Jays” gear I bought, smh.
EXCLUSIVE: Dolores Huerta on Why She Is Backing Karen Bass for V.P. over Kamala Harris
In the 2020 primary, 90-year old United Farmworkers founder Dolores Huerta backed California Senator Kamala Harris for President. However, Huerta, a political power player in California politics, is now backing California Congresswoman Karen Bass.
“We have to hope and pray that the Vice President will pick her,” Huerta told Payday in an exclusive interview Wednesday.
A Congresswoman from South Central LA, Bass has emerged on Biden’s shortlist for V.P. due in part to her more than 40 years of activism against police brutality.
In the 1992 riots set off following Rodney King’s beating, Bass had a brick thrown through her car window at the epicenter of the riots at Florence and Normandy.
In the wake of the riots Bass, a former physician’s assistant turned founder of the Community Coalition, led a community effort to get authorities to focus on shutting down predatory liquor stores in the neighborhood instead of targeting low-level drug dealers. Her efforts helped create a coalition to bring real community investment — instead of policing — to South Central LA.
“She’s a very humble person, she’s not a self-promoter,” says Huerta, who has known Bass for decades. “She would be very good at the Vice Presidency; she would be able to support what the President is doing rather try to keep the limelight.”
Huerta also believes that Bass could fire up the “Bernie Bros” and “Bernie Sisters,” she says.
“I always think of the Bernie Bros and Bernie Sisters, and [Bass] would bring them to the table and the campaign,” says Huerta, who backed Hillary in 2016 and hopes not to repeat the mistakes of that campaign.
“In the activist world, people that are out there protesting and marching, people who are advocating for change, these are the people that we don’t want to sit out this election because we don’t want a repeat of what happened to Hillary Clinton,” says Huerta. “We need young people; we need their energy, and we need them participating to make sure the Democrats win in November.”
Bass’ work as a community organizer led her to elected office. First, as a state representative in 2008 and eventually as Speaker of the California State House from 2008 to 2010, before being elected to Congress in 2010.
“She’s a builder,” says Huerta. “Community Coalition has created a lot of really powerful leadership. She builds from the bottom up cause she has been a community organizer.”
She adds: “Karen has never been a self-promoter, so probably a lot of people don’t know who she is, but people in my world, the activist world, we know who Karen Bass is.”
Huerta also praised Bass saying for her ability to engage with white communities and help them understand the struggles of communities of color.
“She has always been able to take on controversial issues without making them inflammatory.”
Even some conservatives like George Will and Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy who labeled Bass “his favorite Democrat” because of her ability to get deals done, are fans of her work.
Representative Jim Clyburn, a key backer of Biden’s in South Carolina, also has signaled his support for Bass.
But, Bass has publicly stated on numerous occasions that she wouldn’t run for President, which would help Biden avoid infighting within the Democratic Party in the lead up to the election.
With Biden turning 78 in November, many have speculated about the possibility that he may not run for another term at 82 or that health issues may shorten his first term as President, thus making Biden’s selection for VP, the potential next President.
However, Bass has publicly indicated that she has no desire to run for President and would only serve as Vice President.
A selection of Kamala Harris or Elizabeth Warren, two names on the shortlist, could set off a civil war within the Democratic party.
Many Black Lives Matter activists dislike Harris because of her work as a “tough on crime” prosecutor. At the same time, many corporate Democrats hate Warren because of her enmity toward the financial elite.
The selection of Bass, who has favorable feelings among both establishment Democrats and progressive activists, could help bring the party together in the lead up to the election.
1,500 Mathematicians Refuse to Work on Predictive Policing
In early June, scientists organized a series of massive strikes and work stoppages that saw more than 109 workplaces shut down as part of #ShutDownStem.
Now, more than 1,500 mathematicians have signed a letter, threatening to engage in a series of work stoppages if they are forced to work on algorithms used by law enforcement in predictive policing.
Popular Mechanics has the latest:
“Given the structural racism and brutality in U.S. policing, we do not believe that mathematicians should be collaborating with police departments in this manner,” the authors write in the letter. “It is simply too easy to create a ‘scientific’ veneer for racism. Please join us in committing to not collaborating with police. It is, at this moment, the very least we can do as a community.”
Some of the mathematicians include Cathy O’Neil, author of the popular book Weapons of Math Destruction, which outlines the very algorithmic bias that the letter rallies against. There’s also Federico Ardila, a Colombian mathematician currently teaching at San Francisco State University, who is known for his work to diversify the field of mathematics.
For more on this bold effort, go to Popular Mechanics.
Furloughed Workers Forced to Sign Binding Arbitration Agreements to Return to Work
With unemployment at record levels, many employers are forcing desperate furloughed workers to sign away their legal rights to sue in return to their jobs. HuffPost’s Dave Jamieson has a look:
Jana Alexander was furloughed from her job at The Container Store when the pandemic began in early spring. With the economy reopening, the company recently invited her back to her old position at her store in Southlake, Texas. But there was a catch.
Alexander would have to sign an arbitration agreement, giving up her right to sue The Container Store in court if she was mistreated. Her welcome-back letter made clear she had little choice in the matter if she wanted to draw a paycheck: “This job offer is contingent upon agreeing to our Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate, which we will ask you to sign on your first day on the Payroll website.”
Alexander, 61, refused to return to work because her husband has lung cancer and is at high risk of contracting the coronavirus. But she said her colleagues, many of them women in their 60s, would have little choice but to sign away their legal rights to avoid financial ruin.
“I will tell you many of the older women ― and that’s kind of the profile ― they were desperate for the income,” said Alexander. “I think they’re in a situation where they’re saying yes to whatever they have to in order to get a paycheck.”
For more, go to HuffPost.
The Untold Story of Mexico’s COVID Strikes
Finally, Boulder Weekly’s Dave Anderson has a good look this week at how strikes by workers employed at U.S. firms along the Mexico border have been completely ignored in the U.S. media:
Let me introduce you to Susana Prieto, a hero of the pandemic you haven’t heard about. She is a longtime Mexican labor lawyer and organizer.
One day in April, she aimed her cellphone camera at hundreds of workers who were on strike outside the Mexican factory of a U.S. company that hadn’t shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She was broadcasting the video live on Facebook. She said, “You can see how many people there would be working together, elbow to elbow, without any health regulations. This is why so many workers have died in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.”
The border city of Juárez has 327 “maquiladoras,” employing more than 300,000 workers. Maquiladoras are foreign-owned assembly plants in Mexico that import machinery and materials duty-free and export finished products around the world. A large number of the plants are U.S.-owned.
For more, go to the Boulder Weekly.
That’s all for today, folks. Thanks for reading and donate today so we can keep covering the story of the fightback against racial injustice and COVID.
If you have any stories or suggestions for our next newsletter, send an email to [email protected]
Mike Elk
Mike Elk is a yinzer labor reporter who covered the drug war in Brasil and spent years covering union organizing in the South for The Guardian. In 2016, he used his $70,000 NLRB settlement from being fired in the union drive at Politico to start the crowd-funded Payday Report. The son of United Electrical Workers (UE) Director of Organization Gene Elk, he lives in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Email: [email protected]
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24 Eversholt Street WD1 1AD
24 Eversholt Street Office Space - WD1 1AD
A distinctive Art deco building, Euston House offers a prestigious welcome for businesses from any market sector and of any size from one person start-ups through to 200 desk companies. From the secure, access-controlled reception through the grand breakout areas you will be met with a feeling of quality and refinement with this Grade A office space. This space features new carpets and air-conditioning throughout the building and large windows allow the space to be filled with plenty of natural light. The space itself boasts private working, dedicated breakout spaces, comfortable sofa seating, a dedicated quiet room and phone booths. In addition, the workspace allows clients to have 24 hours access in 7 days of the week. There are lounges and breakout areas where you can take a break during a hectic workday.
Serviced from £550 per person per monthSublease from £563 per person per month
Euston House NW1 1AD
Euston House Office Space - NW1 1AD
Serviced offices at this 1930s building on Eversholt Street accommodate businesses with up to 100 or more employees. The well-situated property houses private offices and a collaborative co-working space. Sophisticated furnishings and modern décor combine to create a contemporary and comfortable workspace for you and you team. Built in 1934, Euston House once served as the headquarters for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Designed by architects Albert Victor Heal and William Henry Hamlyn, the nine-storey art deco building later became the base of the British Railways Board. It has undergone a refurbishment to offer modern office accommodation for today's businesses Offices at Euston House are designed to allow businesses to be productive and effective. Flexible offices are available in a range of sizes and are fully furnished with attractive workstations. There are meeting rooms with AV and conferencing equipment for your discussion. Fabulous amenities allow entrepreneurs to go about growing their business. You have access to a variety of IT solutions, from high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi to dedicated telephone lines and private VLAN.
Serviced from £671 per person per month
24 Eversholt Street NW1 1BS
24 Eversholt Street Office Space - NW1 1BS
This centre is an exciting opportunity for a large business who wants a bespoke service. The space is a totally private, self-contained wing of a Central London Art Deco building which is fully customisable. The work space can be created to your own requirements, providing breakout areas, kitchen facilities, meeting rooms and telecoms exactly as you desire. The centre benefits from fully accessible raised floors and high-speed connectivity options. You have the freedom to create your own IT infrastructure or it can be built to fit your requirements. The space is filled with natural light, making for a bright and airy work environment.
Evergreen House NW1 2DX
Evergreen House Office Space - NW1 2DX
With up to 22,000 square feet of air-conditioned office accommodation, an array of serviced office solutions is available at Evergreen House North on Grafton Place. Fully-furnished suites close to Euston Station are unbranded to provide businesses with spaces that are their own. Offices enjoy access to spacious breakout areas and a stunning roof garden terrace above the hustle and bustle of Central London. There are bright lounges and spacious meeting rooms with modern audiovisual equipment to host your discussions, while each office space is linked with work-ready internet and telecommunications. A friendly team supports your business with reception and administration services to give you more time to focus on growing your company. The business centre also benefits from an on-site gym and cafe serving food and refreshments throughout the day.
Connolly Works NW1 1JD
Connolly Works Office Space - NW1 1JD
Opening October 2019, this outstanding office space is not one to be missed. The office accommodation is located in an urban warehouse, oozing with British history. The work centre provides a stylish and unique home for businesses, whilst maintaining original features. Tenants can benefit from a wealth of amazing facilities, this includes; stylish lounge with bar area, shower facilities, bike racks and access to meeting rooms. Tenants can also benefit from air conditioning units and an abundance of natural light. The work centre has a fantastic roof terrace and a friendly on-site reception team.
17 Chalton Street NW1 1JD
17 Chalton Street Office Space - NW1 1JD
Newly refurbished office space at this Kings Cross property offers a fashionable and well-connected solution for freelancers, entrepreneurs and businesses. This friendly co-working location provides hot desk and dedicated desk options in a collaborative workspace designed for start-ups and small businesses. Contemporary shared workspaces are arranged over the ground and basement levels of this modern property. Spaces are available with flexible licence agreements so you have the ability to upsize or downsize with ease as your operation grows. The four-storey property is also home to cost-effective serviced living accommodation for young professionals. Everything you need to grow and run your business is available, from 24-hour access to ultra-fast broadband. There are two meeting rooms and video conferencing equipment, which are free for you to use for presentations, interviews and other discussions. A spacious lounge is perfect for casual meetings or if you need a break from your desk. Other conveniences include a fully-equipped kitchen and secure shower facilities.
Serviced from £333.33 per person per month
Euston Tower NW1 3DP
Euston Tower Office Space - NW1 3DP
Situated on the top three floors of Euston Tower, these services offices provide businesses with a prestigious address and panoramic views of the capital. This location gives you with a great setting to innovate and create while grow your business. Opened in 1970, Euston Tower is a 34-storey office building overlooking Central London. This landmark tower boasts high-standard specifications, including Category II lighting, secondary glazing, air conditioning, raised floors and metal tile suspended ceilings. The property also has secure underground car parking for commuters and visitors. These fully furnished offices are connected to an integrated telephone and IT systems, ensuring you have the technology you need to remain competitive. Businesses benefit from high-speed internet connections and back-up lease lines. A gorgeous reception area is staffed to provide friendly welcomes and efficient administrative support. There are also stylish meeting rooms with the latest presentation and conferencing equipment. Meeting rooms are easy to book and provide you with private settings to host discussions in a professional space.
Serviced from £550 per person per monthVirtual from £100
16 Upper Woburn Place WC1H 0BS
16 Upper Woburn Place Office Space - WC1H 0BS
The Euston business centre at 16 Upper Woburn Place is fitted with modern IT and communications infrastructure, and Wi-Fi access is available throughout the building. This stylish serviced office solution offers private office suites, shared and dedicated coworking space, meeting rooms and a business lounge. An impressive entrance generates a positive first impression from visitors to the property. Best of all, flexible short- and long-term agreements mean it is easy for tenants to adjust their office size as demand for space increases or decreased.
Serviced from £348 per person per monthCoworking from £179 per person per monthVirtual from £84
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Chapter 1648: The End Is Also A Beginning (End)
An incomparable battle had come to a close. However, it had left behind a seriously damaged Central Plains. The original prosperity had vanished. Additionally, the entire Central Plains had been split into two. A hundreds of thousand feet large deep abyss had split the it into two sections. This hundreds of thousands of feet huge deep abyss would be named the Two Di Abyss in the future. No one was able to forget the earthshaking battle that day…
The Central Plains had thus declined in prosperity. Fortunately, the disaster had also come to a halt.
The decisive battle had naturally ended with the alliance army being victorious following Hun Tiandi being sealed. Although many in the Hun clan had become much stronger after Hun Tiandi advance into the Dou Di, most of them had been used by Hun Tiandi as sacrifices to the blood blade before they could display this strength. The remaining people were a little desolates. Faced with being chased by the alliance army. They did not put up much resistance before surrendering.
Soon after the big battle came to end, the alliance army invaded the Hun Realm for the first time. However, the expected flourishing scene did not appear. After entering the Hun Realm, all they could see was bright redness. The entire space was filled with death. There was hardly any trace of people.
The alliance army discovered a hundred thousand feet large blood pool at the middle of the Hun Realm. The blood inside was incomparably viscous. Densely packed corpses and bones were present in the blood pool. Only after seeing this did the alliance army understood why the Hun Realm was so empty.
This was because the people here seemed to have been thrown into this blood pool. Hun Tiandi had indeed sacrificed everything to achieve his aim…
This type of person caused one’s heart to be chilled and terrified. Everyone felt that it was lucky that someone was finally able to subdue such a lunatic.
Some of the remaining people inside the Hub Realm were also brought away. After which, Gu Yuan and the rest joined hands to completely destroy this old hideout of the Hub clan. From that moment forth, theso called Hun clan would cease to exist on the Central Plains…
Amongst the eight ancient clans, only the Gu clan, Yan clan and Lei clan still existed. Oh, of course one must not forget the Xiao clan, who Dou Di bloodline had been once again activated because of Xiao Yan progressing into the Dou Di class!
The so called Dou Di bloodline benefited those whose blood was most closely related to Xiao Yan the most. The most obvious effect was naturally that felt by Xiao Yan’s daughter Xiao Xiao. She had directly soared violently towards the eight star Dou Sheng class the moment Xiao Yan reached the Dou Di class. That speed caused one to be giddy simply from looking at it. Although Xiao Xiao had excellent talent, this talent had yet to be completely revealed when she had directly leaped into becoming a top expert on the Dou Qi continent. This situation caused people like Lei Ying and Yan Jin, who had trained for thousands of years, to have an impulse to throw up blood. Was this the benefit that the first generation of the Dou Di bloodline enjoyed?
The Dou Di bloodline was such an abnormal and perverse thing. Otherwise, how would it be possible to rely on one’s strength to revitalize the entire clan.
One could imagine that the entire Xiao clan would completely enjoy the benefit brought about by the Dou Di bloodline. Their strength would end up soaring greatly in the future. At that time, it was only a matter of time before they return to the powerful era back then.
The alliance army was naturally disbanded after the big war ended. Unless there was some unique situation, it would be extremely difficult for such a terrifyingly big war to occur on the Dou Qi continent in the future. This was because the current continent had an ultimate expert maintaining the balance.
Flame Di, Xiao Yan!
A name which had resounded throughout every corner of the Dou Qi continent and worshipped by countless number of people. In the hearts of many , it was a divine god like existence. He guarded the Dou Qi continent!
The alliance army was disbanded. However, the Sky Mansion Alliance still existed. Moreover, the current alliance was no longer separated into various factions and sects. At this moment, they clearly understood that being able to exist in this alliance was an incomparably glorious matter.
That glory originated from the person who stood at the peak of the Dou Qi continent!
Two years had passed since that earthshaking big battle. The Central Plains once again became prosperous. Many sects and factions appeared like shoots after a rain. This caused the Central Plains to once again flourish.
Of course, the Sky Mansion Alliance did not intervene in this. They retained their supreme position and quietly observed the development and changes on the Central Plains. There was naturally no faction that dared to provoke this unquestionable overlord of the Central Plains.
With the help of the strength of the Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yan had merely used two months to once again refine a body after suffering the injury from the battle with Hun Tiandi. Fortunately, no sequela remained.
During these two years, Xiao Yan, Xun Er and Cai Lin organised an unusually grand wedding. That wedding was witnessed by the world and countless individuals… this was also the promise that Xiao Yan had once given the two women.
Soon after the wedding, Xiao Yan had once again returned the position of the chief of the Sky Mansion Alliance to Yao Lao. His reason was that the current Sky Mansion Alliance no longer needed to be supported by him…
Yao Lao was helpless in the face of this action of Xiao Yan. He was aware that this little fellow was planning on being a hands off boss. However, he involuntarily felt some heartache the moment he thought of the burden Xiao Yan had to carry all these years. Therefore, he could only once again take over as the chief of the alliance and help Xiao Yan carry this burden.
Xiao Yan only left in a leisure and carefree manner after being relieved of
this burden. He could truly be carefree in this world.
Time flowed by. Spring passed and autumn came. Over a year quietly passed.
Three figures sat within a pavilion around five kilometres from Beili City in the eastern part of the Central Plains. They lifted their eyes and appeared slightly excited.
“Liu Qing, will he come?” A gray clothed man with a somewhat sharp expression sat in the pavilion. He licked his mouth and asked.
“Lin Yan, it has been so many years but you are still so impatient.” A green clothed man by the side smiled faintly and spoke in a warm and refined fashion.
“Lin Xiu Ya, I heard that you have established a Ya Gang in the Clear Sky City?” The tall burly Liu Qing laughed. He was currently the person in charge of the Liu clan. There was quite a great mighty aura on his brow.
“I am merely playing around.” Lin Xiu Ya laughed. “It isn’t anything remarkable. Compared to that fellow, it isn’t even worth a thread of hair…”
“Ha ha, Lin Xiu Ya, this doesn’t appear like something you will say…” A familiar laughter sounded within the Pavilion just after Lin Xiu Ya spoke. Soon after, a figure appeared within the pavilion without warning. The figure was in black clothes. It was Xiao Yan,
“Ha ha, you have finally arrived.” A joy surged onto the faces of the trio after they saw Xiao Yan appeared. They quickly stepped forward. Each of them threw a punch on the chest of the figure.
“Hee hee, I have actually punched the Flame Di. This is damn grand.” Lin Yan laughed out loud.
Xiao Yan laughed in a relaxed manner after seeing these good friends whom he had been separated from for years. He grabbed with his hand. A couple of wine pots appeared in his hand, “Stop uttering any unnecessary words. We will not return until we are drunk.”
“Good, I will accompany you today!”
The three of them laughed out loud. They unceremoniously received the wine pot, lifted their heads and poured the wine into their mouths.
The four drunk happily within the pavilion. Their laughter appeared extremely free and unrestrained as it spread within the pavilion.
The moon climbed across the sky. Lin Yan and Liu Qing were completely drunk. They lay on the ground without concern for their image. None of them had used Dou Qi to block the alcohol. They wanted to greatly enjoy being drunk.
“Where do you plan to go to next?” Lin Xiu Ya’s face was somewhat red as he looked at Xiao Yan and laughed.
“I have held out for so long and have become a little tired…” Xiao Yan laughed. He lifted his head and looked at the bright light. “I wish to return to the Jia Ma Empire…”
“You can head to the Sky Mansion Alliance if you have any problems in the future. I have already talked to them…”
“Ha ha, this background is really a little shocking. It seems that I have really made the right choice in heading to the Jia Ma Empire with you back then…”
The Flower Sect.
Due to the alliance having been completely assimilated, the current Flower sect had also completely merged into the alliance. However, some of the Elders of the Flower Sect still liked to remain in this quiet place.
An elegant figure was standing on a back mountain in the Flower Sect. Her moon white robed outlined her enchanting curves, causing her to appear extremely alluring.
“Teacher…” A pale-blue clothed lady standing behind the figure softly cried out.
“Yanran, is there something?” The white dressed woman turned her head and revealed a pretty face containing an elegant appearance. She was Yun Yun.
Nalna Yanran sighed in her heart upon seeing this pretty face that was filled with charm. There were many renown experts on the Dou Qi continent and the leaders of various factions expressing their love for Yun Yun. Unfortunately, none of them managed to make any progress. Her heart was clearly aware that it was extremely difficult for the figure within Yun Yun’s heart to disappear. This was even though that figure is already married…
“Xiao Yan has delivered a message…” Nalan Yanran softly said.
Yun Yun, who had been as calm as water, suddenly turned around after Nalan Yanran’s words sounded. This reaction caused the latter to once again smile bitterly.
“What?” Yun Yun’s voice had involuntarily trembled slightly.
“He asked… if you are willing to return to the Jia Ma Empire…” Nalan Yanran smiled slightly. Her smile was a little sour.
Yun Yun was startled. The back of her teeth bit her lips tightly. Those pretty eyes of hers suddenly became a little moist. There was a place there that she had greatly missed.
That place was not the Misty Cloud Mountain. Instead, it was the Magical Beast Mountain Range…
Jia Ma Empire, Qingshan Town.
The current Qingshan Town was undoubtedly a lot more bustling compared to back then. With the help of the Magical Beast Mountain Range terrain, an increasing number of mercenaries began to set up camp here. The reason for doing this was not only because it was easier to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range but it was also because there was a clinic in Qingshan Town.
The clinic was not large. However, as long as one still had a breath remaining, it was possible for it to allow one to exit in a lively manner. This place was also the most respected place of everyone in the Qingshan Town.
The area in front of the clinic was always filled with a squeezing crowd. Some of them were injured mercenaries while others were the wounded being hurriedly transported over from other places. However, there was an ironclad rule in this place. One could only take a number and queue in this place regardless of how great one’s status was.
Of course, this somewhat arrogant rule had initially been met with many cold laughter and disdain. However, after an expert Dou Huang, who broke the rule, began to melt in front of everyone’s eyes in an inexplicable manner, everyone finally understood just what kind of terrifying techniques the white dressed lady, who appeared extremely kind and innocent, had…
Since that day onward, there was no one who dared to disregard the rules of this place.
There was a simple, clean and orderly wooden table within the clinic. Behind the wooden table seated quiet a white dressed lady. Sunlight scattered in from the roof and shone onto her face, which had a gentle smile. This beautiful scene caused the injured person seated in front of her to be stunned.
“Boil the medicine into liquid after you return and place in on your wound.” The white clothed lady smiled gently. She placed the bag of medicine gently on the table. Her black hair poured down like a waterfall, causing her to appear extremely pure and alluring. That demeanor caused those people with bloody aura over them caused them to feel a little ashamed.
The injured person took the bag of medicine and left in a distracted fashion. His mind continued to reveal that warm smile. Such a lady was so gentle. Just looking at her caused all the irritation in his heart to diminish.
The person queuing at the back immediately rejoiced after the injured person in front had left. However, he was just about to step forward when a figure suddenly walked past him from the side and sat down on the chair before him.
“You are seeking death!”
Everyone were stunned for a moment after seeing that there was actually someone cutting queue. After which, all of them became furious. They looked at that figure with a murderous aura. Was this fellow trying to commit suicide by finding trouble here?
“Please queue up.”
The white clothed lady shifted her body. She did not even lift her head as she arranged the medicine at the side. Her voice was soft and gentle, appearing like the spring breeze.
Many people behind quietly laughed coldly after seeing this reaction of hers. This fellow was going to be out of luck if he did not leave…
However, that person, who was sitting on the chair like a rogue, suddenly laughed while they were all mocking coldly. “Given our good relationship, I think there is no need to queue, right?”
“This bastard, he actually dares to tease her?”
Everyone were stunned after hearing these words which seemed to be taking advantage of her. Was this fellow really an idiot? Did he really think that this seemingly weak lady was an ordinary woman?
Many pairs of eyes began to contain some pity as they stared at the figure. Some people even sighed softly and shook their heads. Of course, there were naturally many people whose eyes were filled with anger because this person had offended the untouchable fairy in their hearts.
While these people were prepared to see a tragedy happen, however, the hands of that white clothed lady, who had shifted her head to arrange her medicine, suddenly trembled. She was startled for a moment before her pretty face was hurriedly turned. Immediately, a smiling familiar face appeared in her eyes. The back of her teeth gently bit on her red lips.
“Aren’t you afraid of being lonely by leaving alone?” The black clothed man laughed softly.
His words caused the furious people behind to be suddenly startled. By the time they recovered, however, this white clothed lady’s voice had sounded in a saucy fashion. It caused everyone to become stunned, appearing as though they had been struck by thunder.
“You are unwilling to accompany me, so I can only leave by myself.”
The black clothed man rubbed his head. He looked at those somewhat dim intelligent eyes of the white clothed lady. After smiling bitterly for a moment, he finally asked, “What about coming with me to live in Wu Tang City?”
The white clothed lady covered her mouth and laughed softly. There was a red moisture appearing in her pretty eyes. Her lips contained a warm and gentle arc.
Everyone who were queuing felt their hearts shatter after seeing this reaction of hers. They immediately felt a despair…
Jia Ma Empire Capital, Jia Ma Sacred City.
Today was considered an important day for the Jia Nan Empire and even the entire north-western region. This was because the Yan Alliance biennial auction would be held in the Jia Ma Sacred City.
The auction was extremely grand. The items being auctioned were also at the peak level. Each time the auction was held, it would not only attract various factions and experts from the north-western region but even those from the other regions would come after hearing about it.
The location of the auction was the middle of the Jia Man Sacred City. That place was where the headquarters of the Mite-er clan was located.
Densely packed human figures filled the area under the tall thousand feet large crystal ceiling. The fiery hot atmosphere had kept the auction in a high atmosphere. Of course, the reason for this heated atmosphere was not completely because of the auctioned items. It was also very much related to a person.
That was a bewitching lady who in a red cheongsam.. The fitting dress exposed her voluminous matured curves in an extremely vivid fashion. Her every frown and smile revealed a matured aura.
Of course, although those seated had some desire towards the tempting woman on the stage, all of them understood that this lady was not some beautiful flower vase. A significant reason that the Yan Alliance was able to become so powerful in the north-western region was because of her management methods. The properties under her spread across the entire north-western continent. Moreover, her information network was also able to clearly investigate everything one did.
Although this woman did not have great talent when it came to training and had only reached the Dou Huang class by relying on medicinal pills, there were countless of elite Dou Zongs under her who would risk their lives to work for her. Who would dare describe her as a flower vase, given this ability of hers?
This woman had a special nickname in the north-western region. Golden Female Emperor. Additionally, her name was Mite-er Ya Fei.
Ya Fei wore a lazy expression as she stood on the auction stage and looked at the people who had paid a price many times the value of the object to purchase it. She involuntarily laughed softly and shook her head. Immediately, she took out a scroll containing an ancient aura from her Storage Ring. Her numbing voice was filled with an endless enchantment.
“Tian class low level Qi Method, Thunder Skill. Starting bid, three billion…”
Her words immediately stirred some commotion in the auction. The eyes of many became fiery hot. However, no one knew of this heat was because of the scroll or the person…
However, a Tian class low level Qi Method clearly had a great weight in this place. Hence, many sects and factions were eager to obtain it and showed signs of being about to fight for it.
“Three billion… can it be a little cheaper?”
However, the bidding was about to start when a laughter suddenly sounded from nowhere. Everyone were stunned. They involuntarily laughed out loud. Who was so stupid? Did he think that this was a marketplace? Trying to bargain?
Many pairs of eyes followed the voice and shifted. Finally, they paused at the front row. A black clothed young man had appeared on the originally empty chair at some unknown moment.
Ya Fei on the stage was also startled because of the voice that suddenly sounded. Her pretty eyes turned towards the chair. The extremely valuable Tian class low level Qi Method let out a ‘bam’ sound as it fell onto the ground after his eyes looked at the smiling familiar face.
“Three billion with one person added in. Will this do?”
The black clothed young man looked at this extreme temptation, who had become even more matured compared to back then, and laughed.
The expressions of many sunk after these words sounded. Some of the guards in the auction had already swiftly surrounded the person while wearing gloomy faces. After which, they moved closer to the black clothed young man. They were certain that this person was here to create trouble.
However, just as everyone were prepared to watch a fun show, Ya Fei on the stage looked at the clear black eyes comparable to back then. A moment later, she gently bit her red lips. A rare bewitching enchanting smile surfaced on her face.
“I can consider it…”
Her voice reverberated throughout the auction ground. After which, the originally boiling auction ground became completely silent. Those guards had also halted their footsteps. Their faces were dull…
Times flies. It would not stop for anyone. Without realising it, over a decade had passed since the Two Di Battle back then.
During these decade plus time, many new geniuses had appeared on the Dou Qi continent. There was a continuous stream of new experts showing their edge, adding some excitement to this continent.
Flame Di Xiao Yan had completely faded from everyone’s sight during this decade plus time. However, the various legends about him continued to spread. They had become increasingly exaggerated as they passed on from one person to the next. This caused him to be greatly respected.
Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tang City.
Wu Tang City was a holy site in the eyes of many citizens within the Jia Ma Empire. This was because that place was the headquarters of the Xiao clan. The Xiao clan had produced countless of experts during these years. There were hardly any group that could match it even in the entire Dou Qi continent.
There was a little child laughter vaguely being emitted from a manor that stood at the middle of Wu Tang City.
If one’s sight leaped over the tall wall, one would see a few children rolling and playing around within the courtyard. Their laughter sounded continuously.
A young man placed his hands like a pillow behind his head as he sat on a stone chair in the courtyard. There was a grass in his mouth. His eyes were smiling as he enjoyed the warm sunlight.
Beside the young man was a lady in pale green clothes. Her long delicate hand was skillfully cutting a fruit. After which, she gently placed it into the young man’s mouth. The lady was about to stand up after doing this when an arm hugged her delicate narrow waist. She was pulled into his embrace while emitting a lovely cry. After which, the man ruthlessly killed on the lady’s face, causing it to turned bright red.
“Lin-er and the rest are still present…” The green clothed lady chided in a lovely and embarrassed manner.
“It is fine if they watch. We are already an old couple…” Xiao Yan curled his mouth and laughed.
“Father, you are bullying mum again! I will tell Cai Lin mum!” A dignified and somewhat cute boy suddenly appeared after Xiao Yan’s voice sounded. Both of his hands were placed on his waist as he cried out loud.
“Little brat, you actually dare threaten your father. Go to one corner and play.”
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. He randomly waved his hand and a gentle breeze blew. Seeing this, the boy’s body immediately emitted an extremely powerful Dou Qi light pillar. Unfortunately, he was still being blown away when the breeze blew over. Finally, he landed gently onto the ground.
Xun Er involuntarily knocked Xiao Yan and reprimanded upon seeing this.
Xiao Yan smiled. He lifted both of his eyes and looked at the sky. The smile on his face slowly disappeared as he softly said, “I have some strange feeling during this period of time…”
“What is it?” Xun Er asked in a startled voice.
“Xun Er, do you know why the elite Dou Di on the Dou Qi continent all eventually disappeared?’ Xiao Yan asked.
“Why?” Xiao Yan returned the question in a slightly surprised manner after hearing this.
“Perhaps… they had left this Dou Qi continent.” A faint light flickered within Xiao Yan’s eyes as he softly said.
“It can’t be right?” Xun Er muttered in a startled manner.
“That feeling is becoming increasingly intense. In at the very most half a year, I will perhaps have an answer…” Xiao Yan hugged Xun Er and said.
Xun Er nodded slightly after hearing this. Her arms, which were entwined around Xiao Yan’s waist had unknowingly increased its strength.
Half a year passed by in the blink of an eye.
There was a towering stone tower at the headquarters of the Sky Mansion Alliance in the Central Plains/
There were countless number of experts suspended in the air around the stone tower. Their eyes contained a fiery heat as they looked at the top of the stone tower. A black clothed young man was sitting quietly at that spot/ This was the first time that they had seen this legendary person in a decade.
“Do you think that Xiao Yan is speaking the truth?” Zhu Kun looked at Xiao Yan before turning his head and asked Gu Yuan at the side.
“This… I don’t know either. However, it seems that this is the only way to explain why the elite Dou Di on this Dou Qi continent has completely disappeared. It is not easy to kill a person at that level…” Gu Yuan hesitated for a moment before replying.
Zhu Kun sighed. He had an extremely complicated feeling in his heart. If that was really the truth, they would really be considered the fog in the well.
The calmness in the sky continued for half a day. Finally, it suddenly formed waves of mysterious fluctuation when the sun was about to set.
Countless number of people held their breath. Their eyes were shocked as they watched this scene.
The ripple became increasingly intense with the flow of time. At the end, Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes. A Qi pillar that seemed to have penetrated through the world rose from the top of his head. Finally, it shot into the distant sky in front of all the eyes within the Central Plains.
“Hum hum!”
The ripple in the sky became extremely intense as this Qi pillar shot out. A moment later, a tunnel that contained a faint light seemed to have broken through the restrain of the space in this plane and appeared in front of countless pairs of eyes.
Xiao Yan abruptly stood up when the tunnel appeared. His expression was grave as he looked at this scene. He could sense a familiar feeling from within the tunnel.
Origin Qi!
It was the Origin Qi, which had already vanished from the Dou Qi continent. It was also the crucial thing to allow someone to advance into an elite Dou Di!
The entire world had become quiet had this moment. Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan widened their mouths. A great storm rose within their hearts. When the tunnel had appeared, they could clearly sense that their strength, which had not progressed for a thousand years, actually began to show signs of growing!
Their eyes were incomparably excited as they looked at the light tunnel. An extremely intense throbbing appeared from deep within their souls. This feeling told them that if they were to enter the tunnel, they would definitely experience a breakthrough in their strength!
Xiao Yan let out a deep breath. Those dark black eyes, which had been calm for many years, once again revealed a fiery heat. His originally cooled blood seemed to have begun to boil at this moment.
“The end was indeed also a beginning…”
A smile was lifted on the corner of his mouth. Perhaps this would also be a different beginning.
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Regina Air Cadets
Celebrating 75 years of Air Cadets in Regina
Alumni Attendees
Speaker – Desmond Brophy
Alumni Submissions
Check out our Guest Speaker- Desmond Brophy
https://reginaaircadets.ca/guest-speaker-desmond-brophy/
Author kmartinPosted on November 21, 2016 January 10, 2017
Next Next post: Hotel Rooms can now be booked online or by calling the Delta Hotel
In accordance with CATO-11-06 this is not a Canadian Forces Website. It does not in any way represent the opinions of the Department of National Defence.
Regina Air Cadets 75th Anniversary
S4S 7K4
Alumni & Friends Social
Regina Armoury
7pm - 11pm
Alumni Welcome Social
Joint Squadron Wing Parade
Saskatchewan Legislature
DoubleTree by Hilton Ballroom
5:00 - 6:30 Social & Silent Action
6:30 - 7:00 Evening Introductions
7:00 - 8:30 Dinner
8:30 - 9:30 Speaker Desmond Brophy
9:30 - 12:00 Dance with Live Band
Diamond and the Rough
Cadet & Alumni Pancake Breakfast
Regina Armoury Grounds
Air Cadet Banquet for 500
Regina Leader Post - October 1962
Some 500 air cadets, parents and guests gathered at the Trianon Ballroom Monday night for the first joint Regina Air Cadet League banquet of the three squadrons.
Attending were members of Squadrons 34, 41 and 703.
“The turnout tonight is evidence of the parents interest in their sons and the air cadet league, said Group Capt. J. A. Stephens, commanding officer of RCAF Station Moose Jaw.
“The air cadet story began in the war days of 1939-40 when young men desired to serve their country. The purpose of the organization then was to give young men below the age of 18 an early training,” he said.
Following the war, the commanding officer said the air cadet league continued to grow but with the purpose of training young men to be better citizens in the community, province and nation.
The Air Cadet League of Canada increased its membership over 1961 by 30 per cent. It now includes 25,000 cadets.
Uniforms for the groups are provided by the RCAF, along with training plans and personnel. Each local league is directed by a group of local citizens.
Each year, cadets with above average standings are awarded opportunities to compete with other Canadian cadets for exchange visits abroad. This year Danny Morrow and Chris Snelgrove, both of Regina, were awarded trips to Tel Aviv, and United States, respectively.
Awards were presented at the banquet to Ronald Harbottle, Barry Price, Leo Lammers, Brian Swystun and Ronald Tolhurst.
Following the banquet, A. K. Gillmore, executive director of the Wascana Centre Authority showed a selection of slides on the Wascana Development.
Chairman for the evening was Harold Humberstone, chairman of the Regina Air Cadet League, and guests included Mayor Henry Baker, Lt-Cmdr. J. M. Wise of HMCS Queen, and Lt. Col J. Sinclair of 20 Militia Group.
Regina Air Cadets Website powered by Luke Towers
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Activate Hope: Empower Family Through Education
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Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
The Echo Park Castaways
M. G. Hennessey
From the author of The Other Boy comes a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores what it means to be a family. Perfect for fans of Counting by 7s.
Nevaeh, Vic, and Mara are veterans of the Los Angeles foster care system. For over a year they’ve been staying with Mrs. K in Echo Park. Vic spends most of his time living in a dream world, Mara barely speaks, and Nevaeh is forced to act as a back-up parent. Though their situation isn’t ideal, it’s still their best home yet.
Then Child Protective Services places Quentin in the house, and everything is turned upside down. Nevaeh really can’t handle watching over anyone else, especially a boy on the autism spectrum. Meanwhile, Quentin is having trouble adjusting and attempts to run away.
So when Vic realizes Quentin just wants to see his mom again, he plans an “epic quest” to reunite them. It could result in the foster siblings getting sent to different group homes. But isn’t family always worth the risk?
M. G. Hennessey loves Star Wars, the San Francisco Giants, strawberry ice cream, and dancing (not necessarily in that order). If she could choose one superpower, it would be flying. A supporter of...
Other books that might interest you
Faerie Path #6: The Charmed Return
Frewin Jones
By the light of the pure eclipse, two worlds will be as one . . .
She was once a princess of Faerie, the seventh daughter of King Oberon. But sixteen-year-old Anita Palmer has no memory of the Faerie Realm; her true Faerie princess identity; her love, Edric; or her quest to save Faerie from a deadly plague that ravaged it. With the help of an unexpected ally, Anita must figure out a way to reawaken Tania, her Faerie self—but how?
Now Anita—or is she Tania?—doesn't know who, or what, to trust, including her own memories. With no time to spare, Anita must act. A thrilling final battle is soon to be waged that will affect not only her destiny but the fate of both Faerie and the Mortal World. Loyalties will be tested, true love questioned, and nothing is what it seems.
Show book
Faerie Path #5: The Enchanted Quest
Far from the Realm of Faerie, a quest to save immortality . . .
A deadly plague is sweeping through Faerie, and no one is immune to its bite. Now, withthe guidance of the Dream Weaver, Tania, Rathina, and a mortal ally, Connor, musthead off to find the Divine Harper—the only one who can help Tania renew the FaerieCovenant of Immortality. Their quest will soon take them outside the borders of Faerie,to hostile and unwelcoming lands beyond.
On their travels, Tania and her companions encounter danger at every turn as they battle pirates, contend with mysterious and mystical beings, and try to outwit those under the sinister grip of the Dark Arts. But when Tania's beloved Edric appears, it looks as if they have help at last. Or do they? As tensions and dangers rise, Tania is forced to question everything and everyone around her in order to decide if she is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her loved ones.
Christina Kilbourne
Author’s book Dear Jo won three Canadian young reader’s choice awards in British Columbia (Red Cedar), Saskatchewan (Snow Willow), and Manitoba (MYRCA) and was shortlisted for a young reader’s choice award in New York (New York State Charlotte Award)
Author's book They Called Me Red was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award
Examines teen suicide without judgement and from youth and adult points of view
Breaks down common misconceptions about suicide and mental illness while conveying a message of determination and hope
Entertaining style, with believable characters, realistic settings, and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats
A starting point for youth and adults to discuss difficult topics such as suicide and mental illness, whether at home or in the classroom
The ninth and final book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s treasured Little House series—now available as an ebook! This digital version features Garth Williams’s classic illustrations, which appear in vibrant full color on a full-color device and in rich black-and-white on all other devices.
Laura Ingalls Wilder is beginning life with her new husband, Almanzo, in their own little house. Laura is a young pioneer wife now, and must work hard with Almanzo, farming the land around their home on the South Dakota prairie. Soon their baby daughter, Rose, is born, and the young family must face the hardships and triumphs encountered by so many American pioneers.
And so Laura Ingalls Wilder's adventure as a little pioneer girl ends, and her new life as a pioneer wife and mother begins.
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts
The Fall of Butterflies
Andrea Portes
We Were Liars meets Looking for Alaska in a uniquely funny and heartbreaking teen novel about a passionate-yet-doomed friendship set against a backdrop of wealth and glamour.
Willa Parker, 646th and least-popular resident of What Cheer, Iowa, is headed east to start a new life. Did she choose this life? No, because that would be too easy—and nothing in Willa’s life is easy. It’s her famous genius mother’s idea to send her to ultra-expensive, ultra-exclusive Pembroke Prep, and Willa has no intention of fitting in. But when she meets peculiar, glittering Remy Taft, the richest, most mysterious girl on campus, she starts to see a foothold in this foreign world—a place where she could maybe, possibly, sort of fit in. When Willa looks at Remy, she sees a girl who has everything. But for Remy, having everything comes at a price. And as she spirals out of control, Willa can feel Remy spinning right out of her grasp.
Andrea Portes, author of the hilarious, heartbreaking Anatomy of a Misfit, spins a similarly incandescent, heartfelt story that explores the meaning of friendship, new beginnings, and the precarious joy and devastating pain of finding home in a place—a person—with wings.
73 Cool Science Tricks to Wow...
Anna Claybourne
Do you know the secret recipe for the world's most slippery slime? How can you draw a 3-D picture that will mess with your mind? Can you make an instant soap monster in the microwave? Discover the mind-bending, super-weird science that they daren't teach in school! Young readers will love this awesome collection of incredible optical illusions, cool experiments, sneaky hacks, hilarious pranks, and shocking magic tricks. Explore biology, physics, and chemistry from a completely different point of view-one that teachers won't ever tell you about!With a glossary of key scientific terms in the back, this brain-boosting book of fun science is perfect for readers aged 8+.
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rabble blogs are the personal pages of some of Canada's most insightful progressive activists and commentators. All opinions belong to the writer; however, writers are expected to adhere to our guidelines. We welcome new bloggers -- contact us for details.
Yukon advertising is the real election winner
Please chip in to support more articles like this. Support rabble.ca for as little as $5 per month!
Lewis Rifkind
With just a week left in the Yukon 2016 territorial election it turns out the real winners so far are those that sell advertising for a living.
The local papers seem to be carrying nothing but paid political copy, and those radio stations that air commercials are drowning their listeners in the audio equivalent.
For example, one of the Friday papers carried advertisements related to the election by the following groups: Public Service Alliance Canada - Yukon Area Council (multiple advertisements), Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Yukon, the Yukon Conservation Society, Council of Yukon First Nations and Trails Only Yukon Association. There are also advertisements from three of the political parties.
Let us not even mention the vitriol that consists of the letters to the editor section in both papers, although they are fun to read. If Grandpa Simpsons letters are getting printed anywhere, it is probably in some Yukon newspaper.
If that was not enough to sate ones senses, the pamphleteers are also out. Most Yukoners are coming home to find their mailboxes and front doors plastered not only with paper copy from the political parties but also from special interest groups.
One of the pamphlets delves deeply into the difference between the Liberals and the Dippers on the anti-fracking stance. To put it in a nutshell, the Liberals would establish a moratorium on it, while the Dippers would ban fracking.
Those of us in the environmental community (and that includes myself) feel that moratoriums can expire or be replaced, whereas bans probably take a lot more effort to overcome. However, it must be recognized that most members of the public probably consider it a bit of an esoteric debate.
Either approach would ensure fracking does not occur, at least in the short term. In certain circles though the rage and passion on this issue is perhaps similar to those alleged medieval debates on how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Outdoor lawn signs are about average, based just on visual observation and comparing with fading memories of previous elections. Given the lack of accurate polling sometimes gauging who is winning thelawn sign war can give a good indication of which local candidate is in the lead.
There have only been a few reports of minor outdoor sign vandalism, unlike the last Federal election in the Yukon which, well, you would not believe me even if there was a blog column about it. Social media has been inundated with political advertising, plus everyones personal opinions on a huge range of Yukon election issues. This has made Facebook and Twitter on occasion a bit of an ideological battleground.
Let us also not forget that the parties also have their own websites. The Greens make the best use of theirs by constantly referring voters to the policies and platform they’ve got posted.
The other three parties (the Yukon New Democrats, the Yukon Liberals and the Yukon Party) have websites where the insomniac voter can read up on their platforms, press releases and candidates bios.
But fear not, gentle reader, you do not have to subject yourself to all of that. This kind blogger ran their websites through a word cloud generator. All one has to do is peruse the word cloud pictures, find the key words that appeal to your sensibilities, and vote accordingly.
Well, no, do not do that. Go talk to the candidates. Read their pamphlets. Look at their platform. Listen to the party political debates. And then vote. Election day is Monday, Nov. 7th.
Please chip in to keep stories like these coming.
yukon elections
2016 Yukon Election
Thank you for reading this story…
More people are reading rabble.ca than ever and unlike many news organizations, we have never put up a paywall – at rabble we’ve always believed in making our reporting and analysis free to all, while striving to make it sustainable as well. Media isn’t free to produce. rabble’s total budget is likely less than what big corporate media spend on photocopying (we kid you not!) and we do not have any major foundation, sponsor or angel investor. Our main supporters are people and organizations -- like you. This is why we need your help. You are what keep us sustainable.
rabble.ca has staked its existence on you. We live or die on community support -- your support! We get hundreds of thousands of visitors and we believe in them. We believe in you. We believe people will put in what they can for the greater good. We call that sustainable.
So what is the easy answer for us? Depend on a community of visitors who care passionately about media that amplifies the voices of people struggling for change and justice. It really is that simple. When the people who visit rabble care enough to contribute a bit then it works for everyone.
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Informações sobre Portugal
Notícias principais
sport Janeiro 13, 2021 Janeiro 13, 2021
Hawks: The Pros and Cons of Terry Fontenot as Atlanta’s Next General Manager
by Kevin Matias
This article makes me sick because I have to be kind to the Saints a little, but Fontenot is more qualified than he is the next General Manager of Falcons. Rumors are circulating around national media that Fontenot will be paired up with Joe BradyAnd that’s a binary that I can definitely talk myself into. A little background on Fontenot:
Fontenot has been with AINTS for over 18 years, which was without a doubt their best years. He has been very involved as scouts and with players during his time.
While the cap setting in New Orleans for 2021 is actually a garbage fire, Fontenot mostly takes on player ratings and researches professional leagues and future opponents (and he’s good at that).
Player acquisition
It’s worth noting that Fontenot wears many hats, most of them being the Director of Pro Scouting. He has a serious view of talent, and he has gained players in positions that the Falcons have struggled with at times.
Looking at Free Agents, DeMario Davis became one of the WILL Linebackers’ best players in the game after leaving the Jets – even at the age of 32. Fontenot recently helped pull Emmanuel Sanders and Malcolm Jenkins out of the basket of deals, too. Saints rarely hand out bad contracts to free agents, and Falcons have had many bads in this season.
Detect future opponents
Even with Drew Brees toast completely and Taysom Hill extremely limited, New Orleans finds a way to win regular season games. Their hands will be full on Tampa Bay this weekend, but part of Fontenot’s job is to assess the talent in the other teams. Done well. Saints always seem to come with a solid game plan and adapt. As much as I was a New Orleans clown, they have been in a position to win supplement matches (which they choked on) in each of the past three seasons. Much of that should be attributed to Sean Payton, but Fontenot has been doing it for 17 years. Making adjustments and planning for the game after the first half … has been a problem for Atlanta in recent years, to say the least.
17 years old even if you are a keeper in the NFL is an impressive feat, especially for one organization. This will be Fontenot’s sixth year as Professional Scout Manager. He’s seen his best years in football in New Orleans so far, and I’d hedge to say he had a role in bringing down Drew Breeze, which resulted in them winning their only Lombardy Cup 11 years ago. Even if Joe Brady’s “willingness” is questioned, Fontenot knows this game inside and out.
Compensation choices go to New Orleans
New Orleans would receive compensatory selections in the third round in exchange for a minority candidate nomination away. I don’t have bones with the same base, and I hope they don’t reload good players with those picks. Regardless, if you really think Fontenot is the guy, roll the dice.
The current state of the saints
In case you missed our endless jokes on Twitter, the Saints top the 2021 cap by nearly $ 100 million – and that’s if it doesn’t drop. Drew Press’s retirement will relieve some of that pressure, but they have a lot more work to do. Kwon Alexander might really need to cut it. I’m expecting Mickey Loomis to do some magic and take control of the situation, but he’s still kicking the can down the road. I wouldn’t necessarily say this position is of Fontenot’s verb, but it is worth writing down. Regardless, I can’t blame a guy who paid him to keep his best players and go with Drew Press one last time. With a team like Atlanta, it has a long mission ahead of it. I have listed some cut candidates To give Fontenot some breathing space, but putting on cover would be suspicious in the wake of the season affected by COVID-19.
Short band with fan base
I’ll keep this brevity because it’s more in theory than in practice, but if a guy from New Orleans traded and Julio Jones traded and got a poor return or did little during the first few seasons, the fans would be hotter. It came from the saints. I’m just saying.
Unknown role with College Scouting
Look, saints well project. Look no further than the 2017 NFL draft, the one the Falcons famously failed to do. Having a true, lasting interference in Ryan Ramczyk’s Pro Bowl, RB star Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson’s solid EDGE, CB Marshon Lattimore, and Marcus Williams’ safety in one draft is impressive. Even guys in modern drafts like Eric McCoy and Cesar Ruiz were good for New Orleans. Not to mention – Michael Thomas was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft, one of Terron Armstead’s best left footwork was drafted in 2013 (the third round), and Cam Jordan was taken in 2011 (24th overall). New Orleans counted shots all over the draft board.
Well that made me feel bad. However, Fontenot deals with professional talent acquisition. As a scout, I’m sure he has a hand in checking out my college players. At the moment, I don’t have the information to say he’s made a huge impact in this regard.
like him:
Such as loading…
READ Alabama, Devonta Smith defeated Ohio State to claim the national championship
Kevin Matias
"Especialista geral em twitter. Viciado em comida incurável. Jogador irritantemente humilde."
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Previous articleAt CES 2021, foldable and foldable phones inject some much-needed energy
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A German pilot tracks a massive injection on his recent flight in honor of the Coronavirus vaccination campaign
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2021 NOMINATIONS WILL BE COMING SOON
November 25 • Online
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE WITH CANADA’S LEADING LAWYERS
Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 honour lawyers from law firms, in-house departments, and other practices. Members of the legal profession in Canada are invited to nominate qualified lawyers who have made outstanding contributions in their careers thus far.
Winners will be revealed at the celebratory awards show on November 25, 2021 and profiled in Lexpert magazine and online channels.
Lexpert Rising Stars Awards is brought to you by Key Media, the organizers of a variety of Awards ceremonies across Canada, where hundreds of professionals gather annually, in person or virtually, to acknowledge the best professionals across the nation. We are proud to continue our tradition by celebrating legal excellence.
ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN
Major Drilling Group International INC.
Andrew McLaughlin is General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of Major Drilling Group. After serving in Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs for nine years, McLaughlin now leads Major Drilling’s legal affairs spanning more than 20 countries, helping navigate compliance issues in challenging operating environments. He has represented the company in arbitration in Latin America and in Canada on very short notice. He leads Major’s Whistleblower system, enhanced its global Enterprise Risk Assessment process and leads efforts on IP matters, including a patent dispute. He has helped Major transition to a nearly paperless legal department and champions the implementation of a corporate-wide diversity policy. He launched Lawyer’s Corner on Major’s intranet to foster a better understanding of on-the-ground legal issues for front-line workers. McLaughlin founded a federally incorporated not-for-profit aimed at establishing Casa Canada Cuba, a cultural centre in Havana. He is also a member of Moncton’s RCMP Board.
FIRST INSURANCE FUNDING OF CANADA AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Award of excellence in honour of outstanding achievement by an individual within the Insurance Industry. This award recognizes lifetime achievement or outstanding contribution of an individual to Canadian Insurance industry as a whole.
We accept nominations in this category, with the editorial team at Insurance Business Magazine making final selections based on editorial research and industry feedback.
LIFE AND HEALTH ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
This award of excellence recognizes the standout life and health insurance advisor of the year. This accolade goes to the individual who has best exceled at pushing the envelope with innovation and growth, garnering industry’s attention and the respect of peers. This advisor demonstrates commitment to clients, portrays exemplary customer service skills and manages to build and cement long-term business relationships.
Open to life and health advisors only
Criteria for judges include: number of policies written; revenue contributions, client retention and client testimonials.
PAL INSURANCE BROKERS AWARD FOR YOUNG GUN OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence for the outstanding achievement by a young broker within the insurance space. This accolade goes to the new industry player under 40 who has exceled at pushing the envelope with innovation and growth, garnering industry’s attention and the respect of peers.
Open to a broker who is 40 or under as of September 1, 2016
Achievements could include: unique ways of utilizing next-generation technology to build and cement client relationships, distinctive new business development strategies, exceptional customer service skills, innovative branding and marketing strategies to attract new clients and/or creative ways of taking the company to the next level
Finalists will be asked to provide supporting evidence of the above, including demonstrated increase in policies written and premium volume contributions over the last three years. Please include a brief overview on market landscape and market size.
SOUTH WESTERN GROUP AWARD FOR BROKER OF THE YEAR
This award of excellence recognizes the standout property and casualty insurance broker of the year. This accolade goes to the individual who has best exceled at pushing the envelope with innovation and growth, garnering industry’s attention including the respect of peers. This broker demonstrates commitment to clients, portrays exemplary customer service skills and manages to build and cement long-term business relationships.
Open to properly and casualty brokers only
Criteria for judges include: number of policies written; premium volume contributions, client retention and client testimonials.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence for the outstanding business development manager of the year. This acknowledgment goes to any individual within the insurance space who is pushing the envelope and demonstrating success in setting and exceeding business development goals.
Standout achievements in 2015 and from January 1, 2016 to September 1, 2016.
Demonstrated excellence in client relationship building, understanding clients’ business models and objectives, strong presentation skills in a group or one-on-one, responsiveness to clients’ needs, bringing new ideas to clients, providing strong alternative recommendations to clients, understanding the competitive landscape, and applying marketing prowess in business development and sales
RISK MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes excellence and stand-out performance for risk managers. The award will go to the person who has excelled at protecting the assets of their company or the company they consult for, by identifying exposures that may result in accidents or losses.
Open to any risk manager within the insurance space
Demonstrated success in protecting the assets of their company or their clients’ company; actively recommends and implements innovations to minimize costs and losses; provides exemplary service and is a team player
Inspires their team and offers creative thinking to the risk management community as a whole
Organizational Awards
EQUISOFT AWARD FOR LIFE AND HEALTH INSURER OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence presented to the company that stands out by providing top-tier life and health insurance products to consumers and businesses in Canada.
Insurance provider of the year applies to any firm offering life and health insurance, critical illness and/or disability products
When judging this category - standout achievements for the year, revenue growth during the year, overall customer service and stakeholder engagement - will be key considerations.
P&C INSURER OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence presented to the company that stands out by providing top-tier property & casualty insurance products to consumers and businesses in Canada.
Insurance provider of the year applies to any firm offering insurance focused on risks that result in loss to property and possessions
When judging this category - standout achievements, revenue growth during the year, overall customer service and stakeholder engagement - will be key considerations.
KEAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION
The Digital Innovation Award recognizes a company that has best harnessed technology to enhance the user experience for clients and other relevant industry stakeholders.
Finalists will be invited to provide supporting documentation for a website, mobile, app, video or other relevant solution and its performance implemented anytime between August 31, 2015 to September 1, 2016, including visitor traffic reports and reader engagement/usability over the period
Judging Criteria include: overall excellence, depth of content, user friendliness, innovation, and the use of multimedia platforms
A good resource for clients and employees - promotes excellence within your organization
BEST BROKERAGE UNDER 10 PEOPLE
Award of excellence to the outstanding broker practice. This award goes to the business in which the total number of registered brokers is fewer than or equal to 10 individuals.
Total number of licenced brokers within the business is fewer than or equal to 10, nationally. When judging this category - number of policies written during the year, premium volume contributions, customer service, brokerage reputation and client retention - will all be considered.
APRIL CANADA AWARD FOR BEST BROKERAGE OVER 10 PEOPLE
Award of excellence to the outstanding broker practice. This award goes to the business in which the total number of registered brokers is over 10 individuals.
Total number of licenced brokers within the business is over 10 individuals, nationally. When judging this category - number of policies written during the year, premium volume contributions, customer service, brokerage reputation and client retention - will all be considered.
NORTHBRIDGE INSURANCE AWARD FOR BROKERAGE/NETWORK CLUSTER OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence to the outstanding brokerage network/cluster of the year for its commitment to its broker members, clients and support to the insurance industry as a whole.
Demonstrated evidence of value proposition to the member offices
Excellence in majority of the following areas: training and education, marketing, commission and profit share, access to more companies and products, claims support, customer service support, access to niche and non-traditional markets, administrative support, recruitment of talent
The “personality” of the networks will be considered as well. Good standing with industry peers and clients
SPECIAL RISK INSURANCE MANAGERS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE BY A BROKERAGE
This award acknowledges a brokerage with a proven track record of providing their clients with superior support. Whether it is providing best-in-class assistance or reducing turnaround times, customer support is essential for client satisfaction. This award recognizes the industry player that has mastered that service and is a number one on all fronts.
Open to any brokerage that provides services to clients
Finalists will be asked to provide details on how they go the extra mile to provide excellent customer service
Criteria for judges include: interpersonal communication strategies, telephone and face-to-face service
Demonstrated success in client retention, growth and overall business development
MGA OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence for the MGA who offers superb service to brokers and is consistently proactive in educating brokers on products, while maintaining in-depth knowledge of financial markets and the competitive landscape of all product offerings.
Maintains superior support service by communicating updates pertaining to the products and other offerings it provides
Provides value-added ideas and marketing support to assist brokers in growing their businesses and client base
INSURR AWARD FOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence for the outstanding advertising campaign from August 31, 2015, to September 1, 2016 directed to brokers. This award recognizes the outstanding individual campaign directed to brokers in terms of its effectiveness, reach and creativity.
Advertising campaign directed to brokers
The success of the campaign’s key objectives and strategy, its marketing mix and both the quantitative and qualitative evidence of its success, including all evaluative metrics
The judges will also take into account the impact relative to advertising spend
Feel free to include broker testimonials
BURNS & WILCOX AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNITY SERVICE
This award celebrates the outstanding contribution of time, leadership and financial support of a company who set new benchmarks of excellence in the acts of giving and volunteering.
Open to any company within the insurance space
Demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and local, national and/or international community involvement
The organization or an individual has developed creative, resourceful and inspired campaigns, initiatives, projects or techniques that have grown and made a meaningful impact on local, national and/or international communities or causes
INSURANCE INDUSTRY EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
Award of excellence recognizing a company that has won the reputation to be called an employer of choice within the insurance industry.
Committed to building a workplace that recognizes excellence and supports phenomenal careers for all
Provides the right relationships, challenging and meaningful opportunities, and flexible work options to help people develop their full potential
Demonstrates a commitment to provide a supportive and innovative workplace for their employees
Finalists will be asked to provide an overview of their people philosophy, workplace culture, employee testimonials and other relevant reasons explaining they should win this award
MARKEL AWARD FOR BIG BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR
Award of excellence to the outstanding broker practice. This award goes to the business in which the total number of registered brokers is over 100 individuals.
Total number of licenced brokers within the business is over 100, nationally.
When judging this category - number of policies written during the year, premium volume contributions, customer service, brokerage reputation and client retention - will all be considered.
THE RADIUS FINANCIAL EDUCATION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
This award acknowledges the contributions of a company or individual with a proven track record of providing Insurance brokers & offices with the superior service and assistance needed to perform their duties. This award will be determined through nominations as well as an IB Online poll of the most popular service providers of the year, servicing those working in the insurance profession.
Open to any company or individual that provides a service to Insurance brokers & offices (including but not limited to: Coaching, Training, databases ,websites, apps, big data, analytics & CRM systems, Marketing & customer service support)
Finalists will be invited to submit supporting documentation and testimonials will also be considered.
Judges criteria includes; an explanation of the service their business provides to Insurance Professionals, how their business adds value to their client, demonstration of a sustained effort and commitment to the Industry, repeat and referral business strategy and success.
Welcome speech and Overview
Andrew Yang - CEO, Microsoft
Venue: Auditorium 1
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The Standardistas are lecturers in interactive design
Catered Lunch
Sponsered
Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet
Mary Doe - Lead Designer, Microsoft
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MTechnology
News, Technology 12/08/2017 No comments
Net Neutrality Advocates Speak Up as FCC Set to Strike Down Rules
Net neutrality is a simple concept but a dense and often technical issue that has been argued over for years in tech and telecom circles. Now everyday folks are talking about it.
That’s because the Federal Communications Commission has scheduled a vote next week to gut Obama-era rules meant to stop broadband companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from exercising more control over what people watch and see on the internet. The protests aren’t likely to stop the agency’s vote on Thursday, but activists hope the outcry will push Congress to intervene and will show support for stricter regulation down the road.
Net neutrality has been a hot button before, thanks to assists from Silicon Valley and TV host John Oliver speaking out about what they see as threats to the internet. More Hollywood celebrities have been joining the cry against the agency’s direction.
“Long live cute dog videos on YouTube! #RIPinternet. Share what you loved about The Internet,” actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted as he urged people to push Congress to intervene. Big-time Hollywood producer Shonda Rhimes tweeted a link to a story about saving net-neutrality on her lifestyle website.
Net-neutrality rules bar cable and phone companies from favoring certain websites and apps — such as their own services — and give the FCC more oversight over privacy and the activities of telecom companies. Supporters worry that repealing them would hurt startups and other companies that couldn’t afford to pay a broadband company for faster access to customers.
Critics of the rules say that they hurt investment in internet infrastructure and represent too much government involvement in business. Phone and cable companies say the rules aren’t necessary because they already support an open internet.
While libertarian and conservative think tanks and telecom trade groups have spoken up against net neutrality, everyday people have been vocal in protesting the rules’ repeal.
Since the FCC announced just before Thanksgiving that it was planning to gut the rules, there have been about 750,000 calls to Congress made through Battle for the Net, a website run by groups that advocate for net neutrality. By contrast, there were fewer than 30,000 calls in the first two weeks of November. While Congress doesn’t need to approve FCC decisions, it can overrule the agency by passing a law.
Net neutrality also has triggered discussions all over social media, even in groups that typically do not discuss tech policy. In one Facebook group about leggings seller LuLaRoe, one woman’s lament about the repeal triggered more than 270 responses. They included questions about what net neutrality was, links to explanations and statements of support. The discussion sprawled into the next day.
Meanwhile, net-neutrality supporters protested outside 700 Verizon stores Thursday, said Tim Karr, senior director of strategy for Free Press, an advocacy group involved in Battle for the Net. In midtown Manhattan, some 350 people came to chant slogans and wave signs.
“Access to a free and fair internet is necessary for a functioning democracy,” said Lauren Gruber, a writer for a branding agency who joined the New York protest. If the net-neutrality rules are repealed, she said, “it’s just another showcase of oligarchy upon America.”
Most people don’t follow what federal agencies like the FCC are doing, even though decisions can have a lot of impact on people’s lives, said Beth Leech, political science professor at Rutgers University. Having celebrities speak out can help spark people’s interest, she said.
“Protests that draw average people out into the streets across the country are relatively rare,” she said. “It’s the rarity that gives them some of their power.”
The liberal organization MoveOn is urging Americans to speak up for net neutrality. Democratic senators have called for a delay in next Thursday’s vote, while Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel urged backers to “make a ruckus.” Some Democrats are hoping that the gutting of Obama-era net neutrality rules will become a campaign rallying cry in 2018 and beyond.
“Net neutrality has the potential to motivate young and progressive voters to turn out,” said Tyler Law, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which tries to get Democrats elected to the House.
“There will be a political price to pay for those who are on the wrong side of this issue, because net neutrality’s time as a campaign issue has arrived,” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., a longtime net neutrality supporter, said on a call with reporters Wednesday.
Republican campaign officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The FCC’s commenting system has logged 23 million comments, compared with roughly 4 million for the last blockbuster issue — when the agency approved the net-neutrality rules in 2015. An August study by a data firm backed by the telecom industry found that 60 percent of the comments made this year supported keeping the 2015 rules.
But the commenting system has been messy. The FCC says millions of comments used temporary email accounts from fakemailgenerator.com, hundreds of thousands of comments came from one address in Russia and many comments were duplicates.
Some net-neutrality supporters have become intensely personal in their advocacy. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and his staff have called out ugly and racist tweets and death threats. Pai also said activists came to his home to post signs that referenced his children. One man was charged in November with threatening to kill U.S. Rep. John Katko and his family if the New York Republican didn’t support net neutrality.
Bangladesh Asks NY Fed to Help it Recover Stolen Millions Next
White House: Trump Senior Aide Dina Powell to Resign Early Next Year
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MBusiness
News, World 12/24/2020 No comments
First COVID-19 Vaccines Arrive in Latin America
Latin America received its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, with a shipment landing in Mexico City.Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard was on hand when the flight carrying the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine landed from Belgium.”Today is the beginning of the end of that pandemic,” Ebrard said.Mexico is scheduled to receive 1.4 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Officials on Wednesday did not say how large the shipment was, however, but said they planned to begin vaccinating health workers in Mexico City and Saltillo, in Mexico’s north, on Thursday.Other Latin American countries are expecting vaccine shipments or, as Argentina did on Wednesday, approving vaccines for use in their countries.Also Wednesday, researchers found that people who had contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, were much less likely to test positive again. Those people who developed antibodies were “at much lower risk” to get the disease again, and could remain virus free for up to six months or longer, the two studies found.Dr. Ned Sharpless, director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, which conducted one of the studies, told the Associated Press that people who develop antibodies from natural infections develop “the same kind of protection you’d get from an effective vaccine. … It’s very, very rare” to get reinfected.The National Cancer Institute study involved more than 3 million people who had antibody tests. The NCI study found that only 0.3% of those who had antibodies later tested positive for the coronavirus, compared with 3% who lacked such antibodies, the AP reported.The second study, published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, involved a much smaller group. It followed 12,500 health workers, 1,265 of whom had coronavirus antibodies at the start. The study found that only two health workers tested positive in the following six months, and neither person developed symptoms, AP reported.U.S. Army General Gustave Perna, Operation Warp Speed chief operating officer, said Wednesday that the U.S. government would distribute nearly 4.7 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines next week.By the end of the first week of January, Perna said, about 20 million vaccine doses will have been delivered throughout the United States.U.S. Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui warned, however, that it would take longer to administer the doses.”The commitment that we can make is to make vaccine doses available,” Slaoui said during a press call. “How fast the ramp-up of immunizations, the shots in arms, is happening is slower than we thought it would be.”Public data show that health care workers in the United States have received about 1 million shots so far, a small fraction of the total shipped. U.S. officials said there was a lag in vaccination data of several days, however.Chile’s Santiago international airport is employing sniffer dogs in detecting travelers with COVID-19.A team of golden retrievers and Labradors wear green “biodector” jackets adorned with red crosses.Passengers will be required to wipe their necks and wrists with gauze pads. Once placed in glass containers, the dogs, who have been trained to detect the coronavirus, will give a sniff.Dogs are being used in airports in the United Arab Emirates and Finland. A recent study found dogs can identify individuals who have COVID-19 with 85% to 100% accuracy.Chile’s Carabinero police trained the dogs.
Haiti Pushes Back on US Lawmakers’ Call for Transitional Government in 2021 Next
SolarWinds Hackers ‘Impacting’ State, Local Governments, US Cyber Agency Says
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Rest Of My Family
Stories of encounters with the rest of my human family…
Follow Rest Of My Family on WordPress.com
“You don’t have a husband. You don’t have any children. What’s the point of giving you a house?”
Posted on January 9, 2018 January 23, 2019 by Rest Of My Family
Muffled sounds broke the silence. Someone had broken in. In scorched earth, they looked for dead cinders. The flames were long gone: vanished as if they never swirled in the midnight breeze, as if they never sputtered in the dead of night. It was a dog, muttered the older women under their breath. There were footprints everywhere.
Days turn endless, and nights didn’t last long…
Where drifted dead leaves in the morning, there stood an old man staring into the woods. “They dug a borewell for the settlement,” said Dhan Singh as he accompanied us to the car, “But we don’t have any electricity. So, our fields don’t get any water. However, there’s enough water in our well. It hasn’t dried up yet. If we get electricity, we could run the motor to pump water into our fields.”
An old lady slept on the floor. Her grandchild hung in a cloth cradle. Flies swarmed around garbage stacked in the corners. They would be burnt in the evening. In passageways that led to the forest, smoke rose and settled in corners. Some boiled water in large cauldrons while others swept the ground. They all have roles: wives and mothers. “We wouldn’t survive a day without them,” said Vasanth, “The women work very hard.”
Dhan Singh limped towards us. “There are animals in these jungles,” he said as he ran his hands over the car. “Back in the day, there were a lot more of them. They couldn’t survive. Not for long. Back in the day, both my father and grandfather hunted down a few beasts themselves. But we can’t hunt anymore. We aren’t allowed to do so. Our ancestors were traders and would travel far and wide to sell salt and other goods. The white people criminalised our nomadic lifestyle. Or was it the kings? I am not sure. We weren’t allowed to move from one place to another,” he said.
Ali didn’t let go of Shyam. He kept tugging his hand. “Eh Kothi,” he said with a wide-eyed grin. Some days, they didn’t get along. But Shyam didn’t mind him. We dropped him to Chincholi today. He spends Rs 100 every day. He would walk all the way to his village if he could.
“I have three daughters,” he said as we waited for the traffic to clear before us, “They are all married. For the eldest one, I paid 1.5 tholas of gold and Rs 51,000 as dowry to get her married. If I couldn’t meet their demands, then they would refuse my daughter. For my youngest daughter, I had to arrange for 3.5 tholas of gold. I still owe people Rs 61,000 and hope to clear my debts soon. My middle one suffered the most. Her husband abandoned them. She has two children. She now lives in Bangalore with a family of doctors. And, they treat her very well. Her eldest daughter is studying in Tumkur while the younger one lives in Chincholi.”
Her husband lives in Bidar. One day, he decided to sell their one acre of land without her consent. There was a wedding in the family. “She is very strong,” he said staring at the fields outside.
He lit his beedi and smoked it with great care. Like most days, his shift ended at 9.30 am. Trembling noises from factories nearby chased us everywhere we went. Workers walked towards them. In scattered lines, they disappeared into fields that held no charm. They weren’t farmers: one could tell. The muddy paths led them there. Smoke rose in a distance from grey structures that stood against the skies; a fading whistle summoning them all. “My daughter got a stay order against them,” he whispered. His eyes traced the clouds. At times, the factories obstructed his view. But he didn’t mind them. “My son-in-law borrowed some money for the wedding. He hoped to pay his debts by selling off their land. However, my daughter fought against him. He refuses to give her a divorce but doesn’t want to do anything with his family,” he said with a worried smile.
After breakfast, we drove towards Kunchavaram. It was Holi today but we barely saw anyone celebrating on the streets. There weren’t any colours splattered on lanes. There weren’t any gatherings smeared in colours dancing their way to the Gods. There was nobody around. A few Banjara women walked towards the bus stop chattering boisterously amongst themselves. Towards the forests, as we drove further, we spotted some men and women filling up potholes on the road. Yet another patch work, we thought to ourselves. Black and grey they altered in chequered patterns as far as one could see. Like all things here, they too would wither over time.
With veils drawn over their heads, they walked beside each other. Their feet were bare, and their shoulders hunched towards the ground. They hid their faces in the car. They ran their fingers over the seats. “The forests weren’t like this before,” said one of the older women to us, “Now it is dry and dead. I carry jowar rotis for the animals usually but I couldn’t today.”
They worked as coolies. They earned Rs 100 per day while the men earned more. At Kunchavaram, we bought some potatoes, okra, daal and wheat flour from a local grocery store. The market was shut for Holi. A magician performed some tricks on the streets gathering a large crowd around him. Bursting into peals of laughter, women stood beside him as he straightened his collar and yelled gibberish at everyone around him.
He stood by the roadside. His crutches barely held him. Beside the abandoned settlement, we found him limping across the road. He held his hand out hoping someone would stop for him. There weren’t many vehicles passing by that day.
“Can you drop me to Pedda Thanda? I can’t walk for too long” he explained with a lazy drawl. He met with an accident 20 years ago. He sat beside the driver in a lorry. They were travelling to a town far away. A tractor crashed into them. “I was rushed to the hospital immediately but the doctors couldn’t save my leg,” he said staring away from us.
The driver was drunk. His hands trembled as he gestured us to stop a few miles ahead. He looked outside as if he were lost in thought. But he wasn’t. At times, he smiled. He could feel the wind in his face, and hear the low rumble of the engine. “Look around you,” he said almost with contempt, “The government doesn’t genuinely want to repair the roads. They are happy with temporary fixes. And, so are we. No one genuinely wants to improve their situation or work towards development of the nation. Corruption is deeply ingrained in our system and the only way we can make change is by changing individually. For the last four years, our farms have been dying. Farming has suffered because of industries. Wherever they have set up cement factories, it has led to the destruction of our environment. We have destroyed our nature. We have killed our earth. And, you can see it all around you.”
We said our goodbyes and never met again. We didn’t intend to neither did we pretend otherwise. Some encounters do not lead to reunions. Some moments don’t last a lifetime. They aren’t meant to.
The pile of garbage had grown bigger near the Dargah. Here, in the forests, Holi celebrations were in full swing last night. Vasanth had called us twice already. We parked the car near the defunct school and walked towards the porch where a large group of people gathered in a circle. As per tradition, they sacrificed a goat yesterday. Some men chopped off chunks of meat and set them aside. Ramaji, Vasanth and Sikander sat before the crowd. Beside us, slabs of meat hung upside down. They were tethered to the roof.
“We have just one functional hand pump,” said Sikander as an old woman carried a pot of water on her head, “The government has promised to repair the other two. But it will take time. We have installed a generator that pumps enough water for feeding our cattle. We can also use it for bathing and cleaning. If the hand pump stops functioning, then the women walk to the naala. However, this year, it is completely dry. There’s nothing in it almost as if it never existed. If the pump fails, then we will have to walk all the way to the top of the hill and get water from there.”
A man stood up and walked to the front of the gathering. He then segregated the meat into 27 portions by weighing them on a hand-scale. Across him, in a vessel, the others gathered the blood, insides, liver and kidney of the animal which was then cooked together and distributed amongst everyone. The hooves were chopped off with mighty precision.
In a lone corner away from us, the jaws of the goat were being roasted over fire. A woman broke them into pieces and handed them to children who munched on them for hours. A man seemed miffed with the prices set for each portion and continued to bicker with the men around him for a while. Each household gets a portion while the Nayak of the thanda gets two portions of meat.
“We were supposed to burn Holika today and celebrate the festival tomorrow. However, in Dharmasagar, the villagers decided to celebrate the festival yesterday. These days, we have been given strict orders to wind up celebrations within a day. Alcoholism is a major issue. People get drunk and get into major fights. Earlier, we would make drinks using a flower from the forest. We call it Mahua. It was a lot of work to make it ourselves. These days, you can got to a wine shop. No one would fight after drinking Mahua. They don’t see who is big or small whether or not the person standing before you should be respected or no. Their minds and bodies are tainted.”
In a while, Vasanth asked us to follow him to his house. He had asked his wife to make some some jowar rotis, daal and potato curry for lunch. The wooden cot was brought out to the courtyard. Where the thanda ended and began endless fields, Vasanth had built his home amidst the forests. As we sat at the edge of the house, for a brief moment, we had forgotten where we were. So did he.
Women ran to the tank near the school to fill pots of water for their daily chores. Some toddlers followed them with tiny buckets in their hands. They fought hard and played around till they got exhausted. One of them pinched the others until they all burst into tears. Their buckets couldn’t hold enough water. They weren’t too bothered by it.
Some mornings, they chased peacocks in the courtyard. Others followed trails of monkeys into the forests. Sometimes, they slept on the ground staring at the clouds wondering who could longest without blinking. For now, they had each other…
Two days later, we found Ali stumbling across the room. “I have three sons and two daughters,” he said slurring. He wiped his mouth with his hand. His skin had spots and his eyes looked tired. He hadn’t slept very well. Not for a while.
“One of my sons is studying Civil Engineer. I keep telling him that he has studied for two years and it should be enough. How much longer does he need to study? If he finished the course, it will change his life. At least, that’s what he keeps telling me. I wonder how he is able to construct plans for a building seated at his desk. He studies till 2 am every day. He says Abba tu chup baith mere ko padhne de phir tu dekh main tere se achcha kamaunga. I earn Rs 18,000 a month. It isn’t much but it is enough for us to survive. I drink every day. If I don’t drink I won’t survive,” he said with a sheepish grin.
The next morning we were up by 7 am. We packed our things and left to Chandapura to have breakfast. Ragesh served us with a smile and asked if we would have some more coffee. We bought some bottle gourd, brinjal and tomato from the local vegetable vendor before we headed to the forest.
We crossed the bio-thermal plant and drove straight towards the tiny stall with orange flags perched on its roof. We crossed them again. We tried to trace familiar signs in a sea of unknown. Trees without branches, fields without shrubs. We got distracted and missed the bumps on the road. The car jerked forward. As we took the turn that led to Shadipur, concrete roads gave way to unpaved mud roads.
Ravi, who had arrived the previous night, motioned for us to stop. “The right tyre has lost air. Take a look,” he said parking his bike beside a tall tree. We had to turn around. A few miles away, we found a filling station where a young man decided to take a look at the tyre. He poured some water on it and said, “There is no puncture. The leak can be fixed in no time. ”
We were lost yet again. The forest had features that we didn’t recognise. We couldn’t read the signs. Not as well as those who dwelled in these areas. We followed a trail that led us to another. It split further into smaller paths that led nowhere. There were no settlements here.l
In a while, we crossed paths with some farmers who directed us towards Seribikkanalli Thanda. At the end of the path, we came across a junction that had roads swerving in opposite directions. The left trail had some boards installed at the entrance. We went in the opposite direction. Branches cracked and twigs snapped underneath the tyres as we drove over a bed of dried leaves. Thorny trees and bushes left a few scratches on the car. As the thickets turned dense in the corners, we realised we had taken the wrong trail. We heard faint screaming from a distance when we stopped ahead.
“You should have taken the other route. I asked you to keep heading straight. I turned around and came back because I couldn’t see you,” said the man on the bike. “You will get lost in the forest. The Thanda is that way. There’s a deep ditch ahead. Be careful.” He had followed the dust trail into the jungle to reach us.
In fifteen minutes, we spotted the tiny wooden board that read Seribikkanahalli in Kannada. We parked the car near the school. We noticed the forest department office open today. The temple was under construction. Villagers installed tiles on the walls. Dhan Singh held a tiny bucket in his hands. He spoke to us in whispers as he lit his beedi explaining what had to be done and how pressed for time the village was. “The temple has to be ready for the festival,” he exclaimed.
His hurried steps caught our attention. Pandurang ran towards us. “I have been looking for you. The Forest Department officials want to have a word with you.” Almost instantly, a tall man in a camouflaged jacket and brown hat approached us. His demeanour faltered as he spoke. “Talk to my senior,” he said handing over his phone to us.
In a stern tone, the man on the other end then informed us that we required a written letter and permission from higher authorities to visit these villages. We knew we didn’t require any letter since we weren’t trespassing areas that were cordoned off by the department. “I was supposed to be there,” he said in hushed tones, “I received a call from the Forest Officer who asked me if I was doing my job. Apparently, someone had informed him that a car and bike were spotted heading into the forest. I am supposed to keep him informed of any vehicles entering the forests. I am just doing my job.” Dhan Singh giggled at their antics.
“Do they trouble you?” we asked him as we walked to the centre of the village.
“No. We aren’t allowed to go to areas they have mapped as protected zones. If we gather branches and twigs that are fallen on the ground, they don’t trouble us. However, during weddings, when we need wood to build mantapas, they don’t allow us to gather wood from the forest. What else are we supposed to do?” he asked.
Unknown faces chased us down the road. There were many of them. We hadn’t seen them before. They didn’t know who we were. Some family members explained to them that we had come here before. “Several times…” whispered a young lady to her husband.
Hirabai sat on the porch swaying back and forth. She smashed some arecanuts to bits before placing them neatly on a betel leaf. “I will leave in 15 days. We all go to the cities in search of jobs. Yes, we go every year. We leave after the pooja and return in the monsoons. All the men and women leave. The elderly folks and children are left behind. I generally do some construction work including preparing concrete mixtures and lifting heavy stones. I would stay back if I could but if we go to the cities, women earn Rs 300 while men earn Rs 400. That way, our families won’t starve.”
She burst into a fit of giggles. We wondered why. She wiped her eyes with her hands and exclaimed out loud, “Even there, we earn lesser than men. You city folks are no better.” Women gathered in courtyards looking for shelter from the heat. We knew them. Some were born in the thanda while many moved to the forest after their wedding. “The rest are asleep,” said Mangala bai urging us to sit beside her, “In the mornings, we go to the forest to gather wood. We go in the evenings too. But these days, we can’t walk great lengths. Summers are harsh in these regions. Since the jungle doesn’t have any water, the journey is far more strenuous in the evenings.”
“Everything is difficult here,” she said bitterly. Her features shone in the afternoon sun. There wer“The government didn’t build me a house. There are others who could get better homes under the scheme but I couldn’t. Do you know why? They told me You don’t have a husband. You don’t have any children. What’s the point of giving you a house? It was Indira Gandhi I think who gave us a home a few decades ago. Was it her? I am not sure. This is the house we are still living in. I don’t have anything left. No family. No home. Nothing…”
Hirabai walked to the goats and tied them up to poles nearby. In a line, they stood bleating their objections in a helpless rage. They wished to be free. They inched closer to the khatiya placed in the courtyard. Vasanth’s wife served us some chapatis, bottle gourd curry and rice. Under the neem tree, we slept for a while after lunch as birds chirped in a distance. The dogs laid closer to the stacks of hay piled in the corners.
At around 4 pm, we took a stroll around the village. Ravi walked ahead and decided to take a nap on an old wooden cot outside the school. A few children followed himwith sticks and stones. On abandoned stone benches outside the forest department, they climbed one after another singing songs they hadn’t heard before.
“It’s all made up. She doesn’t know the words,” said a little girl.
“Neither do you. This song doesn’t exist. So, no one knows the words,” said a little boy as he cleaned his tattered trousers.
“Yes, it exists. I heard it on my uncle’s phone,” she said adamantly.
A few monkeys swung from one branch to another as branches of dead trees crackled in the winds. Akin to ringing bells, the branches swayed in the light breeze and dried leaves were shattered from their reverie as another group of children trotted towards us. They asked us our names and couldn’t pronounce them for a while. They tried to steal our bottles.
None of them went to school. They spoke in Gormati and couldn’t understand us. Shivani nodded everytime we talked to her. “Her name is Looli,” she said pointing at a little girl. “Her name is Looli too,” she said dragging another from the bench. “She is Looli as well…”
“No, it’s Sandhya and Shivani. She is lying,” retorted an older girl as she pulled her hair. A few of them followed their mothers and aunts to the water tank. The toddlers growled at monkeys and shooed them away from the thanda. Their menacing tone earned them scoffs from their older siblings.
Cows munched on cardboard boxes strewn all over the place. Some fed on hay and plastic. We sat there for an hour or so before we decided to take a walk in the village. All the kids ran behind us announcing our arrival to every nonchalant adult who had just woken up from their afternoon nap. We spotted a few farms from Vasanth’s house. Tracing the trails from above, we decided to explore the fields beneath the house. When we climbed down, we were instantly met with acres of barren land that were yet to see a sapling sprout. There wasn’t a blade of grass in sight. Scattering spores of green dotted the landscape but never met our eyes. We couldn’t see them Everything disappeared here before us.
Near a lone tree, in the middle of the fields, we sat on the ground. Its leaves swayed to the tunes of the earth as an orb of sunshine caressed its leaves. To our right, we spotted another giant tree and some broken stone benches.
A man walked towards the tree alongside a few more. He was one of the men installing solar panels for the village which were set up by a private company. He was from Tamil Nadu but he could speak Kannada.
There were some protrusions and veins popping out of his calves. Apparently, the doctors told him that they could be removed surgically. “It doesn’t hurt. So, I opted out of surgery,” he explained with a warm smile, “Why should I cut open my body if it isn’t bothering me? This thanda is located deep in the forest. I have never been here before. It’s nice but I wouldn’t want to live here. Not with them.” He fell silent hoping we wouldn’t ask him why. “These people are notorious. There are several stories about them in these regions. But they have mellowed down over the years. No one has treated us poorly so far. The locals do not have any option but to walk to the nearest town. These days, some of them have bikes but life’s hard here. I’d never live in this village. These forests are unkind, ” he murmured. As the sun went down, we saw a herd of goats running hurriedly towards the village. A grandmother dragged them towards a tiny shed as she adjusted her veil to protect herself from the heat.
“The heat remains for a while,” said the man before walking away. “The nights get cooler in the forests.”
We soon reached Vasanth’s house and decided to rest for a while. The tiny shed opposite his home was open. Laxmanji, Pandu and another man with a thick moustache sat on the floor sipping on some tea while the radio crooned some old hindi songs. Ravi walked in to buy beedis and we could hear Laxman yelling at him asking, “Why are you people here? What is the point of you guys talking to us? Has anything happened since the last time you were here?” he asked expressing his discontent over the fact that we hadn’t done anything since the last time we were here. Many have come like you in the past and nothing has happened. Many promised to do great things for our thanda and yet no one came back. Many like you told us that they would make our situation better. No one has ever come back,” he said.
We agreed with him. For, he wasn’t wrong. We told him that such unfortunate situations could have occurred in the past. But we do not intend to leave them with false promises. He didn’t believe us. He had no right to do so. For, we were strangers and we would remain that way for a while.
We gave up talking to him. He refused to listen to us. So, we decided to walk away from him. We were sipping our tea in the corner where goats ran astray when he came to us yet again and asked, “When are you leaving?” We asked him if we should leave right away and he replied with a nervous cackle, “No. No. I was just wondering when you plan to go home” We told him we will return to Bangalore in a year once our project is done.
“Oh! You’ll be away from home for a while. That’s strange.” With a perplexed nod, he then left towards his home.
In a makeshift shed, they built a stall that sold tea and biscuits. We sat next to two middle-aged men who were listening to the news on the radio. The stations toggled between English, Hindi and Telugu. They also spoke of the India-Bangladesh match that had a nail biting finish in the end. Dhoni managed to lead India to victory by just one run. Pandu was listening to the live commentary of the match on the radio and jumped with joy.
“He doesn’t listen to anyone.” said an old man sitting near the door, “Laxman is stubborn. “If he has made up his mind towards believing in a particular ideology, then no one can convince him otherwise. He thinks everyone will exploit us.”
The conversations veered towards caste and religion. Dalits and other members of the SC/ST communities who are continuously exploited by members of the higher caste in the name of religion and other baseless societal distinctions continue to suffer in these regions. “Caste-based discrimination is prevalent in these regions too. There have been many instances in the past where we were ostracised simply because we did not belong to their society. At some point in history, they told us we were unfit to become members of their society. Throughout history, this has been the situation. However, based on my personal experience, people of Andhra Pradesh especially those who occupied the higher stratum of society have been far too unkind to us than those in Karnataka or Maharashtra. They are far more aggressive in comparison with people from here. Perhaps, such practices are predominant in the villages. Maybe it is lesser in the cities these days. People are much more aware and are educated, I hear,” said Dhan Singh.
He was wrong. A year later, there were stories of men, women and children being lynched on the streets in towns where resided people who claimed to be superior.
“There’s another story,” he said crossing his feet, “Perhaps, you should hear it.”
A group of villagers from the thanda went to a neighbouring town for work. Over a few weeks, a local man who dwelled in the town fell in love with one of the girls accompanying them. “We couldn’t find her one day. She hadn’t returned home from work. We went upto him and asked him if he had taken her home. He flatly refused. We took him to his house and found her locked up in his home. Things got out of control that day. He was beaten up until he couldn’t stand. He was bleeding profusely and his clothes were soaked in blood. All the villagers from his village supported us until they saw him. Upon seeing one of their own battered and bruised, they decided to stand against us. They said it was wrong for us to beat up one of their own especially when we had come to the village for work. We told them it was wrong to kidnap one of our girls. People were extremely angry and passed comments like let us tie both the guy and girl onto the railway tracks and let them be killed by the train. She was eventually married off to someone from another thanda. Nonetheless, people decided to back someone who had committed a crime simply because he belonged to their society. He could have been killed that day had we not stopped everyone. And, that is the unfortunate reality of our situation. Many a times, we have found ourselves in situations where we have been looked down upon simply because we belonged to particular sect of a society that is deemed unfit for the cultured civilisation. Back in the day, the Lingayats and Reddys wouldn’t allow people into their homes but now things have changed. We can invite them to our homes and we too are invited to theirs. Things have changed now. Perhaps it can better in the future,” he said.
We then spoke about the massive migration of rural folks into urban areas owing to farming suffering a devastating blow due to weather fluctuation and the unmitigated water crisis in Chincholi. We also spoke about poverty in both the urban and rural realms. The discussion veered towards the plight of those who living in the urban sectors. While the poor in the villages have certain means to grow their own food and at least procure their daily meals; for those in the cities life is a constant struggle one that requires them to work day in and day out hoping that someday their fate might reign in happiness.
“At least we can cook our own meals and don’t have to worry for our food just yet. However, if the weather continues to deteriorate the way it has for the past four years, then our plight wouldn’t be any different from those struggling to survive in the city. Our soil is rich only if we can protect our fields with fencing and get water to our farms will the thanda be able to survive otherwise we will have to migrate to other cities or towns in search of coolie jobs,” said the man with the moustache.
We also spoke in length about the ongoing issue of casteism and its detrimental effects to society. After some tea, we decided to head to Vasanth’s house. It was getting dark so Piyush and Ravi decided to head to the car to keep all our equipment in there.
I decided to lie down on the Khatiya and was playing with my phone. Some kids stood behind me wondering what I was doing. I played them a few songs till my cell phone died. Light from the solar lamp flickered in the tea stall as women spread mats and bed sheets on the floor. Some decided to lay down while the children giggled and chatted with each other.
The skies were star studded and the temperature had considerably. The jungle had offered us some respite from the heat. The skies shone bright as a multitude of stars twinkled in unison. The cosmos celebrated the union of dusk and night. The horizon was bathed in hues of mauve and indigo. Birds chirped in a distance signalling their mates to head home. The quiet rustle of trees were now replaced by a dull murmur of creaking branches and crackling twigs. Breaking my reverie as
“Didi are you bored,” asked Vasanth’s younger brother’s wife. I told her I was just resting for the day. “Everyone has been asking why you guys are here,” she told us with shy smile. I then explained to her what our project was about and how we intend to help the thanda. “Yes, our situation doesn’t change or alter in any way with just people writing about us. What use it to any of us if we do not get any help?,” she asked. Another older women sat beside us on the khatiya and agreed. “One of the biggest issue we face today is that none of our children go to school. They can’t read or write. What will they do once they grow up? I fear they too will struggle with coolie jobs like us. Everyone mimics everybody,” said the older woman.
Vasanth’s sister-in-law then explained to us that the older lady was in fact her fufi. “I belong to a thanda near Shadipur. My family still lives there. My brothers go to school and one of them finished college. He is now in Hyderabad undergoing some bank training after which he will look for a job. I studied till ninth grade and was in SSLC when my father fell ill. They then decided to get me married off. I wanted to study further but circumstances were such that I couldn’t anymore. It has been three years since I got married and I have a beautiful baby boy. We actually live in Hoskote, Bangalore. Once my son is old enough, I will enroll him in a decent school. It is very difficult for everyone residing in the thanda to travel using these shoddy roads to the main town and village. My family in Shadipur keeps asking me how we manage without roads in case of emergencies. Ambulances hesitate to come to us in the monsoons and we have no choice but to walk all the way to the town and back,” she said.
Her fufi agreed with her and further added, “We need roads and we need our farms to be fenced. If our farms are protected then, we can somehow manage to get water and start growing some crops. Most of the animals have nothing to eat in the jungle. You will see scores of peacocks walking slowly towards the house in search of water in the mornings. They wouldn’t come so close to our homes or the thanda if they had enough for themselves. The forests cannot provide them with food anymore. We had lot more animals back in the day. Perhaps, they have all migrated to other forests or hills in search of food. The government keeps telling us that they will shift us to some other place but we flatly refused. Where else will we get such fertile lands for our crops? It would be foolish to do so.”
In conversation, they also mentioned to us during festivals such as Holi, everyone comes back to the thanda no matter where they are. “The atmosphere is quite festive then. The whole thanda gathers together and we have a great time. We cook, celebrate and talk endlessly for hours. However, when everyone leaves, the thanda feels deserted. You will only find a few children and older men and women sitting in their solitary corners staring into oblivion. Sometimes, our hearts are filled with loneliness. Those left behind are lonely and those of us who move away to distant lands in search of jobs are lonely too. In the cities, the skies disappear. We don’t get to see the stars and the air smells of smoke. At least in the forest, we get to appreciate the heavens and breathe clean air,” she said with a wry smile.
Her kid walked upto her and stared at her with such wide eyes. He kept giggling and luring her to go with him. He then lost interest and ran to one of his cousins as one of the ladies beckoned them all the kids to lay down.
Meanwhile Piyush and Ravi were back. They had been gone a while and we began to wonder what was taking them so long. Apparently, on their way to Vasanth’s home they bumped into Manu bhaiya who was more than willing to share with them the locals’ conundrum with NREGA and their refusal to cooperate with the government officials in facilitating a project that would not only allow them to build a fence but also earn daily wages through NREGA.
“They told us that the budget for the entire project is estimated at around Rs 25,00,000. And, that we will require at least 300 job cards to facilitate such a project. We are just 50. Where do we look for 250 people? Even if we get our relatives to register and get the work done just by ourselves, what is the guarantee that they will give us the money that is credited into their accounts? Moreover, the funds required for fencing materials is credited directly into the account of the dealer. We have no say in anything and cannot really be sure if all the funds are going in the right place. In order to get job cards done on time, we also have to pay them bribes from time to time. Everything is seething with corruption these days. Earlier, we had to convince them and plead with them to provide us with electrical lines. When the work was nearing to an end, the forest department said we weren’t allowed to do so. Now, they are providing us with solar equipment. Hopefully, that will enable us to have our homes lit up at night. However, what we really required was fencing for our farms and electricity to run the pumps to use the borewell. Ye roshni se khaan thodi girega? That way, we didn’t have to migrate to different cities throughout the year. Now, our homes will be lit but I fear it will another monumental struggle to get that done. We even told them to use these solar panels to pump water through the borewells. However, they said these panels cannot produce enough electricity to run these pumps. At least if we had water, we could work on one acre of land and grow our own food. We don’t need anyone else and can work on our own. For the past three years only 25% of the land has been giving us produce. 75% of the land doesn’t fetch us anything. I put some tur daal in two acres of land. I spent close to Rs 4,500 on maintenance, fertiliser, pesticides, etc. After harvest I earned just Rs 2,500 from the produce. I suffered losses worth Rs 2,000 and all my hard work went to waste. Toh aage kaise aata aadmi? Paani nahin hai. Ab jaake dekho lo wahan us taraf logon ne taraki daala tur daala, sab sukh gaya hai kheth. Jungle toh kab ka gaya. Kya kaarein? If this continues for the next two years, the jungle can’t be revived. Things are happening at a snail’s pace. It’s not like the government isn’t doing anything. They are trying everything they can but it isn’t happening fast enough. We need our farms to be functioning more than anything else. Corruption is another major issue that the entire society is grappling with and since we belong to the bottom of the hierarchy, we suffer the worst. We don’t know any way other than bribes to get around. There has never been a situation where we haven’t been asked for bribes. The person sitting on top might have good intentions and work towards the betterment of the society. However, the middlemen mess it up for all of us,” said Manu to them.
Apparently, based on their daily jobs, sometimes they don’t get paid on time. It all depends on the engineer handling the operations. Sometimes, they’ll release Rs 10 into the main funds to ensure that we get paid for the entire job. Some people don’t even settle the 50% margin. It all depends on whether or not the engineer is a good human being. “ See, now we built the compound wall you se ebefore us using the NREGA yojana. The engineer was a Muslim man. He told us we should do the work well and work hard. So, we took great interest in our work and decided to build a sturdy wall since it was for our thanda. Last week, our turn to go to the office and present them with the bills. The maintenance was minimum ten years. We suffered losses of Rs 30,000. In order to procure the materials, they told us we could get them through the udhyog yojana and we got funds only for 40% of the materials. That was a blow to us. In the forest department, they build something called Hingu gundi. Come March, we had to submit some bills. However, it wasn’t ready on our part. Everything got cancelled and it has ben three years now that we haven’t got paid. What to do? Kisi ko poochthe toh koi kuch nahin kar sakta sab haan bolte hain aur poochthe hain. We don’t have good leaders and even if we approach anyone with our problems, it doesn’t amount to anything. Ek mamooli se hostel warden suna hoga aapne from Gulbarga had 80 lakhs in his house. Agar uske ghar main itna hai toh baaju main kitna hoga? Ek sochne ki baat hai. These people have money but where do our people get money from. Hum khaana ugane ke liye paisa maangte hain woh building banane ke liye paise lootthe hain. These people buy sites, construct new houses, build lodges, etc. Poora samaj main hi brashtachar hai and we are all equally involved. You can’t just pick at any one person. Agar tu sachcha hai aur tumhare saath theen aadmi hain jo wrong chal rahe hain, toh aapko bhi wrong chalna hi padega. Otherwise you will be outnumbered and you can’t survive on your own. Kal parson main ration card ke liye gaya tha, jo aadmi paisa deta unko usi time pai milta jo aadmi paisa nahin deta tumhare panchayat ko aata bolke bhej deta. I knew someone there so I paid Rs 250 for five cards. They gave me two cards and kept three cards with themselves saying they couldn’t do it anymore. I told them insaan ko kha rahe ho ki insaan ke jaan ko kha rahe ho. So, he got offended and said how can you talk to me that way. The one was making the cards called me aside and said you don’t have to pay anything extra, the cards will be ready in no time. Most of the villagers are naive and don’t understand the rules. They will readily believe someone if they tell them there’s no other way. They scare them. If they shifted us to a better settlement near the neighbouring village at least our children will get education. We can do something and earn. We’ll at least be assured that our kids have a secured future. We don’t have anything else. Karza hone do koi baat nahin. Duniya main sab logon ne karza liya hai. Koi karza liya koi dama diya. But we need to survive and let our kids have a better future. If we get fencing done, if our farms have water, we can earn enough to send our kids to schools in Chincholi. We will have money to enrol them in hostels. Some kids leave schools because there’s no one to take care of their parents in the jungle. My kids have their final exams in a few days. They are studying in seventh grade. They refused to give them the hall ticket because I couldn’t pay Rs 3000 as exam fees (1500 + 1500). They are studying in private school. I eventually gave them a call and somehow arranged for my children to appear for their exams,” he said and pointed towards a vehicle driving towards them, “They have just come back from removing sand and mud from the pond. Matti nikaalne ke lye paisa hai par gaon ko sudharne ke liye paise nahin hai. Sab raam se ravan ban gaye, yehi problem hai. Humain Mosa ho gaya,” said Manu.
Ravi then told them that base don the number of panels they have installed in the thanda four solar pumps could be run which is perhaps sufficient for pumping water into their farms. However, the tender taken by the government was purely for the electrification of the villages. They can light up their homes and us TV. However, fans cannot be run. “Meter ka bill bhi bharna hai. Humko ek mahine main Rs 40 minimum dena hai whether we use electricity or not. These are the rules. If we consume more units that assigned per household then we will have to pay more. They are giving us solar but the process is being treated as a normal electricity meter,” said Manu.
Ravi then told them that based on the Rajiv Gandhi Yojana Scheme electricity has to be provided for free. The government handed over the tender to JESSCOM who upon completion of installing the meters will hand over operations to the government. “We told them take Rs 40 or take more but please ensure that our pumps are up and running soon. We need to start farming again, ” he said.
At around 8, we decided to have dinner. We were served rice, sambar and some baingan sabji. We ate our hearts fill and sat beside Pandu who was listening to the radio. We wondered aloud why there weren’t any mosquitoes in the forest. He then told us that unlike the cities, there aren’t any open gutters or spots with stagnant water here. The forests are clean which is why you won’t find mosquitoes here. He also told us that he had gone to Bombay for work. “It was filthy and unhygienic. The living conditions were horrible. The toilets were horrible. At least in the village we don’t have to struggle to live. We don’t have to put ourselves through such horrible conditions to survive,” he said.
In conversation, he also mentioned that he ran the tea stall himself. He always stocked up on supplies and keep some sweets and biscuits at home. He also makes a fresh pot of tea every morning and evening. “A lot of people owe me money. Sometimes, people don’t pay for their tea or biscuits. In all, I have to get Rs 12,000 from everyone. If I get my money, I will be able to do something. However, people are helpless. I understand their problem too. They have no means to earn here,” said Pandu.
After sitting and talking for a while, we decided to head towards the car for a walk. We could see a crimson moon peeking through dry branches that stood tall amidst a cluster of forlorn trees. The skies had a light haze as tufts of clouds shimmered in the twinkling horizon. We spent sometime in the forests and as we locked the car and walked back into the village, a young boy came running to us asking us if we wanted to park the car inside the premises of the schools.
We told him it wasn’t necessary and that we weren’t too worried. We heard a young man mutter in Kannada away from us. He said, “Park it at your own risk. There’s nothing we can do if something goes wrong. At least park the bike inside. We ll lock the gates and it will be safe. Since we are staying in the school, I suggest you park it inside.”
We then decided to take his advise and parked the car and bike inside the school. We then struck a conversation with the young man. “My name is Pradeep and I am from Shimoga,” he said in a wry tone. “We came here almost 11 months ago to install the solar panels, the lines, meters, etc. We were told we would be working for a month only. However, the work lasted almost a year,” he said with a helpless smile. We asked him why it took so long to complete the work which was initiated for a one month timeframe.
“I think they didn’t realise how difficult the terrain was. The thanda is located deep in the forest. Transporting equipment to the village takes time. Moreover, on some occasions seeking permission from the forest department proved to be a monumental task. Work had to be stopped temporarily on numerous occasions,” he said.
He asked us why we were here and what we intended to do for the thanda. He listened to us with great interest and pointed at two young boys seated on the ground and said, “If these boys get the opportunity to study and do well for themselves, they’ll perhaps prosper and do well for themselves. This thanda is quite backwards and the people are unware. You can’t trust anyone. They will always try to misuse any help that comes to them. You can pass out in the car if you want or on the roof here if you don’t feel safe.”
We told him that wasn’t necessary and that we would sleep near Vasanth’s house. Everyone has only treated us with kindness and love, and there was no need to worry or fear anyone. We also noticed how he had a very guarded perspective almost as if as an outsider he never let them in and looked at them with a certain amount of suspicion. “I have seen enough in the past one year. The men at least go to different cities and villages and have gained some knowledge and experience. The women, however, know absolutely nothing. It isn’t their fault really. The community is in desperate need of upliftment. If they get water to their farms and fencing then they will be able to prosper. They eat a lot of meat because they are unable to grow their own vegetables and it may not be feasible for them to go to towns every other day since they have no proper roads connecting the thanda to Kunchavaram or Shadipur. They have a teacher/master who walks from Dharmasaga and comes to school. It is quite a task for him too. He has his own issues and problems that he has to deal with and the locals don’t understand that. It is no one’s fault really. You can’t blame the villagers nor the teacher. It is the situation that is at fault here,” he said.
Apparently, they were just a few people who arrived initially and were staying in Vasanth’s house. However, as the numbers increased, they decided to stay in the school and not burden his family. “They are too naive and they don’t have any understanding of the outside world. At least if they watched some TV, it would help them look at things with a different perspective,” he said.
He also told us that two cars from Andhra Pradesh had come to the Thanda a few days ago. He asked them to sleep in the school. However, they decided to camp in the jungle. Despite requesting them to sleep in the school, they decided to go to the forests. Since no one knew who they were, the locals decided to inform the authorities and get them removed. “They couldn’t take the chance. What if they turned out to be miscreants who are here to cause some trouble for locals,” he said.
It was clear that Pradeep wanted to leave the village as soon as possible. He didn’t have any attachment towards the locals in his heart. He treated them as an outsider and perhaps he won’t let them in. He was fearful and looked at them with suspicion. He considered them as thugs. As we walked towards Vasanth’s house, we saw some bricks piled outside the temple. We discussed how the locals were willing to spend whatever little they had on renovating the temple rather than focussing on their farms or water pumps. Religion had a strong foothold in their socio-cultural identity and perhaps governed their lives. Perhaps, they placed their faith on their Gods who would show them mercy. Perhaps it gave them hope. We may never know. But they longed for a life bereft of hopelessness and struggle. For now, religion gave them that; a reason to keep their hope alive.
We walked back to Vasanth’s house and decided to lay down. Piyush and Ravi slept on the porch while I took the khatiya. We spoke for a while and discussed what Pradeep had told us. We later told didi that we had parked the car inside the school and she said there was nothing to be worried about. We soon drifted off to sleep. The silence of the forests were soon taken over by rustling of leaves and a light hum of the winds in the distance.
We were woken by dogs barking at each other at around 5 am. Vasanth bhaiya yelled at them beckoning them to quiet down. Dawn hadn’t broken in yet and we decided to sleep some more. The cool crisp air of the mornings had us wrapped in blankets throughout. We were up by six and saw women outside every house sweeping, heating water for bathing and cleaning and preparing breakfast. Alight smoke rose in the air as people lit fires outside their houses. We saw Vasanth’s younger brother’s wife sweeping the courtyard nonstop for about half an hour. The synchronous swishing of brooms filled the air with familiar sounds; one that transports you to the villages of your hometown. Its amazing how everything looked different and yet felt familiar; how no one was related to us and yet they felt like our own. There was no us and them. We were all one surviving together bonding on our joys and sorrows.
After brushing our teeth, we walked to the car to get our toiletries bag and greeted everyone on the way. All around us we could only see women rushing to hand pumps feeding the cattle and goats some hay and getting ready for their morning chores. The women worked far too hard in the villages. A group of them would now walk to the forest to gather some wood. We saw piles stacked neatly on the roadside the pervious day. Since the heat becomes unbearable, they don’t go twice a day unlike the earlier days. The jungle is dry and there is no water left anymore.
We then walked back to Vasanth’s house and spotted the tea stall open. We went in and greeted everyone. Pandu, Laxman and Dhan Singh were seated on the ground. The radio crooned an old Hindi tunes. Vasanth bhaiya entered and had some chai too. Apparently, he reached at 12 last night. He had parked his bike in Dharmar and took a jeep till there. He then rode all alone in the dark through the forests to reach the thanda. “I am used to it. This is my home. I am not scared of the jungle. Besides there’s nothing to loot from us,” he said.
The conversation veered towards the history of the community. They told us how their ancestors would hunt and gather their own food back in the day. “We used to have our traditional shields, a knife and a gun. Our grandfathers wore them with great pride. They had no fear in their hearts. His grandfather, “he pointed at a middle aged man sitting behind us and added, “could tell if the hunter has hit the target just by sound. He would sit in the village and say “Yes he has got his game” or “No he missed the target”. He was a fierce old man,” said the seventy year old.
“No matter how ferocious the animal, we would go to the jungles and hunt them down. The meat was shared amongst all. Sometimes, the upper caste would ask us to get them a particular kind of meat. They would pay us some money and tell us, “What you got the last time was delicious.” They hadn’t the faintest clue of the amount of time or energy it took us to hunt down an animal. The hunter looks at nothing around him save the game. His concentration has to razor sharp. Woh jaanwar ke sivaaye kuch nahin dekhega. Back in the day, we took great pride in integrity. We were one in spirit. Today, we are divided. Everyone is just bothered about themselves. We have lost our collective identity. We have gone through atrocities together. There was a time when the upper caste wouldn’t give us a glass of water. We weren’t allowed to sit in the same spot or level as them. They would pour water from above and we were supposed to sit on the ground and drink it. We were served tea in separate glasses. We had to take the glass from a shelf outside the stall. The server would then pour it from above. We had to wash it ourselves once we were done. No matter what crimes were committed against us, if we raised our voice against injustice, they would all unite against us claiming that we had no right to fight back for we were inferior. Humare yahan unko Patil bolte hain. Lingayat, Reddy, ye sab log upper caste hain. It is only after what B R Ambedkar did for us is why we are able to live in the same vicinity as them and are able to sit long with them as equals. He fought for equality and human rights. He fought for those who weren’t allowed to have a voice. Things have improved drastically since then however we still have a long way to go,” he said.
In conversation, they also mentioned how they would smoke their traditional hookah back in the day which was made of coconut husk and bamboo. Dhan Singh explained with animated gestures on how they added water into the husk and placed charred coals over tobacco. They would sit in a circle and take long drags of smoke before passing it around. “That was how we first got to know each other. During weddings when the families meet, they share hookah too. Earlier, our wedding used to take place over days and celebrations would last over a month. I spent three months at my in-laws place before coming back to Seri Thanda. First, members of the girls side would visit our family. They are welcomed with great pomp and splendour. We had to take good care of them. We would then show them four animals and they would choose three. This was considered as a wedding gift from the groom’s side to the bride’s family. The groom’s family had to provide them with gift and other offerings unlike today where the girl’s side is expected to spend on the weddings and pay dowry. Everyone would be armed with a gun and knife in case a fight broke out during the wedding. When I had gone to my wife’s place for the first times, back in the day, we had a custom wherein the groom had to stand and greet everyone. I spotted someone walking towards me and I stood up. I didn’t sit down till someone realised that I had been standing for a while. Our women had to follow the ghoongat system. The young bride would be seated inside while a few elders and the groom could interact with her. The groom would then be asked if he was happy with the partner. The bride would also be asked for her consent. If both the parties agreed, then they would go ahead with the wedding,” said Dhan Singh.
Back in the day, they would hunt everything from peacocks, lions, and bears. They also narrated incidents of the animals attacking their ancestors back in the day. Dhan singh then told us that in order to kill a lion you had to shoot a bullet straight through its head or under its arms. “A clean shot will ensure that the lion is rendered helpless. If you miss a shot, then it will do everything in its power to overpower you,” said Dhan Singh.
We sat there for a while till Piyush and Ravi decided to head behind the stall as a young man asked them to take photographs of peacocks who had come to the thanda in search of water.
I sat with Pandu and Laxman who then spoke about the plight of those living in the thanda. They reiterated the need for fencing and the possibility of getting of water into their farms. If the schools could be functional, then their children won’t be sitting at home in hopes of driving a JCB someday and earning a living.
I then walked out and joined Piyush and Ravi who were deep in conversation with Manu and a few other men who were sitting behind the tea stall. Manu Singh told us how in one of the hospitals in Thandur most of the patients are from the Lambani community. “One of my relatives had a respiratory issue. The doctor said he had to do perform small surgery which would cost us Rs 3,000. I asked him to go ahead with it. However, the next day just before the operation, I was billed for Rs 18,000. I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do. I had arranged for Rs 15,000 and asked them to reduce the cost. I made some calls to some people I knew who got in touch with the doctor and requested him to reduce the cost. Everything has become a business. Even for our NREGA job cards, those who can afford to pay them a bribe can get their cards issues immediately, the others feel it is easier to migrate to other cities and earn a living. Even when we are allotted houses, we are thoroughly exploited. For instance, if four houses have been allotted to a particular settlement, ten people will be informed and asked to wait for their calls. They then start the bidding game. Out of desperation, people will promise to pay them higher than the other person in order to get a house for themselves and their family. The highest bidder then gets the house. The ones in the bottom continue to rot in their misery. They had given us the Arogya Card under which we were told medical treatments could be done for miniscule amounts. However, such policies are applicable only for critical surgeries and anything that costs above two lakhs. Normal treatments aren’t eligible for a waiver. The ones sitting on top may have good intentions but the ones on ground if corrupt then nothing ever reaches us. We have been begging for years to give us roads and electricity to pump water, protection for our fields. In the name of conservation, they cordoned off areas in the forest. Neither is the forest conserved nor its creatures have any respite. Don’t we deserve attention too?” he asked.
We spoke for a while on the ongoing issues and detrimental effects of corruption on our society for a while. We then decided to leave since it was getting late for Ravi. He had to ride to Bangalore and we thought it would be wise to leave right away. As we walked to the car Manu mentioned that they had their ancestral guns and knives which was thrown away out of fear years ago. Had they kept it, it would have served as a last flickering memory of a tribe that once fled the Mughal invasion and reached the forests of the South. He also led us to his house to show what his mother had been stitching in order to make a traditional lehenga. We spoke about their traditional attire and jewellery and how perhaps that could provide them a source of living. He said by the time we come back next year he will ask her to get a traditional outfit ready so that could serve as a sample. Ravi cited the example of Lepakshi and how the entire village transformed their state over the years using their traditional art forms and weaving. “If we can survive through our own skills, then we would be able to evolve on our own. We wouldn’t have to rely on coolie jobs and can use traditional art to earn a living. That would be best for our women. They wouldn’t have to struggle anymore,” he said.
We then bid an emotional farewell to everyone and told them that we stay in touch. We spoke about what could be done in the area and how we could help them.
We drove back through the forests as an orb of gold settled in its heart. The sun had risen and the forests shone in its resplendent glory. We saw a herd of peacocks and peahens running hither and tither in a small patch of land. We crossed the forests and entered Shadipur. We also spotted a few monkeys climbing out of a few jowar fields in search of food. We soon reached the red mud roads that led us to Chandapur.
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Through #RestofMyFamily, we will focus on highlighting social issues and human interest stories, documenting the triumphs of the ordinary man despite all the hardships they face constantly, and help these stories reach a larger audience and wherever necessary extend support to the individuals and communities that we write about. We hope to make a direct impact to the lives of those people we meet and find suffering due to various social issues; to connect the ones who need help to the ones who can help.
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The whole of humanity is one big family but somehow, over time, we have lost that connection with one another. Our struggle for individual survival has taught us to draw a circle of 'me and my' around us and we consider only certain people, places and things as our own. By the very design of this paradigm, the rest of the people, places and things in this world fall outside this circle of love and compassion. And, in this societal race of securing more resources for ourselves and our loved ones, most of us have forgotten our relationship with one another at large. There are some of us that have fallen out of everybody's circle of 'my' or have been left too far behind in the race to survive. This project is an attempt to connect back, re-discover our relationship with and understand our responsibility towards the larger family that we are a part of -- the rest of our human family. Hence, it is titled 'Rest of My Family'. Through this journey, we will focus on highlighting the social issues and human interest stories, documenting the triumphs of the ordinary man despite all the hardships they face constantly, and help these stories reach a larger audience and wherever necessary raise funds through fund raisers and crowd funding campaigns to extend necessary support to the individuals and communities that we write about. We hope to connect the ones who need help to the ones who can help. We follow up our documentation by extending necessary support to the individuals and communities we document about. So if you wish to reach out to anyone through us then feel free to get in touch with us at anytime. facebook.com/RestOfMyFamily twitter.com/RestOfMyFamily instagram.com/restofmyfamily restofmyfamily@gmail.com
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Transcript of An Eye for an Eye
This page contains dialogue related to An Eye for an Eye.
The dull ache faded slowly, along with the dancing lights behind her eyelids. Again she risked a peek, facing the glare that assaulted her and she forced her eyes closed almost immediately. Vision seemed unwise, so she moved to her other senses. She felt the light beat down gently on her skin; a soft, warm sensation that she had not felt in almost as long as she could remember. She let the rest of her senses drift away, so that she could turn all of her attention to that feeling. It was a mistake; as soon as she had done so she was beset by the agonising pain that seemed to course through her blood. Poison, or what was left of it at least. It burned and it stabbed and it ached like an angry mob dancing around her insides. She ground her teeth, letting them grate against one another with such ferocity that she tasted blood.
"Hey, now, come on love, let's not have that shall we?" Said a voice. It was an elderly woman's voice. Stern but not angry. It was calm, serious and carried a sort of gravitas that she remembered from some of the other officers. A gravitas that she would have liked to have cultivated in her captaincy. "You've got a good set of gnashers there, let's not whittle them away into dust now shall we. Come on sit up."
She felt a hand on her shoulders and then a gentle push engineered to encourage, rather than to force. With its aid she forced herself into an upright position. It was agony. Every muscle in her body immediately mutinied against her. Her head began to pound and she felt the nausea rising. The nausea caused her balance to fail her and she fell backwards, but the hand on her shoulder remained steadfast and so she fought through the sickness that had taken over her stomach. A cup was gently pressed to her lips and liquid sloshed around within. She drank deeply, uncharacteristically before even checking what it was, reasoning that it wouldn't be poison as such an act would be redundant. It was, as she had hoped, just water and it was wonderful.
"Slowly now" came the voice, demanding but not impatient. "Sip it"
She didn't and quickly regretted her enthusiasm as the water disappeared down the wrong pipe and she found herself coughing and spluttering. Each cough was a reminder that her body hated her and each of those reminders was presented as a sharp jolt of torment.
"See, that's why I said slowly."
Wanting to know who this voice belonged to, she opened her eyes once more and was thankful that the sun's harsh rays were no longer quite so painful. The world swam and slowly began to settle into something recognisable. Colours that she hadn't seen in years waved to her in blurry clouds and a face began to coalesce. It seemed to be contrived of an endless array of wrinkles arranged such that they might resemble a nose, eyes and mouth. The skin was the gentle leathery tan of someone that spent their time working out in the sun. She reasoned a farmer, or similar profession. Certainly it was no one that she immediately recognised. She watched as the elderly woman reached towards her, gently grabbing her face with fingers that felt like paper. The woman gently turned her head left then right, a look of mild concern hidden away within those wrinkled folds.
"Yes, looking a lot better now." The old woman croaked."I can even see the beginning of colour there, good. Now, do you remember how you got here?"
She didn't. She shook her head carefully, it felt as though her brain were sliding around with each movement. The old woman simply nodded.
"Do you know where you are?"
Again, she didn't and so she shook her head once more. The old woman bit her lip thoughtfully, an act that looked quite strange on her wrinkled features, and nodded again.
"Do you know your name?"
She knew this one, though she found herself unwilling to present it. Another name bubbled away beneath the surface a name she had given herself but a name she was not yet ready to acknowledge. She picked another.
"Kaela" She lied, Kaela was the name of one of her commanding officers, someone she had respected but never really known. It would do. The old woman's features settled into obvious relief.
"Oh good, I was worried we'd have some horrible amnesia situation to deal with. I'm Gohdra, my son found you unconscious in the wilderness and brought you here to safety." A suddenly stern expression rushed over her face."You were lucky to be alive, clearly you were mugged. I'm afraid the only thing my son found of yours was that rather beat up helmet over there. If Cole hadn't been delivering cabbages to Edgeville, you might never have been found. One of Saradomin's little miracles no wonder."
Gohdra gestured to a table in the corner of the room on which Kaela's helmet sat. It was a shadow of its former self, battered, dented and scratch marks lancing all over it. It was barely recognisable as the helm she had worn ever since her promotion, even the yellow she was so proud of had now started to turn a more rust orange colour. She sighed. As she sighed she let her eyes close briefly and was assailed once more by the death cries of friends. Their pleas never left her. The image of their bleeding, broken corpses was forever etched behind her eyelids. She shuddered, opening her eyes instantly. Fortunately the old woman had not been paying attention.
"I've never seen metal like that." Said Gohdra absent mindedly.
"It's...not from around here." Kaela offered. Her voice was dry and cracked in such a way that it surprised her.
To her credit Gohdra simply nodded and pressed no further, an act that Kaela appreciated.
"Come on, now that you're up, let's get you out of bed and walking around. You've been out for a while so it'll not be easy."
Gohdra helped Kaela out of bed. It was no simple task. The old woman was right, Kaela's limbs felt impossibly heavy, like they were laden with stones. Leaning forwards she pressed her feet to the floor and began moving some of her weight onto them. It hurt. She'd expected it to though, so through gritted teeth (and as a result Gohdra's gentle tutting) she pressed through the pain and pushed herself to standing. She wobbled forward, suddenly surprised that the world had taken to spinning around rather than sitting still like it was traditionally meant to. Gohdra helped her up and shouted behind her for her son, Cole, to come and help her. He arrived quickly and with the efficiency of a soldier. Kaela noted that. Cole was a well built man, covered in a respectable level of dirt for a farmer, with a crop of brown hair that was sorely neglected and a beard that was comparatively neatly trimmed. He propped the rake he was carrying up against the door and darted forwards to support Kaela's weight on his shoulder. Up so close Kaela noticed the heavy mass of scars on his throat, long since healed, but clearly the result of some grievous wound. Irrelevant for now, she noted it for future conversation.
The three of them said nothing as they slowly moved forward, letting Kaela take each step first and waiting patiently each time she did so. Her muscles were slow to respond and the whole thing felt like she was walking through deep mud, but she persisted. She had, after all, faced far worse. They stepped out of the room and out into the glaring sunlight. Kaela immediately raised her hand to block the light from her eyes and realised, much later than she considered reasonable, that she was now fully supporting herself.
Good. She thought. Means that nothing is broken.
This knowledge soothed her and she began to realise that a lot of her feelings of vulnerability stemmed purely from self-concocted delusions of how badly hurt she really was. The answer, as it turns out, was not anywhere near as drastic as her paranoia had led her to believe. She smiled. She wasn't in perfect health of course, the poison burn reminded her of that with each breath, but it was a manageable level of injury.
"Ah now there you go, that's better" Said Gohdra in that matriarchal tone that she was so well rehearsed at. "You're much prettier when you smile."
Pretty was really not at term that Kaela would use to describe herself and part of her disliked the term, but she acknowledged the kind intent behind it with another smile and a nod of her head. Cole said nothing, but gave her a smile in response. Kaela felt a faint warmth spread across her cheeks that she was not familiar with and didn't particularly appreciate.
Her eyes fell past the friendly face of Cole and to something off in the distance. It was just a little outside of her vision, blurry and half buried in the shadows behind the house, but she immediately recognised it. An inescapable silhouette. It stared straight at her and shook its head. She looked away, her smile gone and guilt, sadness, grief, regret and unbearable fury began to battle inside her. She was snapped out of her melancholy by a slap on the back from Gohdra. It was a stronger slap than she was prepared for and Kaela fell forwards, caught by Cole before her face and the mud became more intimately acquainted.
They walked some more.
This simple act was the first step to recovery and Gohdra made sure that the days be full of such measures. It took weeks, but under Gohdra's tutelage, Kaela began starting to feel like herself again. No, not herself, Kaela. She started to feel like Kaela. Kaela, she imagined, was a down to earth no nonsense woman. She was strong willed, she was pragmatic and she enjoyed the finer points of sarcasm. It wasn't a huge departure from her real self, but it was enough that it allowed a step of divorce from the ghosts that plagued her. As Kaela she got stronger and she paid her way with work around the place. Gohdra had a little farm just outside of a place called Lumbridge. It was simple, but it was honest work and a good step back from the sinister darkness she was used to. Slowly she began to realise a simple, inescapable, truth; she could be happy here.
That thought both delighted and terrified her.
Time passed as it inevitably did and Kaela's world had changed dramatically. Her wounds had all but healed and, though the poison had left its mark in tell tale twitches and the occasional burst of pain.
Much to Gohdra's infinite amusement, her and Cole had grown close. His silence, a result of the animal attack that had left his throat scarred, to Kaela's sharpness had worked well and the two had managed to form bonds of wordless communication that seemed in many ways to carry more weight than any language that Kaela knew. Their silent courtship grew until Kaela finally tired of it and proposed, the two of them marrying shortly after.
She had changed. Still stern and headstrong, but now her anger was tempered and she had allowed herself to rely on other people once again. She barely even saw the ghosts anymore. When her daughter, Taeval, was born, she finally allowed herself to be happy. Truly happy. It was a novel experience that she relished.
Naturally the world was not without its imperfections and danger occasionally reared its ugly head. A group of lowlives had foolishly decided that Gohdra's little farm would be an easy mark and had broken in at the dead of night to rob it blind. They were oafish and undisciplined and Kaela had found it all too trivial to dispatch them. She was used to fighting mighty demons from other realms, or chasing off curly horned troublemakers and these thugs should have been easy. But her new life had softened her a bit and she'd grown sloppy and her right hand now bared a deep and angry cut that clearly illustrated this. Gohdra had, after clucking angrily at her for putting herself in harms way, sent her off to a witch in Draynor, who was supposedly good at dealing with these things.
The trip suited Kaela quite well, as Gohdra had insisted on bringing the family to stare at the "strange and wonderful" portal that had mysteriously appeared in town. According to Gohdra it heralded the return of the wise and benevolent Saradomin, her deity of choice. Kaela had seen her fair share of portals, had no interest in gods and so found the whole notion underwhelming. She was keen to take a pleasant stroll through the swamps instead.
As she walked back from Draynor she took a little time to examine the witches handiwork. True enough she had stitched and bound the wound extremely well. The bandage was well tied. The stitches barely felt itchy and whatever unguent the witch had applied had made the wound close at an accelerated rate. At this speed she reasoned that she would be back to full working order in no time.
It wont last. He said. His voice soft, just on the edge of hearing. He walked just to the left of her, always just on the edge of her periphery, but never quite fully there. You don't deserve it.
He was meaner than normal today, but she deserved his ire considering it was her fault that he had died. If she'd been there earlier, then she'd have saved him.
She shook her head. No. He was an old guilt. An old wound. She had new priorities now. New people to watch out for and to protect.
You'll fail them too. Look. Watch.
The ground shuddered.
She looked around desperately and watched as a figure towered into the sky. He was a man, or something like a man, with great horns and wings that seemed to point in the wrong direction. Power radiated from him, a familiar power. For a moment she was stunned, amazed at the vision presented to her. Was this one of the gods that Gohdra spoke of. Surely only a god could possess such power.
Then she looked at where the figure was. There was no mistaking it, he had appeared where the portal was.
"Taevel" She whispered. Her daughters name flitting from her lips wrapped in genuine terror. A feeling Kaela had not felt in years.
She ran.
She ran so hard that the gravel kicked into the air and struck against her. She ran so hard that at least one of the stitches in her hand was wrenched open. She ran so hard that even he had difficulty keeping up with her. But he did.
See. You failed again.
The giant being began unleashing some sort of magical energy indiscriminately. He was laughing. Was he killing people? She couldn't tell, not from here. Then more light filled the sky and another figure stood before them. Blue, white haired, an old man with a staff. He stood against the horned figure and then the two of them charged one another. A great magical duel seemed to fill the area as these two monumental beings clashed. Pure power radiating off them like lightning.
The beings hurled light at one another. Pure power coursed through the air and even here she could feel it. Raw, indiscriminate, power just being thrown at one another.
Closer now. Each breath was agony. Her legs ached. Her sides ached. The bandage on her hand stained red.
You're going to lose them all, again. You're going to let them die. You're pathetic. A failure. You never wanted to save me. You never wanted to punish them.
She tried to push him out of her mind. This was not a distraction that she needed. She had to get closer. She pushed. She ran. Every ounce of her strength, every piece of her focus, all poured into that single act of movement. She was close now, just on the edge of the swamp, she could just about make out a crowd of civilians cowering. Familiar blurs, Gohdra and Cole.
Then the world exploded.
From where the two figures battled, light billowed out around them. A great wind picked up and smashed into everything nearby. Trees bent sideways, houses buckled under the pressure and it struck Kaela's stomach with such force that she was bowled backwards. A sphere of radiance spread out across what had once been the swamp beside Lumbridge castle. It consumed trees, rocks, people. It devoured everything in its path. When Kaela could finally stand again, she rose to her feet to stare at the aftermath. Where once there had been a swamp, there was now just a crater. A terrible hole in the ground infused with some sort of strange glowing crystal.
There were no people. No sign of the countless people staring at that portal. No sign of Gohdra, Cole or her daughter.
"No" She whispered.
She ran again. Sliding down the side of the crater as suddenly soldiers began to charge towards each other. Knights dressed in black and others dressed in white. They collided with one another and struck each other with insane zeal.
Did no one care about the civilians that were missing?
Did neither of these so called gods stop for a moment to consider their followers that had been swept away in the light?
A knight in black came charging at her, claiming the glory of chaos. His eyes were exposed and he had his sword drawn back over his head. She struck swiftly, two fingers pressing suddenly into the sensitive eyesockets. He fell back, stunned, and allowed her to reach up and grab the sword. With one swift movement she twisted it from his hands and brought it down. Her first swing severed his left arm. The blood loss alone would be fatal, but he was still moving and that was dangerous. She twisted the sword back, carefully gripping it and then bringing its serrated edges down, hard, against his shoulder. It cut neatly through the vital arteries and he fell to the floor clutching futilely at them. It was a good sword. She kept it.
An archer this time. Armour of glistening white. She loosed an arrow at Kaela and struck her on her upper left arm. Kaela winced and stumbled forwards slightly. She reached up and pulled the arrow from her shoulder. It was a painful act, but she barely felt it. Adrenaline coursed through Kaela's body. Hatred, anger, grief, these emotions dulled the pain and gave her a strange sense of clarity. She ducked behind a crystal outcrop, luring the arrogant archer forwards. The archer, clearly intend on securing her kill, foolishly stepped within range. A single swing was all it too to separate the archer from her head.
Aching, she sat back against the crystal outcrop and allowed her eyes to wander. She watched as countless warriors for these two gods stepped forwards. Marveling as both deities struck out with tremendous blasts of power. These beams of raw magic struck one another and the two locked themselves in some sort of inverse tug of war. She made a mental note that the two gods were strategically unsound, as this attack trapped them both, preventing them from alternative gambits.
She let her eyes focus on the adventurers, so called heroes, flooding to either side. These were the people that, according to Gohdra, were meant to protect Gielinor. They stopped tyrants and slew dragons. Yet, here they were. Each of them fighting soldiers. Gathering crystals. Each of them part of the problem. She was reminded of home. Reminded of how these adventurers came and slaughtered her family, her friends, and laughed about it. She watched them with hatred in her eyes.
One group of adventurers cut through a swarm of soldiers. Efficient. They had discovered the point at which new soldiers teleported in and simply laid in wait to slaughter them. It was merciless.
She looked to another group. These were ignoring the fighting, focused purely on gathering crystals. Whatever these green things were, they carried great power. Kaela looked at the green outcropping behind her and snapped a piece off. She pocketed it. It might be useful.
Then her eyes fell on something else. Her heart sank. Every piece of fight fell away. Every ounce of fury. Every drop of adrenaline. She was empty and it was all over the sight of a simple, ragged, doll. It was only half whole. Scorch marks seemed to have cut it down the middle and only the left most half remained. Straw and fabric poked out of it like a gruesome wound. She of course recognised it.
You see?
He whispered.
She did.
At Gohdra's house she found the chest. She threw the stack of clothes and furs, that lay atop it, to one side. She opened the box, reached down and picked up her face. It was as cold as she remembered. Metallic and sharp where it should have been blunted. It was battered, rusting, but complete. In front of the mirror she covered the lie with it and felt comfortable with once more seeing the world through its filter.
She took a torch, lit the end carefully with her tinderbox and turned the newborn flames on the house.
The cot was first. Erupting into flames that took the memories with them. Their bed next, gone in burning tongues that licked the ceiling. As she watched the house burn and crumble she let every piece that was Kaela fade away.
As the last ember died out, so too did the last part of Kaela. From the ashes she once more took up her real name and wondered briefly why she had allowed herself to pretend for so long.
Come. He said. There is much work to be done sister.
Vengeance agreed.
Retrieved from ‘https://runescape.wiki/w/Transcript:An_Eye_for_an_Eye?oldid=33551367’
Miscellaneous transcript
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Producers condemn abattoir cruelty
Sheep Producers Australia has condemned a shocking display of animal cruelty at a Victorian abattoir, published online this week.
SPA Executive Chair Chris Mirams says the actions captured in the footage are appalling and completely inconsistent with the animal welfare values held by sheep producers.
“Sheep producers are unwavering in their commitment to the highest animal welfare standards and expect that this commitment extends to every part of the supply chain,” Mr Mirams said.
“Sheep producers expect that when their animals leave their properties the same high standards of care that have been provided on the farm are continued.
“Producers also need to have confidence that the systems in place within the processing industry are monitored and enforced to ensure this kind of mistreatment does not happen.”
Mr Mirams says SPA expects swift and decisive action from Gathercoles and the Victorian authorities in response to this incident.
“We will be communicating to Gathercoles on behalf of producers the high priority we place on best practice animal welfare,” he said.
“We will be supporting the Australian Meat Industry Council as the peak industry body for the processing industry as there is no place for this sort of behaviour in any part of the sheep supply chain.”
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