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Azure Service Platform
Definition - What does Azure Service Platform mean?
Windows Azure service platform is a cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) by Microsoft. It enables the development and hosting of applications on Microsoft’s managed data center.
Windows Azure Service platform is a suite of different Microsoft applications and services providing the backend architecture for developing feature-rich applications hosted on Microsoft and third-party infrastructures. The Azure Service platform uses Windows Azure, a cloud specific operating system. The components in the Azure Service platform includes Live Services, SQL Azure for targeted cloud database management, SharePoint Services, Dynamic Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Services, and AppFabric providing different sets of application-centric services.
Techopedia explains Azure Service Platform
Windows Azure service platform is considered to be a hybrid cloud platform amalgamating the power of the three different cloud service models in one solution. It also provides Software as a Service (SaaS) through its Windows Azure operating system and SQL Azure, both designed to operate on the cloud or on a premises virtualization platform.
AppFabric delivers the core PaaS components by enabling back-end, inter-process, inter-application, and inter-system communications and task management. AppFabric is divided into Windows Azure AppFabric, which provides integration, access control, and application programming interface (API) support for developing applications and Windows Azure Server AppFabric, which manages hosting and caching support.
Microsoft provisions raw computing instances through its data center infrastructure services, which ensures that all Windows Azure Service platform applications can be hosted and scaled on their provided infrastructure.
Operating System Virtualization (OS Virtualization)
Application Programming Interface (API)
10 Things You Need to Know About Windows 8
Cloud ComputingOperating SystemsPlatformsSoftwareSoftware Applications
Azure Services Platform
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8 things the connected car can offer enterprises
By Jennifer McCartney 2014-12-05T17:18:00.338Z World of tech
Drones, pizza, and geofencing
Custom-built vehicles, drones and e-bikes
A connected car is the ultimate mobile device - it lets consumers stream music, park more easily, and keep track of gas consumption with a simple app. But connected cars aren’t just for consumers - they offer a wealth of opportunities for enterprises that rely on cars as an integral part of their business. From Uber, Zipcar, and Hertz to Fresh Direct and IKEA’s furniture delivery service, the possibilities for enterprise innovation are endless.
So, while companies are already utilizing many of the new developments to help their businesses, we took a look at what’s already happening in the connected car space and we imagined what could come next.
1. Custom-built (and DIY) vehicles
Connected cars could soon come not from a dealer showroom but from companies like Tesla that have changed the automotive game entirely. By putting the company’s patents online, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to speed innovation while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
With this rise of the environmentally friendly, open platform car that anyone can build in an hour, we predict businesses will soon be able to order (or build themselves) specialized cars tailored to enterprise needs, from any number of companies at a competitive rate. Dominos Pizza, for example, just sponsored a contest with Local Motors to create the “perfect pizza delivery vehicle.” The winning design came equipped with an insulated pizza box as well as refrigerated drink storage.
2. And a drone to match
For companies in the military, medical, or security spaces, connected cars could soon come with their own drone to keep an eye on things. For excursions into high-risk or unmapped territories, a drone can safely broadcast aerial information back to the driver and provide an up-to-date overview on current traffic, pedestrians, and terrain, that a simple GPS can’t always provide.
First responders, for example, could have critical data relayed to them en route to an accident, which could then be transmitted across multiple channels to ensure the quickest and most efficient response. In fact, this concept is already being tested by the US military - DARPA has been experimenting with drones and driverless cars on the battlefield in order to reduce the number of military personnel needed on the field.
3. More (and more) shareable data
Real time tracking of data received across a fleet of vehicles enables companies to improve safety, reduce costs, and control their inventory. If a vehicle’s anti-lock brakes engage, if the windshield wipers are turned on, if it makes an unscheduled stop, if the windows are down while the air conditioning is on, if a particular route consumes more gas than another - all of this data enables a company to analyze real-time driver and vehicle performance, better deploy resources as needed, and schedule appropriate tune-ups and training sessions.
This is pretty standard stuff, but it’s important as it enables a business to be as efficient and as cost effective as possible - and as cars become more tech-oriented businesses will constantly find new ways to engage with the data.
4. Connected…bikes
A smart bike made its unlikely debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This smart electronic bike is made by Mercedes-Benz and is expected to retail at just less than $3,000. For urban enterprises in warmer climates these smart bikes could be a game changer. As a delivery system it’s quick and efficient, and with bonus “infotainment” options, it will keep employees happy as well. And it’s not just the big car companies getting in on the e-bike craze - these connected bikes have been popping up all over Kickstarter with various success - meaning businesses won’t necessarily have to shell out big bucks in order to upgrade their fleet.
Current page: Custom-built vehicles, drones and e-bikes
Next Page Innovations
See more World of tech news
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AWS facial recognition tool for police highlights controversy of AI in certain markets
By James Sanders in Cloud on May 23, 2018, 5:28 AM PST
Amazon's Rekognition is being tailored to law enforcement use cases for real-time identification, prompting backlash from the ACLU.
Video: breaking down Amazon's 3 newest AI services for AWS At the 2016 re:Invent conference, AWS CEO Andy Jassy announced Rekognition, Polly, and Lex. Amazon's Lowell Anderson explains the differences.
Amazon is marketing an AWS-based facial recognition service to law enforcement agencies that purports to be able to identify people in real time, according to documents obtained in a Freedom of Information Act request by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The service, called Amazon Rekognition, is claimed to be able to detect up to 100 faces per image, as well as compare images to databases of photos containing tens of millions of faces, according to the documents. Amazon representatives cite law enforcement purposes as a common use case in this promotional video.
Amazon is not being at all secretive about these practices. This press release from November 2017 noted that the Washington County, Oregon Sheriff's Office "has been using Amazon Rekognition over the past year to reduce the identification time of reported suspects from 2-3 days down to minutes and had apprehended their first suspect within a week" of adopting the technology. Amazon also lists the City of Orlando Police Department as a customer, which uses the technology for "real-time detection and notification of persons-of-interests."
SEE: Artificial intelligence: Trends, obstacles, and potential wins (Tech Pro Research)
This public disclosure is what prompted the ACLU to investigate Amazon's courting of law enforcement agencies. Documents uncovered by that organization indicate that Amazon is offering free consulting to law enforcement in Orlando for their deployment, and that the city of Orlando is using the technology to analyze footage for "people of interest" from "cameras all over the city."
Amazon had also touted the ability to use Rekognition with footage from police body camera systems, though the ACLU notes that mentions of this type of interaction were scrubbed from the AWS website "after the ACLU raised concerns in discussions with Amazon," adding that this capability is still permissible under Amazon's terms of service. This change "appears to be the extent of its response to our concerns," according to the ACLU.
More about artificial intelligence
Google DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis: Three truths about AI
The 10 most in-demand AI jobs in the world
The 3 most overlooked limitations of AI in business
How to become a machine learning engineer: A cheat sheet
Naturally, using cloud services to build a panopticon is likely to generate concern among residents of the localities that have deployed the technology. Under optimal circumstances, this would be implemented following a referendum or, at a minimum, a period of public comment about combining surveillance technology with mass facial recognition. The ACLU sought documents indicating that any such outreach was attempted, though no documents were discovered. It does, however, point out the existence of an internal email from a Washington County employee stating that the "ACLU might consider this the government getting in bed with big data."
A report in Motherboard notes that Amazon's facial recognition technology has noticeable gaps in reliability, citing training documentation showing the software comparing a picture of O.J. Simpson with a picture of a white man with a mustache and long hair as a 93.53% match. Practically speaking, the only visual similarity between the two pictured men is that they both have faces.
Amazon's courting of law enforcement appears at odds with their corporate values. The ACLU, alongside various other civil rights groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Human Rights Watch, underscores this in a letter to Jeff Bezos, noting that "Amazon has opposed secret government surveillance. And you have personally supported First Amendment freedoms and spoken out against the discriminatory Muslim Ban."
This is a growing problem across the technology industry. Google employees are calling on the company to stop their collaboration with the US military on a project to analyze video taken from drones, while Google itself has scrubbed "don't be evil" from the opening of their code of conduct.
The growing concern of the use of such technologies highlights the potential controversy that could be caused by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) in both the public and private sector. Organizations interested in the technology should take their deployment slowly, examining all possible ethical ramifications before moving forward.
The big takeaways for tech leaders:
Amazon is courting controversy by working with law enforcement to implement their Rekognition identification service.
In a training slide, Amazon Rekognition software was unable to correctly differentiate between O.J. Simpson and a mustachioed white man with long hair.
Tech News You Can Use Newsletter
We deliver the top business tech news stories about the companies, the people, and the products revolutionizing the planet. Delivered Daily
Special report: Turning big data into business insights (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
FBI inflated encrypted device figures, misleading public (ZDNet)
Amazon Web Services: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
ACLU tells AWS: Stop selling facial recognition tools to the government (ZDNet)
Phone tracking service LocationSmart exposed API, allowing anyone to track you (TechRepublic)
Image: iStockphoto/metamorworks
By James Sanders
James Sanders is a staff technology writer for TechRepublic. He covers future technology, including quantum computing, AI/ML, and 5G, as well as cloud, security, open source, mobility, and the impact of globalization on the industry, with a focus on ...
| See all content by James
James Sanders is a staff technology writer for TechRepublic. He covers future technology, including quantum computing, AI/ML, and 5G, as well as cloud, security, open source, mobility, and the impact of globalization on the industry, with a focus on Asia.
Cloud Artificial Intelligence Enterprise Software Security Networking Data Centers Microsoft Cloud on ZDNet
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Tip: The Art of the Prep Set
It's not a warm-up set, but it's just as important. Here's what you need to know.
Identify and Economize Your Warm-Up Sets
Every time you do a set, you should be very clear about whether or not you're doing a warm-up set or a work set. Using a real-world example, let's say that your goal for the workout is 4 sets of 8 reps with 155 pounds on the military press.
Your first set might be 10 reps with the empty bar. Next, 85x8. Both of these sets were clearly "warm-up" sets, but you're not quite ready for 155. You'll need one more set to bridge the gap between 85 and 155.
Some lifters call this a "prep" set, and since the reps in this set qualify as "necessary but useless," we want to do as few of them as possible. This will vary from person to person and from workout to workout, but probably 3-5 reps will do the trick. From here, you're ready to tackle your result-producing work sets.
In your own workouts, get in the habit of distinguishing between warm-up, gap, and work sets. Then, vary your work output accordingly. Rather than using the same number of reps for all warm-up and work sets (as many lifters do), perform your warm-ups in a "pyramid" style to save your energy for when it really counts.
Let's say my goal is to deadlift 375 pounds for 10 reps. Here's how I'd warm-up and "prep set" for that workout:
345x1 (prep set)
375x10 (set of reps that "count")
The main takeaway here is to evaluate your warm-up sets and look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary reps whenever possible.
Incidentally, the bigger the exercise is, the more important this strategy becomes. For "small" movements such as direct biceps and calf exercises, you'll recover so fast you won't need to worry much about saving your energy during warm-ups. But for big movements like squats, deads, and presses, economizing your warm-ups is a key success tactic.
Related: The Most Intelligent Way to Warm Up
Related: 3 Ways to Minimize Junk Training
Charles Staley
Charles Staley is an accomplished strength coach who specializes in helping older athletes reclaim their physicality and vitality. At age 56, Charles is leaner than ever, injury free, and in his lifetime best shape. His PRs include a 400-pound squat, 510-pound deadlift, and a 17 chin-up max.
Follow Charles Staley on Facebook
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1800 TILLYS
G E T
Tilly's News
Human Powered Vehicles - supported by Tilly's!
Human Powered Vehicles are a pedal-powered recumbent tricycle with some serious speed!
A group of students from Wilsonton State High School are keen competitors in the sport, travelling to racing events all over Queensland. Engineering students assist in the design and building of the bikes as part of the program, taking into consideration factors such as weight and strength of materials and the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Students not only race but are also expected to do all the pit crew activities including changing tyres and doing minor ongoing repairs to the vehicles as required.
Races in the Human Powered Vehicle competition are controlled by a set of safety standards to ensure students are safe in the event of contact with other vehicles. The race outcome is determined by the team that completes the most laps in a set time period. The shortest race period is the Bundaberg six-hour race, with the Maryborough 24-hour race being the longest. Student teams consist of 8 riders and two pit crew and the riders take turns riding to keep the vehicle going.
During the 2018 Maryborough event, the Wilsonton SHS Senior mixed-gender team rode the equivalent of 520km, giving them an average speed of over 21km hour over the 24-hour period. Speeds vary depending on the terrain and can see the bikes reach speeds in excess of 55km hour.
Tilly’s Crawler Parts have been proud to support this fantastic program at Wilsonton SHS by assisting the team with a trailer to transport the vehicles to race events. The trailer has been renovated by the team and now proudly boasts the school’s logo and Wildhog Racing Team name.
Tilly’s wish the Wildhog team all the very best at their upcoming events and look forward to getting along to watch the racing when a local event is held in Toowoomba later in the year. Congratulations to teacher John and the students for putting in a huge effort with this great program.
Find Us 348 Taylor Street
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Tilly's Online
© Copyright 2018 Tilly's
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Joel Kim Booster
Comedy at The Den
The Den Theatre presents Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based comedian and writer Joel Kim Booster.
Wicker ParkComedy
This show closed on May 11, 2019
About Joel Kim Booster
Joel Kim Booster has appeared on Conan, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Netflix's The Fix, Comedy Central's The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, This is Not Happening and @midnight, Logo's Comedy Cabaret and truTV's Comedy Knockout. In 2017, Joel recorded a stand-up special for Comedy Central's The Half-Hour, a full-length stand-up album called Model Minority and was listed as one of Esquire's "10 Comedians to Watch."
This show is 18 +.
The Den Theatre, Bookspan Theatre
1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Joel Kim Booster tickets on TodayTix
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Screen...
Words...
Project RPO
Film - Slaughterhouse Rulez
School's a bloody nightmare says the tagline but was the film? Steve Taylor-Bryant watched Slaughterhouse Rulez...
"That hole is a gateway. And it leads straight down to hell. Now, who wants to buy some drugs?"
I’m not a huge horror fan and, of the Cornetto Trilogy, it was Shaun of the Dead I found to be the weakest so, when a horror comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost finds its way into my TV, I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t expecting much. However, to be fair to Crispian Mills, he’s written and directed a great little movie. Adult cast-wise, I wish there had been a little more of Nick Frost’s hippy anti-fracking Woody as Frost was truly funny, the scene with the world's biggest magic mushroom had me laughing hard. Simon Pegg I found less annoying than usual but that's probably because, if something emotionally or physically painful could happen to one person, it happened to his Meredith Houseman and who doesn’t enjoy seeing Simon Pegg being put through the ringer? The biggest disappointment of the whole film for me was the headmaster Michael Sheen. I am a huge Sheen fan but just don’t buy him as upper class enough or corrupt enough to be the Principal of a private school this magnificent and in the pocket of a fracking company, but that’s a minor quibble in an otherwise enjoyable film that is rightly stolen by the kids of the film (and an on Skype Margot Robbie who tortures Pegg).
Fish out of water northern normal boy Don Wallace (Finn Cole) is forced into the private school by his over eager mother and ends up with roommate Willoughby Blake (Asa Butterfield) whose previous roommate had suffered horrendous bullying at the hands of their house guards and had taken his own life. Whilst discovering what they are about as friends and people, the boys come across a sinkhole from the fracking and, from there, horrific monsters are unleashed terrorising the school and killing anyone in sight. With a little band of friends and some luck they try to survive the night.
I can’t decide whether the private school elements of the film are realistic or not, barely getting through comprehensive school myself, but it seems accurate enough from media reports into real schools and whilst some of the goings on might be exaggerated for comedic value there is probably a lot of uncomfortable truth in the scenes. It’s Butterfield who excels in these moments, capturing loneliness, grief, depression, and bullying victim brilliantly whilst hitting all of his comedic marks and showing a real chemistry with Cole, who stuck me as a young man with a huge future.
The script is ludicrous and often-used horror and comedy tropes are evident throughout but the young cast breathe fresh air into even the most tired of moments and, alongside the Pegg torture, elevate Slaughterhouse Rulez above the level it would probably be in lesser hands. It’s far from complicated but the funny moments are genuinely good and the cast show some fine skill. I wouldn’t rush out and spend big money watching it but should it happen upon your TV in the future it is a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half.
Follow Steve on Twitter @STBwrites
Image - Sony Entertainment
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England rugby union team
Anthony Watson dazzles for England in World Cup warm-up win over France
• England 19-14 France
Paul Rees at Twickenham
Sat 15 Aug 2015 17.03 EDT Last modified on Wed 21 Feb 2018 14.35 EST
Anthony Watson celebrates scoring the first of his two tries with Henry Slade, who provided the telling pass. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters
It may not be in Paris next Saturday, but England are sure to say “play again Sam” after the most high profile of the recruits from rugby league turned hype into performance. Sam Burgess became the first England player to be sent to the sin-bin on debut but it was his one blemish on a night when he came of age as a union player, mixing power and aggression with dexterity and a lighter touch and looking anything but a novice.
His midfield partnership with Henry Slade, another player winning his first cap, was the highlight of the night for the World Cup hosts, along with the finishing of the wings Anthony Watson and Jonny May. England’s three tries were a reward for pace, deception and accuracy, allowing them to overcome an uncomfortable night at forward when their scrum was sent sliding all over the ground until Alex Corbisiero left the bench.
England v France: Rugby World Cup warm-up - in pictures
Burgess had the ideal start inside a minute when François Trinh-Duc delivered a telegraphed pass in the midfield to Dimitri Szarzewski. The hooker was not the smallest player on the field, but as he collected the ball it came wrapped with the mass of a flanker-cum-centre armed with something to prove. Szarzewski found himself face down on the grass and a crowd that was some way below capacity found its voice.
Burgess was picked in the midfield not least because of his size in the absence of Manu Tuilagi, but he was used as a decoy rather than a battering ram. He may not be honed with the finer instincts of a union player having played the code for less than a year, but he has a rugby brain and the way he combined with Slade and the outside-half Owen Farrell allowed England to overcome their deficiencies at forward; France operated in reverse, more adept at winning the ball than using it, ponderous in thought and deed.
England will take four centres to the World Cup: Jonathan Joseph and Brad Barritt look certain choices, leaving Slade, Burgess and Luther Burrell contesting the final two places. Slade will probably be the one to miss out, not only as the youngest but because he is an outside-half by preference and playing out of position. Such was the impact he made on debut, even if he wasted one turnover by kicking blindly and was fortunate not to receive a yellow card for taking out Morgan Parra in the air, that a decision to omit him will not be made on the assumption that he will play a prominent role in the future.
Slade’s quick-thinking led to England’s opening try on 11 minutes and his reverse pass after a lineout had been plundered created the third, scored by Jonny May after Alex Goode’s cross-kick. Slade was also involved in England’s second, switching midfield positions with his partner and acting as a decoy after Farrell looped around Burgess and the defence prepared for a head-on attack; the deception was completed by May coming off his wing on to the right side and, at pace, creating the space for Watson to score his second, quick feet again confounding tacklers who thought they had him covered having left Brice Dulin statuesque for his first.
If World Cups are perceived to be the preserve of the team with the best defence, England will attempt to break the mould this year. With only two players in the side who started the last Six Nations match against France here in March, Watson and Parling, it was a side of largely second and third choices, an examination of how far their depth went. Deeper behind than up front: Goode was not overshadowed in a midfield and back-three axis and such was his impact Danny Cipriani’s ambition to play in the tournament looks forlorn.
Cipriani replaced Goode after 49 minutes. His first contribution was to join in a fracas started when Louis Picamoles felled Slade with a hard tackle and hung around to see whether he had caused any damage, but he had little opportunity with ball in hand. With no chance of displacing Farrell or George Ford at fly-half, his one hope of making the 31 for the World Cup was as cover for 10 and 15, but that had virtually been decided by half-time.
Goode-stepping deserves to enter rugby’s lexicon. One dash down the left wing left four defenders wondering where the full-back had gone, and if his quick feet do not translate into the pace of his rival Mike Brown, his playmaking ability gives England compensation for the lack of a second-five.
The England head coach, Stuart Lancaster, had as much to think about at forward, but for different reasons. France’s try and one of their three penalties came from a scrum, the lineout throwing lacked the accuracy of Dylan Hartley and the breakdown was not profitable. His compensation was that eight changes would be made for Paris with an expected significant upturn in performance, but there was also some muddled thinking in the second half as what had appeared to be a comfortable victory turned into a close finish.
Calum Clark’s yellow card for scragging Guilhem Guirado coincided with France’s try: after being awarded another penalty from a scrum, they kicked to touch and drove the subsequent maul over the line. It brought them to within five points of the lead, so when England were awarded a penalty 40 metres out with four minutes to go, Farrell would have expected to be called on.
Instead, England opted for an attacking lineout which came to nothing when Luke Cowan-Dickie missed his target. Tom Wood, the captain, explained afterwards that he thought a penalty would have kept France in with a chance of scoring a converted try to draw. When it came to making points, some players managed it better than others.
England v France: Rugby World Cup warm-up – as it happened
France rugby union team
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Dr. Richard Payne
Information about Dr. Richard Payne
Roasted Chicken Breast
Self-discipline Is The Highest Form Of Self-respect.
Elizabeth, New Jersey
About Dr. Richard Payne
See how Dr. Richard Payne is related to other HistoryMakers
The eighth child of a family of thirteen, Dr. Richard Payne was born on August 24th, 1951,in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Payne's earliest memories are of a household brimming with family and neighborhood activity. Payne attended the local elementary and junior high schools, which were integrated and provided a nourishing and supportive atmosphere. In high school, his interests focused on math and science and after graduating he enrolled in Yale University. After receiving his B.S. from Yale in biophysics and biochemistry, Payne obtained his M.D. at Harvard Medical School.
Payne is one of the foremost experts on pain management and palliative care in the country. He describes palliative care as "total care of patients with cancer." He has worked tirelessly to educate the medical community about the issues and breakthroughs in pain management, co-chairing the expert panel of the Agency for Health Care Policy panel that established clinical guidelines for pain management in cancer patients. Payne was also a member of the Institute of Medicine Committee that evaluated end- of- life care in the United States. Payne has also been involved in programs working to close the disparities in health care access to minorities and poor populations worldwide.
Payne serves as Attending Neurologist and Chief of the Pain & Palliative Care Service at Memorial Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York, in addition to holding the Anne Burnett Tandy Chair in Neurology at the same center. Payne has a wife, Terri, and the couple have two children. They reside in New York.
Payne passed away on January 3, 2019.
Tape: 1 Story: 1 - Slating of Richard Payne interview
Tape: 1 Story: 2 - Richard Payne's favorites
Tape: 1 Story: 3 - Richard Payne talks about his parents' backgrounds
Tape: 1 Story: 4 - Richard Payne gives the names of his siblings
Tape: 1 Story: 5 - Richard Payne recalls early memories of family life in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Tape: 1 Story: 6 - Richard Payne describes his childhood personality
Tape: 1 Story: 7 - Richard Payne discusses the demographics of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Tape: 1 Story: 8 - Richard Payne remembers influential teachers
Tape: 1 Story: 9 - Richard Payne details experiences at a biochemistry summer program for gifted teens
Tape: 2 Story: 1 - Richard Payne talks about his early interest in science
Tape: 2 Story: 2 - Richard Payne describes career goals during childhood, part I
Tape: 2 Story: 3 - Richard Payne describes career goals during childhood, part II
Tape: 2 Story: 4 - Richard Payne explains how he was influenced by his high school friend Henry Schneiderman
Tape: 2 Story: 5 - Richard Payne talks about getting accepted into Yale and his early experiences
Tape: 2 Story: 6 - Richard Payne tells of his academic focus and the social climate at Yale University in 1969-73
Tape: 2 Story: 7 - Richard Payne discusses the black pre-med students at Yale University in the early 1970s
Tape: 2 Story: 8 - Richard Payne remembers participating in a secret society at Yale University
Tape: 3 Story: 1 - Richard Payne discusses the workings of Yale's Book and Snake society
Tape: 3 Story: 2 - Richard Payne talks about his wife's background
Tape: 3 Story: 3 - Richard Payne tells of his reasoning behind applying to certain schools
Tape: 3 Story: 4 - Richard Payne explains his interest in neurosciences
Tape: 3 Story: 5 - Richard Payne talks about the relationship of anesthesiology and neurology
Tape: 3 Story: 6 - Richard Payne discusses changes in location during his early professional career
Tape: 3 Story: 7 - Richard Payne explains his area of expertise, the neurology of pain management
Tape: 4 Story: 1 - Richard Payne explains how understanding psychology aids in his pain relief practice
Tape: 4 Story: 2 - Richard Payne describes palliative care
Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Richard Payne talks about advances in cancer research
Tape: 4 Story: 4 - Richard Payne discusses his beliefs on the relationship between race and health
Tape: 4 Story: 5 - Richard Payne talks about "politically correct medicine"
Tape: 4 Story: 6 - Richad Payne explains Memorial Sloan-Kettering's influence on the medical community
Tape: 4 Story: 7 - Richard Payne confirms his decision to be a physician
Tape: 5 Story: 1 - Richard Payne explains different types of pain and treatments
Tape: 5 Story: 2 - Richard Payne's hopes for the future of the medical community
Tape: 5 Story: 3 - Richard Payne remembers influential doctors from his childhood
Tape: 5 Story: 4 - Richard Payne considers his legacy
Tape: 5 Story: 5 - Photo - Richard Payne with employees of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's pain symptom management program, 1994
Tape: 5 Story: 6 - Photo - Richard Payne with Lee Brown, Houston, Texas, ca. 1995-1996
Tape: 5 Story: 7 - Photo - Richard Payne and his wife, 2000
Tape: 5 Story: 8 - Photo - Richard Payne with his son, daughter and wife, Houston, Texas, ca. 1995
Tape: 5 Story: 9 - Photo - Richard Payne's son's high school graduation photo, ca. 1999
Tape: 5 Story: 10 - Photo - Richard Payne's daughter, 2001
Tape: 5 Story: 11 - Photo - Richard Payne with Dr. Kathleen Foley, Dr. Leroy Hood and Ruth Galvin, 1984
Tape: 5 Story: 12 - Photo - Cover of 'Time' magazine in which Richard Payne was interviewed, 1984
Tape: 5 Story: 13 - Photo - Richard Payne and colleagues, 1992
Tape: 5 Story: 14 - Photo - Richard Payne and others at an occasion for Dr. Fred Plum, 1983
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Embark on ‘padayatra’ on Gandhi, Patel birth anniversaries, says PM
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs to embark on a 150-km-long ‘padayatra’ in their constituencies between October 2 and 31 period, to mark the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. Addressing a BJP Parliamentary party meeting, Modi also asked Rajya Sabha members to visit constituencies where the BJP organisation was weak.
“Modi told MPs that everyone should carry out a 150-km-long ‘padayatra’ in their constituencies during the period starting from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” Joshi told reporters after the meeting. The Prime Minister also suggested that these padayatras can be conducted between October 2 and January 30, the death anniversary of Gandhi.
“It is for the party to decide on the timing,” the Minister said. Sharing details of the proposed programme, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Prime Minister underlined that these padayatras should focus on villages and reaching out to public. “Modiji told MPs that 150 groups should be formed in each constituency which will cover 150 kms and the party MPs will be part of these groups. The idea is to reach out to public and seek their feedback on the Government’s work and their expectations from us,” he said.
Meghwal said Modi underlined that Gandhi and villages will be the focus and MPs should discuss Gandhian thoughts with the people. Modi also suggested that plantation of trees, cleanliness and other issues related to village can also become part of the planned marches, Meghwal said.
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The Changing Nature of Motherhood
April 18, 2019 by Marlene Kern Fischer
This Mother’s Day will mark the last one that I am a full-time mom. My youngest will be leaving for college at the end of August, which means that after nearly three decades, I will be an empty nester.
I am no stranger to the changing nature of motherhood. When my three boys were little, it was all about physical caretaking; making sure they were fed and clean. I read to them and cuddled them and covered their faces with kisses millions of times as I lifted them out of their cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers, etc. We had outings to the park and playground and we were together almost all of the time. It was me and them and we made a great team.
As they began to walk and then run, I became their protector. This was no easy feat because my sons often seemed hell bent on self-destruction and I often felt as if I spent my days saving them from themselves. There was the time my middle son, who was almost two, ate goose poop on a soccer field. Although he was fine, more than two decades later I am still scarred.
Between my older boys there were a slew of gashes that needed stitches and broken bones that needed setting. I was in charge of triage, trying to figure out how serious each injury was, a job for which my degree in English literature did not prepare me. At one point, the nurses in the orthopedist’s office knew my name and I was concerned they might call social services on me. Luckily, most of my sons’ injuries happened when they were not with me; most were sports related. I told the doctors that I should get a punch card where the cast for the tenth break was free.
My favorite role probably has been that of teacher. I am proud that I taught my sons how to read and was even more excited than they were when they sounded out their first words. I taught them their first notes on the piano (always starting with middle C), how to tie their sneakers, poetry, and a million other things I’m not sure they remember. But I do.
When my sons became teenagers, my role felt as it had morphed into being a warden and disciplinarian-in-chief. All of a sudden, instead of it being me and them it sometimes felt like me against them. This may have been the hardest stage of all because I didn’t enjoy enforcing rules—I suppose most people don’t. After all, who wants to be checking on homework and grades and meting out punishment for broken curfews and other infringements? Parents of teens will most certainly understand the grueling and often unrewarding nature of that stage.
Resident Uber driver, playmate, nurse, tutor, cheerleader; these are only a few of the other hats I wore over the many years I parented.
As my two older sons have gone off to college and graduated, gotten jobs and left the nest, I have found my role shifting once again. This phase is less hands on and more advisory; I am mostly called upon to listen to woes, lend moral support and occasionally offer an opinion. I’ve also entered a phase where, in addition to being my sons’ mom, I get to be their friend and can enjoy them in a way that I was not able to when they were younger. When we are together, we talk about their jobs, politics, life, whatever. And it’s really nice. When they were younger, and we were at odds, I honestly couldn’t envision the relationships we have now. For those of you still in the trenches, hang in there.
I won’t sugarcoat how hard it is to imagine all three of their bedrooms clean and empty and the house eerily quiet. After all, wasn’t it just a moment ago when they were little, making messes and noise? I am comforted by the thought that although my role has changed, two things remain constant; that I will always be needed in some capacity and how much I will always love my children.
This Mother’s Day, whether you’re peering at your baby’s first sonogram, opening homemade cards in bed with your little kids, joining your big kids for brunch, or even if you can’t physically be with your children, I hope you have a wonderful day. Because all of us who have nurtured, protected, disciplined and loved, have earned it.
Filed Under: Et Cetera Tagged With: Empty Nester, kids, mom, motherhood, mothers day, parenthood
Sweet Rene – The Good Enough Mother’s Next Chapter
April 24, 2013 by The Inside Press
Rene Syler living dreams she never imagined.
Photo by Craig Salmon
When Rene Syler first graced the cover of Inside Chappaqua magazine in May 2007 she was embarking on a new chapter in her life. She had just lost her job at CBS’s The Early Show and published her book Good Enough Mother, a humorous look at modern motherhood. Syler was on course to reinvent herself and did just that via the internet. Fast forward to May 2013 and Syler, who celebrated her 50th birthday in February, has given new meaning to the saying, “there is beauty in imperfection.” Her career proves that great new beginnings are possible at any stage of life. “I’m almost another person,” says Syler about the changes in her life since 2007. She has shown that dreams you may never have imagined can come true. A social-media dynamo as well, these days Syler is busier than ever.
Since she was fired from CBS in 2006, Syler has been through difficult times. “It was like a tornado ripped through my life. I lost a job, lost my breasts ( a preventive measure) and lost my hair. All that loss shaped me to find myself and who I am.” Syler says she was down to the studs, but her foundation was the same: “I had to be true to myself.” Syler’s website, www.goodenoughmother.com, like Syler herself, has grown and transformed in the past six years. Serving up tips on parenting, home and family life, health and fitness, the site has migrated to Social Media: Facebook and Twitter where Syler’s audience has increased and her fans span the world. Good Enough Mother’s mission is to improve lives through the shared parenting experience. Spreading her message of ‘perfect imperfection,” she speaks from her authentic voice. “When people come to Good Enough Mother, they are comforted by learning that they are not alone,” says Syler, whose goal is to uplift and empower her followers which include a significant number of men too.
Syler says a big part of her story is the amazing shift in how business operates today. “I built an empire using a MAC. I went from a blog to having two paid staffers. One started as an intern and became a freelancer. The other, her assistant and producer Ella Rucker, saw Syler on television and asked her to become her mentor. Syler told her she was too busy and Rucker asked if she could help her. She told Syler she didn’t need to pay her and that she wanted to write. They have been working together for more than a year, and Rucker has made amazing strides. “Since I am on the road two weeks out of each month, Ella Rucker and I have a virtual office using skype and all the tools of modern business.” Syler loves the fact that Rucker took a chance on Syler and that Syler took a chance on Rucker.
“People ask me, ‘How many hours are you online? How long do you write? Aren’t you ever off?’” says Syler. Her response is that she is always connected. “I write all the time, when I’m not on my laptop, I’m writing in my head.” She asks them: “When was the last time you saw anyone build an empire putting in three hours a day, five days a week? Make an effort or make excuses.”
In her posts online, Syler has written about her family life from time to time, so her daughter Casey, 16, and son Cole, 14, have become part of her Good Enough Mother brand. “Like most kids they are tech savvy so it’s a part of life,” says Syler. Now that they are older she is more careful about what she writes about them. But they enjoy the perks of her new business, including her affiliation with Disney, Nike and Quaker Oats. “Sometimes I take them with me and that part they like very much.
Syler has made guest appearances on such programs as The Nate Berkus Show, The Wendy Williams Show, The Doctors, and has taken over for Joy Behar as her guest host on her CNN primetime show.
Syler makes many public appearances and was a headliner at Disney’s 2011 Social Media Moms’s Conference. “One of the fun things is to go to Blogging conferences and meet up with the people I’ve connected with online,” says Syler.
Host on “Sweet Retreats”
Her current hosting gig on Live Well Network’s Sweet Retreats came about on a circuitous route. Peggy Allen, an executive at that network saw an article about Syler a year ago in More magazine and contacted her about another project she had in mind for Syler. Sweet Retreats, on Sunday evenings at 7:30PM, highlights a new trend in which people on vacation rent apartments or houses instead of going to a hotel. On the show, Syler takes a group or family to various locations where they examine three possibilities and get to choose one.
Syler says the best decision she has made in her life was to marry the right person. Syler and her husband James “Buff” Parham, an Independent Media Consultant, have been married for 19 years. “Buff and I have built a life together. He’s steady Eddy and I’m emotional. I couldn’t do what I do without him.”
“I’m a multi-media brand,” says Syler who has come a long way in the past six years. Syler says the most gratifying aspect of her work is to have the opportunity to have an intimate dialogue with the people who follow her. “It’s talking back and forth,” says Syler. “If I hadn’t left network news I could never have done this.” Syler is happy for the relief she offers women today. “Women put too much pressure on themselves and live life on other people’s benchmarks.” Doing it her way, Rene Syler is, by her own example, so much more than a Good Enough Mother in 2013.
Ronni Diamondstein, owner of Maggie Mae Pup Reporter is a Chappaqua based freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.
Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Business, motherhood, parenting
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One more joins Simmons’ partner exodus
Simmons & Simmons is set to lose its eleventh partner in the space of two months with corporate star Ed Lukins joining the London office of Morrison & Foerster (Mofo). Mofo is undertaking a period of cautious growth in an attempt to build the London office in the image of its US and Asian practices.Mofo’s […]
£700m Abacha dispute finally gets to be heard
After five years in limbo, the £700m dispute over funds transferred to the family of the late Nigerian dictator General Sani Abacha finally comes to court this week. A two-day case management conference starting today(1 November) will determine security for costs and introduce a new party to the dispute, which has already cost several million pounds in […]
Adams joins professional bartering scheme
Adams has become the latest law firm to sign up to a professional services bartering network. Adams is one of more than 20 firms, which include Field Fisher Waterhouse, to have joined the Bartercard UK-run network, which allows firms to exchange legal services for goods and services. Adams has already used the arrangement to gain […]
Goodman Derrick seals Berger Oliver merger
London law firms Goodman Derrick and Berger Oliver have agreed to merge. The merger, which will take affect from January 2005, will result in Berger Oliver property partners Simon Mapstone, Simon Catt and Guy Martin joining Goodman Derrick as partners. Berger Oliver’s litigation partner Paul McAndrews will become a consultant at the merged firm. The […]
Lord Chancellor underlines commitment to Law Commission
By The Lawyer 1 November 2004 11:21
DLA boosts fledgling German operation with CC hire
DLA is accelerating its push into Germany with the hire of Clifford Chance corporate partner Dr Martin Schulte. Dusseldorf-based Schulte will join DLA’s growing Cologne office in late November. As first revealed on www.thelawyer.com (21 July), DLA debuted in Germany following a split from its former German ally Goerg Rechtsanwalte. The split saw DLA poach […]
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Has tourism in Spain reached its peak?
A crowded beach in Benidorm. Photo: AFP
The number of foreign tourists visiting Spain in July fell for the first time in nearly a decade, official data showed Monday, as European sunseekers returned to cheaper rival sunshine destinations like Turkey and Tunisia.
Spain, where tourism accounts for around 10 percent of the economy, has enjoyed a surge in international visitors to its cities and beaches in recent years partly due to security concerns in other popular sunshine destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.
The country surpassed the United States last year to become the world's second most visited country after France as the number of arrivals in 2017 - 82 million - beat records for the fifth straight year.
READ MORE: Spain receives a million fewer tourists than expected in July
Visitor numbers to Spain fell 4.9 percent to just under 10 million in July over the same month last year, figures released by national statistics institute INE showed, the first drop during the key summer holiday month since 2009.
The number of Britons visiting fell by 5.6 percent, with the weak pound making it more expensive to visit eurozone nations like Spain.
Nevertheless, Britons remained the largest contingent of tourists to visit Spain during July.
Foreign visitor numbers during the first seven months of the year inched up by just 0.3 percent to 47 million, compared to the double-digit growth recorded in 2016 and 2017.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez shrugged off the decline in visitor numbers in July during an interview with radio Cadena Ser, saying arrivals numbers overall were still "historically high".
Package holiday giant Thomas Cook said last month that it has seen a 63 percent increase in bookings for Turkey from last year, with Antalya now its most popular airport for British holidaymakers.
It said it had moved capacity east from Spain for summer 2018 to Turkey, Tunisia and other Mediterranean markets as Spain was becoming more expensive by comparison.
OPINION: Tourism is a solution, not a problem
Spain set to break tourism record once again
Stick with your mates: New campaign aimed at young British holidaymakers in Spain
Why Mallorca wants to curb cruise ships to the island
What you need to know about Madrid's plan to limit private tourist rentals
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Malmö's Falafel World Cup on hold after funding delay
falafelmalmöfood
The 'falafel gang' behind the festival (left to right): Jonathan Burns, Titti Qvarnström, Pierre Orsander, Sadoo Iskandari. Photo: Christoffer Lomfors
The international Falafel World Cup, hosted for the first time in Malmö last year, has been postponed after a long-running tussle over funding with Malmö's city government.
The competition, held last June along with the Malmö Falafel Festival, was a huge success, with the local Sydsvenskan newspaper listing it as one of the 18 best things to happen to the city last year.
Last year's contest was won by Yusef Houji, owner of Copenhagen's Nordisk Falafel, who was one of 15 competitors from across the globe including Japan and the Netherlands.
READ ALSO: Malmö loses to Copenhagen in Falafel World Cup
But the organizers have now had to postpone this year's return festival beyond the planned June 15th date, with co-founder Pierre Orsander telling The Local that although he hopes it will be held this autumn, it may even be pushed into next year.
"Because of our discussions with Malmö Stad there have been delays in our planning and that have left us very short on time," he said.
The city, he said, had also given them less than the 450,000 kronor they were given last year, meaning they would need to supplement the funding.
"We got a budget but we will need more, and it was too short a time to get money elsewhere," he said.
The twin events, which aim to celebrate Malmö's status as Sweden's falafel capital, are the brainchild of Orsander, American food entrepreneur Jonathan Burns, restaurant owner Sadoo Iskandarani, and the renowned Malmö chef Titti Qvarnström.
Orsander said it was important to all four of the founders that the festival was as least as good this year as the inaugural event.
"We're just a bunch of entrepreneurs who wanted this to happen, this is not our daily job. This is a passion project," he said. "So we want it to be something that we're proud of."
My Swedish Career: 'Every day in Sweden feels like a holiday'
Seven must-do activities to add to your Swedish summer bucket list
Malmö to host groundbreaking textile recycling plant
Neo-Nazi from near Malmö charged for praising Hitler
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California Polytechnic State University Fraternity Chapter Faces Backlash Over Blackface Photo
Filed to: Black faceFiled to: Black face
Lambda Chi Alpha
Photo: iStock
These frats are really a piece of work. You’d think by now, with the number of stories featured and the number of college students disciplined for racist, stereotypical parties and/or blackface, someone somewhere would get the memo...but nah.
Instead, members of California Polytechnic State University’s Lambda Chi Alpha are facing intense scrutiny after a particularly problematic photo has started circulating on social media online during the school’s annual Polycultural Weekend, which, ironically, is meant to get prospective students acquainted with the university’s social and academic culture.
Prospective students definitely got a preview alright.
According to KCBX, one of the photos in question showed a single member showing all of his teeth in a broad smile, his entire face covered in black paint. Students at the school immediately fired back, calling the photo - which spread on Snapchat and Facebook - “unacceptable” and “racist.”
Logan Boersma, the president of Cal Poly’s Lamda Chi Alpha chapter said that the event that brought out all the insensitivities was a “brotherhood event” on Saturday that was closed to the public. The event featured six teams based on “families” that were all dressed in different colors and costumes. Apparently, that’s why one student’s face was painted black.
“We had a brotherhood event, big bros and little bros and families,” Boersma told student newspaper the Mustang News.“Each of us had a team based on your family, you can pick whatever theme you want. One color chosen was black and that is why the person’s face was colored.”
“I absolutely feel terrible that [the black face paint] was construed like that,” he added to KCBX. ”And I am fully aware that it can be insensitive.”
As students expressed outrage about that photo, another photo came to light showing members of the Lambda Chi Alpha dressed in stereotypical urban wear, complete with fake prison tattoos and sagging pants and also with the caption “She want a ganster, not a pretty boy.”
On Sunday, the frat sent out a statement which read:
We are extremely sorry and embarrassed for failing to recognize the racial impacts this brought forth. The representation depicted in the photograph was absolutely unacceptable by our standards as it had a negative influence on surrounding members of our community. Although it was not our intention to stir up racial tension, we understand the negative impact this picture had on our peers...We are currently working with our local community to amend the discrepancies this photo has caused.
A Cal Poly spokesperson responded to the fallout, saying that the university “ “finds deplorable any acts that would seek to hurt, offend, intimidate, or frighten any member of our campus community. The university is aware of the posting about the fraternity event and is investigating the matter at this time.”
By Monday, the fraternity was placed on interim suspension - which requires the frat to suspend all functions, events, and activities - as the university continues its investigation.
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2010 NBA Mock Draft-First Round (1-29-10)
January 29, 2010 By paulmbanks 1 Comment
By: David Kay
Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report.
1. New Jersey- John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.
Wall has been as good as advertised for the ‘Cats. He is beyond gifted and so quick with the ball in his hands whether it’s creating on the drive for other teammates or finishing at the rim himself. His outside shot does need some work though.
Think: Derrick Rose
2. ?Minnesota– Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.
Whiteside’s stock has risen faster than anyone in college basketball. He is an absolute terror in the paint, averaging about 5.5 blocks per game and altering just as many shots. The Thundering Herd freshman is still raw on the offensive end but has as much potential to develop and fill out physically as any prospect.
Think: A poor-man’s Dwight Howard
3. Golden State- Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr.
Despite suffering what appeared to be a serious injury when he fractured two vertebrae in his upper neck earlier this season, Turner was only sidelined for a month and has picked up right where left off. He possesses all the skills needed of a wing player as demonstrated by his already two triple-doubles this season. He is at his best with the ball in his hands when he is driving and finishing at the rim or creating for his teammates as demonstrated by him playing the point this season for the Buckeyes.
Think: Scottie Pippen
For an in-depth profile/exclusive interview of Evan Turner click here
4. Washington- Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, Fr.
Favors is a well-rounded prospect with a combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He uses his great length to be an intimidating shot blocker. While he is better suited as a post player right now, he projects more as a combo forward in the NBA. To excel at that position, Favors will have to improve his limited range from the perimeter.
Think: Al Jefferson
5. Philadelphia- Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
Offensively, Johnson can do it all; knock down and create his own shots, attack the basket, and finish with authority. His length and athleticism also allow him to be a major factor on the defensive end with rebounding and blocking shots. Since putting on the Syracuse orange, his stock has soared.
Think: Shawn Marion
6. Detroit- Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.
Davis’ stock blew up during the Tar Heels tournament run and he is becoming one of the best big men in college this season. He is a very solid rebounder and gifted shot blocker, but his offensive game is a bit limited to around the basket.
Think: Al Horford
7. Indiana- Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.
Aminu likely would have been a lottery pick if he declared for the 2009 draft, but decided to return to Wake to improve his all-around game. His size and athleticism will certainly be attractive to an NBA team. If he can polish outside shot during his sophomore season, he could move into the top ten of 2010 Draft.
Think: Travis Outlaw
8. Sacramento- Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.
Henry is a smooth shooting southpaw who is very comfortable with the ball in his hand and attacking the basket. For a freshman-to-be, he has good strength to not be bullied around in the NBA. He has already demonstrated his all-around scoring ability at KU and is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on.
Think: J.R. Smith
9. ^Utah (from New York)- Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.
The Wildcat junior decided to return to school after briefly testing the NBA waters thus summer. Patterson has a nice low post game and uses his strength and length to help him on the boards which will be beneficial at the next level since he is a bit undersized to play the four in the association. He can also step out and knock down the mid-range jumper, runs the floor well, and has decent handles.
Think: Kenyon Martin
10. Milwaukee– Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.
Aldrich doesn’t look like much a basketball player at first glance, but is actually a fundamentally sound big man. He has a nice touch on his odd-looking jump shot, is a solid rebounder and shot blocker. The Jayhawk junior is not going to wow anybody with his athleticism, but is very crafty around the basket.
Think: Chris Kaman
11. L.A. Clippers- Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.
Warren’s successful freshman year with the Sooners was understandably overshadowed by Blake Griffin’s player of the year season. With Griffin gone to the NBA, Warren has had every chance to prove just how talented of a scorer he is. A combo guard who can create his own shot and is not afraid to attack the basket, Warren has struggled with his perimeter shot which drops him a few spots.
Think: Ben Gordon
12. Oklahoma City- Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.
One of the most versatile big man in college basketball, Monroe is the total package. He has a great inside/outside game, can put the ball on the floor, and is a tremendous passer. His lack of a killer instinct and tendency to be passive remains a concern.
Think: Chris Bosh
13. Houston- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
A very intriguing prospect, Montiejunas has the size to play center but ability to step out on the perimeter and play the three. He is skilled on the block, can also handle the ball, and stroke it from the outside. Unlike most Europeans prospects, Montiejunas will be a free agent in the summer of 2010 meaning an NBA team won’t have to deal with any Ricky Rubio-like issues regarding a buyout and he could come to the states right away.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
14. &Oklahoma City (from Phoenix)- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.
A big bodied post player, Cousins has the ability to out-physical opponents down low but also has a nice touch on his mid-range game. There have been questions about his work ethic and tendency to let his emotions get the best of him on the court which may turn NBA scouts off to the Wildcat freshman.
Think: Zach Randolph
15. Chicago– Stanley Robinson, SF, UConn, 6-9, Sr.
For a 6-9 player, Robinson is one of the top athletes in the college game. He lives around the basket whether it’s on the drive or crashing the boards and is a ferocious finisher. His biggest knock has always been his poor outside shooting, but he has shown nice strides in that area during his senior season.
Think: Al Thornton
16. @Minnesota (from Char)- Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State, 7-1, So.
Alabi is still very much a work in progress but he seems to be getting more and more comfortable on the offensive end. He has the size and shot-blocking ability that NBA teams covet in their big men, but still has a ways to go until he is a regular contributor at the next level.
Think: DeSagana Diop
17. Miami- Larry Sanders, PF, VCU, 6-10, Jr.
Sanders’ crazy 7-7 wingspan makes him a force on the glass with his rebounding and tremendous shot blocking prowess. His offensive abilities are still very raw but the learning curve is loaded with potential.
Think: Sean Williams
18. ~Miami (from Tor)- Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.
There were some questions regarding Stephenson’s selfishness and work ethic heading into his freshman season, but he has been effective early on for the Bearcats. There is no questioning this kid’s ability when he wants to play. He has a nice jumper, is lethal on the drive, and possesses an NBA-ready build.
Think: Isaiah Rider
19. New Orleans- Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.
The SEC freshman of the year has the perfect mixture of athleticism and strength for playing at the next level. White can handle the rock and creates his own shot with ease. He needs to improve his decision-making but has the potential to grow into a dangerous scorer at the next level.
Think: Andre Iguodala
20. Memphis- Jan Vesely, F/C, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely is a skilled big man who can hit shots from the outside and run in transition. His game and body are still developing and he is under contract with his overseas team until 2013 so it will be interesting to see whether or not he enters the draft and if teams are willing to wait a few years for his services.
Think: Oleksiy Pecherov
21. Portland- Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, Fr.
The German-born Harris is already 20 years old which will probably accelerate his decision to turn pro despite only being a freshman. The combo forward is a very physical but also has great athleticism. He can play with his back to the basket but also has a nice perimeter game.
Think: Ryan Gomes
22. San Antonio- Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.
Once projected as a lottery pick, James had a very disappointing junior season with the Horns which led to his decision to return to school after briefly declaring for the draft. He is a tremendous athlete, and very physical especially on the glass. His outside shooting somehow took a step back which really hurt his stock.
Think: Wilson Chandler
23. >Minnesota (from Utah)- Sherron Collins, PG, Kansas, 5-11, Sr.
There is no questioning Collins’ toughness and leadership. He is a solid outside shooter, but more of a scoring guard in a point guard’s body. A solid athlete, Collins needs to show a better ability to distribute the basketball and prove that he can be a true point guard to succeed in the NBA.
Think: Will Bynum
24. Orlando- Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-9, Jr.
Lawal is a slightly under-sized power forward who has a nice low-post game. He is a solid rebounder and decent shot blocker, but doesn’t have much of a perimeter game and is a poor free throw shooter. Lawal is very active around the rim and uses his athleticism to help his game.
Think: Brandon Bass
25. Atlanta- James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.
Anderson is a pure scorer who makes a living outside the three-point line. He is a good athlete, but is more of a jump shooter than slasher and needs to be more aggressive on the drive to improve his all-around game and earn more trips to the free throw line.
Think: Brandon Rush
26. *New Jersey (from Dallas)- Jarvis Varnado, PF, Mississippi State, 6-9, Sr.
Due to his length and athleticism, Varnado is the top shot blocker in college basketball, averaging 5.5 swats a game this season. He is also a solid rebounder and his offensive game continues to improve. Varnado made a wise choice in returning to school for his senior year to fine tune that part of his game.
Think: Ronny Turiaf
27. Denver-Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State, 6-10, Jr.
Brackins is a lengthy, but not very physical forward who has a nice touch on his shot and can knock down mid-range jumpers. He made huge strides between his freshman and sophomore seasons as he nearly doubled his scoring and rebounding but has taken a step back in his junior year. The Cyclone will need to add some muscle to help him match-up better against NBA power forwards.
Think: Hakim Warrick
For an in-depth profile/exclusive interview of Brackins click here
28. Boston- Manny Harris, G, Michigan, 6-5, Jr.
Harris is a shooting guard who handles the ball well and can score in a variety of ways. He is a great athlete and that helps in on the boards. At times, he plays a little out of control and has questionable shot selection. He will need to show better decision making in his junior season and add some muscle to his thin frame.
Think: Sasha Vujacic
For an in-depth profile/exclusive interview of Harris click here
29. #Memphis (from L.A. Lakers)- Quincy Pondexter, G/F, Washington, 6-6, Sr.
After under-achieving his first three years with the Huskies, Pondexter is finally having a break-out season. He is athletic, has a nice mid-range game, and is one of the better the better rebounding swing players in college basketball. His three-point shot needs work.
Think: Chris Douglas-Roberts
30. Cleveland- Dexter Pittman, C, Texas, 6-10, Sr.
A big body who lives in the paint, Pittman has gotten himself into much better shape this season and it is paying off as he has been a beast down low. He is very physical down low and is showing better explosiveness. Pittman still needs to work on his conditioning, athleticism, and jump shot.
Think: Adonal Foyle
#Pau Gasol trade (top 6 protected)
*Jason Kidd trade (unprotected)
&Kurt Thomas trade (unprotected)
^(unprotected)
?Marko Jaric trade (top 10 protected)
@Ty Lawson trade via Alexis Ajinca trade (lottery protected)
>Rodney Carney trade via Kyle Korver trade (top 17 protected)
~Jermaine O’Neal trade (top 17 protected)
Click here for the Second Round Mock
Filed Under: NBA Draft Tagged With: 2010 nba draft, 2010 nba mock, 2010 nba mock draft, Cole Aldrich NBA Draft, demarcus cousins nba draft, derrick favors nba draft, ed davis nba draft, evan turner nba draft, greg monroe nba draft, hassan whiteside nba draft, john wall nba draft, NBA Draft, NBA Mock Draft, NBA Mock Draft & Draft Stock Reports, patrick patterson nba draft, Wesley Johnson NBA Draft, xavier henry nba draft
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Illegal music downloaders to face Internet ban
The Times is reporting this morning that a green paper due to be published next week could see ISPs forced to disconnect users found to be downloading illegally obtained music or movies. The paper has been circulated among key stakeholders for comment but it appears it has been leaked in advance of publication. If this paper was to become law as it stands, Internet users would face disconnection on a 'three strikes' rule. The green paper is not available for download as yet, but snippets along with comments can be read over at The Times.
Under the proposals, the first strike would be an e-mail warning from the ISP with the second strike resulting in suspension and finally termination of contract on the third strike. This produces interesting problems for ISPs both due to minimum contract lengths as well as the costs of disconnection. With the increasing availability of 24-month contracts bundled with laptops or games consoles, the ISP is presented with a huge risk if it is required to disconnect a user.
It is said that the illegal downloading of copyrighted material such as music and films costs the media industry millions, but policing any scheme to reduce this is not going to be cheap. Additionally by terminating peoples internet access it may further alienate consumers.
The biggest area of contention is likely to be any appeals process, since perfectly innocent users may have had their wireless network hijacked and this is possible even if they had secured it if, for example, you use an easy to guess pass phrase on your wireless encryption. Of course this could also be put up as a defence even if it was not the case. Also, what happens if someone is duped into downloading copyrighted material and does not realise the breach until they have viewed it? For example an upstart producer may release a film into the public domain entitled 'my first work' but someone may re-title 'Superman VI' in an effort to hide it and people thus download the wrong thing unintentionally?
In theory by going out to consultation all these sorts of concerns should be addressed, but there is likely to be concern from the average Internet users that only the concerns of big industry are going to be listened to.
Perhaps the media industry needs to look at why people download the content and address this. Are people viewing it because its available in some countries months before retail sale in the UK or appearing on UK TV channels? Or is the pricing too high? Are the existing downloads available legally too restrictive, in that the digital rights management makes it hard or impossible for people to copy it from a home PC to a mobile device?
"Entanet are concerned that the costs of providing the government with what it requires will increase the costs of DSL. Part of our input into the collaborative effort with ISPA/MPA has been to ask for cost recovery like RIPA."
James Blessing, Entanet
Years ago the various peer-to-peer (p2p) networks were not encrypted and fairly easy to monitor, but the advent of traffic controls meant many p2p services started to offer encryption. Legislation may just move the problem on and re-appear camouflaged in such a way that providers cannot see it. Banning p2p download systems outright would not help and would also remove a growing medium for distributing legal content.
So, why are the content publishers taking this track?
"The record and movie industries have received quite a lot of negative press recently in taking direct action against end users. Taking parents to court when their teenage children have downloaded some films online doesn't help their reputation. By seeking to make the broadband service providers responsible for disconnecting their users, they shift the perceived blame away from them.
In today's world, access to the Internet is becoming a necessity. The government is pushing for tax returns to be filed online. Students are using the Internet for research and learning. Home automation and security devices can increasingly be controlled and monitored via the Internet. Users of Voice over IP or 'broadband phone' services could find their telephones don't work--That could cost an extra few seconds when they are making an emergency call."
Sebastien Lahtinen, thinkbroadband.com
This raises serious concerns over what happens when mistakes are made? Will the record industry agree to underwrite all financial losses individuals incur if they are falsely accused and/or disconnected under such a policy? In today's world of unified communications, the prospects of disconnecting someone are quite serious as the Internet has become such a central part in today's society.
It is also unclear whether there would be a central database of disconnected users, since without this it would be easy to just order a new broadband connection from another service provider.
For people who regularly get films/music from the net i suppose it will go back to the days when money was being made out of fake cds from matey boy down the pub. I also would of thought the criminal aspect of it would arrise with gangs similar to drugs selling the conterfit goods. More strain on the police! they cant seem to deal with the carnage caused by teenagers at the moment let alone this.
Lack of privicy get me. If they know what im downloading then which bod is going to be looking me tap my bank details into my computer? east germany springs to mind!
lloydio
over 11 years ago
This just reinforces my view that the government has no real concept of the complexities of computers, IT and the internet.
If they had ANY idea, they would not be proposing such a half -baked scheme.
They are clueless - hence mega £BILLIONS of taxpayers money down the drain on failed IT 'projects'.
Gypsydog
Is this another classic New Labour policy? The nanny state just keeps on getting bigger and bigger whilst we sit here and let it happen. Statistics are the new reality, if they can graph it they'll make a new law on it. I assume the Government approves of current anti-customer behaviour epoused by the film and music industry.
bosie
This is so ridiculous i cannot see this going through. It's just SO impractical! Not to mention the very very serious ethical dilemas of such a scheme.
These creative industries can just stop their bitching, I really don't care what they think and I get the feeling their losses are massively exaggerated.
lierobs
I've just had another thought. How exactly are they monitoring these downloads? Are they monitoring every single file download? Do they look at every photo, video, sound you download to see if it's copywrited, and if so are you legally allowed to see/hear it? Why should it just be music and film that are protected, what about the millions of copywrited images that are illegally downloaded and viewed. - This whole thing is laughable.
If illegal downloading was stopped in its tracks overnight it would kill the need for "unlimited" broadband.
keith_thfc
no smoking now this,happy retirement worked hard for a nanny state leave us alone.
bazzer17
So the data protection act will no longer apply as each and every user will have his/her personal traffic inspected on a daily basis.
I think also it is long averdue people stop referring to this kind of draconian erosion of freedom as "Nannying" It is state interference of the like seen under the old Soviet Union. People need to wake up to the gang of Marxist running this country and drive them out.
We have so little freedom now and they ask why so many emigrate to get away.
Guzzo
Evil reigns when good men sit back and do nothing.
When it costs 10p to make a CD and HMV sell it for £17.99 what do you expect?
Once again more freedom is being removed to boost the ever swelling profits of big business.
I agree that too much is downloaded by single users running an illegal business but does the Governement do anything about the "DVD/Cd" sellers on every high street in England?
Like hell they do. But target the paying customers sure bet!
Not to go on too much but how long before the Government Marxists issue guidlines to the ISP's about what is considered downloadable and what is not?
The crap about films and music is the usual rubbish from the Evil beings who are terrified of the Internet as they cannot fully control it yet and thats driving them nuts.
So expect further releases of psychotic ideas and even more state interference as long as this herd stay in office.
Kingston Communications already run this kind of policy on their Hull network anyway...
adriandaz
if they can see the infringing packets, why not just block them?
i suppose they've thought about legal encrypted p2p transfers as well then...
Its never going to happen for so many reasons (some of which ive mentioned in the forums)even if it did happen the music and film industry will just start whining like a child as suddenly everyone goes back to recording music from the radio and renting and copying dvds rather than buying them.Obviously the idiots dont realise you cant stop progress or technology... (cont)
CARPETBURN
I'll be blocking ALL internet music and video at the router if they go ahead and do this.
Moreover, I'll be taking my ISP to task since it clearly isn't a common carrier and is reponsible for delivering things like spam emails...
Dawn_Falcon
I would suggest everybody to write to their respective MP not to support the bill which will protect no one but serve big corporation interest.
Otherwise those who support vote aginst them in the next general election.
We have enough of Big Brother.
wikd_wizz
Write to your MP?
What planet is this from. Seems that somepeople really think the Parliamentarians are working for the benefit of the people who elected them.
You have to judge people by "WHAT THEY DO" not by what they say they will do or what they say they think. got that?!!!
My MP for instance was a little Labour counciller and got elected by a small majority of imbiciles. He lived in a little semi in Essex. This was 10 years ago
He now lives in a VERY Exclusive suburb North West of London ina VERY large mansion.
He has one of the highest expense account in that venerable house.
He has ALWAYS voted with Blair and now Brown. Never once has he raised a voice against Government policy even when his constituents have suffered and they have.
Write to him and he replies with a letter telling you he ha "passed on" your comments. Some time later you get a letter back with the reply and a copy of the reply to your complaint from him stating if he can "do" anything else do write.
In other words he is nothing more than a postman with a huge salary that passes the buck on.
So if anyone can tell me what good it does to write to the MP I would love to hear.
I believed in England once but the Parliamentarians have sold us all out for a lot of pieces of silver.
History has shown that talking and writing is only a stalling tactic until firm policy gets put into place.
I have to disagree with CARPETBURN on this one. they will get the legislation through. This New Labour think they can legislate everything they want and so far they have!
What we really need is a device like the americans have. The Senate oversight committee. they can impeach their leader if evidence found foul of him.
how long would Blair have lasted then eh?
Of course we will NEVER have such rights as the American constitution guarantees. Free Speech? Freedom of Expression? Not here. Tell a simple joke involving Religion, race or the wrong body movement and the sentence is up to seven years
Before I get sworn at read the ammenedent Labour put in on the crime bill a few years ago.
We need a totally independent body free from Governement control to represent the people in the ISP industry. Oftel is a waste of space and a costly one at that.
Oh and also before they say bugger off to the USA I am getting a green card in the summer before it becomes an offence to state an anti Government opinion
quote"I have to disagree with CARPETBURN on this one. they will get the legislation through. This New Labour think they can legislate everything they want and so far they have!"
Well you may well be right, only one problem... how will an ISP tell for example whos ENCRYPTED bit torrent traffic is legal and whos is not legal LOL All they will know is its bit torrent traffic, which doesnt mean its illegal... Good old dumb new labour and the dumb music and film industry... god bless em.
They say at the start of stupid films on dvd and in cinemas piracy funds terrorists, drug cartels and god knows what other rubbish... Maybe with this new law they are now trying to make that factual. If there is one thing it will lead to its more dodgy cds and dvds being sold... much like a similar thing with import and dodgy fake cigarettes... You have to admire their *COUGH* genius! They are just like chimps trying to put the square peg in the round hole.
I will try to fool them up with the some media file with similar names. See if they can distinguish between them. If they can't, they will be waiting for a massive complaint. lol.
Bang goes the need for FTTC/P :)
I've Got it at last.
The way to tell if the download is legal is to check the data packet and see if it's got a Tax Bit attached LOL!
"They say at the start of stupid films on dvd and in cinemas piracy funds terrorists, drug cartels "
So does the British Governement LOL
So how EXACTLY are ISP's meant to monitor 'downloads'?
For example, a person visits a slideshow website which, contains in a Flash page, a music track as an MP3 - either as a naked file or, embedded inside a ZIP file. Quite legal.
Now suppose the download site has 'extra' content, such as the odd ripped MP4 or WMA file, but packed into the same zip file. Does the ISP have to monitor (and unpack) the content of EVERY piece of network traffic?
It seems that once again the New Government has 'new advisors' who are small on ability but big on CONsultancy fees.
Clearsky2
Guzzo wrote: "The way to tell if the download is legal is to check the data packet and see if it's got a Tax Bit attached LOL!"
Don't even think about it dude. The Socialist Republic of European Union Nations already has 'ideas' about a 'bit tax'. The notion being it will 'stop global warming' (and cause an ice age).
Generally politicians know nothing about I.T. - and their policy advisors know that.
Clearsky - presumption of guilt of course. And yes, they do have to monitor your traffic. And you can bet they're not going to spring for the expensive traffic management gear. So sorry if you do anything latency-dependent.
In regards to the 24 month contracts bundled with free Laptops/PS3s, if this law was approved, then if the customer got to the 3rd strike then the ISP would have to terminate the customer's contract and the ISP would have to mark the customer's subscription down as "Contract terminated by Customer". The customer would then have to pay the ISP for the remainder of the duration of the 24 month contract and return the free Laptop/PS3 to the ISP. The pay-off would cost anywhere between £20 or £500 (depending on remainder of contract) plus the loss of the Laptop/PS3.
Until we all get to see the Green Paper, next week I believe it is hard to say what will/won't happen.
So far we are hearing that how it may work is different to how people are saying in the press, how different etc is hard to say.
As regards using the ISP as a police force, this is just another fine example of the surveillance society, or the S.S. as it's know in the jargon. Maybe our web cams are going to be connected to a (bandwidth) congestion charging system?
There is an issue that the prosecution in a criminal court has to prove that the download was both illegal AND intentional. That is, it was it the owner of the line who committed the offence and, they did so knowing they were commit an offence...
...Furthermore, if it was a minor (under 16) who downloaded 'Lethal Blonde Orgy 16' using their parent’s Sky digital TV, would it be fair and reasonable to disconnect all of the other family members’ internet access?
There is precedent with car theft. Unless the police can prove that Chav Number 3 was the driver, then there is no case. And I am sure that GCHQ has better things to be doing than administering a giant 'Echelon' project on behalf of Sony.
Andrew, no, that's far too late. The proposals heard from the government have been quite explicit, and I'd rather not have to block other peoples (too late for me, on them selling me anything) music and video.
(Here's a hint to people who rent houses: You'll need to do this as well)
Good point Dawn_Falcon - if the owner of the internet connection is a landlord and the persons renting have built their own Napster portal in the kitchen...
So there could be big implications for those Coffee bars who offer The Cloud and BT Openworld?
Wonder if 'downloaders' have to wear electronic tags that bleep every time they go near a WiFi or DSL line?
I still feel the british public still pay more for dvd's and cd's compared to the likes of lets say the US ..maybe if our prices where the same as theres this would help drive piracy down as people would be happy to have an original ..that way the "knock off nigels" would have to find a proper job
2doorsbob
Well the EU sure do have some whacky ideas about tax.
But if they levy a tax on the Internet I shall simply switch off the aDSL connection.
I managed to live fairly well without the Net for 30 odd years and go into old age without it.
The net is handy, but it is no substitute for actually going out in the world and living.
People should rememeber that. One day someone will destroy the EU, I just hope I live to see it.
Every time someone thinks about buying a film music track or piece of software, and takes a look at the stateside or European pricing, they are reminded that we have "different market conditions" than the rest of planet earth. In other words the British consumer is seen as a rather stupid cash cow. When that situation changes, downloaders might just feel a bit more of a moral twinge before firing up the p2p.
This will do nowt to improve the image of the music business - however hard they try to palm the bad odour off on the ISPs. The self induced decline will continue till they get a grip.
carrot63
Guzzo? This intitive comes from the UK.gov. It's NOT necessary under EU law.
Carrot63 - It's self-inflicted. They can't liscence globally because there arn't consistant rules on liscencing. Who sets those rules? The liscencing authorities like the RIAA.
Quote Carpetburn: "how will an ISP tell for example whos ENCRYPTED bit torrent traffic is legal and whos is not legal LOL"
Maybe they'll just issue you with a demand for the means to decrypt the stream, and if you don't provide it then they'll sling you in prison under the RIP act.
oomingmak
quote"Maybe they'll just issue you with a demand for the means to decrypt the stream, and if you don't provide it then they'll sling you in prison under the RIP act."
LOL i guess thats gonna also mean alot of genuine business people that use secure VPN services locked up as well theen LOL
A thought for all of you that don't like P2P or any other ilegal downloaders.
Are you willing to pay your ISP more money if illegal downloaders get banned?
They'll still have the same charges to pay for each "pipe".
i.e. if you have 1000 users paying for the pipe before downloaders get banned, you ISP bans 800 that illegally download, theroretically you'll have to pay 5 times more for your broadband!
g-bhxu
It would be very extreme for an ISP to ban 80% of its userbase, in theory what would happen is an ISP would turn off a segment of the BT Central or delay an order for an increase in capacity.
quote"It would be very extreme for an ISP to ban 80% of its userbase, in theory what would happen is an ISP would turn off a segment of the BT Central or delay an order for an increase in capacity."
Well that wont help either will it, the pricing war and dodgy service is bad enough now without ISPs fighting over whats left if a share of users are banned. More price cuts, more un-trained staff, more hassle.
(1) There's more at stake here than foreign business interests controlling our government.
Traditionally, the average man in the street has had a respect for law. He believes that those who make laws are on beyond average; that they are moral crusaders for what is right.
Allowing business interests in the USofA to reach out, through their corrupt system of government, across the pond, via our government and into the common man's home reveals law for what it has now become, perhaps always was; a mechanism of control, exerted by the powerful over the weak, regardless of right or wrong.
easyTree
(2) This signals the beginning of the end for law as it's traditionally been considered and is surely to be followed by -further- worldwide non-compliance.
On this specific question, do we really believe that music and films are more important than everything else combined? That media companies should be able take away access to all contemporary and historical information as if a slap on the wrist? This is equivalent to casting the victim back into the dark ages whilst all around witness an ever-blossoming renaissance. Are films and music really worth so much?
(3) The media industry has reached the point where the worldwide market has undergone a shift such that the value of their product is falling into a more appropriate niche; that of an amusing and entertaining pastime; rather than the spot they believe it to occupy. Somehow, they have managed to gain control of governments in more than one country, in order to quell this change, which seems to imply that perhaps their product really did have more worth, once.
(4) Once again, consider whether watching someone involved in a car chase, firing a gun at their victim is worth more than access to all other information. Should an industry which has failed to progress its core product (plot) a single iota during the 95 years since the keystone cops, be rewarded at all?
> Is this another classic New Labour policy? The nanny state just keeps on getting bigger and bigger whilst we sit here and let it happen.
What? pray tell are we to do about it? They make the laws and people like you and I enforce them, mindlessly.
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Institute for Watershed Science
TRENTU.CA / Institute for Watershed Science
About the Institute for Watershed Science
The Institute for Watershed Science (formerly the Watershed Science Centre) first developed as a partnership between Trent University, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Fleming College. The Institute started its operation on July 1, 1998 at Trent University as the Watershed Science Centre, which then became the Institute for Watershed Science on July 1, 2007. The Institute operates on a not for profit basis through obtaining grants for research and training from government agencies and other organizations. The IWS aims to further the understanding of physical and ecological processes governing watershed function and to transfer this knowledge to support resource management decision-making. The objectives of the Institute for Watershed Science are:
To conduct peer-reviewed scientific research to better understand watershed function, and related anthropogenic impacts;
To develop tools and methods for improved watershed management; and
To effectively transfer watershed science knowledge and methods to resource management practitioner through publications, courses, and workshops.
These objectives are accomplished using expertise at the Institute to lead projects, to collaborate on projects with our partners and research associates, and to facilitate collaboration between our partners and research associates.
Check out our project pages and our research section to see the variety of research that is undertaken at the IWS!
IWS Store
Water Quality Centre
Trent School of the Environment
James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre
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Rainbow Tours & Treks
Rainbow Tours & Treks is a tours division of Rainbow Pvt. Ltd. It was founded in 1999 by Sonam Wangmo with a handful of staff. Since then, Rainbow Tours & Treks has grown steadily through hard work and skillful management. The company is now staffed with a team of more than 35 highly professional tour managers and guides. .....We take pride in providing unmatched quality of service .....We are Passionately Concerned about Integrity and Quality Service
GLIMPSE OF BHUTAN HIGH SEASON (6D / 5N) - CUSTOMIZED FOR GROUPS IN OCT, NOV ONLY
This special offer is just customized for 6 days 5 nights in August in Bhutan. Glimpse of Bhutan Tour is one of the most popular tour in the country. In this tour, you will arrive by air at the dramatic mountain-bound Paro valley. Western Bhutan is heartland of the Bhutanese people and is home to the major airport, the capital, the most popular festivals and the most spectacular dzongs (fort-monastery) in the kingdom. Whether it's the beginning of your trip or the only part of Bhutan that you will explore, the west is a spectacular introduction to this magical kingdom.
Art & Culture, Spa - Relax, Spiritual
1) Hotel Accommodation (twin sharing) 2) All meals / tea and snacks / mineral water 3) English speaking licensed tour guide 4) Vehicle and driver 5) Museum fees 6) All Sightseeing 7) Government royalty and Taxes 8) Visa and Tourism Dev. Fund tax
Airtickets (Saigon / Hanoi – Bangkok – Saigon / Hanoi), and other personal expenses.Travel insurance. Tips for guide and driver (min. $7 / guest / day)
Cancellation Charges: Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows: Within 01 month - 100% Within 15 days of tour start date - 50 % No refund One week or less - no refund Delay of Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines Flights: Local operator shall not be liable to refund tour payment for flight delays up to 48 hours for any reason which is beyond their control. For delays more than 48 hours, clients may choose to either claim refund or extend tour. Insurance: There is no personal insurance of any kind included in the tour price, so travel insurance should be obtained from your place of residence, before commencement of trip. Rainbow Tours and Treks will not hold liability for any illness, injury or death sustained during a tour/trek
This special offer is just customized for 6 days 5 nights in August in Bhutan.
Glimpse of Bhutan Tour is one of the most popular tour in the country. In this tour, you will arrive by air at the dramatic mountain-bound Paro valley. Western Bhutan is heartland of the Bhutanese people and is home to the major airport, the capital, the most popular festivals and the most spectacular dzongs (fort-monastery) in the kingdom. Whether it's the beginning of your trip or the only part of Bhutan that you will explore, the west is a spectacular introduction to this magical kingdom.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN PARO / THIMPHU
Upon arrival, your tour executive from We welcomes you at the airport and transfers you to Thimphu (1.5h drive).
The drive follows Pa Chhu downstream until Chuzom where the two rivers meet, and here you can see the three different styles of stupas or chortens commonly found in Bhutan: Nepalese, Tibetan and Bhutanese. The chortens are Buddhist reliquaries, memorials to the teachings of the Buddha. Sometimes actual relics of the Buddha or revered monks are inserted into the dome of the stupa, and the stupas mark the landscape with reminders of the Buddha’s teachings.
Arrive in Thimphu. Check in hotel, have lunch and take a short rest.
Afternoon visit:
* National Institute for Zorig Chusum. This institute, commonly known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in painting (thangka), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue-making (clay).
* Memorial Thimphu Chorten: This stupa was built in 1974 to honor the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. This religious structure, circumambulate only in a clockwise direction (reciting prayers and whirling the large red prayer wheels).
* Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), This is the main Secretariat Building, where the government ministries, the office of His Majesty the King, the Throne Room, the offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed. The massive fortress, whose name translates as the fortress of glorious religion, was initially a smaller structure but took the present form after expansion/reconstruction commissioned by Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1965. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
Your dinner will be served with the first taste of Bhutanese cuisine.
DAY 2: SIGHT-SEEING IN THIMPHU
In the morning, we will take a drive up the valley towards north along ThimChhu (river) for a short hike to Cheri Monastery. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal founded it in 1620. Initially coming from Tibet, Zhabdrung moved to Bhutan and promoted a distinct Bhutanese cultural identity - distinct, that is, from the dominant Tibetan culture.
Cheri, also known as Chagry Dorjeden, had been a sacred place ever since Guru Rinpoche visited it in the 8th century. It is a prominent teaching centre of the Drukpa Kagyu order. Like many monasteries, Cheri offers many opportunities for the monks to go into retreat. Zhabdrung himself spent three years in retreat, and later, regularly used it as a residence.
Continue exploring the region with visits to the weekend market and Buddha Point (Kuenselphodrang) to see the one of the world’s largest sitting Buddha and enjoy a stunning view of Thimphu valley from this point. En-route, visits the Takin preserve center, the home of Bhutan’s national animal. Takin, a strange looking animal believed by the Bhutanese people that it was created by the Lama Drukpa Kuenley (the divine madman).
If time permits, we will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang- It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads.
DAY 3: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA / WANGDUE VALLEY (3 - 4 hours drive)
After breakfast, we begin our drive to Punakha. On the way, a drive takes us all the way up to Dochu La (3050m) to witness the magnificent view of the eastern Himalayan range (weather permitting). Dochu La is marked with 108 memoral stupas. Druk Wangyel Chorten, which was built to celebrate the stability and progress, brought to Bhutan by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King. Enjoying and taking pictures of the pass and its panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Arrive in Punakha and then take a 40 minutes hike round trip through the rice field to Chimmi Lhakhang, the 15th-century monastery built by Lam Ngawang Chogyal on the spot where his cousin Lam Drukpa Kuenley (popularly known as “the Divine Madman”) subdued a powerful demon. This monastery is also referred to as the “Abode of Fertility” and believed that any couple who gets blessing from this temple is blessed with a child in the next year or so.
Visit Punakha’s Dzong - The name means Palace of Great Bliss. This dzong stands magnificently on the spit of land where two rivers, Pho chu and Mo chu meet. Punakha Dzong has special significance in Bhutanese history as the place where Bhutan's first King Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned in 1907 and where and the Third King convened the first National Assembly. It is also the winter residence for the Je Khenpo (spiritual leader) and the entire central monk body.
The central monastic body continues to reside here in winter. The embalm bodies of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Pema Lingpa are housed on the top floor of the main tower.
Day 4: PUNAKHA - PARO (4 – 5 hours drive)
Drive to Paro after breakfast taking the same route crossing Dochula Pass. Stop at Thimphu for Lunch. Then visit the following places in Paro:
National Museum – Ta Dzong (the watchtower) was built in the 17th century to guard the Paro Rimpong dzong (fortress) below. It offers great views of Paro Rinpung Dzong and Paro valley. It was said that the future first king was kept in this tower as a prisoner for a week. It was the third king who restored the Ta-dzong and converted it into the National Museum. The visit to the museum will familiarize you with the Bhutanese way of life and will also acquaint you with the natural and cultural history.
Continue visit Paro Rimpung Dzong - regal and imposing, dzongs are arguably among the most distinctive and important structures in Bhutan. This Dzong is the headquarters of the Paro district, housing the head administrator and staff, as well as a monastic body with about 200 monks. A quick descent takes us to covered cantilever bridge marked with giant chortens built in 1980’s by Royal Grandmother in memory of late majesty (3rd King).
From the dzong, hike down to the bridge and then take a short drive for an opportunity to explore the town of Paro.
Before returning to the hotel, visit Kyichu Lhakhang. It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern.
DAY 5: HIKE TO TAKTSHANG MONASTERY (Tiger’s Nest)
After a refreshment stop at a cafeteria on the way, you will continue for a short distance until you see, across a deep chasm but clearly and seemingly within reach, the Taktsang Monastery.
Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger.
After reaching the basement around 3 or 4pm, drive back to town. You have free time on your own to walk along the street to see the people, the local stores to do some souvenir shopping.
DAY 6: PARO / DEPARTURE
After breakfast in the hotel, your tour executive will transfer you to the airport on time to catch your onward flight. Your escort from us bids you farewell.
End of services. Tashi Delek !!!
5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS BHUTAN TOUR
by Best Bhutan By Triip Triip.me
This private tour is customized for the customers who travel to Bhutan in Dec, Jan and Feb only. Explore Bhutan in 7 Days/6 Nights is one of the most popular tour in the country. In this tour, you will arrive by air at the dramatic mountain-bound Paro valley. Western Bhutan is heartland of the Bhutanese people and is home to the major airport, the capital, the most popular festivals and the most spectacular dzongs (fort-monastery) in the kingdom. Whether it's the beginning of your trip or the only part of Bhutan that you will explore, the west is a spectacular introduction to this magical kingdom.
7 DAYS 6 NIGHTS EXPLORE BHUTAN
This is one of the most popular tour in the country. In this tour, you will arrive by air at the dramatic mountain-bound Paro valley. Western Bhutan is heartland of the Bhutanese people and is home to the major airport, the capital, the most popular festivals and the most spectacular dzongs (fort-monastery) in the kingdom. Whether it's the beginning of your trip or the only part of Bhutan that you will explore, the west is a spectacular introduction to this magical kingdom.
Bhutan 6D5N Cultural Tour in Sep/Oct/Nov 2018- 2019
This special offer is just customized for Mr Dung a August group in Bhutan, travelling to Bhutan from 31 August - 4 September Glimpse of Bhutan Tour is one of the most popular tour in the country. In this tour, you will arrive by air at the dramatic mountain-bound Paro valley. Western Bhutan is heartland of the Bhutanese people and is home to the major airport, the capital, the most popular festivals and the most spectacular dzongs (fort-monastery) in the kingdom. Whether it's the beginning of your trip or the only part of Bhutan that you will explore, the west is a spectacular introduction to this magical kingdom.
Special offer to Mr Dang Viet Dung (5D/4N) - from 31/08 to 04/09/2016
by Rainbow Tours & Treks
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MAN Truck Portugal
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MAN eTGE – Zero Emissions for Customers
MAN eTGE to be mass-produced from July onwards // MAN eTGE for use in urban areas
MAN is now selling a fully electric van, another step forwards in the direction of zero-emission metropolitan areas. The MAN eTGE will meet the demand for future distribution and freight transport in urban areas with its electric motor. Providing a range of up to 160 kilometres and a payload of 950 to 1,700 kilo-grams, the electric MAN TGE is ideally equipped for these tasks, depending on the type approval (3.5 or 4.25 tonnes).
For around ten years, MAN Truck & Bus has been working on inno-vative concepts for supplying and removing material in the urban environment. Cities increasingly find themselves faced with the challenge of reconciling a healthy climate and their inhabitants’ quality-of-life demands with the transport of goods and deliveries in central urban areas. This problem involves developing ideas for re-ducing traffic at specific times and relocating it out of the city alto-gether, new approaches to the use of land, plus new transport and drive concepts. In view of this situation, MAN Truck & Bus has put forward a wide variety of ideas and studies from the truck and bus sectors in recent years. Advancing these ideas consistently, the sales of MAN’s first fully electric-powered production vehicle are now underway with the eTGE.
Around 70 percent of light commercial vehicles used in urban areas travel fewer than 100 kilometres per day on average. The average speed reached during this is low. With this in mind, the vehicle’s theoretical range of up to 160 kilometres covers about three-quarters of all urban-core transport. Sooner or later, as with mobile phones, it will be completely normal to plug a fully electric vehicle in to charge for the coming day – usually overnight.
Charging times vary. A 40 kW charging station fills a battery up to 80 percent in 45 minutes. The MAN eTGE can be restored to full opera-tional capacity after just under five and a half hours on an alternat-ing current wallbox. Approximately nine hours are needed for a full charge with 220V AC. With the relevant battery maintenance, the 36 kWh rechargeable battery only loses around 15 percent of its ca-pacity after ten years and around 2,000 charging cycles. Especially since individual modules of six or twelve cells can be replaced sepa-rately. The modules are located under the slightly higher load floor, as used for rear-wheel drive body versions with diesel engines.
The choice made for the electric front-wheel drive TGE was a per-manently excited synchronous motor with 100 kW maximum availa-ble power. It has 290 Nm of torque at its immediate disposal, which can also be used over the entire speed range, ensuring highly agile handling. Combined with the maximum speed of 90 km/h, this re-sults in fuel consumption of around 20 kWh per 100 kilometres.
In addition to the carrying capacity, the assistance systems have al-so remained unaffected by the electric technology. The eTGE comes with a comprehensive range of built-in standard equipment, includ-ing a navigation system, heated windscreen and other features that help to make driving easier and safer. Naturally, as with all TGEs, the emergency brake assist (EBA) continues to be installed as standard.
In the initial phase of the roll-out, the MAN eTGE can be ordered with the standard wheelbase and high roof. The product line is pri-marily aimed at fleet customers with a tailored service concept to tend to their needs. Initial customer enquiries and signed sales con-tracts have already been made for the MAN eTGE, which costs around €69,500. The first electric-powered vans from MAN are to be used for the first time in metropolitan areas of Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Norway and the Netherlands.
E-mail: marketing@pt.man-mn.com
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The air-conditioning systems in our vehicles contain fluorinated greenhouse gases (R134a / GWP 1430 with up to 1.15 kg equivalent to 1.6445 t CO2).
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Azimut-Benetti
Campion Marine
Catalina Yachts
Christensen Yachts
Glasstream
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Hanse Yachts
Kady Krogen
Lyman Morse
Marathon Boat Group
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Wider
Marine manufacturer expands Tennessee plant
An Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based manufacturing, technology and engineering company is doubling in size. Protomet Corp., the parent company of PTM Edge, provides high-precision production manufacturing for markets that include automotive, homeland security, medical and marine.
“Five years ago, the marine and boating markets took a real hit,” Protomet founder and president Jeff Bohanan said in a statement. “Some boat manufacturers saw an 80 to 90 percent drop in sales. A large number of people lost their jobs after virtually every boat manufacturer cut back. That downturn was particularly tough on East Tennessee.”
Protomet partners with company resident engineers to redesign parts for the manufacturing process that target the reduction of component costs by 10 to 75 percent. Because of the markets it serves — some particularly hard hit by economic conditions during the past five years — Protomet’s growth is an indication that some of those markets are making a turnaround.
This week, Protomet said it is more than doubling the size of its facilities, investing $6 million in the local economy, buying new equipment and adding at least 30 new jobs at its Oak Ridge headquarters. Protomet plans to move into the expanded facility before the end of the year.
“East Tennessee has a long history of being an innovation center, and Protomet has a culture of innovation and lean manufacturing,” Bohanan said. “We design innovation directly into our products and processes, and even package products in a way that better serves our customer’s needs. This has served to build strong strategic relationships.”
Protomet said it has had a 500 percent increase in sales since 2005 and now has its own proprietary line of products marketed under the PTMEdge Watersports brand, which makes and markets boating mirrors and wakeboard tower components for boats of all kinds.
Protomet’s 21,500-square-foot addition will begin by June and is expected to be finished by Dec. 31.
Click here for the full report.
PTM EdgeProtomet Corp.
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Optimizing lines of authority between the Board, special committees, and corporate development | M&A Conference at Fordham Law New York
By Joseph Tedeschi & Mr. Bob Zapata & Mr. Frank Jaehnert & Matthew V. Soran, Esq.
This session considered approaches for appropriately and proportionately engaging the Board in the organization's inorganic growth strategy, from acquisitions to minority investments and joint ventures.
Joseph Tedeschi, Head of M&A Legal (former) at Citigroup, Bob Zapata, General Counsel of Corporate Strategy and Development at TIAA, and Frank Jaehnert, Member of the Board of Directors of Briggs, Stratton, Nordson, and Itron, and Member of the Advisory Board of National Material gave consideration to the optimal lines of authority between the Board, special committees, and management throughout the M&A process including…
M&A Methods | Interview with Associate General Counsel, Commercial & Strategic Transactions at LyondellBasell
By Andrew Gratz, Esq. & William Jefferson Black
In this interview Publisher William Jefferson Black sits down with Andrew Gratz, Associate General Counsel at LyondellBasell, who manages the legal team that supports the multinational public-company's acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions globally.
LyondellBasell was formed through a merger in late 2007, followed by a 15-month chapter 11 restructuring. Today the company has a $30B+ market cap and a position as one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world.
Understanding recent SEC proxy developments impact on M&A
By Jeffrey Karpf, Esq. & Jasmine Johnson, Esq.
In 2018, the SEC continued to take small steps towards refining the shareholder proposal and proxy processes, although the guidance remains a bit muddled and imprecise.
In addition to publishing Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14J (“SLB 14J”) and two new Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (“C&DIs”) regarding Notices of Exempt Solicitation, the SEC also hosted a proxy roundtable featuring a variety of viewpoints this past fall.
Recent Delaware decision highlights claims against management post-acquisition
By Meredith E. Kotler, Esq. & Roger A. Cooper, Esq. & Mark E. McDonald, Esq. & April Collaku, Esq.
By ‘steering’ the company into an allegedly unfair acquisition by a private equity firm that promised to retain him post-acquisition, the target CEO breached his fiduciary duties, found the Delaware Court of Chancery in In re Xura, Inc. Stockholder Litigation.
By denying the target CEO’s motion to dismiss claims that he breached his fiduciary duties, the court provided an instructive case for understanding...
Methods and degrees of board involvement in mergers and acquisitions | M&A Conference at the University of Chicago
By William R. Kucera, Esq. & Mr. Frank Jaehnert & Sergio Letelier, Esq. & Mr. Doug H. Jackson
This session from Transaction Advisors M&A Conference at the University of Chicago considered approaches for engaging the Board in an organization's inorganic strategy, including prospect development, techniques for improving target receptivity, and methods for pursuing an unwilling target.
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Now Reading: Perry, Dewhurst: Drug Test the Unemployed
Perry, Dewhurst: Drug Test the Unemployed
Forrest Wilder Nov 13, 2012, 3:37 pm CST
Credit: RickPerry.org RickPerry.org
The 83rd Texas Legislature doesn’t officially kick off until January 8. But bill-filing season began yesterday, offering us an early, albeit very incomplete, glimpse at what may lie ahead. If the Texas Legislature is the national laboratory of bad ideas, our elected officials have been busy cooking up an unholy concoction of legislation.
Today Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst lent their support to legislation that would require drug tests for people who apply for welfare and unemployment benefits.
Such legislation gets filed every session but rarely goes far beyond a committee hearing even with a GOP supermajority in the Texas House in 2011. Perry and Dewhurst’s imprimatur effectively pushes this far-right idea closer to the mainstream and signals that Texas’ two top officials will probably double down on a tea party agenda this session.
“Texas taxpayers will not subsidize or tolerate illegal drug abuse,” Perry said at a news conference today. “Every dollar that goes to someone who uses it inappropriately is a dollar that can’t go to a Texan who needs it for housing, child care or medicine. Being on drugs makes it much harder to begin the journey to independence, which only assures individuals remain stuck in the terrible cycle of drug abuse and poverty.”
I can’t recall Perry ever showing much concern for drug addicts. Perry, for example, has been a long-time opponent of needle exchange programs, which allow drug users to get clean needles. Such efforts have been shown to reduce drug use, gets addicts into rehab and decrease the rates of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS infections. Legislation authorizing needle exchanges has been authored and championed by state Sen. Bob Deuell, a Republican doctor. Texas is the only state that has an outright ban on needle exchanges.
Is there a crisis of drug users receiving welfare or unemployment insurance? Probably not. Florida has tried it and the results are fairly predictable (at least if you don’t traffic in Rush Limbaugh-style stereotypes about poor people): In the Florida experiment, only 2.6 percent of applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (aka “welfare”) tested positive for drugs, mostly marijuana. Because the state largely bears the cost of the tests, it ended up costing Florida taxpayers money. No reduction in caseload occurred either.
The Texas bill, authored by state Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), also punishes kids for the sins of their parents. Her Senate Bill 11 lists “an applicant applying solely on behalf of a child” among those who must be drug-tested. Sorry, kiddo, maybe you should’ve told your mom not to smoke that joint.
Perry and Dewhurst actually want to go further than Florida. They want to test the unemployed, a slice of the population that tends to be more middle-class than welfare recipients. It’s important to note that in Texas you can’t collect unemployment if you were fired with cause, including because of drug use.
“These are Texans who had a job and they lost the job through no fault of their own,” said Scott McCown, executive director of the liberal Center for Public Policy Priorities. “They didn’t lose their job because of a drug problem.”
There’s an odd kind of Big Government paternalism at work too.
“A factory worker who gave 30 years of service to a company only to see it go belly up or a schoolteacher who lost her job because of billions of dollars in state budget cuts should not have to pee in a cup to get help with the transition to their next jobs,” said AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller.
There are big issues to deal with this session but already Perry and Dewhurst are lost in the weed.
Forrest Wilder, a native of Wimberley, Texas, is the editor of the Observer.
Read More: David Dewhurst, drug testing, Rick Perry, Texas Legislature, welfare
‘A Mockery of Public Trust’: Bexar Sheriff Cleans House, Angers Deputies’ Union
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar is feuding with his deputies' union in the midst of a bout of scandals. by Michael Barajas
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Kate Upton Pays Her Way; Better Know a Kushner
Kate Upton shuns freebies, learning the difference between Tony Kushner and David Kushner the hard way, and Lady Gaga is a single lady "on a break" from Taylor Kinney.
Welcome to the Smart Set. Every morning we bring you the gossip coverage, filtered. Today: Kate Upton shuns freebies, learning the difference between Tony Kushner and David Kushner the hard way, and Lady Gaga is a single lady "on a break" from Taylor Kinney.
George Soros stepped out with Tamiko Bolton, his new much younger girlfriend, just hours before he was supposed to be in court with Adriana Ferreyr, his old much-younger girlfriend. Bolton and Soros made the trip out of the house county: they circulated with "the crème de la crème at the Moet & Chandon and Audi screening, and French consulate after-party celebrating Harvey Weinstein’s induction into the Légion d’Honneur by Nicolas Sarkozy." Other notable guests in attendance included brother Bob, Charlie Rose, Jim Dolan, Peter Peterson, Paul Haggis, Stephen Schwarzman, various French cinema types, and Weinstein's mother Miriam. [Page Six]
This is down-to-earth and charming! It seems Kate Upton -- this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover lady-- is paying $25,000 of her own money to attend this year's über-fancy Costume Institute Gala. Anna Wintour, who really is everywhere these days, we think we just saw her emptying the coffee grounds in The Atlantic Wire kitchenette, apparently acted as Upton's ticket broker. Page Six on how Upton landed her ticket:
We’re told Upton recently went to Vogue’s 4 Times Square offices to meet Wintour, where Upton told the Vogue queen of her dream to go to the Met gala.
“She told Anna she would really like to attend,” said a source. “Then she offered to pay for her own ticket. Kate then whipped out her checkbook and paid the $25,000 for her seat. Anna took the check on the spot.
To be fair, Upton's just 19. She's got years of comp-demanding ahead of her. She can pay this once. [Page Six]
Charlayne Hunter-Gault -- one of the indistinguishable female voices that pops up on NPR each day to talk about nothing in a smart-sounding way - really screwed up at the PEN Literary Gala on Tuesday night. For some reason, Hunter-Gault was emceeing the event, which proved problematic when she introduced Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner by praising "that amazing tech article" he recently wrote for The New Yorker, adding that she read it "at 6 a.m. on [her] iPad" (Human touch.) The only trouble is, the piece she's thinking of was by David Kushner, a journalist who is writing a book about the Grand Theft Auto video game. [Page Six]
Oh, dear: it seems that Lady Gaga and boyfriend Taylor Kinney -- who is in The Vampire Diaries, probably in a vampiric capacity -- are "on a break," per a source with knowledge of their drip-drop breakup. They've been dating 10 months, but she's touring too much, and according to one friend, Taylor never exactly proved himself to be marriage material. "Taylor was all about himself, a typical actor, and didn't completely get Gaga," It should be noted there's no shame in not getting your girlfriend's aggressively eccentric stage persona. Like the last 30 minutes of L.A. Confidential, just trust that it all comes together in the end. [US Weekly]
John Edwards' daughter Cate -- the eldest one -- left her father's trial bawling yesterday, just before a former aide was about "to testify about an argument between John and Elizabeth Edwards after the National Enquirer revealed he was still hopping into bed with his pregnant mistress." By leaving, Cate Edwards avoided having to hear the blow-by-blow "of how her late mother, stricken with breast cancer, tore off her shirt during a meltdown over his cheating." [New York Daily News]
Jeb Bush and outgoing World Bank President Robert Zoellick had a 2.5 hour (!) dinner at the Bombay Club in D.C. on Tuesday night. Nobody knows what they were talking about, but it lasted longer than Bull Durham, Something Wild, and Network. [The Reliable Source]
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Alliance on Aging seeks submissions for its September recycled product fashion show
Trashion Show is being organized by Susan Gibbons
Alliance on Aging seeks submissions for its September recycled product fashion show Trashion Show is being organized by Susan Gibbons Check out this story on thecalifornian.com: http://bit.ly/1m17quk
Robet Walch Published 11:14 a.m. PT July 11, 2014 | Updated 11:16 a.m. PT July 11, 2014
Susan Gibbons, co-chair of the Alliance on Aging’s Trashion Show,(Photo: Robert Walch/For Off 68)Buy Photo
Trashion shows are growing in popularity so it comes as no surprise that this competition that brings together recycled materials with a playful sense of high fashion has found its way to Salinas.
Benefiting the Alliance on Aging, Trashion Show 2014 will be held at the Corral de Tierra Country Club on Sept. 4. Susan Gibbons, the co-chair of the event, has put a call out to prospective artists, designers and anyone who would like to create entries for the show.
This is where art, fashion, and ecology all come together to create a fun event that will earn some money for a worthy cause and also a put a few dollars in the pockets of the winning entrants.
Trashion Show 2014 is a juried show and is limited to 25 entrants. Gibbons stressed that the outfits should also include accessories such as shoes, bags, hats, and even jewelry so that the entry has a maximum impact.
There is an application fee of $30 for the first entry ($15 for additional entries) and the deadline to apply for the show is Aug. 1. Applications can be found on line at the AllianceOnAging.org or forms can be picked up at the Alliance on Aging office at 247 Main Street in Salinas.
Anyone over 17 can apply and individuals can collaborate on a design. If the designer does not have someone to model his or her garment, Gibbons will arrange for one. All designs must be made of reclaimed or recycled materials that can be safely worn. Works will be chosen based on artistry, originality, craftsmanship and innovation.
The grand prize will be $400 and two runner-ups will each receive $200.
Gibbons, who has been involved in costume design for theatrical groups, became involved in recycled clothing design events when she entered a Trashion Show sponsored by the Sonoma Community Center.
The Toro Park resident suggested that Teresa Sullivan, the executive director of Alliance on Aging, consider sponsoring such an event locally. Sullivan liked the idea so the two women put their heads together to plan this unique fashion show.
Using photos of entries from the Sonoma show to explain what the design possibilities for a Trashion Show might entail, Gibbons pointed out how recycled items can be repurposed in such a manner one might not even realize what the dress or piece of clothing is made of.
In one instance hundreds of old slide photos were used to create a simple but very stunning sheath dress. Another photo showed an elegant ball gown with a full skirt fashioned from C&H Sugar box covers.
An example of one of Gibbons' own creations features a re-purposed skirt with curled strips of paper cut from recycled five pound, coffee bags. No one would guess that the frilly effect was achieved by using a glue gun to attach the curled streamers of paper to the fabric.
For the top of her creation Gibbons attached flattened, small, individual jelly containers and other recycle materials to create small flowers which were again attached by glue gun.
Pointing to a box of product labels, aluminum pie tins, plastic strawberry containers, bread bags, and other materials, the designer said that first she collects her recyclables and then she tries to figure out a way to employ them in the item of clothing or as accessories.
Gibbons pointed out that while some contestants use a re-purposed undergarment as the starting point for their designs, others start from scratch.
"I've seen dresses made entirely from bubble wrap, beverage straws, shower curtains and old banners," she said.
While some of the designers will wear their own creations for the show, others will enlist friends or family members to handle the runway chores. While women's clothing is usually the focus of such an event, it is acceptable to create something for males.
The statement the designers are attempting to achieve for the Alliance of Aging show should be innovative but also suggest a sense of "high fashion," Gibbons explained. She suggested that if prospective designers check the Sonoma Community Center Trashion website they will get an idea of what she means.
As the co-chair who is working with the artists, Gibbons said that "coaching is available" if anyone needs assistance with a design. She can be contacted at susanbgibbons@yahoo.com.
"We want this to be a fun community event and would like to see artists, designers and anyone else who would like to enter get involved," Sullivan said. "It would be great if local businesses also submitted designs or became a sponsor."
Benefiting the Alliance on Aging, Trashion Show 2014 will be held at the Corral de Tierra Country Club on September 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. For information on tickets for the luncheon, contact Christine at the Alliance office at 831-655-7559. The submission application deadline for entries is Friday, Aug. 1.
Read or Share this story: http://bit.ly/1m17quk
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MURDER USA “Duct Tape” of Gangster Disciples Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy
Armed robbery Breaking News Burglary Carjackings Cocaine trafficking counterfeiting Court News Dirtbag Roundup Drug related crime Fraud Gang Crime & Violence Heroin Overdoses & Distribution Arrests Murder USA Police Beat
April 7, 2018 admin0
One of 16 alleged Gangster Disciples members and associates indicted on racketeering charges in May 2016 pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.
Tommy Earl Champion Jr., aka Duct Tape, 27, of Jackson. Champion held the rank of Chief of Security of Jackson.
Byron Montrail Purdy, aka Lil B or Ghetto, 37, of Jackson. Purdy held the rank of Governor of Tennessee.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Will “Duct Tape” get an easy deal when he sentenced in July? Pleading guilty to gang RICO activity is a good way to get a one-way ticket to a prison graveyard, or solitary confinement if lucky.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that Tommy Earl Champion, Jr., aka Duct Tape, 29, of Jackson, Tennessee, pleaded guilty on April 2, before U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering offense, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Santiago Megale Shaw, aka Mac-T, 23, of Jackson. Shaw was a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson.
Demarcus Deon Crawford aka Trip, 32, of Jackson. Crawford held the rank of Chief of Security of Tennessee.
Cory DeWayne Bowers, aka Bear Wayne, 32, of Jackson, was associated with the Gangster Disciples and acted as a member of the Security Team in Jackson.
According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a highly organized national gang active in more than 35 states. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout its national operation. The gang protects its power through threats, intimidation, and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. The Gangster Disciples promotes its enterprise through member-only activities and provides financial and other support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses or who are fugitives from law enforcement.
Members and associates of the Gangster Disciples are subject to a strict code of discipline and are routinely fined, beaten and even murdered for failing to follow the gang’s rules. “Enforcers” within the enterprise ensure that members who violate the strict rules of the enterprise are appropriately punished.
Champion is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6, 2018.
The suspects from Jackson include:
Byron Montrail Purdy, aka “Lil B” or “Ghetto,” 37. Purdy allegedly held the rank of Governor of Tennessee
Demarcus Deon Crawford aka “Trip,” 32. Crawford reportedly held the rank of Chief of Security of Tennessee
Santiago Megale Shaw, aka “Mac-T,” 23. Shaw allegedly was a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson
Tommy Earl Champion Jr., aka “Duct Tape,” 27. Champion reportedly held the rank of Chief of Security of Jackson
Cory DeWayne Bowers, aka “Bear Wayne,” 32. Bowers was associated with the Gangster Disciples and acted as a member of the Security Team in Jackson, according to authorities.
Gerald Eugene Hampton, aka G30, 30, of Jackson. Hampton was a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson.
Gerald Eugene Hampton, aka “G30,” 30. Hampton was allegedly a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson
Daniel Lee Cole, aka “D-Money,” 37. Officials say Cole acted as Assistant Governor and Assistant Education Coordinator for the Gangster Disciples in Jackson
Taruis Montez Taylor, aka “T,” 26. Taylor is reportedly a member of the Gangster Disciples’ Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson.
The FBI; ATF; the Memphis Multi-Agency Gang Unit; the Memphis Police Department; the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; the Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Madison County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; the 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; The Tipton County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office; the 26th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; the Atascosa County, Tennessee District Attorney’s Office; and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office investigated this case. Trial Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell of the Western District of Tennessee and Samuel Stringfellow of the Northern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.
Tagged Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan aka “Lil B” or “Ghetto aka “T Byron Montrail Purdy Demarcus Deon Crawford aka “Trip Gangster Disciples Samuel Stringfellow Taruis Montez Taylor Tennessee Sheriff’s Office the Memphis Police Department; the Shelby County Tommy Earl Champion Jr. U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. ”
Southern Md Police Beat Sheriff Tim Cameron says crooks using real deputy’s name and actual phone extensions in jury duty scam for cash are real crooks and not cops
CULTURE OF CORRUPTION: PG County Liquor Board Commissioner Anuj Sud Sentenced to Two Years in Prison For Federal Bribery Conduct
DELAWARE STATE POLICE: Four black male gunmen ransacked and robbed, held residents at gunpoint and the dirtbags stole the family pet
DWI HIT PARADE – Justin C. Anders proves he can operate his buggy upside down – with no hands – while impaired – and can still beat feet from the wreck
August 6, 2018 August 6, 2018 admin
MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty To Federal Charge Of Conspiring To Participate In A Violent Racketeering Enterprise
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Ancient Mysteries & Alternative History
An ecocultural model on HSS vs HS Neanderthal
Extinction for HSN through competition with HSS
By Hanslune, February 14, 2016 in Ancient Mysteries & Alternative History
neanderthal cultural conflict
Hanslune 7,484
Personal friend of Rupert the Atlantean
Location:Oregon
.........I'm personally incredulous of your personal incredulity
Archaeologists argue that the replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans was driven by interspecific competition due to a difference in culture level. To assess the cogency of this argument, we construct and analyze an interspecific cultural competition model based on the Lotka−Volterra model, which is widely used in ecology, but which incorporates the culture level of a species as a variable interacting with population size.
We investigate the conditions under which a difference in culture level between cognitively equivalent species, or alternatively a difference in underlying learning ability, may produce competitive exclusion of a comparatively (although not absolutely) large local Neanderthal population by an initially smaller modern human population. We find, in particular, that this competitive exclusion is more likely to occur when population growth occurs on a shorter timescale than cultural change, or when the competition coefficients of the Lotka−Volterra model depend on the difference in the culture levels of the interacting species.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/01/25/1524861113?tab=metrics
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/01/25/1524861113.full.pdf
Ecocultural niche modeling and radiocarbon dating suggest a causal role for interspecific competition in the extinction of Neanderthals. Most archaeologists argue that the advantage to modern humans lay in a higher culture level (a sizable minority dispute this view). Competition between the two species may have occurred when a modern human propagule entered a region occupied by a larger Neanderthal population. We present a model for this replacement, stressing the importance of the founder effect. Our findings shed light on the disappearance of the Neanderthals, showing that endogenous factors such as relative culture level, rather than such extrinsic factors as epidemics or climate change, could have caused the eventual exclusion of a comparatively larger population by an initially smaller one.
cormac mac airt 9,571
Forum Divinity
Location:Tennessee, USA
~SNIP~
Our findings shed light on the disappearance of the Neanderthals, showing that endogenous factors such as relative culture level, rather than such extrinsic factors as epidemics or climate change, could have caused the eventual exclusion of a comparatively larger population by an initially smaller one.
How does this mesh with the already available evidence suggesting that Homo neandertalensis was already genetically in decline prior to its encountering Hss, which along with the above factors you mentioned suggests to me that the relative cultural level could only be seen as one of several likely reasons for H. neandertalensis' extinction?
PersonFromPorlock 1,313
Pooseycat
Few things do more harm than the belief that life should be Dramatic.
Nah. Time to revisit my theory that big-brained neanderthal groups were at the intellectual level of a small, liberal arts college faculty, and therefore incapable of doing anything useful. Whilst neanderthal was swanning around with metamathmatics and Steinschlagenmusikvereine performances, dull cromagnon was inventing better rocks and neanderthal recipies.
The last neanderthal died with a cry of garlic? GARLIC? on his lips.
That was my question also however I cannot challenge the math. Do you remember which year the study came out that made the genetic decline claim? Obvious there may not have been one main reason but a whole milieu and it may have taken thousands of years to happen.
Three points for the satire but one question what definition of Steinschlagen musikvereine are you using?
"Rock-pounding Music Society." Beer came later.
Naturlich!
From 2014:
Patterns of coding variation in the complete exomes of three Neandertals
Possible Further Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity in the El Sidron (Asturias, Spain) Neandertal Group: Congenital Clefts of the Atlas
Edited February 15, 2016 by cormac mac airt
SSilhouette 461
My theory, which will completely agitate the OP...lol... We are a combination of our giant wild cousins and the greys. They are small, some three to four feet in stature, hairless, spindly with large heads. Our wild cousins stand up to 10 feet tall, sloped skulls, hairy all over, with massive muscles. And what do you know? We stand around 5 foot something to 6 feet something, a perfect average of the two, with a wide variety of large to smaller heads and variations along a spectrum of body hair, muscling and intellect.
Whenever you cross two animals on the farm that are quite different but still able to interbreed, you get a really random smattering of all different weird combinations in the second generation down. And from there it continues. If you turned that herd out wild together and they all interbred without being mate-selective, they'd eventually homogenize like the wild mustang horses which are part draft and part light saddle breeds. What they've turned into is a semi light/heavy breed with the ugly draft breed head, generally speaking.
However, humas higher brain function and more complex social conditioning causes us to be very picky about who we breed with. Some seek opposites. Some those more like themselves. So the wide presentation along the spectrum of the hybrid is still preserved, especially in "melting pot" countries like the US.
"Patty", a film cell from the Patterson film, close up:
And Nikolai Valuev, 7 foot tall, massive bulked Russian boxer ....
Gray alien ..... and a human hybrid closer to them?... (David Wilcock of "Ancient Aliens")
& of course you find everything else along the spectrum between the two.. Look at the real estate above David Wilcock's eyebrows...wow!
There it is. My theory. Can't wait for the shredding. But the pictures are compelling, no?
Edited February 15, 2016 by SSilhouette
back to earth 23,440
Location:South-west of Gondwanaland
... and what does SShillouette look like ?
Deleted off topic 'stuff'.
LOL, the cryptozoology and ufo/aliens forum is thata way this about HSN and HSS and what might have happened to cause HSN to go extinct and us to contain part of their dna.....................................................................................>
Edited February 15, 2016 by Hanslune
Why would we care? If he doesn't like the way he looks he should sue his parents.
JesseCuster 5,322
Secret Jesus
Location:Ireland
But the pictures are compelling, no?
Waa waa waaaaaaaa.... Told you so. What do I look like? Pretty much a cross right down the middle between the two. Definitely don't have as much real estate above my eyes like D. Wilcock. But my frontal lobe does rise up much more significantly than N. Valuev. His practically slopes straight back just above his eyebrows, and with his shaved head you can see even a sagital crest like the Patty figure has, like a pointed ridge at the back of the skull at the top. I'm about 5 foot 9 inches tall.
My post is on topic. The discussion is where did human DNA come from; which hybridizing could be responsible for what we see presented today. I've offered my theory. Is this going to be like the Sahara thread where if everyone doesn't fall in lockstep with "the group" ( you know who you are), they'll get a warning ...?
Jarocal 2,806
Yea though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Furballs I will fear no feline.Thy floppy ears and thy drool they comfort me.
I am unaware of any tangible evidence proving the existence of "greys" let alone their genetic make-up catalogued in order to show HSS is a hybrid of them and HSN. If you are to speculate that HSS is a hybrid of HSN and something else, it is kind of necessary to have evidence to back the assertion. There would be more evidence for a cross between Denisovans and Neanderthals than Grey's and Neanderthals. At least there Denisovans actually existed.
Well ... you know .... if he looks like an alien ....
I will never believe anything he writes again
But Jarocal, DNA from the unevidenced greys goes hand in hand with the equally unevidenced "sagital crest" SSilhouette claims Nikolai Valuev has .
It's rather apparent that there's no sagital crest on Nikolai Valuev. That aside though he might share a more Neanderthal-looking morphology in regards to his skull, while it wouldn't be a dominant trait amongst modern humans, it isn't exactly unheard of.
My post is on topic.
No it is not on topic any further attempts to derail will be reported.
It would however be on topic if he posts the genetic evidence from "Greys" and how closely it corresponds to the parts of HSS genetics not derived from Neanderthal.
I am awaiting the evidence with bated breath...
Yes I stand corrected - for that specific evidence I would allow it - although I would suggest he start another thread on that amazing subject! lol
" My son, your head will never return to a normal shape unless you stop wearing this crazy hat . "
Edited February 16, 2016 by back to earth
Let's just say that the thousands of eyewitness reports describing large headed small framed, large-eyed gray skinned beings with small slit mouths and spindly hands would amount to good circumstantial evidence in a court of law. Plus, just look at the pictures in post #9 on the previous page. Especially, with regards to sasquatches, equally supported with thousands of eyewitness accounts across a wide spectrum of people, many of whom, like the alien reports, stand to lose by reporting what they saw..check out the profile shot of "Patty's" skull and facial features taken from the infamous film, and Nikolai Valuev. Amazing similarity. All you have to do with Valuev is add more hair and it's an identical match. He's 7 feet tall, massive, with a barrell chest over 3' wide.
Then look at David Wilcox's frontal lobe area... very tall forehead. That nobody can deny.
.... or that he is a jolly good fellow
kmt_sesh 35,523
Mummy Overlord
Location:Chicago, Illinois
I'm leaving all posts in place (at least for the time being). This is just a reminder for all posters to stay on topic.
This thread and this forum are not for the espousing of half-baked, unevidenced alien themes. We have a separate forum at UM for that.
Do not attempt to derail or hijack the thread.
Thanks Cormac I must have been using the wrong key words!
Go To Topic Listing Ancient Mysteries & Alternative History
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Campus The Hague
Professor emeritus of African Studies
history of south africa
Prof.dr. R.J. Ross
r.j.ross@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Robert Ross is Professor Emeritus in African Studies at the Leiden University Institute for History (chair from 2004 to 2014).
Colonial South Africa, especially the Cape Colony—slavery, religion, economy, government and the frontier
Black consumption patterns in Southern Africa since the mineral revolution
The global homogenisation of world material culture, especially clothing
Born in London, studied in Cambridge, Ph.D (1974) on the history of the Griquas in central South Africa. Since 1976 in Leiden, as coordinator and (later) professor in African history. His teaching has been in the BA degree course Languages and Cultures of Africa, and the MAs (including the Research MA) on African Studies. In addition to his specialised research, he has written general works on South African history, and was involved as senior editor in the Cambridge History of South Africa (Cambridge, Cambridge UP, 2010 and 2012)
(2010) Ross, R.J. & Hamilton, C.A. & Mbenga, B.K. (Eds.)
Cambridge History of South Africa, Volume I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
(2008) Ross, R.J. Clothing: a Global History; or the Imperialists’ New Clothes. Cambridge: Polity Press.
(2003) “Ambiguities of resistance and collaboration on the Eastern Cape Frontier: The Kat River Settlement, 1829-1856”, Rethinking Resistance: Revolt and Violence in African History, Jon Abbink, Mirjam de Bruijn & Klaas van Walraven (eds.), Leiden & Boston, Brill, pp. 117 – 141.
(1999) A Concise History of South Africa, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp. xv + 219.
(1999) Status and respectability at the Cape of Good Hope: A Tragedy of Manners, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp.xii + 203.
(1993) Beyond the Pale: Essays on the History of Colonial South Africa, Hanover and London, Wesleyan University Press/University Press of New England, pp. xii + 270.
(1983) Cape of Torments: Slavery and Resistance in South Africa, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.
Institute for History
Afrika studies
Taylor and Francis Redactie tijdschrift
Uitgeverij Brill Redactie tijdschrift
University of Western Cape Redactie tijdschrift
University of Cape Town Examinator Ph.D. theses
Cambridge University Press Beoordeling manuscripten
Colonial and Global History 1200-present
Photographic traditions in black popular modernities: towards a socio-historical analysis of the visual economy in and beyond South Africa
The Borders of Race in Colonial South Africa. The Kat River Settlement, 1829–1856
These Oppressions won't cease: An Anthology of the Political Thought of the Cape Khoesan, 1777–1879
African Studies (research) (MA)
African Studies (MA)
Leiden Slavery Studies Association
Other modes of study
Bachelor's Open Days
Master's Open Days
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Medicine/LUMC
African Studies Centre Leiden
ICLON (Graduate School of Teaching)
444 years: let's celebrate together
Working at Leiden University
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Home/Posts/New Investments/Awards, Ohio, State or Government/Ohio Third Frontier Fund puts $1M into advanced next-generation medical device company
Ohio Third Frontier Fund puts $1M into advanced next-generation medical device company
EndoSphere Inc. today announced that the Innovation Ohio Loan Fund (IOLF) has awarded $1 million to support EndoSphere’s platform of noninvasive, endoscopically-implantable devices that treat metabolic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“EndoSphere is certainly the kind of innovator that the IOLF program was created to support,” said Christiane Schmenk, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “This award demonstrates the State of Ohio’s commitment to support innovative technology companies. EndoSphere’s pioneering medical technologies have the potential to help millions of people.”
The IOLF program’s mission is to support “next-generation” technology innovators within targeted industry sectors. IOLF is a program of the Ohio Third Frontier program, a $2.3 billion initiative that stimulates technology-based economic growth through innovation, value chain development, and expansion of a skilled talent pool.
“EndoSphere’s management team and shareholders are pleased that our company has become recognized as a next-generation technology innovator,” Endosphere CEO James T. McKinley said. “EndoSphere’s broad patent coverage, in combination with the impressive clinical results of its products, offers strong promise for our company’s future impact in the rapidly expanding categories of interventional gastroenterology and weight management.”
EndoSphere invented the SatiSphere® duodenal insert, a non-invasive medical device that improves regulation of appetite and satiety by using the body’s natural physiology. The device is completely reversible, repeatable, and incisionless. Clinical studies have shown that the SatiSphere® device enables obese patients to achieve significant weight loss without surgery or medication.
About EndoSphere Inc.
Founded in 2006, EndoSphere Inc. is a medical technology company that holds 25 issued and pending U.S. and international patents. The company has developed a platform of noninvasive, endoscopically-implantable devices that treat some of the world’s most critical healthcare issues. EndoSphere is a portfolio company of Broadline Capital, a global private equity investment group. Major co-investors include venture fund Glengary LLC, Co-Investment Fund, and several of the largest U.S. angel investment funds including the Ohio TechAngel Funds, North Coast Angel Funds, Physician Investment Group, Queen City Angels, and QCA First Funds. For more information about EndoSphere, please visit http://www.EndoSphereInc.com.
Original Source: PRWeb.com
Story: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9421416.htm
By innovosource|2012-04-25T14:23:16+00:00April 25th, 2012|New Investments/Awards, Ohio, State or Government|0 Comments
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Since 1994, Tucows has
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‘Trans bodies are safe here’: Students drown out small anti-transgender demonstration
Written by Alex Nguyen
Dec. 10, 2018 · 4 min read
Some students carried large Pride flags to block the demonstration from view. Alex Nguyen
DigiMarCon World 2019 -
Digital Marketing Conference
Tuesday, Nov 19 at 11 AM - Thursday, Nov 21 at 3 PM
Today, students drowned out a small anti-transgender demonstration that took place mere steps from UBC’s Pride installation outside the Nest.
Two individuals not affiliated with UBC came to campus this afternoon with materials denying the existence of transgender people, while stressing conservative Christian values. They were later joined by a third individual.
“I’m protesting censorship on university campuses and human rights commissions, and the imposition of transgender ideology and the inability to be able to freely speak out on this topic, as evidenced by some of the responses,” said Bill Whatcott, a demonstrator and well-known anti-LGBT activist.
This is not the first time Whatcott has hosted an anti-LGBT demonstration on university campuses, having appeared at the University of Calgary and the University of Regina in 2016.
Around a dozen UBC students responded by chanting “trans rights are human rights” and “trans bodies are safe here.” Some carried large Pride flags to block the demonstration from view.
First-year student Rowan Hurt said the counter-protest was unplanned, but stressed the importance of supporting those who might be affected by the demonstration.
“This is a main hub, this is the Nest, everyone goes past it … I just think that this isn’t the space for making people feel unsafe,” Hurt said.
Other protestors shared the sentiment, noting the stress students already face during exam season.
“I know I should be studying for my finance exam and I’m stressing out — but as [one of the other protestors] said, this seems more important,” said Tanveer Romeo.
“And I’m just so pissed off that this is our space and we are all stressed out for our final exams, we don’t need hatred right now. If anything, we need a lot of love and support at this time so it’s just saddening.”
AMS VP Academic and University Affairs Max Holmes and VP Administration Chris Hakim were also briefly at the protest in support.
“We’ve always tried to make sure that everyone on campus feels safe, and of course we don’t welcome any events like this near the Nest,” Holmes said. “We’ve made sure that they are not on AMS property and we support all the protesters who are out here making sure people know that trans rights are human rights.”
A small group of UBC Campus Security and RCMP members stood by on the sideline to monitor the situation. The university confirmed that Campus Security knew about the individuals coming to campus ahead of time.
Amidst the general anti-transgender rhetoric, Whatcott specifically targeted prominent transgender activist and BC NDP VP Morgane Oger, who filed a human rights complaint against him in 2017.
Last year, Whatcott published hundreds of flyers calling on voters to reject Oger’s run for MLA because she is transgender. He was spotted distributing similarly transphobic handouts this year, during Oger’s run as an independent Vancouver school board trustee candidate.
The case hearing is set to start tomorrow.
This is also not the first time his homophobic and transphobic flyers have landed him in legal trouble.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2013 that his flyers infringed on human rights laws in Saskatchewan. He was later charged for allegedly distributing “anti-gay material” at the 2016 Pride Parade in Toronto.
At today’s demonstration, Whatcott wore a t-shirt with Oger’s image and a message that intentionally misgendered her. He also handed out flyers questioning Oger’s sexuality and criticized the tribunal’s decision to hear the complaint as a “loss of freedom.”
“Conservative Christians do pay taxes, so our voice should be at the table too,” he said.
In an interview with The Ubyssey, Oger expressed disbelief about Whatcott’s demonstration and offered solidarity to students on campus, especially given the timing of the protest in the middle of the exam period.
“It’s incredible that someone facing charges for doing this in another province, and who’s going in front of a hearing tomorrow would have the gall to do this,” she said.
“He’s too selfish to realize that it would really catch you off guard to mess with people during exams,” Oger added. “For his actions, I regret that he’s angered … sadly, UBC students were affected today. And I regret that.”
—with files from Bridget Chase and Zak Vescera
This article has been updated to clarify the number of demonstrators.
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You are here: Home » News » Selectmen Delay Signing Solar PILOT Agreement
Selectmen Delay Signing Solar PILOT Agreement
The Rochester Board of Selectmen is in no hurry to enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Clean Energy Collective (CEC), the solar developer of a solar array field at 268 Mattapoisett Road.
On February 4, Principal Assessor Charles Shea told the selectmen about the disparity he sees between the PILOT revenue the Town receives from the solar array field on Snipatuit Road owned by Melink Corporation and what Shea anticipates the Town will receive from Clean Energy Collective.
According to Shea, Melink pays $23,000 annually under its PILOT agreement for the valuation of personal property and $28,000 for the valuation of the real property.
“So there’s about $50,000 coming in from a 1-megawatt system pretty much identical to the solar system [on Mattapoisett Road] and, as an assessor, I’m seeing a disparity.”
Shea said, “I’ve heard $20,000 a year” from CEC’s 5-acre, 1-megawatt solar field. “I just see, as an assessor, a differentiation in outcome and I wondered what I might have done wrong in the first one and how … I’m supposed to approach them in the future.”
“There’s a lot that’s changed since we signed that first one,” said Town Counsel Blair Bailey.
Bailey explained the situation, saying that the two sums from the two solar array fields differ because the Melink PILOT was formed under a previous state program that allowed municipalities to include both the valuation of personal property (the solar array equipment) and the property tax. Now, Bailey said, the law has changed and solar companies have found a loophole in the tax code that Bailey said in a follow-up that CEC wants to take advantage of.
“A recent batch of cases in front of the ATB are about whether they took a provision of the tax code meant for one thing and made it apply to another,” said Bailey, further clarifying, “The tax code says any solar facility that provides power to a taxable facility is not in and of itself taxable.” Bailey said this new law was designed to encourage solar energy development and consumption in the state.
Taking all that into consideration, Bailey told Shea, the average agreement price that he could find in the state right now on a megawatt basis was $10,000 per megawatt on property, while other states average $20,000 a megawatt. The question is then, said Bailey, is a PILOT agreement in the best interest of the Town?
“We can certainly say no, we’re not going to agree to a PILOT,” said Bailey. But, he said, if CEC gets a tax bill from the Town, “The next step is the ATB.”
Shea argued that the Assessors’ Office should take CEC’s revenue into consideration when targeting a sum for a PILOT agreement, but according to Shea, CEC refused to provide it.
“I want to see some data,” said Selectmen Chairman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley. “I want to see some numbers – the difference between the two [solar projects] … so that we establish a standard that we can stand behind.”
Bailey, however, cautioned that this was not the legal way to assess the value of property. When the Town assesses the value of property for any other business in town, he said, it is not based on how much money the business makes.
“There is no other commercial property that you assess on the basis of profit,” Bailey said.
Selectman Brad Morse suggested tabling the discussion until the next meeting in order to gather further information before a vote.
“We really want to see some data,” said Hartley.
During the follow-up with Bailey, he said a PILOT agreement is something that benefits both the solar company and the municipality because both parties can accurately anticipate the sum it pays and the sum it receives, respectively, over the term of the 20-year long agreement.
In other matters, the board is concerned about the rising cost of tuition for Rochester students to attend Bristol County Agricultural High School. The Town anticipates 12 students will attend Bristol Aggie this next fiscal year at a cost of $25,000 per student, the rate the school will charge for out-of-district students.
Bristol County students’ school districts pay just $1,900 tuition.
Hartley said the legislation allows agricultural high schools to “charge us almost whatever they want,” and he wondered if that legislation adopted in the early 1900s was no longer fair to towns like Rochester.
Morse commented that when he was first elected to the board 15 years ago, the tuition was $12,000 per student. Rochester has more students per capita attending Bristol Aggie than other towns, Hartley pointed out, which affects the Town’s budget to the tune of 29% in the Bristol Aggie line item.
“And with Proposition 2 ½, that doesn’t work,” said Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar.
But both Morse and Hartley emphasized that Bristol Aggie is a good school and that the board was in no way unsupportive of Rochester students attending the school.
The selectmen also approved two upcoming events that will pass through Rochester: the Tour de Crème on May 19, and the On Your Left Racing Triathlon event on July 27.
The board accepted the resignation of Robert Mogilnicki from the Historical Commission, which leaves one opening on the commission. Anyone interested may submit a letter to the Board of Selectmen.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
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Chevy: sailing along quite nicely, thank you
Chevrolet Motor Div. plans to sail into a new niche while marketing its '95 vehicles by sponsoring the America team -- the female-crewed contender in the America's Cup race.Chevy is the America team's team vehicle, and the division has provided the 26-member team and its staff with 20 vehicles."Obviously sailing is an upscale sport, the market we're going after," says Steve McAvoy, who is manager
Chevrolet Motor Div. plans to sail into a new niche while marketing its '95 vehicles by sponsoring the America team -- the female-crewed contender in the America's Cup race.
Chevy is the America team's team vehicle, and the division has provided the 26-member team and its staff with 20 vehicles.
"Obviously sailing is an upscale sport, the market we're going after," says Steve McAvoy, who is manager of Chevrolet passenger-car marketing. The America's Cup provides a venue to die upscale market. The second is the women's market. America gives us a unique opportunity to address a broad spectrum of the market."
Total demographics for the division show average household income the $49,000 range. Individual demographics show an income range of between $65,000 and $90,000 for the Blazer.
Four products will get the most wind from Chevy's sponsorship of the America team: Camaro, Cavalier, Blazer and Monte Carlo. "The Camaro was new in '93, the others in 95. We're focusing on our new products," Mr. McAvoy says.
"From this (upscale) per spective, we sell more vehicles over $30,000 than Mercedes, Infiniti and Lexus do individually now--and more than Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar and Porsche AG combined. They're focused on our Corvettes, on our Blazers, Suburbans and Tahoes. So its not inappropriate to be aligned with this sport when you look at the demographics they hit," he says.
Of the industry total, 46% represents vehicles registered to women. And women's influence on what the family owns is even higher. "At Chevrolet, 51% of the purchases are registered in the female marketplace," he says, adding that Chevrolet is the No. 1 marketer to women where registrations are concerned.
For 1993, Chevy's registrations for women are: Cavalier, 64%, Camaro, 51%, Cavalier, 57%; and Blazer, 39%.
Chevy will support its marketing efforts behind America with direct mail pieces, work with other America sponsors and a hookup with the Prodigy computer network, which will offer a complete schedule of America as part of the America's Cup activities.
The bowtie division also will air up to 240 reserved television spots on ESPN, which will broadcast the America's Cup race.
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Meet John Connolly
Tuesday 12th April 13:00 at Birmingham
A Time of Torment: A Charlie Parker Thriller: 14. The Number One bestseller - Charlie Parker Thriller (Hardback)
We are incredibly excited to have John Connolly in store with us signing copies of his new book, A Time Of Torment.
John Connolly writing moves forward with each new novel. Parker’s motivation remains the same – he is vengeance against all evil doers – and his vengeance is extreme. We meet old friends and enemies in TIME OF TORMENT, and are introduced to new entities that will continue to haunt the pages of novels to come. Parker’s daughters, both the living and the dead, take more substantial roles and Sam’s course in life comes unnervingly more into focus – whilst Jennifer looks on from the other side.
As always, Connolly’s research into the background of his novels is superb – this time taking him into the world of folklore and myth – giving him material to fuel his superb imagination and storytelling ability.
JOHN CONNOLLYwas born in Dublin in 1968. His debut novel, Every Dead Thing, immediately launched him into the front rank of mystery thriller writers, and each of his subsequent novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers. His crime anthology, Books to Die For, edited with Declan Burke was the winner of the 2013 Anthony, Agatha and the Macavity Awards for Best Non-fiction. He was the first non-American writer to win the US Shamus award, and the first Irish writer to be awarded the Edgar by the Mystery Writers of America.
This is a free event. For more information please call us on 0121 633 4353, tweet us @waterstonesbham or pop in to store.
Waterstones, Birmingham
Tuesday 12th April 13:00
Sorry you've missed this one - search more events here
Please note that events can occasionally be cancelled at short notice or their times or dates may alter; we therefore recommend that you check with the shop before travelling.
If you are unable to attend an event we can often reserve signed copies. Please contact the host shop for details. Reserved copies cannot be guaranteed and may not always carry dedications.
All signings (unless otherwise stated) operate on a first come first served basis, so early arrival is often recommended.
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The Begum of Bengal
Dear Switchback Friends,
July 16 is my birthday. I happen to turn 55. For my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me an Ancestry.com DNA kit and the results came in. I am 53% Irish, Scottish, Welsh, 31% from Great Britain (meaning there may be some English, but again Irish, Scottish, Welsh) and 13% Iberian Peninsula, which takes in France, Spain and Portugal. This is not too surprising as most Irish descend from the Milesians (or the son of Mil) from the Iberian Peninsula. However in there is my French. French-Canadian to be exact. So, it is doubly accurate.
The biggest kick is the “low confidence regions” which are 1% each of Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe. My Austrian forebears must be rolling in their collective graves as they have been bred out by the Irish. But that 1% Viking! Low confidence, indeed.
For the most part, I am a Celt. Which is fine by me. My daughter Áine will have so much more fun with her DNA than myself due to her Asian lineage. And according to Ancestry, I am related to my brother Peter, which completely kills the hope that he was an aberration in our family.
So, here I am, 55. And I struggle as I reflect on the successes and the failures that so far have been part of this life. And though I now know with some certainty of what I am made of genetically, I always feel that pang of doubt as to what I am spiritually. I feel sadness as summer hits her height of glory and another year goes by.
However, such struggles lead me back to another July, years ago, when I was working as an usher at the Woodstock Opera House.
Richard Henzel, that great Chicago journeyman actor, was doing a one man show and I watched spellbound as he transformed into Mark Twain.
It was 1981. Henzel took the stage dressed in the iconic white suit and clenching a cigar, his blond hair powdered white and wrinkles drawn in with an eye pencil. Magically, for two hours, Twain was in our presence.
Henzel was a journeyman, like I was to become in my practice of music. And he would hold court over our audience of 150 members.
I now wonder if he ever felt like he, too, was struggling with the idea of whether or not he was doing everything he could do with his career. And if his career was the sum and total of who he was. And, most of all--did it matter? Hal Holbrook was already a cigar-chewing Twain and people flocked to see him. Here was this workingman Twain at this tiny Midwestern opera house on a hot, humid night in July. If he thought any of those thoughts as he assumed his character, I would not have known.
For the final act of the night as Twain, Henzel gave one of his most wonderful speeches. I can still remember the room getting quiet as Twain’s scratchy Missouri voice said:
Many & many a year ago I read an anecdote in Dana's book, "Two Years Before the Mast." A frivolous little self-important captain of a coasting-sloop in the dried-apple and kitchen-furniture trade was always hailing every vessel that came in sight, just to hear himself talk, and air his small grandeurs. One day a majestic Indiaman came plowing by, with course on course of canvas towering into the sky, her decks and yards swarming with sailors; with macaws and monkeys and all manner of strange and romantic creatures populating her rigging; and thereto her freightage of precious spices lading the breeze with gracious and mysterious odors of the Orient. Of course the little-coaster-captain hopped into the shrouds and squeaked a hail: "Ship ahoy! What ship is that, and whence and whither?" In a deep and thunderous bass came the answer back, through a speaking-trumpet: "The Begum of Bengal, 123 days out from Canton—homeward bound! What ship is that?" The little captain's vanity was all crushed out of him, and most humbly he squeaked back: "Only the Mary Ann—14 hours out from Boston, bound for Kittery Point with—with nothing to speak of!"
I remember laughing with the audience, and though I knew what would come next from Twain, as it did with every matinee and evening performance, it always came refreshingly new and beautiful. It was a lesson that I had drilled into my subconscious.
That eloquent word, ‘only’ expresses the deeps of his stricken humbleness. And what is my case? During perhaps one hour in the twenty four-not more than that-I stop and I humbly reflect. Then I am humble, then I am properly meek, and for the little time, I am ‘only the Mary Ann’ -fourteen hours out and cargoed with vegetables and tinware; but all the other twenty three my self satisfaction runs high, and I am that stately Indiaman, ploughing the seas under a cloud of sail and laden with a rich freightage of the kindest words that were ever spoke to a wandering alien, I think, my twenty six crowded and fortunate days multiplied by five; and I am the Begum of Bengal, a hundred and twenty three days out of Canton-homeward bound!
For my career, I have been the Mary Ann, heading to little ports of call around the world, bringing my wares to folks who have been most kind in accepting and, at times, even paying for them. The rusty little minivan instead of a huge tour bus. Schlepping my own equipment and with the eye on the clock, realizing that perhaps I will always be the Mary Ann. It is indeed humbling.
But during those shows, the love I receive and the friendship I have earned has made me feel, like Twain, as the Begum of Bengal. My own freightage carrying the years of stories, joy, laughter, love and support to the point that it overflows the hold, sits on deck and even hangs from the rigging. At those points, singing on stage, I need no other satisfaction, no other reassurance that I am on the right path. At that point of joy I, too, am the Begum of Bengal. Fifty-five years out - homeward bound.
Martin McCormack
WayGoodMusic.com
A Tropical Ireland
Dear Friends of Switchback,
Someone recently asked me why we are so enamored of Costa Rica for tours. And in talking to that person, I realized that a lot of folks don’t really know much about this country. For Brian and myself, we love Costa Rica for what it is and what it isn’t.
What it offers our fans is the opportunity to travel inexpensively during the height of the cold winter months in North America to a country that is a three hour flight from Fort Meyers or Houston. Compared to traveling to Hawaii, one has more time experiencing the adventure and less time traveling to the adventure. I personally love the fact that Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time. That means no jet-lag. Being on the Pacific Ocean on Chicago time is a pretty nice feeling.
Costa Rica is situated in Central America. The country is a democratic one, with a newly elected president this year. One of its main boasts is that it did away with its army in 1948, being one of the only countries in the world that does not have a military. Instead, it focused on putting that money into education and healthcare for its people. That is a pretty impressive move for any country, let alone a small country in Central America.
Most Americans are confused when it comes to Central and South America. Locating Costa Rica on a map is a problem as a lot of people confuse it with the territory of Puerto Rico. Costa Rica is not an island, but part of the thin strip of land between the continents of North and South America. It is a very stable and beautiful country. The people are helpful and peaceful.
Costa Rica, unlike a lot of its neighbors north and south, is calm. It is mainly focused on tourism, especially eco-tourism, with its beautiful rainforests and beaches. The country itself is in the process of becoming completely independent of fossil fuels. Another great example for our world, in my opinion.
The spine of the Americas, the mountains of the continental divide run right down the middle of the country, giving the highlands a gentle weather that feels like early June for most Midwestern Americans. Last time we were there, our group even had light sweaters when we gathered in the evening to watch a brilliant sunset.
I know that some people are afraid of being in a country where English is not the first language. But like the rest of the world, English is pretty much spoken by everyone in the tourist industry. Our travelers will have no problem here. Because of the push for tourism, most people speak English or know some English. If you know some Spanish, it is great, but not necessary for the places where we stay and visit.
Costa Rica, does have its modern conveniences. Some people think that there are no working toilets, no toilet paper, and poor people begging everywhere. That is not the case. There is a Wal-Mart in San Jose. I don’t think much more needs to be said. Costa Rica is a modern country.
Like Ireland, the people of Costa Rica are genuinely interested in the care of their tourists. “Pura Vida,” or the “pure life,” is their motto and it is reflected in the good food, the unspoiled beaches and breathtaking views of the country. They have made the idea of relaxation into a way of life.
U.S. dollars are accepted in Costa Rica. You won’t get change in U.S. dollars, but at least you can arrive without feeling you need to exchange money. And the dollar goes a long way there. You can shop for some wonderful bargains. The power of the dollar allows us to stay at the finest resorts and hotels. So if you want to stay at places like the Rich and Famous, you can. And we do.
That said, like any place, if you want to find poverty, crime and anything negative, you can find it. You can find that in Ireland if you look around.
We may not like some of their roads (and the country is at odds on improving some roads due to the impact on the ecology of its rainforests), but that is what the bar on the coach is for, to relax and have a great time. And get rid of our North American rush-rush-rush.
As usual, Brian and I create opportunities for our travelers to hear our music. And Costa Rica does not disappoint with beautiful backdrops for our concerts.
We like to keep our Costa Rica tour small. About 20 lucky people will join us as we cruise on the ocean, snorkel, and ride a tram through the forest canopy. On our final day last February, we had manta rays jumping out of the water with the setting sun gleaming through the spray. A beautiful sight in a beautiful, magical place.
We hope that this article will help our friends decide to join us for a tour to our Tropical Ireland, Costa Rica, and help clear any misconceptions about the land and its people as well.
When it is fifteen degrees below back home, it is an almost guilty feeling one can have knowing that your friends are home, shivering and miserable. But a margarita on the beach cures that pretty quickly.
She Who Laps Last
Jet-lagged and grumpy, I received the text message from my best friend Dave Heuvelman. His son Dominic was enrolled in a “fun-run” at school. The school hired a company to help organize the run.
“C’mon, Mack,” Dave said. “John (our other buddy from high school) has pledged, and you are not going to let him outdo you, are you?”
I rolled my eyes. Since the days of Socrates, sitting there with all of his students around him in Greece, there has been the concept of the fundraiser for schools. “If we raise enough drachma, kids, I am going to drink this poison hemlock,” said Socrates. “And we will do it by selling chocolate!”
We’ve come a long way, baby. Now there is a flashy video program and a whole team of professionals that descend upon the school to help create what is called fun-run.com. The idea is simple: put on a healthy run around the school and people can pledge for a child per lap with a total of 35 laps. The company that runs this event is called Boosterthon. It was started by a couple who earnestly pitch the story about how their passion is making a better fundraising experience for schools around the country. That made me think about how the old days were.
Back in the day, which for me was 1969, I had my first chance to go fundraising for Holy Cross School in Deerfield, IL. It was before my family moved to Woodstock and I was in first grade. The fundraiser for the school was brilliantly simple. We sold plastic bags of candy before Halloween. The bags were made with an image of a ghost with a pumpkin head and could double as a puppet once the candy was exhausted. My brothers and I hawked the goods from door to door and learned the valuable lesson of entrepreneurship: rejection from little old ladies.
That lesson was duly embraced by my siblings who all went into secure nine to five jobs later in life. For me, I guess I am still learning.
The second aspect was that about a month later we would be going from door to door, this time dressed up for Halloween. We would get back that candy from the little old ladies we sold to in the first place. It seemed unfair.
When we moved to Woodstock, I thought I had ditched the last of fundraising for the school. But at St. Mary’s School, I came face to face with the Morely Chocolate Company, a company that was founded in Detroit in 1919. The company was known for its “Bumpy Cake,” which is still considered a delicacy in Michigan. But the sinister side of the company was the enslavement of grade schoolers to push the product in the name of fundraising. The company would deliver boxcars filled with boxes of chocolates which were then brought to the school to be sold by us kids. Door to door. To little old ladies. Turtles, mints, peanut butter clusters. A whole arsenal of chocolate at our disposal. The competition was fierce, with the kid who sold the most getting a prize, which was usually a Schwinn 10-speed bike.
It was pretty tough for us McCormack kids, as we were competing against each other selling boxes of chocolates in the chocolate-saturated market that Woodstock quickly became. Because we lived out in the country, we had to be dropped off in town to sell the wares. Once again, the valuable lesson of entrepreneurship was there for the learning: “band together and sell the chocolate so one brother wins the prize, and you can all then share that prize.”
However, my brothers and I never learned that one as our parents had raised us to “be individuals.” And so we flailed about town, lugging our cartons of chocolate and competing against our classmates and each other.
My dad, being a dentist, was never too keen on the whole idea of selling candy. Mom did her best to buy what she could in an attempt to be fair with her sugar-selling brood. And it was far easier to surrender to the chocolate and just eat what we should be selling. For about eight weeks we would feast on various boxes of chocolate that never made it to the neighborhoods of Woodstock.
However, this too eventually lost its luster and we would have to lug back the unsold cartons and hand in whatever money we gleaned. The prize would go to the kid whose parents wrote a check to buy the whole lot of candy he or she was selling. That kid learned a valuable lesson in entrepreneurship: “It is good to have patrons, even better if they are your parents.” The 10-speed Schwinn bicycle would be paraded in front of the rest of us sullen kids, who were coming down from a collective sugar high. Life was unfair.
When I went to high school, it was the World’s Finest Chocolate Company. We would have a big pep rally in the gym with the cheerleaders doing routines out on the floor. The boxes of the World’s Finest Chocolate (which was debatable) were piled up on the floor, a stack for each class.
Our principal Mr. Hartlieb would make an impassioned plea about how important it was for each student to sell, sell, sell and help Marian Central buy sports equipment. And once again, we would lug the bars of candy back to the farm and go about attempting to sell chocolate between chores, homework, and running cross country.
Disheartened by the chocolate-hating little old ladies, we would then despondently eat the bars of chocolate, further sending our family into debt and diabetes. My father would shake his head as he wrote the check to cover the candy we ate. We would then lug back the unsold boxes and be humiliated as the kid with parents who bought the whole shipment would get the Schwinn 10-speed bike.
So when my buddy Dave reached out to me in the attempt to help Dominic achieve his goal of a zillion dollars, I immediately saw turtles. I sent off money to him and warned him that “what goes around comes around.”
And it did, about five days later.
Aine came out of class excitedly wearing a paper crown that was festooned with directions for enrolling in the fun-run. A group of bubbly college-age students wearing blue shirts were busy loading up the van with speakers, banners, and a vast propaganda machine to promote the fun-run. It took me about half an hour to comprehend what was going on at Our Lady of Perpetual Fundraising. It was back again, but this time in 21st century slickness. I sat stunned at my computer as the video with an excited announcer’s voice mentioned how much this helps the school, the children, and the community.
And so here is the link to Aine’s pledge page. And yes, it will please me to no end to have folks pledge and raise money for her school. It is a good school after all, and Aine is soooo excited that this event is about to take place. And yes, I do think Boosterthon is on to something positive here.
I don’t know how many laps she’ll run. Perhaps it is a good thing not to send our children into the community to sell chocolate anymore. Perhaps running around a track levels the playing field and eliminates that spoiled kid who gets the 10 speed bike because his parents bought all the chocolate. Perhaps.
I think I will go eat some chocolate now.
~ Martin McCormack
WayGoodMusic.com
Hawaii 5-uh-oh
Dear Switchback friends,
As I write this, the sounds of the Pacific come in through the screen door. Out the other door are the highway sounds, cars going by at 30 miles per hour, heading off to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a luau. By the look of the brochure costs, it is the tourists who are once again to be eaten alive.
The north shore of Oahu is a great place to “hunker down” with my family. We just finished a dinner of pompano fish, freshly caught by a young father and his three sons out by the coral reef. Aine watches “Wally Kazam” on television. As I look at Annie’s laptop monitor, it reads 1:16 a.m. back in Chicago. One more weekend and we will be back in the Midwest, where spring will welcome us with her freezing rain and straining daffodils, yearning to be warm. I shut that thought out of my mind and wonder, “Will that dog be back again?”
When people land in Hawaii, the pilot usually says, “Welcome to Paradise,” and in so many ways, the pilot is right. Even the threat of storms here means that there might be some rain (a Hawaiian Blessing as it is called), followed by a lot of sunshine. The weather is not like the storm forecast in the Midwest that shows an unbroken front that often stretches from Manitoba to Texas, snowing in some places, flooding in others, and generally making half a continent miserable. Here, even miserable is tempered by sunshine. The rain falls warm and forgiving. It is Paradise.
But, every morning outside my lanai, there it was. A deposit made by a local dog, strategically located to ensure that the unsuspecting tourist will step in it. This dog revealed itself on day two of our stay here. It is a big, chunky black Lab. The owners appear to be native Hawaiian and are affable enough as they go chasing down this dog. “Oh, there you are!” the dog’s owner declared, deftly sidestepping the mound of Mahalo it left. The lab wore a thick red collar, at least the first day, when the owners reunited with their dog. Later, it went commando.
“Are you going to say something to them about the dog?” Annie asked me. I was immediately defensive. First of all, the idea of any confrontation over dog poop is something to be avoided when on vacation. I saw the owners bundle the overweight dog into the pickup truck where it waddled to the tailgate and looked at me with its big yellow unblinking eyes.
It was sizing me up and I could tell the dog was laughing. “I’ll be back to alter your Aloha, haole,” was what he was saying to me, as the truck turned and zoomed off at 10 miles per hour, which for Oahu is making a statement.
The dog was gone, but there remained his calling card. Now there are a bunch of staff guys at this rental property. Their neon lime green polyester work shirts attempt to create a jovial vibe as they walk around the property, occasionally with a rake in hand, but most time, it seemed they were just walking around the property.
“Sir,” I said to the guy who slowly walked within striking distance of the Lab-lava, “this black Lab was running around and he deposited this big business outside my lanai.” He rolled his eyes toward heaven and sighed.
“Yeah, we are trying to get that dog. Don’t even mention that dog,” he said as he walked off, pleading to the Hawaiian gods with his hands outspread. The dog doody was still there, a prodigious bit of island in a sea of short green beach grass.
“All right,” I said to my family, “I am going to clean this up.” I found an old dustpan that was used to empty coal ash from the grills and walked over to the pile. Dressed in my swimsuit, with my very pale skin glistening with 500 SPF lotion, I slowly attempted to coax the poodle-strudel onto the coal ash dustpan. I felt like I was on a curling squad.
I pushed against the resisting beach grass and tried not to roll this canine-cannoli across the entire yard. Finally, I had the object of my annoyance in the dustpan and took it to a nearby trash container.
I felt like I did a good deed for everyone there and even rinsed the grass down for good measure.
The next day, after waking up to a glorious Easter sunrise and watching the deep blue rollers crossing the reef at high tide, I sipped my Kona coffee and counted my blessings.
Then the dog came back. Commando.
He ambled to the exact same spot where he done his job the day before and squatted. I ran out onto the lanai. “Bad dog,” I said, “get out of here.” The dog looked at me with his yellow unblinking eyes wearing a blank expression. All my yelling and gesticulating were part of his entertainment as he made another Magnum-oh my.
As I was rounding the gate to shoo him off the property, he was done. He smiled at me, quite happy that he showed me a bit of “hope you are enjoying your holiday” and for good measure squirted around the palm tree where I had planned to hide Easter eggs for Aine.
The Lab ambled onto the beach and walked away as I waved down another guy wearing a neon lime green polyester shirt.
“That black Lab was back,” I said to him as he walked around without any rake. “He did his business back in the same spot.”
The guy looked at me, and perhaps because it was Easter, refrained from saying anything other than, “We know about that dog and are getting it under control.”
“Well, I don’t want my daughter to go running across the lawn and step on some ‘under control’,” I said, trying to be light about it. He looked at me and turned away.
I decided to go to Church and pray about it. The Lord works in mysterious ways, I figured. He might work on this, too?
Back from church, I was surprised to see that no one had moved that Waimea-watchit. It sat, baking in the sun. Barefoot people walked obliviously around it, heading to the beach, sauntering over to the grill and arranging lounge chairs. Any sense of civic duty ebbed with the low tide.
I sighed and thought that at least on this holiest of days, I should humble myself and move the mountain to Mohammed, so to speak.
So I armed myself with the dustpan and once again went canine-curling across the lawn. Everyone ignored me wearing my bright red sand shoes, hunched over, my back showing the areas that I missed with my 500 SPF lotion, my long hair dangling over my face, muttering to myself as I rolled something that was definitely not an Easter egg.
Rinsing down the lawn after another successful attempt, I was happy that at least all the kids looking for Easter eggs would not pick up a dud with me on patrol.
The next day, no sign of the dog, but a sign that the dog was there. I was incredulous.
“This dog has it in for me,” I said to Annie. “Does he have GPS in his lower intestine?”
Sure enough, a guy in a neon lime green shirt with no rake was walking slowly toward the ocean to see if it was still there. It was.
And I said to him, “Sir, this dog just dropped another puppy pile in the exact same spot.” The guy looked at me, noticing that I had failed to completely sunblock my skin and that I had a beet red patch of burn that looked something like the map of Antarctica forming on my stomach. “Okay,” he said, not even looking at the gigantic rover-range that was blocking my view of the ocean.
And seven hours later, I gave up and took the now trusty dustpan and expertly got the Oahu-uh-oh into the trash.
People splashed in the ocean. Retirees with platters of burgers walked over the lawn in bare feet to the grill. A little boy rolled his ball as his mother shed her shoes and padded across the lawn. She gazed open mouthed at the ocean as the kid trotted back and forth over the scene of the crime.
And I wonder, when I leave, what will happen? Will the Lab look around and say, “Well, where did he go?” Will a neon lime green shirt guy finally decide that it isn’t beneath him to scoop up a Honolulu-how-do-you-do?
Or will some other guy, sitting in his swimsuit on this lanai, his pale skin slathered in 500 SPF, look out at Paradise, turn to his wife and say, “WHAT is that dog doing?”
Ghosts of St. Patrick's Past
Welcome to the High Holy Season of the Year! No, not Easter, but St. Patrick’s Day Season, which for us began in February and will not end until around April 10th. We are pretty busy at this time of year, celebrating our Irish heritage through music with as many people as we can. And we are pretty far-flung these days too, heading across the Midwest and on to Arizona and ending up playing Kona and Oahu in Hawaii. It could be argued that our season never really ends.
But at this time of year I always go back in my mind to the early days before Switchback, when Brian and I were with the Wailin’ Banshees. This was in B.R.D. time (Before River Dance) when there really was no such thing as the Irish pubs we see in abundance today. Yes, there were Irish pubs in Chicago, but they were pubs that had Irish in them. They had names like The Abbey Pub, Sixpenny Bit, and The Goalpost. And there were Irish cabaret-style places like the Irish Village, which would have dances and bring entertainers over from Ireland. The Irish Heritage Center on the north side of Chicago was still a vacant high school, and Gaelic Park on the south side didn’t have the hall and pub it has today. It was a park for Gaelic football.
In those days during the mid-1980's, you were identified as being either a “greenhorn” which was an Irish-born immigrant or a “narrowback,” an Irish-American. Irish dance and certainly Irish music were still an “ethnic” thing, not the form we see today, embraced, celebrated, and often played and danced by people without any Celtic blood. And that is a good thing, in my opinion.
Still, as a band that was comprised of one greenhorn and three narrowbacks, the Wailin’ Banshees was an unusual group. That we also were four people, two of whom were 40 years our seniors, united in the love of Irish music was also unusual. We made for a fun but slightly dysfunctional Irish band, acting more like a family band than anything else.
Some of the pubs we played were only for greenhorn Irish. And in those days there were pubs that leaned heavily toward the IRA. And I don’t mean places that just sang rebel songs either. As narrowbacks, Brian and I were not always welcomed and always viewed with suspicion. But with Galway-born Bert McMahon along, with his easy demeanor, glint in his eye, and fantastic banjo playing, we were safe. Some pubs and events were more politically oriented. These were places where Irish aldermen held sway, and their lackeys would uphold fealty to the point of obnoxiousness.
I remember Brian and I once played a fundraiser for a northside Alderman. We were hungry and went to where the food was being served. As musicians it was customary to be fed at such events as part of the deal. We got two plates of mostaccioli and chicken (which people don’t realize is really the food served at all Irish weddings and events, not corn beef and cabbage) and were about to sit and eat when a crowd of angry looking men gathered around us.
“You bettah make a donation for the alderman,” growled one. “That food ain’t free.”
“Well, if it isn’t free, I ain’t eating it,” I retorted.
“Oh, you’re going to eat it,” replied one glowering lackey.
So Brian and I, hired to play and already playing at a discount for that alderman, literally ate with a circle of people standing over our table. In came our fiddler Mary McDonagh who was known and respected by many in the Irish community, greenhorn and narrowback alike. She snarled at the pack surrounding her boys and they skulked off. But we got a lesson in Irish politics that day: always bring the alderman with you.
When Jayne Byrne ran for re-election as the first (and to date only) female Mayor of Chicago, our band was hired to supply the music. And since it was an Irish event, Jayne had to prove her own fealty to the homeland. She made a rousing speech and soon someone was yelling, “Sing with Marty, sing with Marty!”
I was pushed over to the microphone where Jayne stood.
“Do you know ‘The Town I Love So Well?’” Jayne asked.
“Sure,” I said, knowing that the song is about 20 minutes long and totally uncertain why she would ask for that song. But we did it.
We were standing eyeball to eyeball around a microphone, Jayne belting out every word as we went through the whole story of Derry. Perhaps for her, as Mayor, it was symbolic of her aspiration to make Chicago a better town. “I can only pray for a brand new day for the town I love so well,” goes the last line of the song, which is beautiful, except it comes 19 minutes and 45 seconds down the pike. Jayne wasn’t the best of singers, but enthusiastic. Her singing was better than her re-election campaign though. Still I smile when I think back on her and those narrowback politicians. They thought like Irish and fought like Irish. Jayne allowed the filming of the movie The Blues Brothers in Chicago, and for that she should have a statue erected to her. But in true Chicago fashion, something better has been done: the automotive interchange that unites I-290 and I-90 and spins off I-55 a couple miles south is all named after her. Thousands of swearing truck drivers, scared visitors on their first foray to the Windy City, and I-Phone reading commuters hunker down at that spaghetti bowl of roadway every morning and afternoon. Jayne would have loved the chaos, I figure.
It was St. Patrick’s Day that put the Banshees into high gear. For at that time of the year not only did the regular pubs want a band, but the Knights of Columbus groups, the country clubs with their WASP-ish take on the holiday, and the odd tour boat filled with St. Patrick’s Parade revelers would be vying for an Irish band. And a lot of bands fought to have a slice of the St. Paddy pie, Irish and non-Irish alike. There was a group, whose name I can’t remember, that had the right idea to dress up as Germans for Oktoberfest, Italians for St. Joseph’s Day, and all in green for St. Patrick’s Day. But for the places that wanted a bona fide Irish band, we were a good choice and the phones would start ringing to hire us in January.
A typical St. Patrick’s Day would consist of four or five gigs of one or two hours, with a lot of driving between. There were no cell phones in those days, so I wore a watch and had to call each venue the day prior to confirm the start time, save a parking spot for us to quickly park, and most importantly supply some food to keep us going. It was supposed to be pulled off with military precision, but never did that happen.
We would try to dress well for the shows. In the early days we all wore different outfits. Brian would have an Irish cap on. I would have a vest and white shirt, and Bert would wear a jacket. Mary always wore a lovely green flowered dress. Later we got wise and had the three lads all decked out in matching Kelly green Arnold Palmer jackets with grey slacks. It was a good look and set us apart even more from most groups. We were an odd outfit: part Irish showband, part bluegrass group, part family-band, and part traditional Irish, and we didn’t give a damn what others thought of us.
The first gig would be playing on the boat the Spirit of Chicago. We would all pile into Mary’s Crown Victoria and put the sound system and our instruments into the trunk. Down to Navy Pier we would roll, and we would trundle out the sound system and set up for the early revelers. A group of excited step dancers, released from grade school for the day, would also be on hand to help us celebrate. These kids would have simple Irish outfits on. It would be several years before we would start seeing the result of A.R.D. (after River Dance) with the $1000 glittering, bejeweled dresses and bouncy curl wigs.
Down the Chicago River we would sail to where the river was dyed green near the Michigan Avenue bridge. Revelers would be out early, wearing loud green hats, scarves, and huge sunglasses. The deck of the boat would be swarming with Irish-for-the-day types, having green beer and enjoying the view of other revelers lining up over the bridge.
We would play several sets and then play for the step dancers. I would look nervously at my watch, for we had to keep moving to make our next stop at WGN Radio. We would do a radio interview and play a tune or two for Kathy O’Malley and Judy Markey. They both loved Bertie. Bert was a handsome man, with sparkling greenish grey eyes and snow white hair. His soft brogue could charm any lady within hearing distance of it. So Bert would chat with them and then we would play a couple of traditional Irish tunes. All the time, I would be checking the clock to make sure we would make our next stop on time.
And soon it would be on to a pub for another two sets. Depending on which pub hired us, that could be a dash out to Palatine, Illinois for a stint at Durty Nellie’s or over to Grandpa’s in Glenview for their St. Patrick’s celebration. Soon it was two o’clock and we were only halfway into the day. It was a tradition to play at FitzGerald’s, and so we would run out to Berwyn. There we would wolf down corn beef sandwiches and play another two sets. Paul and Mary McHugh would play for the step dancers, then we would get up and play. Finally, we would vacate the stage for the big act of the evening, the Dooley Brothers.
All the time, the clock is ticking. Now it would be close to 7 p.m., and I had already sung “Danny Boy” four times. We all are tired and Bert, not wishing to be rushed, would be seated at the bar having a beer and a shot of VO. Brian would be off securing some food for us to eat as we drove to the next show. Mary would be pacing nervously, her fiddle packed and her jacket on. And I would be trying to get paid. Somehow we would make it back to the Crown Vic, maneuver the big hulking beast out of the crowded parking lot, and running late, hightail it back out to the suburbs to a country club for their St. Patrick’s affair. Nothing ran smoother than Mary’s Crown Victoria after I got it up to 80 miles an hour. St. Patrick’s Day was the only day of the year that the car had its speedometer over 25 mph, and as I hit the gas, a puff of carbon would kick out of the tailpipe. Mary would nervously say, “Oh no, Marty, too fast.” But we had to get to the next show and set up.
Thankfully, the country club gigs would be rather subdued events. The manager would always look at us like we were savages brought in from the wild. And I guess in some ways we were. We would be set up in a far corner, and the general rule was to be “heard but not seen.” No drinks at the bar. Bert would have to get his beer on the sly.
The members of the club would come politely dressed in green in complete contrast to the hooting and hollering hordes that were crowding the bars 40 miles to the east. The whole evening would consist of us playing background music as they dined. We would have to dive into Irish-American standards like “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” And I would be asked to sing “Danny Boy.” It was never too long of an evening, and the great pay made up for us missing all the fun going on back at the clubs. But by this time the whole band would be exhausted, and there was a huge relief that all the clubs and obligations had been met with no hiccups.
After the last number was played, the guests would vanish like a receding floor. The manager, assured now that the band he hired had delivered and free of the need to maintain appearances, would invite us over for a drink at the club bar. And we would head over to the bar and have some drinks. Slowly we would pack up one last time for the day. We would all pile back into the Crown Victoria and rumble back into the city at a respectable 55 miles per hour. It would be about midnight when we would get to Bert’s girlfriend Eileen Fleming’s house. Eileen would have some tea waiting, and we would sit around laughing about the day and not really wanting to let the excitement of St. Patrick’s end.
Creating a WayGood World
I was asked by the staff of the Venu, a residential resort community in Scottsdale, Arizona, to write an article about how Switchback has adopted them as not only a place to play, but as a base camp for our Southwestern U.S. touring. I realized that this article could explain the synergy that is created by our friends who support our music and aid in our ability to bring our music to new audiences. This article might also inspire you to join in the effort.
This cooperative effort is what I call “making a WayGood World.” I tease that “The WayGood World is a vast and ever-expanding Empire that is larger than Switchback itself.” People new to our music, and the close relationship we maintain with our friends, are confused. Some wonder if we are a cult! We aren’t, nor do we offer Kool-Aid at any of our concerts, nor espouse dressing alike or having our haircuts all look like Dr. Spock’s.
Our friends realize that I am referring to that collective joy that has been created between them and ourselves. Picture a bunch of Deadheads that actually help the Grateful Dead tour, donate money to make records, sell merchandise and spread the word about their music, and you get the picture. The Venu is a location where there now resides a whole passel of Switchheads. And it didn’t happen overnight.
The Venu is a collection of condominiums and rental properties, very much like a lot of resort communities in the Southwest. So there is a community room and a swimming pool. A lot of people who stay there are “snowbirds” coming from the colder climes of North America, with a few European stragglers thrown in. The result is a very vibrant community that coalesces around wintertime. Add in one very determined, energetic friend of Switchback, Norm Weitzman, and faster than a flu-virus the joy of the WayGood World can spread.
Norm used to live in Chicago and moved permanently to Arizona a few years ago. Keen on having the band come to the Southwest, he reached out to Brian and myself. Norm did two important things to make it happen. He offered us a place to stay and he created some initial concerts at the Venu that in turn brought in more friends to the music. This happened not by coincidence, but by some very thoughtful planning on his part. The first concert we did was in the great room of the Venu. We had driven down to Arizona, so were able to bring our equipment. The result was an enthusiastic embrace from folks who really enjoy live music. Soon we had Diane Gilbert making dinner for the band and that then morphed into a potluck dinner for the residents who attended the concert. The general public soon started coming due to word of mouth, so the traffic (and subtle marketing) at the Venu increased.
Norm decided that we should have an outdoor concert. The beautiful desert behind the Venu was the logical choice to have it. Surrounded by stately saguaro cacti and desert plants, the event took place much like a Mickey Rooney “Andy Hardy” movie. We decided to see how much extension cord we could run out from the Venu. John Steinsky volunteered to film the event and Brenda Steinsky helped mobilize folks to come out and attend. Flyers were created announcing the date and pretty soon an amazing “Concert in the Desert” was created. It was nicknamed “Desert Norm” in honor of Norm and the name stuck. Pretty soon the public heard about this concert and came from as far as Sedona and Mesa to attend, along with a dish to pass. Some friends of Switchback, vacationing in Arizona, made the trip to the Venu and in turn met the Switchback friends living there. The community-creating aspect of the shows brought new attention to the Venu and new friends to Switchback and the WayGood World. And the unique setting of “Desert Norm,” with the mountains bathed in the red-orange sunset, hummingbirds, quail and the odd javelina walking by, made the music that much more magical.
Obviously Brian and I carve out a living making music and it takes money to travel. So over the course of three years, Norm doggedly worked on having Switchback come at regular intervals to the greater Phoenix area. And much like an invading army, Switchback and our supporters at the Venu have collectively struggled to get a toehold on the beachhead of regular shows in Arizona, as well as back in their summer homes. Robin Gilbert has been working with our agent to have us play in Canada and John and Brenda Steinsky have plans for a future Switchback concert on Prince Edward Island. Joel Greenburg and his wife, Judi, have mentioned our invading Boston.
In addition, Switchback now maintains a complete sound system at the Venu. We fly to Phoenix, rent a van and head to our Southwest home. We not only continue to present concerts at the Venu, but plan to offer a poolside party as well as some other special events in the future. The desert concerts will continue with the next one being offered on March 24.
We have been blessed over the years to have people who believe and support our music. Many of you reading this did what Norm and the folks at the Venu are doing. I would encourage you to mention where and how you helped in the comments section of our blog page to encourage others to do the same. We have been able to travel and present our music without the support of a major label or company because we have the support and company of our friends. As I have also said, “We are only as successful and popular as our friends wish us to be.” Thanks to our friends, like the ones at the Venu, it truly is becoming a WayGood World.
Áine At Four
Four years have gone by since the polar vortex of 2014 and the birth of my daughter, Áine. In a lot of ways, I now measure the years by her growth. It’s been fun to line her up with the well-traveled bass case and see the changes. And, so far, she has been willing to cooperate with these yearly pictures. I don’t know how it will go when she turns 13.
The big change this year for Áine has been preschool. Preschool did not exist when I was a kid, and so it was sort of an odd thing to have to enroll in it to begin with. Growing up, kindergarten (what was considered formal education) did not start until age 6. In our family, the years of three to five were spent doing things that made sense, like eating and learning how to flush the toilet.
Mom had courses for us, like Diaper Folding 101, which was an advanced study of taking a diaper out of the dryer and folding it. I got pretty good at it by the time I was four and so I was advanced to Sock Mating. This course I flunked out of and still to this day am a remedial sock mater.
So with Áine heading over to preschool, I was befuddled by having two more years of education prior to kindergarten. And, since we enrolled her in Catholic school, two more years of tuition. But Annie and I reasoned (and our calculators confirmed) that in some ways it was more reasonable than a nanny or daycare.
I was all for the idea of taking her on the road with Switchback and letting her education start there. However, Annie felt that pre-K (the technical term used nowadays) was the way to go. Brian and I do not have the best track record for keeping the Switchback van clean. We also lose things from time to time, like microphone stands and well, whole vans. It would be “Two Men and a Baby” meets “Dumb and Dumber.” So, Annie won out and we enrolled Áine where she would be able to eat something other than trail mix.
She was excited to be going to school and became part of a class called the Caterpillars. Now, anyone who has a kid born in the last 20 years would quickly recognize that this is a reference to the Eric Carle book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” This is staple pre-K reading. Carle has built an empire on it, and for us parents, that translates into “Hungry Caterpillar” videos, stuffed dolls, games, and the like. A slew of spin-off books by Carle have also become “must haves” in this weird Pre-K world. My book is going to be called “The Empty Wallet.”
There are about 20 kids in her class and already the dynamics of personality are emerging. Some kids are “popular,” which at almost four means that you get hugged by the other kids and asked to be a friend. Some kids are lone wolves, hanging out by their cubby holes where the books, coats and shoes are placed. Áine is very social and both types of kids are confusing to her. She just wants everyone “to be my friend.” And so tirelessly she will go around hugging kids, occasionally getting bitten or hugged in return, depending on the kid.
Dropping her off at school last November, I was very proud when she approached a new child crying by her cubby hole. Áine put her arm around her and said, “Don’t be scared. I was scared too when I started here, but you will like it.” Already an old salt in the Pre-K world. The little girl hugged Áine back, excited to have a “new friend.”
Some kids get weepy when leaving their parents. Áine walked into the classroom and did not look back. She is very happy to see us at the end of the day but already a streak of independence flares up, especially as I try to get her buckled into the child seat, ask her to eat dinner, go to bed, blow her nose, or say her prayers. Already she is starting to write songs and cuts me off if I start singing with her. “Poppa, I am singing.” So I sort of know my place in the music business around our house.
The hardest part is seeing the child emerge from the toddler. Pre-K is not a toddler world. The kids are learning how to write (cursive as well, thank God) and do some simple math, read a bit, and oh, run a computer program. So much for folding diapers.
One thing I could not wrap my head around was being asked to attend “parent-teacher” conferences. “C’mon,” I said to Annie. “What are we going to talk about? I am not going to discuss her macaroni and glue art!” But sure enough, I went dutifully to meet her teacher. I suspect this was a ruse to train me instead. Annie and I sat in the little chairs and discussed seriously her writing skills and social skills and looked at how many stickers she had by her picture for good behavior. That last one is a good idea for Switchback.
Still, this veteran of Pre-K is our little girl, and so great to hold, carry and play with. I think of how Brian talked of playing the board game “Candyland” with his daughter, Siobhan. And now here I am, purposely losing to Áine as he did to his daughter.
We spent the Christmas vacation building pillow forts, seeing a movie (her first), and watching with delight as she reveled in the magic of the holidays. She was a star in the nativity play. Literally a star, as in starry night. I think that was less of an acting challenge than the kid who was the donkey. But those roles, like donkeys and shepherds, are for the Butterflies, who are a year older and wiser.
I realize as she grows and I age, the gift of now, of what time I get to spend with her is so precious. As Bil Keane best put it, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
Sousa Saw It Coming
My wife Annie sent me an interesting column, written by Kat Eschner for Smithsonian.com. It was about none other than the fantastic military marching music maker himself, John Philip Sousa. The inspiration of the Sousaphone (which everyone knows is the hybrid of a tuba and helicon -- what the heck a helicon is, is anybody’s guess) and known by his nickname “The March King,” Sousa created fantastic military marches. Any lover of Monty Python has listened to his “Liberty Bell” march, which is stirring and able to make the most sedentary of humans stand up straight and start stepping.
In an essay titled “The Menace of Mechanical Music,” which he wrote for Appleton Magazine in 1906, Sousa laments this horrible new era, the era of recorded music. He sees that recorded music will take away the feeling of community, creativity and class. Anyone watching a DJ gyrate at a wedding can see that his prediction has, alas, come true. In the essay, Sousa states that mechanical music is “sweeping across the country with the speed of a transient fashion in slang or Panama hats, political war cries, or popular novels” and would form a “substitute for human skill, intelligence and soul.” In other words: “Beware the DJ.” He also was right about political war cries, but that is for another article.
In his essay, Sousa was railing in part about the lack of composer rights, an issue that dogs songwriters to this day. But in a larger sense, before television and the iPhone, Sousa laments the loss of the common man playing an instrument in community.
When the essay was written, in 1906, the phonograph was just starting to take off. Sousa was afraid that it would chip away at the unique “musical mecca” that America had become. He testified to Congress that “these talking machines are going to ruin the artistic development of music in this country. When I was a boy...in front of every house in the summer evenings, you would find young people together singing the songs of the day or old songs. Today you hear these infernal machines going night and day.”
When I was a boy, my great Uncle Frank reminisced about his youth in 1906 Dubuque, Iowa, when neighbors would do just that, gather at homes to play the piano and sing. Everyone learned the piano because it was a social instrument for entertainment and community. The creation of the phonograph and later devices did not stop music. But it did change community.
What Sousa felt was that the vital and vibrant part of our sense of “we” that centers around community participation would be laid waste by a profusion of technology, and a commercial lack of taste.
In an era when laws have to be created to fine people from texting while crossing the street, the danger of devices does lie in the elimination of community, of literally seeing our neighbor and being in the moment. Why talk to someone when I can text anyone? And why attend a concert when I can watch it on my phone? (Or worse, spend a concert so consumed with trying to capture it on our phones so we can share it to social media rather than actually experience communion with the artist giving their all on stage.) We are now distressed by what is happening halfway around the globe without knowing what is happening halfway down the block.
Sousa also lamented “the general assault on personality in music.” Just watch the CMA awards and you will see he wasn’t too far off the mark. Like devices that are mass produced, taste trends toward vanilla in an effort to accommodate the majority.
So what is the lesson to take away from this? As the holidays approach, get out to see live, original music. Start a house concert series in your home and foster community. Learn an instrument or put the smartphone in the drawer for an hour or two. Encourage your children and grandchildren to pick up an instrument with an eye toward mastering it.
I think Sousa would want us to shake things up, to break the spell that mechanical devices can give us, if we allow them to. Sure, I am grateful for technology and the fact that even ol’ John Philip Sousa was recorded leading his band for me to hear today.
But anyone who has joined Switchback in a cave concert, or jingled keys during a Christmas show, or looked over the hills of Ireland while Brian’s mandolin strums, understands that we are creatures of the moment.
Those moments cannot be recorded. One has to be there, be present and share that moment with others. And sharing those moments together is the ultimate culmination of being alive.
Guns and Guitars
Dear friends of Switchback,
As I woke up on the second of October, Annie was reading her phone to catch the morning news. Aine was already up, getting ready for school. “There was a s-h-o-o-t-i-n-g in Las Vegas,” she said, so Aine couldn’t understand. “Fifty-eight d-e-a-d.” I shook my head as it was too much to comprehend. Praying that it wasn’t some terror plot, I was relatively relieved in some odd way to know that it was a lone wolf. While the fact that all those people died cannot affect me the way I know that relatives, loved ones, and the wounded and innocent bystanders are affected, still it made me feel empty inside, trying to get my head around the motivation to do so much evil. Once again it was attack on music and people gathering to celebrate life.
Once again, like the Bataclan nightclub in Paris, a person chose an attack on the one place where people can be together without any politics, religious differences, or social judgment. It is the one place in my opinion where pure joy can be created and shared.
As the news unfolds, it has become apparent that this person deliberately plotted and stalked these people. The difference between him and the terrorists who killed in Paris rendered nil. The senselessness only magnified. I am guessing this person, as well as the terrorists at the nightclub in Paris, are motivated by a misguided urge to be recognized as “somebody."
The one clue that I noted to motivation is that one of the shops that sold this person the means to kill and change so many lives is called “Guns and Guitars.” The shop has the legal right to sell such weapons, and that is not the point of this article. What is the point is what the name of the shop says about what attracts such people to these feats of evil.
It is my opinion that our world has become a place where being “somebody” is what life is about. And one way to be “somebody” is to clutch a guitar in one’s hands and stride across a stage in front of a lot of adoring people. This desire to be relevant I believe transcends the reality of the work, sacrifice, and plain luck that being a rock star is all about. But that doesn’t matter as long as the allure of it is offered. That said, it is a lot harder to master a guitar than a gun. One can have the most expensive guitar in one’s hands and that won’t make that person a rock star. However, one can have a gun in one’s hand and that alone can make that person feel powerful.
And here is where the gun issue comes into play. These guns are also misused by people wanting to be “somebody." You cannot screen or make a background check to determine who wants to be “somebody.” And so the quandary. We end up with a few with the means to do a lot with a tool that makes them think they are “somebody.” And that tool, unlike a guitar, is a hell of a lot easier to learn to use. And like with a guitar, the glamor and allure, no matter how misguided, are just as strong.
The terrorists like to extol their minions by turning them into martyrs or “somebody." They go as far as lauding them in magazines and videos. They give them just enough craving, just enough adulation, to make them go out there and kill. Not in the name of an ideology, as they would like us to believe. But in the name of being “somebody.” It has become a cult, a hollow religion in and of itself. In my opinion there is enough blame to go around for the creation of this cult, this odd need to be “somebody.” It has been around for a long time and perhaps we will always be fighting to rid our human condition of its siren call.
Like guns, in the wrong hands guitars can cause a lot havoc. Unlike guns, guitars cannot kill someone. Like guns, guitars can change someone’s life or the lives of hundreds. Where one properly used can elevate, the other improperly used can destroy.
If my line of thinking is correct, the only alternative we have is to destroy the cult of being “somebody.” Replace it with being “someone.” Someone who serves and lifts others to boot. Lincoln was “Someone.” John Wilkes Booth wanted to be “Somebody.” And that illustrates my point.
We also have to take a deep breath and admit that because we haven’t eliminated the drive for these individuals to be “somebody” we need to adopt a line that “nobody” can do or have certain things until we change this. And yes, that means that we have to eliminate the ability for the easy misuse of guns. That is something I pray we can all agree on and start from there. If we don’t, “somebody” will make sure there is nobody left.
Editor's note:
Read writer Greg Palast's first-hand perspective, "I Went to School with the Vegas Shooter."
WayGoodMusic.com
While I nursed a cup of coffee and gazed out the kitchen window of my childhood home, a doe and her fawn grazed across the front pasture, nibbling on bluestem. I put on my boots and walked out the door and onto the dew-soaked grass. Immediately the deer were nowhere to be seen. I walked down to the barn, the scene of so many of my childhood memories, the place where I helped lambs get born, rode horses, stacked hay and milked the odd goat. My parents are now dead, not even a year since my father passed, and like that doe and fawn, their presence lingers but then the reality hits and they are nowhere to be seen.
I came out to the farm to help sort, pitch, save, recycle, donate, burn, and in some ways, put my parents to rest. The accumulation of years of farming and living that resulted in an excess of materials that now had to be determined and addressed. I was keenly aware of the devastation going on in Texas and Florida that served as a backdrop of the odd ritual in which I was now participating. Irma and Harvey left a lot of people doing the same heart-heavy process. That of delineating between “stuff” and “things.”
When viewed on a sheet of paper, the two words seem like two sides of the same coin. But there is a difference in my opinion. Stuff are materials gathered that have no true sentimental, historical or emotional attachment. Things are just the opposite, not perhaps having financial value, but all or part of the former make them necessary to processing our existence. There are people, who in confusing the two, make a practice of gathering as much stuff as possible in the hope that they can become things. And there are people who believe in a minimalist approach, thinking that by eliminating stuff they may just be able to have things. Those people are also touched by the same desire, to create a sense of understanding of their existence.
What to do? If you strive to surround yourself with stuff, you may never have things. If you attempt to eliminate things, you may just be left with stuff. To the archaeologist, all things become stuff and valuable in that they help to hypothesize what people must have treasured as things. That is why I don’t enjoy antique stores. So much stuff that had once been things to someone, and now are devoid of context and meaning.
The irony of works of nature such as fire, hurricane and flood is that it doesn’t choose between stuff and things, but eliminates equally. Then you have people who look at the television camera and say “we lost every-thing, but are blessed.” Or the family, before the wildfire claims their home, deciding what things they need to quickly stash into their car. And how odd those choices can be. Pictures, books, locks of hair, grandfather clocks, guitars and family bibles. You never hear of someone putting the widescreen TV and the porch chairs in the boat. That’s stuff and expendable. But those rare things are what always make us, as humans, crane our heads toward the television to see what our fellow human beings are willing to transport. Like the Ice Man, found frozen in the Alps of Italy a decade ago, we wish to grasp what things are carried to identify us. And we ponder, what did the Ice Man deem as stuff and what, if anything, was a thing to him?
And so it is a slow process with my parents “remains.” For things may just be stuff in hiding. The clock that was there in the front parlor for decades. Do I attach false value to it? Was it just a clock or was it something that reminds me of some-thing. It is a tough walk through a minefield of emotions. Ultimately, a decision is made. Fire curling through old picture frames and broken chairs. Or a piece of children’s art, with 40-year-old glued macaroni and painted gold, held onto like a treasure from the tomb of Tutankhamen.
Perhaps that is why I need to decide in my own life what I want my loved ones to think of as some-thing of mine. A connection to me. And how important it is to separate the stuff of my daily life, material and nonmaterial, from the things that really matter. To not, in my opinion, runs the risk of stuff overruling life itself. The peculiar havoc a disaster brings, whether manmade or natural, allows us a chance to take stock and let go of the stuff and give us the blessing to bestow things to others.
We have a saying in Switchback, “Travel light to travel far.” Certainly when it comes to stuff that is true. And I will never forget the one great thing my best friend Dave’s dad gave him. An envelope on which he wrote, “You may open this and find nothing in it, but you would be wrong, for it is filled with my love for you.”
American Roots & Celtic Soul
Doug Needles Switchback
Letters From Marty
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With all this construction, how does one get Downtown?
By: Pat LaFleur
Copyright Google 2015
<p>Interstate 71 just north of Lytle Tunnel Downtown. (Google Maps/Google via WCPO, File)</p>
CINCINNATI -- All roads don't lead to downtown Cincinnati, and as summer construction projects continue and compound in recent weeks, this statement has become all the more true.
When considering some of the major access points into the city's central business district, a few key arteries come to mind: Lytle Tunnel, the Brent Spence Bridge, the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, among others.
But, as commuters have been noticing in recent weeks, a number of those spots have undergone traffic pattern changes or major lane restrictions as several concurrent projects got underway, choking several of those routes -- and even some of their alternatives. It's left some wondering if there are any headache-free paths into Downtown left.
From the east
Probably the most dramatic of these recent changes was the closing of the Third Street ramp connecting Interstate 71 southbound with Downtown and The Banks. The closure is part of a larger project to replace the decking of the bridge approaching the tunnel from the north, which state transportation officials said has begun deteriorating.
I-71 southbound approaching Lytle Tunnel. (Google, File)
"We’ve been patching, and the patches are what's holding," said Brian Cunningham, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation, in a previous interview with WCPO.
"We really had to get out there and get it fixed," he said.
Aside from the project's $10 million price tag, it's also costing the patience -- and certainly the time -- of the estimated 100,000 daily commuters passing through the stretch.
On top of the Third Street exit's closure, traffic patterns got a serious facelift as the project launched: Southbound lanes approaching the tunnel are now re-routed around the deteriorating bridge to the northbound side before switching back as traffic enters the tunnel.
IN DEPTH: What's next for city's aging bridges
And as for hopping on the freeway from Downtown? The Second Street entrance ramp into Lytle Tunnel and onto I-71 northbound was closed earlier this year as crews began much needed overhaul of the tunnel and surrounding roadways.
Officials have offered Eighth Street via the Gilbert Avenue exit from I-71 south as an alternative for those coming from the north, but an ongoing mixed-use development project, which will include a 17-story apartment tower at Eighth and Sycamore streets, has meant repeated lane closures along that route.
Michael Moore, who heads the city's Department of Transportation and Engineering, said the city has noted increased congestion along other Downtown routes, saying Eighth Street's intersections with Gilbert and Sycamore have been "particularly affected."
Much of that congestion will be mitigated, Moore said, now that construction on the development’s parking garage concluded last week.
"Fortunately, the garage/apartment project at Sycamore and Eighth has reached a point where its construction fencing on Eighth can be pulled onto the sidewalk during peak commuting hours," Moore said in an email Wednesday.
Moore said his department would continue to monitor the situation and would consider adjusting traffic signal timing if congestion persists.
The city’s West Side still has multiple open points of freeway access: Downtown's Second, Fifth and Seventh streets are all fed by Interstate 75 exit ramps, and nearby West End has on- and off-ramps to and from I-75 at Ezzard Charles Avenue, which connects to Central Parkway into the city center.
But the Central Parkway area just recently lost its feeder from Interstate 74, which has served as the primary Downtown connection for the city's northwestern neighborhoods, as well as the rest of western Hamilton County.
READ MORE: Council divided over Elmore Street connector bridge
The bridge was closed earlier this year, scheduled for demolition as part of the ongoing Mill Creek Expressway construction project along I-75. City leaders approved in May a plan to design a prospective multi-modal bridge that would extend from South Cumminsville to Central Parkway just below Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Clifton. Only funding for the bridge's design was approved.
If you think that's all, think again.
A months-long overhaul of Ky. 9, which runs through Campbell County, terminating on Central Avenue at Newport's flood wall, has already prompted major changes in the area's traffic patterns. The project includes reconfiguring the intersection of nearby Third and York streets, which means closing southbound York between Third and Fourth streets and converting the previously one-way, northbound Monmouth Street, which sits one block east.
Drivers still adjusting as construction in Newport turns Monmouth into 2-way. Work for KY 9 upgrades. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/WDtlpyl51z
— Pat LaFleur (@pat_laFleur) August 3, 2016
Monmouth, which overlaps with U.S. 27 through downtown Newport, provided a three-lane thoroughfare and a heavily used artery directly into downtown Cincinnati, via the Taylor-Southgate Bridge.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokeswoman Nancy Wood told WCPO that it will take some time for drivers to adjust to the new configuration, which is scheduled to remain until March 2017.
"I think once it gets soaked in, (drivers) know other ways to take or what to expect," Wood said. "It will smooth itself out."
Wood said her department prepared for the adjustment through public outreach and modifying traffic signal patterns.
"We’re keeping an eye on it, making sure the signals are adjusted accordingly," she said.
Wood's department removed the signal directing traffic at the intersection of Third and York to accommodate increased flow east toward Monmouth.
Silver lining? The reconfiguration project will include two new roundabouts and a newly paved road connecting them.
So, in the meantime?
There's really no secret weapon or magic trick that will solve commuters' increased time on the road as these projects continue: Wood's notion that it will smooth itself out is usually the case, and, likewise, Moore advised drivers to be particularly attentive around construction zones.
Moore added that a little extra planning, and patience, can make a huge difference.
"A little kindness, consideration and patience toward others can go a long way toward making the delays shorter and more bearable," he said.
Other alternatives are available, too, even if they take commuters a bit out of their way. Covington's Roebling Suspension Bridge is reachable from Newport with just a few added minutes, and the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge is not much farther west down Fourth Street. The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (Interstate 471) also offers access to Sixth and Liberty streets, and Third Street via a quick hop onto U.S. 50/Fort Washington Way.
And there's always the Brent Spence... but we won't go there.
See this map for the status of various entryways into Downtown, as of Thursday. Use the +/- button in the bottom left to zoom, and click the legend in the top left to view a list of different access points:
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Ecoplum Business Gifts
Ecoplum Business Gifts's Climate Action Contribution
About Ecoplum Business Gifts's Climate Efforts
EcoPlum Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy
EcoPlum® is an environmentally focused business-to-business, e-commerce, and media company, including EcoPlum Business Gifts (EBG) and the EcoPlum Boutique for consumers. Founded in 2007, EcoPlum opened its online boutique selling eco friendly products in 2008 and launched a sustainable business gifts division in 2016. The for-profit company is an enterprise with a very strong social mission to help combat environmental issues and is 100% committed to a triple-bottom-line strategy focused on people, planet and profit.
EcoPlum Business Gifts distributes branded promotional products that are high-quality, unique, innovative, and sustainable.
Source Ethically and Sustainably
With a commitment to its social mission, EcoPlum sets itself apart from its competitors by offering high quality, best-in-class merchandise that meets the company’s rigorous standards for environmental and social sustainability. EcoPlum sources sustainable products from companies where their product standards are clear and transparent, using generally accepted criteria and reputable third-party labels or certifications. Criteria used include: third-party ecolabels, organic, recycled, fair trade and labor conditions, artisan-made, Made in the USA, reusable, vegan, low toxicity, and women-owned.
Building a Better Circular Economy
EcoPlum also advocates for a circular economy with closed-loop products that eliminate waste at each production stage, feed previously used materials and waste back into production, and recycle products at their end-of-life. The company is a ZeroWaste partner of TerraCycle to provide corporate clients with boxes for end-of-life recycling of various waste streams.
The Ethical Case Against Plastic
EBG’s goal is to reduce the abundant use of plastic and its resulting contribution to environmentally harmful plastic waste within the promotional products industry.
According to the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Americans discard about 33.6 million tons of plastic each year. Only 6.5 percent of it is recycled and only 7.7 percent is combusted in waste‐to‐energy facilities, leaving 28 million tons in landfills. Plastic in landfills takes up to 1,000 years to decompose, while potentially leaking pollutants and toxins into the soil and water. An estimated 100 million tons of plastic debris is dispersed and floating in the oceans. In 2015, the journal Science published a study by the NCEAS Marine Debris Working Group at UC Santa Barbara finding that an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans from land each year.
Adding to this problem, an estimated $21B of cheap promotional gadgets are made primarily from virgin plastic.
Participation in the Community
EcoPlum, based in New York City, has been an active member in the sustainability community for 10 years. This has included educational efforts, commercial outreach, environmental activism and participating in global lobbying efforts for better regulations and the protection of people impacted by environmental changes and catastrophes.
The company has partnered with the Broadway Green Alliance for several years to source products that will reduce waste generated by the theater community. EcoPlum has facilitated the creation of a resale market for products made from old billboards and has supplied reusable utensil sets to production teams, replacing disposable plastic ones.
Over several years, EcoPlum has organized and participated in numerous seminars and workshops designed to educate the community about various aspects of sustainability, including topics like corporate social responsibility, sustainable food, and safe cosmetics.
The company has been active in the Breast Cancer Fund’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the We’re Still In coalition (including over 900 businesses and 180 colleges and universities) endorsing U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Locally, EcoPlum has participated in Earth Day and month activities, recycling drives and efforts to “green” the schools.
EcoPlum Certifications
EcoPlum has national certification as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and is a member of the American Sustainable Business Council. EcoPlum earned the coveted Green America Business Gold Seal of Approval in 2011. In 2018, EcoPlum is applying for and plans to become a Certified B Corporation. In the promotional products industry, the company is a member of the PPAI and ASI.
Current Climate Actions Ecoplum Business Gifts Is Taking:
New Climate Actions Ecoplum Business Gifts Commits To Take:
Encouraging more aggressive state targets for electric vehicles and GHG standards
HFC Phase Down
Encouraging states to adopt policies to phase out HFCs on an accelerated timeline
Natural Lands
Encouraging states to adopt incentive programs for forest management, tree cover expansion, and soil health
http://business.ecoplum.com
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“Things Are Easy When You’re Big in Japan”
April 28, 2010 by WendyB
I’ve got the 1984 song “Big in Japan” by Alphaville stuck in my head.
Before it was a song, “big in Japan” was a mocking description of rock bands that weren’t successful at home in the U.S. or U.K., but were popular in Japan. The Japanese fans were considered a poor consolation prize.
Personally, I’d be happy to big in Japan. I’m certainly thrilled to be big in Scotland, thanks to gorgeous blogger/client Queen Michelle of Kingdom of Style. When the Sunday Mail of Scotland — read by 1.5 million people — interviewed Michelle about her “top shops,” the story was illustrated with a picture of her wearing my swear rings.
Full-page view
I’m also big in Italy, thanks to my gorgeous husband, MrB, who was interviewed by La Stampa. The silver Freud cufflinks I gave him got another shout-out (they were previously mentioned in a story about MrB in Canada’s National Post). MrB also told gorgeous interviewer Anna Masera that I’m big in New York because my Cleopatra earrings are worn by Samantha in Sex and the City 2.
I know for sure I’m big in New York because a jewelry “designer” is trying to ride on my coattails. Many of my gorgeous blogger friends — offended on my behalf — forwarded me a letter that some publicist chick is sending out. The pitch name-checks me and uses the same screen cap of Samantha that’s been on my blog in order to promote rhinestone snake earrings that look nothing like my work. They look more like something you’d find at Claire’s. Remember, if you’re not ready to spring for my original gold and diamond Cleopatra earrings, you can buy a silver pair for $450 right off the blog. My silver earrings are made one at a time here in New York with my usual attention to quality.
You know who really was big in Japan? The ’70s all-girl rock band The Runaways. Recently, their story got the Hollywood movie treatment. I wanted to like that movie — I did love the music and fashion — but it pulled its punches.
In an early scene, we see underage, future Runaways lead singer Cherie Currie getting pawed by her sister’s boyfriend. Right after, Cherie chops her long hair into a David-Bowie-as-Ziggy-Stardust ‘do. I suspected a sexual assault had been left out, so I got Cherie’s Neon Angel autobiography, which indeed portrays Cherie’s rape by the boyfriend as a formative experience. The haircut was a reaction to the attack: “That day I’d decided that I wasn’t going to be told what to do anymore, and that nobody was going to just take what they wanted from me,” Cherie wrote. “As the pile of hair on the floor grew bigger and bigger, I found myself feeling stronger and stronger.” Damn. Why bother to make a movie about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll teens if you’re going to soft-pedal the ugly truth? I can’t respect that.
I totally respect the Runaways themselves. Here they are performing their big hit Cherry Bomb — IN JAPAN — in 1977. Cherie is the hard-looking blonde singer stealing guitarist Joan Jett’s spotlight.
Cherie’s pale corset makes me think of the Jean Paul Gaultier corset that Madonna wore in the ’90s.
Madonna on her Blonde Ambition tour.
More recently, my goddess Lady Gaga did her version of the look.
Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.
Great minds think alike about corsets. That’s okay. Just keep your little mind off my jewelry, wannabe WendyB!
UPDATED TO ADD: What timing! Right after I discovered a PR chick using my name and SATC2 connection to promote her client’s earrings to my blog roll bitches, Christina Binkley of the Wall Street Journal wrote about small designers’ looks being ripped off in a story called The Problem With Being a Trendsetter. I especially relate to scarf designer Elle Sakellis. Her Otrera evil-eye scarves were knocked off by Raj Imports. Kitson, the store that carried Elle’s original scarves, dropped her line to sell the Raj imitator. Elle says, “Everyone always says that imitation is the best form of flattery. But it happened too soon. I’m not Louis Vuitton. It’s not like when someone buys a Raj scarf that they know it’s an Otrera knock-off.”
Fraser Ross, the owner of Kitson, claims carrying the Raj copy is no different from carrying a diffusion line. He says of the higher-priced originals, “I’m always telling these designers, ‘Knock yourself off. They’re knocking you off, so do it yourself.'” However, anyone who has read my Get Smart (About Manufacturing) post knows that it’s not that simple — or inexpensive — to start producing quantity instead of quality. If you haven’t read my old post, check it out now. Follow it up with my Get Smart (About Quality) and Get Smart (About Custom Work) posts. Learn to appreciate good workmanship. And, if you want an evil-eye scarf, please buy the original from Otrera.
So FASH'on Is So Nice
Post Rerun: A Defense of Fashion
New York Style Icon: Post-Punk Scenester Anya Phillips
Filed Under: blogs and bloggers, great minds think alike, lady gaga, madonna, music, Press, sex and the city 2, swear rings Tagged With: kingdom of style, the runaways
« Minx Manicure #6: Silver Houndstooth
Non-Outfit Post: White Leather Jacket »
La Belette Rouge says
That horrible copy-cat jewelry thief should be big in prison. Really, there should be a special hell or prison for thieves of creative property.
You, my friend, are not just big in Scotland…you are big in the world!
dennis says
When you;re big in Japan, you never have to work another day. Life is good……………When you are big in Japan 🙂
Iheartfashion says
Love the new look, Wendy!
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Snowfall – Season 3
Los Angeles. 1983. A storm is coming and it’s name is crack. Set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic and its ultimate radical impact on the culture as we know it, the story follows numerous characters on a violent collision course.
Director: Dave Andron, Eric Amadio, John Singleton
Actors: Carter Hudson, Damson Idris, Emily Rios, Isaiah John, Sergio Peris-Mencheta
Networks: FX
Keywords:123movies Dwatchseries Fmovies Gomovies gostream gostreams Putlocker Snowfall - Season 3 Swatchseries Watch Snowfall - Season 3 English Sub Watch Snowfall - Season 3 Online Free
The American Farm
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When everyone else mysteriously vanishes from their wealthy town, the teen residents of West Ham must forge their own society to survive.
American Horror Story – Season 5
An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse…
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Brakebills University is a secret institution specializing in magic. There, amidst an unorthodox education of spellcasting, a group of twenty-something friends soon discover that a magical fantasy world they read…
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are back with a show about adventure, excitement and friendship… as long as you accept that the people you call friends are also…
Grisse
Located in the middle of the 19th century, during the colonial era of Dutch India, the series “Grise” follows a group of unusual characters who launch a rebellion against a…
Married to Medicine Los Angeles
Married to Medicine Los Angeles gives viewers a look into the elite and fast paced lives of five successful women, including doctors and doctor’s wives living in Los Angeles. With…
Two former high school best friends reunite in NYC years later, and with one of them moonlighting as a dominatrix, she enlists her friend to be her new assistant.
Porn Laid Bare
Exploring the wit, work and world of Joe Orton through his own words, and the testimony of those who knew him and worked with him.
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist join forces to take on common enemies as a sinister conspiracy threatens New York City.
Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Young CIA analyst Joe Turner has his idealism tested when he learns that the CIA has been using an algorithm he developed to spy on American citizens, leading the organization…
Girl Meets Farm
Molly Yeh is a popular blogger and best-selling cookbook author who shares her perspective on food, family traditions and farmhouse life. She lives on a farm on the North Dakota-Minnesota…
Trailer: Snowfall – Season 3
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Xconomy Seattle
Purdue Spinout VinSense Brings Big Data to the Terroir
Invitae Offers $55M for Singular Bio to Expand Prenatal Test Business
With Yale Tech and $12M, Artizan Aims for Root Cause of Gut Disease
Bill Clarke
Medical College of Wisconsin director of research commercialization
Director, Silicon Flatirons Centers' Entrepreneurship Initiative
Joel S. Marcus
Chairman, CEO, & Founder, Alexandria Real Estate Equities
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Rhapsody Adds Napster – and Maybe Some Overseas Subscribers
Curt Woodward
Rhapsody, the online-subscription music service that spun out of RealNetworks last year, is acquiring online music pioneer Napster from retailer Best Buy.
Seattle-based Rhapsody didn’t say how much it is paying for Napster, and it wouldn’t say how many U.S. subscribers it may add through the acquisition, but the company did say Napster was its closest competitor in terms of paid subscribers: “They are, by a big margin, the second-largest paid premium service out there,” spokeswoman Jaimee Minney Steele says.
And that figure could grow even further. Steele tells Xconomy that Rhapsody also has an option to acquire Napster’s foreign operations, which includes subscribers in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada.
That would instantly make Rhapsody an international music-streaming business, at a time when the company is facing encroachment from European streaming startup Spotify (and a bunch of domestic upstarts, like Rdio and MOG.)
Rhapsody executives planned to fly to Europe on Tuesday as the company starts its due diligence on potentially acquiring the international subscribers as well, Steele says.
And if that happens, it might make sense for the Napster brand to live on—although Rhapsody plans to “sunset” the cat-logo Napster name in the U.S., it isn’t known whether the company might keep that branding for any non-U.S. subscribers.
“Rhapsody is not an international company at this point, so we don’t have any branding in the United Kingdom or Germany or any of those markets,” Steele says. “We obviously want to capitalize on any goodwill they have over there, so we’re obviously looking at it.”
One thing that neither brand has is a free tier, which is a major marketing difference with Spotify’s freemium model.
Best Buy (NASDAQ: BBY) bought Napster in 2008 for $121 million.
More from Xconomy
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Marc Ambasna-Jones's Diary
By Marc Ambasna Jones | July 26, 1997 -- 07:00 GMT (00:00 PDT) | Topic: Tech Industry
Started the week on a high. Attilio Lombardo was apparently bound for Crystal Palace and the season is fast approaching. In search of more news I headed for the Palace web site and there found a link to Lombardo's current club Juventus. Nicknamed 'bald eagle,' Lombardo and Palace seemed like a match made in heaven. Oh how his head would have gleamed as he ran up and down the wing at Selhurst Park.
The Palace web site was neatly followed by a couple of sites I had to review for a publishing trade magazine. The first was for Dive International, a magazine for diving enthusiasts and the second was the phenomenally large British Tourist Authority. In the space of three hours I had covered football, diving off the coast of the Scilly Isles and had a damn good smattering of knowledge about the top UK tourist sites to visit.
To the untrained eye (such as 'bloke' who shares an office with me!) it looked as though I was aimlessly browsing and filling my head with useless information. To the trained eye, I was researching and digesting vast quantities of information in a very short space of time. It would have been impossible for me to achieve the same feat in say a library. It therefore never ceases to amaze me why people like 'bloke' slag-off the net and say its a waste of time and a pain on resources. Bloke is currently unavailable for comment due to the fact that he thinks his elbow is his ass.
Lombardo deal still on and the London Broncos tonked the Canberra Raiders.
For one reason or another, I seem to have been writing about monitors a lot recently. Don't get me wrong they are great inventions but I am starting to get a little typecast. Anyway, I had a chat with Alun Williams from NEC and he tells me that the 17 inch monitor market is fast becoming the standard monitor size, despite the fact that a number of monitor makers are still slugging it out with 14 and 15 inch screens. Very interesting.
Now tell me, is that really the actual screen size or does that include the plastics bit? And another thing, what refresh rate........
After another fine monitor interview I headed for Hyde Park and the Ziff football team where we trounced fierce rivals ComputerWire by six goals to three (and we let them have the last one!)
Lombardo deal off. Shame. Apparently he wanted too much money and there was some confusion over the net and gross figure offered! Hhmm. That's so Palace. Anyway Paul Warhurst is about to sign so all our prayers have been answered!**?!**
Went to Terence Conran eating temple Quaglinos to meet SDX Business Systems who were launching some voice and data integration product. It seemed to do the job although I arrived too late to hear the talk but was just in time for starters. Anyway, I sat next to sales and marketing director Jeremy Cooke who spoke about how SDX could move quickly and adapt to the market because it was purely a marketing company. It has no manufacturing facility and no direct sales force.
The idea seemed a good one and SDX has a promising array of customers in a technology convergence market which is becoming all the rage in certain circles.
Not being too into circles, I just sipped wine, mingled and listened. Not wearing a tie I am sure I wasn't taken too seriously. Shame they don't do monitors.
Warhurst signs and there's talk of some Israeli joining. I go to the gym for a fitness assessment which is an uphill struggle considering I'm still finding walking a little painful after Tuesday's football. Unbelievably the assessment is a resounding success so I take the day and watch the cricket.
Up early and into the ZDNet offices to write some news. The prospects weren't good. It's the end of July, the industry is on holiday and the ZDNet staff are off to Leeds Castle for the day. Time to load the Sporting Life site, check the cricket score and see if Palace have made any big signings. Nope. Oh well, time to look for that exclusive monitor story then...
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The Morning Briefing: Climate change
"The Morning Briefing" is SmartPlanet's daily roundup of must-reads from the web. This morning we're reading about climate change.
By Charlie Osborne | December 10, 2012 -- 00:23 GMT (16:23 PST) | Topic: Innovation
1.) UN Climate Change Negotiations 2012. Admitting to 20 years of mixed results, Doha agrees to fresh gas emission cuts. The two week long climate talks in Doha came to a close with 194 countries agreeing to implement a second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, from 2013 through 2020.
2.) Global climate change predictions on target. Predictions of global climate change made to a United Nations-organized panel more than 20 years ago have proved to be accurate, a New Zealand-US academic study has found.
3.) Sleepless nights over climate change. If strangers had managed to creep into the mammoth Qatar national convention centre in Doha in the early hours of Saturday morning, it is hard to imagine what they would have thought was going on.
4.) Climate conversations - Doha: Future climate agreement may merge agriculture, land use change and forestry. A unified approach to managing landscapes to achieve food security while protecting the world’s natural resources could make it on to the UN climate change agenda by 2015.
5.) Climate change last week: Plastic lightbulbs, bye-bye reindeer and more. Rudolph and friends are dying off, as Arctic snow now occasionally melts, then refreezes into impenetrable ice, covering reindeer food, explains Jeff Flocken at Living On Earth. Most herds have shrunk 60 percent or more. Meanwhile, many xmas tree seedlings died this year from drought, so... were you planning on a holiday tree in 2018?
For ski industry, warming winters mean waning profits
U.S. sized ice sheet melts in Arctic
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This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com
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50 years after Apollo 11: What really rocketed us to the moon
While many of the proud Americans who were involved in the Apollo project are no longer with us 50 years later, the technologies they built live on, will be further refined, and will ...
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Air Zim placed under reconstruction
0 October 21, 2018 11:42 AM
Source: Air Zim placed under reconstruction | Daily News
HARARE – Struggling national airline Air Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited (Air Zimbabwe) has been placed under reconstruction, as it seeks to clear its arrears in a bid to revive its operations.
According to a notice published yesterday, Reggie Saruchera of Grant Thornton was appointed the administrator of the company to administer the revival of the national airline.
“This notice serves to advise that effective 4th of October 2018, Air Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited and Air Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (hereafter referred to as Air Zimbabwe or ‘companies’) were placed under reconstruction in terms of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act (Chapter 24:27),” the notice by Saruchera reads.
Saruchera called on stakeholders to support the initiative in order for the airline to achieve the intended turnaround, further urging all those owed money to approach the airline’s offices in Harare and Bulawayo to fill in proof of claim forms.
“During the Reconstruction process, all payments towards debts accrued by the companies prior to the 4th of October 2018 will be held in abeyance and settled in terms of this process,” the notice reads.
the latest articles 56656 Air Zimbabwe 116 Grant Thornton 8
Biti tears into Mthuli Ncube
Ministers face arrest in blitz
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Vultures circle over Chamisa
0 November 14, 2018 8:44 AM
Source: Vultures circle over Chamisa | Newsday (News)
THE gloves are off in the opposition MDC as hawks plotting the ouster of leader Nelson Chamisa are reportedly unhappy that the party’s elective congress will be held in October next year, when they would have preferred an early congress to have the leadership mess cleaned up as a matter of urgency.
BY OBEY MANAYITI/BLESSED MHLANGA
Highly-placed sources said there was a clique in the opposition pushing for the ouster of Chamisa and replace him with party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.
“There are people within the party who are fronting Mwonzora as the next leader of the MDC. These are unhappy that congress has been moved and are now mooting to attack the party leader on social media and paint him as a dictator. We are acutely aware that this is the work of Zanu PF,” a source said.
The fight for the control of MDC appears to be at its peak, with Kuwadzana East legislator Charlton Hwende (MDC), claiming on Twitter at the weekend that MDC members opposed to the party’s elective congress October 2019 date were surrogate candidates sponsored by Zanu PF and war veterans.
“The MDC congress is due in October. This is determined by the date of our 2014 congress. Zanu PF and their surrogate candidate sponsored by the war veterans want an early congress to divert us from the agenda of marching to State House to defend the vote (for) @nelsonchamisa,” the legislator tweeted.
Last week, a letter purporting to have been authored by Mwonzora querying the October 2019 elective congress turned out to be a forgery.
In response, Mwonzora said: “Some political criminals have resorted to forging signatures of MDC officials. They have also been posting fake tweets, with the aim of creating tensions within party leadership and that will not succeed. I did not issue any statement regarding the party’s elective congress at all. The letter circulating on social media is fake.”
Soon after the contested July 30 general elections, Zanu PF showed its hand when war veterans secretary-general and Zanu PF central committee member Victor Matemadanda said the MDC would be in better hands if it was led by Mwonzora than Chamisa, whom they accused of being violent.
Mwonzora distanced himself from the statements, saying he did not need the endorsement of Zanu PF or war veterans, but his latest tiff with his bosses at the party over the expulsions of party members who stood in the polls as independents has set tempers flying.
Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume fingered Zanu PF, saying they were behind the plot to set the MDC leadership against each other by planting false narratives.
“We are aware of efforts by Zanu PF to use our congress to put Trojan horses of instability using dirty money. We want to assure our supporters that we are capable of emptying the Trojan horses’ way before they enter our gates at congress,” he said.
Chamisa, through his spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda, insisted that congress would be held and party members would be allowed to make their choices as they elect officers of congress.
“Our constitution is very clear. Our congress is held after every five years. Our last one was in November and since the upcoming election is not about electing a new leader of the party, it’s not a special congress, but a congress that will elect all officers of congress. It will be held in October,” he said.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo distanced his party from the MDC internal fights, saying they were not concerned about their squabbles.
“We are not interested in the fights by those boys. Talk to the people who are allegedly getting funding from us. We are not going to be drawn into their agenda,” he said.
MDC national chairperson Tabitha Khumalo, on the other hand, has indicated that she would protect party members from victimisation ahead of the party’s congress.
She said the recent wave of expulsions that gripped the party were ineffectual, as some provincial executives had breached the party’s constitution.
The party’s national council opened floodgates for victimisation of perceived enemies when a resolution was made that those who stood as independent candidates in the June 2018 polls must be brought to book or shown the door.
NewsDay understands that Chamisa could face stiff challenge from his deputy Elias Mudzuri or Mwonzora.
Mwonzora recently refused to sanction the arbitrary expulsions of party members, reportedly targeting delegates against Chamisa’s leadership.
“In terms of the MDC constitution, section 9:3, my role is to make sure that the party and the structures are healthy and so, if there is a grievance, let’s say at the branch level, there must be a disciplinary committee led by the deputy chair and they will deal with the issue,” Khumalo told NewsDay recently.
“If they find fault, they must make recommendations. Theirs is just a recommendation and they will pass it to the higher organ until it gets to my office. Their role is to recommend and not to resolve. I am the final person to make the decision.”
Khumalo also said she was happy with the manner the Bulawayo deputy mayoral position was handled, saying it was a sign of democracy at play. It is also understood that MDC partners holding influential positions could face a stiff challenge at the elective congress.
Chamisa recently made key appointments, including elevating party chairman Morgen Komichi to deputy president, together with Welshman Ncube.
He also appointed Mafume as party spokesperson, while Khumalo became chairperson.
Former People’s Democratic Party leader Tendai Biti was incorparated and elevated to party vice-chairperson.
Under the new MDC constitution, Chamisa was empowered to appoint his deputies only, but the other positions of spokesperson, chairperson and secretary-general are elected at congress.
Insiders said there was a scheme to contest the positions held by Biti, Mafume, Ncube and others who were viewed as Chamisa’s close allies.
“Chamisa appears to be on his way to win the post of president, but his allies are being targeted. They want to suffocate him and leave him as a sitting duck. So it’s going to be a tough call for the likes of Biti and others,” another highly-placed source said.
But Mafume said it was too early to make conclusions: “Congress is still some way off. The party is thanking supporters and voters for its victory in the past elections, regardless of the grand theft. We are also concentrating on fighting to reclaim that victory so the nomination process has not begun.”
He said the MDC was also aware that Zanu PF could be actively funding people to destabilise Chamisa’s party.
The post Vultures circle over Chamisa appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.
the latest articles 56656 Charlton Hwende 29 Douglas Mwonzora 183 mdc 589 Nelson Chamisa 1945 zanu pf 3011
Hwange: a sore thumb on a decomposing body
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Chilean Winemaker Aurelio Montes to Start Napa Label
Two Cabernet-based blends will debut in 2006
James Molesworth
Chile has historically provided fertile ground for outside wine companies to invest in, with big names such as Lafite Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild and other high-profile vintners involved in ventures there. But now, Viña Montes—one of Chile's biggest names—is turning the tables with its own project in a high-profile region, becoming the first Chilean winery to set up shop in California. Production of two Cabernet-based wines is slated for the 2006 vintage.
"We are in Napa because we love challenges, and we want to prove ourselves against the big names in the valley," said Viña Montes co-owner and head winemaker Aurelio Montes.
Montes, considered one of Chile's most experienced and respected winemakers, will source grapes from Napa Valley vineyards in the Oakville, Stags Leap and Yountville districts for the as-yet-unnamed project. Montes has a one-year contract for grapes in 2006, and then will begin to look for longer-term sources.
"My policy in every country, even in Chile, is to sign long-term contracts only when the quality of grapes has been proven," said Montes. "Napa is no different, so we will be scanning the whole area to get hold of the best grapes in the region in the long term."
The top wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, will retail for around $70, while a second wine made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of other varieties, possibly including Syrah again, is earmarked for a $45 price point. Total production for the project is slated to be around 6,600 cases in the 2006 vintage, with plans to grow to about 15,000 cases, one-third of which will be the top wine. Montes will make the wines at the Artesa winery facility located in Carneros. Montes is considering building his own facility down the road, assuming the project flourishes.
Montes is no stranger to high-end Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, as his top Chilean wines (Alpha M and Folly), which feature these varieties, have been among the top-rated wines from Chile in recent years.
In Napa, Montes will have local help. Working with him as a consultant on the project is Larry Levin, former head winemaker at Franciscan. The two met while Levin was at Franciscan, and they kept in touch while Levin consulted at Chile's Veramonte winery.
The Napa project comes on the heels of Montes' expansion into Argentina, along with a newly built winery in Chile's Colchagua Valley for Montes' existing brands.
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Best Cell Phone Plans in Stennis Space Center, MS
Mississippi>
Stennis Space Center
Find and compare the best cell phone plans in Stennis Space Center, MS at Wirefly. Which cell phone carrier has the best coverage in your area? Click the carrier logos below to launch their coverage maps. Then, use our tool below to compare the price and features of each carrier’s plans. Smaller carriers and MVNOs typically run on the networks of one of the big four carriers you see below.
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Selecting the right cell phone plan
Although Stennis Space Center, MS residents had relatively few choices at one time, various carriers now offer a tremendous variety of cell phone plans. It has become relatively easy to find affordable services with desirable features. Nonetheless, it's important for people to think about what they actually need and the amounts they can afford to pay. Some plans might look appealing at first, but a little research may reveal equivalent options that cost considerably less.
Cell phone subscribers often end up using the same providers for many months or years. It's worth making an effort to carefully compare a wide range of plans before selecting a company. This can take a long time when people manually check the rates of different services. Wirefly makes this process faster and easier. It automatically compares various plans and helps users identify the most desirable options.
Coverage is still king: a few things to keep in mind
Coverage has gotten dramatically better for all carriers in the last few years, especially for Sprint and T-Mobile. While the country's two smallest carriers often had their coverage compared to Swiss cheese in the early 2000s, their LTE networks today are fully modernized, dense, and ready to perform well even during times of peak demand. With that said, it's a good idea to take a look at independent test results that show the strengths of each network. These tests, performed by RootMetrics, will help clarify which carrier is best for clear calls, fast data, or consistent texting.
Best for Calls: For the third time in two years, RootMetrics testing found that all four major carriers are almost the same in Stennis Space Center, MS when it comes to 'call performance.' This indicates that all four carriers have crystal clear calls, and that all four carriers rarely drop a call that has been initiated. That's great news if your main area of usage each month is wireless minutes.
Best for Texting: During the second half of 2016, RootMetrics testing found that AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile were tied for first place in overall texting performance. All three carriers had a near-100-percent success rate in sending and delivering texts. Sprint's texting performance was just a bit shy of making this metric a four-way tie.
Best for Data-Heavy Usage: This category is a bit more nuanced than the others. Overall, Verizon's LTE network delivered both the fastest speeds and the most reliable connections to customers in Stennis Space Center, MS. T-Mobile's average data speed increased dramatically in 2016, however, and AT&T showed improvement in average speeds as well.
Breadth of Coverage: All four carriers have an extremely broad network in Stennis Space Center, MS, with coverage almost everywhere. Sprint, which is still expanding its LTE network, has slightly less high-speed coverage. Even so, it has the high-density city and suburban areas covered very well.
Getting started: what different kinds of cell phone plans exist?
While the American wireless industry is changing rapidly and becoming exceedingly competitive, the overall premise of wireless plans remains the same. In Stennis Space Center, MS, you'll be able to choose from a family plan, an individual postpaid line, or prepaid plans that present no long-term contract or device financing requirements. Here's the basics on each type of plan available:
Family plans are the most popular type of cell phone plan in the United States. Family plans enable multiple people in a family or small business to share a single account, dividing line and data fees across several different people in order to get a less expensive monthly cost of service for each person on the plan. Most carriers offer deep discounts on the price of a GB of data for multi-line accounts, making it cheaper for everyone. However, multi-line accounts are also hard to move between carriers due to different device payment plans and coverage concerns.
Individual Plans
Individual plans enable a single person to pick the amount of data they need each month for themselves. Though these plans are typically more expensive than family plans, individual plans are simpler to manage and are geared towards people who do not want to share expenses and device upgrades with friends or members of their family.
Prepaid plans have become far more ubiquitous these days. The majority of prepaid plans offer more data at a lower cost than an individual plan at a major carrier, but still offer many of the most popular phones. In addition, prepaid family plans offer more inexpensive costs for multi-line accounts than some traditional family plans at the 'Big 4' carriers. These plans are usually ineligible for device financing, which means you'll likely have to pay full price to buy a new smartphone.
Which cell phone plan should you choose?
During the process of selecting a plan, you'll need to consider the number of people who will be covered and what kinds of features they'll need to have. Most service providers divide these plan features into one of these three categories: minutes, texts, and data usage.
Inexpensive contract plans restrict the number of minutes and/or texts to around 400 or fewer. Unrestricted plans are more cost-efficient if you text or talk frequently throughout the day and can't abide any limitations. With prepaid plans, you usually fund your phone card with cash to purchase minutes, which are available per minute or in a bundle, like 500 minutes for 20 dollars. After you've used up your minutes, you must buy more.
How much data you use is an important consideration when selecting plans these days. Many Stennis Space Center, MS providers charge a lot for heavy data usage, and there aren't many unlimited wireless data packages on the market. Plans are usually charged according to MB and GB usage. Sometimes, exceeding your data capacity can result in costly penalty fees. To avoid these unwanted charges, choose a data package that can handle the amount of data you use.
Different carriers to choose from in Stennis Space Center, MS
You can choose from many different carriers when you live in Stennis Space Center, MS, as they all offer coverage in this area. Lesser known carriers, or MVNOs, still operate under a main carrier network, so it is still a good chance your city is covered by them.
AT&T has a number of plan types available with their company. Their plans include contract, family, individual and pay-as-you-go.
Sprint is one of the few wireless companies that offers unlimited 4G LTE data and is a good choice when you don't want to worry about overages. They also offer a new option called the Better Choice Plan.
Verizon is one of the leading cell phone carriers that offer individual, family and no contract cell phone plans. Shared plans can include unlimited texting and talk, along with different amounts of data coverage.
The “uncarrier”, as T-Mobile is known, offers plans that do not require a contract ever. T-Mobile sells family plans as well as individual ones, and T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice are two plans that give consumers unlimited data, talk and text for one price.
Our tools here on Wirefly will help you find the best cell phone plan for you and your family. Compare rates and find the best coverage when you live in the Stennis Space Center, MS area today.
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7 Miles Beneath The Sea’s Surface: Who Goes There?
Friday, December 19, 2014 by Christopher Joyce (NPR)
The research vessel Falkor in August 2013.
Image credit: Courtesy of Mark Schrope
A ship full of marine scientists is floating over the deepest part of the world: the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench. They’re sending down probes to study life in one of the most hostile environments on the planet.
This week the researchers are targeting the two deepest spots in the trench — the Sirena Deep and the Challenger Deep — which each extend down about seven miles beneath the ocean’s surface.
Douglas Bartlett, from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is the chief scientist aboard the research vessel Falkor, which is operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Bartlett describes undersea trenches like the Mariana, which stretches hundreds of miles across the floor of the western Pacific, as “inverted islands of biodiversity.”
Only recently, Bartlett says, have scientists been able to study how specialized the organisms are that live at such depths, how abundant they are and what they do.
Not many living things can survive the intense, near-freezing temperature. It’s dark and the pressure is 16,000 pounds per square inch. (Consider, for comparison, that the air in a car tire is about 30 pounds per square inch.) Bartlett says the pressures in the depths of the trench are similar to those on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.
The team is dropping instrument decks to the bottom, each one about the size of a refrigerator. Designed to float back up on command, each such package of instruments bristles with cameras, water samplers and even traps with bait in them to attract deep-sea animals.
“We use chicken,” Bartlett says, “which can be very dramatic when you see what these scavengers do to chicken. It’s incredible.”
The normal diet for scavengers on the bottom falls like manna from above — the remains of dead sea-creatures drifting down like snow.
Among the bottom-dwellers are shrimp-like crawlers called amphipods. Bartlett says they look tasty, “but when you cut one open … there’s nothing there, just guts and organs and very, very little muscle.”
The team’s deep sea probes are also collecting microorganisms, mud and seawater. Two huge plates of the Earth’s crust meet in this trench, and scientists suspect that some forms of life there may draw energy from chemicals that seep up from within the Earth.
The probes also have enabled the first-ever audio analysis of what the bottom of the trench sounds like. David Barclay from Canada’s Dalhousie University, says it’s pretty quiet down there, as you might imagine, though he think’s they’ve already detected the rumble of a distant earthquake.
“One of the main goals of this cruise,” Barclay says, “is to figure out [if] we hear any biological noise from the things that are presumably eating at the baited traps.”
The team has about a week at sea to capture those sounds and any others.
Tags: mariana trench, pacific
Posted in NPR News
1 Man Christmas Carol, 5k Holiday Run and More
Spotlight: The Gift of Florida Oranges
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U.S. Yahoo Lifestyle
Boy's 'ice cold beer' stand prompts calls to police - turns out to be root beer
Upon further investigation, authorities determined that the young entrepreneur’s "ICE COLD BEER" business was not illegal -just ingenious.
Boy, 11, Uses 'Ice Cold Beer' Sign to Sell Soda with 'Ingenious' Fine Print and Police Are Impressed
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Tucker Guest: ‘People of Color’ Label Is Racist Because It Gives ‘Virtue’ to Dark Skin
Moments after the crowd at President Trump’s Wednesday night rally chanted “Send Her Back!” at Somalia-born Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a guest on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight argued that the term “people of color” should be done away with because it gives people with dark skin “special virtue.”While airing the president’s rally in the background, host Tucker Carlson invited conservative art critic and commentator Roger Kimball on to help decide whether or not America is a racist country.“Is America more racist than it was five years ago? Ten years ago?” Carlson asked.“Clearly not,” Kimball replied, adding that both the country as a whole and college campuses are “less racist” than they ever have been. He then pivoted to taking aim at the four Democratic congresswomen of color that have recently been the target of racist attacks by Trump, calling them the “Juvenile Squad.”Claiming that the young lawmakers-Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley-aren’t really legislators but instead “burnishing their own celebrity,” Kimball then issued a request.“I wish they would give the phrase ‘people of color’ a rest,” he declared. “We need to retire that phrase because it is a racist phrase.”“What does that mean?” Carlson asked.“You are a nice color, Tucker,” Kimball said. “I think of myself as being sort of a pleasing pink. But everyone has a color.”“It is a racist term because the idea is that somehow you are trapped by your skin color,” he continued. “That having dark skin imbues you with a special virtue, and having white skin imbues you with a special evil, or a liability, and that is a racist idea.”Kimball went on to call for the media to stand up against the use of the term because, in his view, it is being “used as a bludgeon to criminalize policy differences and criminalize differences of opinion.”Carlson, meanwhile, lamented that many people allow the use of the label to go unchallenged because they “are remarkably passive in the face of hyperaggressive racists like Ilhan Omar.”The Fox News host has been hyper-focused on Omar of late, devoting large chunks of his program to extremely negative coverage of the Muslim congresswoman. Earlier this month, the anti-immigrant host accused Omar-a U.S. citizen who immigrated from Somalia-of despising America and described her as a “living fire alarm” for the country's immigration laws.Following widespread outrage over his remarks, Carlson doubled down the following night, devoting the first 20 minutes of his show to blasting Omar and inviting a guest on who said the Minnesota lawmaker “would be a member of the KKK” if she weren’t in Congress.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Sports Yahoo Sport UK
Sporting world rocked by tragic death of 36-year-old world champ
Tributes are being paid to former judo world champion Craig Fallon, following his death at the age of 36.
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ALG8
Expression Help
ALG8 / YOR067C Expression
Referenced datasets may contain one or more condition(s), and as a result there may be a greater number of conditions than datasets represented in a single clickable histogram bar. The histogram division at 0.0 separates the down-regulated (green) conditions and datasets from those that are up-regulated (red). Datasets are assigned one or more categories to facilitate grouping, filtering and browsing. Expression data are derived from records contained in the Gene Expression Omnibus, and are first log2 transformed and normalized. The PCL files generated for each dataset are used to populate the expression analysis tool SPELL.
No expression data for ALG8.
View genes with similar expression profiles using SPELL (Serial Pattern of Expression Levels Locator).
Datasets are used to populate the expression analysis tool SPELL and may contain data for more than one unique experimental condition. All data is log2 transformed and normalized, and the files are provided in PCL format. Short descriptions of the experimental focus are provided, as are categories, assigned based on the area(s) of biology investigated and used in SPELL to group and filter like data. The number of unique experimental conditions are indicated and all datasets are referenced.
Increase the total number of rows displayed on this page using the pull-down located below the table, or use the page scroll at the table's top right to browse through the table's pages; use the arrows to the right of a column header to sort by that column; filter the table using the "Filter" box at the top of the table; download this table as a .txt file using the Download button;
Number of Conditions
Similar Gene Expression Profiles
This diagram displays a gene network based on correlated expression profiles (purple lines) between the given gene (yellow circle) and genes that share expression profiles (gray circles). The correlation coefficient is calculated between every pair of genes in every dataset, then the number of datasets in which the pair of genes has a significant correlation with one another is determined. The network displays the genes whose expression is correlated with the given gene in the largest number of datasets. Please note that SPELL use a different algorithm to make a global calculation taking into account all the datasets at once, and may therefore display a different set of correlated genes.
Click on a gene to go to its specific page within SGD; drag any of the gene objects around within the visualization for easier viewing. Filter similar genes by adjusting the number of datasets in which their expression profiles are highly correlated with the gene of interest by clicking anywhere on the slider bar or dragging the tab to the desired filter number. Click “Reset” to automatically redraw the diagram.
Cell cycle and metabolic oscillation | Cell cycle transcript profile | Cyclebase | dHITS | FuncBase | GermOnline | SPELL
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Watch The Opposite of Sex
"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be offended"
Scandalous. That is the only way to describe what happens when an angry teen runs away from her mother and goes to find her gay half-brother like in The Opposite of Sex starring Christina Ricci. You might expect a settled teacher in a nice home would be a calming influence on such a girl, but only if she let him. If she instead decided to seduce his younger lover and become pregnant, there would be a much different outcome.
Then you might expect impending motherhood to have a positive influence on a young girl. Or, she might steal the ashes of her brother’s former dead love, his current living love and some money and show up later with a plan to blackmail him for even more money. There are a few turns that you don’t quite expect including the fate of the baby.
Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow, Lyle Lovett
Don Roos
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The Opposite of Sex Trailer|1:45
Watch The Opposite of Sex Online - Watch online anytime anywhere: Stream, Download, Buy
The Opposite of Sex is currently available to watch and stream, download, buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Google Play, FandangoNow, iTunes, YouTube VOD online.
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Thomas Rhett Dedicates New Single To His Wife
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Billtown’s barn-raising displays positive power of giving
We heard the cheers from half a block away: A pickup truck filled with kids whooped and waved their arms when they realized the new playground had finally opened.
By Joanie Stiers
Chairperson, Playground Barn-Raising Committee
We heard the cheers from half a block away: A pickup truck filled with kids whooped and waved their arms when they realized the new playground had finally opened. Coincidentally, our playground committee had just removed the security fence minutes ahead of their unplanned arrival. The kids sprinted from the truck to climb, spin, swing, slide and jump, and our smiles widened as big as theirs.
That symbolic impromptu moment showed the grateful community acceptance we wanted to achieve. More than two-and-a-half years prior, our Williamsfield Parks Association and Williamsfield FFA Alumni & Friends first talked about this ambitious playground idea for our park. To see the final product and the excitement of those families gave us a glimpse of the positive impact this playground would have on our small, farming town for generations. Today, Williamsfield families no longer drive 25 miles roundtrip to find a modern park playground. They have a first-class playground in their hometown’s park thanks to the generosity of people.
For the nearly 160 donors and volunteers, a visit to the new playground at Doubet-Benjamin Park in Williamsfield means more than playtime for kids and grandkids. They emotionally bought into this project. Each component carries a meaning and shares a story that started in early 2016, when volunteers from the Williamsfield Parks Association and Williamsfield FFA Alumni & Friends pooled their interests and resources to create the Playground Barn-Raising Project. The project morphed into an ambitious effort to first raise $150,000 and then to raise a destination playground barn, several free-standing playground accessories, a safety surface, trees and benches in the park at the northwest corner of town.
Before we printed the first brochure for this farm-themed playground, our volunteer organizations spent more than a year researching, setting goals and developing a campaign plan. One of the best decisions we made included a partnership with the Galesburg Community Foundation to manage our project’s funds for a nominal fee. This saved significant amounts of volunteer bookkeeping. The partnership also added a greater level of credibility to the campaign, which sought to raise and manage $150,000 – an ambitious goal for a playground in a 550-resident town.
Foundation staff surpassed our expectations as they shared advice to help us run a professional fundraising campaign. They cheered for us throughout the journey and guided us through significant campaign milestones.
With funds raised, the equipment arrived, and the parts for the barn alone filled a 40-foot flatbed trailer. We gathered volunteers – farmers, carpenters, FFA members and other residents with skills and equipment – to build the barn. Hard work and rural ingenuity secured roof panels 20 feet in the air, tightened 1,600 bolts and raised 200-pound steel poles on end. The entire playground project required 77 tractor-dug holes and the mixing of 10 tons of Quikrete – literal sweat equity.
Truly indescribable on many levels, this playground project represents one of the most remarkable events of my lifetime, and I sense that among fellow donors and volunteers. That big red barn creates memories for the region’s families, yet also symbolizes the power of collaborative philanthropy – the power of what people can do when they collectively give their funds, time, talents and hearts to attain a common goal. This legacy landmark embodies our small-town values and tells visitors that our community is passionately committed to youth and agriculture. That playground makes life better here. And you don’t even have to ask the kids and families. Just watch them.
GCF NEWS & STORIES
The transfer of wealth can have a giant impact right here at home
Reflecting on our history, looking toward our future
The decisions you make today about the legacy you wish to leave can change your community forever.
As we celebrate 15 years, we sat down to reflect on the most pivotal moments of the Community Foundations history. Here’s, a glance into our conversation.
Your Community Foundation is hiring a full-time Director of Finance & Operations.
Director of Communications, Karlie Elliott Bowman reflects on her 6 years working at Galesburg Community Foundation and what she’s learned.
Minute of Philanthropy
Each week we take a minute to highlight what’s happening in the world related to philanthropy.
Putting healthy meals on the table
Jamieson Community Center—like Galesburg Community Foundation—is committed to helping all community members realize their best self.
RECEIVE EMAILS FROM GCF
for the good of your community
246 E Main Street, Suite 101, Galesburg, IL 61401
Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30.
© 2018 Galesburg Community Foundation
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British Royal Family's Irish and Jewish Links
In the UK Daily Mail, 4 March 2009, A N Wilson asks: Were Queen Victoria and Prince Albert both illegitimate?
Wilson points out:
1. When George IV died, the throne passed to his younger brother King William IV.
William IV had ten children by the actress Mrs Jordan. But, William IV had no surviving legitimate children.
2. After William IV came Queen Victoria, daughter of the Duke of Kent.
3. The young Victoria had been dominated by 'the evil genius' of Sir John Conroy, an Irish soldier who was Comptroller of the Duchess's household.
Queen Victoria told the Duke of Wellington that one reason she hated Sir John was that she had witnessed 'some familiarities' between Conroy and her mother.
There is a suspicion that Victoria was Conroy's daughter.
The old Duke of Kent was well 'past it' at the time when Victoria was conceived.
Victoria's grandfather, George III, suffered from the condition known as porphyria, whose symptoms included 'madness'.
Not one of Queen Victoria's descendants has ever been recorded as having it.
Queen Victoria passed on haemophilia to her descendants.
Seventeen generations of the family on Queen Victoria's mother's side have been investigated by scientists at the Royal Society of Medicine. Not one has haemophilia.
Nor was there any haemophilia in the Royal Family before Victoria.
4. Victoria's husband Prince Albert may have been illegitimate. Albert's father may have been Jewish.
Albert's mother was dismissed from the court of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha for having an affair with the Jewish chamberlain, the Baron von Mayern.
Albert's father, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg had hereditary syphilis.
There is no trace of this in the life of Albert.
5. From Victoria and Albert are descended the royal families of Prussia (later Germany), Russia, Spain, Denmark, Greece and Sweden.
Labels: Albert, Famous People, Victoria
Read Greg Hallet's, 'How to Take Over the World: A Right Royal Con' for deep background.
Victoria was fathered by someone else...
Dear Free Thinker,
Very many thanks!
Greg Hallett's book is a work of fiction. I suggest that you read a legitimate book on history instead.
Mariel said...
Several descendants of Queen Victoria were known to have porphyria, unlike what this article states.
One was the present queen's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, who admitted he had it. Others were
Victoria's daughter Vickie and Vickie's daughter Charlotte, who were wife and daughter of the Kaiser. The Purple Secret is a book which tells how their bones were DNA's with the permission of their families. And they were positive for porphyria.
I found out a lot about the royals and porphyria because I have it, and I probably got it from my relatives' close relationship to the Stewart family in the Middle Ages. The gene is persistent.
I therefore believe that Queen Victoria was legitimate. Her father did die about a year after her birth, possibly from porphyria. He had to leave a beloved life partner to marry and have this heir to the throne.
Correction to above post on The DNA search in The Purple Secret. I just read the book, after having read about the research for years. Apparently the DNA of Victoria's descendants through her daughter Vicki was only through the grandaughter Charlotte. But the book gives ample evidence through letters between the related women that they suffered the same illness for much of their lives. Also the chapter on William of Gloucester, another direct descendant of Queen Victoria, gives ample proof of dx with Poprh by several physicians.
DaftAida said...
Hallett's work fills in the gaps to much of what I've researched before and backed by hard photographic and verifiable text. So hardly a 'work of fiction' and better by far than the usual theories.
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Daily Guide
The Reading Plan
Today’s Guide — 02.12.18 — Joseph Imprisoned and Treasures in Heaven
By Twenty NineFebruary 12, 2018 Daily Guide
Guide: Read Genesis 39; Luke 12:1-34 Listen to Seek Your Kingdom by @kingsKmusic; Pray for those consumed with worry; Memorize Luke 12:34
Verse of the Day: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 NIV
Song of the Day: See Your Kingdom by Kings Kaleidoscope — Youtube
Bible Reading: Genesis 39; Luke 12:1-34
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
Warnings and Encouragements
1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Worry
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be
Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
EgyptGenesisGospel of LukeHellJesusJosephNIVParablesPhariseesWorry
JoAnn S Neumann on Today’s Guide — 07.28.18 — The Fear of the Lord and Paul’s Prayer
bible books on Today’s Guide — 07.22.17 — David’s Mercy and to Live is Christ
nadya on Today’s Guide — 04.16.17 — Complain, Complain, Complain
Twenty Nine on Today’s Guide — 04.02.17 — God’s Glory and Stephen’s Message
Eric on Today’s Guide — 04.02.17 — God’s Glory and Stephen’s Message
Abraham Acts Book of Samuel David Death Egypt Evil Exodus Faith Genesis Gospel of John Gospel of Luke Grace Heaven Holy Spirit Isaiah Israel Jacob Jerusalem Jesus Joseph Joy Judah Judgement King Law Love Miracles Moses NIV NKJV NLT Paul Peter Philistines Praise Prayer Proverbs Psalms Righteousness Sacrifice Salvation Saul Sin Wisdom
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Doctor Who: The Four Doctors #4
By Milo Milton Jefferies
By Paul Cornell, Neil Edwards & Ivan Nunes
Paul Cornell and Neil Edwards take the weekly Four Doctors mini-series from Titan Books to all new heights, as we saw the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors working with their companions, Gabby, Alice and Clara to solidify one of the three alternate futures ahead of them. However, by accomplishing this, they did exactly what Clara was trying to prevent them from doing in the first place, and create a future where an alternate Twelfth Doctor’s existence has been ensured.
With some loose ends tied together from previous events, The Four Doctors #4 focuses on the Doctors’ strengths to their advantage, using great interactions to do so which continue to be the highlight of the comic. Watching each version of the Doctor interact with another is the main appeal of this series and it’s great to see that four issues in, it still manages to feel as fresh and exciting as ever with Cornell’s dialogue being fantastic and feeling( like it has done in the previous three issues) very much in character.
With the use of companions from the TV series, such as Clara, you never get the feeling that they’re in danger and that has been the problem in many of Titan’s Doctor Who books, with some of the suspense robbed. But the decision not to put Ten with Rose/Martha/Donna or Eleven with Amy/Rory keeps some elements fresh, as the suspense is kept high concerning Gabby and Alice’s characters. We don’t know if they’re going to make it out alive, and whilst Clara’s safe, it’s a less certain fate awaiting these two.
The artwork from Neil Edwards is again continuously solid and consistent, with attention to each of the smaller quirks of the Doctors – their dress sense in particular, being standout. The colours from Ivan Nunes are just as solid, and really help add to the Doctor Who feel of the universe, with the companions being brought to life just as well as the multiple locations, with the striking home of the aliens known as the Voord being brought to life in fascinating detail.
The issue itself does use a lot of exposition, yet is counterbalanced strongly with the action sequences which allows for a quick read. Cornell, Edwards and Nunes work together incredibly well to continue to give us an excellent multi-Doctor story that should be worth a look into for anyone who isn’t up to date on it already. Recommended.
TagsAliceAmyBBCCompanionDoctor WhoDoctor Who: The Four DoctorsDoctor Who: The Four Doctors #4Doctor's CompanionDonnaEleventh DoctorGabbyIvan NunesMarthaMilo Milton-JefferiesNeil EdwardsPaul CornellRoryRoseTenth DoctorThe Four DoctorsThe Four Doctors #4Time TravelTitanTitan BooksTitan ComicsTwelfth Doctor
BOOM! Studios Comic Releases September 9th, 2015
Unity #22
Milo Milton Jefferies
Outside of comics, Milo is into books/music/film/games/TV. He is a big fan of shows like The Magicians and Line of Duty, loves Civilization 6 and is a supporter of Arsenal FC. His favourite Marvel film is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and his favourite post-Nolan DC movie is Wonder Woman.
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News, Press Release, TV, TV/Movies
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Wonder Twins #1
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Alx Klive's Blog
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written by smashing
Hello! My name is Alx Klive (not a misspell) and my day job is CEO at Affinity Media and 360 Designs. I’m an ideas guy at heart but I’m also known for being entrepreneurial and making stuff. This is my personal blog, and I’ve been blogging in one form or another since the late 90’s.
This is quite a lengthy background. If you fancy something shorter, my LinkedIn is here. This is more fun and informal… I hope!
I grew up in London having a series of entrepreneurial endeavours while still at school… Mail-order software for Commodore computers, selling jokes and tricks, and running my own roving mobile disco. It was a growing interest in nightlife that led me to working at the Mud Club – London’s answer to Studio 54.
When the club closed its doors in ’91, I set off for North America seeking new adventures, and started organizing huge dance music events called Chemistry. Details Magazine called them “one of the best nights out in North America” and I was later credited for starting the rave (now EDM) scene in Canada.
Following an appearance on the North American TV show Electric Circus, I started working on the show, installing dancers on the roof of the TV station, and in silhouetted windows across the building. Later I moved into News as an Assignment Editor, before becoming a roving Videographer for CityTV/MuchMusic/Bravo.
I was lucky enough to travel the world, interviewing the likes of Dennis Hopper, Hilary Clinton, Isabella Rosellini and The Fugees to name a few. When I randomly found myself in London at the time of Princess Diana’s funeral, I was thrown into the spotlight, presenting the lead story for the 6 O’Clock News in Canada. My most insane TV experience though was hanging out with Hunter S Thompson – which nearly killed me, but is an experience I’ll never forget, and one I can’t write here.
In the mid 90’s I’d started learning HTML and VRML, and began developing websites for CityTV and others. Picking up an idea I’d conceived in ’95, I left CityTV in 1998 and began working on WorldTV.com – “a global Internet News and Content Network produced by amateur videographers from around the World”. When it became clear the Internet bubble was about to burst, I shelved the plans, vowing to relaunch WorldTV later on.
Instead I launched the Millennium Photo Project, a crowdsourced effort to document the 24 hours at the turning of the Millennium – through the eyes of thousands of photographers worldwide. Covered by CNN, the BBC and Wall Street Journal, it quickly grew into the largest photojournalism project in history, and was quite probably the very first online crowdsourcing / crowdfunding campaign. A book, Dawn of the 21st Century was made of the project, and if it weren’t for George Bush and ‘hanging chads’, I’d have been on Oprah and her book club, in all likelihood certainly selling hundreds of thousands of additional copies. (It turns out luck is quite a big part of entrepreneurship).
I returned to the UK in 2001, working as a Technology Reporter for CNBC Europe, and interviewing leading CEO’s on the challenges posed by new technology. In 2007 I filed a patent for a Virtual Reality Time Machine and these days I’m both working on and writing a lot about VR. I’m a closet inventor, and the patent system makes this extremely hard for individuals. It’s a cause I’m increasingly committed to fixing.
My main entrepreneurial influence is Steve Jobs and a myriad of other entrepreneurs and visionaries like Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, James Dyson and Elon Musk. The nightlife scene has also been a major influence on my life too, and the myriad of awesome people I’ve met through that scene.
I don’t write here nearly as often I do write here more often than in the past. If I have something long form to muse or rant about, it’s typically here that I do… Occasionally I post on Twitter, tend to be more active with friends on Facebook, and most recently I’ve launched a new startup making professional VR cameras. If you have any interest in VR video, feel free to get in touch.
November 1, 2005 written by smashing in About the Author
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Copyright 2005-2015 Alx Klive. All Rights Reserved.
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Sea Venom with Blue Jay AAM's
Golden Wings Series
by: Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]
The Sea Venom was a navalised version of the Venom NF.2 two-seat night fighter, and was used as an all-weather fighter and strike aircraft by the Fleet Air Arm [FAA] and the Australian Navy. The French Navy also operated the Aquilon, a version of the Sea Venom FAW.20 licence-built by SNCASE [Sud-Est].
The necessary modifications for use on the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers included folding wings, a tail hook [which retracted into a characteristic "lip" over the jet pipe] and strengthened, long-stroke undercarriage. The canopy was modified to allow ejection from underwater. The first prototype made its first flight in 1951, and began carrier trials that same year. A further two prototypes were built. The first production Sea Venom took the designation FAW.20 [Fighter, All-Weather]. It was powered by a single de Havilland Ghost 103 turbojet engine and its armament was the same as the RAF version. The next variant was the FAW.21, which included the modifications introduced in the Venom NF.2A and NF.3. Some of these modifications included the Ghost 104 engine, a clear-view canopy and American radar. The final Royal Navy variant was theFAW.22 powered by the Ghost 105 engine. A total of 39 of this type were built in 1957–58. Some were later fitted out with the de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missile.
Seven FAW.21’s were modified in 1958 for Electronic Counter Measures [ECM] purposes, with the cannon replaced by the ECM equipment. These became the ECM.21. 831 Naval Air Squadron, the sole squadron to be equipped with it, was shore-based at RAF Witton RAF from 1963 and disbanded in 1966. Converted FAW.22s was similarly known as the ECM.22.
The Blue Jay Missile was born from the over ambitious objectives for the Firestreak project. At the time technology needed to catch up to the technical demands required for the Firestreak. A lower specification was released in 1951 resulting in de Havilland designing and building the experimental missile code named Blue Jay. The IR seeker was mounted under an eight-faceted conical nose. The unusual faceted nose was chosen when a more conventional hemispherical nose proved prone to ice accretion. There were two rows of triangular windows in bands around the forward fuselage; behind which sat the optical proximity fuses for the warhead. The warhead was at the rear of the missile, wrapped around the exhaust of the Magpie rocket. The first airborne launch of Blue Jay took place in 1955 from a de Havilland Venom. The target drone, a Fairey Firefly was destroyed. Blue Jay Mk.1 entered service in 1957 with the RAF and was known operationally as the Firestreak. Firestreak was deployed by the Royal Navy and the RAF in August 1958. It was fitted to a few Sea Venom FAW.22’s. It was the first effective British air-to-air missile.
The kit is contained in a top opening box; the lid has a very fine illustration of a Sea Venoms FAW.21 firing off a Blue Jay. The whole thing is a bit spurious as only the Sea Venom FAW.22 was equipped with Firestreak [Blue Jay Mk I]. Underneath the box are several CAD views of the kit. The plastic sprues are contained in two bags and the photo etched fret, decal sheet and canopy are wrapped separately. The box contains:
-4 x light grey plastic sprues.
-1 x small clear plastic sprue.
-1 x small photo etched fret.
-1 x decal sheet.
-1 x construction and painting guide.
Cockpit: is made up from five parts: a one piece floor and rear wall, two separate side panels, a one piece forward instrument panel and flight control stick for the pilot. The side instrument panel on the portside has a couple of low relief trim wheels moulded on the surface, but other than that both side instrument side panels are devoid of any detail. The forward instrument panel although it has some detail does look a little odd, particularly on the navigator’s side. To be fair to Dragon, it looks like they have lifted the detail from the FAW 21 displayed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, in Yeovilton, UK. The instrument panel of the FAA museums Venom has a few instruments missing on the navigator’s side. The internal detail on top of the fuselage just behind the two seats is very simplified. The two basic looking one piece bang seats are significantly undersized in scale. Unfortunately swapping the kit seats for seats more suiting the scale is not the answer as they will not fit. Which suggests the size of the cockpit is not quite right. The sill that the canopy fits on is very wide so trimming this down may help with the fit of more scale sized seats. The two seater Venom cockpit was a particularly tight fit and the seats were built quite small, but not as small as the kit parts suggest. The fit of the completed cockpit fits positively into the top of the undercarriage in the lower fuselage half.
Canopy: is one piece and is nicely moulded, but the dimensions looks suspect. The windscreen on the kit looks too square in shape compared to photos. Also the length looks too short. Dragon has made an excellent attempt to replicate the complex double curved shape of the canopy.
Fuselage and inner wing: The fuselage halves, which are split vertically, incorporate the inner wing. I don’t normally work out scale dimensions from aircraft specifications, but the length and wingspan is pretty spot on. The cross section of the fuselage looks a little odd particularly around the cockpit. The distinctive double vanes that are located in the engine air intakes are four individual parts. Oddly the fitting of the four parts don’t get a mention in the instructions, the illustration of the lower wing suggest they are moulded with the wing. There are positive slots for the vanes that will allow the fitting of the after the upper and lower halves of the fuselage/wing is joined. The air intake ducts are two pieces; each part is spoiled by two recessed ejector pin marks on the inner surfaces. The shape of the ducts does prevent any view of the engine compressor blades. The engine access panel on top of the fuselage is a separate part and allows the chance to see the de Havilland Ghost engine that is included with this release. The separate air intake that is attached to the access panel is nicely done. The shape of the fuselage towards the rear looks good and captures the distinctive look of the real thing. The one piece arrestor hook can be displayed retracted or extended.
There should be gun cartridge ejection chutes for the underside of the fuselage, but none are included. The distinctive air intake on the access hatch just aft of the radome is a missing detail. I am not sure why Dragon has decided to have the two access hatches either side of the forward fuselage as separate parts, as there is no detail in the bay if you want them open. It does complicate the build a little for no reason.
The flaps on the inner wing are separate parts with commendably thin trailing edges. Dragon have not taken the opportunity to detail the inside of the wing that will show if you decide to drop the flaps, but there are a rather obvious raised ejection marks on the inside of the upper wing. The wing fold joint on the inner wing has separate detailed ribs to insert if you want to display the wings folded.
The front and part of the main undercarriage bays are very shallow in depth, but they do have some good low relief detail in them.
de Havilland Ghost engine : is beautifully replicated in eight parts. The 10 combustor chambers look resin like in their detail. The jet pipe is two pieces and sandwiches the separate low pressure turbine which has some very fine fan blades moulded on it. The lip of the jet pipe is nicely thin.
Tail boom: Each boom is one piece and very nicely moulded. Unlike many previous kits of the Vampire/Venom the tail booms are full length and extend across the upper wing. To help with a attachment there are a couple pins on each boom that fit into holes in the upper wing providing a very positive fit. Shape of the fin and rudder looks good; the pitot probe is moulded on top of the port tail fin. The horizontal stabiliser is one piece with separate and positionable one piece elevator.
The outer wings: are built from upper and lower halves. The wing tip fuel tanks are moulded onto the wings. The ailerons are separate and one piece and each has a locating tab for a positive fit. There is some rib detail at the fold joint incorporated in the upper wing. The wing fences are separate photo etched parts and fit into a groove moulded on the wing
Wingfold: Dragon have given the modeler the opportunity to display the Sea Venom with the wings folded or extended. If you go for the wings folded option, then there some good rib and hinge detail at the wing fold joint. I am a bit dubious with the supplied attachment parts if you want the wings extended. They are very small, it would be better to glue the outer and inner parts of the wing together before assembling the two halves of the aircraft.
Undercarriage the two piece nose wheel has some fine detail on the hubs, the oleo is also two piece with some excellent detail. The oleo is a bit short, because of the shallow bay. The detail is very good and looks accurate. There is the possibility that the wheel will rotate if you wish. The main wheels are two part split vertically. There is the option of being able to rotate the wheels if you add the separate spindle. The oleo legs and undercarriage doors are nicely detailed.
The Blue Jay missile looks a little odd. The main fins look too wide and not quite long enough. The seeker head on the real thing is a faceted glass; Dragon has gone for a sort of fluted grey plastic look and does not look very convincing.
Markings: there is just the one option with this release:
XG 607 No Squadron details or date.
Upper surfaces are painted extra dark sea grey and the under surface is sky.
Decals: are printed by Cartograf and they look superb you may not be to surprised to read. Colour density and definition is excellent and there is minimal carrier film. There are plenty of stencils included and they are all legible. The red wing walkways are also included.
Instructions: the black line illustration are very helpful and there are eight stages of construction. Ignore the first stage of the construction process. Dragon would have you gluing the undercarriage in first. The painting guide includes separate side profile views for stencil placement. To help with painting there are upper and lower plan as well as port and starboard side profile of both aircraft featured. Paint references are for Model Master, Aqueous Hobby Color and Mr Color, no Federal Standard references are provided.
Dry fit is generally very good. The two tail booms and horizontal stabiliser fit very positively. The only slight fit issue is the radome, although the shape matches the shape of the fuselage, the flange on the radome prevents a snug fit. So the best bet is to remove the flange. This could be a great weekend build for you speed builders out there.
Well despite the question about the look of the windscreen and those undersized seats this certainly looks a handsome looking 1/72 Sea Venom. The breakdown of the parts generally is very well thought out and to put the kit together you will not need anything more than liquid glue. Even dry fitting the components the kit is a joy to put together. There no hefty sprue attachment points to the parts and there are two excellent choices of markings. Nicely done Dragon, nicely done.
Highs: Pretty well designed kit with good fitting parts.
Lows: Some shape issues including small cockpit, windscreen shape, forward fuselage cross section, seats, and shallow front wheel bay.
Verdict: Despite the grumbles I do like the look of this kit and will certainly look like a very handsome Sea Venom. Look out for a build log in the very near future.
Mfg. ID: 5108
Suggested Retail: TBA
Our Thanks to Cyber-Hobby.com!
About Tim Hatton (litespeed)
FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
Aircraft are my primary interest from WWll to present day.
Copyright ©2019 text by Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.
phantom_phanatic309
It looks nice. The only gripe I have is the pricing. £30+???? That's pushing the limits for a fairly priced 1/48, at 1/72 that's a rip off in my opinion. Airfix and Revell would ask no more than £12.99 if they did it.
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AFED Highlights
This edition of AFED Highlights covers the period following AFED Annual Conference.
∙ AFED Report at SwitchMed, Arab League, and Gulf Energy Conference- Cairo, Barcelona, Manama
Findings of the AFED survey on consumption patterns in Arab countries were presented and debated at the Mediterranean conference SwitchMed in Barcelona. For details: http://afed.me/1PWLxLT.AFED report on sustainable consumption was presented in a plenary session at the second International energy management conference, held in Bahrain between in Bahrain between 7--8 December 2015. Dr. Ibrahim Abdel Gelil, the co-editor of the report, presented the highlights and the 2015 AFED public survey results on sustainable consumption. For details:http://afed.me/1L2DBHD. Secretary General Najib Saab also presented the main findings of the report and recommendations of AFED conference to the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) at its 27th session in Cairo. For details: http://afed.me/20weV6K.
∙ Adapting to Paris Climate Deal- Paris
AFED participated in the Climate Summit (COP 21) in Paris, with a multidisciplinary delegation, headed by AFED Secretary General Najib Saab, and including 5 members from across the Arab countries who are business, civil society and academic leaders; in addition to Dr. Mohamed El Ashry, AFED Vice Chairman. AFED had prepared a background paper on the state of climate negotiations, and worked with various Arab parties to help reach a fair deal. Secretary General commented on the negotiations and the outcome on 18 regional and international networks. For details:http://afed.me/1SOmwrn, http://afed.me/1PWLNdD, http://afed.me/20wf623.
∙ AFED to Cooperate with UNEP on Green Economy- Geneva, 11 January
AFED participated in the global meeting of the High-Level Group (HLG) which advises UNEP on its forthcoming flagship report, Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6), which traces environmental trends and prospects. The meeting convened between 11-13 January at the International Conference Centre in Geneva. Secretary General submitted AFED remarks on the drafts of the regional section of the report, and the structure of the global report. AFED annual reports are being extensively used as references for GEO-6. For details:http://afed.me/1UNlbAj
∙ Secretary General at GEO Meeting, Geneva, 14 January
AFED Secretary General Najib Saab met at the European Headquarters of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Geneva officials from UNEP's Green Economy, Finance Initiative and Disaster Management branches. Cooperation was discussed on programs covering Green Economy and the financial and banking sectors. The Secretary General also met the Executive Secretary of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, RolphPayet, at the Secretariat's office in Geneva.
∙ AFED at the 6th Session of IRENA Assembly- Abu Dhabi, 16-17 January
Dr. Ibrahim Abdel Gelil, AFED Senior Advisor, represented AFED at the 6th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) that was held in Abu Dhabi during the period 16-17 January 2016. 150 member countries, along with 140 regional and international organizations, attended the meeting. The Assembly discussed sustainable energy and future of renewables. For details: http://afed.me/1PkifHD
∙ AFED Sustainable Consumption Report in Abu Dhabi Water Summit, Abu Dhabi, 18-21 January
AFED 2015 Annual Report on sustainable consumption was presented at the International Water Summit (IWS) in Abu Dhabi, which convened, in conjunction with World Future Energy Summit (WFES), in the context of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Dr. Ibrahim Abdel Gelil, co-editor of the report, presented its main findings and recommendations, along with AFED public survey results on sustainable consumption, with special focus on water related issues. The presentation attracted interest and triggered lively debate, with many participants ordering copies of the AFED report.For details:http://afed.me/1PWngvB
∙ New Documentaries from AFED, January
AFED produced four short documentaries on the topics of: Desert (Manmade Deserts), Seas (Seas Support Lives), Waste (Solid Waste) and Air (The Air We Breathe). Several prominent Arab experts participated in these documentaries, which are intended for television, awareness campaigns and education programs. They have been made available to the public on YouTube, and distributed to national and regional TV networks. The duration of these short documentaries ranges between 4 to 6 minutes. They are added to the environmental educational documentaries already produced by AFED, which include: "Testimony of an Old Man" in 2008, "Wet and Dry" in 2009, "The Last Drop" in 2010, "Green Change" in 2011, "Survival Options" in 2012, "Powering the Arab Future," in 2013 and "Feeding 400 Million Arabs" in 2014. To watch and download: http://afed.me/1SNRik5.
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Comparing Treatment Persistence, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Costs in Adult Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Treated with Escitalopram or Citalopram
March/April 2011, Vol 4, No 2 - Business, Original Research
Eric Q. Wu, PhD
Paul E. Greenberg, MA
Rym Ben-Hamadi, MSc
Andrew P. Yu, PhD
Elaine H. Yang, PhD
M. Haim Erder, PhD
Background: Major depressive disorder is the most common type of depression, affecting 6.6% of adults in the United States annually. Citalopram and escitalopram are common second-generation antidepressants used for the treatment of patients with this disorder. Because citalopram is available in generic forms that have lower acquisition costs compared with the branded escitalopram, some health plans may provide incentives to encourage the use of the generic option. Decisions based solely on drug acquisition costs may encourage the use of a therapy that is less cost-effective when treatment persistence, healthcare utilization, and overall costs are factored in.
Objective: To compare, in a real-world setting, the treatment persistence, healthcare utilization, and overall costs of managing adult patients with major depressive disorder who are treated with escitalopram or citalopram.
Methods: Administrative claims data (from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005) were analyzed for patients with major depressive disorder aged ≥18 years. Patients filled ≥1 prescriptions for citalopram or for escitalopram (first-fill time was defined as the index date) and had no second-generation antidepressant use during the 6-month preindex period. Treatment persistence, healthcare utilization, and healthcare costs were measured over the 6-month pre index and 6-month postindex periods and compared between patients treated with citalopram or escitalopram, using unadjusted and multivariate analyses.
Results: Patients receiving escitalopram (N = 10,465) were less likely to discontinue the treatment (hazard ratio 0.94; P = .005) and switch to another second-generation antidepressant (hazard ratio 0.83; P <.001) than patients receiving citalopram (N = 4212). Patients receiving escitalopram were also less likely to have a hospital admission (odds ratio 0.88; P = .036) or an emergency department visit and had lower total healthcare costs (–$1174) and major depressive disorder–related costs (–$109; P <.001) during the study period.
Conclusion: Although the drug acquisition costs are lower for generic citalopram than for the brand-name escitalopram, patients treated with escitalopram had better treatment persistence, lower healthcare utilization, and lower overall costs compared with patients treated with citalopram over the study period. This may suggest that other considerations, in addition to acquisition cost, may need to be factored in to assess the cost-effectiveness of drug therapy.
Am Health Drug Benefits. 2011;4(2):78-87
Major depressive disorder (MDD) often presents as a chronic and recurrent illness. It is the most common type of depression, affecting 6.6% of adults in the United States annually, with a lifetime prevalence of 16.2%.1 Patients with MDD are more likely to suffer from multiple comorbidities, including other mental illnesses or chronic conditions, compared with patients without MDD.2 MDD is also associated with increased risk for substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse, leading to more severe depressive symptoms and impairment.3 Because of its clinical features, untreated or undertreated MDD can have significant negative impacts on an individual’s health, quality of life, and functional status, as well as work productivity and employment.2,4
Consequently, patients with MDD are among the highest users of healthcare and incur substantial indirect costs resulting from premature deaths, reduced productivity, and increased disability associated with the disease. 2,5 The economic burden of MDD was estimated to have amounted to $83.1 billion in 2000 in the United States.5 Of this total cost, $26.1 billion (31%) was for direct medical costs, $5.4 billion (7%) was for suiciderelated mortality costs, and the remaining $51.5 billion (62%) was for work-related costs.5
Effective treatment can substantially reduce the economic burden assumed by the healthcare system, employers, and society. Pharmacotherapy is a major type of treatment for MDD. Currently, the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the United States are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These secondgeneration antidepressants have been shown to be effective and better tolerated than older antidepressants.6
Both escitalopram (Lexapro) and citalopram (Celexa) are SSRIs, and escitalopram is the pure S-enantiomer of the racemic citalopram. An enantiomer is composed of 2 compounds that are nonsuperimposable mirror images of each other. Citalopram is a racemate that comprises a 1:1 mixture of S(+)-enantiomer (escitalopram) and an R(−)-enantiomer (R-citalopram). It is the S-enantiomer that possesses the pharmacologic effect of the drug. The R-enantiomer in citalopram counteracts the activity of the S-enantiomer, which may be the underlying reason for the differences in the pharmacologic and clinical effects between escitalopram and citalopram.7-9
Citalopram was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute and maintenance treatment of adults with MDD in July 1998, and escitalopram was approved for acute and maintenance treatment of MDD in adults in August 2002. Citalopram became generic in October 2004.
Because citalopram and escitalopram are chemically related, payers may assume that they provide similar clinical benefits, and that the lower acquisition cost of generic citalopram will lead directly to reductions in overall treatment costs. However, citalopram and escitalopram are different medications and may not be interchangeable.
Many clinical trials and analyses have compared citalopram and escitalopram, and have consistently shown that escitalopram is more efficacious.10-14 In one study, escitalopram 10 mg/day was found to be at least as effective as citalopram 40 mg/day in an 8-week study of 491 outpatients with MDD.10 A placebo-controlled trial of 469 patients with moderate-to-severe depression revealed that by the end of 8 weeks of treatment, significantly more patients responded to escitalopram 10 to 20 mg daily than to citalopram 20 to 40 mg daily.11 Continuation of treatment with escitalopram has also demonstrated efficacy in preventing relapse of MDD.12,13 A double-blind trial of 280 patients with MDD randomized to escitalopram 20 mg/day or to citalopram 40 mg/day over 8 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in depression rating scales and in treatment response rates with escitalopram.14 Both groups demonstrated similar tolerability.14
Furthermore, an economic evaluation that was conducted parallel with a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in France showed that escitalopram is more costeffective than citalopram.12 Although conducted outside the United States, this economic evaluation has some value in understanding the relative cost-effectiveness of these 2 treatments, especially when similar evaluation is lacking in this country. Among ambulatory care patients with MDD followed for 8 weeks, escitalopram 20 mg/day with citalopram 40 mg/day.12 The cost differential was mainly a result of lower hospitalization costs.12
Driven by cost-containment considerations, healthcare systems have adopted a variety of policies designed to encourage physicians and patients toward lower-cost drugs, including use of generic drugs when they become available. However, without a comprehensive understanding of the total healthcare cost implications of these 2 antidepressants in the real world, promoting or mandating citalopram in drug formularies to replace escitalopram based solely on acquisition costs may not be cost-effective.
A comparison of the economic outcomes of patients treated with escitalopram and citalopram is valuable for decision makers to consider the total costs of MDD treatment. Although some published claims studies have compared escitalopram with other SSRIs as a group,8,9 to our knowledge very few real-world studies have compared escitalopram with citalopram—2 antidepressants that are often assumed to be equivalent as a result of their molecular structure. One analysis based on claims data recently compared clinical and economic profiles of escitalopram and citalopram in a geriatric population with MDD.15 The objective of this current study is to generalize this real-world comparison with adult patients with MDD.
In this current study, we analyzed claims data from the Ingenix Impact Database, which included complete medical and pharmacy claims for more than 25 million noncapitated managed care lives from more than 35 health plans, covering all census regions of the United States. Data elements used in the present analysis included enrollment records, patient demographics, inpatient and outpatient medical services, and pharmacy dispensing claims. The data collection period started January 1, 2003, because escitalopram was approved by the FDA for MDD treatment in August 2002.
Patients were included in the study if they had at least 1 inpatient claim or 2 medical claims of other types incurred on different dates that were associated with an MDD diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 296.2x, 296.3x) between January 1, 2003, and June 30, 2005, and if they filled at least 1 prescription either for escitalopram or for citalopram during that same period. The first prescription filling date was defined as the index date. The antidepressant filled on the index date (either escitalopram or citalopram) was defined as the index drug.
Patients were classified into the citalopram group or the escitalopram group based on the index drug they received. Because this study was intended to compare citalopram and escitalopram, the brand-name and generic forms of citalopram were not distinguished. All patients who received either brand-name or generic citalopram and met the study criteria were included in the same citalopram group. Because the National Committee for Quality Assurance criteria for the appropriate treatment of MDD requires a minimum duration of 6 months, the study period was set to 6 months after therapy initiation.16 The baseline period was defined as the 6 months before the index date, and the study period was defined as the 6 months after the index date. Patients had to meet the following additional inclusion criteria: (1) they were aged ≥18 years as of the index date; (2) they were continuously enrolled in the plan for at least 12 months, including a minimum of 6 months before and 6 months after the index date; (3) they did not use any second-generation antidepressant drug (eg, SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, bupropion, nefazodone, trazodone, fluoxetine-olanza - pine, or mirtazapine) during the baseline period; and (4) they were not initiated on combination therapy (ie, did not use any second-generation antidepressants other than citalopram or escitalopram within 2 weeks after the index date).9,15
Treatment persistence. Treatment persistence was measured up to the time of discontinuation of therapy by the rate of discontinuation of the index drug during the study period. Patients were considered to discontinue the index drug if they did not have another refill within 45 days after the last day of the latest supply of the index drug recorded in the claims database.17 Patients who had discontinued and switched to another second-generation antidepressant were further identified, with switching defined as filling a prescription for another secondgeneration antidepressant within 45 days of the last day of the latest supply of the index drug.
Healthcare resource utilization. Healthcare re source utilization was observed in all-cause hospitalizations and emergency department visits during the study period. In particular, MDD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits were also measured. A hospitalization or an emergency department visit was considered MDDrelated if it was associated with a primary or secondary diagnosis for MDD. The proportions of patients who used these types of services were estimated, as well as the number of hospitalization days and number of emergency department visits for each patient.
Healthcare costs. Healthcare costs were examined from the insurer’s perspective. Average costs per patient were estimated on the basis of payment data in the claims database for procedures, services, and prescription drugs, over the 6-month study period by the type of service (ie, professional services, including physicians and other medical professionals’ care; hospitalization cost; outpatient cost; emergency department cost; and prescription drug cost).
Total healthcare costs were calculated as the sum of total medical services costs and total prescription drug costs. In addition, MDD-related costs (total and by service type) were also calculated. A medical service cost was considered MDD-related if it was associated with a diagnosis of MDD. MDD-related pharmacy costs included the costs of antidepressants. Because MDD is often associated with multiple comorbidities,2 including other mental illnesses or chronic conditions, it is important to analyze not only MDD-related costs but also the total cost of disease.
Study outcomes were first compared between the citalopram and escitalopram groups using unadjusted analysis. Chi-square tests were used to compare the rates of discontinuation and discontinuation with switching to another second-generation antidepressant, hospitalization, and any emergency department visit during the study period. Wilcoxon tests were used to compare statistical differences in the number of hospitalization days, number of emergency department visits, and healthcare costs between the 2 groups.
The study outcomes were further compared using a multivariate analysis to control for differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 treatment groups. Patient baseline characteristics were measured during the baseline period and included age, sex, the Deyo adaptation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI),18 individual comorbidities selected from the literature, and baseline healthcare utilization and costs. (The CCI has become a common measure for comorbidity burden in observational studies, especially those using administrative claims databases. This index has been used in the literature related to depression and is intended as a measure of overall health outcomes of the patient, not as a measure of disease severity associated with depression.19)
To compare the rates of discontinuation and discontinuation with switching between the 2 groups, Cox proportional hazard models were used. Logistic regressions were applied to estimate the probability of hospitalization and emergency department visits during the study period. The number of hospitalization days and the number of emergency department visits were compared between the 2 groups using negative binomial regressions. Generalized linear model (GLM) regressions with log link and gamma distribution were used to analyze healthcare costs. For MDD-related total medical services costs, a 2-part model was used, because a large portion of patients had no hospital and medical costs.
To assess the robustness of the study results to variations in the price of antidepressant drugs, it was assumed that all second-generation antidepressants used by patients in the citalopram group had zero cost, whereas the prescription drug cost in the escitalopram group was kept unchanged. Under this assumption, the new total healthcare cost for the citalopram group was calculated and compared with the total healthcare cost of the escitalopram group using both Wilcoxon test and GLM regression as described above. The analysis represented a conservative estimation of the cost impact of escitalopram over citalopram by deducting all antidepressant drug costs from the total healthcare costs for the citalopram group.
A total of 14,677 patients met the inclusion criteria in this study, of which 10,465 were taking escitalopram, and 4212 were taking citalopram. Patient baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1.
Compared with patients using citalopram, patients using escitalopram had similar age (41.7 vs 42.1; P = .0131); fewer females (67.5% vs 69.5%; P = .019); a lower average CCI (0.77 vs 0.90; P = .005); a higher prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, sleep disorder, and hyperlipidemia; and a lower prevalence of schizophrenia and cancer. In addition, patients taking escitalopram used more prescription drugs at baseline (4.54 vs 4.35; P = .003) and had more physician office visits (94.1% vs 91.0%; P <.001), but had fewer inpatient visits (13.5% vs 15.7%; P = .001), outpatient hospital visits (54.5% vs 58.6%; P <.001), and emergency department visits (22.0% vs 23.5%; P = .040) than patients taking citalopram. In addition, patients taking escitalopram had numerically lower baseline drug, medical, and total costs compared with patients taking citalopram, although the difference was significant only for the drug costs.
Treatment Persistence
During the 6-month study period, 57.8% of patients taking escitalopram and 60.3% of those taking citalopram (P = .006) discontinued the index treatment (Table 2). The rate of discontinuation with switching to another second-generation antidepressant was also lower in the escitalopram group (24.7% vs 29.3%; P <.001). After controlling for differences in baseline characteristics, results of the unadjusted analysis were confirmed for escitalopram by hazard ratio of 0.94 for overall discontinuation (P = .006) and 0.83 for discontinuation and switching to another second-generation antidepressant (P <.001).
Healthcare Resource Utilization
Among patients in the escitalopram group, 11.6% experienced a hospitalization during the study period compared with 13.6% in the citalopram group (P = .001; Table 2). The rates of MDD-related hospitalizations were not significantly different between the 2 groups (4.0% vs 4.4%; P = .256). The escitalopram group also had shorter inpatient stays during the same period (1.0 vs 1.5 hospitalization days; P = .001). Results of the multivariate analysis were consistent with findings from the unadjusted analysis. Patients in the escitalopram group were less likely to be hospitalized (odds ratio [OR] 0.88; P = .036). In other words, the odds of patients in the escitalopram group being hospitalized was 12% lower than for patients in the citalopram group, and patients in the escitalopram group had 28% fewer hospitalization days than patients in the citalopram group (P = .001). The rates of MDDrelated hospitalizations were not significantly different between the 2 groups.
Similarly, there was a smaller proportion of patients with emergency department visits for any reason in the escitalopram group during the study period (19.8% vs 23.0%; P <.001; Table 2). Patients receiving escitalopram were also less likely to have an MDD-related emergency department visit (1.2% vs 1.9%; P = .001). These results remained significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics, both for emergency department visits for any reason (OR 0.83; P <.001) and for MDD-related emergency department visits (OR 0.60; P = .001).
On average, patients in the escitalopram group had 0.3 emergency department visits, whereas those in the citalopram group had 0.4 visits during the study period (P <.001). Results from the negative binomial model showed that patients in the escitalopram group had 19.0% fewer emergency department visits after controlling for differences in baseline characteristics (P <.001).
The average total healthcare cost per patient during the study period was $5551 in the escitalopram group, $1459 less than that in the citalopram group (P <.001; Table 3). Patients in the escitalopram group also had lower costs in every category. Approximately 92% of the difference in total healthcare costs was attributable to reduction in total medical services costs in the escitalopram group (−$1342; P <.001), of which $558 resulted from lower hospitalization costs (P <.001). Significantly lower costs in the escitalopram group were also manifested in outpatient visits (−$273; P <.001) and professional services (−$165; P = .001). Results from multivariate analyses indicate that the total healthcare costs were an average of $1174 less in the escitalopram group (P <.001), and that the average total medical services costs and total prescription drug costs were both significantly lower in the escitalopram group (−$972 and −$170, respectively; both P <.001).
MDD-related total healthcare costs during the study period were also lower in the escitalopram group. On average, patients in this group incurred $117 less per patient during the study period than those in the citalopram group (P <.001). The majority of the difference resulted from reduction in MDD-related total medical services costs (−$77; P = .014), and the rest of the difference was attributable to the lower antidepressant costs (−$40; P <.001). Among MDD-related total medical services costs, hospitalization, outpatient, and emergency department costs were all significantly lower in the escitalopram group. After controlling for differences in baseline characteristics, the adjusted MDD-related total healthcare costs were $109 lower in the escitalopram group (P = .003). The adjusted total antidepressant costs and MDD-related total medical services costs were $39 and $43 lower, respectively, in the escitalopram group (both P ≤.001).
Results from the sensitivity analysis showed that, even assuming zero costs for all second-generation antidepressants used by patients in the citalopram group, the average total healthcare costs were still lower in the escitalopram group ($5551 vs $6644; P = .010). After adjustment for baseline characteristics using a GLM model, patients in the escitalopram group still showed an average savings of $420 in total healthcare costs compared with patients in the citalopram group (P <.001; Figure).
Discussion In this present retrospective study, a large administrative claims database was used to compare treatment persistence, healthcare utilization, and costs for patients treated with escitalopram compared with patients treated with citalopram in a real-world setting. Although patients taking citalopram and escitalopram had different baseline comorbidity profiles, these differences were controlled for in this study with the multivariable regression analysis described above.
Results indicate that although a majority of patients in both treatment groups discontinued treatment within 6 months after the index date, patients treated with escitalopram had better treatment persistence as measured by overall discontinuation rate, as well as rate of discontinuation with switching to another second-generation antidepressant. These results are consistent with those in a recent clinical trial, which also showed a lower withdrawal rate in the escitalopram group compared with the citalopram group.14
More than one third of the difference in total healthcare costs was attributable to lower hospitalization costs in the escitalopram group. The results were consistent using both unadjusted analysis and multivariate analysis and were supported by the sensitivity analysis, in which it was assumed that all second-generation antidepressants had zero costs in the citalopram group.
These results are also consistent with findings from recent claims data analyses conducted in an elderly population with MDD.15 In that study of patients with MDD aged ≥65 years, those treated with escitalopram showed significantly better treatment persistence, fewer hospitalizations, and lower medical and total healthcare costs than patients treated with citalopram. 15 Similar to findings in the current study, most of the cost reduction was attributable to significantly lower hospitalizations and total medical costs.15
Treatment persistence not only contributes to the therapeutic success of MDD treatment but also to the cost-effectiveness of an antidepressant.20 Previous studies have provided some evidence that the lack of persistence is associated with higher total medical costs among patients with depression.21,22 Lack of persistence could prolong the disease episode and lead to a higher rate of recurrent events. Therefore, improved persis - tence will likely save the long-term cost of treating MDD. Furthermore, better persistence in patients with MDD and better outcomes may reduce the healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with comorbidities beyond depression itself. In this present analysis, a substantial portion of the difference in healthcare utilization and costs between the escitalopram and citalopram groups was not MDD-related. The cause of these differences cannot be determined from claims data. It may be related to the potential advantage of escitalopram in safety and effectiveness, but the extent of this factor is unknown.
The economic benefits of escitalopram over citalopram have been suggested by numerous cost-effectiveness analyses.23-27 Findings in this present study are consistent with such previous analyses. It should be noted that persistence, healthcare utilization, and healthcare costs are directly related to the clinical efficacy and the tolerability of a treatment. Thus, clinicians and thirdparty payers should carefully consider the relative benefits of different therapeutic options when making patient care and policy decisions rather than rely solely on drug acquisition costs.
This present study has several limitations. First, it is subject to the usual limitations associated with claims data as a result of the absence of detailed clinical information. Therefore, there may be selection bias if patients in one treatment group had more severe depression than patients in the second group. Such difference may have affected treatment persistence and healthcare utilization during the study period. However, to minimize selection bias, this study only included patients who were not treated with any other second-generation antidepressant during the baseline period, and every effort was made to control for differences in observed baseline characteristics.
Second, discontinuation was measured by prescription refills in the pharmacy claims database instead of the actual use of the medications. Although not the most accurate measurement of treatment persistence, pharmacy data have been extensively used in other studies of treatment persistence.28-30 To the extent that the measurement error was not systematically different between the 2 treatment groups, the results regarding treatment persis - tence in this study can be considered valid.
Drug sampling bias could be another limitation— because additional drug samples provided free of charge by the physicians cannot be observed in the claims data but they may influence the persistence measure. However, the direction of the bias is unclear. In addition, the claims database used did not report any information related to patient copayment for medications; such information was therefore not available for this analysis.
Finally, the study focuses on relatively short-term benefits of treatment with escitalopram versus treatment with citalopram, and thus does not provide empirical evidence on long-term benefits. Future research is warranted to consider long-term and indirect effects of these therapies on work productivity and disability.
Adding to previous literature, this study shows that the clinical and economic benefits of escitalopram are not only observed in clinical trials, but also manifested in the real-world setting. In this present study, compared with citalopram, escitalopram was associated with higher treatment persistence and lower MDD-related and overall healthcare utilization and costs among adult patients with MDD. Funding Source This study was funded by Forest Laboratories, Inc. Author Disclosure Statement Mr Greenberg, Ms Ben-Hamadi, Dr Eric Wu, Dr Yang, and Dr Andrew Yu are consultants to Forest Laboratories. Dr Erder was employed by Forest Laboratories at the time of the study.
Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, et al. The epidemiology of major depressive disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA. 2003;289:3095-3105.
Bloom BS. Prevalence and economic effects of depression. Manag Care. 2004;13(6 suppl):9-16.
Ostacher MJ. Comorbid alcohol and substance abuse dependence in depression: impact on the outcome of antidepressant treatment. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007;30:69-76.
Croom KF, Plosker GL. Spotlight on the pharmacoeconomics of escitalopram in depression. CNS Drugs. 2004;18:469-473.
Greenberg PE, Kessler RC, Birnbaum HG, et al. The economic burden of depression in the United States: how did it change between 1990 and 2000? J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64:1465-1475.
Weilburg JB. An overview of SSRI and SNRI therapies for depression. Manag Care. 2004;13:25-33.
Fantino B, Moore N, Verdoux H, Auray JP. Cost-effectiveness of escitalopram vs. citalopram in major depressive disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007;22:107-115.
Esposito D, Wahl P, Daniel G, et al. Results of a retrospective claims database analysis of differences in antidepressant treatment persistence associated with escitalopram and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the United States. Clin Ther. 2009;31:644-656.
Wu EQ, Greenberg PE, Yang E, et al. Treatment persistence, healthcare utilisation and costs in adult patients with major depressive disorder: a comparison between escitalopram and other SSRI/SNRIs. J Med Econ. 2009;12:124-135.
Burke WJ, Gergel I, Bose A. Fixed-dose trial of the single isomer SSRI escitalopram in depressed outpatients. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63:331-336.
Lepola UM, Loft H, Reines EH. Escitalopram (10-20 mg/day) is effective and well tolerated in a placebo-controlled study in depression in primary care. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003;18:211-217.
Rapaport MH, Bose A, Zheng H. Escitalopram continuation treatment prevents relapse of depressive episodes. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65:44-49.
Wade A, Despiegel N, Heldbo Reines E. Escitalopram in the long-term treatment of major depressive disorder. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2006;18:83-89.
Moore N, Verdoux H, Fantino B. Prospective, multicentre, randomized, doubleblind study of the efficacy of escitalopram versus citalopram in outpatient treatment of major depressive disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2005;20:131-137.
Wu E, Greenberg PE, Yang E, et al. Comparison of escitalopram versus citalopram for the treatment of major depressive disorder in a geriatric population. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008;24:2587-2595.
Antidepressant medication management. The state of health care quality 2006. National Committee for Quality Assurance; Washington, DC; 2006. www.ncqa.org/ Portals/0/Publications/Resource%20Library/SOHC/SOHC_2006.pdf. Accessed February 28, 2011.
McCombs JS, Luo M, Johnstone BM, Shi L. The use of conventional antipsychotic medications for patients with schizophrenia in a Medicaid population: therapeutic and cost outcomes over 2 years. Value Health. 2000;3:222-231.
Deyo RA, Cherkin DC, Ciol MA. Adapting a clinical comorbidity index for use with ICD-9-CM administrative databases. J Clin Epidemiol. 1992;45:613-619.
Birnbaum HG, Ben-Hamadi R, Greenberg PE, et al. Determinant of direct cost differences among US employees with major depressive disorders using antidepressants. Pharmacoeconomics. 2009;27:507-517.
Patient compliance in depression. Based on a presentation by James Jefferson, MD. Am J Manag Care. 2000;6(2 suppl):S31-S38.
Revicki DA, Simon GE, Chan K, et al. Depression, health-related quality of life, and medical cost outcomes of receiving recommended levels of antidepressant treatment. J Fam Pract. 1998;47:446-452.
Thompson D, Buesching D, Gregor KJ, Oster G. Patterns of antidepressant use and their relation to costs of care. Am J Manag Care. 1996;2:1239-1246.
Demyttenaere K, Hemels ME, Hudry J, Annemans L. A cost-effectiveness model of escitalopram, citalopram,and venlafaxine as first-line treatment for major depres
Stakeholder Perspective
Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness: Escitalopram versus Citalopram
Matthew Mitchell, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP
Manager, Pharmacy Services SelectHealth, Salt Lake City, UT
MEDICAL/PHARMACY DIRECTORS: Despite the availability of several generic options, antidepressants remain in the top 5 therapeutic drug classes in terms of spending. Currently, 2 brand-name agents maintain substantial market share—escitalopram and duloxetine.
Claims data collected from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005, were analyzed as part of this study. During that time, few payers required step therapy with a generic antidepressant, but many payers have since implemented step therapy for antidepressants. However, few payers require the use of citalopram specifically before escitalopram. With so many antidepressants available, a stepwise approach using escitalopram after failure of citalopram may not make sense, because of their molecular similarity.
The scope of the present study is a little narrow with regard to how many plans manage the entire class of antidepressants. Although the study results are very interesting, questions remain, such as what doses of citalopram and escitalopram were used; what was the effect of promotion/sampling; what was the difference in patient responsibility (ie, copay/coinsurance); and why was the drug cost higher in the citalopram group?
In a very recent study, researchers evaluated persistence of brand and generic antidepressants, concluding that the likelihood of discontinuing therapy was similar for patients who initiated therapy with brand or with generic antidepressants.1 They also noted that shortterm pharmacy and healthcare costs were lower in patients starting generic therapy.1
And a 2009 meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and acceptability of 12 new-generation antidepressants showed that escitalopram and sertraline have the best profile of acceptability, leading to fewer discontinuations compared with other antidepressants.2 Further analysis suggested that sertraline might be the best choice when starting treatment, because of the favorable balance between benefits, acceptability, and acquisition cost.2
Generic availability of escitalopram and duloxetine are expected within the next 18 months. Therefore, the discussion of restrictions specific to escitalopram may soon be a moot point. However, with new and future antidepressants becoming available, such as the recently approved vilazodone, and the expense of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of depression, utilization management techniques will continue to be a topic of interest. Overall healthcare costs and drug acquisition costs will continue to be evaluated to determine coverage requirements.
PATIENTS: As this present study shows, discontinuation of antidepressant therapy within 6 months is very high. Additional studies have demonstrated poor adherence with other antidepressants as well. The choice of an antidepressant should be individualized to the patient based on past therapy, published clinical data, adverse event profiles, and overall cost-effectiveness of the therapy. Regardless of the therapy chosen, patient education is key. Understanding the length of therapy required to see an effect and expected minimum duration of therapy, and knowing potential side effects, will likely increase adherence.
Vlahiotis A, Devine ST, Eichholz J, Kautzner A. Discontinuation rates and health care costs in adult patients starting generic versus brand SSRI or SNRI antidepressants in commercial health plans. J Manag Care Pharm. 2011;17:123-132.
Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, et al. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 12 new-generation antidepressants: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis. Lancet. 2009;373:746-758.
Clinical and Budget Impact of Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening by Blood- and Stool-Based Testing
Joshua A. Roth, PhD, MHA, Theo deVos, PhD, Scott D. Ramsey, MD, PhD
Online First published on July 15, 2019 in Business, Online First, Original Research
Treatment Patterns and Costs of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Claims Database Analysis
Jeffrey T. Guptill, MD, MA, MHS, M. Chris Runken, PharmD, Michael Eaddy, PharmD, PhD, Orsolya Lunacsek, PhD, Rupali M. Fuldeore, MS
May 2019 Vol 12, No 3 published on May 17, 2019 in Clinical, Original Research
Real-World Treatment Patterns in Patients with Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastases
Lonnie Wen, RPh, PhD, Adriana Valderrama, PhD, Mary E. Costantino, PhD, Stacey Simmons, MD
Prevalence and Economic Burden of Epilepsy in the Institutionalized Medicare Fee-for-Service Population
Kathryn Fitch, RN, MEd, Xiaoyun Pan, MS, PhD, Jocelyn Lau, MPH, Tyler Engel, ASA, MAAA, Krithika Rajagopalan, MS, PhD
May 2019 Vol 12, No 3 published on May 17, 2019 in Business, Original Research
The Economic Value of Customized versus Off-the-Shelf Knee Implants in Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries
Mary I. O’Connor, MD, Brittany E. Blau, MPH
April 2019 Vol 12, No 2 published on April 17, 2019 in Business, Original Research
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Category Archives: TAS
December 13, 2017 aipWPEditor
2017 Tasmanian Branch Public Lecture Recordings
Thanks so much to the speakers who presented our winter series lectures this year. Here are links to recordings if you were not able to attend or would like to revisit the talks (apologies for some glitches):
https://echo360.org.au/…/f288734f-dd86-4db6-acd1-b74…/public (Sue Cook, 20 Sep – Giant Icebergs)
https://echo360.org.au/…/f72c9681-6279-48f7-aba9-125…/public (Clive Baldock, 22 Aug – Radiation)
https://echo360.org.au/…/b6997c3d-40b7-453f-9612-3ff…/public (Katie Mack, 8 Aug – Universe, AUDIO ONLY + video of Katie talking, but no slides)
https://echo360.org.au/…/e5958f39-65e9-48e6-ac3c-aca…/public (Matthew Hole, 27 Jul – Fusion)
https://echo360.org.au/…/46c71f35-84ba-4ec9-bbb0-c81…/public (David Jamieson, 17 May – Power)
https://echo360.org.au/…/faee3c5b-524e-4eca-bf5f-ef9…/public (Nick Seymour, 6 Apr – Big Telescope, AUDIO ONLY)
News, Public Lecture, TAS
PUBLIC LECTURE – 30 NOVEMBER 2017
Link November 5, 2017 aipWPEditor
Australian Institute of Physics – Tasmanian Branch
The Birth of Suns
Thursday 30 November 2017, 6.00-7.00 pm
Physics Lecture Theatre 1
University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart
Professor Mark Krumholz
Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University
We’ve all learned that space is an empty vacuum, but it’s not. The space between the stars in our Galaxy contains, on average, about 1 atom per cubic centimeter. That’s a better vacuum than the best vacuum chamber we know how to make, but there are a lot of cubic centimeters in interstellar space, so the mass of all the gas between the stars adds up to about 10% of the mass of all the stars put together. The temperature of this gas varies enormously from place to place in the Galaxy, with temperatures as high as
millions of degrees and as low as a few degrees above absolute zero.
In the coldest regions of interstellar space, over millions of years gravity is able to draw the atoms together into immense clouds that ultimately condense into clusters of new stars. In our Galaxy, this process produces stars at a rate of about 1 new Sun per year, and the stars it makes are typically the size of the Sun or a little smaller. While we understand how this happens in general outline, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. What sets the rate at which stars form? What determines the final sizes of the individual stars? Where did our Sun form, and what happened to its siblings, the stars that formed out of the same cloud?
In this talk Mark will describe what we currently know, and what we don’t, about the birth of new Suns.
Further details: Andrew Klekociuk (T 0418 323 341, E aip_branchsecretary_tas@aip.org.au)
http://www.events.utas.edu.au/2017/november/the-birth-of-suns
Public Lecture – 20 September 2017
August 23, 2017 aipWPEditor
2017 Alexander and Leicester McAulay Winter Lecture Series
Giant Icebergs and the Future of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
Wednesday 20 September 2017, 8.00-9.00 pm
Dr Sue Cook
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre
Events such as the 1 trillion-tonne iceberg which recently broke away from the Larsen C Ice Shelf capture headlines around the world. But what can these icebergs really tell us about the future of the Antarctic Ice Sheet? This lecture examines what we know about how icebergs form, how they are affected by climate change, and the implications for Antarctica’s future contributions to sea level rise.
http://www.events.utas.edu.au/2017/september/giant-icebergs-and-the-future-of-the-antarctic-ice-sheet
Public Lecture, TAS
PUBLIC LECTURE – 22 AUGUST 2017
Measuring Radiation Doses in 3-D with Polymer Gel Dosimeters
Tuesday 22 August 2017, 8.00-9.00 pm
Professor Clive Baldock
Polymer gel dosimeters are fabricated from radiation sensitive chemicals which, upon irradiation, polymerize as a function of the absorbed radiation dose. These gel dosimeters, with the capacity to uniquely record clinical radiotherapy (radiation therapy) radiation dose distributions in three-dimensions (3D), have specific advantages when compared to one-dimensional dosimeters, such as ion chambers, and two-dimensional dosimeters, such as film. These advantages are particularly significant in dosimetry situations where steep dose gradients exist such as in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. Polymer gel dosimeters also have specific advantages for brachytherapy dosimetry. Potential dosimetry applications include those for low-energy x-rays, high linear energy transfer (LET) and proton therapy, radionuclide and boron capture neutron therapy dosimetries. These 3D dosimeters are radiologically soft-tissue equivalent with properties that may be modified depending on the application. The 3D radiation dose distribution in polymer gel dosimeters may be imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical-computerized tomography (optical-CT), x-ray CT or ultrasound. The fundamental science underpinning polymer gel dosimetry will be reviewed along with the various evaluation techniques. Clinical dosimetry applications of polymer gel dosimetry will be presented.
News, Public Lecture, SA, TAS
Dr Katie Mack – Women in Physics Lecture Tour 2017 – TAS & SA 7 -11 August
Dr Katie Mack is the Women in Physics Lecturer for 2017.
See if she is coming to a location near you!
7th August – Devonport and Launceston, Tasmania
Where: Don College
When: 8.45am
Topic: Everything you wanted to know about Dark Matter but were afraid to ask
Where: Launceston College
When: 1.00pm
8th August – Hobart, Tasmania
Where: Elizabeth College
Where: The Friend’s School – The Farrall Centre
When: 12.00pm – 12.45pm
Where: Physics Lecture Theatre 1, Sandy Bay Campus, University of Tasmania
Where: Taroona State High School
Where: Ogilvie High School
When: 11.40am
10th August – Adelaide, South Australia
Where: Eastern Fleurieu School
Event: Afternoon Tea
Topic: STEM women
Where: Physical and Chemical Sciences Tea Room, Flinders University
Where: University of Adelaide, Napier G04
Event: Department Colloquium
Where: Physics Building Room 121, University of Adelaide
When: 12.00pm-1.00pm
2017women in physics
PUBLIC LECTURE – 8 AUGUST 2017
2017 AIP Women in Physics Lecture
2017 National Science Week
A Tour of the Universe (and Selected Cosmic Mysteries)
Tuesday 8 August 2017, 8.00-9.00 pm
Dr Katie Mack
Everything humanity has ever seen or experienced represents a tiny speck in a vast and mysterious Universe. What else is out there, and how are we figuring it out? What puzzles wait to be solved? Come with your questions about dark matter, dark energy, black holes, or the ultimate fate of the Universe as we delve into some of cosmology’s most fundamental questions.
Further details: Simon Ellingsen (T 03 6226 7588, E aip_branchsecretary_tas@aip.org.au)
http://www.events.utas.edu.au/2017/august/a-tour-of-the-universe-and-selected-cosmic-mysteries
PUBLIC LECTURE – 27 JULY 2017
July 9, 2017 aipWPEditor
The Physics of ITER and Fusion Power
Thursday 27 July 2017, 8.00-9.00 pm
Associate Professor Matthew Hole
Assuming energy security and stability will always demand some base-load power stations on the grid our children and grandchildren will use, what will provide the heat to boil the water? The most attractive and yet elusive alternative to the chemical burning of carbonaceous fossil fuels and the nuclear fission of the rare heavy nuclei left over from supernovae has long been the nuclear fusion of the light nuclei left over from the big bang, still by far the most common form of ordinary matter.
Spawned by Reagan and Gorbachev as a grand international collaboration to thaw the cold war, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is now under construction, is the final step towards a demonstration power plant.
ITER heralds a new era in fusion research. Over 70MW of auxiliary heating will be used to initiate fusion events producing 500MW of fusion power. Temperatures will range from near absolute zero in the superconducting cryostat to 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun. The plasma volume approaches that of an Olympic swimming pool, and it will carry 15 MA of current, more than the current in 500 lightning bolts. The machine itself will weigh 23,000 tons, or about half the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
ITER’s research goal is to explore the uncharted physics of burning plasmas, in which the energy liberated from the confined products of reaction exceeds the energy invested in heating the plasma. To access these conditions, ITER will rely critically on external heating methods such as neutral beam injection. ITER will also feature fully 3D asymmetric field structure, imposed to mitigate performance limiting edge localised modes.
In this talk I will outline fusion-relevant research across Australia, and highlight ANU-led extensions to ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Ideal MHD, which is an enabling science of astrophysical plasmas, forms most of the physics basis for ITER.
Further details: Andrew Klekociuk (M 0418 323 341, E aip_branchsecretary_tas@aip.org.au)
http://www.events.utas.edu.au/2017/july/the-physics-of-iter-and-fusion-power
Public Lectures – 17 & 18 May 2017
May 11, 2017 aipWPEditor
Physics, Power and Climate Change
Wednesday 17th of May 2017, 8.00-9.00 pm
Thursday 18th of May 2017, 1.25-2.25 pm
F Block Theatre
Launceston College, 107-119 Patterson St, Launceston
Professor David Jamieson
Although the human responses to climate change are volatile, the laws of Physics are not. Since the 1905 Chemistry Nobel laureate Svante Arrhenius first modelled the greenhouse effect on the temperature of our planet little has changed from his prediction of a 2.1 degree Celsius temperature rise for a doubling of the 1905 carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Today, with greatly improved physical models, the prediction is between 2 and 4.5 degrees under the same scenario. Physics helps us understand the past, present and future scenarios for the climate of our planet. Working out what to do about our emissions and climate change requires us to look at our present and future energy budget. But it is power that drives our civilisation, not energy. The paths from energy to power are constrained by the unbreakable laws of entropy. This lecture explains entropy and the big challenges involved in charting the uncertain future. Please bring your smartphone to participate in the online polling during the lecture!
Further details: Hobart – Andrew Klekociuk (M 0418 323 341, E aip_branchsecretary_tas@aip.org.au), Launceston – Jason Dicker (M 0438 401 063, aip_branchchair_tas@aip.org.au)
http://www.events.utas.edu.au/2017/may/physics,-power-and-climate-change
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BancorpSouth Completes Mergers in Texas and Alabama
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2019 Grand Bank and Merchants Bank Merger Completion
TUPELO, Miss., April 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BancorpSouth Bank (NYSE: BXS) announced today that it has completed its previously announced mergers with Dallas, Texas-based Casey Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Grand Bank of Texas (collectively referred to as "Grand Bank"), and with Jackson, Alabama-based Merchants Trust, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Merchants Bank (collectively referred to as "Merchants Bank"), effective April 1, 2019.
"We're pleased to complete our mergers with these two outstanding banks," said BancorpSouth Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rollins. "By combining with Grand Bank and Merchants Bank, we're able to expand our presence in key markets and align with experienced teams of bankers who share our focus of providing superior service to customers and improving our communities."
At this time, customers should continue using their current branches, checks, bank cards, online banking and other banking services. Detailed communications will be provided to all Grand Bank and Merchants Bank customers prior to the system conversions.
"We're looking forward to working with BancorpSouth to build an even stronger franchise and continuing our proud legacy of delivering an exceptional banking experience," said BancorpSouth Dallas Area Chairman Michael T. Casey, former chairman and chief executive officer of Grand Bank. "We're confident that this combination will bring significant opportunities and benefits to all of our stakeholders."
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Board index 3DO ZONE Forums 3DO Game Reviews
Review - Return Fire (with developer interview)
Have you recently played a 3DO Multiplayer game? Want to write a review? Post it here!
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Post by RetroGamingBlog » Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:48 am
VIDEO REVIEW COMING SOON
Return Fire explains its entire concept on the back of the CD case in 17 words - ‘In Return Fire you get to play with bombs, tanks, rockets, you know… that type of stuff’.
Once this game is injected into your retinas and forever burned into your mind you’ll find that blowing up buildings and driving tanks over people can be a whole lot of fun without the need of acquiring expensive vehicles or being sent to prison.
I spoke with creator, Reichart Von Wolfsheild, about Return Fire and how he came to design such a project, its challenges, and how it became one of the best loved 3DO games on the system.
This top down tank shooter proves war has never been so much fun, especially with a friend (or foe?). Not a virtual counterpart, but one that involves face-to-face, real-time social interaction and possibly lives down the road from you. The 3DO's daisy-chaining of controllers and potential for multi-player mayhem is one of the key attractions that helped get this project on the system.
Silent Software's Reichart Von Wolfsheild remembers fondly the early tests they were running on 3DO hardware.
R.W [Reichart Von Wolfsheild]: "We spent an entire month doing research just doing speed tests on the 3DO. Our very first test was to throw a polygon up, then we had to understand it was a square, it works a certain way, and we spun it - then sub divide it and kept sub dividing it down.
So all these tests were to see if there was anyway to get more speed out of it. We knew what our max polygons and sizes could have been."
He continues to explain some of the tricks used to improve the performance of the game.
R.W: ". . . it’s not real 3D, it’s 2.5D. It is real 3D in the sense it’s being rendered with a 3D formula, except we dropped one of the axis and the reason we did this is because we gained about 20 percent more speed on the 3DO.
And knowing we had to split the screen and render two worlds, we wanted to keep the frame rate north of 12 frames per second. Obviously back then games were between 30 and 60 frames, but I wanted to get this world rendered, I had a lot to render, more than an EA game would do or something else, so that’s how we came up with that. We did it physically on the ground and spent days thinking what we could do, and ran tests over-and-over again, just seeing how fast we could do matrix math."
Return Fire was ported with better frame rates and graphical updates on the PlayStation and PC, but to experience the title in its original conception, the 3DO is it. And rather grand it is too.
BUILDING BRIDGES AND BURNING THEM
A variety of maps have been meticulously built with a gentle learning curve. Each level is based around capture the flag mechanics, and the obstacles come in the form of an enemy stopping you with their high walls, tower defense turrets, aerial drones and submarines. The environment is completely destructible but some buildings can provide cover as you race from island to island.
This strategy takes an alternative route when you get a friend in the mix and the results prove feverishly addictive as you battle for balance over completing your objective and obfuscating your opponent's through a barrage of weaponry and environmental destruction.
R.W: ". . . what I was trying to capture with Return Fire, is that amazing moment when you bring your friends over your house and you’re relaxing and you are learning about each other by playing games together. It’s the reason people get together and play D&D and board games and so forth, it’s incredibly... I’ll use the phrase, 'intimately social', and I don’t feel there are other many things that do that."
To conquer your enemy and retrieve the flag you have a limited supply of vehicles including: Helicopters, Tanks, Heavy Rocket Carrier and Jeeps, each must be used in balance to complete each stage and each has different strengths and weaknesses. The Jeep for example, has little to no armor - but is exceedingly quick and is the only vehicle which can obtain the flag.
This makes for an exciting risk and reward system, especially when playing against a friend.
Graphically the game is simple, yet pleasing and perfectly suitable for what it sets out to achieve. If anything there is a charm which makes mass destruction within this potentially grim atmosphere, very cheeky. You can't help but draw a wry smile as you wipe out entire camps of infantry in their tents.
All the art was created by Van Arno, today a celebrated fine painter, and it turned out Return Fire was his first foray in video-game territory. Reichart recalls fondly how he loved his style and wanted him on the team, even though, Van, had never used a computer before. Reichart coached him through the process so his skills could transition over from paint to pixel and into the game.
R.W: "I said to him - hey you wanna do some computer work? And he said - sure, I’ll try it. He was very laid back, very easy going about it which is rather ironic given this is a war game. So again it brought a certain 'feel' to the game, but we kept it minimalistic on purpose."
I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING
The sound design is perfectly pitched with the weight of the tank tracks rolling over concrete. Each blast envelops you and is felt through the rumbles and metallic ricochets.
It doesn't stop there. The comedic and purposeful effects of soldiers falling under your vehicle are hilarious, but where it really steps into its own is with the music.
Classical themes are assigned to each vehicle and it goes without saying it adds an immense amount of depth and fun. Tearing through buildings and infantry to Holst’s Mars, from the Planet Suite, is gratifying. Even when your plans go wayward.
On its release Return Fire was a game that very much ignited my love for classical music, it was the first time I had heard it used in such a way that evoked a real passion that continues today. Of course, it is widely used as a standard by games of today, but back in 1995 it was almost non-existent.
Over a period of 3 months, Reichart, went through 300 classical CD's stored in his truck.
R.W: "What I was looking for was the Rock ’n’ Roll version of these songs, I wanted to hear the upbeat versions, I wanted to hear heavy drums, it was a video-game I wanted it over-the-top. Even blind, even when I didn't know what CD I was pulling, EMI’s collection from Giovanni was the best I’d heard."
A schedule was put together with an approximate budget of $15,000 to fly out to Europe and have a selection of classical themes scored for the game, which he would orchestrate himself. At that time a dialogue was also opened up between EMI and Silent Software which led to two months of negotiations.
Silent Software were asking for 45 minutes of EMI music, and the price was $100,000.
R.W: "I said I don’t have a one-hundred thousand dollar budget. He finally agreed to full licensing rights for any games I make in the next three years and I can’t tell you the final price, but it was definitely cheaper than me flying to Europe, so I got all the music rights to all the music I wanted, best quality and part of the deal that actually pushed it through was I told them I would advertise them, I would put 'EMI' first image full page, again, video games didn't really do that back then."
ALL CORRECT
Return Fire is a very good game, and should be in every 3DO collectors library. This game has been remembered for two things in particular - multi-player, and, its fantastic music.
One of the benefits of the 3DO hardware was the on board battery backup and if you have a thirst for war, then you can purchase additional maps in the expansion disc ‘Return Fire: Maps O Death’.
The game stands as one of my top ten 3DO games. It continues to play so well today due to the simplicity, the controls and all out playability. One thing I had to ask about Return Fire is how its creator felt about it today, after all these years.
R.W: "I very much love Return fire, if you look at the box from Fire Power it’s one of my favorite pieces of artwork, it’s just so ridiculously over the top, if you look closely at the jeep driving at you, it’s a lot of fun. That’s just the beauty of Van Arno - but there’s a lot of humour in all this stuff too.
No, there’s definitely a love of this and nostalgia to it, I get asked constantly to do updates for it."
And with regards to updates on Return Fire, time will tell.
Facts about Return Fire you may not know:
Return Fire designer, Reichart Von Wolfsheild is an American inventor, technologist and artist, and was part of the development of the first modern multi-player game.
Return Fire is the sequel to 'Fire Power' on the Commodore Amiga.
The skull laugh is provided by R.J Mical, inventor of the Amiga, and, co-inventor of the Atari Lynx and 3DO.
Return Fire is the first game to use a planned content expansion pack on a console.
The idea for Return Fire germinated from the arcade game 'Tank'.
The camouflage artwork for Return Fire was used to make it stand out among other games on the store shelves, which at that time all used bright, bold colours.
The noise of the soldiers being squished by your vehicle is a sound bite from Silent Software developer Will Ware.
Interested in the full story behind Return Fire and more industry insight? Visit our conversation with Reichart Von Wolfsheild here.
PRESENTATION 75%
GRAPHICS 80%
SOUND 98%
PLAYABILITY 85%
LASTABILITY 90%
A superb two player game which will have you coming back again and again, if only to experience the rousing music while desolating entire environments. 3DO collectors need this game!
Return Fire rating breakdown explained here
Return Fire review by Ash @RGB_RetroBlog
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Contact blabla
Re: Review - Return Fire (with developer interview)
Post by blabla » Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:23 pm
Good review.
Return Fire is probably the best 3DO game i've played, it's just simply fun.
Too bad nobody wants to play with me...
Didn't know the game ran at 12 frame per second, it doesn't feel like.
Wish it would run on PAL 3DO a little faster though,
they could have taken advantage of the extra cycles thanks to the lower signal refresh.
My 3DO homebrews:
CHIP8 emulator
Heli-Copt3rs
Killminds
Unlucky Pony
Where's Derpy
Post by Barone » Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:18 am
Good review and very cool interview. Thanks for sharing it.
I'll be posting its source link in the Sega-16 forums, for sure.
Martin III
Post by Martin III » Thu Jul 23, 2015 2:13 am
blabla wrote: Didn't know the game ran at 12 frame per second, it doesn't feel like.
My understanding of his comment was that they did succeed in getting the game to run at a higher frame rate than that. Also note that he's referring to the split screen multiplayer; in single player the game is bound to run at a higher frame rate.
Return to “3DO Game Reviews”
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Government app helps pay bills, search doctors, but caters only to Bengaluru
February 12, 2015 Akshatha M
Our work is to empower citizens, made possible by your donation. Click to Donate
The app released by Government of Karnataka has a lot of scope for improvement.
The ambitious mobile governance project of the State government, Karnataka One, which was also touted as one of the world’s largest multi-mode mobile governance platforms, has not met the expectations of the people. Even after almost two months of launching, the mobile app that intends to offer easy access to various government and private services, is yet to evolve as a comprehensive mobile governance system.
During its launch on December 8, the government had boasted that the app will provide 637 government (both Central and State) services to the citizens as well as link consumers to 3,644 private services.
Once you log into Karnataka Mobile One app, you will realise that the app is still half-baked. It claims to be providing direct services only under 23 categories – namely, utility, banking, police, healthcare, transport, telecom, municipal, travel, passport, employment, taxation, registration, safety, grievance, legal, agriculture, B2C, Sakala, education, postal, FRRO, HRMS and E-procurement.
App not for the entire state!
Here are some observations:
Be it utility, police, health care or transport, currently most services are only for Bengalureans. The Department of Stamps and Registration, in its section says “Residents of Bengaluru can access various registration documents and pay the fees for their respective documents.”
Though some effort has been made to include other cities of the State, like for example, by adding Mysuru ITS service in transport category and HESCOM (Hubli) in utility section, other cities and towns are excluded from majority of the services.
The banking section involves only five banks, namely Canara, SBI, ICICI, Panjab National Bank and Axis Bank. If not private sector banks, at least, the government should put efforts to bring all nationalised banks under the mobile governance. In addition, the SBI’s list of districts for you to choose a bank branch to open the accounts is limited to some 10 districts. Surprisingly, Bengaluru Urban is not found in the list!
In RTO section, there is a provision for issuing DL extract. But as you enter your DL number and try to extract, it says “details are not available. Please contact the concerned RTO.”
If at all you wish to plan your trip relying on BMTC’s Trip Planner service, it would not be of any help. As you enter ‘to’ and ‘from’ information, the app flashes the words “no data available.”
Same is the case while searching BMTC bus route details based on route number. The page does not show any information.
Then there is telecom service to help customers to pay prepaid and postpaid recharge / bill to telecom companies including BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Tata and Idea. But, there is no mention of the tariff rate that could be of help to the telecom customers.
The employment category too does not include all job categories and is limited to a very few job profiles.
Bengaluru traffic police section has an option to enable people to watch live traffic camera. The camera did not function when I clicked on any of the three names – Basavanagudi, Madiwala and Byatarayanapura.
In education section, there is an option to view SSLC exam results, but the same has not been made available for PUC students.
The State Crime Record Bureau section too does not operate. The screen displays “Sorry for the inconvenience, we are working hard to bring this service to you.” It also lacks provision to check the status of a police case / complaint filed by self.
In Bescom section, it is not clear if the bill payment is restricted to citizens residing Bengaluru city or covers Bengaluru district. We were unable to register when we tried to register in Bengaluru district.
Under the health category, it appears that private practitioners and hospitals have been promoted, whereas governments hospitals have not been promoted to a large extent.
BMRCL under Transport category lacks metro train timings. This will become important in future, once the Metro starts its new services.
Several other departments such as forest, environment, commerce and industry, food and civic supply, higher education and others are not included in the app.
Complain to police, pay your bills from mobile
That apart, the app also has a positive side to it, specially for the residents of Bengaluru. These are few useful features of the app, in its current format:
If your electricity connection is provided by BESCOM or HESCOM, then you have the privilege to view or pay the electricity bill, by registering your account number. You can also pay water bill to Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and property tax to the BBMP using the app.
You can open bank accounts with Canara, ICICI, PNB, SBI and Axis banks under the Banking category.
With an option to file police complaint with Bengaluru City Police, for small things one need not go to the police station, but can file complaint using the app. All that you have to do is to type your name, e-mail id, describe the complaint and submit it.
Under Health services, the user can get a host of services like, requesting for nurse assistance, physiotherapy, hospitalisation, counselling etc. The best part is, the user can find a registered medical practitioner located nearest to an area and book an appointment using the app.
Safety service in the app is quite helpful. It lets the user to save three emergency numbers whom the app alerts in case of emergency. All that you have to do when you are in distress, is to press the alarm button, with GPS on and it will send SMS to three contacts with your current location on GPS. Alarm can also be triggered by shaking the phone. It indeed works!
Agriculture services is useful for farmers who can read / understand English. They can subscribe for free SMS services on market prices of commodities in different markets, get alerts on weather, rainfall, natural disaster alerts, crop solutions etc.
Vakil Search in Legal category will help you to find lawyers who can help you with company registration, tax registration, company secretarial services, legal advice and guidance and other services.
And yes, you can also check the status of Sakala services, just by entering your Guarantee of Services to Citizens (GSC) number.
A few suggestions to improve the app
Perhaps, making Kannada version of agriculture-related information available to the farmers will be more useful.
At present, citizens can submit grievances related to police, RTO and BBMP. This should be extended to all the departments.
An option should be made available to file application under Sakala through this app.
It would be of great help to the passengers, if information on platform numbers in Kempegowda bus stand for buses heading to various destinations is provided.
In a nutshell, the app is a proof of the power of Information Technology for good governance. Yet, the app has lots of potential for improvement – we will look out for the next version!
BMTC introduces safety alarms on buses and new routes for Yelahanka
About Akshatha M 220 Articles
Akshatha M was a Staff Journalist at Citizen Matters. She tweets at @akshata1.
When Amitav Ghosh time traveled to Bengaluru
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Last week Amitav Ghosh was here to launch his much acclaimed ‘ River of Smoke.’ Suja Sukumaran, an ardent fan, was there to meet him.
Pavement Perorations – Part 4: A moment of epiphany!
October 4, 2016 Suchitra Deep
Know your mangoes
May 10, 2012 Salonie Rego
Summer showers in the past week has flooded the market with all varieties of mangoes. Do you know what these varieties are and where they come from?
Thejesh GN says:
Yes, it has lot of rough edges. I wrote a detailed two part review including technology, privacy, security isses, if you like to check it out at
(http://l.giyf.in/1G1sDDU http://l.giyf.in/1DjhhuD)
Ashwin Rao says:
Alas! The Sheeparamaiah State Govt spent Rs 25 Crores on the Inauguration Ceremon(e)y of Mobile One at BIEC.
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Alexander Hamawi
(22) works in category
( 3 ) Contemporary Impressionist
( 10 ) Impressionist
( 15 ) Other
( 2 ) Realist
( 1 ) Semi-Abstract
Born: 19761994-1995 Wimbledon School of Art - Foundation Course1995-1999 Slade School of Fine Art, B...
1994-1995 Wimbledon School of Art - Foundation Course
1995-1999 Slade School of Fine Art, BA (Hons) Painting
2000-2003 MA in Fine Art Painting, The Royal Academy of Art
1999 Hong Kong Tourist Association, Albermale Gallery
2000 Summer Exhibition Cadogan Contemporary
2002 Premiums, Royal Academy of Art Group Show
1999 Hong Kong Tourist Association Open Competition
2001 Landscape Painting Award, The Royal Acameny of Art
2002 Premiums Award, The Royal Academy of Art
Artists Statement:
I have always considered myself as an aesthete and aesthetics play a predominant part in my work. Whatever the subject, my paintings are concerned with beauty and its appreciation of it. Growing up in Africa I've always been surrounded by the splendours of nature, its huge diversity of wildlife and fauna has provided me with the exotic compositions of colour and form. Moving to London made me romanticize about Africa and the idea of it, whether this was encapsulated in a landscape, a plant or animal. The shock on arriving in London was enough to make me see it as a sort of concrete jungle and I started a series of paintings composed of buildings devoid of human existance and atmosphere. I begun to search for the aesthetic qualities of buildings and houses by reconstructing, simplifying and cleaning them up and giving them an 'otherworldly' feel. In my constant search for beauty I was trying to extract this other world from them, exaggerating the colour and simplifying the surfaces and windows and roofs something which allowed me to compose an elaborate aesthetic interplay of blocks. I transformed the dirty smog covered buildings into smooth and glossy surfaces twisting reality into the way I saw it or more specifically the way I wanted to see it.
Home > Artists > Alexander Hamawi
1 artworks, 1 pages
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Posted by Freya | November 26, 2008 | Blog, Interesting Articles | 0 |
Tolkien and the Northern Tradition
By Kveldulfr Gundarsson
J.R.R. Tolkien was a Professor of Anglo‑Saxon at Oxford for twenty years and, for some time thereafter, a Professor of English Language and Literature (his specialization was the West Midland dialect of Middle English). These positions required him to be fluent and deeply versed in Old English and Old Norse language and literature and to be a first‑rate philologist ‑ an expert in Germanic language and myth. His essay “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics”, for instance, has been one of the most influential writings in the scholarly study of that complex Anglo‑Saxon epic.
Tolkien’s love for the literatures and languages of the Germanic peoples (especially the English and the Norse) was the guiding light of his career and his life, as he expressed himself in a letter written in 1941. “I have in this war a burning private grudge against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler for ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.” (quoted by Humphrey Carpenter in Tolkien: A Biography. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977, p.218) It should, therefore, come as no surprise that his fictional writings were permeated with elements from his studies ‑ that he should have given the sagas and myths of the North a new lease on life.
As a christian gentleman whose ideas of propriety were formed in the first quarter of this century, Tolkien was not inclined to put forth the religion of the Vikings as part of his own artistic truth, nor was he willing to present the literature of the North in its original starkness. Thus the gods of the North -Ódhinn, Thórr, and the rest, do not appear directly in his writings (though Gandalf, with his wide‑brimmed hat, silver‑gray steed Shadowfax, and penchant for disguise, bears a certain resemblance to Ódhinn). The aspects of the Northern literary and mythical tradition on which Tolkien drew most heavily are those dealing with humans and demi‑humans such as Elves and dwarves: his Middle‑Earth is a “sanitized” version of the Old Norse Midhgardhr, from which the Viking gods have been evicted and in which all the heroes have been taught to act like Englishmen of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Still, a great deal of the power of his work lies in the elements of the Norse tradition which he retained. Middle‑Earth appeals because it is, in large part, real rather than invented; Tolkien’s books reawakened, at least partially, the lost ethnic heritage of the English‑speaking peoples.
Gandalf ‑ “an old man wrapped in a dark cloak” (Hobbit, XVI); this is a typical description of Ódhinn, who usually appears as an old man in a black or dark blue cloak (when he is not in full battle‑armour). Gandalf, whose name also comes from the Eddic “Catalogue of Dwarves” (means “Sorceror‑Elf”), appears, in general, as a grandfatherly version of Ódhinn ‑ the all‑knowing wanderer/wizard who often speaks in riddles, giving good advice to his favourites and occasionally appearing to bail them out in sticky situations; who has many names among many people (Ódhinn’s surviving heiti, or use‑names, number well over 180), and frequently appears in disguise or semi‑disguise, only to reveal himself in his full power at moments of crisis (see the exerpt from “Grímnismál). Like Ódhinn, and unlike the general Western concept of the studious Qabalist/ ceremonial magician, Gandalf is a mighty fighter as well as a magician.
Runes ‑ literally means “secrets”, generally applied to the Runic “futharks” or alphabets (“futhark” comes from the first six letters: F U Th A R K), which were used in slightly different forms by the Germanic peoples and survived up until the seventeenth century in Iceland. This system of writing was used primarily for magical and memorial inscriptions. People who could read and write in runes were highly respected. Tolkien’s runic system uses the runes of the Anglo‑Saxon Futhorc, plus variants created by reversing the runes; however, he changed all the phonetic values. See “The Runes” in materials provided, and the exerpt from “Sigrdrífumál”.
Dwarves ‑ The dwarves of Norse legend were the greatest of craftsmen: they made most of the treasures of the gods, including Thórr’s hammer Mjöllnir, Freyr’s golden boar and ship, Ódhinn’s spear Gungnir, and Freyja’s necklace Brisingamen. Especially good swords were also made by the dwarves for mortal men, such as the sword Týrfingr of Hervör’s and Heidhrek’s saga. Scandinavian dwarves, according to the Prose Edda, dwell “in the depths of the earth and in rocks”; many of their names imply that they have something to do with the dead (Dáin = “dead one”; Nár = “corpse”, etc.). Because of this, dwarves and dragons are natural competitors: both live in barrows filled with the treasures buried with the dead and are greedy for gold. Tolkien’s dwarves are more lively and cheerful than the Norse dwarves, who are a fairly grim lot, delighting only in gold and in lust for various goddesses (Freyja got her necklace by spending four nights with four dwarves; in the Eddic poem “Alvísmál”, Thórr traps a dwarf who has come with the intention of wedding his daughter Thrudhr). Still, even in Tolkien, “dwarves are not heroes, but calculating folk with a great idea of the value of money; some are tricky and treacherous and pretty bad lots; some are not, but are decent enough people like Thorin and Company, if you don’t expect too much.” (The Hobbit, Chapter XII)
Elves ‑ Tolkien’s Elves owe something to both Celtic and Norse folklore. The Scandinavian Elves (Old Norse álfar) are a higher order of being, closely related to the gods, though slightly inferior; this is preserved in Tolkien’s presentation of the High Elves. His Wood‑Elves are closer to the Celtic Elves, who enchant and imprison mortals who surprise them at their dancing and feasting.
The smith‑craft of Tolkien’s Elves probably comes from “Völundarkviûa”, an Eddic poem about the greatest smith of Germanic legend, Völundr or (as he was known to the Anglo‑Saxons) Wayland. In this poem, Völundr is described several times as a “wise Elf”. I know of no other references to Elvish smithing, except that the dwarves are also called Svartálfar (Swarthy Elves) or Dokkálfar (Dark Elves). In at least one case, that of the reforging of Aragorn’s sword in Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien has Elvish smiths doing the job done by a dwarf in his Old Norse source. Both the Norse and the Celtic Elves are the size of humans, though fairer in appearance and basically immortal.
Dragons ‑ All the elements of Tolkien’s dragons are drawn directly from the Northern tradition. The general description of the flying, fire‑breathing wyrm comes directly from the dragon of Beowulf, as does the description of the dragon’s habits; Smaug also, as discussed below, draws some of his character from Sigurdhr’s dragon Fáfnir; it is from Fáfnir that Tolkien gets his ideas about dragons being particularly wise. The “dragon‑sickness” is also characteristic of the Norse tradition: in several of the Old Norse sagas, a greedy man takes a quantity of gold, flees with it, and eventually dies and becomes a dragon who watches over it (the Old Norse dragon is never a natural animal). Tolkien follows the christian Beowulf scribe’s insistence that the dragon be something separate from the man who dies alone with the gold (cf. C.S. Lewis’ Voyage of the Dawn Treader in which Eustace sleeps on the dragon’s hoard and “turned into a dragon while he was asleep. Sleeping on a dragon’s hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself.” ‑ here Lewis is following the Old Norse examples which Tolkien was unwilling to use). The idea of a great hoard which is cursed comes from the same cycle, the German/Old Norse tale of the Völsungs and Gibichungs ‑ best known for its hero Sigurdhr/Siegfried’s slaying of Fáfnir, and for Wagner’s treatment of the story in his Ring des Nibelungen. The hoard causes nothing but desire in those who do not have it, and death for those who do.
Chapter II: Roast Mutton
Trolls ‑ large coarse manlike beings, with a strong taste for human flesh, are a commonplace in Scandinavian legend. A frequent curse in Old Norse was “Trolls take you!” Trolls cannot stand the light of day, which turns them to stone. Both in the poetry of the Elder Edda and in Scandinavian folklore, trolls are often tricked into staying out until the dawn catches them.
Runes on swords ‑ the best Germanic weapons have runic inscriptions, sometimes scratched in and, in some cases, inlaid with silver.
Chapter V: Riddles in the Dark
he contest of knowledge, in which the loser generally loses his life, is a frequent theme in Old Norse literature. In the Eddic poems “Alvísmál” and “Váfthrúûnismál”, the contest is not one of riddles, but might better be described as a sort of cosmological game of Trivial Pursuit. In Hervör and Heidhrekr’s saga, King Heidhrekr has a riddle‑game with Ódhinn, who has come disguised as someone else. In this work and “Váfthrúdhnismál”, Ódhinn ends the riddle‑game by asking the Unanswerable Question (“What did Ódhinn whisper to Baldr before he was put on the funeral pyre”), by which the god’s victim recognises him. “What have I got in my pocket?” is a comic version of the Unanswerable Question, I think. The Anglo‑Saxons were particularly fond of riddles; the verse‑form is typical both of the Anglo‑Saxon and the Norse.
Chapter VI: Out Of The Frying‑Pan Into the Fire
Wargs ‑ the word warg (Old Norse vargr), meant both outlaw and wolf to the Germanic people. It is uncertain which meaning came first; Tolkien, as a Germanic philologist, would certainly have been aware of the discussion on the point. By a fairly early date (no later than, probably 500 C.E.), the “warg” as outlaw (and possibly werewolf) had become pretty well identical with the “warg” as a wolf. The word was also used as a verb by the Anglo‑Saxons to indicate someone being cursed; in the A‑S translation of Genesis, Cain is “awyrged”. Tolkien’s Wargs are, thus, particularly big, nasty, evil wolves.
“Sometimes (the goblins) rode on wolves like men do on horses.” In Scandinavian tradition, troll‑women or witches often rode on the backs of wolves. Cf. the Eddic lay “Helgakvidha Hjörvarzsonar” in which “Hedhinn fared home alone through the forest on Yule evening and found a troll‑woman, who rode a warg and had wyrms as reins” and Thord’s dream in King Harald’s Saga, which describes how “In front of the defending army there was a huge ogress riding a wolf, and the wolf was carrying a human carcase in its mouth, with blood streaming down its jaws, and as soon as the wolf had eaten the first corpse, she hurled another into its mouth, and then another and another…”
Chapter VII: Queer Lodgings
Beorn the Skin‑Changer is a figure directly out of Norse legend. Often it was said of men that they were “eigi einhamr”, “not of one skin”, which is to say, capable of taking on the shape of an animal and going out at night. Kveld‑Ulfr, the grandfather of the notable poet Egill Skalla‑Grímsson, was one such; so was the famous Bodhvar‑Bjarki (“Little Battle‑Bear”), of Hrolf Kraki’s Saga. One possible etymology of berserk is “bear‑sark”, implying that these warriors put on bears’ skins before going into battle. As described in Chapter XVII, Beorn (in his bear‑shape) is capable of going into a classic berserk‑frenzy, in which “nothing could withstand him, and no weapon seemed to bite upon him.” The name “Beorn” is, of course, simply Anglo‑Saxon for “Bear” (cognate to Old Norse “Björn”).
Mirkwood ‑ The “Mirkwood” of Old Norse legend lay between the Rhine and the land of the Huns ‑ it also seems to have been a sort of border between the world of humans and the world of monsters.
Chapter XI: On The Doorstep
“A large grey stone lay in the centre of the grass…They all fell silent, the hobbit standing by the grey stone…” The “grey stone” is a typical marker of the dwelling place of a dwarf, barrow‑wight, or other dead thing; cf. Beowulf 2553, where Beowulf shouts at the dragon in the barrow and his voice is heard ringing “under harne stan” ‑ under the grey stone.
Chapter XII: Inside Information
The description of the thief stealing a cup for his lord and the dragon, aroused, hurtling out in fire, is directly from Beowulf, lines 2200‑2350 or so; see materials.
Smaug’s dialogue with Bilbo is a comic version of Sigurdhr’s dialogue with Fáfnir in “Fáfnismál”; see materials.
Chapter XIII: Not At Home
“Arkenstone” is a simple English adaptation of the Old Norse “iarkensteinn”, a word used for very specially beautiful and magically created gems, such as the jewels which the Elvish smith Völundr (Wayland) makes out of the eyes of Nidhödd’s sons as part of his revenge (Poetic Edda, “Völundarkviûa”).
Chapter XV: The Gathering of the Clouds
Learning wisdom from the speech of birds is another thing which appears in Norse legend; see “Fáfnismál” (presumably, if someone had dared to taste Smaug’s blood, that person would have had no trouble understanding the thrush). The theme of the ravens as bearers of news comes from Ódhinn’s two ravens, Huginn (“Thoughtful” or “Bold”) and Muninn (“Mindful” or “Desirous”), who fly out over the worlds and bring information back to Ódhinn.
Saruman ‑ Like Gandalf, Saruman resembles Ódhinn in his magic, subtlety, verbal skills, and occasional use of disguise; however, Saruman embodies Ódhinn’s dark side ‑ treachery, manipulation, and the lust for power.
The Barrow‑Wight ‑ In Germanic tradition, barrows and their treasure are often guarded by dead men, who have frightful strength and a hunger for the flesh of the living. A proper Germanic hero (such as Grettir or Beowulf) would wrestle with the barrow‑wight and overcome it by sheer physical strength. Hobbits, of course, are not that sort of hero.
Aragorn son of Arathorn ‑ the broken sword which is reforged as a sign of/prelude to the royal heir reclaiming his ancestral rights comes, again, from the Sigurdhr story. The sword of the Völsungs is broken in Sigmundr’s hand at his last battle. It is reforged by the dwarf Reginn just before Sigmundr’s son Sigurdhr goes to avenge his father and claim his heritage; Aragorn’s sword is reforged by Elvish smiths. Note also the alliterative continuity of the primary name‑element, which is a Germanic tradition. Like Sigurdhr, also, Aragorn renames the sword when it has been reforged (Sigurdhr gives his the name “Gram”).
Riders of Rohan ‑ “Theoden King” is an Anglo‑Saxon title, meaning “folk‑king”; the White Horse is the traditional emblem associated with the Saxons in their conquest of Britain. The House of Eorl is “the noble house” (“eorl” is cognate with Old Norse jarl, modern earl). The name Eomer (“famous horse”) appears in Beowulf as the name of a minor character; Eowyn (“horse‑joy”) is also an Anglo- Saxon name, as is her role as guardian of the hall in wartime. Her role as shieldmaiden and Maiden Warrior is more a part of Norse tradition: the figure of the noblewoman who runs away from home in the armour of a man and does mighty deeds appears in both myth and saga. Basically, the Rohirrim are Anglo‑Saxons with a serious horse fetish. Note also the Anglo‑Saxon verse‑form used by the Rohirrim, as in Eomer’s lament for Theoden:
“Mourn not overmuch! Mighty was the fallen,
meet was his ending. When his mound is raised,
women then shall weep. War now calls us!”
Orcs ‑ the word is from the Old English, appearing in Beowulf 112‑13, as part of the description of the unearthly “kin of Cain”: “eotenas ond ylfe ond orcneas / swylce gigantas” (“etins and elves and orcs / such giants”). Etins and elves are both basically human in shape, differing only in size, character, and abilities; Tolkien presumably found “orcs” to be a more original name for his critters than the “goblins” of The Hobbit, as well as more appropriate by virtue of its sound.
Entts ‑ the Old English “ent” means “giant”.
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Freya’s Shop
Rune Rede by Ruarik Grimnisson
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Migration still slow
Chiffchaffs and Wheatears are arriving and beginning to filter north but the fairly strong northerly winds have effectively slowed migration down. Most of the other expected late March migrants have been thin on the ground too. There have only been a handful of Ring Ouzels, Swallows, Willow Warblers and Stone Curlews reported so far.
Stone Curlew by P Doherty
Meadow Pipit migration has had its moments but is still slow, and overhead visible migration of ‘alba’ wagtails has been almost non-existent.One of the few early migrants to buck the trend is Garganey, with around forty birds reported and at least one making it as far north as Manchester. Ospreys have trickled in, a handful of which have already made it back to Scottish territories, and a small number of intrepid Willow Warblers have been seen and heard, along with one or two Yellow Wagtails and Tree Pipits.
Yellow Wagtail by Jill Pakenham
Things are definitely pushing up from the south though and there have been three overshooting southern European birds this week, two Black Kites in Kent and a Hoopoe in Ireland but it is going to take a serious change in the weather before the floodgates really open.
The weather forecast for the next week, strong westerlies and some serious rainfall at times, isn’t looking too promising either, at least until the middle of next week but should we get the odd quiet spell we could well see the floodgates open a little, and if they do, expect Willow Warblers, Blackcaps Ring Ouzels and Stone Curlews to start appearing on territory.
The weather might not be so hard on those birds heading out across the North Sea and we could see movements of Brent Geese, Wigeon, Whooper Swans, Redwings and Fieldfares, amongst others this week.
Male Redhead by Jill Pakenham
On the rarity front, my bet is still with a rare duck, or two. A Redhead would help to redress the balance of records lost to the recent British Birds Rarity Committee review – only one record now stands, a male seen in Nottinghamshire on 8-27 March 1996.
Posted by Paul Stancliffe at 14:52 No comments:
Still early but birds are on the move
During the last week there have been windows in the weather that have allowed birds to push north – Chiffchaffs, presumably held up further south arrived, not exactly in force but in numbers that made for some good counts at a few sites. Over 200 were recorded at Portland, Dorset on 18 March. Meadow Pipit migration is also a feature in March and it was beginning to look like it might not happen this year, however, taking advantage of the same weather window as the Chiffchaffs.
Chiffchaff by Amy Lewis
Meadow Pipits did finally begin to move in good numbers, over south coast watchpoints at least.
More Wheatears, more Sand Martins and a few more Swallows were also on the move, only a handful of the latter were involved though. The first Ring Ouzels were reported and a small number of Willow Warblers were also seen and heard.
So, what can we expect for the nest week?
The weather is forecast to be pretty similar to this week with the wind moving from the north through the whole of the compass and back to northerlies by the end of the week. At times there will be light winds which ought to provide more windows in the weather and, at these times birds will begin to move. It is still early in the season but we should see things stepping-up a gear. It ought to be a week of Chiffchaffs and Meadow Pipits but we can also expect a few more Willow Warblers and Sandwich Terns to crop up too.
Cliff-nesting seabirds ought to begin to increase as more and more return to their colonies, particularly during quiet periods in the weather, and seawatchers could be treated to some spectacular wildfowl movements – now is a good time for scoters to be on the move. It is worth checking out inland waters too, as a few Common Scoters do seem to migrate over land during March. Other wildfowl on the move will include Wigeon, Pintail, Teal and Shoveler, and flocks of geese should also be a feature, as Brent, Pink-footed, White-fronted and Greylag geese all start to make their way north.
Redwings and Fieldfares could also head out mid-week as the winds become more favourable for a North Sea crossing. The weather isn’t looking so good for those Redwings that are heading back to Iceland though. and along with Whooper Swans, Northern Britain could see good numbers of both gathering in readiness for more suitable conditions.
Scarcity of the week has to go to the immature White-tailed Eagle that did a tour of East Anglia during the early part of the week and is still present at the time of writing. At this stage it is impossible to know where this bird originated from. However, during the last few days it has visited several points along the Norfolk and Suffolk coast, perhaps looking for the ideal conditions to cross the North Sea, giving us a clue of its possible natal area. The bird is ringed but the ring number hasn’t been visible so far.
Bufflehead by Luke Delve
With the winds coming from all direction this week it is hard to hazard a guess at a rarity but it could well be a duck that has spent the winter further south. Of the sixteen Buffleheads that have been accepted in Britain, five occurred in March.
They're here!
The first decent arrival of summer migrants arrived last weekend, on the wave of warm southerly airflow that the southern half of the country enjoyed. Over one hundred Sand Martins were reported, with a few birds making it as far north as Cheshire. Around half as many Wheatears with most being seen, rather unsurprisingly, in southern counties, a few did make it into Wales and at least one bird was seen in Northern Ireland.
Sand Martin by Andy Mason
Other summer migrants arriving at the weekend included at least one Swallow, a couple of House Martins and Little Ringed Plovers, around a dozen Garganey and up to four Ospreys. The predicted Hoopoe didn’t show but there was a flavour of the Mediterranean with at least one, and possibly as many as three Alpine Swifts being reported, only one of these showed well, a bird that graced the skies over Wolverhampton on the 9th March.
Alpine Swift by Su Delve
Visible migration watchers also enjoyed some movement – A steady trickle of Meadow Pipits heading north was a feature of south coast watchpoints during the early part of the week, whilst northbound Pink-footed Geese dominated proceedings at east coast sites. West coast watchers were treated to some impressive auk movement, mostly Razorbills heading north. Check out the BTO ID video here.
Meadow Pipit by Nigel Clark
With stiff north easterly winds forecast for this weekend it will be quite different from last weekend – whilst a few southern migrants will still arrive most will struggle, however, that could all change during the early part of next week when the winds turn more southerly again. The east coast will be the place to be this weekend. More geese, divers and gulls should be on the move with the easterly wind pushing them close inshore, and wildfowl, Teal and Pintail could move in good numbers, it could also be the east coast’s turn to enjoy some auk passage.
Once the winds turn southerly again we could see the first big arrival of Chiffchaff and more hirundines. On the rarity front and given the easterly winds and the fact that there have been a few March records before, Rustic Bunting could be on the cards, although later in the week something from the south is more likely.
Spring migration is under way.
The first summer migrants are here - just. A Wheatear was seen at Portland, Dorset on the 1 March, and Ospreys were reported in Dorset and North Yorkshire on 4 March. So, whilst it isn’t the best showing it could all change very soon.
Wheatear by Amy Lewis
The weather forecast for the next few days is showing a warm pulse of air coming up from southern Europe, with south-south westerly airflow. There is a taste of things to come with reports of plenty of House Martins in southern Spain and Greece, and Swallows moving through the Mediterranean. If the weather does what we are told it is going to, this weekend shows great promise, with Saturday perhaps being the better day. Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sand Martin, and Little Ringed Plover are all early summer migrants to look out for.
Common Gull by Edmund Fellowes
Going the other way, Redwing, Fieldfare, Bewick’s Swan and Brent Geese should begin moving north, and back to their breeding grounds, taking advantage of the tailwind. Early March is also a good time to look out for divers and gulls as they leave their southern wintering areas and head north for the forthcoming breeding season. Gull migration at this time can be spectacular.
For those of us following the BTO satellite tagged Cuckoos, we can see spring is well on its way – three birds have already left their winter locations in the Congo rainforest and are at their stopover sites in West Africa. Later this month, rested and loaded with the fat that will fuel their journeys, they will head north across the Sahara. Fingers crossed for good weather and a safe flight.
Hoopoe by Edmund Fellowes
From a rarity point of view, March is a good month for Gyr Falcon, and with the forecast southerlies, a Hoopoe is always on the cards.
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Blakkat Portal
Daily Archives: August 13, 2018
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China Steps Up Live-Fire Naval Exercises On “Enemy” Targets
China has been stepping up its maritime combat readiness, according to analysts responding to official reports that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had staged at least three naval drills over the past week.
On Monday, the Southern Theatre Command acknowledged over social media that a frigate fleet had recently performed drills – including simulated anti-submarine attacks and live-fire exercises, aimed at putting PLA forces through increasingly complex and realistic training scenarios.
The command, which is one of five such units established by President Xi Jinping to represent China’s five strategic locations, did not disclose the locations of the exercises, but its area of responsibility encompasses the disputed South China Sea.
The images published online appeared to show at least five frigates and two helicopters taking part in the drills. –SCMP
Xinhua news reported on Saturday that over 10 warships from three theatre commands participated in a large-scale missile and air defense exercise in the East China Sea. Anti-air attack missiles were fired from two corvettes – the Meizhou and the Tongren, to intercept simulated “enemy” targets, while serving under the command of guided missile frigate Jingzhou – which observed and gathered data.
The third drill took place in the Yellow Sea between Friday and Monday, according to China’s Maritime Safety Administration – which did not release any more data than the location.
Some observers have speculated that the exercise may have included China’s first domestically produced aircraft carrier – the Type 001A, due to the drill’s proximity to Quingdao – the ship’s home port in the eastern China province of Shandong.
The exercises come amid a growing trade war between Washington and Beijing – as well as China’s turbulent relations with Taiwan. On Sunday, Taiwan President Stai Ing-wen embarked on a nine-day trip to Belize and Paraguay – two of just 18 nations which still maintain diplomatic ties with the island nation.
Military experts said that the PLA drills were intended as a show of strength to both the United States and pro-independence forces in Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province. –SCMP
“The anti-air and anti-missile exercises in the East China Sea are intended to ensure a safe environment for China’s aircraft carriers, which means an aircraft combat group is preparing to go further out to sea,” said military observer Song Zhongping, who added “It sends a very clear signal to Taiwan’s independence forces and deters any intervention into Taiwan affairs by the US or Japan.”
Meanwhile, military commenter Li Jie said that in the event off armed conflict between Beijing and Taipei, the East China Sea would be a primary battleground. Jie said that Beijing would not sit idly if it thought it was being provoked in the region.
“Although Sino-Japanese relations have warmed recently, China is still very suspicious of Japan’s military development and needs to prepare,” he said.
Japan’s defence ministry is reported to have requested US$160 million to pay for new long-range missiles in response to the growing military threat in East Asia. –SCMP
Beijing military expert Zhou Chenming added that the three drills were designed to test China’s naval capabilities following a sweeping program of military restructuring and modernization.
“Through the drills that replicate war scenarios, military authorities can better understand whether the navy needs more equipment, and also test the compatibility of its old and new weapons,” he said, adding “Most importantly, it can see whether the [navy’s] combat capability has been strengthened or not.”
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Olivier Masset-Depasse: Mother's Instinct(2018) - SFFILM
Chris Knipp Forum Index » Chris Knipp » Movies
Post subject: Olivier Masset-Depasse: Mother's Instinct(2018) - SFFILM
Location: California/NYC
OLIVER MASSET-DEPASSE: MOTHER'S INSTINCT/DUELLES (2018) - SAN FRANCISCO FILM FESTIVAL 2019
JULES LEFEBVRES AND VEERIE BAETENS IN MOTHER'S INSTICT/DUELLES
A Belgian period psychological thriller that's more successful in style than tone and action
This campy early-Sixties-set Sirkian melodrama liberally flavored with murder has a touch of Hitchcock - and an gloss of the absurd from the beginning that it too little recognizes. It begins with two perfectly matched families. Living in a Tudor-style house divided down the middle (at twilight it could be a painting by Magritte), are a pair of immaculate housewives, their corresponding suited working men, and two smocked same-aged young schoolboys - living side by side in a double house, and spending much of their spare time happily together. Suspenseful, Bernard Hermann-esque music, however, hints that things aren't right from the start. (This score never allows the action a chance to be anything but doom-ridden.) Things will soon go very rapidly downhill in a way that's hard to take seriously. This is something that doesn't happen with HItchcock, nor would the almost total lack of contact with the outside world beyond house, hospital, church, and undertaker. Hitchcock sets his movies in the world; the Belgian filmmaker Olivier Masset-Depasse staes everything in a smug, semi-satirical bubble. This is a tongue-in-cheek kind of nostalgia.
The opening sequence is a teasing fake-out, an allusion to Hitchcockian suspense sequences when we seem to be voyeuristically peering in on a murder - or an adultery, but it turns out to be only a surprise party. The nervous score begins, and never really stops thereafter.
After the friendliness of the two families is made clear, peace is definitively destroyed when one boy, Maxime (Luan Adam) son of Céline (Anne Coesens) and Damien (Arieh Worthalter), falls from his bedroom window to his death while trying to retrieve their cat, Popeye, from a ledge. He doesn't know cats have nine lives and little boys don't. Alice (Veerle Baetens), wife of Simon (Mehdi Nebbou), happens to be in the yard next door and sees Maxime walking out dangerously on a ledge, but can't do anything to stop him from falling. It's soon evident that Céline, maybe in site of herself, holds Alice responsible for Maxime's demise. We may not be completely sure what happened either: the film is better at mood and melodrama than action, and this film, whose look is so well crafted (interiors, outfits) but may falter in lingo at times (I'm convinced nobody in French or English said "Have a nice day" back then anymore than, till VietNam, soldiers said "Sorry about that"), could have used sharper editing in some places.
Anyway, as we get to funeral and burial and all that, Théo, Alice and Simon's little boy, now assumes center stage, and assumes a creepy role in relation to Maxime, protesting violently when his toy threatens to be buried with the dead boy. It's handy - er, dangerous - that the two families are so chummy they have access to each other's houses.
Alice is ridden with guilt at first, but becomes hostile in the course of Céline's passive-aggressive tormenting. From now on Céline and Alice become, as Jordan Mintzer puts it in his Hollywoood Reporter review, "two of the most hostile neighbors to hit the screen since Michael Keaton moved into Pacific Heights or Jack Nicholson landed next door to Helen Hunt in As Good as It Gets." It's evident that only one of the ladies will survive this ongoing battle.
It's starting to be evident that Alice wants to move away from this hostile environment. Not quite soon enough. (Warning: if you haven't seen this film yet and want to be surprised, don't read what follows.) What emerges is that Céline wants not to hurt Théo in revenge, but to have him all to herself as a replacement for Maxime, and get rid of the competition. Céline's husband Damien commits suicide (or does he? as I said, the physical action isn't well conveyed), and while Théo, who's having trouble sleeping, gets a dose of chloroform from Céline, she polishes off Théo's parents with gas. The idyllic final sequence when Céline and Théo, who has formally accepted her as his adoptive parent, walk off into the horizon on a beach, seems strangely out of key with the increasingly nightmarish events that have led up to it. This was a place where the score might have injected more overt irony. It must be noted that there was no gradual leading up to the rash of violence at the end - the kind of slow build one finds in a Claude Chabrol thriller, which this also somewhat imitates.
This tale may invite comparison with other Sirkian nostalgia films, such as Todd Haynes' Far from Heaven and his even more beautiful film (thanks partly to the cinematography of Ed Lachman), Carol. But Masset-Depasse doesn't draw us in emotionally the way Haynes does. Nor, as noted, does he acknowledge or make use of the degree to which this film has the air of a "costumed dark comedy," as Mintzer notes, whether it knows it or not, while aspiring to the status of "nostalgic psychological thriller." In short, there are serious problems of tone here. There are problems with the narrative structure and the editing too. The actors do their best, and shine in individual scenes. What does succeed throughout are the set design, costumes and general look of things, and Hichame Alouie's handsome, highly colored cinematography.
The film is based on a novel by Belgian writer Barbara Abel.
Mother's Instinct/Duelles,] 97 mins., debuted at Toronto, showing also at Ghent, Chicago, Brussels, and a number of other festivals. It was screened for this review as part of the San Francisco Film Festival. It opens theatrically in France 1 May.
SFFILM showtimes:
Sun, Apr 21 at 7:30 pm - Victoria Theatre
Tue, Apr 23 at 8:45 pm - Victoria Theatre
AT TWILIGHT IT COULD BE A PAINTING BY MAGRITTE
©Chris Knipp. Blog: http://chrisknipp.blogspot.com/.
Board index » Chris Knipp » Movies
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PROGRAM INTERFACE:
A GUI status is made up of a menu bar, a standard toolbar, an application toolbar, and of function key settings. Each screen can have one or more GUI statuses. For example, an editor program might have two statuses - one for display mode and one for change mode.
The elements of a GUI status allow users to choose functions using the mouse.
Menus are control elements that allow the user to choose which functions will be processed by an application program. Menus can also contain submenus. The 'System' and 'Help' menus are present on every screen in the R/3 System. They always have identical functions and cannot be changed or hidden.
The application toolbar contains icons for frequently-used functions. The standard toolbar, which is the same on every screen in the R/3 System, contains a set of icons, each of which has a fixed assignment to a corresponding function key. If a function in the standard toolbar is not available on the current screen, the icon is grayed out.
The application toolbar allows the user to choose frequently-used functions by clicking the corresponding pushbutton.
You use the function key settings to assign functions such as Find, Replace, or Cut to the function keys.
All of a program's GUI titles and statuses taken together make up its user interface. Whenever you change or add a new title or status, you must regenerate the user interface.
There are three ways to create a title: from the object list in the Object Navigator, from the Menu Painter, or by forward navigation from the ABAP Editor.
The name of a title can be up to 20 characters long.
You should set an appropriate title for each screen in your application.
You can use variables in titles that are set dynamically at runtime by including the ampersand character (&) as a placeholder. At runtime, the ampersand is replaced by a value that you specify.
You can use up to nine variables by placing digits after the ampersand.
To set a title that contains variables, use the statement:
SET TITLEBAR WITH <&1> ... <&10>.
A title bar remains in place until you set another one. At runtime, the system variable sy-title contains the current title. Title bars are also known as GUI titles.
From a technical point of view, a status is a reference to a menu bar, to certain key assignments and to an application toolbar.
A single component (such as a menu bar) can be used by more than one GUI status.
GUI statuses are ABAP program objects that can be displayed on screens and lists.
You should set a status for every screen in your application.
A status is a reference to a menu bar, a key setting, and an application toolbar.
A menu bar is made up of individual menus.
Key assignments and application toolbars are sub-objects of the function key settings.
You can create a set of application toolbars for a single key setting.
In order to include a function in an application toolbar, the function must be assigned to a function key. Each status contains a single application toolbar.
All program menus and key assignments refer to a particular function list. This list can be reached using F4 help. Application toolbars refer to the function list indirectly by way of the key assignment.
A function within a status can be either active or inactive. Inactive functions are not displayed in the application toolbar.
Functions are identified by their function codes.
The attribute function type determines the intended purpose of a function. You can use the function types ' ' (space), 'E', and 'P' for pushbuttons that you place on a screen using the Screen Painter, and for tab titles. Function types 'S and 'H' are reserved for internal use by SAP. Function type 'T' indicates a transaction code. When the user chooses a function with this type, the system leaves the current program (without performing any checks) and calls the new transaction.
Functions can be created with static texts or dynamic texts.
If a function has a static text, you can assign an icon to it (Icon name attribute). If the function is already assigned to a pushbutton, an icon is displayed instead of the static text. The static text is used when you assign the function to a menu entry. The function text belonging to the function is used as "quick info". The contents of the Infotext attribute appear in the status bar of the screen when the user chooses the function. If you want to display text as well as the icon, enter the text in the Icon text attribute.
The Fastpath attribute allows you to define a letter code, which users can enter to choose the function without using the mouse.
Functions can be assigned to individual function keys or pushbuttons.
Function key settings consist of a key assignment and an application toolbar pushbutton.
A function key assignment's type (possible values: screen or dialog box) only serves to define the technical use of the key assignment.
Key assignments consist of Reserved Functions Keys, Recommended Functions Keys and Freely Assigned Function Keys. Reserved Functions Keys are function keys whose assigned values cannot be changed in the SAP system. You may activate and deactivate their functions, however, the icons and texts assigned to them cannot be changed. Activated Reserved Functions Keys appear in the standard toolbars of both screens and lists.
Recommended Functions Keys are assigned suggested values that satisfy SAP usability (ergonomic) norms.
Functions that have been assigned to function keys can also be assigned to pushbuttons in the application toolbar.
An application toolbar can contain up to 35 pushbuttons.
A menu can contain up to 15 entries.
Possible entries are functions, separators, and menus (cascading menus).
Menus can be up to three levels deep. The third level may only contain functions and separators.
Menus can be created with static or dynamic text. You must assign a field name to menus with dynamic text, whose contents will be displayed as the menu text at runtime.
The menu type Include menu allows you to reference menus in other programs. When you do this, you must specify the name of the program and status from which you want to include the menu next to the Short documentation field.
Include menus can only be accessed using the menu bar.
A menu bar can contain up to eight different menus. Up to six of these can be freely assigned. The system automatically adds both the System menu and the Help menu to every menu bar.
The status type indicates the technical attributes of the status. You can choose between a dialog status (status for fullscreen), or a dialog box status (for use with modal dialog boxes). Context menus are special collections of functions that can be displayed when the user clicks the right-hand mouse button. We will deal with them separately in the Context Menus unit.
You can create your own statuses by initially generating new settings, using existing ones (reference technique), or by combining both of these procedures. If you want to create an entirely new status, you must then create your own menu bars, menu functions, and other elements. Changes to a status only affect that status.
When you use the reference technique, you create menu bars, application toolbars, and function key assignments as independent elements. You then create your own status and refer to the menu bar, application toolbar, and any function key assignment you want. The Menu Painter stores and maintains these references so that any changes in the menu bar, application toolbar or function key assignments automatically take effect in all statuses referring to them.
The linking technique is particularly effective for ensuring consistency in very large applications that use several statuses. The links ensure that the user can access functions in the same way whatever status is set.
In a key setting, you assign individual functions to function keys and pushbuttons. Function key settings consist of a key assignment and a set of application toolbars.
A function key assignment's type (possible values: Screen, Dialog box, List, List in a dialog box) determines where the key can be used.
You can attach functions to reserved function keys, recommended function keys, and freely-assigned function keys. You should observe SAP's ergonomic guidelines. There is a series of examples that you can display from within the Menu Painter.
If a function is important, and you have already assigned it to a function key, you can also assign it to a pushbutton in the application toolbar. The application toolbar may contain up to 35 pushbuttons.
When you assign a function to the standard toolbar, it is also automatically assigned to a reserved function key.
To find out the function keys to which these functions are assigned in the current status, click the Information icon in the Menu Painter.
For more information about how key combinations such as Ctrl-P are converted into internal function key numbers (for example, for batch input), follow menu path GUI-3 in the Menu Painter.
You can only use a function in the application toolbar if you have already assigned it to a function key.
Functions in the application toolbar are identified by their function code. The Function type attribute identifies the purpose of the function. If you want to process a function in the program, use the type ' ' (space). If you assign type 'T' to a function, the current program terminates when the user chooses the function, and the system starts the transaction assigned to the function.
If you assign an icon to a function with a static text (Icon name attribute), the system displays the icon instead of the text in the application toolbar. The function text belonging to the function is used as "quick info". The contents of the attribute Info. text appear in a screen's status line whenever the event is triggered. If you want to display additional text with an icon, it should be entered in the attribute Icon text.
You can use the Fastpath attribute to specify the letters that allow you to choose a function without using the mouse.
To insert a separator in the application toolbar, use the Insert menu in the Menu Painter.
If you use the 'Fixed positions' attribute for the application toolbar, pushbuttons for inactive functions are grayed out instead of being hidden. To set this attribute, double -click the open padlock symbol next to the application toolbar description.
A menu entry can be a function, a separator, or another menu (cascading menu)
To add a function to a menu, enter its function code in the left-hand column. If the function already exists in the function list and has a text assigned to it, this is entered automatically in the text field. If not, double -click the right-hand field to maintain a text.
To insert a separator, use the 'Insert' menu or fill the function text field with minus signs at the appropriate position.
Status and title names can be up to 20 characters in length and must be entered all in capital letters. A status stays active until a new one is set.
You can use up to nine variables in a GUI title using the syntax SET TITLEBAR title WITH f1 ..f9.
If no GUI interface has been set, a standard user interface is displayed. Use SET PF-STATUS SPACE to deactivate previously entered statuses and activate the default list status. You can deactivate functions at runtime with the EXCLUDING addition. If you want to deactivate several function codes at the same time, you must first transfer these to the system using an internal table.
You should work with an interactive event and centrally control various user actions in the program, handling the actions independently of each other.
You program AT USER-COMMAND as an interactive event and evaluate the system field syucomm in a CASE control structure. This field contains the current function code.
Data is restored from the hide area to the corresponding global data fields for the line on which the cursor was positioned.
Labels: 51 DAYS SAP ABAP COURSE
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Home » Nation » It’s the narrative, stupid: What makes elections ‘special’?
It’s the narrative, stupid: What makes elections ‘special’?
RSS April 19, 2017
The special elections to replace vacant House seats are being hotly contested by both Republicans and Democrats. Millions of dollars are being poured into these races by national organizations as they seek to bolster their preferred candidate. The GOP badly wants to protect its majority. Democrats, eager to gain back momentum, portray the elections as referenda on the young presidency of Donald Trump.
The truth is that these special elections mean far less than the over-interpreters would have it. They are really just a battle to set the narrative going into the 2018 midterm elections. They are not any sort of canary in the coal-mine warning of the results in the next midterm election.
Consider: In the 2010 election cycle, Democrats won all three of the competitive House special elections; which by their logic was a sign that they would perform well in the midterms. Yet in November 2010, they lost control of the House. Those 63 seats that Democrats lost in 2010 disproved the notion that special elections are a preview of a midterm.
But that recent history hasn’t stopped members of both parties from going to great lengths to act as though all the chips are on each and every district.
Last week, Republicans successfully retained the seat in Kansas’ 4th Congressional District, which saw the Democratic candidate have an abnormally strong showing and lose by only 7 points.
Democrats seized on this result and used it to push the talking point that even in deep red states like Kansas, Americans were rejecting Trump.
In truth, Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes won the seat, but underperformed in the race due to his association with deeply unpopular Gov. Sam Brownback. At the same time, Estes’ Democratic challenger received 32% fewer votes than the Democrat who ran for the same seat in 2016.
This runs counter to the idea put forth by Democrats that their base is fired up and turning out. Nevertheless, they persist by pushing the closer results as proof positive of a coming Democratic wave in 2018.
Democrats are also using the GA-06 race to push their narrative that they’re surging and A Dem wave is coming. Democrat Jon Ossoff has risen to 43% at the polls while seeing his campaign coffers filled. In the first quarter of 2017, his campaign raised a stunning $8.3 million, with 95% of donations coming from out-of-state donors. This House district has not seen a Democrat receive more than 38% of the vote since 2002.
In the Montana special election, GOP candidate Greg Gianforte has already spent over $1 million while his Democratic opponent, Rob Quist, roughly $200,000. While polls have Gianforte ahead by over 10 points, Democrats will seize on the five-to-one spending ratio. They will suggest that it highlights how Republicans in safe GOP districts have to work five times harder to win what should be an easy race and that this is further proof of the GOP’s 2018 troubles.
No doubt it is in Democrats’ best interest to portray these special elections, as well as the enthusiasm within the Democratic activist community, as harbingers of Republican doom in the midterms. If Republican voters themselves were to accept this narrative, they would have less incentive to get involved in and turn out for important races.
Additionally, Democrats would benefit by the day-in, day-out repetition that they’re leading some sort of wave against Trump that might result in Republicans losing the House. It is red meat (or fair trade quinoa) for their base. As a result, that base would be motivated to get active in midterm races, be it through donations or other forms of involvement.
These races don’t matter on their own — but the narrative they help establish does.
Siegfried is author of “GOP GPS: How to Find the Millennials and Urban Voters the Republican Party Needs to Survive.”
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Who Benefits from transforming Rules into Laws - The Rule of Law in Progress or Regress pt-3
Is having laws to rule by the same thing as having the Rule of Law?
So a couple key points noted in the preceding post, was that judging the laws by their outward appearances alone led to confusing the Rule of Law, with its Doppelganger, the Rule of Rules, as well as the importance of having laws that are universal in nature, laws that apply to all, rather than to only a favored, or frowned upon, few. That lack of universality, the adding of exceptions and loopholes to the laws, is partly what Ben Franklin had in mind when he declared himself to be a "mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power". Arbitrary, here, means:
"adjective - based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system."
When government acts arbitrarily, it takes on the assumption of power unrestrained by proper limits, which is the raw status of savagery at the societal baseline, where a ruler (one man or many) exerts power over others by their word alone, and may change form one moment to the next with the desires of that ruler. The chief distinction between whether that power flows directly from the mouth of a single leader, or through a process of extended discussion through councils and representatives to be written down for public display, is the placement of some deliberation and delay upon their execution, but neither puts real limitations upon the scope and reach of that power. Finding what can properly supply those limits, has been the holy grail of Western government since the establishment of the first democracy in Athens.
What can properly limit the powers over those who are living under them?
Other laws?
There are many who do believe that it is enough to have one law that limits the extent of another. Proponents of this, which include most of the law school faculty of the last one hundred plus years, might say (and many do),
"Having an interconnected set of agreed upon laws, publicly available, 'transparent', and written down is sufficient to qualify as Law, eliminates the 'arbitrary' and establishes a Rule of Law."
And so did those revolutionaries who, unimpressed with the fancy red coats and gold braid which that primitive ideal had been dressed up in by the British crown, banished it from our shores, in order to establish a revitalized body of laws in their place on these shores.
But was that all they did? Were the 13 new state's laws, and the later Federal Constitution, limited by nothing more than their own laws? Before asking what those limits might be and where they might come from, lets look a bit closer at what is, or isn't accomplished, when a law is agreed to and written down - and does that act alone make it proper 'Law'?
What is it that writing a law down accomplishes, does it somehow add depth and respectability to them? Certainly not in the act of
writing them down alone, for unless something else is added to the process, they are simply words on paper, used to direct power and justify still other laws, which is but another way of saying 'a government of men, and not one of Laws' - isn't it?
Now don't get me wrong, having written laws is progress over having no laws, or over having only unwritten laws; but while it does slow the immediacy of a leaders whim, it only does so temporarily. And yes, having them written down and published does satisfy another necessity for having a Rule of Law, it enables people to become aware of their laws, it makes it clear what is and is not expected of them, it makes it possible for them to plan their actions and lives - that is a great advance... though limited by the length of time which those laws can be expected to be left unchanged by their lawmakers. But as noted just now, in a greater sense, the writing down of laws alone won't eliminate the arbitrary, at best it can only slow down the rate of their lawmaker's capriciousness.
But enacting arbitrary laws, at an arbitrarily slower pace, is still a matter of laboring under arbitrary rule.
Saying that one law must agree with another law, while leaving it to those in power to rewrite the laws so that they can be made to intersect and authorize each other, simply slows the rulers whims down, a bit, while also perhaps magnifying their detrimental impact throughout all of the interconnections of those laws.
When laws are connected and limited by only more laws, they can have no further depth to them but that of appearances - that's all they get. They can be complex - they are in fact guaranteed to be complex, and numerous - but that's not the same thing. There can be no deeper meaning in them, only the means of the people's manipulation, and understanding that is critical to becoming able to see past the shallow appearances to what are but written threats of power - a Rule of Rules - and doing that deprives the Doppelganger of its covering shadows.
Those who cling to notions of using power as a means of social manipulation and control, are pursuing the oldest of past traditions behind the pretense of ruling through Laws - they seek to regress towards that societal baseline of power serving the power-full and those who have or seek their favor, at the expense of others (all), and such arbitrary actions and ideals are the signature of the Pro-Regressive. A question that the old Roman statesman and jurist, Cicero, might have suggested us to ask, would be 'Cui Bono?' 'Who benefits'? Who benefits from the legally sanctioned satisfaction of appetite? And will that hunger be satisfied? Who benefits? Will that be the end of it? When the hunger is satisfied, will that be the end of it? Does eating lunch put you off eating dinner? Who benefits?
An excellent video of Cicero showing Who Benefits between Rules and Laws
If a government is one of men, not laws, then those who benefit, are those who write the laws, or benefit from them.
When the powerful are unrestrained from acting upon their passions and their power depends upon the inflaming and satisfying of passions whether that be satisfying personal desires or flattering popular demand - over reasoning that is grounded in what is True across time, you have, and you will continue to have, tyranny and abuse.
If you want to understand how the township of Ferguson became #Ferguson, and how #Ferguson has now gone on to a College career at Mizzou, that is how it was done, and it will surely continue to metastasize - if you have doubts, see how #BlackLivesMatter in Dartmouth. Whatever you might think of these people, do not make the mistake of thinking that they think that Black Lives Matter - they do not. The sole purpose of making that exception, of removing the universal value of all lives, is to assert that no lives matter - with the exception of the powerful, or those favored by them. Each new instance of this hunger, is to be satisfied by additional legal concessions, favors and loopholes, and that hunger will not be satisfied. Ever.
These 'activists' are not daring idealists, they are not even agitating for anything new, on the contrary they are seeking the oldest forms of savagery which all of our ancestors sought to escape the horrors of long, long ago - they are, in a word Pro-Regressive.
These are certainly not new revelations that I'm making here, these ideas, and the peril of ignoring them, are older than our nation, we've just unlearned the habit of looking for them.
And yet the truth of them remains. Laws that are arbitrary in what they permit or punish, accomplish little more than putting unlimited power into the hands of a leader, and whether that leader is a single person, a committee or an entire congress, and whether those lawmakers are dressed in loincloths or three piece suits (or pantsuits), will afford no more protections to the lives, rights and livelihood of the people laboring under those laws, than what their leaders find convenient for them to retain. For now.
John Adams was another who voiced the common understanding of the time, in cautioning:
"Obsta principiis, nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers, and destroyers press upon them so fast, that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon the American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour. The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited, and virtuous, the seekers more numerous and more corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity, and frugality, become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole society. "
-- John Adams, Novanglus Letters, 1774
Note the year he said that - 1774 - this concept isn't tied to any particular clause in our Constitution, but is the reason for all of them. This is the central aim of our Constitution, and constitutions as such are intended as a means towards subduing the beast of arbitrary power, a means of somehow formulating laws that are something more than merely the rules of men. Our Constitution succeeded at this better than Britain's because of something which Britain's constitution lacked - and being written down in one document wasn't it.
Given that the educated savagery ensconced at Mizzou is ever more typical of our situation in America today, maybe before we attempt to figure out what America added to our understanding of Law, which Britain's lacked (or had itself forgotten), maybe it'd be best to take a quick look at matters from the bottom up.
Western Grass Roots
One of the oldest maxims of Western Law, a keystone to the Rule of Law that divides it from the Rule of Rules, is this one, which comes to us out of ancient Greece by way of Aristotle, and on down from ancient Rome through the likes of Cicero, and then from Byzantium (Eastern Rome) through the Code of Justinian, and down to Elizabethan England's Edward Coke ( Thomas Jefferson's favorite jurist) and from there on down through to our own earliest Supreme Court decisions (Calder et Ux. v. Bull et Ux. 1798 ), and has even managed to survive many a bitter insult from modernity, in this:
"Nemo judex in causa sua (or nemo judex in sua causa"
Latin for 'no one should be a judge in his own cause'
And what that means to us, is summed up nicely in the case of Day v. Savadge,5 2, where Chief Justice Hobart declared that
"even an Act of Parliament, made against natural equity, as to make a man Judge in his own case, is void in it self;"
IOW, there are principles and concepts of Law, which limit all of the laws that men may desire to write, and even should they write them, vote on them, and successfully pass them, even with all of that, they are no law at all, they are void.
If, that is, the people who such laws are written to have power over, are aware of the importance of looking past the letter of the laws, past surface appearances to what makes them, or invalidates them, as being truly Laws.
It is difficult to imagine a credible claim to Justice and to the Rule of Law, which would ignore or violate this rule (imagine your friendly neighborhood used car salesmen being given the final say in any dispute with you over the promises he made), it is not too much to say that it is foundational to the Rule of Law - in that it insists upon and requires impartial and judicious judgment, rather than tyrannical decree. No one should be a judge in his own cause because he will tend towards (or be suspected of) permitting himself to do whatever it is he desires, and that is the path back down to the societal baseline of the savages, which is the very thing we look to laws to raise us up above.
Another concept, equally old and just as equally necessary to making laws into Law, rather than simply intricate lists of rules, and which is implied by the previous maxim, is the need to raise reason and good Judgment to a position of power over our passions. Aristotle put this thought into a clarity that almost invariably burns modern sensibilities, in his Politics, Book III 1286 (c. 384 B.C.E)) [Translated by Benjamin Jowett]:
'Therefore he who bids the law rule may be deemed to bid God and Reason alone rule, but he who bids man rule adds an element of the beast; for desire is a wild beast, and passion perverts the minds of rulers, even when they are the best of men. The law is reason unaffected by desire. '
The Law is Reason unaffected by desire - and it matters not whether those desires are of the one, the few or the many. These maxims demand of us that our laws be written against a definition and some measure other than what we personally find to be desirable or beneficial, it insists upon a disinterested, objective, reasoned judgement of the full matter and context at hand, rather than the opinions of a single one, or those of a majority, of interested men - how?
How is that done? Obviously the desirability of a law is not enough - Democracy, as Athens (and many an imitator) demonstrated, collapses in turmoil and chaos as the desires of the majority are taken as its sole authority for exercising power. To cast out the arbitrary nature of power, laws must be justifiable, logical, objective, their lawmakers must strive for them to be free of contradictions in the pursuit of legislation and verdicts, that are true and Just.
It requires a methodical Rule of Law, rather than simply ruling through rules.
The understanding and insistence of this requires that judicial rulings and punishment - power - be conformed to justifiable methods and reasoning, rooted not simply in what some men have written, but in conformity to general Truths that are open to all to understand, which precede and transcend any particular moment, and that are held as guides for what will be written down as, and be recognizable to all as being, Laws, a view which requires that Justice be their paramount goal.
Without that... it's just one power agreeing with another, at our expense - two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
Effectively reasoning upon particulars requires the identification and use of timeless concepts and principles, so that judgment can be passed upon particular instances without being unduly influenced by them, or by whose particulars they are that are being deliberated upon. That philosophical turn of mind is what makes it possible to think of, and reason upon, rules that would be more than particulars in focus and favoritism, Reason unaffected by desire - Laws. The old school of Law that best captures this ideal of Laws conforming to truths that can be inferred from nature, is that of Natural Law, it characterized an understanding of the Law in our Founder's era, requiring as it does, that we rise above particulars and into concepts and principles that would protect men's lives and property, rather than subdue them to the power of the powerful - that is the very basis of a Republican form of government - the rule of law , as opposed to Democracy, which, in legalizing what the majority desires, is literally the rule of men.
The two maxims mentioned above are the foundations, without which, what America added to the understanding of the Rule of Law could not have been conceived, let alone added to it, and without which America would not, could not, exist. But of course Britain's laws were largely founded upon Natural Law as well, see especially Magna Carta, and it the British were most definitely aware of, respected and practiced, those two maxims of law, and many others... and yet they didn't measure up to what was developed in America - why not?
In the rawness of America, especially in settling it, the pride, ideals and pretensions of Western Thought collided with its unvarnished reality, and in that a millenia of puffed up abstractions and pretensions of the old world, fell away from the new world, like old slag, revealing a few shiny new nuggets of liberty, which increased the wealth of the entire world.
What they were, and how they can still be discovered, even today, is what we'll start looking at in the next post.
Labels: Progress or Regress, The Rule of Law, The Rule of Law in Progress or Regress
We hold these truths to be self evident - The Rule...
Who Benefits from transforming Rules into Laws - T...
Why a Govt of Laws, and not of men? - The Rule of ...
Don't stand with victims - Wage pitiless war again...
The Lawful scares of October... and beyond - The R...
For Veterans Day - The Harder Right (revisited)
Ferguson goes to college: What did you expect? A r...
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Berkeley Rep wins big in 2008
Posted on January 8, 2009 by Karen D'Souza
In the Capraesque spirit of looking back on last year in search of bright spots amid the gloom, kudos are in order for Berkeley Rep. This news just in from our friends at the theater, who are understandably proud of the raves they racked up last year. First off, Mary Zimmerman’s dulcet fairytale “The Arabian Nights” has sold out and can’t be extended because the production has to hit the road for Chicago and other parts east. Secondly, “Passing Strange” continues to draw acclaim to the adventurous East Bay troupe. The New York Times ranked it in its top 10 for last year and Spike Lee’s film of the tuner is slated to debut at the Sundance Film Festival next Friday, January 16. Attaboy!
Arts, Celebrities, Concerts, General, Music Arts, awards, Bay Area Hot Spots, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Broadway, Celebrities, Concerts, culture, General, Karen D\'Souza, Lists, local theater, Mary Zimmerman, Movies & DVDs, Music, Passing Strange, plays, playwrights, Theater, Theater & Arts, theater briefs, theater news, Tony Awards, Tony Taccone
Weekly Gamester Reset (Cookie Monster edition)
Posted on January 4, 2009 by Gieson Cacho
Cookie Monster by Flickr user Wishbook under Creative Commons license
It’s the first week of the new year and I’m still getting used to writing down 2009 on all my bills instead of 2008. So far, it’s a slow start on Gamester’s end, but I’m sure things will start picking up with Skate 2 and Afro Samurai on the horizon.
These are the type of games the Cookie Monster would eat up if he weren’t hiding in a cave in Pakistan’s Waziristan region. Haha, we’re just joking about that, but that Sesame Street magazine cover is pretty unfortunate.
As for the reset, there wasn’t much happening so we’ll fill you in on some notable lists of the season.
Time’s Top 10 video games: Lev Grossman has a pretty respectable list topped by Grand Theft Auto IV. Although the game is deeply flawed, it does deserve some merit. It’s a pretty mainstream list that’s top heavy on the narrative games.
Doug Elfman’s Top 10 list: This syndicated columnist’s list is full of head-scratchers. Absent are the games you’d expect such as LittleBigPlanet or Gears of War 2 and instead this list is a mix of awful movie tie-ins and extremely flawed titles. I mean come on he has Wall-E on his list for christ’s sake. Someone needs to give Elfman a clue.
Sore Thumbs Ex-EGMers list: This collection is interesting because of the people and the subject. Run by former EGM editors Crispin Boyer and Dan “Shoe†Hsu, this Sore Thumbs list features former video game journos talking about games that didn’t get much exposure as they should have. Saints Row 2 gets some play along with Far Cry 2. The most interesting pick has to Be John Davidson’s choice of Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force. I was expecting something different like GRID.
GameSetWatch Top 10 list: I’m a fan of GameSetWatch’s picks. They’re a bit unconventional and *gasp* they include some portable titles and downloadable titles. I have to admit I wasn’t as impressed with Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia as they were. I give them props for picking World of Goo as they’re No. 2 game. Like many other lists, they put Fallout 3 on top.
Edge’s Top 30 of 2008: I agreed with a lot of Edge’s picks. Obviously, I had to like they’re No. 1 pick. It’s the same as mine. The rest is fairly justifiable. I disagree with putting Fable 2 up at No. 3 while Fallout 3 is nowhere to be seen in the top 10 (It’s No. 27). Another major game that was left out is Metal Gear Solid 4. The often criticized epic hit No. 14.
Entertainment Weekly’s 10 top list: This is as mainstream as you can get. Wii Fit EW’s picks. I can almost here all the soccer moms squeal with delight. It’s unconventional for sure, but you can make an argument that Wii Fit had the most impact on the gaming scene among the most people. The rest of the list is full of crowd pleaser such as LEGO Indiana Jones. (Why the hell didn’t they put the much superior LEGO Batman in there?) and Grand Theft Auto IV. The only non-mainstream game on the list is Braid.
General Cookie Monster edition, Lists, roundup, Weekly Gamester Reset
Forgotten Games of 2008
Woohoo, this is the first post of 2009, and it’s also one that takes a look back at some of the games that garnered a quick flash of attention before fading away into noise and obscurity. I’ll call this my list of the Forgotten Games of 2008. This isn’t to be confused with my top games of 2008.
No More Heroes: Suda 51’s first Wii title was smart, inventive and humorous. Too bad Wii owners are still buying crappy minigame collections to notice. There’s no accounting for taste. I have higher hopes for Platinum Games’ MadWorld, but Wii owner will probably still be buying Wii Play.
Valkyria Chronicles: Strategies games aren’t exactly system sellers. They’re more of a niche genre. Add to this, the unfortunate fact that the game is a Japanese role-playing game that’s not titled Final Fantasy and you have yourself a recipe for a game that will be loved by hard-core fans, but few people will actually play.
Ultimate Band (for Nintendo DS): This is probably the best rhythm-music game on the Nintendo DS (Yes, that includes Guitar Hero: On Tour.), but it probably won’t get much attention because it’s put out by Disney. What does Disney know about music games? Well, they were smart enough to steal the gameplay from Sing & Play DS Guitar M-06 and use it with some decent songs. Think of it as the other portable guitar game that won’t give you hand cramps.
BoomBlox: Steven Spielberg had a hand in this excellent Wii title that actually uses the motion-sensing technology smartly. Players have to knock down, manipulate or shoot down blocks in this clever game casual game. On top of that, players can build and share their own levels. It’s one of the most innovative games to come out on the Wii, and sadly, it was ignored.
God of War: Chains of Olympus: Kratos’ foray onto the small screen was successful because of some daring choices by Ready at Dawn. This is sequel between sequels actually makes God of War II a better game.
General Forgotten Games of 2008, Lists
Top Ten Hardest Games According To GameTrailers
Posted on August 14, 2008 by dwillis
GameTrailers has put together a list of the ten hardest games of all time. It’s pretty solid, not as good as Cracked’s list.
Of course it’s not perfect. Here are my problems with it:
General culture, hardest games ever, Lists, top ten
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Vault Master’s Top 20 MST3K Episodes!
Joel Hodgson – The patron saint of movie riffing.
It’s Thanksgiving time again, and Shout! Factory has resurrected an awesome little holiday event: THE MST3K TURKEY DAY MARATHON! The yearly tradition of showing episodes all day long on “turkey day” began in 1991, when the show was still on Comedy Central. The event continued onward until 1995 during the show’s sixth season, and was sort of resurrected by The Sci-Fi Channel in 1997.
But then last year, Shout! Factory got Joel Hodgson to host a MST3K Turkey Day revival online, resulting in a fantastic, award-winning show! Because it was so well received, Shout! Factory’s MST3K TURKEY DAY MARATHON is back again this year!
To celebrate this momentous occasion, allow me to share with you my top twenty MST3K episodes! They are divided into Joel and Mike “eras” and are listed in no particular order (for the most part).
Having met Joel Hodgson (a.k.a. stranded Gizmonic Institute employee and inventor, Joel Robinson) several times, I’ve learned a great deal about the man behind one of television’s greatest shows! His input and creativity is in every aspect of the show; it truly is his baby.
He built the robots, he dreamed up the characters, and put his skill sets as a puppeteer, entertainer, and comedian all together to create a show that both dared to poke fun at cinema, and revel in some of the worst dreck that humanity has ever put on celluloid. It taught us viewers to embrace bad films, because even the worst movies ever made still have some entertainment value.
TOP TEN EPISODES FROM THE JOEL ERA
#1. POD PEOPLE (Season 3, Episode 3)
This actually earns the number one spot on my list, as the POD PEOPLE episode was my first experience with MST3K! Cut up into two hour-long shows for the “Mystery Science Theater Hour,” I witnessed the first half on PBS late one Friday night when I was bored and channel-surfing. I was pretty young (around nine or ten) and I loved it!
I was so excited about my new discovery, and the following weekend I stayed up late to catch the second half. Sadly I never witnessed the remainder of THE POD PEOPLE – For some reason part two never aired. It would be several more years before I’d finally get to see the full episode (thanks to Rhino Home Video), which has cemented itself as my all-time favorite Joel-Era episode.
Highlights of this episode include Joel and the bots doing a hilarious mockery of the musical number from the film, entitled “Idiot Control Now.” They also do a great spoof of the “Trumpy Can Do Magic Things” sequence in the film, and to top it all off, their riffing is top notch! If you’ve never seen an episode of MST3K, this is a great one to start off with!
#2. CAVE DWELLERS (Season 3, Episode I)
Joel, Servo, and Crow sit through a ridiculous low-budget sword and sorcery adventure featuring (“How much Keeffe is in this movie?”) Miles O’ Keeffe! When an evil warlord captures a wiseman and demands that he give up a special magical artifact, a young woman ventures to find the mighty Ator and his Asian sidekick to save the day.
I die every time Joel and the bots recreate the bizarre opening credits of the film, and chuckle uncontrollably when Ator takes to the skies in a hang-glider before the film’s climactic battle between the muscled barbarian, and the pale mustachioed warlord donning a goofy swan helm.
#3. GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Season 2, Episode 12)
Mixing Godzilla and MST3K together surprisingly didn’t result in sensory overload for yours truly! This episode (which came out in Rhino’s Volume 10 set, before it was pulled from shelves due to rights issues) is great! In my favorite host segment, Joel gives Tom Servo and Crow new appendages inspired by the limbs of the film’s villainous monsters.
This is hilarious because Tom’s useless slinky arms are replaced with a Swiss Army Knife and flamethrower (“I am the god of Hellfire!”), while Crow is given a crab claw and a bent coat hanger.
The riffing in this episode is superb! The main running gag is the stunt-driving hero constantly being referred to as “Rex Dart, Eskimo Spy,” plus the trio of riffers do a very funny sports commentary during Godzilla and Jet Jaguar’s tag-team match with Gigan and Megalon.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their hilarious translation of the “Jet Jaguar Fight Song.”
#4. GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (Season 2, Episode 13)
More Godzilla and MST3K goodness, with some good riffing. (“For the seafood killer in you!”) This one had a lot of fun host segments, such as one where Joel and company sing the “Godzilla Geneology Bop.” There’s also a really great segment where Mothra appears via the hexfield because Crow and Tom are mocking the tiny twins that worship Mothra in the film. Crow’s first reaction is to “Throw it a sweater!”
#5. TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE (Season 4, Episode 4)
I’ve watched this episode many times, because the riffing is so damned good. The ridiculous plot involves alien visitors who are attempting to turn the Earth into grazing land for their hordes of giant killer lobsters, called Gargans. I burst out laughing every time Crow or Servo mimics the hilariously goofy “roar” of the vicious space lobsters!
#6. THE KILLER SHREWS (Season 4, Episode 7)
A public domain classic featuring a group of stranded people on an island that are cut off from escape by an army of vicious dogs covered in carpet remnants! Joel and the bots have an absolute blast with this flick! During the host segments they come up with a fun musical ode to “Killer Shrews” while making a new mixed drink recipe in honor of the movie. Great stuff from the masters of movie riffing!
#7. ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES (Season 4, Episode 6)
Giant leeches attack rednecks in a swampy backwoods Florida town in this early Roger Corman effort. It’s up to a game warden and scientist to blow them up and save the locals! There are some hilarious jokes in this episode, particularly in regards to the chubby shopkeeper and his trophy wife. And I really love the song “A Danger to Myself and Others” during one of the final host segments.
#8. EEGAH! (Season 5, Episode 6)
Richard Kiel stars as a caveman that’s yearning for love after centuries of loneliness. This is yet another classic episode that I discovered during the early VHS days of Rhino Home Video. Trace Beaulieu’s Crow T. Robot does a great Crypt Keeper impression during the film’s opening credits, and many jokes are made at the expense of Arch Hall Jr. (a.k.a. “Cabbage Patch Elvis”)
Most importantly, this is the episode where the infamous line “Watch out for snakes!” hails from.
#9. HERCULES UNCHAINED (Season 4, Episode 8)
I’ve seen most of the Hercules episodes of MST3K but this one has remained as my all-time favorite. Herc tries to settle a war between feuding brothers, but along the way is magically turned into an amnesiac by the evil Queen Lydia. This episode has some great jokes (“The broom people! Bristling with anger!”) and introduced fans to “DEEEEEP HURTING!” The host segments are all fun as well, making this a very well-rounded episode of the show!
#10. MITCHELL (Season 5, Episode 12)
This was the final Joel episode of MST3K, and saw the god of the MST3K universe escaping back to Earth after sitting through a detective flick starring Joe Don Baker. The riffing in this episode is some of the best in the Joel-era, and I think he and Mike found a rather fun way of passing the torch.
What was unusual (to me) is that this wasn’t the final episode of the fifth season. The second half and onward was strictly the adventures of Mike Nelson aboard the S.O.L. with his newfound robotic roommates. It was a sad day for many fans when Joel left the Satellite of Love, but I think he chose a worthy successor in Michael J. Nelson.
Michael J. Nelson – Hero to some, usurper to others.
Once Mike took over as host, things began to change rapidly. Though “the mads” stuck around for a few seasons (mainly Dr. Clayton Forrester), the invention exchanges eventually got phased out, and more song and dance numbers began to creep in during host segments.
Also, during the final seasons on Sci-Fi (not SyFy) Channel, the host segments were required to have some sort of linear storyline that was science-fiction oriented. This proved to be pointless however, because the episodes were never aired sequentially.
Trace Bealieu eventually left the show during this period (as did Frank Conniff, whose character, “TV’s Frank,” went to “Second Banana Heaven” at the end of Season 6), leaving Bill Corbett to take over as Crow T. Robot. Mary Jo Pehl’s “Pearl Forrester” became Dr. Forrester’s “cohost” in the extremely short seventh season, and would take over once the show was revived on Sci-Fi Channel.
Aside from the big casting changes, another noticeable feature was that the movie riffing became much more stinging and mean-spirited. While some have embraced this harsher riffing (which has rocketed the holy trinity of Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy into stardom with Rifftrax), not everyone was a fan of it.
Still, Mike kept the torch lit for five-and-a-half seasons, so he must have been doing something right!
TOP TEN EPISODES FROM THE MIKE ERA
#1. WEREWOLF (Season 9, Episode 4)
POD PEOPLE was my first foray into the world of MST3K, but WEREWOLF was the episode where I rediscovered my love for the show. It was the Spring of 1998, and I was at a friend’s house, just shooting the breeze and channel surfing. As he passed the Sci-Fi Channel, I saw something familiar, and had him go back.
I was amazed to see a certain trio of silouhettes lobbing insults at some goofy werewolf flick, and my joy could not be contained! My buddy was at first perplexed, but moments later he was laughing as hard as I was, and soon my new obsession with MST3K began.
WEREWOLF is a low-budget lycanthrope film featuring terrible effects, actors, music, and sound effects. It was perfect fodder for Mike Nelson and his robot roomates on the S.O.L.
The jokes come fast and furious in this episode, and I’ve seen it so many times that I can quote it almost verbatim. As a bonus, the host segments aren’t too shabby: Mike makes a ridiculous escape attempt from the Satellite of Love, does a fun musical number (“Where O’ Werewolf”), and slowly morphs into a “wereCrow” as the show continues.
This is also the episode that first introduced me to Joe Estevez, who would come back with a vengeance in the final season.
#2. SOULTAKER (Season 10, Episode 1)
Oh. My. God. The crew of the S.O.L. verbally beat this film to death and I never could get enough of it! A group of “teens” die in a car accident, and their souls are knocked clear of their bodies. As they try and figure out what happened to them, a “soultaker” (Joe Estevez clad in black from head to toe) pursues and captures them.
Poor Robert Z’Dar (who plays a higher-ranking Soultaker) becomes the butt of numerous “he has a huge face” jokes, the movie’s plotholes are dragged screaming into the open, and former castmembers Joel Hodgson and Frank Conniff show up for a mini-reunion!
#3. PUMAMAN (Season 9, Episode 3)
“Pu-ma-man. He flies like a mo-ron!” So sings Crow as this film’s goofy superhero flies over rear-projected cities in PUMAMAN. Donald Pleasance stars as a maniac who tries to control humanity with a golden mask. However his evil plans are thwarted by a hero with alien origins, and his Aztec sidekick!
This movie is ridiculous to the extreme, but it works in favor of Mike and the bots’ jokes. The host segments are kind of weak, but the constant volley of laugh-out-loud jokes more than makes up for it!
#4. DEVIL FISH (Season 9, Episode 11)
This episode is funny as all hell (“I Knoooooow!”) and boasts some of the best riffing of the Mike Era! A giant sharktopus eats Italian Floridians in this goofy JAWS rip-off from director Mario Bava.
There are so many running gags in this episode (e.g. constant jokes about a certain ugly character’s face, skinny jokes about the lead actress, and jokes about Bob, the film’s oceanic expert and resident alcoholic), and the host segments are actually kind of funny. In particular, I love it when Pearl tries to make Mike and the bots look more Italian via a special video filter.
#5. THE FINAL SACRIFICE (Season 9, Episode 10)
THE FINAL SACRIFICE is one of the handful of episodes that I’ve watched more times than I care to admit. This movie is some bizarre student film about a kid, and an oddly named drunk with a mullet, who search for a hidden civilization while being pursued by a cult.
Any joke involving lead hero Zap Rowsdower is solid gold, and the majority of the host segments are great, with the best one being Tom Servo’s musical tribute to Canada!
#6. BOGGY CREEK II: AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES (Season 10, Episode 6)
“And the Legend Continues… to not be heard by anyone!” Charles B. Pierce (director of THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK and THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN) stars and directs in this weird quasi-mockumentary/adventure tale about a group of college researchers seeking out Bigfoot.
This episode features some of my favorite jokes (“We will march, into the Forbidden Zone!”), and offers up a character named Old Man Crenshaw (“Wow, Thor’s really hit the skids.”), that must be seen to be believed! This episode suffers from weak host segments, but again, the riffing makes up for it!
#7. PRINCE OF SPACE (Season 8, Episode 16)
Mike and the bots sit through a thoroughly bizarre Japanese sci-fi adventure, featuring THE PRINCE OF SPACE (“Please, call me the Artist.”) and his arch-nemesis, the idiotic Phantom of Krankor (“Crank whore?”)
The trio of riffing experts mock the Japanese cast, pick on a ludicrous giant (“Ahhh! Cecil Fielder!”), and turn an already unintentionally hilarious film into a comedy masterpiece!
During the host segments, the crew of the S.O.L. gets sucked into a wormhole, resulting in various alternate realities where the bridge of the ship becomes a sylvan glen, or where Mike is a tiny robot in charge of the crew. When things finally get back to normal, it is discovered that they’ve traveled back to Roman times!
#8. TIME CHASERS (Season 8, Episode 21)
This episode of MST3K is different from all the rest because the film in question was an indie film sent in by its director (David Giancola) to be riffed on. What resulted is one of the most biting riffing marathons I’ve ever had the joy of experiencing.
When a nerdy guy turns a single-engine airplane into a “time transport,” it is stolen by an evil corporate slimeball who puts it to nefarious use! Can “piton-chin” defeat the evil J.K. Robertson and set things right?!
This episode features some top-notch riffing, and the host segments are all quite fun. Inspired by the film, Crow goes back in a time machine that he and Tom constructed, and attempts to change Mike’s past, resulting in an even worse future for the temp worker we all love and know!
#9. THE GIANT SPIDER INVASION (Season 8, Episode 10)
Bill Rebane’s film about cheating rednecks and the worth of meteor-gems, doesn’t have much in the way of giant spiders or invasions. However it is the perfect fodder for Mike and the bots as they verbally tear this film a new one! There’s a lot of great jokes in this episode, and the host segments feature a pod-people invasion that keeps things lively in between riffing sessions!
In regards to the riffing, poor Alan Hale takes the brunt of everyone’s ire in this episode. There are so many fat jokes about the Skipper from GILLIGAN’S ISLAND! And when they aren’t picking on Alan, they are lobbing insults at the state of Wisconsin! (“Go Packers.”)
#10. SPACE MUTINY (Season 8, Episode 20)
Originally occupied by THE SCREAMING SKULL from the show’s ninth season, after some soul-searching, I felt that I had to correct a major error: SPACE MUTINY should have been added to this list from the beginning! This low-budget sci-fi actioner was shot inside a warehouse, and features effects footage cribbed from Battlestar Galactica, dozens of “railing kills,” and Reb Brown as a beefy hero with a high-pitched scream!
The evil Kalgan (“Blow me away!”) starts a mutiny upon a massive spaceship called the “Southern Son,” against “Sting, Debbie Reynolds, and God.” Kalgon plans on handing the ship over to space pirates, so that he and his followers can finally touch down on a planet, instead of living their entire lives drifting through various galaxies. But Kalgan’s plans are soon derailed by the heroic David Ryder (Reb Brown), who rallies the good people on the ship against the murderous coup-leader.
The host segments are pretty decent in this episode, and the riffing during SPACE MUTINY is fantastic! It is easily one of the strongest episodes in the Mike Nelson era, and boasts one of (if not) the best running gags in MST3K history. As the film plays out, Mike and the ‘bots lob a series of hysterical “manly” names at Reb Brown, such as “Punch RockGroin,” “Flint IronStag,” “Fridge Largemeat,” “Big McLargeHuge,” and dozens more! It’s gut-bustingly hilarious – watch the video below to see for yourself!
So there you have it fellow MSTies: Those are my top twenty episodes! Do you agree? Disagree? Do you have your own top ten lists (or Turkey Day marathon lists) that you’d like to share? Then feel free to post them in the comments section below!
Wait what’s that? You want to know who my favorite MST3K host is? Well… here’s the most political way I could possibly answer that: I can’t choose a favorite. Both men were integral in making the show popular and, for the most part, timeless.
While I’ll admit that Mike Nelson is my movie riffer of choice, I think Joel was way better at constructing the host segments. His invention exchanges were always a blast, and his sketches usually paired up well with the film they were riffing on in each episode.
It’s an even draw for the most part, but if I had to choose who was the most important of the two, it would have to be Joel. Although Mike’s influence was felt throughout (he was brought on as a writer during the first season), Joel was the heart of the show, and created the concept, the original robots, and sets from scratch!
So allow me to salute you, Joel Hodgson, for developing my all-time favorite television program. You’ve made me laugh so much over the years, and taught me the value of bad cinema. And allow me to also salute you, Michael J. Nelson, for carrying the torch for so long. You men are truly demigods, and without you, people would still be quietly suffering through awful films for all eternity.
Tags: Bill Corbett Cambot Crow T. Robot Frank Coniff Gypsy Joel Hodgson Joel Robinson Kevin Murphy list Mary Jo Pehl Michael J. Nelson Mike Nelson movie riffing MST3K Mystery Science Theater 3000 Satellite of Love Tom Servo top twenty Trace Beaulieu Vault Master's Top 20 MST3K Episodes
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Broadsword Magazine
Monthly Fifth Edition adventures in old school printed magazine format (available in PDF, too!)
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Goal $3,450.00
Pledge Rewards $33,670.00
Not only do you get the first issue of Broadsword magazine in your inbox, but you'll get it in your mailbox, too! The magazine includes 4 all-new, original Fifth Edition-compatible adventures, plus new monsters, spells, magic items, subclasses, and more.
You get the project news and updates, and your name gets mentioned in our acknowledgements section. See project description for details.
Get the first issue of Broadsword magazine in printable PDF format. Broadsword magazine includes four new Fifth Edition-compatible adventures, new monsters, subclasses, spells, and more.
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Get 6-months of PDF format only. Broadsword delivers 66 pages of new and original Fifth Edition-compatible content each month, with four adventures, plus new magic items, spells, subclasses, and more. Plus, you get downloadable PDF copies as well.
Includes both PRINT and PDF digital copies. Save $1 per issue when you order six-months of Broadsword. Broadsword delivers 66 pages of new and original Fifth Edition-compatible content each month, with four adventures, plus new magic items, spells, subclasses, and more. Plus, you get downloadable PDF copies as well.
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Get a full-page/B&W ad in Broadsword Magazine #1 in both print and PDF format. The rate is fixed, no matter how many issues we print--we will target 1,000 issues to start, but could do as many as 10,000 or more! Plus, you'll receive a free print copy of the book.
Get a full-page/full-color ad on the back cover or interior covers of Broadsword Magazine #1 in both print and PDF format. The rate is fixed, no matter how many issues we print--we will target 1,000 issues to start, but could do as many as 10,000 or more! Plus, you'll receive a free print copy of the book.
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Bob Hope USO at LAX
Bob Hope USO Ontario
Bob Hope USO Palm Springs
Bob Hope USO Orange County
Bob Hope USO at MEPS El Segundo
Bob Hope USO at March ARB Deployment Center
The Bob Hope USO at LAX Grand Opening
LAX Capital Campaign
March Air Reserve Base
Join the Patriot Circle!
Bob’s Deployment
Very often USO volunteers are the last ones to offer a hug, a sandwich and send off for a military service member as they head into a conflict zone. Often we are there to share the gratitude of the American people as family members wave goodbye and their son and daughter give them one more smile and giant hug, and their spouse offers a tearful goodbye. Often, we don’t know them beyond their name, rank and what they might want on their hot dog as they wait to depart. This time it’s different.
On April 21st, our President of Bob Hope USO, Bob Kurkjian, will head into the field on a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in service to our nation. He will command the Defense Logistics Agency team in Afghanistan. A Navy reservist for nearly two decades, Bob will transition from USO leader to a USO customer. He knows the power of the USO and its volunteers, and he’s grateful that the USO will be here for him and his family. Bob knows he can call home to his young children and his wife from the USO at Bagram. He knows he will celebrate the Fourth of July in a foreign land, grateful for the freedoms provided by the generations of others before him, while his wife and kids watch the fireworks from the safety of Joint Training Base in Los Alamitos. And he knows his wife and their two children will have the full support of the USO’s military spouse and family programs while he is thousands of miles around the world. His family will be surrounded by other military children at the annual Military Family Carnival and celebrated at Salute to Service events, where recognition is given to families as the “true heroes” in the military. Bob may even have a chance to participate in a USO entertainment tour with a visit from the cast of a popular network television program or a concert performed by a well-known country artist. All of this is possible because of the community of supporters that the USO brings together. All because of donors like you.
It shouldn’t be different because we know Bob and his family. But it is. Knowing that our leader will be stationed in a conflict zone, deployed to protect and defend our nation, hits closer to home. For Bob, our USO family means the world to him, and we stand united in our show of support and appreciation for his service and dedication to the USO mission and our country. We hope you will too.
Thank you for your support! To follow Bob’s journey in Afghanistan visit CDRKinAFG.blogspot.com #cdrkinafg #commanderkurkjian
HOW TO HELP AND INFORMATION
200 Pine Ave, Suite 240
Long Beach, California 90802
Email: INFO@BobHopeUSO.org
201 World Way
--------------------------------------------------- Phone: 310-645-3716
Email: LAX@BobHopeUSO.org
Palm Springs International Airport 210 N. El Cielo, Suite 102 Palm Springs, California 92262
Email: PSP@BobHopeUSO.org
Ontario Int. Airport, West Wing
1940 East Moore Way
Email: ONT@BobHopeUSO.org
18601 Airport Way, #107
Email: SNA@BobHopeUSO.org
Copyright 2016 Bob Hope USO Headquarters Office | 200 Pine Ave, Suite 240 Long Beach, California 90802 | Phone: 562-999-7730 | Fax: 562-999-7738 | Email: INFO@BobHopeUSO.org
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How To Become An Occupational Therapist Ontario
School of Occupational Therapy Western University
The occupational therapist will be expected to work closely with rehabilitation therapy assistants and must be able to integrate assistant services in the... 22 days ago - save job - more... View all St. Joseph's Continuing Care Centre jobs - Cornwall jobs... Average Occupational Therapist Salary in Canada. The table below details the hourly wages for Occupational Therapists. The Canadian national occupation classification code (NOC) for this role is �
Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists
Research what it takes to become a pediatric occupational therapist. Learn about education requirements, job duties, average wages and job outlook to find out if this is the career for you. Schools offering Occupational Therapy Assistant degrees can also be found in these popular choices. What Is a... Average Occupational Therapist Salary in Canada. The table below details the hourly wages for Occupational Therapists. The Canadian national occupation classification code (NOC) for �
Stepwise Procedure to Become an Occupational Therapist in California Step 1 � Obtain a Degree in Occupational Therapy If you want to get a license as a registered occupational therapist in California, it is essential to complete your bachelor�s, master�s or an associate�s degree in occupational therapy from an NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) accredited how to create a macro excel standard module 17/12/2012�� How to Become an Occupational Therapist. Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan to help them do the things they want and need to do, despite injury or illness. Their work includes mental health, where they help people... Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan to help them do the things they want and need to do, despite injury or illness. Their work
Occupational Therapist Salary Canada Living in Canada
Research what it takes to become a pediatric occupational therapist. Learn about education requirements, job duties, average wages and job outlook to find out if this is the career for you. Schools offering Occupational Therapy Assistant degrees can also be found in these popular choices. What Is a how to become a zombie on the walking dead About Western OT. Western's School of Occupational Therapy is committed to harnessing the transformative power of occupation: in the community, across the �
The Best Ways to Become an Occupational Therapist Chron.com
How Can I Become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?
Occupational Therapists What They Do and How to Become One
Becoming an Occupational Therapist
17/12/2012�� How to Become an Occupational Therapist. Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan to help them do the things they want and need to do, despite injury or illness. Their work includes mental health, where they help people... Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan to help them do the things they want and need to do, despite injury or illness. Their work
Stepwise Procedure to Become an Occupational Therapist in California Step 1 � Obtain a Degree in Occupational Therapy If you want to get a license as a registered occupational therapist in California, it is essential to complete your bachelor�s, master�s or an associate�s degree in occupational therapy from an NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) accredited
The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) is the voluntary provincial professional association of Ontario's occupational therapists. With focus in the areas of Member Services, Government Relations, Professional Promotion, Professional Development and Practice Support, the Society serves and represents the interests of members and promotes the profession of occupational therapy �
Why Become An Occupational Therapist Occupational therapists provide essential services to their patients, clients, and students, as well as family members and other professionals. They may be the reason why someone walks again.
A: To become an occupational therapist, you need to complete at least a master's degree in occupational therapy. However, first you need to complete a 4-year degree program from an accredited university in any major such as kinesiology, psychology, sociology, biology and so on. After completion of your bachelor's degree, you will need to get a masters degree (typically takes 2 years to
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The Digital Dredge
Clear Creek Digital
Trevor Hall
5 Yukon Miners to Follow
By Maddi Griebling
The Yukon Territory in northwest Canada is scarcely populated, filled with wilderness, flows with mountains, and is one of the most active jurisdictions for mineral exploration and mining. The Yukon has world-class mineral deposits with 2,700 known mineral occurrences and more than 80 mineral deposits with established reserves, some of which are the largest known in the world. Additionally, the territory has well-developed infrastructure, including more than 4,800 kilometres of all-weather roads, numerous airports, clean energy, Internet and cell phone service throughout the territory.
This connectivity provides ample opportunities for companies operating in the Yukon to share updates and information online to their social media communities and shareholders. Here are five junior mining companies in the Yukon we find to have a great presence on Twitter.
Mining, Minerals and Communications. This is what we do.
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates about mineral exploration and mining companies using digital communications to share their stories and mobilize communities.
Alexco Resource Corp. @alexcoresource
Alexco Resource Corp. owns the Keno Hill Silver District in Canada’s Yukon Territory. Over the last 10 years Alexco has discovered and documented 68 million ounces of silver in Indicated resources and 18 million ounces in Inferred resources. Alexco is committed to its contributions to the economy, the environment, and the communities in and around the Keno Hill Silver District.
Alexco’s Bellekeno mine began production in 2011. It has produced two million ounces of silver and 20 million pounds of lead and zinc concentrate each year while in operation until it closed in September 2013. The mine is in consideration to reopen. It is production ready, fully permitted, and undergoing upgrades and improvements to prepare for the continuation of production.
In 2013, Alexco announced its new Flame & Moth project. In March 2017 an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment reported the Indicated Mineral Resource of 498 g/t containing 26.8 Moz-ag and the Inferred Mineral Resources of 4.1 Mt of 365 g/t. As of right now the mine is fully permitted, awaiting pending production decision, and a development decline is scheduled to being in Q2 2018.
Alexco is involved with the Yukon Territory, retweeting about events hosted by different Yukon groups. On Twitter they also highlight Alexco’s foundation remains unchanged and as they continue to progress the company.
White Gold Corp. @WhiteGoldCorp
White Gold Corp. is the largest land holder in the White Gold District of Yukon with approximately 40% of the district. White Gold Corp. owns a portfolio of 19,438 quartz across 30 properties over 390,000 hectares. They also take on more advanced exploration projects including the flagship White Gold property, with a mineral resource of 961k Indicated and 282.5k Inferred ounces of gold. White Gold Corp’s highly experienced management and technical team has previously been involved with multiple discoveries in the White Gold District.
On Twitter, White Gold Corp. provides updates about using innovative technology. They post links to news on their website, and any other important information related to their projects and the industry. On April 3rd White Gold Corp. began trading in the United States under Nasdaq International Designation. By trading in Nasdaq it provides greater visibility which allows for greater access to US investors. On March 22nd, it was announced that White Gold Corp. discovered multiple high-priority targets using the company’s innovative exploration methods.
“Social Media provides a great platform to highlight the Yukon and bring attention to the White Gold District. Our goal through social media is to share our unique story and educate people about the key differentiating factors we possess as a Canadian exploration Junior. White Gold Corp holds the largest land package in the district with many highly prospective targets and a proven management team. In tangent with a strong social media presence we are able to develop brand awareness and help put the district on the map for international investors,” says Harrison Braden of White Gold Corp.
Fireweed Zinc @FireweedZinc
Fireweed Zinc’s Macmillan Pass Project was said to be one of the world’s most significant zinc resources by the Mineral Resource Estimate in January of 2018. The Macmillan Pass Project includes the large zinc-lead-silver deposits known as Tom and Jason. The property is reachable by gravel road or by air through the airstrip located on the property.
Fireweed Zinc’s goal is to use Macmillan Pass Project to become a leading metal development and production company to create value for their shareholders.
Fireweed Zinc is active on Twitter. They recently posted about their Preliminary Economic Assessment on the MacMillan Pass Project. They also are celebrating their one year IPO and posting about the success they have had in the past year along with what is to come. They make sure their followers are updated on recent events or announcements.
Clear Creek Digital previously spoke with Fireweed’s CEO, Brandon MacDonald, about their use of social media and its importance to the industry. Twitter and other social networks are an important tool for the company to share their story.
StrikePoint Gold Inc @StrikepointGold
StrikePoint Gold explores North America to discover large footprint ore deposits of gold, silver, or copper. StrikePoint is committed to using exploration methods in a cost-effective way, to maximize the early evaluation of the potential deposits. Technology is an important way for StrikePoint to explore the possible deposits. LiDAR and satellite remote sensing are two techniques used. The management team has proven to be successful in the past through previous companies that developed gold deposits.
Strikepoint was engaged on Twitter in 2017, throughout their exploration season. They posted pictures of geologists in the field finding new places to drill. They also gave updates of the active mine and how much it produced. The most recent Twitter posts were results from the Pluto mine.
ATAC Resources LTD @ATAC_Resources
ATAC Resources Ltd. discovered Canada’s only Carlin-type gold district across its 1700 sq. km Rackla Gold Property in the mining-friendly Yukon. The company is developing the strategic land package under an exploration partnership with the world’s largest gold producer, Barrick Gold Corporation.
The Rackla Gold Property is comprised of three projects: the 100%-owned Osiris Project, which hosts the advanced Conrad, Osiris, Sunrise and Ibis Carlin-type gold zones; the 100%-owned Rau Project, which hosts the Tiger Gold Deposit; and, the Orion Project, which is a large early-stage exploration land package that is subject to a $55 million earn-in agreement with Barrick.
The company recently received a positive joint Decision Document from the Yukon Government (YG) and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun (NND) for a 65-km, all-season road to the property. It intends to continue aggressive exploration activities alongside Barrick in 2018.
Recent near-surface drill highlights include 12.5m of 20.78 grams gold per tonne at ATAC’s Conrad zone in hole OS-17-238.
"We're excited to join a very robust Yukon Twitter community. The ability to engage with local communities, local business, and territorial government has probably been the biggest benefit," commented Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Matthew Keevil. "The platform also creates more agile and dynamic dialogue with media, capital markets, and the broader public compared to traditional press releases."
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Contact Phone: 1 402 649 4908
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Study material for Wirtschaftsinformatik & Technische Mathematik
Today, I received a letter by the vice-rector of the University of Vienna, announcing me to be Master of Computer Science & Economics. I take this opportunity to celebrate, but also to publish study materials related to my courses. They might be of use for students coming after me.
Data Engineering (UE) Angaben, Ausarbeitung
Distributed System (UE) Source Code
Proseminar aus Grundzüge der politischen Ökonomie (Makroökonomie) (PS), Seminararbeit "Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspakt"
Makroökonomie (UE) Angaben, Ausarbeitung
Requirements Analyse (LU) Software Requirements Specification
Macroeconomic Simulations (SE) "Border costs and real exchange rate dynamics in Europe" - english
Technische Mathematik
Analysis 1 (UE)
Lineare Algebra 1 (UE)
Liskell standalone
Some time has passed since I last blogged about Liskell. It is not dead nor have I changed my mind that Haskell needs a proper meta-programming facility not to mention a better syntax.Liskell was a branch of GHC once. Now it sits on top of the GHC API, or I should rather say sneaks behind its back as it creates its own API as the original one is not suitable for the stunts I'm interested in. If Liskell sticks with GHC as its soil, I will definitely send patches upstream to refine the GHC API in the areas where it needs more flexibility for Liskell. However for the moment, my main target was to get something out that compiles with a stable version of GHC.You can grab it with the usual: darcs get http://code.haskell.org/liskell/ This version has been tested with ghc 6.10.1 and should install like: ./Setup.lhs configure ./Setup.lhs build ./Setup.lhs install cd LskPrelude make install-inplace Optionally you can run make tests in the testsuite subdirectory. Thanks to community.haskell…
Is the new post-money SAFE mathematically sound?
Y-Combinator published a new set of documents for their SAFE, short for "Simple Agreement for Future Equity". The new version takes the document from a pre-money investment to a post-money investment. But for those of you that know neither versions, a SAFE is a legal document signed by the SAFE investor and a startup, so that the startup gets cash to build their product and the investor gets equity in the company. How much equity the SAFE investor gets is not spelled out in numbers but in the form of a set of equations that should compute this number at a later stage. "Later" usually means at the next funding round called Series A, where a larger investor injects more cash into an already working prototype of the product. At the point of Series A, it is much more clear on how the product performs and whether there is a market. The Series A investment usually happens a year after the SAFE investment. The assumption here is that it is fair to both the startup and th…
XMonad GridSelect
Personally, I not just need a window manager, I need a focus manager. I tend to think of windows as TODO items, and as there are many TODOs in life there are many windows on my workspaces. Usually a fraction of that can't be closed or worked on immediately, so they linger around on my desktop, cluttering my workspace.I used to use the Tabbed layout. But Tabbed isn't the answer when you are a guy who reports bugs such as "XMonad 0.6 with Tabbed dies when firefox-session-restore slams 40 windows at once on the desktop". In other words, I use a lot of windows. The workspaces concept isn't particularly useful to me either. My mind just doesn't work with mental boxes. So the result is, that I have too few workspaces with too much windows on them, so that Tabbed has trouble displaying useful window titles, and navigating through them is slow and cumbersome (mostly because tab switching generates a lot of useless X Expose events).GridSelect is my answer to that. It…
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The mission of the California Native Plant Society is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture and land stewardship.
Dedicated to the preservation of California's native plants
Fiscalini Ranch, January, 2019. Cambria, California. Marlin Harms.
Hypogymnia sp., Tube Lichen. Marlin Harms.
Phaeolus schweinitzii, Dyer’s Polypore.
Marlin Harms.
Mycena purpureofusca, Cone-dwelling Mycena. On cone of Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata. Marlin Harms.
Coastal Lichens on Rock–Caloplaca & Acarospora.
Marlin Harms
Gymnopilus spectabilis, Laughing Gym, After Showers. Marlin Harms.
Butterfly data on Calscape
CNPS went live with past week with the new Calscape feature whereby users can search for host plants by butterfly species and location.
New Membership Coordinator
We are happy to announce LynneDee Althouse has accepted the job of Membership Coordinator for the SLO Chapter.
The Garden Corner
most California native plants bloom in March and April. Then they will began a vegetative growth spurt that will end in early September after which they will go into a dormant period due to our Mediterranean climate.
CNPS Education Program
our chapter had the opportunity to work with Bev Gingg and Learning Among the Oaks, a program that has been working to introduce young children to the oak woodland community at the Santa Margarita Ranch, and, more recently, at the Pismo Preserve
This plant was used for a variety of uses throughout California. The Chumash made a tea to put on poison oak to relieve the symptoms. They also made a felt cone from the dried leaves to burn on a patients skin to cauterize a wound.
Seed Collection of Early Bloomers
Buttercup seeds are turning brown even as more buds open. Collecting will be an ongoing process which I can do easily since it is in my garden. This is just a reminder that seed season is upon us.
http://cnpsslo.org/event/chapter-meeting-nov-2017/
Speaker: Dena Grossenbacher, Alpine plant diversity on Yosemite’s Sky Islands
Dena Grossenbacher is a new Assistant Professor of Botany at CalPoly. She is broadly interested in how plant-environment interactions generate and maintain plant diversity, and the processes underlying the origin and extinction of species. She uses the California flora,
especially monkeyflowers, to address these questions because of their astonishing variation both among and within species.
Dena received a Bachelor’s degree in Botany in 1999 from University of Washington, was a field botanist in the Pacific Northwest and the Yosemite region from 2000-2008, and received a Ph.D. in Population Biology from UC Davis in 2013 with Maureen Stanton. She did postdocs studying mating system evolution at University of Minnesota and at Washington State University before arriving at Cal Poly
in January 2017.
Pacific Beach High School
11950 Los Osos Valley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA
http://cnpsslo.org/event/native-plant-sale/
It’s the annual event you’ve been waiting for. Create your drought-tolerant native garden with help from CNPS-SLO!
Local native plant enthusiasts are hosting a sale of water-thrifty California Native Plants. Tips and advice for all garden situations available at no additional charge.
Hundreds of plant varieties for yards and gardens will be available. Many are excellent for attracting birds and butterflies to your garden. Native plants are adapted to this area so they save water, and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
Work Crew, Old Prospector Trail, Irish Hills
Costco SLO
1540 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA
http://cnpsslo.org/event/work-crew-old-prospector-trail-irish-hills/
Saturday, Nov. 11th, 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Meet in the Costco parking lot, adjacent to the Costco gas station, Los Osos Valley Road, SLO. From there, we will walk to the trail.
Join hikers who want to help keep trails in good shape. We will be using loppers to remove branches of Ceanothus and other chaparral plants out of the trail, then cache the cut pieces off the trail.
The upper half of the trail was completed in October, so work will focus on the lower half. Total distance will be 3 to 4 miles with a 500 ft. elevation gain. Use a small backpack to bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. Wear sturdy shoes, bring gloves, a hat, and layered clothing, as needed. Contact Bill Waycott, (805) 459-2103, bill.waycott@gmail.com.
Rain cancels.
Growing Grounds Farm Plant Sale
Growing Grounds Farm Wholesale Nursery
3740 Orcutt Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
http://cnpsslo.org/event/growing-grounds-farm-plant-sale-11-17/
Growing Grounds Farm is a non-profit wholesale nursery located in San Luis Obispo. Growing Grounds offers California natives, Mediterranean perennials, succulents, restoration and mitigation plants, a wide variety of grasses, and a selection of perennial herbs.
Growing Grounds Farm is a wholesale nursery and does not sell directly to the public except on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m
Volunteer at the Hoover Herbarium
During the volunteer sessions at the Hoover Herbarium, people can take part in any number of activities. One of our primary responsibilities is mounting new specimens. This involves taking dried and pressed plants and glueing them to paper. When we mount plants, we do it in such a way that those specimens will last for hundreds of years. Each specimen is a physical record of what plants occurred where and when. Without this valuable information we wouldn’t know when a species goes extinct, expands or contracts its range, or where species occur. After mounting, the specimens are databased and geo-referenced. Then they are filed into the main collection. We have over 80,000 specimens at the Hoover Herbarium. We are also working on a SLO Voucher Collection, which will contain one representative specimen for each species in the county. Volunteers look through our specimens and pick the one that should be added to the Voucher Collection. Additionally, we are actively working on our moss and lichen collections. Volunteers can choose what aspects of the work they would like to participate in. Any and everyone is welcome. The Hoover Herbarium is located on the 3rd floor of the Fisher Science Building (33) in rooms 352 and 359.
Starting Sept 18th, the herbarium volunteers sessions will be Mondays from 3-5 pm and Fridays 9 – 1.
Parking permits are required on campus Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am through 10:00 pm; and Friday, 7:00 am through 5:00 pm. You can either buy a $6 day pass, a $4 3-hr pass, park in a metered space, ride the bus, or park off campus and walk in. Questions: email Jenn Yost at jyost@calpoly.edu
May-June Obispoensis
Get your copy of Obispoensis delivered straight to your email inbox
Opt Out of Paper Newsletter
Some Titles from our Bookstore – View Full Selection
California Native Plants for the Garden
CALIFORNIA PLANTS: A GUIDE TO OUR ICONIC FLORA
Plants of the Carrizo Plain ebook
The Geology of San Luis Obispo County
The Geology of San Luis Obispo County Road and Trail Guides
Wildflowers Bundle
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Boeing, Dassault Systèmes Extend Partnership
27.07.2017 North America
Dassault Systèmes and Boeing have extended their partnership. Boeing will expand its deployment of Dassault Systèmes’ products across its commercial aviation, space and defense programs to include the Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
This decision follows a competitive process that included the rigorous analysis of technical and functional capabilities, cost and business benefits across the value chain. Boeing will deploy the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in phases and rely on Winning Program, Co-Design to Target, Ready for Rate, Build to Operate and License to Fly industry solution experiences for aerospace and defense to deepen its end to end digital collaboration, design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing planning and shop floor execution capabilities throughout the enterprise.
“Dassault Systèmes is proud to collaborate with Boeing as it embarks on another century of innovation with a partner it trusts. Boeing not only leads the way in its own industry, but influences the progress of all industries across modern society,” said Bernard Charlès, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dassault Systèmes.
“We are at the turning point of the industrial era, where we are shattering another industry paradigm. The parallel exchange of data between virtual and real operations will transform the value-adding chain into a value creation chain. The entire 'extended' enterprise can continuously measure and control business processes for maximum efficiency and potential top line growth. This is ‘Business in the Age of Experience,” he added.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform can reduce integration and support costs, improve productivity, foster new innovation, and aid in the introduction of best practice processes to deliver standard work across the value chain. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform can not only simulate products and processes, but also find and eliminate potential risks and quality issues before production. The platform’s single source of data across all applications will provide reliable and actionable real-time information and seamless communication throughout the entire enterprise and supply chain as well as across product generations. This digital continuity will improve data and analytics capabilities.
“The decision to adopt Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a key milestone in our digital transformation. This digital enabler provides global design and manufacturing capabilities that will fuel our second century,” said Ted Colbert, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Information Technology & Data Analytics, Boeing. “The value of this extended strategic partnership is a mutual desire to transform how Boeing connects, protects, explores and inspires the world.”
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.
Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 220,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.
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Boeing and flydubai today celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 737 MAX 8 on 31 July, making the Middle East carrier the
Boeing Team Completes KC-46 Tanker Electromagnetic Testing
A Boeing-led team, including U.S. Air Force and Naval Air Systems Command representatives, recently completed KC-46 tanker
Boeing to Modernize Next-Generation Chinook Helicopter
Boeing will build and test three U.S. Army CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters as part of a modernization effort that will likely
Boeing Global Services Starts Operations
Boeing launched its third major business unit “Boeing Global Services” which began operating alongside Commercial Airplanes and
Boeing Reaps $74.6 Billion at Paris Air Show
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Boeing, Georgia Tech Launch Development Research Center
Boeing and Georgia Institute of Technology have announced the opening of a new advanced development research center that will tackle
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◀ BACK HOME How It Works? Dissertation faq's Pricing us
Assignment View
Report on the presentation of the performance indicators of a company in its annual reports
Number of Words : 4455
Number of References : 8
Company overview 5
EXTERNAL DRIVERS 6
Prevailing economic environment 7
Competition 8
STRATEGY 8
Risk Management Processes 9
Governance Practices 9
RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS 10
Stakeholder Information 10
Innovation 11
PERFORMANCE 11
Future Outlook 12
Bibliography 14
In this report, the focus of the discussion shall be on the presentation of the performance indicators of a company in its annual reports. With the constant change in the market conditions and business environment within which the companies operate, it is necessary that the performance reports prepared by corporations clearly set out information material for both internal and external decision making process. It is very crucial for an organization to carefully prepare these reports which are made public as potential investor make their investment decisions based on the information provided in these reports, therefore, the information set out should be accurate and not misleading, should be comprehensive and detailed so as to give the investors a holistic view of the workings and financial position of the organization<br />
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Kieni 2011
Well back from our trip to Kenya it's due time to share a little more of our experiences.
First of all, yes we bought an amazing lot of coffee from the Kieni wet mill.
As we wrote in the last blog post we were really hoping that the quality of their coffee would match last years. For us as a roastery it's not very satisfying to be shopping around for coffees from different farms or coops every year. We know the farmers depend on a good income to be able to produce quality. In Kenya however we've had difficulties relying on one mill, though. Perhaps because the top quality there is so outrageously good that and cupping there is like the best Cup of Excellence. We have really been hoping to build a relationship with the farmers there and this year it's the first time we're buying from the same mill two years in a row.
Casper with Kieni Factory Chairman Charles Musai Ihatu on the left and Factory Manager Geofrey Wanjau in the middle
On this trip we cupped around 300 different lots of Kenyan coffee. Around 100 of them were AA lots. Of them probably 10-20 was something we'd consider buying. Not to say there weren't some great coffees in the rest, but just not what we're looking for.
The Kieni had it though. The taste profile was very similar to last year. Heaps of black currant and dark berries but also some lighter citrus and floral notes came through this year. It still has that huge velvety mouthfeel and deep lush acidity. But it seems even sweeter and just more intensely aromatic. It's gonna be so much fun to nail the roast profile and see what we can get out of this coffee.
Naturally it was very interesting for us to find out if Kieni does anything different than the other wet mills in the area. The mill is definitely very well run by Geofrey. He strike us as very serious about the production, keeping things organized and clean. The Kieni factory is not the most impressive or beautiful we've seen in Kenya, but it's situated really well. The area where the drying tables are placed is almost shaped like a bowl, with a small valley at the end. This means the lots of air is coming through the area. The air is also not too warm, allowing for a cooler bean temperature while drying, thus reducing the risk of mold and fermentation processes at that stage.
Drying Tables at Kieni
The factory also has two fermentation tanks. It's common in Kenya to ferment the coffee for 8-16 hours after depulping in the first tank and then do an intermediate washing before fermenting the coffee again for some hours. With two tanks the intermediate washing can be done more carefully and thoroughly. After the first fermentation around 90% of the mucilage is removed. The last 10% is mainly in the middle crack in the bean and is then broken down during the second fermentation part. After that the coffee is washed in the washing channels and then put in soaking tanks in clean water, where they can be left for usually 6-12 hours but as long as 48 hours.
The Wet Mill:
Recieving Station at the top, depulper in middle, the two rows of fermentation tanks under the bottom roof and finally the washing channels.
After the washing process the parchment coffee is pumped from the soaking tanks onto the first drying tables for skin drying. The first tables are slanting a lot to let the water run off and the coffee contains around 55% moisture. After skin drying the coffee is moved to the more flat drying tables, where it's dried to 10%. It's important that the drying doesn't happen too fast, and for that reason the coffee is covered to avoid direct sunlight. It's also turned over constantly to allow for even drying and the raised tables of course allow for air to pass underneath and up through the coffee. The drying at Kieni takes around 7 - 10 days.
After drying the coffee is rested for another 2 weeks in a warehouse to stabilise the humidity inside the individual bean and throughout the entire batch.
One 'lot' on Kieni is typically one week's total harvest. We cupped lots from other weeks as well and they were also extremely good. The best surprise came the day after we had visited the Kieni mill. We had just decided that we were definitely going to buy one particular lot from Kieni, which had really stood out. As we were trying to arrange calls to the farmers, their marketing agent and our colleagues in Denmark to sort it all out, the Chairman and Factory Manager plus one of the board members from Kieni arrived at the Central Kenya Coffee Mill, where we'd been cupping. They were delivering that weeks lot from the factory.
It was a great pleasure to make the agreement with them right there and then, but even better was that we were able to cup their coffee together with them and talk more about our relationship with them. They are extremely happy to make direct sales. First off it gives them more money in their hands. This is the most important thing. Secondly, they take great pride in knowing where their coffee goes to. We had brought them a couple of bags of our roast of the Kieni we bought last year, and they had been really happy to show the farmers that this is where their coffee was going. As the chairman, Charles, told me, a lot of the farmers don't realise that their coffee makes it further than the factory. So they were happy and proud to see the factory name on the bag. He encouraged us to bring more bags next year. Will do.
One last thing that really struck us when we visited some of the farmers around Mugaga, was the incredible biodiversity there. It looks nothing like you see at larger farms. The coffee trees are growing right in the middle of lots of other trees: Bananas, mango, tree tomato and many other fruits all in a big mixture.
This is what a "farm" looks like around Kieni:
We also visited a lot of other societies and wet mills around the Nyeri region. Some we have bought from previously and others are cupping great or interesting in another way. Unfortunately we can't buy it all. But everywhere we went people were extremely hospitable and eager to explain what they are doing. Everybody we talked with also spoke very highly about the direct trade system, and they confirmed that is more profitable for them than selling through the auction.
A big thank you to Kieni for showing us around and selling us an awesome lot of their delicious coffee. Thank you to Bridget Carrington from Dorman's for a good time in Nairobi. Also a big thank you to Philip Kamau from C.M.S. for explaining SO much about coffee growing and processing in Kenya to us. And especially thanks to Ernest Njuguna from C.K.C.M. for picking out some awesome coffees for us to cup. He's an amazing cupper and a guy we really respect.
Casper and Ernest
We are now waiting eagerly for the Kieni lot to go through an extra hand-sorting and then get vacuum packed. It will then be carefully packed and the shipped in a container to Copenhagen. Let's hope there's not too many pirates in the water... Meanwhile you can enjoy the full set of pictures on Flickr or drink some of last year's Kieni or Gatina.
As part of Direct Trade we visit the farmers we buy from each year. You can see pictures and descriptions from each trip in our Flickr Origin Trips Collection.
Lelia said...
Great pics of Kenya! Congratulations on your third birthday party too!
Kaffevand i Danmark
The Coffee Collective celebrate 3 years!
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NBA Scouting Reports, Southwestern Division (Part One)
Joseph Treutlein
Eric Weiss
Continuing our series of articles filling out our database with scouting reports of every single NBA player, we look at the first three teams in the Southwestern division, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. As a reminder, we are not currently profiling rookies or sophomores, but you should be able to find in-depth scouting reports on every player of note by clicking their profiles or using our search engine above.
Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit
Milwaukee and Indiana
Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami
Orlando and Washington
Malik Allen
Overview: A pure role playing power forward. Has a fairly strong frame, but doesnt use it much on the offensive end. A below average athlete in every regard by NBA standards. Has made a career with his spot-up jump shot from inside the arc. Doesnt stand out in any other area. Understands his role and rarely strays from his comfort zone.
Offense: The vast majority of his offense comes from spot-up jumpers in the 12-20 foot range. Conversion rate on mid-range jumper is among the best in the league, but because almost all of his offense comes from there, his overall scoring efficiency is below average. Is very good when wide open, but effectiveness falls off some when shooting off the dribble or when contested. Does a good job drifting to open space without the ball and makes good reads to get in his teammates vision on the pick-and-pop. Range extends to just inside the three-point line. Will rarely venture into the post, but has a solid turnaround jumper from 5-10 feet when he does. Doesnt exhibit any other post moves. Will almost only put the ball on the floor off a shot fake, and doesnt convert much when he does, relying mostly on a hybrid runner/floater that isnt very effective. Doesnt do much off ball cutting to the basket, and while strong, is not a very good finisher. Doesnt get to the free throw line very much at all. Not a huge transition threat, but is good as a trailer to hit his spot-up jumper. Doesnt make many turnovers because he usually just catches and shoots. Also doesnt make many assists.
Defense: A solid post defender who uses his frame along with good fundamental defense. Plays tough and tries to contest shots. Can be shot over by bigger opponents at times. Foot speed is not very good on the perimeter, and is a threat to be taken off the dribble. Sometimes has trouble getting out to contest perimeter shots. Shows good awareness and plays solid team defense. Effort level is very good on defensive end in general. Not much of a shot blocking threat. Not a very good rebounder on either end of the floor.
Jose Juan Barea
Overview: Young power forward who has some intriguing physical assets, and is starting to come into his own. Not very tall at 6-8, but is extremely strong and athletic. Loves to get physical around the rim. Was an impact player from day one at LSU, but entered the draft too early and fell into the second round. Still loaded with potential. Began to blossom under fellow Louisiana native Avery Johnson. Plays very assertively for a player his age. Comes off the bench ready to score.
Offense: More of an opportunistic scorer at this point in his career. Makes the most of his touches, and is only going to get better offensively considering his experience level. Gets most of his offense from post ups and isolations. Uses his quickness to blow by his man when facing up. Has great explosiveness at the rim, and uses his strength to create space. Puts the ball on the floor well for a power forward, and gets to the free throw line at a solid rate, where he shoots a very good percentage. Has a fluid shooting stroke, but is still working to develop consistency. Can knock it down out to about sixteen feet. Good catch and shoot player statistically. Can shoot of the dribble, and likes to when driving left. Does a great job timing up his duck ins around the rim. Gets good position underneath. Grabs his fair share of offensive boards. Likes to turn over his left shoulder, but isnt predictable due to the fakes and pivots that he uses to get his man off balance. Doesnt have a go to move just yet. Spins well in the paint, and can find the open man if the defense rotates. Can be turnover prone in traffic. Not a great passer. Doesnt always have the size to get his shot off.
Defense: Solid defender due to his strength and athleticism, but is severely undersized, and lives a little bit too much off his instincts at times. Can use his strength to front the post and his speed to cover players on the perimeter. Not easy to back down for most players. Great lateral quickness for his size. Shows some susceptibility to bigger players when he gets switched onto some certain centers. Halfway decent shot blocker due to his athleticism, but doesnt have the length to get after everything around the rim. More of a one-on-one defender than a team defender, but has shown that he knows where to rotate when he has to. Not as foul prone as some players his age, but makes some mistakes. Good area rebounder, and will go after just out of his proximity at times as well. Not the smartest player in the world, but plays hard.
Erick Dampier
Overview: A veteran center who has underachieved relative to his mammoth contract in Dallas. Has prototypical size for a center, and has a strong body to match. Shows surprising mobility for a player of his size, but isnt overly explosive. An excellent offensive rebounder. Is asked to be efficient, and do the little things in Dallas. Possesses a great deal of self-confidence and wont shy away from a challenge underneath. Doesnt always play hard now that hes locked into a long-term contract, and his consistency wavers unpredictably.
Offense: Extremely efficient in Dallas system. Rarely gets plays called for him and has to get his opportunities from cuts and offensive boards. Uses his size and mobility to get very easy baskets around the rim. Sets very good screens and is always around the offensive boards. No longer demands the ball. Could very well lead the League in FG%, but probably wont qualify. Doesnt shoot jumpers anymore. Has become the prototypical offensive role player for a team with numerous weapons. Does a great job of finishing at the rim. Doesnt have to square to the rim to be productive. Can absorb contact and get to the line. Shoots a mediocre percentage from the stripe. Makes good decisions with the ball and isnt afraid to pull it out to get a better look. Becoming very unselfish.
Defense: Essentially a specialist who is asked to be as dynamic as possible when in the game. Gives his best effort sometimes to neutralize an opponents best back to the basket threat. Great length makes him a good shot blocker in close. Quick enough to keep up with most centers, but can be beaten off the dribble by more explosive posts. Does a good job grabbing loose balls when they come his way. Sheer size and excellent hands makes him a great rebounder. Tends to commit quite a few fouls at the rim, but thats really part of his job description. Fits what Avery Johnson wants out of his centers, especially on the defensive end.
Devean George
Overview: A veteran wing who has Championship experience. Has above average physical attributes across the board. Pretty tall for a small forward. Has the distinction of being one of the only Division III players to make into the League in recent memory. Won three titles with Lakers as a complimentary forward in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Has seen his effectiveness drop dramatically over the past few years. In the league solely for his defense and experience at this point. Can take himself out of games offensively with early misses. Not efficient offensively. Gained some notoriety around the trade deadline by using an obscure clause to nix the Jason Kidd trade, which eventually went through without him.
Offense: A streak shooter who can make an impact if he knocks down his first attempt from the perimeter. Decent perimeter shooter when he gets hot, which rarely happens anymore. FG% consistently amongst the worst in the league. Actually much more efficient from three point range than from the inside. Gets nearly half of his touches as a spot up jump shooter. Gets another two tenths from floating out beyond the arc in transition and running off screens for open jumpers. Will find some open looks around the rim by grabbing offensive rebounds and being active. Hasnt shown almost any in between game recently. Doesnt like to drive left. Average ball handler at best. Doesnt get to the free throw line. Mediocre all-around offensive player, but doesnt turn the ball over.
Defense: Can guard face-up 4s or bigger 3s. No longer athletic enough to keep up with some of the players he is asked to guard. Lack of elite foot speed hurts him against more athletic players. Gets beat off the dribble and doesnt have the lateral quickness to stay in front when closing out. Strength helps him against players with similar physical gifts. Knows his rotations well. Smart defender, and shows good anticipation and timing when reaching. Will come up with a steal every now and then. Usually just commits a foul when he gets beat, which is a testament to his veteran savvy. Solid rebounder.
Josh Howard
Overview: An emerging swingman who is going to be a borderline All-Star for the foreseeable future. Has good athleticism and extremely long arms. Didnt get a lot of hype after leaving Wake Forest as the reigning ACC POY in 2003. Played in his first All-Star game in 2007. Plays as hard as anyone on the Dallas roster, and is not bashful in the least bit about hoisting up shots. Skill development over the last few seasons makes him a player to watch out for. Comments about offseason marijuana smoking came back to haunt him in the 2008 playoffs.
Offense: A versatile offense weapon who improved dramatically from his college days. Gets a quarter of his touches from spot up opportunities, with another half coming from a rather equal distribution of isolations, fast breaks, and pick and rolls. Has all the tool of a very good offensive player. Shoots the ball well from mid-range. Great from the line. Not a great 3-point shooter--still working on his range. Takes a lot of shots for his position, but isnt inefficient. Displays very good footwork. Can create space and pull up from anywhere inside the arc. Great body control from the midrange. Good ball handler. Able to drive equally well with both hands and take what the defense gives him. Likes to simply get in the lane and then slow down until he finds a chance to pull. Pretty athletic finisher. Good with both hands when laying it up. Not a great passer, but doesnt turn the ball over very much at all for how much he handles it. Goes to the line at a good clip. Pretty good offensive rebounder for his position.
Defense: Draws the toughest perimeter matchup on the floor and brings a very solid effort to the defensive end. Defends taller small forwards better than he defends shorter and more explosive shooting guards. Has good lateral quickness, but gets stuck covering some elite athletes that he cant always keep out of the lane. Shows good footwork defending the perimeter, and considering his offensive abilities, it is hard to say anything negative about his defense. Very active player who doesnt take possessions off. Capable of darting into passing lanes for steals and surprising people with his length for blocks. Is more of a position defender than a risk taker. Great rebounder for his position.
Juwan Howard
Overview: An aging power forward who is just about reaching the end of his career. Strong and surprisingly fluid for a power forward, but nowhere near as explosive as he once was. A member of Michigans Fab Five. Was an All-Star for one season during his career. Has bounced around the League since. Plays with intensity, and is still a competitor. Experienced.
Offense: Will always be known for his ridiculously high release. Shoots the ball with almost full extension in both arms. Just flicks his wrist, but it is hard argue with the results. Gets half of his shots off of cuts and spot ups with fifth coming in transition. Nowhere near the offensive factor he once was. Still runs the floor pretty well. Good finisher. Capable with both hands. Wont take a lot of covered shots from the paint. Wont put the ball on the floor. Lets his teammates create offense for him. Average offensive rebounder. Plays very smart. Solid passer. Wont assert himself anymore. Classic role player in that sense. Has shown a willingness to do what is asked of him and nothing more. Lacks great athleticism.
Defense: Staunch defender despite the athleticism he lost as his career went on. Very strong on the block. Good at denying entry passes when he wants to. Has a hard time matching up with much taller players. Doesnt have the quickness to defend players off the dribble, so he gives them space when they face up. Better shooting big men tend to take advantage of that. Knows when to go for the strip and when to reach. Great at boxing out, but wont rebound out of his area. Commits veteran fouls and knows when hes beat. Capable defender when matched up against backup power forwards, but his shelf life is expiring quickly.
Eddie Jones
Overview: A veteran shooting guard who is a role player at this point in his career. Has clearly lost a step athletically, and has become mostly a spot-up shooter. Played in two All-Star games during his illustrious career. Was once one of the best defensive swingmen in the League. Can still be effective due to his smarts and effort level. Doesnt get phased by anything on the floor. Is a leader off the floor, and leads by example on it. High character player with a great work ethic, but has always been criticized for his inability to step up his game in the clutch.
Offense: A team oriented offensive player who wont go into attack mode unless hes given space. Once known as one of the leagues best shooters, but has lost some touch as his legs have worn down. Most of his shots are 3-pointers anyway. Still runs the floor well. Shows a decent jumper, but doesnt try to take tough shots. Moves off the ball to get open looks. Lets the defense collapse and gives his teammates and outlet when they drive. Good finisher when he gets the ball going towards the rim. Doesnt do much off the dribble anymore, but can use it to get out of trouble. Almost never gets to the free throw line at this point. Doesnt turn the ball over very often. Tends to want to get back on defense rather than crash the glass. A former offensive star who has transitioned into a role player. Has always been a great passer. Assist to turnover ratio has always been excellent.
Defense: Tremendously sound defensive shooting guard that doesnt have the athleticism to be the elite lock down guy that he used to be. Good enough foot quickness to still be very effective against some backups. Solid on ball defender. Stays very low and forces his man to give the ball up. Keeps his hands active. Will come up with some steals and well even get a hand on a shot from time to time. Wont ever over rotate in help side. Decent rebounder, but tends to spend so much time contesting outside shots that he doesnt have much of a chance to grab rebounds inside. Will be effective until there is no gas left in the tank due to his fundamentals and basketball IQ.
Overview:One of the best point guards in NBA history, a sure-fire hall of famer. 9-time All-Star. Named rookie of the year in 1995. 6-time first or second All-NBA team. 9-time all-defensive team. Has phenomenal size for the point guard position, to go along with an incredible basketball IQ. A triple-double waiting to happen. Drafted 2nd overall by Dallas in 1994, returned there 14 years later, likely to close out his career.
Offense: A floor general in every sense. Pass-first point guard who does an outstanding job of controlling the tempo of the game. Plays the game at his own pace, and makes everyone around him better. Vision, creativity are extraordinary. Excellent decision maker with tremendous poise and intelligence. Terrific in transition, and a master of the pick and roll. Sees over the top of defense and possesses incredible passing ability. A very good ball-handler with either hand, excellent at incorporating hesitation moves to keep defenders off-balance. Does not get to the free throw line at a high rate at this point in his career, and is a fairly poor finisher around the rim. Has clearly lost some of his explosiveness in recent years. Has never been known as an incredible scorer, much more comfortable as a passer. Has shot around 40% from the field for much of his career. A decent 3-point shooter, particularly with his feet set. Struggles knocking down shots off the dribble. Doesnt get much elevation on his jumper. Doesnt take all that many shots considering how many minutes he plays.
Defense: Considered one of the top defenders in the NBA for much of the past decade. Lateral quickness not what it used to be, but his combination of size, strength, timing, fundamentals and smarts still make him formidable in that regard. Defends multiple positions, 2s and sometimes even 3s, and is often more effective there at this point his career. Struggles staying in front of quicker, slashing guards. Has great hands and is excellent at getting in the passing lanes. One of the top rebounding point guards in NBA history.
Overview: A small, but quick point guard who has a solid offensive repertoire. Very short by NBA standards. Makes an impact by doing some of the things that you would expect from a shooting guard. Has tremendous quickness, but doesnt have good vertical explosiveness, which makes his lack of height even more pronounced. Had a very impressive final two seasons at Nebraska. Has bounced around the League, but is the type of player that can be an offensive weapon in almost any setting. Won an NBA Championship with the Lakers in 2001. Lacks the physical skills to take over a game. Can be counted on for consistent contributions off the bench, and always posts a solid assist to turnover ratio.
Offense: Doesnt have ideal measurable traits, but has an advanced offensive game that isnt limited by his size. Gets most of his points as a jump shooter off of pick and roll and spot up opportunities, both of which let him utilize his most effective weapon: his mid-range jump shot. Forces his defender to respect his speed and give him a cushion with his first step. Often utilizes his quickness as an opportunity to create space for his jumper off the dribble. Lack of size makes it hard for him to finish at the rim when defenders collapse around him. Looks to find some kind of peripheral contact when driving in an attempt to get to the line where he shoots an extremely high percentage. Does a solid job of getting by his man, but shoots from the outside nearly three times more than he shoots around the rim. Has NBA three-point range. Isnt as efficient from the outside as he is from the midrange. Displays the decision-making that is expected from a seasoned veteran. Doesnt do a spectacular job of getting his teammates involved. Makes smart passes within the flow of his teams half-court offense.
Defense: Lack of size hurts his ability to contest the shots of taller players. Quickness allows him to relentlessly hawk the ball. Doesnt have a great wingspan, which makes it hard for him to get into passing lanes. Doesnt create turnovers on the whole. Below average size makes it hard for him to defend anything other than point guards. Cant contest shots when recovering. Keeps everything in front of him, which is a good strategy for a player of his speed. Isnt an impact defensive player, but doesnt give up anything easy.
Jamaal Magloire
Former all-star and NBA player of the month who is virtually out of the NBA before hitting the age of 30. Has great size, long arms, a huge frame and terrific strength, but has seen his game disintegrate in recent years. Speed of the new NBA game may have passed him by. Has almost no athleticism to speak of. Living solely off his reputation and rebounding ability--bounced around from team to team in recent years and may not be anything more than a 3rd string center at this point.
Offense: Almost strictly an inside player, who relies heavily on his huge frame to establish position in the paint and back players down. Doesnt have any real moves to speak of. Cant create a shot for himself, but stubbornly tries regardless. Struggles to use his left hand around the hoop. Hands are suspect trying to make tough catches. A black hole insidesports an extremely poor assist to turnover ratio. Jump-shot doesnt look half bad, but he rarely uses it. Gets to the free throw line at a decent rate on a per minute basis, but his percentages have dropped off dramatically from year to yeara telling sign. Plodders up and down the court, and lacks any real lift around the basket. A solid offensive rebounder in his area.
Defense: Too big and strong to back down around the basket. Solid in man to man against fellow plodding centers, but struggles going up against players with any real mobility to their game. Lacks the lateral quickness to step out onto the perimeter and recover, making him a liability on the pick and roll. Jump-shooters have a field day against him. Was once a shot-blocking threat, but doesnt have the lift to contest anything around the basket at this point. Has been a solid rebounder throughout his career, and remains one.
Overview: The most successful International player in NBA history. Has ridiculous size for his skill set, and solid athleticism to match. The native German is as versatile a player as there is in the game today. Has played in six All-Star games. Won the NBA MVP in 2007. Has improved in little ways throughout the latter part of his career. Doesnt always play with the same intensity, and lacks of a bit of a killer instinct, but his focus has improved during each of his seasons in the League.
Offense: Gets about a quarter of his offensive possessions as a spot up shooter, with another fifth coming from post ups. Another quarter comes from pick and rolls and isolations. Gets most of his shots as a jump shooter. Has a great stroke that is impossible for most players to block due to his size and high release point. Can knock down the three at a good clip (although his percentages are down this season) and hit fade-aways from almost any distance. Great ball handler for his size. Can bring the ball up the floor from time to time. Capable of driving off the dribble with either hand. Can take the ball all the way to the rim or dominate the midrange game. Good in the post as well. Uses a nice array of fakes to get open look underneath. Likes to turn over his right shoulder and then fade away. Can finish consistently with both hands at the rim. Draws contact well. Gets to the line at a phenomenal clip, and shoots a great percentage once there. A poor offensive rebounder for his size. Tremendous passer for his height. Can really do it all offensively. Real team player. Hard to defend as an individual. It usual takes a team effort to shut him down. Seems to get somewhat passive at the end of games.
Defense: Average defensively, but Avery Johnson has pushed him to be slightly better. Has a tough time matching up with stronger players who can score with their back to the basket. Capable of stepping out and guarding players the face up. Can step out into passing lanes when he anticipates a pass. Doesnt take as many risks as he used to. Tries to go straight up when covering post shots, but will commit a foul from time to time. Will block shots solely based on his size. Length helps his aggressiveness rebounding the ball, where he is very solid on the defensive end. Hips are somewhat stiff, which makes it difficult to move tremendously well laterally. Mostly focused on the offensive end.
Jerry Stackhouse
Overview: A veteran shooting guard who is still a tremendous scorer on a per-minute basis. Has had a long and productive NBA career. Averaged 30 points per game in 2001/2002. Has maintained enough of his athleticism to be a very dangerous offensive player. Doesnt possess the same explosiveness, but is still quick, strong, and can get up on occasion. Was one of the best players in college basketball as a sophomore at North Carolina in 1995. Two time All-Star. Much more team oriented now than he was early in his career. Has a sizeable contract, but isnt an average NBA veteran.
Offense: A role player who excels as a slasher. Has a good looking stroke, but isnt much of a 3-point shootereven if hes relying more and more on this part of his game as his career progresses. Good ball handler with an aggressive scoring mentality. Very good midrange game. Likes to pull up off the dribble when driving left. Relatively effective whenever he takes the ball off the dribble. Runs the floor very hard. Isnt the explosive finisher he used to be, but can still get up occasionally. Used to get to the free throw line at a very good rate, where he now shoots an excellent percentage. Shows some decent post moves. Tough to defend due to his versatility. Still has a scorers mentality, although hes never been terribly efficient. You always know what to expect from him. A very good passer as well.
Defense: A solid defender who turns his effort level up when it matters. Gets in a low stance, but tends to like to use his hands at times. Has the strength and quickness to keep most small forwards out of the lane, but has problems with smaller shooting guards from time to time. Doesnt take risks like he used to, but still comes up with steals by staying in position. Boxes out well, but doesnt get after rebounds very often. Solid defender across the board, but not dynamic.
Overview: Exceptionally talented offensive player who can play multiple positions. Has very good athleticism and size for a point guard, and is even able to slide over and play some shooting guard. Is still on the skinny side, but it hasnt hindered him from becoming a very effective combo guard. A great talent on the perimeter. Has a natural feel for the game. The all-time leader in steals for the Arizona Wildcats. Won an NCAA Championship with Arizona in 1997. Probably wont get a whole lot better than he is right now skill wise, but could put up big numbers on a less talented team.
Offense: Very aggressive guard who can really light it up when given the green light. Has a sweet stroke, and can knock down shots from anywhere. Always looks smooth when shooting. Doesnt take long to set his feet and pull the trigger. Lights out when left open. Pretty good with a hand in his face as well. Good ball handler. Likes to pull up for jumpers when attacking right. Takes the ball to the rim when driving left. Prefers going right. Displays a very good crossover when the defense recovers. Doesnt go to the line very often. Seldom turns the ball over, but has seen his ball-handling role decrease year by year. Solid passer. Doesnt do anything fancy, but sets up his teammates well within the offense. Very efficient scoring guard. Not afraid to take responsibilities.
Defense: A very talented defensive guard. Has the size, length, and lateral quickness combination necessary to guard both point guards and shooting guards effectively. This allows him to stay on the floor with most anyone next to him. Very good at moving his feet to deny penetration. Will jump into passing lanes and take bad passes the other way for easy transition baskets. Sneaks down into the paint to grab rebounds so he can push the break from time to time. Can get beaten by players who are considerably bigger and strong on the perimeter. Gives a good effort for a player that is so offensive minded.
Antoine Wright
A good but not great athlete at the wing, with nice size and length at 67. Is very smooth with nice shiftiness and good quickness. Has really struggled since making it to the NBA. Has not lived up to expectations, mostly because hes shot terribly in his first three seasons (42% from the field, 62% from the line, 28% from three). Has struggled to consistently contribute on the offensive end. Has played solid minutes in his three seasons. Fourth year option on rookie contract was not picked up.
Offense: Wright gets over half of his shots as a jump shooter, despite being well below average by NBA standards as a shooter. His form is not bad, and hes actually a decent shooter when unguarded, but things get messy when hes shooting on the move or with a hand in his face, in the form of a lot of bad misses. He doesnt always hold his follow through or keep his legs underneath him. As a slasher, Wrights ball-handling is sub-par, not being very low to the ground and not being very tight. With his athletic abilities, he is able to penetrate to the basket at times, where he shows nice body control and creativity with the ball, using his body to protect the ball and finish with reverses around the basket. Hes not always under control, though, and his basket awareness isnt always good. He does a good job getting out in transition, but he rushes shots at times, and despite good tools, isnt the best finisher there either.
Defense: Has good physical tools on the defensive end in terms of size and quickness. Plays aggressive on and off the ball. Does a good job running out to contest shots. On-ball defense is very good at times. Is prone to overplaying the ball, though, biting for fakes and getting his feet out of position, leading to blow-bys. Doesnt always move feet well. Reflexes seem questionable at times. Does a good job using his length when forced into the post.
Rafer Alston
Overview: A playground legend who is a solid fit for Rick Adelmans offense when his shot is falling. Handles the ball as well as any person on the planet. Possesses average size for a pure point guard. Has great quickness, but is more fluid than explosive. Didnt have the easiest time getting to where he is now. Spent time at two different Community Colleges before spending his senior season at Fresno State. Managed to get drafted, but still had to pay his dues in the CBA and NBADL before finding a niche in the League. Used his time in the minors to get used to playing in a structured offense. Ironed out many of his playground skills and developed a solid jump shot as well. Has always been a tremendous distributor. An important part of Houstons systemfought off heavy competition to again average a great deal of playing time.
Offense: A talented offensive player who isnt a very efficient scorer, but is great at setting the table. Get one third of his offense from spot ups with another third coming from pick and rolls. Very apt at dribbling off screens to create a passing angles to the roll man. Extremely creative passer and ball handler. Always find a way to deliver the ball. Will turn the ball over due to his style of play. Hard to stop in transition. Makes defenders commit before giving up the ball. A solid, but unspectacular scorer. Has a repertoire of floaters, but has a tough time producing consistently from the outside. Puts great touch on his lay ups and midrange shots. Can beat his man off the dribble due to his handle, but doesnt do it enough. Likes to drive left and look to score at the rim. Not much of a free throw shooter or offensive rebounder. Can make a killing as a jump shooter in Houstons offense when hes hitting shotsthe problem is he takes too many outside shots.
Defense: A very good defensive player who has the quickness to hang with most point guards. Puts in a great effort. Maintains a low stance. Has a hard time defending taller players who can shoot over him. Quick hands. Will pick his mans pocket from time to time. Good defensive rebounder for his position. Likes to box out, read the situation, and then get into position to receive the outlet pass.
Shane Battier
Overview: The ultimate role player who is capable of doing a little bit of everything. Plays the 3 and the 4 effectively. Has good size and strength, but lacks ideal quickness and explosiveness. Arguably the most fundamentally sound player in the League. Can score in a variety of ways, but functions primarily as a jump shooter. Isnt a one-on-one player and tries to score by playing his role in an offense rather than asserting himself unnecessarily. Might be the best defensive forward in the NBA. Does the little things. Extremely high basketball IQ. A coachs dream. Has been a winner since his youth, garnering the Naismith award as a senior at Detroit Country Day high school and the Wooden Award as a senior at Duke. Possesses great leadership skills. Comes through when it counts. Becomes an extremely valuable asset to the Rockets when he is knocking down his perimeter shots. Plays a ton of minutes.
Offense: Extremely sound and efficiency offensive player. Gets more than half of his offense as a spot up shooter. Very good in that role. Will hit shots from three point range with very good consistencymost of his shots come from behind the arc. Never takes a shot without his feet set. Very selective. Very predictable off the dribble. Tends to go to the rim when he drives right and pull up when he drives left. Wont assert himself off the dribble very often. Great finisher at the rim despite his lack of athleticism. Knows how to use fakes and protect the ball with his body to finisher with contact. Could should a better percentage from the foul line, although he rarely gets there. Passable ball handler. Good offensive rebounder. Great passer. Not turnover prone. The ideal system role player. Scores all his points in the flow of the offense. Doesnt do anything outside of himself.
Defense: Probably the most fundamentally sound defender in the game. Wont reach unless he knows hell get enough of the ball to keep the play in front of him. Not afraid to get on the floor to grab loose balls. Gets in a good stance and moves his feet. Will block shots just by maintaining good position. Always gets his hands up on shooters. Understands the nuances of contesting shots. Great help side defender. Always knows his rotations and will slide over to protect the basket when his teammates get beat off the dribble. Loves to try and take charges. Calls dont always go his way. Will commit smart fouls at the rim when he knows a player isnt good from the line. Great defensive intangibles. Amazing awareness.
Aaron Brooks
Steve Francis
Overview: A veteran combo guard who is light years away at this point from being a franchise player. Was once an imposing athlete, but a series of injuries have relegated him to minor roles on the teams hes played for recently. Pretty tall and very strong for a point guard. Used to have an extremely quick first step and first-class leaping ability. Had the ability to score at will off the dribble. Seems to have lost much of his explosiveness. Has never played a full season, but has missed more games than usual in recent years. Possesses the versatility to still be a nice role player as he uses the season to get back into shape. Has proven capable of putting up great numbers. Had a nice college career despite spending time at two community colleges and a single season at Maryland. Won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2000. Three time All-Star. May not have the mindset to function as merely a role player. Needs to show that he can play within a team concept and defer to teammates in order to receive a chance to return to form.
Offense: A once dynamic offensive player who has seen his role limited in recent seasons. Gets a quarter of his offense from pick and rolls with another quarter coming from spot up situations. Sees another third of his touches on fast breaks and in one-on-one isolations. Good ball handler and passer, but is incredibly turnover prone. Doesnt always make the best decisions with the ball. Was never a great shooter, but isnt as good now as he used to be, partially due to knee and quad injuries. Isnt much of a factor from three point range. Will knock down midrange shots with solid consistency though. Much more effective off the dribble. Can create separation without a lot of trouble. Doesnt finish as well as he used to, but can still get to the rim for easy baskets. Used to get to the free throw line at a great rate. Used to be more efficient across the board. It will be interesting to see how he plays once he rebounds from his recent injury problems.
Defense: Very capable and very aggressive defender in spurts. Has the athleticism to really be a nuisance, but injuries have decreased his ability to deny penetration to an extent. Can defend the shooting guard spot defending on the match up. Doesnt make a lot of plays off the ball. Wont always stay in good position when his man makes a move. Will create turnovers with his quick hands and ability to jump into passing lanes. Very good shot blocker for a point guard due to his leaping ability. Rebounds well for the same reason. Shows good intensity when it counts, but doesnt always play up to his potential.
Michael Harris
Chuck Hayes
Overview: An undersized power forward who knows how to throw his weight around and make an impact despite his size. Has a 6-10 wingspan, but is severely undersized at 6-7. Possesses more than adequate strength and displays great toughness and durability. Uses leverage extremely well to fight for position in the paint. Shows an unorthodox jumper, and thankfully doesnt use it often. Has one of the leagues most awkward looking strokes from the free throw line, complete with an awful hitch, and sub-50% averages to boot. Primarily a hustle guy offensively and defensively. Gets by on his basketball IQ and rebounding ability. Could put some points on the board with his back to the basket during his career at Kentucky. Plays an efficient offensive game and defensive game. Wont go off on any given night, but doesnt take plays off either. Doesnt make mistakes, and is a solid passer. Understands his role. Brings some nice things to the table for the Rockets considering his contract. Offensive role decreased considerably in 07/08.
Offense: Doesnt take many shots. Gets more than half of his offense by being active off the ball for cuts to the basket. Gets another fifth from offensive rebounds. Really doesnt get any touches in the normal flow of the offense. Doesnt take almost any jumpers. Has an awkward looking stroke that he shoots on a line drive on the way down. Pretty poor from the line. Not much of a ball handler either. Will only dribble if he has a wide open lane to the rim. Great at getting position for offensive rebounds. Always moving. Doesnt turn the ball over often. Sets great screens with a very wide base. Purely a complimentary offensive player. Isnt asked to do anything else.
Defense: A great hustle defender who manages to be effective despite his size. Has a very hard time covering taller players in the post. Will give everything hes got to deny entry passes, and is terrific at coming up with steals. Uses leverage and great overall strength to push his man off the block. Goes straight up when his man goes to make a move. Will commit some fouls when rotating over in help side and when hes beat. Wont block many shots from the weakside. Gets most of his rejections by keeping his hands up and maintaining good position. Stays on his feet when his man tries to fake him into the air. Great at boxing out. Has excellent timing and smarts. Wont get outrebounded despite his size. Provides great energy, but isnt able to push his man around for the duration of a game.
Luther Head
Overview: An undersized shooting guard who needs to improve his consistency and efficiency to take his game to the next level. Displays good quickness and speed. Doesnt have great strength for a guard, which makes him a liability defensively against taller opponents. Could really stand to develop his point guard skills, but Houston already has plenty of players at that position. Has put up solid scoring numbers, but has seen his minutes decrease in 07/08. Didnt have to play point guard at Illinois with Dee Brown and Deron Williams handling all of the minutes there.
Offense: A solid shooter who gets about half of his attempts from behind the arc. Perimeter jumper has been his staple since college. Hasnt had much of a problem expanding his range to the NBA 3-point line. Great catch and shoot player. Average ball handler. Likes to take the ball to the rim since he doesnt have the explosiveness to get separation in the midrange. Not great at running the pick and roll. Can turn the corner, but is usually forced to give up the ball. Not a great distributor. Wont make bad passes or turn the ball open often, nor will he set up teammates. Doesnt go to the line at a high rate, but shoots a very good percentage from the stripe. Wont crash the offensive glass. Needs to work on his point guard skills. Has found himself as a shooter, but would be a better fit if he could see some minutes at the point.
Defense: A solid defender who shows a good work ethic to compliment his above average athleticism. Has a tough time when asked to guard taller perimeter players, which makes it difficult for him to play the 2-guard spot at times. Cant contest their shots due to his lack of ideal size. Capable of defending the point guard spot better. Good lateral quickness, but isnt always be able to stay in front of smaller guards. Shows consistent effort. Wont take a lot of risks, and for that reason he wont make many mistakes. A nice option who brings energy, but doesnt have the physical traits to be a dynamic defender.
Bobby Jackson
Overview: One of the leagues original combo guards. A bit of a trail blazer in that sense. A 6-1 shooting guard in a point guards body, but extremely effective over the course of his career nonetheless. Brings fantastic scoring instincts off the bench, and can change the complexion of a game with his pull-up jumper. Not bashful at all about making his presence felt, takes a lot of shots, and is not the most efficient player around. Made a name for himself on a great Sacramento Kings team under Rick Adelman. High character guy who has been somewhat injury prone year in and year out. Still extremely effective at age 35, but not might have all that much left in the tank when his contract expires in 2009.
Offense: Takes a lot of 3-pointers, and is a very good shooter. A master at hitting tough shots off the dribble. Better shot selection would have even made him a great shooter. Doesnt get to the free throw line as much as he used to. Doesnt turn the ball over that much eitherhas become more prudent picking his spots later on in his career. Isnt quite as cat-quick as he used to be, but is very crafty and still plays the game with a tremendous swagger. Excellent ball-handler, goes left or right equally well. First step is average at this point, doesnt get to the basket at a high rate. Likes to finish with a pretty floater around the rim when he does. Mostly looks to create for himself, but has the court vision to create for others as well. Has a tendency to over-dribble at times.
Defense: Competes defensively, but his physical tools limit him to a certain extent. Still very crafty about contesting shots. Fundamental, intense and really understands angles. Not afraid to stick nose in to take a charge. Will get in the passing lanes at times and come up with a steal. Also a solid rebounder for his position. Needs to guard point guards, but isnt always able to do so because of his offensive tendencies. Severely undersized at the SG position, which makes it very easy for players to shoot over him.
Carl Landry
Tracy McGrady
Overview: An extremely gifted All-Star small forward who has had a hard time finding playoff success despite his surreal offensive skills. Has prototypical size for the small forward position. Filled out his once skinny frame pretty quickly. Jumps out of the gym. Possesses a great first step, a nasty crossover, and tremendous lift on his jump shot. Injuries have limited his once excellent athleticism, though. Developed his perimeter game early in his career. Won the Most Improved Player Award in 2001. Can get really hot from outside. Stuffs the stat sheet. Showed the potential be a dynamic player at Mount Zion Christian Academy HS, but needed some time to become the player he is. Forms a nice combo with Yao Ming, but misses a lot of games due to injuries. Durability is the only negative about him at this point. Seven time All-Star. Still waiting to make a deep playoff run. Cousin of fellow NBA star Vince Carter. Health will be something to monitor over the next few years. His star has dimmed a bit as of late.
Offense: Simply dominant when healthy, but not particularly efficient. The type of player that can put up big numbers even when his man is playing outstanding defense. Gets a third of his offense from pick and roll situations where he can simply dribble off and pull up, with another quarter coming from isolations. Impressive jump shot, but his shot-selection hurts his percentages. Gets incredible elevation and can shoot off balance with little trouble, particularly from mid-range range. Not very effective from beyond the arc, but still attempts quite a few shots from there. Operates as a bit of a point forward for Houston. Great one-on-one skills. Excellent hesitation moves and use of ball fakes. Plays the game at many different speeds. Effective crossover. Hard to stop off the dribble. Outstanding ball-handler at his size. Prefers to go left and go to the rim where he can finish explosively with either hand. Can get by his man when he faces up in the post. Great catch and shoot player. Doesnt get a lot of transition opportunities. Gets to the line at a good rate, but needs to improve his consistency. Has gotten worse there every single year of his career, which is a pretty amazing feat. Great passer. Does a great job creating shots for others. Has become more unselfish later on in his career. Will turn the ball over periodically.
Defense: A superstar who brings intensity to the defensive end only when he needs to. Makes a decent effort on the boards, but could pull down many more rebounds if he wanted to. Doesnt have to cover an opposing teams best player which masks his inconsistent efforts. Will take bad passes coast to coast occasionally. Will box out when his man is around the basket. Has a tough time guarding bigger forwards. Not an ideal post defender. Will cut his man off when he wants to. Wont attempt to challenge too many shots, despite possessing impressive length. His stance is indicative of his effort level. Becomes a good defender when it counts.
Overview: An aging center who will probably always be good for a few blocked shots each game. Still a useful player, even at age 42. Very efficient, and an excellent rebounder. Born in the Republic of Congo. Extremely tall and relatively skinny. Owner of a huge wingspan. Doesnt run the floor or get off the ground as well as he once did. Cant score as well as he used to because of lost athleticism. Functions as a defensive specialist at this point. Has been a great shot blocker since his first season playing at Georgetown. Sits second all-time on the career blocks list. Used to change shots with regularity. Four time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner. Six time NBA All-Defensive team selection. Eight time All-Star. Can still block shots when given playing time. Has done a lot of good things off the court, especially in his home country. An inspiration to all African players.
Offense: Had his best scoring season as a rookie. Was never quite coordinated enough to be dominant on that end. Gets almost all of his offense off of offensive rebounds and cuts. Doesnt have plays called for him in Houston. Displays essentially no jumper anymore. Can finish at the rim at a decent rate. Will dunk when he can. Cant put the ball on the floor. Isnt a very good passer. Has become less turnover prone as time has gone on. Used to be effective when playing next to good point guards. Mookie Blaylock helped him immensely. Was never known for his offense despite the fact that he put up pretty solid numbers early in his career. Highly efficient these days regardless.
Defense: One of the best defensive players of all time. Doesnt have the same athleticism these days that made him a force. Will still block shots solely based on his wingspan. Grabs rebounds at a high rate for the same reason. Still foul prone, but it comes with the territory. Doesnt play enough minutes to be an impact guy. Provides a nice option off the bench as a back up in terms of defense. Can be pushed around by more compact post players. Always brings energy, but doesnt have the athleticism to turn that into production like he used to.
Steve Novak
Loren Woods
Overview: A once in a generation center who has the game to match his unique physical assets. One of the biggest players in the League, but has a relatively short wingspan. Developed his frame to the point that he doesnt get pushed around as much as he used to. Has good footwork and overall mobility for his size in the half-court, but doesnt run the floor terribly well. Not in the best shape, and probably shouldnt play many more minutes than he already does in the regular season. Surprisingly coordinated for a player of his size. Has a great offensive repertoire. Incredibly smart, and a fantastic teammate. Superbly versatiledoes many different things on the floor. The greatest Chinese basketball player ever. Five time All-Star. Has been indispensible in popularizing NBA basketball in Asia. Personality and background has made him a marketing juggernaut. An incredible asset to the NBA. Injuries have been a major problem for him and his team, and are a huge concern moving forward.
Offense: Gets over two third of his offensive possessions in the post. Requires a double team due to his size and skill. Great post repertoire. Displays great touch with both hands. Displays an almost unstoppable hook shot and turnaround jumper. No player his size shoots from the inside with comparable finesse. Prefers to set up on the left block, but is actually more efficient from the right. Tends to turn over his left shoulder, right into his hook. Decent passer. Really needs to cut down on his turnovers. Doesnt always see the defense coming. Draws a lot of contact. Goes to the line at a high rate. Shoots a tremendous percentage from the line. Capable midrange shooter. Has become the assertive force that many expected him to be. Great passer with a superb feel for the game. A good offensive rebounder.
Defense: A good defender due to his ability to change shots. Does a solid job protecting the rim. Commits a lot of fouls due to his lack of overall quickness. Isnt able to step out and cover the pick and roll like more athletic centers. Can be a liability against teams that get out in transition frequently. Great in half court settings. Good rebounder and outlet passer. Has become more aggressive on the defensive end since entering the League. Not the best defensive player skill wise, but his size makes him formidable.
Kwame Brown
Overview: Browns career has been a well-documented disappointment to date, making him the poster boy for the argument in favor of the NBA draft age limit. His steady development over his first three years was overshadowed by the pressure he was under to perform as Michael Jordans hand-picked franchise future, first overall in the draft. Brown has a decent skill-set and great physical size and athleticism. He lacks the hand size necessary to play effectively with his back to the basket and hasnt really developed his face-up game. Overall, it seems Browns development has been hindered by expectations and the mental strain of trying to live up to them. He is still young enough to carve himself out a solid career as a Dale Davis type if he puts the work in and stops feeling sorry for himself.
Offense: Brown spends most of his time in the post or on basket cuts. He is not a good finisher near the basket however, often losing control of the ball on the release when encountering contact. Browns overall shooting percentage from the field is respectable, but when you factor in how close to the basket most of his attempts are, it is clear he needs to work on this aspect of his game. Brown looks like he could develop a decent set shot out to 15-17 feet, but has never shown any consistent dedication to developing it-like most aspects of his game. He does get to the free throw line at a solid rate, but shoots an incredibly poor percentage there. His FT% steadily and shockingly dropped from 71% as a rookie to 41% in 07-08. Hes not a bad passer, but he turns the ball over far too much to earn too many points here.
Defense: This aspect of Browns game has slipped a bit since he returned from injury and got traded to the Grizzlies. When he was a part of the Lakers big man rotation, Brown showed some promise on the defensive end. Brown has a great combination of size and speed and at his best he can be a tough man defender. Brown isnt much of a shot-blocker, but hell body up and challenge shots effectively when motivated. His team defense is hit-or-miss depending on the evening. He has the ability to help and recover, but doesnt always bring the energy and focus he needs to make all his rotations. Hes also a decent rebounder, although not quite as good as you might hope considering his tools.
Brian Cardinal
Overview: Cardinals game has suffered since his big free agent contract. A series of knee injuries has limited Cardinal to less than half a season of play for 3 consecutive seasons, making his contract amongst one of the leagues worst compared to his production over that time. Cardinal was known as a multi-positional two-way hustle player during his time with Golden State. His perimeter shooting is probably his strongest asset on offense. Defensively, he is aggravating as a situational matchup against both forward positions. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in effort and intelligence, although at this point in his career thats not really enough to get him any real minutes, even on the dismal Grizzlies. The worst part is that his albatross contract doesnt end until 2010.
Offense: Cardinal is used almost exclusively as a spot-up shooter, although he had his worst season ever in this area, which killed any chance he had of playing. His career marks from beyond 3-point range are solid, but fell to just 31% in 07-08. Hes an intelligent player in pick-and-roll, cuts, offensive rebounds, and transition situations. Overall, Cardinal functions well as a complimentary offensive role player and is capable of some surprising scoring bursts when hes healthy and getting good playing time, which hasnt been the case for about three years now. He wont do much in the post or in ISO situations, but off-ball he makes things happen. He shot a dismal 34% from the field in 07-08, and attempted well over 50% of his shots from behind the arc. He will have to revert back to being the fantastic shooter he once was if hes ever to return to Memphis rotation.
Defense: Cardinal puts a lot of effort into his defense, but doesnt always get great results at this point in his career, being too small to guard most power forwards, and too slow to guard any small forwards. He has trouble against dribble penetration and on the post when matched up with prime time scoring options and left in single coverage, but is a capable help defender. Man defense is solid when matched up with opponents who have holes in their game. Despite his lack of lateral quickness, hell press up on shooters and force them toward help or give space and funnel drivers toward interior defense. On the block, Cardinal is physical and liberal with his fouls when given the opportunity to play. He knows his role and tries to maximize his time on the floor, although his extremely poor rebounding numbers are a pretty tough pill to swallow considering how little he brings to the table elsewhere.
Overview: Collins has established himself in the league on the strength of his positional defense and overall understanding of team defensive schemes. Collins has never been much of a threat on the offensive end (to say the least), but moves well through the sets. Collins best utility is his size and ability to provide 6 fouls and consistent interior defense against opposing centers. He would probably have a better chance to play if he were at least an average rebounder, which hes not.
Offense: Collins has a very marginal offensive repertoire, working best in pick-and-roll situations, offensive rebounds, and cuts to the basket. Collins has never developed any sort of face-up game to speak of, as you can probably guess by his mediocre percentages from the free throw line. Hes an unreliable spot-up shooter, fairly turnover prone relative to his limited touches, and doesnt have the ball handling skills to create any kind of offense for himself. Overall, extremely limited on this end. He actually had the distinction of ranking statistically as the second worst per-minute scorer in the NBA, behind only Eric Snow.
Defense: This is the side of the ball where Collins has made his career mark. Collins isnt very fleet of foot, but he uses great technique to challenge his opponents. Collins has great fundamental footwork and keeps excellent spacing between his man and the ball-handler when defending off-ball. Collins is very smart when defending on-ball. Against back to the basket opponents he uses his wide body and a low base to keep from being backed down in the post. Collins typically knows his assignments well enough to know how much space to give them on face-up shots. He wont over-crowd a quicker opponent or give shooters shots in his comfort zone. Collins also uses his fouls intelligently. He is a mediocre rebounder, though, which makes it very difficult for him to get on the floor considering how little he brings to the table offensively already.
Rudy Gay:
Casey Jacobsen
Overview: Jacobsen is a journeyman type swing player, capable of providing some quick scoring off the bench when his outside shot is falling, which it did not in 07/08. He is mostly a perimeter shooting specialist, lacking the ball-handling skills and ability to separate from his defender to do more than the occasional one or two dribble jumper off the shot-fake. Jacobsen is passable defensively at the wings, being more effective at shooting guard where he can use his size more advantageously.
Offense: Jacobsen is a 3-point specialist, who couldnt buy a 3-point bucket this past season. Hes an intelligent player who is able to move the ball around and make smart decisions most of the time, but tends to take the open jumper whenever it presents itself. He can get hot from the perimeter and give his team a scoring boost and is a capable transition player, but doesnt do much if hes not scoring the ball, being a pretty average passer. Despite taking 63% of his shots from behind the arc, Jacobsen hit just 22% of his 3-pointers, and 33% of his overall attempts from the field, making him one of the worst offensive players in the NBA in 07/08.
Defense: Jacobsen has good size for a shooting guard and is pretty physical against smaller players, which helps him to limit quality looks. He is much better suited for defending slashing wings than quality shooters. Gets caught on screens and cant play tight defense on ball without compromising his ability to recover on the drive without fouling. Plays with energy when on the court and is smart, but his lack of lateral quickness makes him a defensive liability.
Kyle Lowry:
Darko Milicic
Overview: Milicic has been very inconsistent during his time in the NBA, struggling to live up to his billing as the #2 overall pick behind LeBron James, in a stellar 2003 draft. Offensively, Milicic has good footwork and mobility, but lacks finishing polish on his moves around the basket. As a jump shooter, Milicic also shows promise at times, but no consistency. Defensively Milicic has shown himself to be an adept shot-blocker at times, good on weak-side and on-ball challenges. His rebounding and team defense is off and on. Milicic has an average basketball IQ and does not make up for it with the intangibles he brings to his team, lacking focus, drive and mental toughness in particular. There is very little doubt at this point that he came to the NBA far too early for his own good, and in turn missed out on the type of playing time that is so incredibly important to a player so young. Younger than some NCAA seniors, though, there is still plenty of time for him to turn his career around, although its hard to call his NBA tenure thus far as anything less than a huge disappointment.
Offense: Milicic has the size and athleticism to be an offensive weapon, but is severely lacking polish on his array of moves, shooting a mediocre 44% from the field in 07/08. He spends most of his time in the post, preferring to go to a rolling hook in the lane on the right block or a turn-around baseline hook on the left. Milicics action is smooth on the moves, but he lacks touch on the finish. Seeing him in action, one gets the impression that more practice repetitions would lead to better results. Milicic also displays promise with his face up jumper, showing range out to 18 feet. This shot, again, is inconsistent and needs work. He rarely gets to the free throw line, and shoots a poor percentage from there too. Not a great passer, Milicic needs to work on taking care of the ball better.
Defense: Milicic is as unpolished in this area as he is in most others, but may have the most promise at this end. He has superb timing and instincts when it comes to shot-blocking, but lacks good technique in his man and help defense. Milicic doesnt do a good job with using his body and moving his feet. He tends to give ground easily, likely in an attempt to keep his balance and set up for the shot block attempt. Milicic tends to be foul prone when aggressive, using his hands and body to push opponents. Though hes very mobile, Milicic doesnt make great reads when moving in the team defense and is late on his rotations frequently.
Overview: Miller has quietly developed into one of the most versatile and efficient offensive threats in the game. Miller is a multi-faceted offense threat, good with the shot, the drive, and the pass. He often plays more than one position during the course of a game, including a point-forward type role in some stretches. Miller is best suited to be a teams 3rd option, where his overall floor game can benefit the team greatest. He is capable of explosive scoring games, but not consistently enough to be a first or second option.
Offense: Miller is one of the best shooters off the dribble in the NBA. His ability to shoot off the bounce extends out the 3-point range as well, thanks to his picture perfect mechanics, quick release and very high arc. Unlike most perimeter players, Miller utilizes the pull-up game to great effect, in addition to being outstanding coming off screens. He has plus size and length to go along with excellent ball-handling skills for the wing. Miller is not great at getting to the free throw line, but maximizes his possessions with excellent efficiency and strong playmaking, although hes just a little bit turnover prone. His basketball IQ is superb and hes extremely unselfish, allowing him to make quick decisions with the ball and find the open man with no hesitation. Nearly half of his shots come from behind the arc, but he hits them at such a high rate that its extremely hard to argue with. He gets to the basket at a decent rate, thanks to his solid first step, and is a very good finisher once there, more-so due to his superb skill-level and smarts than any incredible explosiveness at the rim. He is much better going right than left, though, something that smart teams like to take advantage of.
Defense: Miller is a non-descript defender at the wing. Hes often criticized for being soft, but hes more average than anything else. Miller gives up an above average amount of points at the wing, but opponents dont shoot extremely high percentages against him. Millers biggest weakness on defense is his lack of physicality. His foot speed is better than advertised, but he isnt fast enough to simply play off his man and try and react to his initial move. Miller attempts to use his size and length to disrupt his opponents shots, giving space to drive and reacting to his moves. He is better guarding small forwards than 2-guards, although offensively he is mostly used as a guard.
Juan Carlos Navarro
Hakim Warrick
Overview: Warrick has steadily developed his game since coming into the league. Warrick has played multiple positions for Memphis, as his length and athleticism make him a versatile defender. Warricks offensive game has really started to progress as well. He is hitting his jump shots and handling the ball at a decent clip now, which is opening up his ability to score the ball. Warricks rebounding has really begun to be an asset, especially when playing close to the basket. He will likely always be considered a tweener, though, which might limit his ability to play big minutes on most teams, unless he continues to make substantial progress on his shooting and ball-handling skills.
Offense: Warricks offensive game really begun to blossom in his third season, catching up to a certain extent to his superb athleticism. His catch-and-shoot jumper is still a work in progress, but its consistent enough to be used as set-up weapon for his drives, even if he has a tendency to fade away unnecessarily on his shot. Teams tend to back off him at times still, so continuing to improve this part of his game will be key. Warrick handles the ball low to the ground and uses shot fakes to take a dribble or two before taking off for the basket, clearly preferring to go left. Better control and rhythm off the dribble will be needed to improve his pull-up jumper, which is still very weak. Despite his lack of upper-body strength, Warrick is a great finisher at the basket thanks to his high-flying leaping ability, and is learning to draw fouls as well. He is pretty effective at facing up from the high post and using his quickness to get to the basket, having recently cut down on his turnovers substantially, which is a huge development as far as his game is concerned. He also has a limited, but somewhat effective post game, using unorthodox moves and athletic ability to free himself up for shots near the basket. His lack of strength and wiry frame makes it tough for him to make much headway though against stronger forwards. Warrick is not a very good passer, particularly out of double teams.
Defense: Warrick isnt much of a shot-blocker or ball-thief considering his physical gifts. But he challenges shots well when on ball and can be a pesky man defender when guarding on the perimeter. He is limited in effectiveness when playing power forwards due to his inability to deny post position or effectively use his body to knock larger opponents off-balance. Warrick shows potential at the 3 defensively, where his length becomes an asset. But Warrick needs to make a full commitment on the defensive end. Hes not very aggressive with his perimeter pressure and gets caught standing upright too often, which slows down his closing speed on shooters. A wider base when in his defensive stance would help him to contain drivers with more effectiveness.
The Pro Perspective: Stephen Curry
Jeremy Bauman
The Golden State Warriors two-time NBA MVP superstar, Stephen Curry, reflects on the importance of form shooting, his father's influence on his shot development and his rise to prominence from Davidson College at the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.
The Pro Perspective: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reflects on his mentality and practice habits as a shooter in his fourth season in the NBA.
Malik Allen PF
Jose Juan Barea PG
Brandon Bass PF
Avery Johnson G
Erick Dampier C
Devean George SF
Jason Kidd PG
Josh Howard SF
Juwan Howard PF
Eddie Jones SG
Tyronn Lue PG
Jamaal Magloire C
Dirk Nowitzki PF
Jerry Stackhouse SG
Jason Terry SG
Antoine Wright SG/SF
Fresno St
Rafer Alston PG
Rick Adelman G
Shane Battier SF
Aaron Brooks PG
Steve Francis PG
Chuck Hayes PF
Luther Head SG
Dee Brown PG
Ron_ Williams G
Bobby Jackson SG
Carl Landry PF
Tracy McGrady SG/SF
Yao Ming C
Vince Carter SF
Dikembe Mutombo C
Mookie Blaylock G
Steve Novak SF/PF
Luis Scola PF
Loren Woods C
Andre Brown PF
Kwame Brown C
Michael Jordan SG
Dale Davis C
Brian Cardinal SF
Jason Collins C
Michigan St
Eric Snow PG
Javaris Crittenton PG
Rudy Gay SF
Casey Jacobsen SG/SF
Kyle Lowry PG
Darko Milicic C
Mike Miller SF
Juan Carlos Navarro SG
Hakim Warrick PF
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AIM's Kincaid Still Trying to Smear Leon Panetta
Cliff Kincaid complains in a Sept. 5 Accuracy in Media column that a Washington Post series on "Top Secret America" is hiding "the real secrets." But in the course of his attack, Kincaid makes it clear he's keeping his own secrets.
Kincaid dredges up an attack on Leon Panetta, claiming that he was involved with the "Marxist" Institute for Policy Studies." But as Media Matters detailed, Kincaid's previous attempts to sabotage Panetta's nomination as secretary of defense by portraying him as a secret communist failed spectacularly after Kincaid and his partner, foreigner Trevor Loudon, vastly overstated the significance of constitutent correspondence between Panetta, a congressman in the 1980s, and a resident of his district.
Meanwhile, Kincaid whines about the anthrax case, whining that "Post reporter Marilyn Thompson covered and wrote a book, The Killer Strain, on the anthrax case and unfairly pointed the finger at Dr. Steven Hatfill, who was labeled a 'person of interest' but never charged and was later officially exonerated, to the point where he collected $6 million in damages from the Department of Justice and the FBI for using the media to finger him."
But as Thompson herself pointed out when her book was released: "There is such a strong circumstantial trail surrounding Steven Hatfill that the FBI would have been completely lax not to pursue it vigorously. He remains the key "person of interest" in this case because of an inconclusive polygraph and the fact that FBI bloodhounds I.D.'ed him. But the circumstantial links are compelling and need to be conclusively nailed."
Kincaid went on to declare:
The anthrax case, which was prematurely closed by the FBI when another persecuted suspect killed himself rather than fight for his reputation, was the work of al-Qaeda operatives on U.S. soil, according to the most authoritative book on the subject, Anthrax and Al Qaeda: The Infiltration of US Biodefense. This evidence suggests that the real problem facing the “National Security State” is infiltration and penetration by enemies of the U.S. and not enough safeguards against the internal subversive threat.
As we've previously noted, Kincaid has previously come to the defense of Bruce Ivins, the suspect he curiously won't name here. He has yet to address the recent evidence presented against Ivins, particularly a book strongly implicating Ivins in the anthrax attacks.
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The Journal of Ecclesiastical History
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Volume 70 - Issue 3 - July 2019
Latest issue of The Journal of Ecclesiastical History
Page/Article number Title Type Online publication date
Eusebius Prize Essay
Theodoret's Theologian: Assessing the Origin and Significance of Gregory of Nazianzus’ Title
OLIVER B. LANGWORTHY
This study addresses the lack of critical analysis on Gregory of Nazianzus’ title of ‘the Theologian’. In doing so it addresses two areas: the origin of the title in the Address to Marcian, and the significance of its attribution to Gregory by Theodoret of Cyrrhus. Alongside Theodoret, this study takes account of a range of usages in Christian and non-Christian authors in order to argue that the title was attributed to Gregory as part of a pre-existing Christian response encompassing Moses, John and the prophets and pagan theologians such as Orpheus and Homer.
God Wills It! Supplementary Divine Purposes for the Crusades according to Crusade Propaganda
VALENTIN PORTNYKH
It is well known that the crusades were represented as wars sanctioned by God, who helped the crusaders. At the same time, according to crusade propaganda, the liberation of the Holy Land was most probably not the only purpose of the crusades. Some sources allow us to affirm that the papacy and preachers had the idea that God would allow the crusaders to settle in Outremer only when they would merit it by the absence of sin. Furthermore, in the second half of the twelfth and, to a greater extent, in the thirteenth century, there was a spread of the idea that God could destroy the Saracens on his own, but was testing his faithful. In fact, all these ideas together suggested that, according to the propaganda, the liberation of the Holy Land was not considered to be God's only goal, for he also wished to bring to this land faithful people without sin who would settle there, elected by God.
Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Henry VIII
J. F. HADWIN
This paper re-examines three of the major arguments on the validity of Henry VIII's first marriage, suggesting that, though the king misplayed his cards, he held a much better hand than his contemporary or modern critics have allowed. With a better presentation of his cause, an unbiased court might well have concluded that, on canonical principles and precedents, the union with Katherine should not have been permitted.Unfortunately for Henry, however, even such a favourable verdict could have failed to free him from his Spanish consort.
Collective Lay Support for Late Reformation Preaching in the South Pennines
MAGGIE BULLETT
This article examines how lay people brought preaching of the Word to their locality in early seventeenth-century Yorkshire and Lancashire by acting collectively to build chapels, raise funds for ministers’ wages and provide fees and hospitality. A wide cross-section of society was willingly involved in this support, suggesting that enthusiasm for sermon-centred worship was not just the preserve of a godly few. It is proposed that this collective behaviour and its rhetorical representation could foster an inclusive sense of local identity. The importance of the personal style and skills of individual preachers in engendering support is also considered.
John Glas and the Development of Religious Pluralism in Eighteenth-Century Scotland
ALASDAIR RAFFE
This article discusses John Glas, a minister deposed by the Church of Scotland in 1728, in order to examine the growth of religious pluralism in Scotland. The article begins by considering why Glas abandoned Presbyterian principles of Church government, adopting Congregationalist views instead. Glas's case helped to change the Scottish church courts’ conception of deposed ministers, reflecting a reappraisal of Nonconformity. Moreover, Glas's experiences allow us to distinguish between church parties formed to conduct business, and those representing theological attitudes. Finally, Glas's case calls into question the broadest definitions of the ‘Scottish Enlightenment’, drawing attention to the emergence of pluralism.
The Concile National of 1811: Napoleon, Gallicanism and the Failure of Neo-Conciliarism
AMBROGIO A. CAIANI
The concile national of 1811 was one of the greatest flashpoints in the struggle that pitted the Napoleonic Empire against the papacy. This episode, which deserves to be situated within more recent historiographical trends, reveals much about the nature of Napoleonic imperialism and the Church's distrust for the power of the state. This article puts forward the view that the failure of the concile national was not strategic but tactical. Several bishops were frustrated with the pope's recalcitrance over episcopal investiture and fearful of schism. But their initial openness to neo-conciliarism turned to hostility when confronted with the state's intolerance.
Donatism of History: Recent Questions
DAVID E. WILHITE
Two roads diverged in Roman Africa. One led to the movement that came to be known as Donatism, and the other to the so-called Catholic party. The controversy emerged soon after the Diocletian persecution, one side selecting Caecilius as the bishop of Carthage, the other eventually selecting Donatus (and therefore dubbed ‘Donatist’). The schism widened when Constantine supported the former and attempted to enforce his party's status. Violence sporadically erupted between these two parties for the next century, around which time Augustine led the charge to bring about unity, ultimately through legal and coercive means. The success of this unification, however, and the ultimate fate of the Donatists is open to debate, along with virtually every other datum from this controversy. The debated nature of the controversy, therefore, needs to be closely examined, for just what paradigm one takes from the outset could make all the difference.
The Eusebius Essay Prize The World Christianities Essay Prize
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 July 2019, p. 570
Tomb and temple. Re-imagining the sacred buildings of Jerusalem. Edited by Robin Griffith-Jones and Eric Fernie. (Studies in Medieval Art and Architecture.) Pp. xxx + 492 incl. frontispiece, 40 colour plates and 126 figs. Woodbridge–Rochester, NY: Boydell Press, 2018. £50. 978 1 78327 280 8
John Binns
Philo of Alexandria and the construction of Jewishness in early Christian writings. By Jennifer Otto. (Oxford Early Christian Studies.) Pp. xii + 231. Oxford–New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. £65. 987 0 19 882072 7
James Carleton Paget
Jewish-Christianity and the history of Judaism. Collected essays. By Annette Yoshiko Reed. (Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism, 171.) Pp. xxx + 506. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2018. €174. 978 3 16 154476 7; 0721 8753
Assembling early Christianity. Trade, networks, and the letters of Dionysios of Corinth. By Cavan W. Concannon. Pp. xiv + 263 incl. 17 figs and 2 tables. Cambridge–New York: Cambridge University Press, 2017. £75. 978 1 107 19429 8
Harry O. Maier
Manichaeism East and West. Edited by Samuel N. C. Lieu with Erica Hunter, Enrico Morano and Nils Arne Pedersen. (Corpus Fontium Manichaeorum, Analetcta Manichaica I.) Pp. xii + 260 incl. 19 black-and-white and colour ills and 7 tables. Turnhout: Brepols, 2017. €90. 978 2 503 57457 8
Nicholas J. Baker-Brian
Juden – Heiden – Christen? Religiöse Inklusion und Exklusion in Kleinasien bis Decius. Edited by Stefan Alkier and Hartmut Leppin. (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 400.) Pp. vi + 454 incl. 13 ills. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2018. €149. 978 3 16 153706 6
St Cyprian of Carthage and the college of bishops. By Benjamin Safranski. Pp. xx + 229. New York–London: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2018. £70. 978 1 9787 0078 9
Mattias Gassman
Sin in Origen's commentary on Romans. By Stephen Bagby. Pp. xxii + 179. New York–London: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2018. £65. 978 1 978701 08 3 - Origienes der Christ und Origenes der Platoniker. Edited by Balbina Bäbler and Heinz-Güther Nesselrath. (Studies in Education and Religion in Ancient and Pre-Modern History in the Mediterranean and its Environs 2.) Pp. xii + 211. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2018. €49. 978 3 16 155855 9; 2568 9584
M. J. Edwards
In the image of Origen. Eros, virtue, and constraint in the early Christian academy. By David Satran. (Transformations of the Classical Heritage.) Pp. xvi + 248. Oakland, Ca: University of California Press, 2018. $95.00. 9780520291232
Das öffentliche Auftreten des Christentums im spätantiken Antiochia. Eine Studie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Agonmetaphorik in ausgewählten Märtyrerpredigten des Johannes Chrysostomos. By Frauke Krautheim. (Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum, 109.) Pp. xii + 305. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2018. €74 (paper). 978 3 16 155369 1
Wendy Mayer
The Donatist Church in an apocalyptic age. By Jesse A. Hoover. (Oxford Early Christian Studies.) Pp. x + 254. Oxford–New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. £70. 978 0 19 882551 7
Alden Bass
The prologues on Easter of Theophilus of Alexandria and [Cyril]. Edited by Alden A. Mosshammer. (Oxford Early Christian Texts.) Pp. xii + 194 incl. 2 tables. Oxford–New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. £95. 978 0 19 879257 4
Krastu Banev
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Development and Psychopathology (1)
International Astronomical Union (3)
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (1)
The Southern Hemisphere VLBI Experiment (Sheve)
R.A. Preston, D.L. Jauncey, A. Tsioumis, D.L. Meier, L.J. Skjerve, J. Ables, R. Batchelor, J. Faulkner, P.M. Hamilton, R. Haynes, B. Johnson, A. Louie, P. McCulloch, G. Moorey, D.D. Morabito, G. Nicolson, A.E. Niell, J.G. Robertson, G.W.R. Royle, M.A. Slade, O.B. Slee, A. Watkinson, A.E. Wehrle, A. Wright
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2017, pp. 67-69
The Southern Hemisphere VLBI Experiment (or SHEVE) was a joint US-Australian-South African venture with both astronomy and geodesy goals. The principle astronomy goal was to make models or maps of the following sources: at 2.3 GHz (with six antennas and 9 usable baselines) – Centaurus A (the nearest active galaxy), Circinus X-1 (a flaring binary), the VELA pulsar, and 26 other active galactic nuclei and quasars; at 8.4 GHz (only one baseline) – Centaurus A and the galactic center.
R. A. Preston, D. L. Jauncey, D. L. Meier, A. K. Tzioumis, J. Ables, R. A. Batchelor, J. Faulkner, B. Greene, P. A. Hamilton, B. R. Harvey, R. F. Haynes, B. Johnson, K. Lambeck, A. P. Louie, P. McCulloch, G. Moorey, D. D. Morabito, G. D. Nicolson, A. E. Niell, J. A. Roberts, J. G. Robertson, G.W.R. Royle, L. J. Skjerve, M. A. Slade, O. B. Slee, A. Stolz, A. Watkinson, A. E. Wehrle, A. E. Wright
Six radio telescopes were operated as the first southern hemisphere VLBI array in April and May 1982. Observations were made at 2.3 and 8.4 Ghz. This array produced VLBI images of 28 southern hemisphere radio sources, high accuracy VLBI geodesy between southern hemisphere sites, and subarcsecond radio astrometry of celestial sources south of declination −45 degrees. This paper discusses only the astrophysical aspects of the experiment.
The High Resolution Structure of the Centaurus A Nucleus at 2.29 GHz and 8.42 GHz
D. L. Meier, D. L. Jauncey, R. A. Preston, A. K. Tzioumis, A. E. Wehrle, R. A. Batchelor, J. Falkner, P. A. Hamilton, B. R. Harvey, R. F. Haynes, B. Johnston, A. P. Louie, P. McCulloch, G. Moorey, D. D. Morabito, G. D. Nicolson, A. E. Well, J. A. Roberts, J. G. Robertson, G.W.R. Royle, L. J. Skjerve, M. A. Slade, O. B. Slee, A. Watkinson, A. E. Wright
VLBI observations of the nucleus of Centaurus A were made in April, 1982 at two frequencies with an array of five Australian radio antennas as part of the Southern Hemisphere VLBI Experiment (SHEVE). Observations were undertaken at 2.29 GHz with all five antennas, while only two were operational at 8.42 GHz. The 2.29 GHz data yielded significant information on the structure of the nuclear jet. At 8.42 GHz a compact unresolved core was detected as well.
Neural predictors of alcohol use and psychopathology symptoms in adolescents
TY Brumback, Matthew Worley, Tam T. Nguyen-Louie, Lindsay M. Squeglia, Joanna Jacobus, Susan F. Tapert
Journal: Development and Psychopathology / Volume 28 / Issue 4pt1 / November 2016
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 October 2016, pp. 1209-1216
Adolescence is a period marked by increases in risk taking, sensation seeking, and emotion dysregulation. Neurobiological models of adolescent development propose that lagging development in brain regions associated with affect and behavior control compared to regions associated with reward and emotion processing may underlie these behavioral manifestations. Cross-sectional studies have identified several functional brain networks that may contribute to risk for substance use and psychopathology in adolescents. Determining brain structure measures that prospectively predict substance use and psychopathology could refine our understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to these problems, and lead to improved prevention efforts. Participants (N = 265) were healthy substance-naïve adolescents (ages 12–14) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging and then were followed annually for up to 13 years. Cortical thickness and surface area measures for three prefrontal regions (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and orbitofrontal cortex) and three cortical regions from identified functional networks (anterior cingulate cortex, insular cortex, and parietal cortex) were used to predict subsequent binge drinking, externalizing symptoms, and internalizing symptoms. Thinner dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal cortex in early adolescence predicted more binge drinking and externalizing symptoms, respectively, in late adolescence (ps < .05). Having a family history of alcohol use disorder predicted more subsequent binge drinking and externalizing symptoms. Thinner parietal cortex, but not family history, predicted more subsequent internalizing symptoms (p < .05). This study emphasizes the temporal association between maturation of the salience, inhibition, and executive control networks in early adolescence and late adolescent behavior outcomes. Our findings indicate that developmental variations in these brain regions predate behavioral outcomes of substance use and psychopathology, and may therefore serve as prospective biomarkers of vulnerability.
Defects in Two Dimensional Crystals: An Ultra-high Resolution Aberration-corrected Electron Microscopy Study
N. Alem, Q.M. Ramasse, O.V. Yazyev, C.R. Seabourne, C.K. Kisielowski, P. Hartel, B. Jiang, R. Erni, K. Erickson, M. Sarahan, M. Rossell, A. Scott, S. Louie, A. Zettl
N. Alem, S. Louie , A. Zettl, Q. Ramasse, O. Yazyev , C. Seabourne , A. Scott , C. Kisielowski , P. Hartel , B. Jiang , R. Erni
Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012.
How well do Australian shoppers understand energy terms on food labels?
Wendy L Watson, Kathy Chapman, Lesley King, Bridget Kelly, Clare Hughes, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, Jennifer Crawford, Timothy P Gill
Journal: Public Health Nutrition / Volume 16 / Issue 3 / March 2013
To investigate nutrition literacy among adult grocery buyers regarding energy-related labelling terms on food packaging.
Qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to determine shoppers’ understanding of energy terms (‘energy’, ‘calories’ and ‘kilojoules’) and how energy terms affect perceptions of healthiness and intentions to purchase breakfast cereals, muesli bars and frozen meals.
Individual in-depth interviews and surveys in two metropolitan supermarkets, Sydney, Australia.
Australian adults (interview n 40, survey n 405) aged 18–79 years.
The relationship between energy and perceived healthiness of food varied by product type: higher energy breakfast cereals were perceived to be healthier, while lower energy frozen meals were seen as healthier choices. Likewise, intentions to purchase the higher energy product varied according to product type. The primary reason stated for purchasing higher energy products was for sustained energy. Participants from households of lower socio-economic status were significantly more likely to perceive higher energy products as healthier. From the qualitative interviews, participants expressed uncertainty about their understanding of kilojoules, while only 40 % of participants in intercept surveys correctly answered that kilojoules and calories measured the same thing.
Australian consumers have a poor understanding of energy and kilojoules and tend to perceive higher energy products as healthier and providing sustained energy. This has implications regarding the usefulness of industry front-of-pack labelling initiatives and quick service restaurant menu labelling that provides information on energy content only. Comprehensive and widely communicated education campaigns will be essential to guide consumers towards healthier choices.
Simulation Of Diffuse Light Exposure Of Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic Tapes And The Problem Of Sidewall Morphology
P. Espinoza-Vallejos, J. Santiago-Aviles, L. Sola-Laguna
We have simulated the scattering of UV light in a photo-formable ceramic tape and experimentally measured the transport mean free path (random walk step) between scattering events. After processing the tape we have achieved features size of 70 μm in a 150 μm-thick tape. We were able to predict and control the undercut due to scattering of the light by alumina grains. The experimental verification of the model utilizes a modified version of diffuse-Transmission Spectroscopy (DTS) using the material development characteristics as a sensor. The technique involves the measurement of absorption coefficient by measuring the sample thickness as a function of energy. We also simulated the effect of changing the number density of scatter centers in side-wall morphology.
Recent Advances in ab initio time—dependent Hartree-Fock theory and their applications to predict nonlinear optical properties of semiconductor nanoclusters
Shashi P. Karna, Prakashan P. Korambath
Recent advancements in ab initio time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory have made it a technique of choice for modeling nanoscale nonlinear optical (NLO) materials from first-principles. We have used this method to study structure-NLO property relationships of GaN, GaP and GaAs clusters. The geometry of the clusters used in the study was optimized by ab initio Hartree Fock (HF) calculations with the use of even tempered Gaussian (ETG) basis set. The clusters used in this study are of the type Gam Xn (M = 1,3,4,7 and n = 1,3,4,7) where X=N, P, and As. The GamXn clusters are in a charge neutral (q = 0) state for m = n and in appropriately charged state for m ∦ n. The magnitude of the calculated (hyper)polarizabilities appears to strongly depend on the composition of the cluster. For the same composition of heteroatoms, the hyperpolarizability depends on the size as well as the geometry of the cluster. The cluster size-dependence of calculated (hyper)polarizabilities is more pronounced for the first-hyperpolarizability. β than for the polarizability, α The calculated β(–ωμ,ωl,ω2) corresponding to various second order effects shows the following trend β(–2ω; ω,ω) > β(–ω; 0, ω) >β(0;0,0).
Modeling of Temperature Increase Due to Joule Heating During Electromigration Measurements
H. C. Louie Liu, S. P. Murarka
Electromigration (EM), the mass transport phenomenon under applied electrical field, is known to cause degradation in interconnections and thus to compromise the devices' reliability. High current density and high temperature conditions are usually adopted to evaluate the EM lifetime. Such high current density will raise the temperature at the test sites because of Joule heating. Thus the actual temperature on the test surface, not the ambient temperature, is an important parameter affecting the lifetime of the metallization. A simple model is proposed here to predict the temperature rise in such interconnections and the calculated values agree well with the experimentally measured rise in temperature. Only heat conduction and convection are considered and illustrative equivalent electrical analogy technique is used to solve the problem. This model, using a commercially available spreadsheet and its iteration functions, is shown to match closely with experimental results.
First Principles Calculation of the Hot Electron Lifetime in Simple and Noble Metals
I. Campillo, A. Rubio, J. M. Pitarke, P. M. Echenique
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011, 33
First-principles calculations of the inelastic lifetime of low-energy electrons in Al. Cu and Au are reported. Quasiparticle damping rates are evaluated from the knowledge of the electron self-energy, which we compute within the GW approximation. Inelastic lifetimes are then obtained along various directions of the electron wave vector, with full inclusion of the band structure of the solid. Average lifetimes are also reported, as a function of the electron energy. In Al splitting of the band structure over the Fermi level yields electron lifetimes that are smaller than those of electrons in a free-electron gas. In Cu and Au, a major contribution from d electrons participating in the screening of electron-electron interactions yields electron lifetimes which are well above those of electrons in a free-electron gas with the electron density equal to that of valence (4s1 and 6s1 respectively) electrons.
A Three-Dimensional Computer Model for Simulation of Light-Trapping Effects in Porous Silicon
Peter T. Charbel, Jim P. Zheng
It has been demonstrated that porous silicon can be used to enhance the sensitivity, spectral bandwidth, and light acceptance angle of photodiodes. In an attempt to better understand light trapping effects in porous silicon, a three-dimensional model was used to approximate the surface geometry of porous silicon. It was found that the main contributing factor to the observed high efficiencies is the shape of the pores. The general shape resembles cylindrical shaped sections, whose radii are in the micron range. The results of the computer simulation were compared to actual experimental results where porous silicon was tested under variable conditions of lighting and porosity. The comparison shows that the simulation gives a good approximation of the behavior of porous silicon. Although the simulation does not perfectly match experimental values, it does provide the insight that the surface geometry of porous silicon is the main contributing factor to its efficiency in trapping light.
Risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance in reported Campylobacter infections in southern Alberta
J. Y. M. JOHNSON, L. M. McMULLEN, P. HASSELBACK, M. LOUIE, G. JHANGRI, L. D. SAUNDERS
We conducted a case-control study examining risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance in Campylobacter infections that were reported in 2004 and 2005 in two health regions in southern Alberta. The study questionnaire included questions about recent travel and antibiotic use, food consumption frequency, use of household and personal hygiene products with antibacterial agents, contact with animals, and potential misuse of antibiotics. Of the 210 patients who participated, 31·0% had ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter infections. Foreign travel was the strongest predictor of resistance. Surprisingly, possession of antibiotics for future use was identified as a risk factor for resistance. We also examined the potential for participation bias and resistance misclassification to affect the resulting multivariable models. Participation bias appears to have had a substantial effect on the model results, but the estimated misclassification effect due to the use of different ciprofloxacin susceptibility testing methods was only slight.
Epidemiological characteristics of reported sporadic and outbreak cases of E. coli O157 in people from Alberta, Canada (2000–2002): methodological challenges of comparing clustered to unclustered data
D. L. PEARL, M. LOUIE, L. CHUI, K. DORÉ, K. M. GRIMSRUD, S. W. MARTIN, P. MICHEL, L. W. SVENSON, S. A. McEWEN
Using multivariable models, we compared whether there were significant differences between reported outbreak and sporadic cases in terms of their sex, age, and mode and site of disease transmission. We also determined the potential role of administrative, temporal, and spatial factors within these models. We compared a variety of approaches to account for clustering of cases in outbreaks including weighted logistic regression, random effects models, general estimating equations, robust variance estimates, and the random selection of one case from each outbreak. Age and mode of transmission were the only epidemiologically and statistically significant covariates in our final models using the above approaches. Weighing observations in a logistic regression model by the inverse of their outbreak size appeared to be a relatively robust and valid means for modelling these data. Some analytical techniques, designed to account for clustering, had difficulty converging or producing realistic measures of association.
The use of randomization tests to assess the degree of similarity in PFGE patterns of E. coli O157 isolates from known outbreaks and statistical space–time clusters
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 135 / Issue 1 / January 2007
Using isolates from reported cases of Escherichia coli O157 from Alberta, Canada in 2002, we applied randomization tests to determine if cases associated with an outbreak or statistical space–time cluster had more similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, based on Dice coefficients, than expected by chance alone. Within each outbreak and space–time cluster, we assessed the mean, median, 25th percentile, 75th percentile, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and interquartile range of the Dice coefficients of each pairwise comparison among the isolates. To assess the statistical significance of measures of location (e.g. mean) and variation (e.g. standard deviation) we created randomization distributions using all isolates or only isolates from sporadic cases. We determined that randomization tests are an appropriate tool for evaluating the similarity among isolates from cases that have been linked epidemiologically or statistically. We found little difference between using all cases or only sporadic cases when creating our randomization distributions.
The use of outbreak information in the interpretation of clustering of reported cases of Escherichia coli O157 in space and time in Alberta, Canada, 2000–2002
D. L. PEARL, M. LOUIE, L. CHUI, K. DORÉ, K. M. GRIMSRUD, D. LEEDELL, S. W. MARTIN, P. MICHEL, L. W. SVENSON, S. A. McEWEN
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 134 / Issue 4 / August 2006
We obtained a list of all reported cases of Escherichia coli O157 in Alberta during the 2000–2002 period, and using scan statistics we identified yearly temporal and spatial clusters of reported cases of E. coli O157 during the summer and in southern Alberta. However, the location of the spatial cluster in the south was variable among years. The impact of using both outbreak and sporadic data or only sporadic data on the identification of spatial and temporal clusters was small when analysing individual years, but the difference between spatial clusters was pronounced when scanning the entire study period. We also identified space-time clusters that incorporated known outbreaks, and clusters that were suggestive of undetected outbreaks that we attempted to validate with molecular data. Our results suggest that scan statistics, based on a space-time permutation model, may have a role in outbreak investigation and surveillance programmes by identifying previously undetected outbreaks.
Research opportunities on clusters and cluster-assembled materials—A Department of Energy, Council on Materials Science Panel Report*
R. P. Andres, R. S. Averback, W. L. Brown, L. E. Brus, W. A. Goddard, A. Kaldor, S. G. Louie, M. Moscovits, P. S. Peercy, S. J. Riley, R. W. Siegel, F. Spaepen, Y. Wang
Journal: Journal of Materials Research / Volume 4 / Issue 3 / June 1989
The Panel was charged with assessing the present scientific understanding of the size-dependent physical and chemical properties of clusters, the methods of synthesis of macroscopic amounts of size-selected clusters with desired properties, and most importantly, the possibility of their controlled assembly into new materials with novel properties. The Panel was composed of both academic and industrial scientists from the physics, chemistry, and materials science communities, and met in January 1988.
In materials (insulators, semiconductors, and metals) with strong chemical bonding, there is extensive spatial delocalization of valence electrons, and therefore the bulk physical properties which depend upon these electrons develop only gradually with cluster size. Recent research using supersonic-jet, gas-aggregation, colloidal, and chemical-synthetic methods indeed clearly establishes that intermediate size clusters have novel and hybrid properties, between the molecular and bulk solid-state limits. A scientific understanding of these transitions in properties has only been partially achieved, and the Panel believes that this interdisciplinary area of science is at the very heart of the basic nature of materials. In Sec. V (Future Challenges and Opportunities), a series of basic questions for future research are detailed. Each question has an obvious impact on our potential ability to create new materials.
Present methods for the synthesis of useful amounts of size-selected clusters, with surface chemical properties purposefully controlled and/or modified, are almost nonexistent, and these fundamentally limit our ability to explore the assembly of clusters into potentially novel materials. While elegant spectroscopic and chemisorption studies of size-selected clusters have been carried out using molecular-beam technologies, there are no demonstrated methods for recovery and accumulation of such samples. Within the past year, the first reports of the chemical synthesis of clusters with surfaces chemically modified have been reported for limited classes of materials. Apparatus for the accumulation and consolidation of nanophase materials have been developed, and the first promising studies of their physical properties are appearing. In both the chemical and nanophase synthesis areas, clusters with a distribution of sizes and shapes are being studied. Progress on macroscopic synthetic methods for size-selected clusters of controlled surface properties is the most important immediate goal recognized by the Panel. Simultaneous improvement in physical characterization will be necessary to guide synthesis research.
Assuming such progress will occur, the Panel suggests that self-assembly of clusters into new elemental polymorphs and new types of nanoscale heterogeneous materials offers an area of intriguing technological promise. The electrical and optical properties of such heterogeneous materials could be tailored in very specific ways. Such ideas are quite speculative at this time; their implementation critically depends upon controlled modification of cluster surfaces, and upon development of characterization and theoretical tools to guide experiments.
The Panel concluded that a number of genuinely novel ideas had been enunciated, and that in its opinion some would surely lead to exciting new science and important new materials.
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International Psychogeriatrics (2)
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care (1)
Health Technology Assessment International (1)
Prospective study of polygenic risk, protective factors, and incident depression following combat deployment in US Army soldiers
Karmel W. Choi, Chia-Yen Chen, Robert J. Ursano, Xiaoying Sun, Sonia Jain, Ronald C. Kessler, Karestan C. Koenen, Min-Jung Wang, Gary H. Wynn, Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Laura Campbell-Sills, Murray B. Stein, Jordan W. Smoller
Journal: Psychological Medicine , First View
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 April 2019, pp. 1-9
Whereas genetic susceptibility increases the risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), non-genetic protective factors may mitigate this risk. In a large-scale prospective study of US Army soldiers, we examined whether trait resilience and/or unit cohesion could protect against the onset of MDD following combat deployment, even in soldiers at high polygenic risk.
Data were analyzed from 3079 soldiers of European ancestry assessed before and after their deployment to Afghanistan. Incident MDD was defined as no MDD episode at pre-deployment, followed by a MDD episode following deployment. Polygenic risk scores were constructed from a large-scale genome-wide association study of major depression. We first examined the main effects of the MDD PRS and each protective factor on incident MDD. We then tested the effects of each protective factor on incident MDD across strata of polygenic risk.
Polygenic risk showed a dose–response relationship to depression, such that soldiers at high polygenic risk had greatest odds for incident MDD. Both unit cohesion and trait resilience were prospectively associated with reduced risk for incident MDD. Notably, the protective effect of unit cohesion persisted even in soldiers at highest polygenic risk.
Polygenic risk was associated with new-onset MDD in deployed soldiers. However, unit cohesion – an index of perceived support and morale – was protective against incident MDD even among those at highest genetic risk, and may represent a potent target for promoting resilience in vulnerable soldiers. Findings illustrate the value of combining genomic and environmental data in a prospective design to identify robust protective factors for mental health.
Hurdle Poisson Regression Model for Identifying Factors Related to Noncompliance and Waiting Time for Confirmatory Diagnosis in Colorectal Cancer Screening
Hsiao-Hsuan Jen, Tsung-Hsi Wang, Han-Mo Chiu, Szu-Min Peng, Chen-Yang Hsu, Sherry Yueh-Hsia Chiu, Sam Li-Sheng Chen, Amy Ming-Fang Yen, Yi-Chia Lee, Hsiu-Hsi Chen, Jean Ching-Yuan Fann
Journal: International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care / Volume 35 / Issue 2 / 2019
Population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs that use a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are often faced with a noncompliance issue and its subsequent waiting time (WT) for those FIT positives complying with confirmatory diagnosis. We aimed to identify factors associated with both of the correlated problems in the same model.
A total of 294,469 subjects, either with positive FIT test results or having a family history, collected from 2004 to 2013 were enrolled for analysis. We applied a hurdle Poisson regression model to accommodate the hurdle of compliance and also its related WT for undergoing colonoscopy while assessing factors responsible for the mixture of the two outcomes.
The effect on compliance and WT varied with contextual factors, such as geographic areas, type of screening units, and level of urbanization. The hurdle score, representing the risk score in association with noncompliance, and the WT score, reflecting the rate of taking colonoscopy, were used to classify subjects into each of three groups representing the degree of compliance and the level of health awareness.
Our model was not only successfully applied to evaluating factors associated with the compliance and the WT distribution, but also developed into a useful assessment model for stratifying the risk and predicting whether and when screenees comply with the procedure of receiving confirmatory diagnosis given contextual factors and individual characteristics.
Antiseptic effect of conventional povidone–iodine scrub, chlorhexidine scrub, and waterless hand rub in a surgical room: a randomized controlled trial—ADDENDUM
Jui-Chen Tsai, Yen-Kuang Lin, Yen-Jung Huang, El-Wui Loh, Hsiao-Yun Wen, Chia-Hui Wang, Yin-Tai Tsai, Wen-Shyang Hsieh, Ka-Wai Tam
Journal: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 40 / Issue 2 / February 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 January 2019, p. 267
Print publication: February 2019
Layer-number-dependent Optical and Electrical Properties of Graphene on ZnO
Yi-Hang Ku, Lo-Yueh Chang, Hung-Wei Shiu, Yen-Chien Kuo, Shangjr Gwo, Chi-Liang Chen, Chia-Hao Chen
Antiseptic Effect of Conventional Povidone–Iodine Scrub, Chlorhexidine Scrub, and Waterless Hand Rub in a Surgical Room: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 38 / Issue 4 / April 2017
Effective perioperative hand antisepsis is crucial for the safety of patients and medical staff in surgical rooms. The antimicrobial effectiveness of different antiseptic methods, including conventional hand scrubs and waterless hand rubs, has not been well evaluated.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the 3 antiseptic methods among surgical staff of Taipei Medical University—Shuang Ho Hospital. For each method used, a group of 80 participants was enrolled.
Surgical hand cleansing with conventional 10% povidone–iodine scrub, conventional 4% chlorhexidine scrub, or waterless hand rub (1% chlorhexidine gluconate and 61% ethyl alcohol).
Colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were collected using the hand imprinting method before and after disinfection and after surgery. After surgical hand disinfection, the mean CFU counts of the conventional chlorhexidine (0.5±0.2, P<0.01) and waterless hand rub groups (1.4±0.7, P<0.05) were significantly lower than that of the conventional povidone group (4.3±1.3). No significant difference was observed in the mean CFU count among the groups after surgery. Similar results were obtained when preexisting differences before disinfection were considered in the analysis of covariance. Furthermore, multivariate regression indicated that the antiseptic method (P=.0036), but not other variables, predicted the mean CFU count.
Conventional chlorhexidine scrub and waterless hand rub were superior to a conventional povidone–iodine product in bacterial inhibition. We recommend using conventional chlorhexidine scrub as a standard method for perioperative hand antisepsis. Waterless hand rub may be used if the higher cost is affordable.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:417–422
Reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence: 10-year follow-up of the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study
Wen-Chi Wu, Dih-Lin Luh, Ching-I Lin, Yi-Chen Chiang, Chao-Chia Hung, Sabrina Wang, Chi-Chen Wu, Baai-Shyun Hurng, Yi-Han Chang, Lee-Lan Yen, Hsing-Yi Chang
Journal: Public Health Nutrition / Volume 19 / Issue 9 / June 2016
To investigate the reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence.
Unhealthy eating behaviours were measured by the frequencies of eating foods with excess salt, sugar or fat in the past week. Depressive symptoms in the past two weeks were measured using a seven-item scale. Hierarchical linear growth models were used to analyse longitudinal associations between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms. Time-fixed variables (sex, parents’ education level and household monthly income) and time-varying variables (parents’ marital status, family activities, body weight, vegetable or fruit consumption, exercising and smoking) were controlled for.
The Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study, which commenced in 2001 and has annual follow-up.
Students (n 2630) followed from 2nd grade (8 years old in 2002) to 11th grade.
The frequency of unhealthy eating behaviours in the previous year and the difference between the frequency in the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initiation and growth rate of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in the previous year and the difference in depressive symptoms between the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initial state and growth rate of unhealthy eating behaviours.
Our results suggest a reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviours. This relationship should be considered when developing programmes targeting depressive symptoms and unhealthy diet in children and adolescents.
Altered neurochemical metabolites in Alzheimer's disease patients with unawareness of deficits
Yi-Chun Yeh, Cheng-Fang Yen, Chun-Wei Li, Yu-Ting Kuo, Chia-Hui Chen, Chen-Chang Lee, Gin-Chung Liu, Mei-Feng Huang, Tai-Ling Liu, Cheng-Sheng Chen
Journal: International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 26 / Issue 3 / March 2014
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 November 2013, pp. 393-402
Unawareness of deficits is common and is associated with poor outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, little is known about correlated neurobiochemical changes.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to examine neurobiochemical correlates of unawareness of deficits as assessed by the Dementia Deficit Scale in 36 patients with AD. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy spectra were acquired from the anterior cingulate area and right orbitofrontal area. Concentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), total creatine, and other neurometabolites were calculated.
Nineteen (52.8%) participants had relative unawareness of deficits. This condition was negatively correlated with NAA/creatine in the anterior cingulate area (β = −0.36, p = 0.025) and positively correlated with NAA/creatine in the right orbitofrontal area (β = 0.41, p = 0.009) after controlling for dementia severity.
These findings suggest unawareness of deficits in AD was associated with the altered neurochemical metabolites in the anterior cingulate area and right orbitofrontal area. However, the two areas might have opposite neuronal functions in unawareness of deficits.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of compacted Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 nanoplatelets with low thermal conductivity
Chia-Jyi Liu, Gao-Jhih Liu, Yen-Liang Liu, Liang-Ru Chen, Alan B. Kaiser
Journal: Journal of Materials Research / Volume 26 / Issue 15 / 14 August 2011
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 July 2011, pp. 1755-1761
Print publication: 14 August 2011
We report fabrication of compacted Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 nanoplatelets using hydrothermal methods followed by cold pressing and sintering in an evacuated ampoule at various temperature of 300–380 °C. The compacted Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 sintered at 340 °C has the highest power factor of 11.6 μW/cm·K2 and its thermal conductivity is 0.37 W/m·K at 295 K, which is very low as compared to the typical value of 1 W/m·K. The resulting dimensionless figure of merit ZT is 0.93 at 295 K.
Apathy in late-life depression among Taiwanese patients
Shwu-Hua Lee, Ming-Ching Wen, Chia-Chen Chao, Ying Jen Chen, Cheng-Fang Yen
Journal: International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 20 / Issue 2 / April 2008
Background: Apathy is defined as lack of motivation and occurs in a variety of neuropsychological disorders. The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) has been shown to be valid and reliable for assessing apathy in depression but the validity and reliability of the Chinese version has never been examined. The aims of the study were to (1) evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the AES in late-life depression and (2) evaluate the severity of apathy in late-life depression.
Methods: We translated the AES into Chinese and used a cross-sectional design to evaluate apathy in elderly subjects. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) -IV criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were applied for diagnosis and assessment. Three groups of subjects were recruited including one group (n = 31) of patients with major depressive disorder with current depression, the second group (n = 30) with major depressed disorder with remission, and the third group (n = 31) of healthy controls. Convergent validity was tested using four apathy-related items from the HDRS (loss of interest, psychomotor retardation, loss of energy, and loss of insight). Multiple forms of reliability (including internal consistency, test-retest, and interrater) and discriminant validity were examined.
Results: We demonstrated that the internal consistency (coefficient α = 0.90) and test-retest reliability (p < 0.001) were satisfied. Discriminant validity of apathy severity among these three groups was significant. The convergent validity and correlation coefficients based on the four apathy-related items from the HDRS and AES were acceptable.
Conclusion: Apathy is a distinct syndrome which may be treatable when depression is effective managed. Further application of the Chinese version of the AES to study the association of apathy with other neuropsychological symptoms is necessary.
Flame Stability Analysis of Turbulent Non-Premixed Reacting Flow in a Simulated Solid-Fuel Ramjet Combustor
Tong-Miin Liou, Po-Wen Hwang, Yi-Chen Li, Chia-Yen Chan
Journal: Journal of Mechanics / Volume 18 / Issue 1 / March 2002
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2011, pp. 43-51
To investigate the flame stability in a solid-fuel ramjet combustor, time-accurate calculations using a compressible flow solver with a modified Godunov flux-splitting scheme have been performed on high Reynolds number turbulent non-premixed reacting flows over a backward-facing step with mass bleed on one wall. The combustion process considered was a one-step, irreversible, and finite rate chemical reaction. The numerical results for reacting flows show that the two-dimensional (2-D) simulations can provide reasonable predictions on the dimensionless particle number decay rate and residence time in the flame holding recirculation zone, evolutions of both axial and transverse mean velocity profiles, and critical characteristic exhaust velocity separating the sustained combustion from the non-sustained combustion. In addition to the validation of 2-D reacting flow calculations, two- and three-dimensionally computed mean-velocity profiles are compared with existing experimental data for isothermal flows to check the suitability of 2-D simulations on capturing the large-scale mean flows.
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Area Studies (1)
Journal of Mechanics (22)
Diamond Light Source Proceedings (6)
The European Physical Journal - Applied Physics (2)
Early China (1)
European Journal of Anaesthesiology (1)
Society for the Study of Early China (1)
Transverse instability of gravity–capillary solitary waves on deep water in the presence of constant vorticity
M. Abid, C. Kharif, H.-C. Hsu, Y.-Y. Chen
Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 871 / 25 July 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2019, pp. 1028-1043
The bifurcation of two-dimensional gravity–capillary waves into solitary waves when the phase velocity and group velocity are nearly equal is investigated in the presence of constant vorticity. We found that gravity–capillary solitary waves with decaying oscillatory tails exist in deep water in the presence of vorticity. Furthermore we found that the presence of vorticity influences strongly (i) the solitary wave properties and (ii) the growth rate of unstable transverse perturbations. The growth rate and bandwidth instability are given numerically and analytically as a function of the vorticity.
A nonlinear Schrödinger equation for gravity–capillary water waves on arbitrary depth with constant vorticity. Part 1
H. C. Hsu, C. Kharif, M. Abid, Y. Y. Chen
Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 854 / 10 November 2018
Print publication: 10 November 2018
A nonlinear Schrödinger equation for the envelope of two-dimensional gravity–capillary waves propagating at the free surface of a vertically sheared current of constant vorticity is derived. In this paper we extend to gravity–capillary wave trains the results of Thomas et al. (Phys. Fluids, 2012, 127102) and complete the stability analysis and stability diagram of Djordjevic & Redekopp (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 79, 1977, pp. 703–714) in the presence of vorticity. The vorticity effect on the modulational instability of weakly nonlinear gravity–capillary wave packets is investigated. It is shown that the vorticity modifies significantly the modulational instability of gravity–capillary wave trains, namely the growth rate and instability bandwidth. It is found that the rate of growth of modulational instability of short gravity waves influenced by surface tension behaves like pure gravity waves: (i) in infinite depth, the growth rate is reduced in the presence of positive vorticity and amplified in the presence of negative vorticity; (ii) in finite depth, it is reduced when the vorticity is positive and amplified and finally reduced when the vorticity is negative. The combined effect of vorticity and surface tension is to increase the rate of growth of modulational instability of short gravity waves influenced by surface tension, namely when the vorticity is negative. The rate of growth of modulational instability of capillary waves is amplified by negative vorticity and attenuated by positive vorticity. Stability diagrams are plotted and it is shown that they are significantly modified by the introduction of the vorticity.
The Effect of Manufacturing Parameters and Environmental Factors on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites
C. F. Hsu, H. Y. Tsai, T. H. Chen
Journal: Journal of Mechanics / Volume 34 / Issue 6 / December 2018
In the recent years, the development of wind turbines has been so hectic in Taiwan. The design of the turbine blades directly impacts power effectiveness. In this study, the effects of manufacturing parameters and environmental factors on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites that are used in turbine blades are discussed. Parameters of the manufacturing process affect the mechanical properties. Carbon composites made by a different numbers of layers are tested on various aspects of performance such as mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
Visualizing the Spatial Distribution of Ripples in Graphene with Low-Energy Electron Diffractive Imaging
I.-S. Hwang, W.-H. Hsu, W.-T. Chang, C.-Y. Lin, T. Latychevskaia
Investigation of the Flow and Noise Distribution on a Blower via Integration of Simulation and Experiments
Y. D. Kuan, J. M. Huang, J. H. Wong, C. Y. Chen, S. M. Lee, C. N. Hsu
As the consciousness of energy saving and carbon reduction and comfortable environment is paid increasing attention to, the common objective of various countries with decreasing energy is to develop and popularize high efficiency and low running noise blowers. This study uses CFD to calculate the flow field and performance of a blower and compare with the experimental measurement. The characteristic curve of blower shows that the simulated and experimental values are close to each other, the difference between the values is only 0.4%. This analysis result proofs the CFD package is a highly reliable tool for the future blower design improvement. In addition, this study discusses the noise distribution of blower flow field, the periodic pressure output value calculated by CFD is used in the sound source input of sound pressure field, so as to simulate and analyze the aerodynamic noise reading of the flow field around the blower. The result shows that the simulated value of flow field around the fan has as high as 80.5 dB(A) ∼ 81.5 dB(A) noise level and is agree with measurement (82 dB(A)). The noise level is low but has a sharp noise. According to the numerical results, designer of the blower modify the tongue geometry and remove the sharp noise.
Design and Fabrication of Anisotropic Conductive Film for Application of Probe Card
W. H. Hsu, M. C. Chou, H. Y. Tsai
Journal: Journal of Mechanics / Volume 33 / Issue 5 / October 2017
Prior to integrated circuit (IC) packaging, die performance must be verified using probe cards to screen for defective products. With the decrease in IC line width, the dimensions of the pads used for performance verification and the spacing between adjacent pads have also decreased. However, when the pad pitch is reduced to less than 30 μm, commonly used probe cards will face manufacturing problems in miniaturization. To resolve probe card manufacturing problems caused by the miniaturization of IC components, the use of an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) in probe cards was proposed in this study. Theoretical calculations and experimental testing of this probe structure were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of this concept.
In theoretical calculations, composite material and buckling theory were utilized to evaluate the buckling behavior of the ACF. In experimental testing, photolithography and electroplating techniques were used to control the line width and spacing intervals of the micron-scale metal wires in the ACF. After the ACF was fabricated, the mechanical properties of the ACF during wafer testing were assessed. Theoretical analyses and experimental testing verified that ACFs can potentially be applied to the performance verification of IC products. In the ACF structure, multiple probes came into contact with each pad. Therefore, ACFs can potentially be applied to the performance verification of IC components with pad diameters of less than 20 μm. The results of this study directly benefit the miniaturization of ICs.
Simulation of Flow Past a Cylinder With Adaptive Spectral Element Method
L.-C. Hsu, J.-Z. Ye, C.-H. Hsu
The simulations of flow past a two-dimensional circular cylinder are conducted to investigate the feasibility of adaptive mesh refinement applied on curved spectral elements. The nonconforming spectral element method and adaptive meshes technique are used to the curve surfaces and observe whether any discontinuity of the solutions. The adaptive nonconforming spectral element method is implemented to compare with those obtained by conforming mesh method with respect to several existing numerical and experimental studies. Meanwhile, three kinds of estimated error base mesh adaptation are conducted to compare their accuracy and efficiency with conforming mesh method. The results show adaptive nonconforming mesh method is more efficient than the conforming method. Especially, the vorticity error based method performs highest accuracy and fastest convergence. The results show this mesh refinement technique is applicable on the curved elements with satisfactory accuracy. It releases this technique may be applied on the simulations of flow past objects with more general geometries.
Decoupling of the amygdala to other salience network regions in adolescent-onset recurrent major depressive disorder
R. H. Jacobs, A. Barba, J. R. Gowins, H. Klumpp, L. M. Jenkins, B. J. Mickey, O. Ajilore, M. Peciña, M. Sikora, K. A. Ryan, D. T. Hsu, R. C. Welsh, J.-K. Zubieta, K. L. Phan, S. A. Langenecker
Recent meta-analyses of resting-state networks in major depressive disorder (MDD) implicate network disruptions underlying cognitive and affective features of illness. Heterogeneity of findings to date may stem from the relative lack of data parsing clinical features of MDD such as phase of illness and the burden of multiple episodes.
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 17 active MDD and 34 remitted MDD patients, and 26 healthy controls (HCs) across two sites. Participants were medication-free and further subdivided into those with single v. multiple episodes to examine disease burden. Seed-based connectivity using the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) seed to probe the default mode network as well as the amygdala and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) seeds to probe the salience network (SN) were conducted.
Young adults with remitted MDD demonstrated hyperconnectivity of the left PCC to the left inferior frontal gyrus and of the left sgACC to the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and left hippocampus compared with HCs. Episode-independent effects were observed between the left PCC and the right dorsolateral PFC, as well as between the left amygdala and right insula and caudate, whereas the burden of multiple episodes was associated with hypoconnectivity of the left PCC to multiple cognitive control regions as well as hypoconnectivity of the amygdala to large portions of the SN.
This is the first study of a homogeneous sample of unmedicated young adults with a history of adolescent-onset MDD illustrating brain-based episodic features of illness.
Low-Energy Electron Diffractive Imaging Based on a Single-Atom Electron Source
I.-S. Hwang, W.-T. Chang, C.-Y. Lin, W.-H. Hsu
21. An Epigraphic Interpretation of Historical Stages in Ancient Chinese History
Hsü Chin-Hsiung, James C. H. Hsu
Journal: Early China / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / 1986
Since the end of the Warring States period (221 B.C.), the traditional history of China has always been said to have begun with the “Three August Sovereigns” and the “Five Emperors.” The stages in Chinese civilization were thus personified and ancient society was conceived of as having been ruled by an uninterrupted line of emperors. This early period of Chinese history may be divided into three periods, each of which may be typified by one oracle-graph.
The first period is the era of the legendary personages. This is before the period of the Yellow Emperor and may be represented by the oracle-bone graph for “sage.” The second period is the era of the emperors who created social institutions, an era which may be represented by the oracle-bone graph for “jade pendant.” The final period is the era of authentic dynastic history, covering the Hsia, Shang, and Chou dynasties. This period may be represented by the oracle-bone graph for “king.”
The oracle-bone character for “sage” is a pictograph of a man with extremely keen hearing. This implies exceptional physical or mental capabilities which would enable that person to bring great benefits to the community. This period of the sage saw the invention and development of a series of technological skills and tools which improved the standard of living of the community, but the stage had still not been reached when the social system necessary for political organization could come into being; that is to say, society had not yet reached the stage of true civilization.
By Linda S. Aglio, Cyrus Ahmadi Yazdi, Syed Irfan Qasim Ali, Caryn Barnet, Jessica Bauerle, Felicity Billings, Evan Blaney, Beverly Chang, Christopher Chen, Zinaida Chepurny, Hyung Sun Choi, Allison Clark, Lauren J. Cornella, Lisa Crossley, Michael D’Ambra, Galina Davidyuk, Whitney de Luna, Manisha S. Desai, Sukumar P. Desai, Kelly G. Elterman, Michaela K. Farber, Iuliu Fat, Jaida Fitzgerald, Devon Flaherty, John A. Fox, Gyorgy Frendl, Rejean Gareau, Joseph M. Garfield, Andrea Girnius, Laverne D. Gugino, J. Tasker Gundy, Carly C. Guthrie, Lisa M. Hammond, M. Tariq Hanifi, James Hardy, Philip M. Hartigan, Thomas Hickey, Richard Hsu, Mohab Ibrahim, David Janfaza, Yuka Kiyota, Suzanne Klainer, Benjamin Kloesel, Hanjo Ko, Bhavani Kodali, Vesela Kovacheva, J. Matthew Kynes, Robert W. Lekowski, Joyce Lo, Jeffrey Lu, Alvaro A. Macias, Zahra M. Malik, Erich N. Marks, Brendan McGinn, Jonathan R. Meserve, Annette Mizuguchi, Srdjan S. Nedeljkovic, Ju-Mei Ng, Michael Nguyen, Olutoyin Okanlawon, Jennifer Oliver, Krishna Parekh, Jessica Patterson, Christian Peccora, Pete Pelletier, Sujatha Pentakota, James H. Philip, Marc Philip T. Pimentel, Timothy D. Quinn, Elizabeth M. Rickerson, Susan L. Sager, Julia Serber, Shaheen Shaikh, Stanton Shernan, David Silver, Alissa Sodickson, Pingping Song, George P. Topulos, Agnieszka Trzcinka, Richard D. Urman, Rosemary Uzomba, Joshua Vacanti, Assia Valovska, Michael Vaninetti, Scott W. Vaughan, Kamen Vlassakov, Christopher Voscopoulos, Emily L. Wang, Laura Westfall, Zhiling Xiong, Stephanie Yacoubian, Dongdong Yao, Martin Zammert, Maksim Zayaruzny, Jose Luis Zeballos, Natthasorn Zinboonyahgoon, Jie Zhou
Edited by Linda S. Aglio, Robert W. Lekowski, Richard D. Urman
Book: Essential Clinical Anesthesia Review
Published online: 05 February 2015
Print publication: 08 January 2015, pp xi-xvi
Effect of CPU Cache Size on OpenMP Computing Performance in Fluid-Film Lubrication Analysis
N. Wang, K.-C. Cha, H.-C. Huang, C.-R. Hsu
The growth of the size of cache and the number of processor cores in modern CPUs is the major factor in advancing the computing performance of modern machines. The effect of CPU cache size in multicore computers on performance, however, has attracted little attention in lubrication and engineering analyses. In this study, the effect of cache size on the computational performance of two parallel iterative methods in solving two Reynolds equations is examined. Four computers, with CPU cache size from 4 to 40 MB and the number of processor cores from 4 to 16, were used. The sizes of the numerical grid were selected to simulate large gridwork (256 × 256) to small gridwork (2048 × 2048) tasks. It is found that the size of CPU cache is a major factor influencing the parallel efficiency in using the RBSOR method. On the other hand, the SPSOR method obtains much higher parallel efficiency than the RBSOR for medium-grained tasks, regardless of the size of CPU cache. The use of the SPSOR can, therefore, provide a much better parallel computing performance than the RBSOR in the cases of having a large number of grids or in a system with limited CPU cache.
By M. A. Allison, D. M. Alongi, N. Bi, T. S. Bianchi, G. Billen, N. Blair, D. Bombar, A. Borges, S. Bouillon, W. P. Broussard III, W.-J. Cai, J. Callens, S. Chakraborty, C. T. Arthur Chen, N. Chen, D. R. Corbett, M. Dai, J. W. Day, J. W. Dippner, S. Duan, C. Duarte, T. I. Eglinton, G. Erkens, C. France-Lanord, J. Gaillardet, V. Galy, J. Gan, J. Garnier, M. Goñi, S. L. Goodbred, K. Gundersen, L. Guo, D. Nhu Hai, A. Han, P. J. Harrison, C. Hein, P. J. Hernes, R. D. Hetland, R. M. Holmes, T. J. Hsu, G. Hunsinger, A. Kolker, S. A. Kuehl, H. S. Kung, Z. Lai, N. Ngoc Lam, E. L. Leithold, P. Liu, S. E. Lohrenz, N. Loick-Wilde, R. Macdonald, B. A. McKee, E. Meselhe, H. Middelkoop, S. Mitra, W. Moufaddal, M. C. Murrell, C. A. Nittrouer, A. S. Ogston, P. Passy, M. van der Perk, A. Ramanathan, P. A. Raymond, A. I. Robertson, B. E. Rosenheim, G. P. Shaffer, A. M. Shiller, M. Silvestre, R. G. M. Spencer, R. G. Striegl, A. Stubbins, S. E. Tank, V. Thieu, J. M. Visser, M. Voss, J. P. Walsh, H. Wang, W. R. Woerner, Y. Wu, J. Xu, Z. Yang, K. Yin, Z. Yin, G. L. Zhang, J. Zhang, Z. Y. Zhu, A. R. Zimmerman
Edited by Thomas S. Bianchi, Texas A & M University, Mead A. Allison, University of Texas, Austin, Wei-Jun Cai, University of Delaware
Book: Biogeochemical Dynamics at Major River-Coastal Interfaces
Print publication: 28 October 2013, pp ix-xii
C.-Y. Lin, I.-S. Hwang, W.-T. Chang, W.-H. Hsu, M.-T. Chang, Y.-S. Chen, T.-T. Tsong
Head mirror versus headlight: illumination, visual identification and visual acuity for otolaryngological examination
C-H Lin, H-T Hsu, P-Y Chen, L K Huon, Y-Z Lin, S-H Hung
Journal: The Journal of Laryngology & Otology / Volume 127 / Issue 8 / August 2013
To investigate and compare the performance of head mirrors and headlights during otolaryngological examination.
The illuminance and illumination field of each device were measured and compared. Visual identification and visual acuity were also measured, in 13 medical students and 10 otolaryngology specialists.
The illuminance (mean ± standard deviation) of the LumiView, Kimscope 1 W and Kimscope 3 W headlights and a standard head mirror were 352.3 ± 9, 92.3 ± 4.5, 438 ± 15.7 and 68.3 ± 1.2 lux, respectively. The illumination field of the head mirror (mean ± standard deviation) was 348 ± 29.8 grids, significantly greater than that of the Kimscope 3 W headlight (183 ± 9.2 grids) (p = 0.0017). The student group showed no statistically significant difference between visual identification with the best headlight and the head mirror (score means ± standard deviations: 56.2 ± 9 and 53.3 ± 14.1, respectively; p = 0.3). The expert group scored significantly higher for visual identification with head mirrors versus headlights (59.7 ± 3.3 vs 55.2 ± 5.8, respectively; p = 0.0035), but showed no difference for visual acuity.
Despite the advantages of headlight illumination, head mirrors provided better, shadow-free illumination. Despite no differences amongst students, head mirrors performed better than headlights in experienced hands.
A Study on the Flow Patterns of a Second Grade Viscoe-Lastic Fluid Past a Cavity in a Horizontal Channel
C. H. Hsu, S. Y. Hu, K. Y. Kung, C. C. Kuo, C. C. Chang
Journal: Journal of Mechanics / Volume 29 / Issue 2 / June 2013
This paper studies the behavior of second grade viscoelastic fluid past a cavity in a horizontal channel. The effects of Reynolds number, fluid elasticity and the aspect ratio of the cavity on the flow field are simulated numerically. The equations are converted into the vorticity and stream function equations. The solution is obtained by the finite difference method.
The behavior of viscoelastic fluids is quite different from the Newtonian fluid, due to the effects of fluid elasticity. Only one flow pattern appears when the Newtonian fluid past the cavity. However, three kinds of flow patterns appear while the viscoelastic fluids past the cavity by increasing Reynolds number from 20 to 300. The flow field is affected by the fluid elasticity as well as the aspect ratio of the cavity. The transitional flow pattern appears at lower Reynolds number as the higher elasticity fluid past the cavity with larger aspect ratio.
Tantalum Nitride for Copper Diffusion Blocking on Thin Film (BiSb)2Te3
H. H. Hsu, C. H. Cheng, C. K. Lin, K. Y. Chen, Y. L. Lin
Journal: MRS Online Proceedings Library Archive / Volume 1490 / 2013
This study demonstrates the feasibility of introducing a TaN thin film as a copper diffusion barrier for p-type (BiSb)2Te3 thermoelectric material. Compared to conventional Ni diffusion barrier, remarkably little void generation in Cu bulk or near Cu/TaN interface originated from Cu penetration is observed for TaN barrier after suffering the thermal budget of close to soldering. Diffusion behaviors of the barriers were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) to make a deep understanding in clarifying interface diffusion effects among the Cu electrode, the barrier layer, and the (BiSb)2Te3thermoelectric layer.
Quasi-Steady Flow Dynamics Study of Human Aortic Valve with Numerical Techniques
H.-H. Vu, C.-H. Hsu
Human aortic valve is made of thin collagen type tissue. The three leaflets open and close under fluid forces exerted upon them. To simulate the hemodynamic characteristics of the blood flow, ANSYS CFX10.0 software was utilized to analyze the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. With a quasi-steady analysis model, we predict values of the blood velocity and the wall shear stress both over the valve leaflets and the endothelial lining. In addition, investigation on fluid dynamic of a heart valve supposed suffering prolapsed disease has been also conducted, and compared with normal valve. Analysis results highlight that leaflet opening situation and valve geometry affect the shear stress distribution and vortex flow regime. Maximum shear stress takes place near the center of leaflet trailing edge at the very beginning of systolic phase with value of 7.093N/m2. At peak systole, the maximum wall shear stress distributes near the aortic root where jet impingement takes place. Current study also demonstrated the interactive impact between low and high wall shear stress on relation to heart valve disease.
Dislocation Mechanisms in the GaN Lateral Overgrowth by Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy
T. S. Kuan, C. K. Inoki, Y. Hsu, D. L. Harris, R. Zhang, S. Gu, T. F. Kuech
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 September 2012, F99W2.6
We have carried out a series of lateral epitaxial overgrowths (LEO) of GaN through thin oxide windows by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) technique at different growth temperatures. High lateral growth rate at 1100°C allows coalescing of neighboring islands into a continuous and flat film, while the lower lateral growth rate at 1050°C produces triangular-shaped ridges over the growth windows. In either case, threading dislocations bend into laterally grown regions to relax the shear stress developed in the film during growth. In regions close to the mask edge, where the shear stress is highest, dislocations interact and multiply into arrays of edge dislocations lying parallel to the growth window. This multiplication and pileup of dislocations cause a large-angle tilting of the laterally grown regions. The tilt angle is high (∼8 degrees) when the growth is at 1050°C and becomes smaller (3-5 degrees) at 1100°C. At the coalescence of growth facets, a tilt-type grain boundary is formed. During the high-temperature lateral growth, the tensile stress in the GaN seed layer and the thermal stress from the mask layer both contribute to a high shear stress at the growth facets. Finite element stress simulations suggest that this shear stress may be sufficient to cause the observed excessive dislocation activities and tilting of LEO regions at high growth temperatures.
Homogenization Theory Applied to Unsaturated Solid-Liquid Mixture
K.-F. Liu, Y.-H. Wu, Y.-C. Hsu
In this study, we present theoretical derivation of seepage flow in unsaturated and static soil using Homogenization theory. The derivation started in the microscopic scale in the soil. The representative elementary volume (REV) in the soil is set to be one order larger than the scale of characteristic length of pore. Solids in the REV are assumed to be rigid and cohesionless. The liquid velocity in the pore is slow. By no-slip boundary condition on the solid boundary in REV, we could obtain the microscopic flow conditions. Using spatial ensemble average under the microscopic scale, we obtain the relation between water content, pressure head and velocities in macroscopic scale. This macroscopic averaged equation is validated to be equal to Richards' equation.
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Mobility and participation among ageing powered wheelchair users: using a lifecourse approach
Delphine Labbé, W. Ben Mortenson, Paula W. Rushton, Louise Demers, William C. Miller
Journal: Ageing & Society , First View
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 September 2018, pp. 1-17
About 65 million people use wheelchairs worldwide. Powered wheelchairs offer independent mobility for those who find it difficult to propel a manual wheelchair. Previous studies have described powered wheelchairs as a mixed blessing for the users in terms of usability, accessibility, safety, cost and stigma; however, few studies have explored their impact on mobility and participation over time. Therefore, as part of a larger longitudinal study, we used a combined retrospective and prospective lifecourse perspective to explore the experiences of older adult powered wheelchair users. Based on the interpretive description approach, 19 participants took part in a series of semi-structured interviews over a two-year period about their mobility, social participation and ageing process. The participants were powered wheelchair users, at least 50 years of age, recruited in Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City (Canada). We identified three themes that highlighted how the powered wheelchair experience was integrated into the life continuum of the users. ‘It's my legs’ emphasised how powered wheelchairs are a form of mobility that not only enables users to take part in activities, but also impacts their identities, past and present. ‘Wheels of change’ explored the dynamic nature of powered wheelchair use and changes related to ageing. ‘Getting around’ illustrated how users’ mobility was affected by the interaction with their physical and social environments. Developing public policies to advance social and environmental changes could help countries to ensure equity of access and social inclusion of those ageing with disabilities.
Improving maternal–infant bonding after prenatal diagnosis of CHD
Piers C. A. Barker, Gregory H. Tatum, Michael J. Campbell, Michael G. W. Camitta, Angelo S. Milazzo, Christoph P. Hornik, Amanda French, Stephen G. Miller
Journal: Cardiology in the Young / Volume 28 / Issue 11 / November 2018
Infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD are at high risk for adverse outcomes owing to multiple physiologic and psychosocial factors. Lack of immediate physical postnatal contact because of rapid initiation of medical therapy impairs maternal–infant bonding. On the basis of expected physiology, maternal–infant bonding may be safe for select cardiac diagnoses.
This is a single-centre study to assess safety of maternal–infant bonding in prenatal CHD.
In total, 157 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed CHD were reviewed. On the basis of cardiac diagnosis, 91 fetuses (58%) were prenatally approved for bonding and successfully bonded, 38 fetuses (24%) were prenatally approved but deemed not suitable for bonding at delivery, and 28 (18%) were not prenatally approved to bond. There were no complications attributable to bonding. Those who successfully bonded were larger in weight (3.26 versus 2.6 kg, p<0.001) and at later gestation (39 versus 38 weeks, p<0.001). Those unsuccessful at bonding were more likely to have been delivered via Caesarean section (74 versus 49%, p=0.011) and have additional non-cardiac diagnoses (53 versus 29%, p=0.014). There was no significant difference regarding the need for cardiac intervention before hospital discharge. Infants who bonded had shorter hospital (7 versus 26 days, p=0.02) and ICU lengths of stay (5 versus 23 days, p=0.002) and higher survival (98 versus 76%, p<0.001).
Fetal echocardiography combined with a structured bonding programme can permit mothers and infants with select types of CHD to successfully bond before ICU admission and intervention.
18 Peroxiredoxin1 is a therapeutic target in group-3 medulloblastoma
BV. Sajesh, OH. Ngoc, R. Omar, H. Fediuk, L. Li, S. Alrushaid, W. Wang, J. Pu, HD. Sun, T. Siahaan, T. Werbowetski-Ogilvie, M. Wölfl, M. Remke, V. Ramaswamy, M. Taylor, C. Eberhart, M. Symons, R. Ruggieri, DW Miller, MI Vanan
Journal: Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Volume 45 / Issue S3 / June 2018
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 July 2018, p. S16
Group-3 medulloblastoma (MBL) is highly resistant to radiation (IR) and chemotherapy and has the worst prognosis. Hence, there is an urgent need to elucidate targets that sensitize these tumors to chemotherapy and IR. Employing standard assays for viability and sensitization to IR, we identified PRDX1 as a therapeutic target in Group-3 MBL. Specifically, targeting PRDX1 by RNAi or inhibition by Adenanthin led to specific killing and sensitization to IR of Group-3 MBL cells. We rescued sensitization of Daoy and UW228 cells by hypermorphic expression of PRDX1. PRDX1 knockdown caused oxidative DNA damage and induced apoptosis. We correlated PRDX1 expression to patient outcomes in a validated MBL tumor-microarray. Whole genome sequencing identified pathways/genes that were dysregulated with PRDX1 inhibition or silencing. Our in vivo studies in mice employing flank/orthotopic tumors from patient derived xenografts/Group-3 MBL cells confirmed in vitro observations. Animals with tumors in which PRDX1 was targeted by RNAi or Adenanthin (using mini osmotic pumps) showed decreased tumor burden and increased survival when compared to controls. Since, Adenanthin does not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) we used HAV6 peptide to transiently disrupt the BBB and deliver Adenanthin to the tumor. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that targeting PRDX1 resulted in increased oxidative DNA damage, apoptosis and decreased proliferation. In summary, we have validated PRDX1 as a therapeutic target in group-3 MBL, identified Adenanthin as a potent chemical inhibitor of PRDX1 and confirmed the role of HAV peptide (in the transient modulation of BBB permeability) in an orthotopic model of group-3 MBL.
Exploring the Nature of Weak Chandra Sources Near the Galactic Centre
R. M. Bandyopadhyay, K. M. Blundell, Ph. Podsiadlowski, J. C. A. Miller-Jones, Q. D. Wang, W. N. Brandt, S. Rappaport, E. Pfahl
Journal: International Astronomical Union Colloquium / Volume 194 / 2004
We present early results from the first near-IR imaging of the weak X-ray sources discovered in the recent Chandra/ACIS-I survey towards the Galactic Centre (GC) (Wang et al. 2002). These ~800 discrete sources, which contribute significantly to the GC X-ray emission, represent an important and previously unknown population within the Galaxy. From our VLT observations we will identify likely IR counterparts to a sample of the hardest sources, which are most likely X-ray binaries. With these data we can place constraints on the nature of the discrete weak X-ray source population of the GC. Once the data analysis is complete we will discuss our results in the context of binary population synthesis models.
Birth weight and postnatal microbial exposures predict the distribution of peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in young adults in the Philippines
T. W. McDade, M. J. Jones, G. Miller, J. Borja, M. S. Kobor, C. W. Kuzawa
Journal: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease / Volume 9 / Issue 2 / April 2018
The immune system not only provides protection against infectious disease but also contributes to the etiology of neoplastic, atopic, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Prenatal and postnatal nutritional and microbial environments have lasting effects on multiple aspects of immunity, indicating that immune processes may play important roles in the developmental origins of disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between birth weight and the distribution of leukocyte (white blood cell) subsets in peripheral blood in young adulthood. Postnatal microbial exposures were also considered as predictors of leukocyte distribution. Participants (n=486; mean age=20.9 years) were drawn from a prospective birth cohort study in the Philippines, and analyses focused on the following cell types: CD4 T lymphocytes, CD8 T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, monocytes, granulocytes. Higher birth weight was a strong predictor of higher proportion of CD4 T lymphocytes (B=0.12, s.e.=0.041, P=0.003), lower proportion of CD8 T lymphocytes (B=−0.874, s.e.=0.364, P=0.016), higher CD4:CD8 ratio (B=1.964, s.e.=0.658, P=0.003), and higher B lymphocytes (B=0.062, s.e.=0.031, P=0.047). Measures of microbial exposure in infancy were negatively associated with proportions of B lymphocytes and granulocytes, and lower CD4:CD8 ratio. Leukocytes are the key regulators and effectors of innate and specific immunity, but the origins of variation in the distribution of cell type across individuals are not known. Our findings point toward nutritional and microbial exposures in infancy as potentially important determinants of immune-phenotypes in adulthood, and they suggest that leukocyte distribution is a plausible mechanism through which developmental environments have lasting effects on disease risk in adulthood.
Dynamical Friction in dE Globular Cluster Systems
Jennifer M. Lotz, Bryan W. Miller, Henry C. Ferguson, Massimo Stiavelli, Rosemary Telford
The dynamical friction timescale for globular clusters to sink to the center of a dwarf elliptical galaxy (dE) is significantly less than a Hubble time if the halos have isothermal profiles and the globular clusters formed with the same radial density profile as the underlying stellar population. We examine the summed radial distribution of the entire globular cluster systems and the bright globular cluster candidates in 65 Virgo and Fornax Cluster dEs for evidence of dynamical friction processes. We find that the bright dE nuclei could have been formed from the merger of orbitally decayed massive clusters, but the faint nuclei are several magnitudes fainter than expected. These faint nuclei are found primarily in M V > −14 dEs which have high globular cluster specific frequencies and extended globular cluster systems. In these galaxies, the formation of new star clusters, high central dark matter densities, extended dark matter halos, or tidal interactions may act to prevent dynamical friction from collapsing the entire globular cluster population into a bright nucleus.
Globular Clusters in Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies
Bryan W. Miller, Jennifer M. Lotz, Henry C. Ferguson, Massimo Stiavelli, Bradley C. Whitmore
We present preliminary results on the shape of the globular cluster luminosity function and the colors and inferred metallicities of the clusters in dwarf elliptical galaxies imaged with HST. The luminosity function (LF) of the GC candidates is consistent with a Gaussian-shaped LF similar to that in giant ellipticals. Also, with a mean color of (V - I) = 0.94, most of the GCs appear to be old and metal-poor ([Fe/H] = −1.4) like GCs in the Galaxy and in nearby giant ellipticals. This suggests that the bulk of the clusters were formed more than 10 Gyr ago.
Excitation of Oscillations - An Update of Bison Data
W. J. Chaplin, Y. Elsworth, G. R. Isaak, C. P. McLeod, B. A. Miller, R. New
BiSON is a 6-station, world-wide network of instruments which observe low-degree solar oscillations.
Theory (Goldreich & Keeley, 1977) predicts that the probability distribution of the mode powers is expected to follow negative exponential statistics under the condition that the interval of time for which the modes are averaged is less than the lifetime of the mode. Simulations (Chaplin et al, 1997) confirm this. The first publication of such an analysis for real data (Elsworth et al., 1995) showed that the oscillations largely follow the predictions with a small excess of the very largest power in the modes. In this paper we extend the previous observations of BiSON data to 80 months of data taken during the declining phase of the solar cycle. The data span the period January 1990 to August 1996. The data have been analysed using Fourier transforms each about 1/2 day in length. The minimum data fill accepted in any one period was 0.7 (Elsworth et al, 1995). Below this fill the data were discarded. The resolution of such short transforms is insufficient to distinguish between the components of the even and odd mode pairs. The mode powers are calculated for mode pairs ℓ = 0 & 2 and ℓ=1&3.
Comparison with theoretical predictions show that, as seen previously, there is still an excess of very high excitations which can be seen throughout the 80 months.
Obstetrical, pregnancy and socio-economic predictors for new-onset severe postpartum psychiatric disorders in primiparous women
S. Meltzer-Brody, M. L. Maegbaek, S. E. Medland, W. C. Miller, P. Sullivan, T. Munk-Olsen
Journal: Psychological Medicine / Volume 47 / Issue 8 / June 2017
Childbirth is a potent trigger for the onset of psychiatric illness in women including postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis (PP). Medical complications occurring during pregnancy and/or childbirth have been linked to postpartum psychiatric illness and sociodemographic factors. We evaluated if pregnancy and obstetrical predictors have similar effects on different types of postpartum psychiatric disorders.
A population-based cohort study using Danish registers was conducted in 392 458 primiparous women with a singleton delivery between 1995 and 2012 and no previous psychiatric history. The main outcome was first-onset postpartum psychiatric episodes. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated for any psychiatric contact in four quarters for the first year postpartum.
PPD and postpartum acute stress reactions were associated with pregnancy and obstetrical complications. For PPD, hyperemesis gravidarum [IRR 2.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.93–3.73], gestational hypertension (IRR 1.84, 95% CI 1.33–2.55), pre-eclampsia (IRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14–1.84) and Cesarean section (C-section) (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.53) were associated with increased risk. For postpartum acute stress, hyperemesis gravidarum (IRR 1.93, 95% CI 1.38–2.71), preterm birth (IRR 1.51, 95% CI 1.30–1.75), gestational diabetes (IRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03–1.97) and C-section (IRR 1.36, 95% CI 1.20–1.55) were associated with increased risk. In contrast, risk of PP was not associated with pregnancy or obstetrical complications.
Pregnancy and obstetrical complications can increase the risk for PPD and acute stress reactions but not PP. Identification of postpartum women requiring secondary care is needed to develop targeted approaches for screening and treatment. Future work should focus on understanding the contributions of psychological stressors and underlying biology on the development of postpartum psychiatric illness.
Residual Effect of Herbicides Used in Pastures on Clover Establishment and Productivity
Angela S. Laird, Donnie K. Miller, James L. Griffin, Edward K. Twidwell, Montgomery W. Alison, David C. Blouin
Journal: Weed Technology / Volume 30 / Issue 4 / December 2016
A major hindrance to establishment of successful complementary forage systems that include warm-season perennial grasses and clovers is tolerance of the latter to herbicides available for weed control. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 at two locations in northeast Louisiana to evaluate simulated residual rate effects of fluroxypyr plus triclopyr and 2,4-D plus picloram applied at 0, 0.25, 0.38, and 0.5× use rates immediately after fall planting of ball, white, crimson, and red clover. For all clovers, when averaged across herbicide rates, plant population 161/171 d after planting (DAP), ground cover, and height 184/196 DAP were equivalent for fluroxypyr plus triclopyr and the nontreated control and greater than 2,4-D plus picloram. Averaged across clovers, plant height after all rates of fluroxypyr plus triclopyr was equivalent to the nontreated control (14.2 to 14.3 vs. 15.3 cm) and greater than 2,4-D plus picloram. Compared with the nontreated control, 2,4-D plus picloram at 25, 38, and 50% of the normal use rates reduced height 58, 76, and 85%, respectively. When averaged across clover species, yield for fluroxypyr plus triclopyr at all rates was equivalent to the nontreated control (2,624 to 2,840 vs. 2,812 kg ha−1). Compared with the nontreated control, 2,4-D plus picloram at the 0.25, 0.38, and 0.50× use rates reduced yield 65, 89, and 99%, respectively.
DESAlert: Enabling Real-Time Transient Follow-Up with Dark Energy Survey Data
A. Poci, K. Kuehn, T. Abbott, F. B. Abdalla, S. Allam, A.H. Bauer, A. Benoit-Lévy, E. Bertin, D. Brooks, P. J. Brown, E. Buckley-Geer, D. L. Burke, A. Carnero Rosell, M. Carrasco Kind, R. Covarrubias, L. N. da Costa, C. B. D’Andrea, D. L. DePoy, S. Desai, J. P. Dietrich, C. E Cunha, T. F. Eifler, J. Estrada, A. E. Evrard, A. Fausti Neto, D. A. Finley, B. Flaugher, P. Fosalba, J. Frieman, D. Gerdes, D. Gruen, R. A. Gruendl, K. Honscheid, D. James, N. Kuropatkin, O. Lahav, T. S. Li, M. March, J. Marshall, K. W. Merritt, C.J. Miller, R. C. Nichol, B. Nord, R. Ogando, A. A. Plazas, A. K. Romer, A. Roodman, E. S. Rykoff, M. Sako, E. Sanchez, V. Scarpine, M. Schubnell, I. Sevilla, C. Smith, M. Soares-Santos, F. Sobreira, E. Suchyta, M. E. C. Swanson, G. Tarle, J. Thaler, R. C. Thomas, D. Tucker, A. R. Walker, W. Wester, (The DES Collaboration)
Journal: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia / Volume 33 / 2016
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 September 2016, e049
The Dark Energy Survey is undertaking an observational programme imaging 1/4 of the southern hemisphere sky with unprecedented photometric accuracy. In the process of observing millions of faint stars and galaxies to constrain the parameters of the dark energy equation of state, the Dark Energy Survey will obtain pre-discovery images of the regions surrounding an estimated 100 gamma-ray bursts over 5 yr. Once gamma-ray bursts are detected by, e.g., the Swift satellite, the DES data will be extremely useful for follow-up observations by the transient astronomy community. We describe a recently-commissioned suite of software that listens continuously for automated notices of gamma-ray burst activity, collates information from archival DES data, and disseminates relevant data products back to the community in near-real-time. Of particular importance are the opportunities that non-public DES data provide for relative photometry of the optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts, as well as for identifying key characteristics (e.g., photometric redshifts) of potential gamma-ray burst host galaxies. We provide the functional details of the DESAlert software, and its data products, and we show sample results from the application of DESAlert to numerous previously detected gamma-ray bursts, including the possible identification of several heretofore unknown gamma-ray burst hosts.
Dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load among Australians children and adolescents – results from the 2011–2012 Australian Health Survey – Corrigendum
Molly E. Jones, Alan W. Barclay, Jennie C. Brand-Miller, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie
Journal: British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 116 / Issue 6 / 28 September 2016
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 August 2016, p. 1137
Print publication: 28 September 2016
Associations of acute stress and overnight heart rate with feed efficiency in beef heifers
J. C. Munro, F. S. Schenkel, P. W. Physick-Sheard, A. B. P. Fontoura, S. P. Miller, T. Tennessen, Y. R. Montanholi
Proxies have the potential to accelerate feed efficiency (residual feed intake (RFI); kg dry matter/day) improvement, assisting with the reduction of beef cattle feed costs and environmental impact. Heart rate (HR) (beats per minute (BPM)) is associated with feed efficiency and influenced by autonomic activity and peripheral metabolism, suggesting HR could be used as a proxy for feed efficiency. Objectives were to assess associations between overnight HR, lying patterns and RFI, and between acute stress HR and RFI. Heifer calves (n=107; 408±28 days of age, 341±42.2 kg) and yearling heifers (n=36; 604±92 days of age, 539±52.2 kg) were exposed to a performance test to determine productive performance. Overnight HR (electrode based) and lying patterns (accelerometer based) were monitored on a subgroup of heifer calves (n=40; 20 lowest RFI; 20 highest RFI). In the 10-min acute stress assessment, all heifers were individually exposed to the opening and closing of an umbrella and HR before (HRBEF), in response to (HRMAX), after (HRAFT) and change (HRCHG; HRAFT−HRBEF) as a result of exposure were determined. Using polynomial regression, rate of HR decrease pre-exposure (β 1) and rates of HR increase (β 2) and decrease (β 3, β 4) post-exposure were determined. Heifer calves in the overnight assessment were classified into equal RFI groups (low RFI; high RFI) and HR means were treated as repeated measures and compared using multiple regression. In the acute stress assessment, heifers were classified within cattle category into equal RFI groups (low RFI; high RFI) and means and polynomial regression parameters were compared using multiple regression. Low-RFI heifer calves had a lower overnight HR (69.2 v. 72.6 BPM), similar HR change from lying to standing intervals (8.9 v. 9.2 BPM) and similar time lying (61.1% v. 64.5%) compared with high-RFI heifer calves. Low-RFI heifer calves had a higher absolute HRMAX (162.9 v. 145.7 BPM) and β 2 (−0.34 v. −0.20) than high-RFI heifer calves. Low-RFI yearling heifers had similar acute stress HR means and a lower β 1 (0.003 v. 0.006) than high-RFI yearling heifers. Overnight HR and acute stress HR are potential indicators of RFI in heifer calves. However, acute stress HR results varied in yearling heifers, suggesting previous handling experience and/or age influence stress response. Pending further development (predictive ability, repeatability), the acute stress assessment could have potential for on-farm application as a feed efficiency proxy in young heifers with minimal handling experience.
Dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load among Australian children and adolescents: results from the 2011–2012 Australian Health Survey
Molly Jones, Alan W. Barclay, Jennie C. Brand-Miller, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie
Journal: British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 116 / Issue 1 / 14 July 2016
This study aimed to examine the dietary glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) of Australian children and adolescents, as well as the major food groups contributing to GL, in the recent 2011–2012 Australian Health Survey. Plausible food intake data from 1876 children and adolescents (51 % boys), collected using a multiple-pass 24-h recall, were analysed. The GI of foods was assigned based on a step-wise published method using values from common GI databases. Descriptive statistics were calculated for dietary GI, GL and contribution to GL by food groups, stratified by age group and sex. Linear regression was used to test for trends across age groups for BMI, dietary GI and GL, and intakes of energy, nutrients and food groups. Pearson’s χ 2 test was used to test for differences between age groups for categorical subject characteristic variables. Mean dietary GI and GL of participants were 55·5 (sd 5·3) and 137·4 (sd 50·8), respectively. The main contributors to dietary GL were starchy foods: breads, cereal-based dishes, breakfast cereals, flours, grains and potatoes accounted for 41 % of total GL. Sweetened beverages, fruit and vegetable juices/drinks, cake-type desserts and sweet biscuits contributed 15 %. No significant difference (at P<0·001) was observed between sexes. In conclusion, Australian children and adolescents appear to consume diets with a lower GI than European children. Exchanging high-GI foods for low-GI alternatives within core and non-core foods may improve diet quality of Australian children and adolescents.
Tracking interface and common curve dynamics for two-fluid flow in porous media
J. E. McClure, M. A. Berrill, W. G. Gray, C. T. Miller
Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 796 / 10 June 2016
Print publication: 10 June 2016
The movements of fluid–fluid interfaces and the common curve are an important aspect of two-fluid-phase flow through porous media. The focus of this work is to develop, apply and evaluate methods to simulate two-fluid-phase flow in porous medium systems at the microscale and to demonstrate how these results can be used to support evolving macroscale models. Of particular concern is the problem of spurious velocities that confound the accurate representation of interfacial dynamics in such systems. To circumvent this problem, a combined level-set and lattice-Boltzmann method is advanced to simulate and track the dynamics of the fluid–fluid interface and of the common curve during simulations of two-fluid-phase flow in porous media. We demonstrate that the interface and common curve velocities can be determined accurately, even when spurious currents are generated in the vicinity of interfaces. Static and dynamic contact angles are computed and shown to agree with existing slip models. A resolution study is presented for dynamic drainage and imbibition in a sphere pack, demonstrating the sensitivity of averaged quantities to resolution.
12. Commission de Physique Solaire
M. C. E.St John, MM. Abbot, Abetti, Anderson, Bjerknes, Bosler, Brunner, Butler, W. W. Campbell, Carrasco, Carroll, Chapman, Curtis, Da Costa Lobo, C. R. Davidson, d’Azambuja, de la Baume Pluvinel, De Lury, Deslandres, Dingle, Doniteli, Evershed, Favaro, A. Fowler, Freundlich, Hale, Jimenez-Landi, Lockyer, Menzel, Z. A. Merfield, Miller, Milne, Minnaert, Mitchell, Newall, Newbegin, Newton, Nicholson, O’Connor, Pannekoek, Pettit, H. H. Plaskett, Rodés, Royds, Sampson, Sekiguti, Slocum, Sotóme, Stetson, Stornier, Stratton, Unsold, Van der Bilt
Journal: Transactions of the International Astronomical Union / Volume 4 / 1933
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 April 2016, pp. 34-57
The president calls attention to the large and increasing membership of Commission 12 and the policy of concentrating in it all matters relating to the sun. The result makes it comparable in breadth of field and in membership to the former Union for Co-operation in Solar Research. The main point in favour of this policy is the increased interest in the meetings of the Commission and the larger number of individuals reached compared with the meetings of small committees. One recalls the general sessions of the Solar Union in which each one present felt himself a part of the Union and in real touch with the work of different sections and after the discussions went away with fuller knowledge of what it was all about. This was a valuable result not attained to the same degree from the general sessions of the present Union, but in a measure it does follow from the meetings of the Solar Physics Committee. On the other hand the question may be raised whether or not the merging of independent commissions into subdivisions of a large commission lessens their interest to an extent not balanced by the advantages. If the present policy holds, it seems to the president that a re-organisation of Commission 12 is advisable by which more responsibility is laid upon the directors of centres. The basis of membership in the Commission may well be considered and recommendations formulated for transmission to the Executive Committee.
An Early Report on Iue Observations of the Impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy With Jupiter
W.M. Harris, G.E. Ballester, J. Barker, J. Clarke, M. Combi, M. Vincent, R. Gladstone, J. Kozyra, R. Prangé, L. Ben Jaffel, J.-P. Bibring, C. Emerich, W. Ip, S. Miller, D. Rego, D. Southwood, M. Dougherty, T.A. Livengood, S.A. Budzien, F. Espenak, G.F. Fireman, T. Kostiuk, M.A. McGrath, P.D. Feldman, D.T. Hall, D.F. Strobel, H.W. Moos, L.M. Woodney
Journal: Highlights of Astronomy / Volume 10 / 1995
Hubble Space Telescope Far-Ultraviolet Imaging of Jupiter During the Impacts of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
J.T. Clarke, R. Prangé, G.E. Ballester, J. Trauger, D. Rego, R. Evans, K. Stapelfeldt, W. Ip, F. Paresce, J.C. Gérard, H. Hammel, M. Ballav, L. Ben Jaffel, J.L. Bertaux, D. Crisp, C. Emerich, W. Harris, M. Horanyi, S. Miller, A. Storrs, H. Weaver
IRTF Studies of the Impacts of Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 in to Jupiter
M. F. A'Hearn, K. Baines, D. Deming, T. Dowling, J. Goguen, C. Griffith, H. Hammel, W. Hoffman, D. Hunten, D. Jewitt, T. Kostiuk, S. Miller, K. Noll, G. Orton, K. Zahnle
3 - Volcanic ash fall hazard and risk
By S.F. Jenkins, University of Bristol, UK, T.M. Wilson, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, C. Magill, Macquarie University, Australia, V. Miller, Geoscience Australia, Australia, C. Stewart, Massey University, New Zealand, R. Blong, Aon Benfield, Australia, W. Marzocchi, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Italy, M. Boulton, University of Bristol, UK, C. Bonadonna, University of Geneva, Switzerland, A. Costa, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Italy
Edited by Susan C. Loughlin, Steve Sparks, University of Bristol, Sarah K. Brown, University of Bristol, Susanna F. Jenkins, University of Bristol, Charlotte Vye-Brown
Book: Global Volcanic Hazards and Risk
Print publication: 24 July 2015, pp 173-222
All explosive volcanic eruptions generate volcanic ash, fragments of rock that are produced when magma or vent material is explosively disintegrated. Volcanic ash is then convected upwards within the eruption column and carried downwind, falling out of suspension and potentially affecting communities across hundreds, or even thousands, of square kilometres. Ash is the most frequent, and often widespread, volcanic hazard and is produced by all explosive volcanic eruptions. Although ash falls rarely endanger human life directly, threats to public health and disruption to critical infrastructure services, aviation and primary production can lead to potentially substantial societal impacts and costs, even at thicknesses of only a few millimetres. Communities exposed to any magnitude of ash fall commonly report anxiety about the health impacts of inhaling or ingesting ash (as well as impacts to animals and property damage), which may lead to temporary socio-economic disruption (e.g. evacuation, school and business closures, cancellations). The impacts of any ash fall can therefore be experienced across large areas and can also be long-lived, both because eruptions can last weeks, months or even years and because ash may be remobilised and re-deposited by wind, traffic or human activities.
Given the potentially large geographic dispersal of volcanic ash, and the substantial impacts that even thin (a few mm in thickness) deposits can have for society, this chapter elaborates upon the ash component of the overviews provided in Chapters 1 and 2. We focus on the hazard and associated impacts of ash falls; however, the areas affected by volcanic ash are potentially much larger than those affected by ash falling to the ground, as fine particles can remain aloft for extended periods of time. For example, large portions of European airspace were closed for upto five weeks during the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, in 2010 because of airborne ash (with negligible associated ash falls outside of Iceland). The distance and area over which volcanic ash is dispersed is strongly controlled by wind conditions with distance and altitude from the vent, but also by the size, shape and density of the ash particles, and the style and magnitude of the eruption. These factors mean that ash falls are typically deposited in the direction of prevailing winds during the eruption and thin with distance. Forecasting ash dispersion and the deposition ‘footprint' is typically achieved through numerical simulation.
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MRS Bulletin (2)
Nanocomposites Based Upon Alumina and Zirconia Pillared Clays Loaded with Transition Metal Cations and Clusters of Precious Metals: Synthesis, Properties and Catalysis of NOx Selective Reduction by Hydrocarbons
Vladislav A. Sadykov, R. V. Bunina, G. M. Alikina, V. P. Doronin, T. P. Sorokina, D. I. Kochubei, B. N. Novgorodov, E. A. Paukshtis, V. B. Fenelonov, A. Yu. Derevyankin, A. S. Ivanova, V. I. Zaikovskii, T. G. Kuznetsova, B. A. Beloshapkin, V. N. Kolomiichuk, L. M. Plasova, V. A. Matyshak, G A. Konin, A. Ya. Rozovskii, V. F. Tretyakov, T. N. Burdeynaya, M. N. Davydova, J. R. H. Ross, J. P. Breen, F. C. Meunier
Thermally stable alumina and zirconia pillared clays loaded with copper and cobalt cations and silver nanoparticles were synthesized. The structural and surface features of these nanosystems were studied and compared with those of bulk analogs -partially stabilized zirconias and γ-alumina loaded with the same active components. Specificity of the catalytic properties of nanocomposites in the reactions of nitrogen oxides reduction by propane, propylene and decane in the excess of oxygen appears to be determined both by the degree of interaction between pillars and active components and the type of reducing agent.
Evolution of Fractal Particles in Systems with Conserved Order Parameter
S.V. Kalinin, D.L. Gorbachev, K.V. Tomashevitch, A.Yu. Borisevich, A.A. Vertegel, A.J. Markworth, Yu. D. Tretyakov
In the present research, the evolution of fractal aggregates in systems with conserved order parameter is studied. The aggregates are generated by diffusion limited aggregation (DLA). This model describes such important processes as annealing of dendrite inclusions in solids, healing of cracks in ceramics, temperature-induced transformations in composites, relaxation of rough surfaces, aging of colloid particles, etc. It is shown that the evolution in fractal media differs significantly from the evolution from the initially homogeneous state and leads to the different values of the scaling exponent.
Dehydration of Fractal Particles of Iron (III) and Aluminum Hydroxides
A. A. Vertegel, S. V. Kalinin, N. N. Oleynikov, Yu. D. Tretyakov
The kinetic behavior of Fe(OH)3 and AI(OH)3 powders during thermal dehydration is investigated. It has been shown that the dehydration rate is governed by the value of fractal dimension of the sample without any respect to the nature of metal atom in hydroxide. The quantitative model for dehydration of fractal particles with particular value of fractal dimension is suggested. Theoretical predictions are in a good agreement with experimental data.
AIN/GaN and AIGaN/GaN Heterostructures Grown by HVPE on SiC Substrates
Yu. V. Melnik, A. E. Nikolaev, S. I. Stepanov, A. S. Zubrilov, I. P. Nikitina, K. V. Vassilevski, D. V. Tsvetkov, A. I. Babanin, Yu. G. Musikhin, V. V. Tretyakov, V. A. Dmitriev
GaN, AIN and AIGaN layers were grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. 6H-SiC wafers were used as substrates. Properties of AIN/GaN and AIGaN/GaN structures were investigated. AIGaN growth rate was about 1 μm/min. The thickness of the AIGaN layers ranged from 0.5 to 5 μm. The AIN concentration in AIGaN layers was varied from 9 to 67 mol. %. Samples were characterised by electron beam micro analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence.
Electrical measurements performed on AIGaN/GaN/SiC samples indicated that undoped AIGaN layers are conducting at least up to 50 mol. % of AIN.
Perspectives of Materials Education Development in Russia for the New Century
Yu. D. Tretyakov
Journal: MRS Bulletin / Volume 26 / Issue 11 / November 2001
Lomonosov Moscow State University Develops Interdisciplinary Degree Programs in Materials Science
Journal: MRS Bulletin / Volume 25 / Issue 8 / August 2000
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011, pp. 97-100
Cryosol method: A novel powder processing technique based on ion-exchange phenomena
A. A. Vertegel, S. V. Kalinin, N. N. Oleynikov, Yu. G. Metlin, Yu. D. Tretyakov
Journal: Journal of Materials Research / Volume 13 / Issue 4 / April 1998
A novel technique has been suggested for synthesis of highly dispersed oxide powders. The method is based on the treatment of aqueous solution of a multivalent metal nitrate (or chloride) by anion-exchange resin in the OH− form. The presented technique yields a stable colloid solution of the corresponding hydroxide with concentration up to 1 M. The subsequent freeze-drying and thermal dehydration results in very fine powder of metal oxide. The individual and multicomponent oxides obtained by the cryosol method were shown to possess unusual properties due to their high dispersity and chemical homogeneity.
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Epidemiological survey and sequence information analysis of swine hepatitis E virus in Sichuan, China
Y. Y. Li, Z. W. Xu, X. J. Li, S. Y. Gong, Y. Cai, Y. Q. Chen, Y. M. Li, Y. F. Xu, X. G. Sun, L. Zhu
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 147 / 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 November 2018, e49
Hepatitis E is an important zoonosis that is prevalent in China. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a pathogen that affects humans and animals and endangers public health in China. In this study, the detection of HEV epidemics in swine in Sichuan Province, China, was carried out by nested real-time PCR. A total of 174 stool samples and 160 bile samples from swine in Sichuan Province were examined. In addition, software was used to analyse the biological evolution of HEV. The results showed that within 2 years of swine HEV (SHEV) infection in China, SHEV was first detected in Sichuan Province. HEV was endemic in Sichuan; the positive rate for pig farms was 11.1%, and the total positive sample rate was 10.5%. The age of swine with the highest positive rate (17.9%) was 5–9 weeks. The examined swine species in order of highest to lowest HEV infection rates were Chenghua pig, Large White, Duroc, Pietrain, Landrace and Hampshire. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis showed that the HEV epidemic in swine in Sichuan Province was related to genotype IV, which had the highest homology to HEV in Beijing. Sichuan strains have greater variation than Chinese representative strains, which may indicate the presence of new HEV strains.
The effects of dietary soybean isoflavone on immunity in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers challenged with infectious bursal disease virus
S. Q. Jiang, Z. Y. Jiang, J. L. Chen, C. Zhu, P. Hong, F. Chen
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 156 / Issue 6 / August 2018
To investigate the effects of soybean isoflavone (SI) on immunity in infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)-infected broilers, chicks were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (non-infected control), 0 (infected control), 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg SI for 44 days. At 21 days old, chickens were inoculated with bursal infectious dose causing 50% morbidity of the IBDV BC 6/85 strain by the eye-drop and nasal route (except for non-infected controls). Results showed that, over 1–23 days post-infection (dpi), there was a significant interaction between SI supplementation level and time: high-level SI supplementation increased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ to CD8+ ratio, serum concentrations of IgA, IgM and IgG, and IBDV antibody titres. Except for serum IgA and IgM, these variables increased over time with far higher values at 23 dpi than earlier. Compared with non-infected controls, IBDV inoculation decreased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation at 3 dpi, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and serum IgG, IgM concentration at 23 dpi, and increased IBDV antibody titres at 7, 15 and 23 dpi. Supplemental SI quadratically increased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+ to CD8+ ratio and serum IgA concentration at 3 dpi, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes at 3 and 23 dpi, and serum IgM concentration and IBDV antibody titres at 23 dpi. These results indicate that dietary SI improved cellular and humoral immunity of IBDV-infected birds and may enhance resistance of Yellow-feathered broilers to infectious diseases.
A genome scan for selection signatures in Taihu pig breeds using next-generation sequencing
Z. Wang, H. Sun, Q. Chen, X. Zhang, Q. Wang, Y. Pan
Journal: animal / Volume 13 / Issue 4 / April 2019
Taihu pig breeds are the most prolific breeds of swine in the world, and they also have superior economic traits, including high resistance to disease, superior meat quality, high resistance to crude feed and a docile temperament. The formation of these phenotypic characteristics is largely a result of long-term artificial or natural selection. Therefore, exploring selection signatures in the genomes of the Taihu pigs will help us to identify porcine genes related to productivity traits, disease and behaviour. In this study, we used both intra-population (Relative Extend Haplotype Homozygosity Test (REHH)) and inter-population (the Cross-Population Extend Haplotype Homozygosity Test (XPEHH); F-STATISTICS, FST) methods to detect genomic regions that might be under selection process in Taihu pig breeds. As a result, we found 282 (REHH) and 112 (XPEHH) selection signature candidate regions corresponding to 159.78 Mb (6.15%) and 62.29 Mb (2.40%) genomic regions, respectively. Further investigations of the selection candidate regions revealed that many genes under these genomic regions were related to reproductive traits (such as the TLR9 gene), coat colour (such as the KIT gene) and fat metabolism (such as the CPT1A and MAML3 genes). Furthermore, gene enrichment analyses showed that genes under the selection candidate regions were significantly over-represented in pathways related to diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid and asthma diseases. In conclusion, several candidate genes potentially under positive selection were involved in characteristics of Taihu pig. These results will further allow us to better understand the mechanisms of selection in pig breeding.
Calcium propionate supplementation improves development of rumen epithelium in calves via stimulating G protein-coupled receptors
X. Z. Zhang, W. B. Chen, X. Wu, Y. W. Zhang, Y. M. Jiang, Q. X. Meng, Z. M. Zhou
Journal: animal / Volume 12 / Issue 11 / November 2018
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2018, pp. 2284-2291
In the present study, calcium propionate (CaP) was used as feed additive in the diet of calves to investigate their effects on rumen fermentation and the development of rumen epithelium in calves. To elucidate the mechanism in which CaP improves development of calf rumen epithelium via stimulating the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of G protein-coupled receptors, a total of 54 male Jersey calves (age=7±1 days, BW=23.1±1.2 kg) were randomly divided into three treatment groups: control without CaP supplementation (Con), 5% CaP supplementation (5% CaP) and 10% CaP supplementation (10% CaP). The experiment lasted 160 days and was divided into three feeding stages: Stage 1 (days 0 to 30), Stage 2 (days 31 to 90) and Stage 3 (days 91 to 160). Calcium propionate supplementation percentages were calculated on a dry matter basis. In total, six calves from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered on days 30, 90 and 160 at the conclusion of each experimental feeding stage. Rumen fermentation was improved with increasing concentration of CaP supplementation in calves through the first 30 days (Stage 1). No effects of CaP supplementation were observed on rumen fermentation in calves during Stage 2 (days 31 to 90). Supplementation with 5% CaP increased propionate concentration, but not acetate and butyrate in calves during Stage 3 (days 91 to 160). The rumen papillae length of calves in the 5% CaP supplementation group was greater than that of Con groups in calves after 160 days feeding. The mRNA expression of G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) and GPR43 supplemented with 5% CaP were greater than the control group and 10% CaP group in feeding 160 days calves. 5% CaP supplementation increased the mRNA expression of cyclin D1, whereas did not increase the mRNA expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 compared with the control group in feeding 160-day calves. These results indicate that propionate may act as a signaling molecule to improve rumen epithelium development through stimulating mRNA expression of GPR41 and GPR43.
A new species of Platysiagum from the Luoping Biota (Anisian, Middle Triassic, Yunnan, South China) reveals the relationship between Platysiagidae and Neopterygii
W. WEN, S. X. HU, Q. Y. ZHANG, M. J. BENTON, J. KRIWET, Z. Q. CHEN, C. Y. ZHOU, T. XIE, J. Y. HUANG
Journal: Geological Magazine / Volume 156 / Issue 4 / April 2019
Four complete platysiagid fish specimens are described from the Luoping Biota, Anisian (Middle Triassic), Yunnan Province, southwest China. They are small fishes with bones and scales covered with ganoine. All characters observed, such as nasals meeting in the midline, a keystone-like dermosphenotic, absence of post-rostral bone, two infraorbitals between dermosphenotic and jugal, large antorbital, and two postcleithra, suggest that the new materials belong to a single, new Platysiagum species, P. sinensis sp. nov. Three genera are ascribed to Platysiagidae: Platysiagum, Helmolepis and Caelatichthys. However, most specimens of the first two genera are imprints or fragmentary. The new, well-preserved specimens from the Luoping Biota provide more detailed anatomical information than before, and thus help amend the concept of the Platysiagidae. The Family Platysiagidae was previously classed in the Perleidiformes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Platysiagidae is a member of basal Neopterygii, and its origin seems to predate that of Perleidiformes. Moreover, platysiagid fishes are known from the Middle Triassic of the western Tethys region. The newly found specimens of platysiagids from Luoping provide additional evidence that both eastern and western sides of the Tethys Ocean were biogeographically more connected than previously thought.
Effect of different dietary energy and protein sources on antioxidant status, fresh yolk fatty acid profile and microstructure of salted yolks in laying ducks
D. Ruan, Y. J. Hu, A. M. Fouad, C. X. Lin, Z. P. Xu, W. Chen, Q. L. Fan, W. G. Xia, S. Wang, Y. Wang, L. Yang, C. T. Zheng
Journal: animal / Volume 12 / Issue 10 / October 2018
The study investigated whether different dietary energy and protein sources affect laying performance, antioxidant status, fresh yolk fatty acid profile and quality of salted yolks in laying ducks. In all, 360 19-week-old Longyan ducks were randomly assigned to four diets in a factorial arrangement (2×2). The four diets consisted of two energy sources, corn (CO) or sorghum (SO) and two protein sources, soybean meal (SM) and rapeseed meal with corn distillers dried grains with solubles (RMD), and each treatment contained six replicates of 15 birds each. The experimental diets were isocaloric (metabolizable energy, 10.84 MJ/kg) and isonitrogenous (CP, 17%). The results showed that egg production, average egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio were not affected by diets (P>0.05). Plasma contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH/oxidized glutathione and total antioxidant capacity were lower (P<0.05) in ducks fed the RMD diets compared with those fed SM diets with a substantial increase (P=0.006) in plasma content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Egg yolks from ducks fed SO diets had higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids compared with CO diets (P<0.001). Similarly, ducks fed RMD diets had a higher content of PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratio in fresh yolks (P<0.001), and increased salted yolk MDA, carbonylated proteins content and incidence of hard salted yolks (P<0.05) compared with SM diets. Scanning electron microscopy showed that salted yolks contained rougher polyhedral granules and fewer fat droplets, and were surrounded with a layer of bunchy fibers in ducks fed SO+RMD than those fed CO+SM diet. In conclusion, the current study showed that feeding laying ducks with diets containing SO or RMD reduced antioxidant capacity and increased egg yolk concentrations of PUFA. It appeared that egg yolks from ducks fed these diets were more sensitive to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation during salting, and reduced the quality of salted yolks.
Dietary l-arginine supplementation improves semen quality and libido of boars under high ambient temperature
J. Q. Chen, Y. S. Li, Z. J. Li, H. X. Lu, P. Q. Zhu, C. M. Li
Journal: animal / Volume 12 / Issue 8 / August 2018
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 December 2017, pp. 1611-1620
l-Arginine is a nutritionally essential amino acid for spermatogenesis and plays versatile roles in animal health and can be utilized as a potential agent to improve reproductive performance of boars under high ambient temperature. The present study aimed to determine whether dietary l-arginine could alleviate heat stress-induced infertility in boars. In all, 20 boars (PIC 1040; 248.59±3.84 kg BW and 407.65±6.40 days of age) were selected and randomly assigned to four groups (group 0.0%, basal diet; group 0.6%, 0.8% or 1.0%, basal diet added with 0.6%, 0.8% or 1.0% l-arginine (wt:wt), respectively.) The four diets were made isonitrogenous by addition of appropriate amounts of l-alanine. Boars were pre-fed the corresponding experimental diet for 42 days. Then, the semen characteristics and libido were accessed for 6 weeks during the hot summer period (25.5° to 33.0°C). Results show that dietary l-arginine remarkably improved sperm motility, normality, total sperm number and effective total sperm number. Also, dietary l-arginine improved semen antioxidant capacity, such as decrease of malondialdehyde and 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine content in sperm (P<0.05), increase of the ratio of glutathione and oxidized glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in seminal plasma (P<0.05). Most of mitochondria contained intact ultrastructure in l-arginine-supplemented group which also accompany with higher ATP content than the 0.0% group. The boars fed 0.8% l-arginine show increased levels of estradiol-17β and testosterone and exhibit improved libido performance than boars in the 0.0% group. Adding dietary l-arginine linearly increased (P=0.002) nitric oxide content (as l-arginine increased). The scrotal surface temperature in the 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% group were decreased by 0.9°C, 0.9°C and 0.4°C, respectively, compared with the 0.0% group. l-Arginine levels caused linear effect on semen quality and antioxidant capacity, also caused quadratic effect on libido performance. During the hot summer months, the predicted optimal l-arginine levels for best semen quality and antioxidant capacity was 0.8% to 1.0% and for best libido performance was 0.8%. It can be concluded that l-arginine can be used as an effective agent to alleviate heat stress-induced infertility of boar, and that 0.8% to 1.0% can be considered as the optimum dosage.
New insights into mitogenomic phylogeny and copy number in eight indigenous sheep populations based on the ATP synthase and cytochrome c oxidase genes
P. Xiao, L. L. Niu, Q. J. Zhao, X. Y. Chen, L. J. Wang, L. Li, H. P. Zhang, J. Z. Guo, H. Y. Xu, T. Zhong
Journal: animal / Volume 12 / Issue 7 / July 2018
The origins and phylogeny of different sheep breeds has been widely studied using polymorphisms within the mitochondrial hypervariable region. However, little is known about the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and phylogeny based on mtDNA protein-coding genes. In this study, we assessed the phylogeny and copy number of the mtDNA in eight indigenous (population size, n=184) and three introduced (n=66) sheep breeds in China based on five mitochondrial coding genes (COX1, COX2, ATP8, ATP6 and COX3). The mean haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.944 and 0.00322, respectively. We identified a correlation between the lineages distribution and the genetic distance, whereby Valley-type Tibetan sheep had a closer genetic relationship with introduced breeds (Dorper, Poll Dorset and Suffolk) than with other indigenous breeds. Similarly, the Median-joining profile of haplotypes revealed the distribution of clusters according to genetic differences. Moreover, copy number analysis based on the five mitochondrial coding genes was affected by the genetic distance combining with genetic phylogeny; we also identified obvious non-synonymous mutations in ATP6 between the different levels of copy number expressions. These results imply that differences in mitogenomic compositions resulting from geographical separation lead to differences in mitochondrial function.
Film-mulched maize production: response to controlled-release urea fertilization
J. M. GUO, J. Q. XUE, A. D. BLAYLOCK, Z. L. CUI, X. P. CHEN
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 155 / Issue 8 / October 2017
Optimal nitrogen (N) management for maize in the film-mulched production systems that are widely used in dryland agriculture is difficult because top-dressing N is impractical. The current research determined how matching N supply and demand was achieved before and after silking stages, when single applications of controlled release urea (CRU) were combined with conventional urea in film-mulched maize production. The CRU: urea mixture was applied in a 1 : 2 or 2 : 1 ratio and all three fertilizer regimes (urea alone and CRU: urea at 1 : 2 or 2 : 1) were applied at N rates of 180 and 240 kg/ha over 2 years. The 1 : 2 CRU: urea mixture, applied once at 180 kg N/ha, was found to synchronize N supply with demand, thereby reducing N losses. The highest grain yields (11·8–12·0 t/ha), N uptake (232–239 kg/ha), N recovery (65·8–67·7%) and high net economic return were achieved with this regime. These results indicate that a single application of a mixture of CRU and urea can synchronize N supply with demand and provide higher yields and profits than conventional N fertilization in film-mulched maize systems.
Growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality and oxidative stability of beef cattle offered alternative silages in a finishing ration
L. He, J. Yang, W. Chen, Z. Zhou, H. Wu, Q. Meng
As lack of forage resource, alternative roughage sources have been developed for ruminant production and their inclusion would exert a great effect on the dietary nutrition, consequently affecting animal performance. Four silages (corn silage (CS), corn stalk silage (SS), inoculated CS and inoculated SS) were separately offered to 60 Bohai Black cattle (15 cattle/group) during a 24-week finishing period, in which the growth performance, carcass trait, beef quality and oxidative stability of steers were determined. Neither silage material nor silage inoculant exerted a significant effect on the growth performance, carcass trait and oxidative stability of beef cattle (P>0.05). As to beef quality, cattle offered CS had higher (P<0.05) contents of intramuscular fat than those offered SS along with a lower moisture content (P<0.05). The contents (mg/g muscle) of C10 : 0, C12 : 0, C14 : 1, C16 : 0, C16 : 1, C18 : 1n9c, C18 : 2n6c, C18 : 3n3, C20 : 1n9, C20 : 2, C20 : 3n6, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-6 fatty acids were higher (P<0.05) in the beef muscle of animals offered CS than those offered SS, whereas inoculated treatment made no difference (P>0.05) on the proximate components and fatty acids profile of beef muscle. There was neither an interaction (P>0.05) between inoculated treatment and silage material. There were no differences (P>0.05) in cholesterol content and meat quality traits in animals fed alternative silages. The collective findings suggest that it is not economical to substitute high-quality forage for relative low-quality forage in a high-concentrate finishing ration of beef cattle and silage inoculant inclusion would not exert a direct effect on animal performance.
Numerical Investigation of Unsteady Flows Past Flapping Wings with Immersed Boundary-Lattice Boltzmann Method
C. L. Gong, Z. J. Yuan, Q. Zhou, G. Chen, Z. Fang
Biomimetic motions are helpful to underwater vehicles and new conception airplanes design. The lattice Boltzmann method with an immersed boundary method technique is used to reveal the propulsion and lift enhancement mechanism of biomimetic motions. The flow past a sphere and an ellipsoidal flapping wing were validated respectively by comparing with other numerical methods. Then a single flapping wing and three flapping wings in a tandem arrangement are accomplished respectively. It founds that the mean thrust coefficient of three plate wings is bigger than the one of the single plate wing. Three ellipsoidal wings and single ellipsoidal wing are compared. It shows that the single ellipsoidal wing has larger thrust coefficients than the three ellipsoidal wings. Ellipsoidal flapping wing and plate wing were further compared to investigate the influence of wing shape. It indicates the mean thrust coefficient of the ellipsoidal wing is bigger than the plate wing.
MicroRNA-499-5p regulates porcine myofiber specification by controlling Sox6 expression
X. Y. Wang, X. L. Chen, Z. Q. Huang, D. W. Chen, B. Yu, J. He, J. Q. Luo, Y. H. Luo, H. Chen, P. Zheng, J. Yu
Journal: animal / Volume 11 / Issue 12 / December 2017
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2017, pp. 2268-2274
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and miRNAs have been proven to play vital roles in skeletal muscle development. The miRNA-499-5p has been reported to be negatively related with the expression of Sox6, a critical transcription factor for the maintenance of fast-twitch skeletal muscle. In this study, we amplified a length of 2012-bp mRNA that contains a 1512-bp porcine Sox6 (pSox6) 3'UTR from skeletal muscle of a Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire pig. By luciferase reporter assay we verified that pSox6 is a target of miR-499-5p. In extensor digitorum longus and Soleus muscles of pigs, the expression levels of miR-499-5p and pSox6 mRNA were also inversely correlated. Besides, overexpression of miR-499-5p in porcine satellite cells promoted the expression of MyHC I and MyHC IIa mRNA, along with a reduction of pSox6 mRNA. Taken together, these results indicate that miR-499-5p may facilitate the oxidative myofibers formation by downregulating pSox6 expression.
Epidemics and aetiology of hand, foot and mouth disease in Xiamen, China, from 2008 to 2015
S. Z. HE, M. Y. CHEN, X. R. XU, Q. YAN, J. J. NIU, W. H. WU, X. S. SU, S. X. GE, S. Y. ZHANG, N. S. XIA
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 April 2017, pp. 1865-1874
Over the past 8 years, human enteroviruses (HEVs) have caused 27 227 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Xiamen, including 99 severe cases and six deaths. We aimed to explore the molecular epidemiology of HFMD in Xiamen to inform the development of diagnostic assays, vaccines and other interventions. From January 2009 to September 2015, 5866 samples from sentinel hospitals were tested using nested reverse transcription PCR that targeted the HEV 5′ untranslated region and viral protein 1 region. Of these samples, 4290 were tested positive for HEV and the amplicons were sequenced and genotyped. Twenty-two genotypes were identified. Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackieviruses A16, A6 and A10 (CA16, CA6 and CA10) were the most common genotypes, and there were no changes in the predominant lineages of these genotypes. EV71 became the most predominant genotype every 2 years. From 2013, CA6 replaced CA16 as one of the two most common genotypes. The results demonstrate the vast diversity of HFMD pathogens, and that minor genotypes are able to replace major genotypes. We recommend carrying-out long-term monitoring of the full spectrum of HFMD pathogens, which could facilitate epidemic prediction and the development of diagnostic assays and vaccines.
Galactic disk structure as revealed by LAMOST A stars
B.-Q. Chen, X.-W. Liu, H.-B. Yuan, Y. Huang, M.-S. Xiang, C. Wang, Z.-J. Tian, H.-W. Zhang
Journal: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union / Volume 12 / Issue S330 / April 2017
Using the spectroscopic distances of over 0.12 million A-type stars selected from the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anti-center (LSS-GAC), we map their three-dimensional number density distributions in the Galaxy. These stellar number density maps allow an investigation of the Galactic young age thin disk structure with no a priori assumptions about the functional form of its components. The data show strong evidence for a significant flaring young disk. A more detail analysis show that the stellar flaring have different behaviours between the Northern and the Southern Galactic disks. The maps also reveal spatially coherent, kpc-scale stellar substructure in the thin disk. Finally, we detect the Perseus arm stellar overdensity at R ~ 10 kpc.
Long-term effectiveness of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine 22–28 years after immunization in a hepatitis B virus endemic rural area: is an adult booster dose needed?
H. LI, G. J. LI, Q. Y. CHEN, Z. L. FANG, X. Y. WANG, C. TAN, Q. L. YANG, F. Z. WANG, F. WANG, S. ZHANG, S. L. BI, L. P. SHEN
Longan County is considered a highly endemic area for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The plasma-derived vaccine has been used in newborns in this area since 1987. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this vaccine. In total, 1634 participants born during 1987–1993 and who had received a series of plasma-derived HB vaccinations at ages 0, 1, and 6 months were enrolled. Serological HBV markers were detected and compared with previous survey data. Overall the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in all participants was 3·79%; 3·47% of subjects who had received the first dose within 24 h were HBsAg positive, and 8·41% of subjects who had received a delayed first dose were also HBsAg positive. There were 1527 subjects identified who had received the first dose within 24 h and whose HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence increased yearly after immunization, while the anti-HBs-positive rate and vaccine effectiveness declined. The geometric mean concentration of antibody in the anti-HB-positive participants was 55·13 mIU/ml and this declined after immunization. Fewer than 2·0% of participants had anti-HB levels ⩾1000 mIU/ml. The data show that the protective efficacy of the plasma-derived vaccinations declined and administration of HB vaccine within 24 h of birth was very important. To reduce the risk of HBV infection in this highly endemic area, a booster dose might be necessary if anti-HBs levels fall below 10 mIU/ml after age 18 years. Furthermore, studies on the immune memory induced by plasma-derived HB vaccine are needed.
Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women
Y. Chen, D. Bennett, R. Clarke, Y. Guo, C. Yu, Z. Bian, L. Ma, Y. Huang, Q. Sun, N. Zhang, X. Zheng, J. Chen, R. Peto, K. S. Kendler, L. Li, Z. Chen
Worldwide 350 million people suffer from major depression, with the majority of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the patterns, correlates and care-seeking behaviour of adults suffering from major depressive episode (MDE) in China.
A nationwide study recruited 512 891 adults aged 30–79 years from 10 provinces across China during 2004–2008. The 12-month prevalence of MDE was assessed by the Modified Composite International Diagnostic Interview-short form. Logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MDE associated with socio-economic, lifestyle and health-related factors and major stressful life events.
Overall, 0.7% of participants had MDE and a further 2.4% had major depressive symptoms. Stressful life events were strongly associated with MDE [adjusted OR 14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7–15.7], with a dose–response relationship with the number of such events experienced. Family conflict had the highest OR for MDE (18.9, 95% CI 16.8–21.2) among the 10 stressful life events. The risk of MDE was also positively associated with rural residency (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4–1.7), low income (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.1–2.4), living alone (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.3–3.0), smoking (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.6) and certain other mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, phobia). Similar, albeit weaker, associations were observed with depressive symptoms. Among those with MDE, about 15% sought medical help or took psychiatric medication, 15% reported having suicidal ideation and 6% reported attempting suicide.
Among Chinese adults, the patterns and correlates of MDE were generally consistent with those observed in the West. The low rates of seeking professional help and treatment highlight the great gap in mental health services in China.
HBsAg may reappear following reactivation in individuals with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance 8 years previously
Q. Y. CHEN, X. Y. WANG, T. J. HARRISON, X. HE, L. P. HU, K. W. LI, H. H. JIA, Q. L. YANG, C. WANG, Z. L. FANG
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 145 / Issue 4 / March 2017
HBsAg reappearance may constitute not only a risk for liver disease but also an infectious source. We aimed to determine whether HBsAg may reappear after spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance. A cohort of 2999 HBsAg-positive subjects aged 30–55 years was recruited in Guangxi, China in 2004. HBsAg was tested every 6 months from July 2004 to June 2007, then, one more time in December 2013. The results showed that spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance occurred in 41 subjects in the first 3 years, giving a 0·54% annual seroclearance rate. Thirteen of the 41 subjects were randomly tested for HBsAg in 2013. Four subjects became HBsAg positive. S gene sequences of HBV were analysed from serum collected before seroclearance and after reappearance, respectively, for subject QS840 (11 and 12 clones), subject TN98 (13 and 13 clones) and subject WX227 (10 and 8 clones). Serotype, subgenotype and amino-acid substitution pattern in each sample collected after reappearance was observed in the sample collected before HBsAg seroclearance. Nucleotide similarity between the two sequences from each subject was >99% and five sequences from subject TN98 were the same. In conclusion, following reactivation, HBsAg may reappear in individuals with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance many years previously.
Genetic dissection of flour whiteness by unconditional and conditional quantitative trait locus mapping in wheat
Z. Y. DENG, W. J. LI, F. CHEN, W. Q. FANG, G. F. CHEN, C. L. SUN, Y. X. ZHANG, S. Y. WANG, J. C. TIAN
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 155 / Issue 4 / May 2017
Print publication: May 2017
Flour whiteness (FW) is an important factor in assessing flour quality and determining the end product quality. It is an integrated sensory indicator reflecting flour colour and is negatively correlated with protein content. In order to dissect the genetic relationship between FW and its five related traits at the quantitative trait locus (QTL)/gene level, a recombinant inbred line population was evaluated under three environments. Quantitative trait loci for FW were analysed by unconditional and conditional QTL mapping. Four unconditional additive QTLs and 16 conditional additive QTLs were detected across the three environments. Of these QTLs, only one major additive QTL (Qfw1D1-1) was consistently identified using both unconditional and conditional QTL analysis. This QTL was independent of flour colour a* (a function of red-green with a positive a* for redness and negative for greenness) and b* (a green-blue value with positive value for yellowness and negative for blueness) and was only slightly affected by flour protein content. A minor additive QTL (Qfw4A-4) was also detected using these two QTL mapping methods, being independent of flour colour a* and b*. Five unconditional and ten conditional epistatic minor QTLs were detected, from which only one pair (Qfw3A-10/Qfw6B-6) was identified by both unconditional and conditional QTL mapping, also independent of flour colour a* and b*. The major QTL (Qfw1D1-1) identified in the current study for the first time can be used for improving wheat FW in marker-assisted breeding.
AMS Radiocarbon Dating Problems Between 10 and 8 Ka BP in Lacustrine Deposits from Lake Gun Nur, Northern Mongolia
F Q Chang, H C Zhang, Q Z Ming, G J Chen, W X Zhang, Z T Shi, Z D Feng
Journal: Radiocarbon / Volume 53 / Issue 3 / 2011
Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating a continuous core from Lake Gun Nur, northern Mongolia, shows a period between 10 and 8 ka BP that could not be dated accurately. Further dating on alkali-insoluble residue and humic acid from the same samples in the Gun Nur core suggest that this AMS 14C date anomaly is neither analytical nor material related. We hypothesize that the 14C anomaly may be derived from increasing production rates of 14C caused by diminished solar activity, a low 14CO2/14CO ratio in the atmosphere, or an unstable 14C flux in the lower atmosphere caused by changing geomagnetic field strength. Our results imply that the 14C data used for 14C age calibration cannot correct the age-depth regression between 8 and 10 ka BP to fit the age-depth model along with other time intervals.
Mitochondrial biogenesis is decreased in skeletal muscle of pig fetuses exposed to maternal high-energy diets
T. D. Zou, B. Yu, J. Yu, X. B. Mao, P. Zheng, J. He, Z. Q. Huang, D. T. He, D. W. Chen
Journal: animal / Volume 11 / Issue 1 / January 2017
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 June 2016, pp. 54-60
Print publication: January 2017
Mitochondria plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Moreover, mitochondrial biogenesis accompanies skeletal myogenesis, and we previously reported that maternal high-energy diet repressed skeletal myogenesis in pig fetuses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of moderately increased maternal energy intake on skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and function of the pig fetuses. Primiparous purebred Large White sows were allocated to a normal energy intake group (NE) as recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) and a high energy intake group (HE, 110% of NRC recommendations). On day 90 of gestation, fetal umbilical vein blood and longissimus (LM) muscle were collected. Results showed that the weight gain of sows fed HE diet was higher than NE sows on day 90 of gestation (P<0.05). Maternal HE diet increased fetal umbilical vein serum triglyceride and insulin concentrations (P<0.05), and tended to increase the homeostasis model assessment index (P=0.08). Furthermore, HE fetuses exhibited increased malondialdehyde concentration (P<0.05), and decreased activities of antioxidative enzymes (P<0.05) and intracellular NAD+ level (P<0.05) in LM muscle. These alterations in metabolic traits of HE fetuses were accompanied by reduced mitochondrial DNA amount (P<0.05) and down-regulated messenger RNA expression levels of genes responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis and function (P<0.05). Our results suggest that moderately increased energy supply during gestation decreases mitochondrial biogenesis, function and antioxidative capacity in skeletal muscle of pig fetuses.
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Gimpy's Guide » Geography
The Crescent Lands is a long, coastal, plain bordered on the east by the Arlis River and the K'n Yan Swamp, on the west by the Tern River and the Bern Woods, on the south by the Great Sea and on the north by the GloomRim Mountains. The plain has an average width, between sea and mountains, of one hundred miles and a length, from swamp to woods, of over 1,700 miles.
The Crescent Lands get its name from the shape the plain makes between mountain and sea.
From its southern extremes, the GloomRim Mountains range over 1,600 miles north to the Range of Ice and then on to the uncivilized ice fields and tundra of Boreala. Large portions of the GloomRim are nearly impassible due to both geology, botany and large, sharp white teeth of the many denizens.
At the southern reaches of the GloomRim (at the apex of the great peninsula which makes the Lands), the mountains settle into the Myceum Hills, a 400 mile long, rough chain of foothills. The Myceum Hills are filthy with brigands, orcs, goblins, and revenue agents. The hills lie wholly within Ar'Ethmet.
At the western edge of the Crescent Lands is Bern Woods, of which little is known. Here abide elves. Soon after the Plague began reaping souls in the Crescent Lands, a magical barrier surrounding Bern Woods appeared that keeps all but elves from entering. Rumor has it that the elves instituted it as a quarantine against the Plague, since they seemed disproportionately affected. What has occurred with those elves in Bern Woods is unknown—whether it is truly a sanctuary or simply the largest open air mausoleum in the Lands.. However, for those outside of Bern Woods most died during the Plague. Now elves are as rare in the Crescent Lands as honest men in MaCab.
West of Bern woods are an unnamed plain and then, south and west, Dirth Woods (a elven, half-elven, human community) and, north, the Broken Lands and Mountains of Fire.
On the East, the Arlis River is navigable from Aereolus, in the south, 600 miles north to Ma Cab, creating the western border of the K'n Yan Swamp and the eastern edge of the Crescent Lands. Past MaCab, it continues north into the Range of Ice.
The K'n Yan swamp is a fetid area where mosquitoes, lizard men, ghosts, and wisps are as thick as thieves in MaCab. It stretches east from the Arlis River 400 miles, bordering the Great Sea, and north 600 miles to Ma Cab.
On the northeast border of the K'n Yan Swamp is the 300 square mile area of the Withered Woods. Legend has it that this is a place of fell and unnatural beasts and plants created from the aftermath a fierce magical battle in the war against the Wyrmes. Farther east of the K’n Yan, is the Eastern Plain and then the Wasted Lands. They Wasted Lands were a verdant landscape turned to a desert in the war against the Wrymes. Travelers have told tales that magicks fall from the sky like rain in the SouthLands. South of the Wasted Lands are the SkyReach Mountains. South, far across the Great Sea, is the SouthLands.
The SouthLands are a great, humid continent of people who eat strangely spiced food, speak uncouth, unlettered tongues, and know naught of Thon unrepentant barbarians.
The waters off the coast of the Crescent Lands are populated with scores of islands, some settled by colonists of the three countries, but most unknown. The two principle islands are Og and Ogel; piratical city states.
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The Plain English Guide to XML Sitemaps
by Cristian De Nardo | Oct 10, 2018 | Marketing | 0 comments
You wouldn’t design a new kitchen without creating a blueprint first, would you? So, why would you design a website without creating a sitemap?
If you want to launch a website that Google (and your potential customers) can discover, you’ll need a sitemap. Here’s how to create one.
A sitemap is a file of code that lives on your web server and lists all of the relevant URLs your website is carrying. Your sitemap helps search engine web crawlers understand how your website is built so they can evaluate and rank it more easily.
People create sitemaps when they first design their website, add pages to it, and/or redesign it. It’s kind of like a floor plan for the site, which comes in handy whenever the site gets changed. Along with boosting search engine optimization (SEO), sitemaps can also help define a site’s navigation scheme so you avoid internal linking issues.
Visual Sitemaps
You might be thinking to yourself, “But I thought sitemaps were more visual, like a web.” That’s a visual sitemap, as opposed to an XML sitemap — the latter is what we’ve been talking about so far.
Visual sitemaps, on the other hand, are abstract sketches of your website’s structure, like the one below of Google’s website. They’re useful for the internal planning process, but it’s the XML sitemaps that are relevant to SEO best practices.
XML sitemaps are designed specifically for search engines like Google, which need to be able to find webpages anchored within a website no matter how old or deeply nested they might be in that website’s domain.
Here’s an example of what an XML sitemap file might look like:
Image Credit: Sitemaps.org
For this reason, an XML sitemap is a crucial component of a blog, where article pages are constantly bumped further back into the website’s archive as new content is published.
There are four major types of XML sitemaps you can create, each dedicated to a different type of media you might publish to your website:
Image Sitemaps structure a website’s image content so that it ranks well in Google Images results.
Video Sitemaps classify video content so that it ranks well in Google Videos results, as well as rich snippets in organic results.
News Sitemaps describe your website’s news content so it’s more easily indexed in search results like Google News.
Mobile Sitemaps optimize website content for mobile phones that don’t use native web browsers, which automatically produce web content in mobile form.
So, how do you structure your website’s XML sitemap? Let’s dive right in.
How to Create a Sitemap
1. Engage Your Marketing, Tech, IT, and Legal Teams
Typically, the teams involved in structuring a website’s sitemap are the marketing team, a technical team (whether that’s a team of developers or an agency), the IT team (or whoever controls your servers), and the legal team.
The Marketing Team
This marketing department is usually responsible for defining the structure of the site. Which pages need to link to one another? Should site visitors be able to get from the “About Us” page directly to the product page, for example? Whether they define the structure using a visual site map in PowerPoint or some other tool is up to them.
The Technical Team
A team of developers will then build an sitemap.xml file based on the structure defined by the marketing team.
The IT Team
Your support team usually gets involved too, assuming you’re using your own servers or some servers that IT controls. Remember, the sitemap lives on that server — so someone has to make sure it’s on there. If you’re working for an agency, they should be able to do this for you, too.
The Legal Team
Lastly, be sure you check with your legal team to make sure everything on your website is legally sound and you don’t have any outstanding copyright restrictions that could pass through your sitemap.
2. Research Each Search Engine’s Sitemap Requirements
When you first begin planning your sitemap, think about questions like: What are your website’s goals? Who’s your target audience, and what do they want to see?
You’ll also want to keep in mind each search engine’s requirements. The last thing you want to do is break the path of a visitor getting from a search engine to your website. Google’s, Bing’s, Yahoo!’s, and others’ requirements are fairly similar, but you’ll want to make sure you’re not breaking any specific requirements for any of them. This is especially true if you see a lot of your traffic is coming from a specific search engine.
To make sure you’re not breaking any rules, check out:
Google’s sitemap requirements.
Bing and Yahoo!’s sitemap requirements.
3. Define the Top-Level Navigation Structure
What do you want your homepage to link to? This will provide the foundation for your site’s structure, and will allow your site to grow.
The structure of your website plays a big role in your site’s SEO, so it’s important to plan your top-level navigation structure carefully. Specifically, pay attention to your website’s depth. The further away a page is from the original homepage URL of your site, the worse it is for that page’s SEO.
In other words, a shallow website (one that requires three or fewer clicks to reach each page) is much better for SEO than a deep website, according to Search Engine Journal.
What are best practices for top-level navigation, you might be asking? Unfortunately, it’s hard to give general advice here as best practices can vary significantly by industry, company type, and so on. For inspiration from companies similar to yours, then take a look at Crayon: It has a huge library of real marketing designs you can filter by industry, traffic level, device, and so on. Check out high-traffic homepages in your industry to get a sense of their structure and get some ideas for yours.
4. Define the Second- and Third-Level Content
This is where creating visual sitemaps can come in handy. Once you’ve defined your homepage’s navigation structure, you’ll want to brainstorm and map out the pages that are two or three levels deeper into your website. This might be your “About Us” page, your team management page, your hiring page, your blog, and so on.
Depending on the complexity of your website, you may only need two levels, or you may need up to four. And as you think out the deeper parts of your website, you may find you need to tweak the top-level navigation — that’s okay.
5. Write the XML Sitemap and Submit it to Search Engines
Once you’ve planned out how your website will be organized, it’s time for the technical team to create the XML sitemap, put it on your web server, and submit it to each individual search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and so on).
When you first publish your website, and each time you go through a significant site redesign, someone on your team will have to submit the sitemap to each search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo!, etc.) so that those search engines will be able to tell your homepage from your “About Us” page from your team management page.
Unless you’re using a platform that automatically updates your sitemap, you’ll need to update the sitemap yourself and resubmit any time you make a significant changes to your website.
(HubSpot customers: HubSpot will automatically generate your sitemap.xml file when you publish new pages and make changes to your site. But remember, you’ll still either have to rely on search engines to pick up new pages organically. That means if you’ve made a really significant change to your site’s structure, you might want to manually submit it.)
Best XML Sitemap Generators
Screaming Frog
XML-Sitemaps
Slickplan
InSpyder
Sitemap Writer Pro
DYNO Mapper
Rage Google Sitemap Automator
WriteMaps
PowerMapper
We recommend using a sitemap generator to build your XML sitemap. While the folks at Google no longer maintain their own sitemap generator, there are now plenty of free and downloadable tools you can use to create your own.
To make your choice of sitemap generator easier, here are nine of the best sitemap generators available today.
1. Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog is a web crawler that allows you to assess your website’s on-page SEO. Naturally, the company also offers a tool to develop your own XML sitemap and strengthen your website’s on-page SEO in the process.
To use Screaming Frog’s sitemap generator, you’ll first download the company’s SEO web crawler (also known as a “spider”), which is free for crawling your first 500 URLs. Once your website is crawled, you can create an XML sitemap from it including every webpage that scores a “200” in the initial crawl. This ensures only your strongest pages are included in your new XML sitemap.
2. XML-Sitemaps
XML-Sitemaps requires no registration or initial download to create a sitemap for your website. Like Screaming Frog, which is explained above, this tool is free to websites that carry up to 500 URLs. Once your sitemap has been created, you can either download it as an XML file or receive it via email if you need to transport it to a new computer or coworker.
The paid version of XML-Sitemaps allows you to crawl up to 1.5 million pages (instead of 500), create other forms of XML sitemaps — such as news, video, and image sitemaps — and submit your sitemap directly to a search engine from the sitemap generator.
3. Slickplan
Price: Free trial, plans start at $8.99/mo
Slickplan offers a suite of content planning products that are ideal for freelancers, agencies, and small businesses. One of these products is an XML sitemap builder. This tool helps you build a visual sitemap first so you can determine how your website will be organized, then export your visual sitemap as an XML file.
4. InSpyder
Price: Free trial, $39.95 for full version
InSpyder is a fully downloadable sitemap builder that allows you to crawl an unlimited amount of URLs and synthesize them all in an XML sitemap for you.
The tool, which is free to try, is compatible with Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and Ask.com, so you can quickly submit your XML sitemap in the format the biggest search engines expect to see it. You can also schedule sitemap updates at regular intervals if you know you’ll make frequent changes to your website. A blog that regularly publishes new articles (with new URLs) is one example of a website that would benefit from a new sitemap every so often.
5. Sitemap Writer Pro
Sitemap Writer Pro is a fast and simple XML sitemap creator, compatible with seven types of sitemaps depending on the type of content you want search engines to index. The tool can crawl millions of webpages and automatically produce a sitemap file that is ready to be imported into your content management system (CMS).
Sitemap Writer Pro is free to try for crawling up to 10 webpages, and requires a Windows operating system to run.
6. DYNO Mapper
Price: Free trial, $40/mo billed yearly
DYNO Mapper is similar to Slickplan in that it is a visual sitemap builder. Start by outlining your website and its URLs in one of four visual formats, then edit the placement and hierarchy of each webpage included in your sitemap and export your sitemap file so you can easily share it with your colleagues.
DYNO Mapper comes with Google Analytics built in, so you can accurately identify your highest-performing webpages and where they should be placed on your sitemap. This integration also comes in handy when updating your sitemap, in which case you can simply import your sitemap’s XML file and revisit its visual model for quick adjustments.
7. Rage Google Sitemap Automator
Rage Google Sitemap Automator is both an SEO auditor and XML sitemap builder. The tool allows you to quickly optimize your website’s on-page SEO so it’s easily crawled by Google, then create a sitemap that’s downloadable to an XML file in a matter of minutes.
This sitemap generator also lets you create your own “filters” for assigning various attributes to the webpages included in your sitemap — making it particularly useful for big websites that have many URLs serving diverse purposes.
8. WriteMaps
Price: Free for 3 small sitemaps
WriteMaps is a visual website planner, helping you create a color-coded flowchart that outlines the content of every URL nested within your website. Once your website — and its webpages — are written and sorted exactly the way you want them, you can export your sitemap as a PDF or as an XML file for submitting to search engines.
WriteMaps’ interface is perfect for team-wide collaboration, making this tool especially useful for companies that are in the process of building a website from scratch.
9. PowerMapper
Price: Free Trial, $149 for standard version
PowerMapper is touted as a “one-click” sitemap maker, used by several major organizations to create sitemaps for their websites in a number of potential mapping styles. The tool uses its own web browser, where you can navigate to your website and click “Map” to create a sitemap from every webpage currently live on that website.
For more options of XML sitemap generators, check out this archive of suggestions by Google. Not all of the links on Google’s list are still active services, but you’ll still find tools that are designed with Google’s website ranking algorithm in mind.
Once you’ve selected a sitemap generator, and created your sitemap in XML form, you’ll need to add it to your website’s source code and submit this sitemap to each search engine on which you want your website to be indexed.
Below are step-by-step instructions for submitting a sitemap to Google, and then to Bing and Yahoo!.
How to Submit Your Sitemap to Google
Sign in to Google Webmaster Tools.
Click “Add a Property.”
Enter the URL for your company and click “Continue.”
Click “Crawl” on the lefthand sidebar and choose “Sitemaps.”
Click “Add/Test Sitemap.”
Enter “sitemap.xml” after your website’s domain name.
Click “Submit Sitemap.”
1. Sign in to Google Webmaster Tools.
Google Webmaster Tools will be your dashboard for testing and submitting updated sitemaps to Google, so you can ensure Google is always aware of the latest pages published to your site.
For this step, you’ll first need to register your website with Google. Click the link at the beginning of this paragraph to get started.
2. Click “Add a Property.”
Once you’ve logged in to Google Webmaster Tools, click “Add a Property,” the square red button on the top righthand corner of your screen.
3. Enter the URL for your company and click “Continue.”
Type in the website whose sitemap you want to submit, exactly as it appears in your address bar. This website should just be the domain name — the parent URL to which all of your other webpages belong.
4. Click “Crawl” on the left-hand side of the page, and choose “Sitemaps.”
Once you add your website property, you’ll see a sidebar of options to the left. Click “Crawl” to reveal a dropdown of options and select “Sitemaps.”
5. Click “Add/Test Sitemap.”
To the right of your screen, you’ll see another red button for adding a new sitemap. Click it. If you already have a sitemap submitted, this button will simply say “Test,” allowing you to verify that Google has crawled your current sitemap.
6. Enter “sitemap.xml” after your website’s domain name.
Adding a new sitemap requires you to add a string of text to the end of your website’s domain. Think of it like a tracking tag, allowing Google to examine all the activity that takes place inside your website.
This sitemap tag is “sitemap.xml,” and you’ll want to add it to the end of your domain name. For example, if your domain is www.yourcompany.com, you’ll tag it like this: www.yourcompany.com/sitemap.xml
7. Click “Submit Sitemap.”
Submit your sitemap and you’re all set. Depending on how much page authority you have already accumulated on Google, it might take some time to see the status of your submitted sitemap. Give it time — Google will eventually accept it.
For more information on the sitemap submission process, click here.
How to Submit a Sitemap to Bing or Yahoo!
Sign in to Bing Webmaster Tools.
On the My Sites page, enter the URL for your company (e.g. https://ift.tt/pjifv8). Click “Add.”
In the “Add a sitemap” field, enter http://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. (Replace “yourdomain” with your company’s URL.)
Complete the rest of the required fields on the page, and click “Save.”
(For more details, click here.)
What If I Want to Add Webpages Later?
Once you define and submit your sitemap the first time, chances are you’ll want to tweak and add pages to your website every so often — and that’s completely fine. But keep in mind that if your website isn’t built on a platform that automatically generates a new sitemap and updates it on your web server when new pages are added, then every time you add a page — any page — to your website, that page will be missing from the sitemap that search engines see.
Remember, Google and other search engines will pick up the sitemap organically as long as you’ve updated the sitemap.xml file on your web server. But if you want to try to index your content the fastest way possible, you could resubmit your sitemap after publishing a new page — and it’s possible that Google would pick it up more quickly.
Once you’ve created and submitted your XML sitemap to search engines, you can start working on other fun stuff like your website’s design.
Having an up-to-date sitemap is just one marker of a high-performing website. To see what else you should optimize for your site, run a free Website Grader report.
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Crowdfunding Sites
Crowdfunding Classes and Books
Online Crowdfunding Courses and Classes
Working the Crowd: Know the Fundamentals Rose Spinelli $49 This course will teach you how to bring your idea, project or product to life by harnessing the power of crowdfunding.
Secrets to a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign William Santos-Powell $149 A-Z guide to creating a successful crowd funding campaign and take over your market with proof of concept!
The $400k Crowdfunding Launch Formula Eli Regalado $999 Learn how I raised over $400k (now over $500k as of 3/15/14) using online marketing hacks for crowdfunding raises.
Crowdfund with Ease Patty Lennon $997 When a huge chunk of cash was standing in the way of me creating a conference that would teach hundreds of women how to launch and grow a profitable business I turned to crowdfunding and figured out exactly how to launch and run a campaign that generates oodles of cash quickly and with ease and I’m ready to share with you exactly how you can do it to!
Create a Brilliant Crowdfunding Campaign & Get it Funded! Kimberlee Hayward $295 When all coursework is complete your campaign is ready to launchand so is your brilliant campaign marketing plan!
Successful Crowdfunding: How to Win Backers And Raise Funds CrowdFunding Bank Free An in-depth conversation around crowdfunding, what works and what not when it comes to sourcing money from the crowd.
School of Raising Capital: Use Crowdfunding to Raise Money INVESTyR DealTeam Free Learn how to use rewards-based crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo with the help of crowdfunding experts
Crowdfundamentals Kevin Lewis $25 Learn how to run a successful Crowdfunding campaign using proven techniques and principles!
Hack Kickstarter – 6 Experts Reveal How They Crowdfunded $1m Tom Eilon $45 6 experts reveal their campaign planning and marketing hacks that helped them raise 2-20 times their crowdfunding target
How to Crowd Fund a Million Dollars Lili Balfour $97 Learn how to make money online with crowdfunding, using techniques that have yielded millions of dollars in 30 days.
Crowdfunding eBooks
7 Secrets to the Crowdfunding Game Nathan Reid and Jodie Bentley $199 In our book, we’ll go over step by step on how to create a successful crowd funding campaign on any platform. With our mathematical and creative steps and ideas to WIN at the current wave of crowdfunding projects, you WILL hit your goal.
Documentary Fundraising Guide Faith Fuller $24.95 You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of how to engage supporters online through crowd-funding campaigns, win big-time grant funding, find wealthy donors and turn a chance meeting with a stranger into a donation.
Get Funded Nicole Delger $13.62 Get Funded is A kick-ass plan for running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Get Funded not only tells you what to do, it shows you how to do it.
The Crowdfunding Book: A How-to Book for Entrepreneurs, Writers, and Inventors Patty Lennon $12.96 In this easy-to-use guide, you’ll learn: • Learn how to structure your campaign for maximum funding with the least amount of your time and energy • Become a magnet to potential funders so they are finding you before you have to go out and find them • Access the insiders secrets that helped author, Patty Lennon reach her goal in 14 days and be featured by Indiegogo! • Springboard your campaign into social media buzz to create an eager following of campaign evangelists
Cash from the Crowd Sally Outlaw $9.99 Although crowdfunding has the potential to be an amazing boost to entrepreneurs, only 40% of projects succeed in reaching their funding goal. Crowdfunding platform founder Sally Outlaw reveals how entrepreneurs can shift these odds in their favor.
How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro Steve Stockman $9 How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck is a quick and easy guide that will make your video better instantly– whether you read it cover to cover or just skim a few chapters. It’s about the language of video. How to think like a director, regardless of equipment. It’s about the rules developed over a century of movie-making–which work just as well when shooting a two-year-old’s birthday party.
Indiegogo Field Guide Indiegogo Free We put together this manual from collecting years of data, speaking with dozens of campaigners, and tapping into our team’s crowdfunding know-how in order to empower our campaigners to make the most of their crowdfunding experiences and help them reach their goals.
For Crowdfunding Websites
Platform FAQ
Start Your Own Crowdfunding Site
Copyright © 2014 CrowdsUnite® Inc. All rights reserved.
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Alphabeat
This Is Alphabeat
Label: The Famous Charisma Label Release Date: 02/06/2008
by Tom Edwards June 10th, 2008
Back in September last year, the office I work in was sent the CD of an up-and-coming Danish indie pop act, looking to play a handful of low-key showcase gigs. The band had just scored a hit their home country and EMI had picked them up for the rest of Europe, where they were to be launched the following spring.
That album, Alphabeat, was somewhat of a revelation: like an update of early ‘90s chart-bothering Swedes, Ace Of Base, only with a virtually unprecedented level of quality control for a modern pop record. Incredibly infectious, yet recorded with a palatable full-band line-up, you could imagine eight out of ten of those tracks breaking into the Top Ten come Christmas time, with only the most indier-than-thou begrudging them their success. (If you don’t like this band, you do not like pop music. Simple as.)
Fast forward a few months and Alphabeat have, as was entirely inevitable, become a sensation and are just about to release their album, This Is Alphabeat, to undoubtedly huge success. But, hang on a moment! This isn’t quite the album I fell in love with nine months ago. This Is… has been tinkered with; the tracklisting has been reconfigured; some have been re-recorded; some songs have actually been replaced altogether!
For the first three tracks that remain untouched from the original, everything seems fine and dandy. Three straight-up classics, two of which (‘Fascination’ and ‘Ten Thousand Nights’) you’ll know from off the radio by now, plus opener ‘Fantastic 6’ which comes over like a lost, delirious Thunderbirds theme song – a faultless call to arms. It’s not until ‘Boyfriend’ kicks in that cracks begin to appear in the flawless façade. Previously a rapturous girl-boy stand-off of a song that matched up to anything from Grease, this re-recorded version inexplicably ditches the main keyboard riff and piles on the cheesy synths, coming over more S Club 7 than Olivia and John.
From that point on everything becomes rather hit or miss. Slowy ‘What Is Happening?’ _, with its _‘Lust For Life’-cribbing middle eight, remains awesome, despite the ugly string sections that have been unnecessarily pasted over the top, whilst an enthusiastic cover version of ‘Public Image’ is an inspired choice. The new inclusions, ‘Go Go’ and ‘Touching Me Touching You’, have novelty written all over them and take the place of the far superior ‘Into The Jungle’, one of their edgiest and best songs.
In the end, what was once an exceptional record is now merely a rather good one. That’s a real shame, but it can’t entirely derail Alphabeat and their purist pop vision.
Tom Edwards's Score
The Heart Strings
Try Fly Blue Sky
Here It Never Snowed..
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'The Highest Attendance Ever for February', New Record in S.Korean CinemaWith the huge success of 'Extreme Job'
Editor : Chaeweon Lee
[MHN] South Korean Cinema records the highest attendance ever for Feburary.
The number of admissions in local theaters was up 43.2 percent to 22.28 million last month, with sales jumping 50.3 percent to 190 billion won (US$167.87 million), according to the monthly report by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
This new record is boosted by the huge success of the local cop comedy 'Extreme Job,' which is now the second most-viewed film of all time in the country.
KOFIC attributed the bullish sales to the presence of the box-office sensation 'Extreme Job,' seen by more than 10 million people last month alone. It is selling more than 16.25 million tickets as of Monday.
"'Extreme Job' has benefited from the weak performance of big-budget films released before and after the Christmas holiday in December," the report said. "It brought to theaters many viewers who had postponed their visits to theaters with no good titles to watch in the winter season and then took control of the Lunar New Year's Day peak season."
Various other Korean films also fared well at the box office. 'Innocent Witness' and 'A Resistance' are following hard on the heels of 'Extreme Job.'
Korean films, accordingly, attracted 17.23 million admissions last month, 2.5 times more than a year ago, with ticket sales increasing 2.6 times to 146.3 billion won.
On the contrary, non-Korean titles saw 41 percent and 37 percent fewer admissions and sales, with the manga-inspired American action epic "Alita: Battle Angel" being the only film to hit the box office.
Editor. Chaeweon Lee
press@mhns.co.kr
Chaeweon Lee의 다른기사 보기
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Posted on10 February, 2019 | 00:38
Breaking: 3 Killed as Ethiopian Army Chopper Crashes in South Sudan
An Ethiopian military helicopter registration Number UNO 379P with 23 passengers on board has crashed today Saturday at around 1310H inside the compound of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in South Sudan, killing three of its crew members.
United Nations said in a statement that the MI-8 helicopter was on “routine operation carrying Ethiopian troops on rotation from Kadugli to Abyei when it crashed.”
Ten passengers were injured with three in critical condition.
The three who are in critical condition have been conveyed to Kadugli en route to Addis Ababa while those not in critical condition are being stabilized at the UNISFA Level II hospital in Abyei.
The immediate cause of the crash is not yet known.
UNISFA’s acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu said, “We are investigating the incident.”
He added: “We are deeply saddened by what happened this afternoon. We are extending our condolences to the families of those who died in the crash.”
General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu commended UNISFA personnel who responded promptly to the crash by assisting to evacuate passengers from the helicopter, stressing that the casualty figures could have been much higher.
“This show of solidarity reflects the spirit of peacekeeping and must be applauded”, General Woldezgu said.
The helicopter flew from Kadugli for the Mission’s regular troop rotation.
UNISFA’s sole troop contributing country Ethiopia is currently rotating its soldiers from Kadugli to different sites in the Abyei area.
Ethiopia has around 4,500 personnel on the ground to support UNISFA’s efforts of ensuring peace and security in Abyei.
Chief editor enmuhabura.rw
Chinese are like Cockroaches – Zambia’s ...
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CLOTH SINK
CONTAINER BY
HANGING SINK
PHILOSOPHY & BRUNCH
SEA SALT HARVEST
SHOU SUGI BAN GARDEN
I'VE GOT WORMS
NOT BROKEN YET
PHILOSOPHY AND BRUNCH
UTOPIA WALKS AWAY
CONTAINER BY (CONTAINER CITY)
NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
OCTOBER 2014 - SEPTEMBER 2015
On a strip of land just below a railway track, in the shadows of an office building and apartment block, a group of artists and architects were given the opportunity to curate a semi off-grid experimental architecture project. The project was initiated by artist Benny Henningsen of Bureau Detours.
Using a shipping container and wood from a local saw mill, a central structure was fabricated. On the ground floor, a kitchen and rocket stove were installed in the shipping container and a greenhouse/livingroom built alongside. Upstairs, a small wooden artist atelier was built with a porch extension. Metal sheeting was affixed to the roof and angled to drain rainwater into catchment tanks.
Behind the house on the back half of the land, a garden was created, planter beds filled with soil, and a chicken coop erected. More shipping containers were delivered to the front section of the land for various activities, including a tattoo studio, a bicycle workshop, a pirate radio station, a tool library and an animation studio.
The vision of the land project lies between a private and public space, somewhere people can come if the gates are open, but where those with workshops can focus when the gates are closed.
Soon after the completion of the central ‘house’ structure, Katherine Ball started a year long residency in the upstairs artist atelier. Thom O’Sullivan joined a short while after. Their residency focused on establishing some basic infrastructures at Container By.
Existing in the space was a project in itself. There was no running water on site, and so the most basic of tasks such as washing dishes or hands, became a major focus. Chopping wood and tending the fire became a daily ritual, as the rocket stove was the only source of central heating. Essentially the residency at Container By became an exploration of experimental living, and gave birth to many future ideas, schemes and projects.
As an initial infrastructure system, alternative plumbing was installed, where the waste water from the kitchen sink would run off into a fig tree surrounded by a mulch basin filter. Further collaborative infrastructure installations included a recycling system, an outdoor cloth sink and an indoor hanging sink. A dishwashing system was created to reduced water use and repurpose it, and there were a variety of small scale additions to make the site more habitable. Several public workshops and gatherings were facilitated on the land, including a pizza cooking event, a manoeuvrable chicken run workshop, and a garden tour during a city-wide urban garden festival.
Residency hosted by Bureau Detours.
Mulch basin filter built with the help of Margarita Torrijos Krag and Benny Henningsen.
Humanure compost unit built with the help of Benny Henningsen and Esben Hectafjaes.
Indoor greenhouse permaculture design by Margarita Torrijos Krag and Kristian Byskov.
House design and construction by Benny Henningsen, Bureau Detours, Vladas Suncovas, and many others.
Wagon Theatre designed and built by Bodil Krogh.
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Apple's U2 Removal Tool, Jack White's Foo Fighters Controversy and Gwar's Vulvatron in Our News Roundup
By Brock Thiessen
Once again it's that time where we take a breather and look back at the top stories of the last week. If you fear something passed you by, here's your chance to catch up.
First off, there was more than a little drama this week in the news. Not only did Robin Thicke dig himself ever deeper in the "Blurred Lines" lawsuit, but Jack White took a lot of heat over some comments directed at the Foo Fighters and Rolling Stone. Also, following a whole lot of backlash, Apple released a tool to remove that perhaps unwanted U2 album from your iTunes, drummer Kurt Dahle left the New Pornographers, Guided By Voices broke up yet again, and we found out Jay Z is getting sued over the word "oh."
In other news, Gwar got a new frontwoman, Perfect Pussy's Meredith Graves sounded off on sexism, celebrity and Andrew W.K. in a new essay, soundtrack labels Mondo and Death Waltz merged, and Lil B gave us the Basedmoji app.
Finally, Stars and Hey Rosetta! are teaming up for a Canadian tour, Mother Mother announced all the details of their new album and their upcoming Canadian tour, and we learned how to make a Slayer pizza.
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Scofield as the focal point of a network of irrigation pipes. The system was unused, however, because the bond issue was declared illegal.
The post office closed in Homes, buildings were destroyed or abandoned. The local school Housewives looking real sex Gorman California 93243 was Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga with the Etiwanda district in In the settlement was practically deserted, but there were still rabbit-proof stone walls marking boundaries of previous citrus orchards. The population density was 4, The racial makeup of Rancho Cucamonga was There were 57, residents of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race The census reported thatpeople Out of a total Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga 54, households, 23, The average household size was 2.
Over the 41, families The age distribution of the city was as follows: The median age was For every females, there were cucamomga For every females age 18 and over, there were There were 56, housing units at an average density of 1, The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.
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As of the censusthere werepeople, 40, households, and 31, families residing in the city. The population density was 1, There were 42, housing units at an average density of The racial makeup Pd the city was Hispanic or Latino of any race were There are 40, households, of which The average household size was 3.
In the city, the population spread is as follows: The median age is cucaminga years. InMoney magazine ranked the city 42nd on its "Best Places to Live" list.
Rancho Cucamonga, California - Wikipedia
While most of the city's land area fP devoted to residential areas, Rancho Cucamonga, like its neighbors Ontario and Fontanais a major center for the logistics industry in Southern California. This is due to its proximity to two interstate highways and Ontario International Airportand the space afforded by the large tracts un former agricultural land in the southern section of the city. In the area around Milliken Avenue, between Archibald and Etiwanda Avenues, Foothill Boulevard, and Fourth Street, about seven square miles of land are primarily occupied by numerous massive distribution centers, and even more, Black hair girls sex Idaho Falls Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga companies.
This area is ringed by womsn Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga, mostly along Haven Avenue, and shopping strips, such as the Terra Vista Town Center part of a nearly two-square-mile master-planned community in the center of the cityand malls, such as Victoria Gardensand the Ontario Millsacross Fourth Street in Girls Bromide sex.
This mill recycles ferrous scrap, such as junked cars and appliances, to produce rebar. The Quakes' mascot, Tremor, is a "Rallysaurus.
Victoria Gardens is a lifestyle center near the eastern end of the city, at the intersection of Foothill and Day Creek Boulevards. Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga the city had never developed a traditional commercial downtown like neighboring cities Ontario and Upland had, efforts were made in the design of Victoria Gardens to bring elements of more traditional and urban town design to what cucampnga historically been a suburban city.
Get office catering delivered by P.F. Chang's in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Check out the menu, reviews, and on-time delivery ratings. Free online ordering from ezCater. P.F. Chang's, Rancho Cucamonga. K likes. Dim Sum Restaurant. Recommended by people · People talk about "shrimp tempura roll", "asian pear mojito" and "shrimp fried rice"/5(). Rancho Cucamonga's best % FREE online dating site. Meet loads of available single women in Rancho Cucamonga with Mingle2's Rancho Cucamonga dating services! Find a girlfriend or lover in Rancho Cucamonga, or just have fun flirting online with Rancho Cucamonga single girls. Mingle2 is full of hot Rancho Cucamonga girls waiting to hear from you.
While retaining many characteristics of traditional shopping mallssuch as large anchor stores, a food court, and vast parking lots and garages, the smaller stores are arranged as city blocks in a grid of two-lane streets, featuring lush landscaping and metered "teaser parking" in front of the stores, which open onto the sidewalk. There are two " Main Streets Ranho, which run from west to east across the center. Running from north to south between them is a pedestrian axis leading from one of the Macy's anchor Quickie backdoor for compensation, through a "town square" between a pair of mixed-use Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga buildings, to the Victoria Gardens Cultural Centerwhich contains the Lewis Playhouse a seat theater and a branch of the city library.
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Friday'sand Yard House. The center features a 12 screen AMC Theatre. According to the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the principal employers in the city are: The four-member Council, plus the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Treasurer, are all elected at-large by the voters of the city.
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Cucampnga Council then appoints the City Manager, who acts as the administrative head of the city government, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, code enforcement, and the fiscal soundness of the municipal government.
The council itself serves as a local legislative body.
The block of San Carmela Court in Rancho Cucamonga, where a year- old woman was shot during a home invasion, is seen in a. A year-old woman and a 4-year-old boy died in an apparent At a.m., deputies responded to the Avana Apartments in the block of Arrow Rancho Cucamonga man is arrested on child pornography charge. A woman is hospitalized in critical condition after her ex-husband stabbed Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of attempted murder.
Dennis Michael has been the city's mayor since womann, with John Gillison as the city manager. Since incorporation inlaw enforcement services in Rancho Cucamonga City have been provided through a contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
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The Civic Center houses the Rancho Cucamonga city hall, the city police department, and other local government offices. Rancho Cucamonga has multiple public K—12 schools, operating under several different school districts, within its borders: Private schools include Upland Christian Academy.
The city of Rancho Cucamonga has two public libraries, with a combined total of overvolumes. The library at Archibald Avenue opened in and was remodeled in Wives wants sex Nesconset summer of Rancho Cucamonga's location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains has necessitated the use of numerous control channels and basins to reduce the seasonal flood danger from the several Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga descending from the range.
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In past years, some of the city's roads were known for flooding. Hermosa Avenue, in particular, now features many high curbs and extra-large storm drain grates to reduce flooding.
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Rancho Cucamonga is served by Omnitrans bus service, train service from Metrolink 's Rancho Cucamonga station on the San Bernardino Lineand Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga Ontario International Airportone of four major Los Angeles-area passenger airports with multiple daily flights by most domestic carriers as well as a major shipping hub for companies like UPS and FedEx.
Route 66 as Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga Boulevard. I sits atop an elevated bermand cuts a curve through the southeastern part of the city, isolating a mostly industrial area, a small shopping center, and several housing tracts from the larger part of the city.
Further north, Looking for my bbc friend forms part of the northeastern border with neighboring Fontana before entering the Cajon Pass through the San Gabriel Mountains. SR runs nearly straight east—west through the northern part of the city, roughly bisecting the residential communities of Alta Loma and Etiwanda, providing connection in addition to I and SR from the San Gabriel Valley and points west to the San Bernardino area.
The city's water supply and sewage are managed by the Cucamonga Valley Water District.
This facility, one of five Reliant stations in California, is a natural gas-fired power plant, which began operation in It utilizes four steam turbine generators; of which units three and four are currently active.
Steam turbines one and two, as well as Pff combustion turbine, were retired in andrespectively. The name "Cucamonga" became well known to fans of Jack Benny's popular radio program, in which an announcer, voiced by Mel Blancwould call out: In the s, Sesame Street often referenced Cucamonga, including Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga neologism "Cucamongaphobia".
Bugs Bunny cartoons feature numerous references to Cucamonga.
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In Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga On the BunnyCucamonga is one of the stickers on the boat at Pv end of the cartoon that Bugs is riding in. Rancho Cucamonga has been featured on the Comedy Central hit show Workaholics where it was nicknamed "Hollywood East". The main characters are said to live in the heart of Rancho Cucamonga. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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For the historic Mexican rancho ofsee Rancho Cucamonga. Pf woman in a Rancho cucamonga the former Native American settlement, see Cucamonga former settlementCalifornia. City in California, United States. This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. November Learn how and when to RRancho this template message. Archived from the original Word on November 3, Retrieved August 25,
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