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The acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet is set to perform Swan Lake at London Coliseum for a limited number of shows from 22 August – 2 September.
Before the ballerinas descend on the stage, the swans have flocked to the streets of London capturing photos with the iconic sights of the capital with photographer Alastair Muir.
St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s ‘Swan Lake’ Corps De Ballet On The Rooftop of The Trafalgar St. James with Martinis. Photo Credit Alastair Muir
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米Microsoftは12月19日（現地時間）、「Internet Explorer」の脆弱性（CVE-2018-8653）を修正するセキュリティ更新プログラムを定例外でリリースした。標的型攻撃に悪用されているという報告がGoogleから寄せられたという。
脆弱性の内容は、「Internet Explorer」のスクリプトエンジンがオブジェクトを処理する方法に欠陥があり、メモリが破損するというもの。最悪の場合、「Internet Explorer」を実行しているユーザーコンテキストで任意のコードを実行されてしまう可能性がある。脆弱性の深刻度はクライアントOSで“緊急”、サーバーOSの場合は制限モードで動作しているため“中”と評価されている。
この問題へ対策するには、“Windows Update”などからセキュリティ更新プログラムを入手して適用すればよい。それが難しい場合は、コマンドで「JScript.dll」へのアクセスを制限する方法が回避策として案内されている。
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[Intestine dysbacteriosis meaning in pathogenesis of chronic diarrhea of celiac disease and syndrome of the short small intestine].
To study the mechanisms of chronic diarrhea in patients with celiac disease and the syndrome of short small intestine. The study included 24 patients: 9 with celiac disease with malabsorption syndrome of II and III degree, 15 patients with the syndrome of short small intestine and 9 healthy volunteers. Study of microflora in the small and large intestine was performed by seeding serial dilutions of the contents of upper small intestine and feces, followed by qualitative and quantitative view of selected microorganisms. Value of free and conjugated bile acids were determined by electrophoresis followed by densitometry. 2/3 of the examined patients revealed bacterial colonization of the small intestine. Were inoculated staphylococci, E. coli, enterococci. Was found a significant change in the ratio of bile acids: a significant increase in free, damaging the mucous, and a decrease in conjugated involved in the digestion of lipids. Unabsorbed lipids were one of the causes of diarrhea in the examined groups of patients. Sequential antibiotic drugs and probiotic promoted the normalization of the stool, microflora of the small and large intestine.
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FC Dallas ease past Whitecaps
Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - FC Dallas's run of excellent form continued on
Saturday as the club posted a comfortable 2-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps
at FC Dallas Stadium.
The result hands Dallas a fifth win in its last six matches and improves its league-best record to an impressive 6-1-1 for 19 points from eight matches.
The hosts struck first with a bit of good luck in the 29th minute when Zach
Loyd whipped a corner kick into the penalty area and the ball hit off the back
of Vancouver defender Brad Rusin and trickled across the goal line to give
Dallas the early advantage.
Vancouver had a few chances in the first half but wasn't able to find the
back of the net and went into the halftime interval down a goal.
Dallas added a second goal just five minutes after the break, again with a bit
of good fortune as Kenny Cooper broke into the attacking third down the right
flank and ripped a shot on goal. The ball struck the knee of a Whitecaps
defender and fell right to the head of Blas Perez, who easily nodded it past
Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon for the two-goal margin and his third tally of
the young season.
The Whitecaps brought on dynamic striker Darren Mattocks in the 58th minute
looking for an offensive spark, but weren't able to create much as the club's
winless streak reached five consecutive matches after winning their first two.
The result leaves the Whitecaps (2-3-2) with eight points from seven matches.
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This WordPress.com site is the bee's knees
Menu
Weather outlook for this week February 25, 2013
Hello everyone. I know it has been roughly a month since my last post, due to coursework and other commitments. I apologize for the delay. However, I am back and this next post includes a very interesting topic for us here in south Florida. Next week’s weather will be quite interesting and the pattern will possibly trickle into the following week.
As we approach the end of the winter season, we are in the midst of what is one of the warmest winters on record for a majority of the region. Steering currents have favored a persistent southeast wind flow which has helped to keep cold fronts at bay. Astronomically speaking, the winter season for the northern hemisphere ends on March 20th, and we usually get one last strong front around this time or slightly before it. That case seems to be increasingly likely, for a late season strong cold front is looming in the forecast.
SHORT TERM:
Before we take a look at the pending cold front, we will have to deal with increasing instability in the upper levels of the atmosphere. In other words, returning to what Florida knows best to make in the summer months: Thunderstorms.
This is the Mean Sea Level (MSL) model map, which shows the average pressure of the surrounding airmasses. This model is also a good indication of precipitation and detecting low and mid-latitude cyclones (seen in the green/mustard yellow blob east of the Carolinas). The top image is the MSL from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model, while the bottom image is the MSL from the Global Forecasting System (GFS) model, both taken at 72 and 66 hours from the most recent run, respectively. Both models indicate a shortwave trough moving across the east coast and is expected to stall just to the southeast of us. This should create enough instability to generate showers and thunderstorms. Increasing chances for rain are expected to start Tuesday morning, with the best chance for any activity coming on Wednesday evening/Thursday morning.
LONG TERM:
This is where the weather patterns will become real interesting and bears close monitoring. All signs point to a late season cold front pushing through the area. However, both of the models differ significantly in the evolution and movement of the mid-latitude cyclone set to form over the Midwest states.
This is the GFS model measured at the 850 mb level (about 5,000 feet above the surface). These images span from 117 hours to 192 hours from the most recent full run. The GFS is leaning to a more aggressive frontal system that will send colder air deep to the south, with near freezing (aqua colored or darker) approaching much of the area. This translates into potential 30s and 40s for inland areas, and low 50s along immediate coastal areas. With the GFS, it is expected to last for more than 3 days, possibly more than 5 days at the current predictions.
This is the ECMWF prediction of the 850 mb temperatures. Due to the lack of data that was available, the two images span a time frame of 114-135 hours from the most recent full run. What separates this from the GFS is how deep the trough extends into S. FLA. With this model run, the ECMWF keeps the coldest of the air just to the north of S. FLA, sending cool, but nowhere near as much cool air as the GFS predicts. To translate this map, most inland areas would level out in the 40s, with mid-upper 50s across most of the coastal areas.
There is a similarity between both models. If you notice the arrows on the map, those are wind vectors that estimate potential wind speeds at the 850 mb level. Winds may increase noticeably out of the northwest as the front passes, and this is the tell-tale sign of how long the cool airmass will last.
SUMMARY:
In short, the information that is known so far is limited, but what can be said is a shot of cooler and drier air is increasingly likely to start off March. The last significant March cold front dates back all the way to the 1993 Superstorm of March 12-14. Going with the ECMWF would indicate more moderate temperatures; going with the GFS would spell sharply cooler air and potential record low temperatures in isolated areas for given days in March.
I will be posting a blog later this week with an update to the situation.
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TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-04-00721-CR
Henry Gauna, Appellant
v.
The State of Texas, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 299TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. 3040205, HONORABLE JON N. WISSER, JUDGE PRESIDING
M E M O R A N D U M O P I N I O N
A jury convicted Henry Gauna of aggravated sexual assault of a child. See Tex. Penal
Code Ann. § 22.021(a)(1)(B), (a)(2)(B) (West Supp. 2006). Gauna elected to have punishment
assessed by the trial court, which found that Gauna had previously been convicted of indecency with
a child and sentenced him to imprisonment for life in the Institutional Division of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice. See id. § 12.42(c)(2)(A)(I), (c)(2)(B)(ii) (West Supp. 2006)
(mandating life imprisonment for defendant convicted of aggravated sexual assault with prior
conviction for indecency with child). Gauna raises ten points of error on appeal, arguing that the
evidence presented at trial is legally and factually insufficient to prove various elements of the crime
and that the trial court erred by admitting certain testimony over Gauna's objection and allowing the
seven-year-old complainant to testify by closed-circuit television. We will affirm the trial court's
judgment.
BACKGROUND
The complainant, E.J.D., was six years old at the time of the events in question and
seven years old at trial. Since she was nine months old, E.J.D. has lived with her maternal
grandmother, Antonia Davis. Samanthea Davis, E.J.D.'s mother, was fifteen years old when she
gave birth to E.J.D. and abandoned her shortly thereafter, according to Antonia. (1)
In late September 2003, Antonia's car broke down, and Samanthea began providing
transportation to get Antonia and E.J.D. to and from work and school. Samanthea would pick up
Antonia and E.J.D. in time to get Antonia to work by 6:00 a.m., bring E.J.D. back to Samanthea's
apartment, then drive E.J.D. to school; she would pick up Antonia and E.J.D. in the afternoon.
Samanthea and her two younger children shared an apartment with her sister Dorothea Contreras and
Contreras's child. Around the same time, Samanthea started dating Gauna, who began spending
much of his time at Samanthea's apartment. Gauna frequently stayed overnight at the apartment.
One morning in early October, Gauna accompanied Samanthea when she picked up
Antonia and E.J.D. A few days later, Gauna showed up alone at Antonia's house in Samanthea's
car. Gauna explained that Samanthea was asleep, so he would be transporting Antonia and E.J.D.
For about a week and a half after that, Gauna arrived alone at Antonia's house every morning around
5:30 a.m., took Antonia to work and E.J.D. to school, and picked them up in the afternoon.
On October 16, after having a heated argument with Gauna, Samanthea related some
troubling information about him to Antonia. Antonia testified that this information caused her to
question E.J.D. about whether "Henry had touched her inappropriately in areas that he was not
supposed to." Antonia continued that E.J.D. "said yes, and she pointed to her chest and to her
private part." E.J.D. was acting nervous and scared, and Antonia reassured E.J.D. that she had not
done anything wrong and that she would not get in trouble for telling Antonia what happened. E.J.D.
then described what Gauna had done:
[A]fter [Gauna] would drop [Antonia] off at work, he would drive off to a--some
parking lot with lots of trees and no lights and dark--dark place. And then he would
climb in the back seat and pull [E.J.D.'s] pants down and put his thing in her piggy
and start wiggling.
E.J.D. and others testified that E.J.D. refers to her vagina as her "piggy." Antonia asked E.J.D. how
many times Gauna had done this to her. While attempting to count on her fingers, E.J.D. first replied
that it had occurred thirteen times, then stated that Gauna did this twenty-seven times, according to
Antonia. Antonia also testified that E.J.D. related that, while most instances occurred in
Samanthea's car, it had also happened in Samanthea's bed and in the living room of
Samanthea's apartment.
After hearing these allegations, Antonia called Contreras to pick her up to take E.J.D.
to a hospital. Antonia stated that she did not call Samanthea both because she was not home and
because "Samanthea does not really concern herself about [E.J.D.]'s well-being." When she arrived,
Contreras questioned E.J.D. about what Gauna had done to her. Contreras testified that, although
E.J.D. was hesitant to talk about it, she eventually told Contreras that in the mornings after Gauna
had dropped Antonia off at work, he drove E.J.D. to a "dark place in a park-like area" and got on top
of her inside the car and kissed her. Contreras then asked E.J.D. whether Gauna ever touched her
below the waist, and she replied that he had.
Antonia and Contreras took E.J.D. to Brackenridge Hospital where she was examined
by Dr. Stan Rice, an emergency room physician, shortly after midnight on October 17. Rice testified
that E.J.D. was sleeping as he entered the room and that he had to wake her up to speak to her. Rice
stated that E.J.D. was shy and that he did not spend "enough time to develop a significant rapport"
with her. Antonia testified that E.J.D. appeared to be nervous around Rice and did not want to talk
to him, look at him, or have him touch her.
E.J.D. told Rice that something had happened to her but she was not quite sure what
it was. E.J.D. stated that Gauna laid on top of her and thrust his body back and forth. When Rice
asked E.J.D. whether Gauna's penis entered her vagina, rectum, or mouth, she replied that it had not;
however, Rice testified that E.J.D. "was not real clear on any of these details." Antonia testified that
Rice did not use words like "piggy" that were familiar to E.J.D. Rice testified that he attempted to
explain ejaculation to E.J.D. and that she stated that "she wasn't sure that [Gauna] had spilled
any liquids onto her."
Rice performed a visual examination of the exterior of E.J.D.'s genitals and found
no evidence of bruising, bleeding, or discharge from her vagina or rectum. Rice did not use any
instruments to magnify the area he examined and did not examine the inside of E.J.D.'s vagina.
Based on his conversation with E.J.D., the findings of his visual examination, and the information
related by the hospital's social worker that the most recent alleged sexual assault was at least two
days prior and that E.J.D. had bathed since then, Rice concluded that a full examination by a sexual
assault nurse examiner would not have been useful. Nevertheless, Rice decided that "calling CPS
[was] warranted." Antonia and E.J.D. met with representatives of Child Protective Services and the
Austin Police Department at the hospital.
Dr. Beth Nauert, the medical director of the Child Assessment Program, interviewed
and examined E.J.D. on November 12, 2003, at the request of the Austin Police Department. Nauert
testified,
[E.J.D.] told me she had come to see me because she was touched by, quote, Henry,
my momma's boyfriend, end quote. She stated that this would happen in the car.
She said, quote, one time he did it in the back seat and a lot of times he did it in the
front seat, end quote.
When I asked [E.J.D.] where Henry touched her, she pointed to her vaginal area.
When I asked her what he touched her with, she says, quote, two things, his hand and
his thing, end quote. When I asked her whether her clothes were on or off, she said
that her pants were off and her underwear was off and his pants were down and his
boxers were down.
[E.J.D.] said that Henry would touch her vaginal area, quote, inside, end quote.
When I asked her what he told her, she said, quote, don't tell anyone or he'd never
see anyone or my mom again, end quote.
After interviewing E.J.D., Nauert performed a physical examination. Nauert used a colposcope (2) to
examine E.J.D.'s vaginal and rectal areas. Nauert testified that E.J.D. had a normal genital
examination and a normal head-to-toe examination; Nauert found no injuries. Nauert testified that
she was not surprised by the normal examinations because only around twenty-five percent of child
victims of sexual abuse with penetration have abnormal examinations. Nauert explained that redness
and swelling may disappear within a matter of hours and that bruises and tears can
heal over a few days.
E.J.D. began treatment with Helen Williams, a licensed professional counselor, in
February 2004. Williams testified that she began treating E.J.D. for a variety of emotional and
behavioral issues, including encopresis, (3) enuresis, (4) fear of the dark, difficulty falling asleep,
aggressive behavior, hostility, and age-inappropriate behavior such as using "baby talk" and hiding
from Antonia and other caregivers. Williams stated that play therapy and art therapy were effective
for E.J.D. and that her problem behaviors and overall demeanor improved as she continued attending
counseling sessions with Williams. Around July 2004, Antonia was notified that Gauna's trial was
approaching; she asked Williams to talk to E.J.D. about testifying against Gauna in court. Williams
testified that E.J.D.'s problem behaviors reappeared at that time: her encopresis and enuresis became
major problems again, she started using "baby talk" and hiding from caregivers again, her sleeping
difficulty returned, and she began spending many nights on the bathroom floor with the light on.
DISCUSSION
Sufficiency of the Evidence
Penetration
In his first and third points of error, Gauna argues that the evidence presented at trial
is legally and factually insufficient to support a finding that he penetrated E.J.D.'s sexual organ.
However, as the State notes, penetration is not an essential element of aggravated sexual assault.
The penal code provides that a person commits aggravated sexual assault if he intentionally or
knowingly "causes the sexual organ of a child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual
organ of another person." Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.021(a)(1)(B)(iii) (emphasis added).
In the indictment, the State alleged both that Gauna caused penetration of E.J.D.'s
sexual organ with his sexual organ and that Gauna caused contact between E.J.D.'s sexual organ and
his sexual organ. The State argued both theories in its closing arguments. Even though some or all
of the jurors may have relied on the penetration theory to reach a guilty verdict, any juror who
believed beyond a reasonable doubt that Gauna's sexual organ penetrated E.J.D.'s sexual organ
necessarily believed that E.J.D.'s sexual organ contacted Gauna's sexual organ. See Vick v. State,
991 S.W.2d 830, 834 n.2 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (stating that penetration of genitals necessarily
includes contact); Hendrix v. State, 150 S.W.3d 839, 848 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2004,
pet. ref'd) (rejecting challenge to lack of juror unanimity in case with similar pleadings "because all
of the jurors who believed there was penetration necessarily also believed that antecedent contact
had occurred"). Because Gauna does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a
finding that he caused E.J.D.'s sexual organ to contact his sexual organ, we do not reach his first and
third issues. See Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (limiting legal and factual
sufficiency review to "essential elements").
Identity
In his second and fourth points of error, Gauna argues that there is legally and
factually insufficient evidence to support a finding that he is the individual that sexually assaulted
E.J.D. Gauna bases this argument on E.J.D.'s inability to identify a photograph of Gauna at trial.
On direct examination by the State, the following exchange occurred:
Q: If I show you a picture of Henry, would you recognize him?
A: Yes.
Q: Okay. I want to show you what's been marked as State's Exhibit number six and
ask you to look at this. Do you recognize this? Is there--does the person in this
picture look familiar?
A: No.
Q: This person doesn't look familiar?
A: (Witness moving head side to side).
Q: You don't know who that is?
A: (Witness moving head side to side).
Q: Do you know what Henry looks like?
A: No.
In reviewing a legal sufficiency challenge, we look at all the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prosecution to determine whether a rational jury could have found the
challenged element beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979);
Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 7. When determining whether the evidence of a challenged finding is
factually sufficient, we review all the evidence in a neutral light and set aside the verdict only if it
is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that it is clearly wrong and unjust.
Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 6-7. In conducting a factual sufficiency review, we must defer to the jury's
findings. Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). We may not reweigh the
evidence and set aside a jury verdict simply because we feel that a different result is more
reasonable. Id.
Although E.J.D. was unable to identify a photograph of Gauna at trial, ample other
evidence was presented linking Gauna to the sexual assault. E.J.D. testified that the person who
sexually assaulted her was her mother's boyfriend "Henry" who would take her grandmother to work
and take E.J.D. to school. E.J.D. testified that her mother only had one friend named Henry that took
her to school. The testimony of all the prosecution witnesses who spoke about what E.J.D. told them
concerning her sexual assault indicated that E.J.D. has always identified her assailant as her mother's
boyfriend "Henry" who took her to school.
Antonia identified Gauna as the man named Henry who was dating Samanthea in
September and October 2003 and as the man who took Antonia to work and E.J.D. to school.
Samanthea also identified Gauna as the man named Henry whom she had dated and who took E.J.D.
to school. Likewise, Contreras identified Gauna as the man named Henry who began spending a lot
of time at Samanthea's apartment in late September 2003 and who picked E.J.D. up in the mornings.
Detective Robert Bowers of the Austin Police Department testified that when he
spoke with Gauna, "he confirmed that he . . . was seeing Samanthea." Bowers also testified that,
during the investigation, he showed E.J.D. the same photograph that she was unable to identify at
trial, and she reacted by saying, "That's Henry."
A reasonable jury could have decided to credit the other evidence linking Gauna to
the crime despite E.J.D.'s inability to identify the photograph at trial. The trial occurred over a year
after the last time seven-year-old E.J.D. had any contact with Gauna, and testifying at trial was a
source of significant stress for E.J.D. Also, Bowers testified that he showed E.J.D. the same
photograph in a less stressful setting that was closer in time to E.J.D.'s most recent contact with
Gauna and that she identified the person in the photograph as "Henry." We hold that the evidence
presented at trial is legally and factually sufficient to support a finding that Gauna is the person who
sexually assaulted E.J.D. Therefore, we overrule his second and fourth issues.
Venue
In his fifth and sixth points of error, Gauna argues that the evidence presented at trial
is legally and factually insufficient to demonstrate that the events occurred in Travis County. Gauna
contends that the only evidence regarding where the sexual assaults occurred came from E.J.D., who
could not verify that the location is in Travis County.
In criminal cases, venue must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence. Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 13.17 (West 2005). The evidence may be either direct or circumstantial.
Black v. State, 645 S.W.2d 789, 790 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983); Gonzalez v. State, 784 S.W.2d 140,
142 (Tex. App.--Austin 1990, no pet.). In a sexual assault case, venue is proper "in the county in
which [the sexual assault] is committed, in the county in which the victim is abducted, or in any
county through or into which the victim is transported in the course of the abduction and sexual
assault." Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 13.15 (West 2005). The word "abduction" in this statute
has no technical meaning and does not necessarily require the use of force. Cavazos v. State, 668
S.W.2d 435, 438 (Tex. App.--Austin 1984, pet. ref'd). Alternatively, if the county of the
commission of the crime cannot be determined, venue is proper in the county of the defendant's
residence or the county where the defendant was apprehended. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art.
13.19 (West 2005). Venue may be proved under any theory listed above even if the indictment only
alleges that the offense was committed in the county of prosecution. Id. art. 13.17.
The jury heard evidence that Antonia's residence, Antonia's place of employment,
and Samanthea's residence are all located in Travis County. Evidence was also presented indicating
that Antonia was required to be at work by 6:00 a.m. everyday, and Samanthea testified that Gauna
returned to her residence with E.J.D. every morning by 6:10 a.m. at the latest. This evidence allows
a reasonable inference that the sexual assaults were committed in Travis County or a reasonable
conclusion that E.J.D. was abducted in Travis County.
Also, although E.J.D. testified at trial that the sexual assaults only took place in
Samanthea's car, Antonia testified that E.J.D. confided that Gauna had raped her in Samanthea's
apartment, which is located in Travis County. Furthermore, if it is impossible to determine in which
county the sexual assaults were committed, as Gauna contends, the record contains evidence
suggesting that venue was proper in Travis County because Gauna resided there. Detective Bowers
testified that Gauna resided with his mother in Travis County at the time of the offenses; this
testimony was not controverted. We hold that the evidence presented at trial is sufficient to support
a finding that venue was proper in Travis County. We overrule Gauna's fifth and sixth issues.
Admission of Evidence
Expert Testimony
In his seventh point of error, Gauna claims that the trial court erred by admitting the
testimony of Dr. William Carter, the State's expert witness who testified about child abuse dynamics,
and Helen Williams, E.J.D.'s counselor who testified about E.J.D.'s behavioral issues. Gauna insists
that the State used Williams's testimony to set up Carter's testimony, (5) in which he answered
hypothetical questions based on the facts of the instant case. Gauna contends that this testimony was
improperly admitted because it directly commented on E.J.D.'s truthfulness.
We review decisions on the admission of expert testimony for an abuse of discretion.
Ellison v. State, 201 S.W.3d 714, 723 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Expert testimony is admissible where
specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact in understanding the evidence or determining a fact
in issue. Tex. R. Evid. 702. Expert testimony does not assist a jury if it constitutes "a direct opinion
on the truthfulness" of a child complainant's allegations. Schutz v. State, 957 S.W.2d 52, 59 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1997) (quoting Yount v. State, 872 S.W.2d 706, 708 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993)). The State
may not elicit testimony that a particular child is telling the truth or that child complainants as a class
are worthy of belief. Yount, 872 S.W.2d at 712.
However, expert testimony that provides useful background information to aid the
jury in evaluating the testimony of another witness is admissible. For instance, expert testimony
indicating that children who have been sexually abused sometimes give conflicting accounts of their
abuse and even recant initial outcries is admissible to assist a factfinder in determining the
impeachment value of prior inconsistent statements by a complainant. Pavlacka v. State, 892
S.W.2d 897, 903 n.6 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). In addition, expert testimony explaining that a child
exhibits behavioral characteristics that have been empirically shown to be common among children
who have been abused is admissible. Cohn v. State, 849 S.W.2d 817, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993);
Perez v. State, 113 S.W.3d 819, 832 (Tex. App.--Austin 2003, pet. ref'd); Hitt v. State, 53 S.W.3d
697, 707 (Tex. App.--Austin 2001, pet. ref'd); Vasquez v. State, 975 S.W.2d 415, 417 (Tex.
App.--Austin 1998, pet. ref'd). The State may also elicit testimony concerning the typical
characteristics of victims of sexual abuse. Schutz, 957 S.W.2d at 69.
Carter testified about the characteristics of child victims of sexual abuse, explaining
that they are usually abused by people known to the family, that they feel shame and confusion about
the abuse, that they often wait for long periods before making outcries, that they often tell more and
more of the story as time goes on, and how their situations are complicated when their abusers have
relationships with their other family members. Carter also testified that certain hypothetical fact
situations, based on the facts in the instant case, are consistent with sexual abuse, although they do
not prove that abuse has occurred. The following is one such exchange about
which Gauna complains:
Q: Doctor, if you had a six-year-old child who was sexually abused by her mother's
boyfriend and was asked directly by her grandmother whether anything happened to
her, and she told her grandmother "yes" and made an outcry statement to the
grandmother that the boyfriend took her to a dark place in the car after he dropped
the grandma off at work and got on top of her, pulled his pants down, pulled her
pants down, put his thingy in her piggy, which was explained to be his penis and her
vagina, and wiggled, would you--is that detailed information in an outcry?
A: If I got that information, I would be very cautious and I would be quite interested
in knowing more about what the girl had to tell me.
The answer quoted above is as close as Carter ever came to a direct comment on truthfulness. Carter
never claimed that the child accusers in the State's hypothetical situations were telling the truth, that
E.J.D. was telling the truth, or that child complainants in sexual abuse cases always tell the truth.
Carter was careful to speak in generalities and testified that it was not his position that E.J.D. had
been sexually assaulted or that Gauna had sexually assaulted her.
Because Carter limited his testimony to the general characteristics of child victims
of sexual abuse and whether hypothetical fact situations are consistent with sexual abuse and because
the court of criminal appeals and this Court have upheld the admissibility of such testimony, the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the testimony. We overrule Gauna's seventh issue.
Irrelevant, Unfairly Prejudicial, and Hearsay Evidence
In his eighth and ninth points of error, Gauna contends that the trial court erred by
admitting the testimony of Abby Stancik, an investigator with Child Protective Services, and Cyndi
Cantu, a forensic interviewer for the Center for Child Protection, because it was irrelevant, unfairly
prejudicial, and contained inadmissible hearsay. The subjects discussed during Stancik's testimony
included the process used to investigate a claim of sexual abuse, her visits with E.J.D., E.J.D.'s
demeanor during those visits, and Samanthea's level of cooperation with Child Protective Services.
Cantu testified regarding her qualifications to interview children about sexual abuse, the procedures
involved in such an interview, E.J.D.'s interview in particular, and E.J.D.'s demeanor
during the interview.
We review a trial court's decision to admit evidence using an abuse-of-discretion
standard. Sells v. State, 121 S.W.3d 748, 766 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Evidence is relevant if it has
"any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the
action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence." Tex. R. Evid. 401.
Evidence must be relevant to be admissible. Id. R. 402. However, relevant evidence "may be
excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice." Id.
R. 403. Trial judges are afforded significant discretion to make admissibility decisions under rule
403. Manning v. State, 114 S.W.3d 922, 926 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). We may not reverse a trial
judge's ruling if it was within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Id.
Hearsay is an out-of-court statement "offered in evidence to prove the truth of the
matter asserted." Tex. R. Evid. 801(d). In this context, a statement includes "nonverbal conduct of
a person, if it is intended by the person as a substitute for verbal expression." Id. R. 801(a)(2).
Hearsay is not admissible unless it is specifically permitted by the rules of evidence
or statute. Id. R. 802.
Gauna insists that evidence concerning the process of investigating claims of sexual
abuse was not relevant to the issue of whether Gauna committed sexual assault. The State argues
that, because the defense questioned E.J.D.'s credibility, evidence of the safeguards employed in
investigating claims of sexual abuse was relevant because it made the possibility that E.J.D. was
lying less likely. Indeed, Gauna argued to the jury that E.J.D.'s many interviews with investigators
and counselors caused her to fabricate her allegations against Gauna to placate those seeming
authority figures. Evidence that those who interviewed E.J.D. were trained to ask open-ended,
nonleading questions and not to push children for answers certainly made this theory less likely
and was therefore relevant.
Next, Gauna contends that Stancik's and Cantu's testimony was more unfairly
prejudicial than probative because it allowed the jury to infer that E.J.D. presented a consistent
account of the sexual assaults to different people throughout the investigation. This testimony was
likely prejudicial to Gauna. However, rule 403 only allows exclusion of relevant evidence where
the probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Id. R. 403. The danger of
unfair prejudice exists when the evidence creates an undue tendency to suggest a decision on an
improper basis such as an emotional one. Erazo v. State, 144 S.W.3d 487, 501-02 (Tex. Crim. App.
2004) (citing Rogers v. State, 991 S.W.2d 263, 266 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)). Here, the testimony
of Stancik and Cantu, though it allowed an inference that E.J.D. told a consistent story, was not
likely to inflame the emotions of the jurors nor to invite a decision on any other improper basis.
Gauna also argues that Stancik's and Cantu's testimony violated the hearsay
prohibition because it allowed the jury to infer the contents of E.J.D.'s out-of-court statements. An
out-of-court statement need not be directly quoted to run afoul of the hearsay rules. Head v. State,
4 S.W.3d 258, 261 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Whether the testimony violates the hearsay prohibition
turns on how strongly the contents of the out-of-court statement can be inferred from the context.
Id. "[T]he question is whether the strength of the inference produces an 'inescapable conclusion'
that the evidence is being offered to prove the substance of an out-of-court statement." Id. at 262.
Here, Stancik's and Cantu's testimony did not lead to an inescapable conclusion regarding what
E.J.D. told them. Each merely testified that the investigation continued after her interview with
E.J.D. A wide range of statements by E.J.D. could have caused the investigation to continue.
Neither Stancik's nor Cantu's testimony allowed the jury to infer the details of what
E.J.D. said out of court.
Gauna claims that Stancik's and Cantu's testimony also violated the hearsay
prohibition by referring to E.J.D.'s nonverbal conduct that was intended as a substitute for verbal
expression. See Tex. R. Evid. 801(a)(2). Stancik testified that E.J.D. seemed to be sad and
depressed. Cantu testified that at the beginning of their interview, E.J.D. was open, talkative, and
playful and that at one point her demeanor shifted and she became quiet and hesitant to talk and
sucked on her fingers. Gauna has not hypothesized, nor can we imagine what verbal expression
E.J.D.'s glum affect and shift in demeanor were intended as a substitute for.
For the reasons discussed above, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion by admitting the testimony of Stancik and Cantu over Gauna's objections that it was
irrelevant and more unfairly prejudicial than probative and that it violated the hearsay prohibition.
We overrule Gauna's eighth and ninth issues.
Testimony by Closed-Circuit Television
In his tenth point of error, Gauna asserts that the trial court erred and violated his
Sixth Amendment rights by allowing E.J.D. to testify through closed-circuit television. See
U.S. Const. amend. VI.
The use of closed-circuit television testimony does not violate the Confrontation
Clause if it is necessary to protect a child witness from significant emotional trauma caused by
physical confrontation with the defendant in a courtroom. Maryland v. Craig, 497 U.S. 836, 855
(1990); Marx v. State, 987 S.W.2d 577, 580 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The trauma must be more than
"mere nervousness or excitement or some reluctance to testify." Craig, 497 U.S. at 856. The trial
court must find that the child witness would be traumatized by the presence of the defendant, not by
the courtroom generally. Id. We review a trial court's decision to allow a child witness to testify
by closed-circuit television for an abuse of discretion. Marx, 987 S.W.2d at 581 n.2.
At the hearing on whether to allow E.J.D. to testify through closed-circuit television,
Antonia and Helen Williams testified. Antonia testified that E.J.D.'s problems with encopresis,
enuresis, and "baby talk," which began after she was sexually assaulted by Gauna, improved with
therapy but that E.J.D. regressed after being told that she would have to testify against Gauna in
court. Antonia testified that after E.J.D. attended "court school," a program to familiarize children
with the courtroom setting, she began spending nights in the bathroom with the light on. Antonia
stated her opinion that E.J.D. would be traumatized if she had to be present with
Gauna in the courtroom.
Williams similarly testified that E.J.D.'s behavioral issues had been improving
through therapy but that their severity increased as Gauna's trial date approached and E.J.D. began
preparing to testify against Gauna. Williams testified that she believed the use of closed-circuit
television was necessary to protect E.J.D.'s welfare and that E.J.D. would be traumatized if she had
to face Gauna in the courtroom. Williams relayed E.J.D.'s statements that "she did not want to see
Henry," "she was afraid of Henry," "she was really afraid that he would get out and come and get
her; find her." Before she testified at trial, E.J.D. was questioned by Gauna's attorney. E.J.D. stated
that it would scare her to testify in front of Gauna, that she would rather not do that, and that she did
not think she could do it if she had to.
On these facts, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by finding that
allowing E.J.D. to testify by closed-circuit television was necessary to protect E.J.D. from significant
emotional trauma caused by physical confrontation with Gauna in the courtroom. We overrule
Gauna's tenth issue.
CONCLUSION
Having overruled all of Gauna's points of error, we affirm the trial court's
judgment of conviction.
__________________________________________
David Puryear, Justice
Before Justices B. A. Smith, Patterson and Puryear
Affirmed
Filed: December 29, 2006
Do Not Publish
1. For convenience, we refer to Antonia Davis and Samanthea Davis by their first names.
2. A colposcope is "an instrument for examination of the tissues of the vagina and cervix by
means of a magnifying lens." Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary 393 (Douglas M. Anderson
chief lexicographer, 30th ed. 2003) [hereinafter Dorland's].
3. Encopresis is "fecal incontinence that does not have an organic cause." Dorland's, supra
note 2, at 611.
4. Enuresis is "urinary incontinence after the age at which urinary control should have been
achieved." Dorland's, supra note 2, at 623.
5. Although Gauna's seventh issue challenges the admission of both Williams's and Carter's
testimony, Gauna makes no argument explaining why Williams's testimony was inadmissible.
Gauna only states that "[t]he prosecutor used Helen Williams to set up Dr. Carter's testimony as she
described the behavioral issues which the complainant experienced." We hold that the portion of
the issue relating to Williams's testimony is inadequately briefed and therefore waived. See Tex.
R. App. P. 38.1(h) ("The brief must contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made,
with appropriate citations to authorities and to the record."); Texas Med. Ass'n v. Texas Workers
Comp. Comm'n, 137 S.W.3d 342, 352 n.6 (Tex. App.--Austin 2004, no pet.) (holding that
inadequately briefed arguments are waived).
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Advancements in the delivery of therapeutic agents is an ongoing endeavor. Polymeric carriers have been developed for the delivery of therapeutic agents with the goal of effective administration to treat diseases and conditions treatable by the therapeutic agents.
Many conventional polymeric carriers suffer from disadvantages associated with solubility and stability in the circulatory system as well as relative low therapeutic agent capacity. Further disadvantages of conventional polymeric carriers include uncontrollable release, including premature release, of their therapeutic agent cargo.
A need exists for improved polymeric carriers of therapeutic agents that are stable and soluble under physiological conditions such as the circulatory system, that offer high therapeutic agent densities, and that provide controllable release of their therapeutic agent cargo. The present invention seeks to fulfill these needs and provides further related advantages.
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Monday, 12 June 2006
Woah! & The Return Of That Feeling...
I have made this Most Viewed section of the Videos on Buzznet! On the 3rd or 4th page...
And all because I included the word Panic! Hahaha.
Silly fans!
*
That old feeling that I thought I had long forgotten has returned.
Maybe it's because over this weekend I have been surrounded by charming men.
But I suddenly feel that old longing to be with someone or like someone. But I can't bring myself up to actually "liking" anyone because I keep seeing the reasons not too before I even do.
Usually the reasons, 'It would be embarrassing if they found out' and age are the main ones that stop me from liking anyone.
But golly, heehee - golly, do I feel that feeling of longing again - It's a pretty awesome feeling, but depressing at the same time...maybe it's just because I watched Titanic on TV last night and balled my eyes out? Maybe it's because for a long time I've had a good time with other guys other than Harry...you know, like, he isn't the only good guy out there.
I had a really good weekend, rehearsing and chilling out at my Mum's home. It's really peaceful there.
I was in a bad mood when I got to work, but as soon as Sam and Stacy started to warm up to me, and Sam talked about his feelings and how his girlfriend broke up with him we all had a really good laugh. EDIT 10/17/10:Umm, okay? I'm sure it wasn't as cruel as you wrote it. I would like to have Sam like me, he's really cute and funny...but I know it wouldn't work, and I know he couldn't like me. I'm cheering on for a Stacy and Sam couple, they would be really nice together and he would probably bring Stacy out of her shell more. Stacy is cool, but sometimes she seems really cold towards me - I don't know what she thinks of me.
Man, I feel like a whining Big Brother contestant. Ugh.
I had an OK time when Ben came in too, I did that trick where you knock the back of someones knee and their leg buckles...and then he jokingly tried to put me in the bin, but stopped...and then he was like, Sam, let's put Caitlin in the Recycling Bin...but they didn't...I don't really want to look at if he really hates me or not, but he was laughing nicely the whole time so I don't think he was doing it out of hate...man, I would really like to be good friends with him, we have some good times...but I couldn't go out with him...I wish he wouldn't be such a sook and just accept that!
Geez!
Anyway, I'm tired of talking, all these love and sexy songs are coming on, on random player...and it's freaking me out - I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT COUPLES OR LOVE OR SEX OR ANY OF THAT CRAP!
Gosh, the boys in ************* !!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - from caitlin EDIT 10/17/10:I wish I knew what I was referring too... Hmm.
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Former Fox News host and current Donald Trump campaign adviser Kimberly Guilfoyle returned to cable news Thursday for a face-off with CNN’s Chris Cuomo.
The two sparred over Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s recent comments to summarize the findings of his report on Russian interference in the 2o16 election.
“The Democrats and the cast of characters running trying to unseat President Trump,” said Guilfoyle. “This is what they’re raising money on, impeachment, impeachment, impeachment.”
Cuomo countered by arguing the Trump campaign was fundraising off impeachment as well. “The campaign put something out saying they want to impeach the president–give us money,” Cuomo said.
“The president was totally transparent and cooperative with this investigation,” Guilfoyle said, changing the subject.
“Except he didn’t sit for an interview and answer a single question about obstruction,” Cuomo said.
Despite a contentious exchange, Cuomo thanked Guilfoyle for coming on the show. “Because we will always disagree on this show decently and you always have a place to make your case,” he said.
Watch above, via CNN
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
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New to My Shrapnel? Start at the beginning:
About Me
Message from the Bombing Victim Muppet
I am, of course, neither sad, nor heroic nor particularly victimized. What I am is an "ordinary Joe" who was seriously injured six years ago in a suicide bombing while waiting for a bus at the Machane Yehuda open air market in Jerusalem.
Ever since I learned how to write, writing has served as a sort of therapy for me. In the months and years after the bombing, I did an enormous amount of writing. What I was thinking. What I was feeling. How the world reacted to me. How my bombed-out self reacted to the world. Some of the articles were sent to friends and relatives via email lists. Many more of them just sat on my computer. I always meant to do something with them.
Of course, I never got around to it.
This year, I promised myself that I would, at last do something. And since blogging is the best way to do something without having to do all that much (no publishers, no rejections, no work apart from editing), I decided that this was the way to go.
Please comment. I am putting these out so that people will read them. Let me know that you are reading.
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291 So.2d 338 (1974)
Virgil BROADWAY
v.
STATE.
1 Div. 404.
Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama.
January 2, 1974.
Rehearing Denied January 29, 1974.
*339 Donald E. Brutkiewicz, Mobile, for appellant.
William J. Baxley, Atty. Gen., and Charles R. Hare, Jr., Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.
HARRIS, Judge.
Appellant was put to trial in the Circuit Court of Mobile County upon an indictment for perjury. Omitting the formal parts, the indictment reads as follows:
"The GRAND JURY of said County charge, that, before the finding of this indictment VIRGIL BROADWAY whose name is to the Grand Jury otherwise unknown than as stated, on his examination as a witness, duly sworn to testify, on the habeas corpus proceeding of Evelyn Louise Jordan vs State of Alabama, in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama which said Court had authority to administer such oath, falsely swore that he saw Evelyn Louise Jordan at the scene of the shooting of L. Quincey Rhoten, the matters so sworn to being material, and the testimony of the said Virgil Broadway being wilfully (sic) and corrupty (sic) false, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama."
At the time of the alleged offense, appellant, a Negro boy, was fifteen (15) years of age. Upon his appearance in court, attended by counsel, he requested that he be treated as a youthful offender. He agreed to waive trial by jury and the trial court called for a probation officer's report to aid him in determining if he qualified for treatment under the Youthful Offender Law and passed the case. Upon the filing of the probation officer's report, a hearing was held. At this hearing the trial court interrogated appellant at great length as to his rights to a public trial by a jury, his right to confront his accusers, his right to testify in his defense if he so desired, his right to compulsory process to have his witnesses in court, and the range of punishment for the offense of perjury.
The court further told appellant that if the court decided to treat him as a youthful offender, he would have to give up these rights and plead guilty to the offense of being a youthful offender and the court would determine his punishment. The court explained that the maximum punishment for the latter offense was three years in the penitentiary and a fine up to one thousand dollars. Appellant made clear to the court he wanted the benefits of the Youthful Offender Act. Thereupon a jury trial was waived and a guilty plea was accepted.
In the light of appellant's unblemished record as to encounters with law enforcement officers, his attorney made an impassioned plea for probation. The Assistant District Attorney made an equally impassioned plea that appellant be sentenced to the penitentiary for at least one year. This plea for denial of probation was grounded on the ancient concept of punishment which is "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." It was the state's position that the perjured testimony of appellant caused an innocent woman to be denied bond on a first degree murder charge and confined in *340 the Mobile County jail for eleven months. The woman mentioned in the indictment, Evelyn Louise Jordan, was released from jail after two other women confessed to the murder of L. Quincey Rhoten, for whose death Ms. Jordan had been charged.
The debate between the state's attorney and appellant's attorney on the issue of punishment became so heated, vituperative and vehement, as to result in charges and countercharges, recriminations heaped upon recriminations, that their voices reached the level of crescendos. It appeared to appellant's attorney that the state's attorney might be "carrying the day." He sought, and was granted, permission to withdraw the guilty plea and a day was set for the trial of appellant as a youthful offender.
At trial the state, without objection, introduced into evidence the transcript of appellant as a state's witness in the habeas corpus proceeding filed by Evelyn Louise Jordan seeking bond on the murder charge pending against her. According to his testimony in this proceeding, appellant was at a friend's house near the place where the killing occurred. He left to go to a neighborhood store to get a package of cigarettes and a pack of gum. While walking along a path in a park he heard four or five shots. The shots came from the direction he was going. He continued walking and came to a street where he saw a red automobile with a Mississippi tag parked in the street without the head or tail lights on. When he got within about twenty feet of the car he observed that both front doors of the vehicle were wide open. The dome light of the car was on and he saw two females on opposite sides of the car. He fixed the time between eight and nine o'clock p. m. He recognized the woman on the driver's side. She was Evelyn Jordan. It appeared to him that she was wearing psychedelic pants and was stooping over. He moved closer to the rear of the car and saw the woman on the passenger's side reaching over into the car. When she raised up he saw her face. Some of her front teeth were missing and her hair was fairly short. He had seen her before but could not recall her name. He heard Evelyn Jordan tell the other woman to "hurry up."
He saw an object on the ground on the driver's side of the car but did not know it was a man's body at that time. He continued on to the store and found it closed. He waited around the store about five minutes expecting the owner of the store to return and open it but no one came. He left and traversed the route that brought him to the store. As he approached the parked car, he saw a number of police cars around and they had blocked off the street. He did not stop and report to the police what he had heard and seen. A few minutes later he returned to the scene with a boy and his grandmother who had also heard the shots. He got near enough on this occasion to observe a man lying face down on the ground and saw lots of blood around him.
In conducting an investigation relative to the homicide the officers received information that appellant could probably give them the information they wanted. The officers interviewed appellant on one or more occasions and he was reluctant to talk. According to the officers, they appealed to him to tell the truth, stating that something similar might happen to his own family. He finally told the officers what he knew as set forth above. The next day they picked up appellant and carried him to the Sheriff's Department. He told the same story to a detective. Appellant signed a waiver of rights form after he was given the Miranda warnings. He then signed a written statement substantially like the testimony he gave at the habeas corpus hearing. Appellant was carried to the District Attorney's Office where the district attorney interrogated him and taped the interview. There he reaffirmed his story. On the strength of these several interviews, Evelyn Jordan was arrested for the murder of Rhoten. Appellant appeared before the Grand Jury and testified as a witness against Ms. Jordan. His testimony was recorded. Ms. Jordan was indicted for murder *341 in the first degree. She demanded and was given a preliminary hearing. Appellant testified at the preliminary hearing as a witness for the state, giving substantially the same testimony he subsequently gave at the habeas corpus trial and the statements he gave on every interview and before the Grand Jury. She was bound over without bond.
Eleven months later appellant repented and recanted his testimony and statements. Following this he was indicted for perjury. When he appeared before the trial court seeking to be treated as a youthful offender, he was duly sworn and testified that he "lied" when he said Evelyn Jordan was at the automobile on the night that Rhoten was killed. He claimed that he told the law officers when they interviewed him on two or three occasions that he did not know anything about the killing and had not been in the area where the body was found. He stated the officers kept telling him that if he withheld information concerning a felony that he would be guilty of a crime and would be committed to the detention home. The repeated threats of being sent to the detention home was just more than he could take and he had rather see a woman go to the electric chair than allow himself to be confined in such a place. He said the officers brought two photographs to him and told him they thought these were the women who were involved, and he then picked out Ms. Jordan and made up the monstrous story; that because of police harassment and threats he finally succumbed to their suggestions that Ms. Jordan was involved. The officers denied making any threats to him with reference to jail or the detention home.
Over appellant's objections, the trial court admitted into evidence a transcript of his testimony before the Grand Jury, his testimony at the preliminary hearing, his testimony at the habeas corpus trial, his signed statement to the investigating officers, the testimony of the law officers, testimony of the district attorney, and appellant's testimony before the trial judge in which he confessed perjury before he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.
The two law enforcement officers who investigated the murder case testified that they did not know that appellant had recanted his testimony. They further testified that they believed appellant when he signed the written statement concerning the homicide. They believed he told the truth at the preliminary hearing and at the habeas corpus hearing, and, furthermore, they still believed he had told the truth.
When the state rested, appellant moved to exclude the evidence on the ground that the state failed to prove the corpus delicti. The court overruled the motion and adjudged appellant guilty of the offense of being a youthful offender. Appellant, in response to a question from the court, told the court that he did not have anything to say with reference to why the judgment and sentence of the law should not be passed upon him. The court committed him to the Director of the Department of Corrections of the State of Alabama for a term of one year to be served in the Mobile Juvenile Home of Mobile County.
Appellant gave immediate notice of appeal and requested a free transcript. Appellant's request was granted and his trial counsel was appointed to represent him on this appeal.
After appellant's guilty plea was withdrawn, he did not thereafter take the witness stand.
We are compelled to reverse.
To authorize a conviction for perjury, as detestable as that crime is, there must be two witnesses, or one witness with strong corroboration. There can be no conviction of the crime of perjury on the unaided testimony of a single witness. This would be oath against oath. Peterson v. State, 74 Ala. 34. This is precisely what occurred in this case if we can legally consider appellant's recanting testimony before he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.
*342 The law is well settled that where the state relies on proof of two contradictory sworn statements without any evidence to show that the testimony alleged in the indictment was false, and the jury (court) was of necessity left to the task of determining which of the two indicated statements was willfully and corruptly false, the burden of proof on the state was not sustained. Williams v. State, 34 Ala.App. 462, 41 So.2d 605.
The effect of the court's order in permitting the withdrawal of the guilty plea was to adjudge that the plea of guilty be held for naught. Its subsequent use as evidence against appellant was in direct conflict with that determination. When the plea was annulled it ceased to be evidence. Such is the weight of authority in this country. Kercheval v. United States, 274 U.S. 220, 47 S.Ct. 582 at page 583, 71 L.Ed. 1009; State v. Wright, 103 Ariz. 52, 436 P.2d 601; White v. Georgia, 51 Ga. 285; Dean v. State, 72 Tex.Cr.R. 274, 161 S.W. 974; Brooks v. State, 187 Tenn. 67, 213 S.W.2d 7; State v. Joyner, 228 La. 927, 84 So.2d 462.
Thus, in this case the state used the sworn testimony of appellant before the trial court to impeach and contradict his previous sworn testimonies to hinge a conviction of perjury on the allegations laid in the indictment. The testimony of every witness for the state was in corroboration of appellant's testimony at the habeas corpus hearing. Not a single witness was produced to testify that his sworn testimony was false. In a court of law nothing is more unsatisfactory than recanting testimony. This falls far short of the proof required in perjury prosecutions.
The trial court was without warrant to consider the guilty plea and the sworn testimony in connection therewith after allowing the plea to be withdrawn, and the state having failed to introduce any additional extrinsic evidence going to establish the falsity of appellant's sworn testimony given at the habeas corpus hearing, the corpus delicti was not proved. This may appear to be a miscarriage of justice and, indeed, it is, but when the law is respected and followed, justice will not be hurled from her high seat in a civilized society.
The court erred to a reversal in overruling appellant's motion to exclude the state's evidence.
Reversed and remanded.
All the Judges concur.
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I WORKED OUT FOR 8 HOURS AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED || Lean bulking EP. 13
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New Tractor Purchase
Good Afternoon,
I am a new member to TractorByNet and this is my first posting. I have read man of your reviews over the past few months and I have quickly realized there is a lot of tractors owners that area very knowledgeable. I am looking for your assistance and your expert opinion's on the purchase of a compact tractor. I thank you for your patience but I feel it is necessary for me to provide your with a little back ground first. I live in West Michigan in a rural area with 3 acres which is adjacent to 20 acres of woods owned by one of my neighbors. I also have a 12 x 400 ft. driveway which is constructed of 22-A slag. My lawn is only an 1/2 acre which I cut with a self propelled mower, mainly for exercise. My yard and home is surrounded by 2 plus acres of woods with 50 to 125 ft tall Oak, Maple and Beech trees. I also cut and split my own fire wood and burn 3 cords of wood a year. Over the past 6 years since building our home I have been blessed with the use of our Company 2002? New Holland TC33D tractor with FEL and Box blade. I use the tractor for an average of one week a year, however it is seldom available. I have also rented several kubota tractors over the years for landscaping and was pleased with the tractor. The tractor that I would like to purchase within the next few weeks will be used for current and additional landscaping, removal of trees, fire wood, driveway grading, snow removal, etc. I have been looking at tractors for a few years and had definitely decided on a compact tractor 28 to 32 HP. It is not necessary to have a new tractor and a used tractor in excellent or mint condition would be fine.
One of the tractors that I have a current interest was listed on Craigslist and was originally listed as a 2011 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours, FEL, 60 inch mower deck and (loaded) Turf tires. I test drove this tractor on Friday and inquiring further about the warranty, the present owner called the Kubota dealership where he purchased it from in June 2012. He was informed that the tractor was not a 2011 but a 2012. Based upon the serial number I have since received verification from the Kubota dealership that this is a 2012 tractor. Before the present owner realized it was a 2012 model, I was able to negotiate a price for $16,300.00 for the Kubota B-3200 tractor with loaded Turf tires. , FEL with quick release bucket, grill guard, rear lights and a 60inch mid mount mower deck. This tractor is a in Mint Condition and the present owner has basically used it for the last year to cut his lawn and used the FEL to move a little snow this past winter. The tractor has very few hours on the FEL. However, the sale is pending and will depend on if I can use Turf Tires in the woods of if I need to purchase a tractor with R4 tires.
I also stopped at a dealership and had them quote me a price for a new tractor with the same options and with Kubota $1000 discount and rebates it would be $20,800.00 which is $4500 more than the 2012 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours. If I purchase this used Kubota B3200 I would remove the mower deck as I will not be using it to cut out lawn with it. I would most likely sell it or see if I can trade it into Kubota for a box blade and eventually a front mount snow blower. Since Friday, I have found a Kubota dealer that listed a 2012 or 2013 Kubota B3200 with 1 HR use. The Kubota has an FEL and R-4 tires for $16,000 ( cash Price) plus tax $16,960.00 The dealership was not open due to the July 4th Holiday and I can not tell you if the tires were loaded or if it has a quick release bucket.
I have a couple of concerns? Fist of all can I use Turf Tires in the woods?The woods are leaf covered and mostly open with a few logs and of course has brush in some areas. I have a small hill on my property which is basically high and dry with no SWAMPS. Secondly, will the Kubota B3200 be able to pick up 16 inch to 24 inch diameter logs x 4 ft length. The reason that I ask this? I have noticed in your forum several had mentioned that the Kubota B-3200 is too lights and is only 1734Lbs w/O an FEL or loaded tires. the FEL. Will the Kubota B3200 be ok if had loaded had tires, and a 60 in box blade ( 500lbs) on the back. I also understand if I purchase new, competitors such as New Holland list their Boomer 30 Tractor weight at around 3100 Lbs and the Mahindra 3016 at around 2400 lbs. Once again thank you for your assistance.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
Originally Posted by Tobyone
Good Afternoon,
I am a new member to TractorByNet and this is my first posting. I have read man of your reviews over the past few months and I have quickly realized there is a lot of tractors owners that area very knowledgeable. I am looking for your assistance and your expert opinion's on the purchase of a compact tractor. I thank you for your patience but I feel it is necessary for me to provide your with a little back ground first.
I live in West Michigan in a rural area with 3 acres which is adjacent to 20 acres of woods owned by one of my neighbors. I also have a 12 x 400 ft. driveway which is constructed of 22-A slag. My lawn is only an 1/2 acre which I cut with a self propelled mower, mainly for exercise. My yard and home is surrounded by 2 plus acres of woods with 50 to 125 ft tall Oak, Maple and Beech trees.
I also cut and split my own fire wood and burn 3 cords of wood a year. Over the past 6 years since building our home I have been blessed with the use of our Company 2002? New Holland TC33D tractor with FEL and Box blade. I use the tractor for an average of one week a year, however it is seldom available. I have also rented several kubota tractors over the years for landscaping and was pleased with the tractor.
The tractor that I would like to purchase within the next few weeks will be used for current and additional landscaping, removal of trees, fire wood, driveway grading, snow removal, etc. I have been looking at tractors for a few years and had definitely decided on a compact tractor 28 to 32 HP. It is not necessary to have a new tractor and a used tractor in excellent or mint condition would be fine.
One of the tractors that I have a current interest was listed on Craigslist and was originally listed as a 2011 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours, FEL, 60 inch mower deck and (loaded) Turf tires. I test drove this tractor on Friday and inquiring further about the warranty, the present owner called the Kubota dealership where he purchased it from in June 2012.
He was informed that the tractor was not a 2011 but a 2012. Based upon the serial number I have since received verification from the Kubota dealership that this is a 2012 tractor. Before the present owner realized it was a 2012 model, I was able to negotiate a price for $16,300.00 for the Kubota B-3200 tractor with loaded Turf tires. , FEL with quick release bucket, grill guard, rear lights and a 60inch mid mount mower deck.
This tractor is a in Mint Condition and the present owner has basically used it for the last year to cut his lawn and used the FEL to move a little snow this past winter. The tractor has very few hours on the FEL. However, the sale is pending and will depend on if I can use Turf Tires in the woods of if I need to purchase a tractor with R4 tires.
I also stopped at a dealership and had them quote me a price for a new tractor with the same options and with Kubota $1000 discount and rebates it would be $20,800.00 which is $4500 more than the 2012 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours. If I purchase this used Kubota B3200 I would remove the mower deck as I will not be using it to cut out lawn with it.
I would most likely sell it or see if I can trade it into Kubota for a box blade and eventually a front mount snow blower. Since Friday, I have found a Kubota dealer that listed a 2012 or 2013 Kubota B3200 with 1 HR use. The Kubota has an FEL and R-4 tires for $16,000 ( cash Price) plus tax $16,960.00 The dealership was not open due to the July 4th Holiday and I can not tell you if the tires were loaded or if it has a quick release bucket.
I have a couple of concerns? Fist of all can I use Turf Tires in the woods?The woods are leaf covered and mostly open with a few logs and of course has brush in some areas. I have a small hill on my property which is basically high and dry with no SWAMPS.
Secondly, will the Kubota B3200 be able to pick up 16 inch to 24 inch diameter logs x 4 ft length. The reason that I ask this? I have noticed in your forum several had mentioned that the Kubota B-3200 is too lights and is only 1734Lbs w/O an FEL or loaded tires. the FEL.
Will the Kubota B3200 be ok if had loaded had tires, and a 60 in box blade ( 500lbs) on the back. I also understand if I purchase new, competitors such as New Holland list their Boomer 30 Tractor weight at around 3100 Lbs and the Mahindra 3016 at around 2400 lbs. Once again thank you for your assistance.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
Originally Posted by Tobyone
Good Afternoon,
I have a couple of concerns? Fist of all can I use Turf Tires in the woods?The woods are leaf covered and mostly open with a few logs and of course has brush in some areas. I have a small hill on my property which is basically high and dry with no SWAMPS. Secondly, will the kubota B3200 be able to pick up 16 inch to 24 inch diameter logs x 4 ft length. The reason that I ask this? I have noticed in your forum several had mentioned that the Kubota B-3200 is too lights and is only 1734Lbs w/O an FEL or loaded tires. the FEL. Will the Kubota B3200 be ok if had loaded had tires, and a 60 in box blade ( 500lbs) on the back. I also understand if I purchase new, competitors such as New Holland list their Boomer 30 Tractor weight at around 3100 Lbs and the Mahindra 3016 at around 2400 lbs. Once again thank you for your assistance.
God Bless,
Tobyone
Welcome and lets get to some of your concerns. First off the Mahindra and the Boomer you mention are in another class size and weight wise so there is no fair comparison. You do not mention the type of wood but if we take the largest size (24") and a heavy wood (oak), that 4 ft log would come in somewhere around 800lbs. The B3200 is alleged to be able to pick up that and with loaded tires and perhaps some ballast while carrying it low, you shouldn't have a problem. Now for the tires: You can certainly do woods work with turfs however a great investment for them would be tire chains. You'll gain more traction and just as importantly, some added armoring for the tires themselves as well as some additional ballast. A set of 2 links for your size tire would work and be cheaper than new ind. tires.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
Arrow,
Thanks for the tip. By the sound of it, I would be better off purchasing a kubota B3200 HSD with R-4 tires if I will be working in the woods. I would also suspect that the R-4 tires will provide more traction n the snow.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
Before you buy anything, I'd take the quick trip up to J&J Farm sales in Muskegon, and look at the LS line of tractors. For less money than what you were quoted for a new B3200, you could get an LS R3039H, that has a much more powerful loader (max lift of 2,250 to full height at the pins), dual rear remotes, QA bucket, rear work light, adjustable lift arms and stabilizers, etc, etc. Granted, the LS is a bigger machine, and you'd expect more capability, but it's over twice the lifting capacity, which is going to come in really handy as soon as you start moving wood/trees. I'm not remotely anti-Kubota, but they're not cheap! I'd also take a look and see if there's a Kioti dealer in the area...another great tractor with really impressive features for the price.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
Originally Posted by GManBart
Before you buy anything, I'd take the quick trip up to J&J Farm sales in Muskegon, and look at the LS line of tractors. For less money than what you were quoted for a new B3200, you could get an LS R3039H, that has a much more powerful loader (max lift of 2,250 to full height at the pins), dual rear remotes, QA bucket, rear work light, adjustable lift arms and stabilizers, etc, etc. Granted, the LS is a bigger machine, and you'd expect more capability, but it's over twice the lifting capacity, which is going to come in really handy as soon as you start moving wood/trees. I'm not remotely anti-Kubota, but they're not cheap! I'd also take a look and see if there's a Kioti dealer in the area...another great tractor with really impressive features for the price.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
It sounds like you are on the right track. I was going to suggest a B3200 sized tractor. R4's would be the best tire for going in the woods. The are more puncture resistant than turfs or ags.You could use turfs in the woods but be very very careful. Most dealers will load the tires on a new tractor for free. With any tractor you need a good ballast on the back of when you are using the loader. Something like a box blade would work good. I don't know if it would lift the log on the loader or not. I think it would. You could also lift it on the 3PH. If you are thinking snowblower you may want to think cab. Also on a B3200 you can get the B3030 wheels and tires which are basically L3200 wheels and tires. They look really nice on the B3200 and will hold more fluid. The Mahindra 3016 is comparable to a kubota L3200 and JD 30302e. I think a Mahindra Max 28 is comparable to a B3200.
Re: New Tractor Purchase
It sounds like you are on the right track. I was going to suggest a B3200 sized tractor. R4's would be the best tire for going in the woods. The are more puncture resistant than turfs or ags.
You could use turfs in the woods but be very very careful. Most dealers will load the tires on a new tractor for free. With any tractor you need a good ballast on the back of when you are using the loader. Something like a box blade would work good. I don't know if it would lift the log on the loader or not. I think it would. You could also lift it on the 3PH.
If you are thinking snowblower you may want to think cab. Also on a B3200 you can get the B3030 wheels and tires which are basically L3200 wheels and tires. They look really nice on the B3200 and will hold more fluid. The Mahindra 3016 is comparable to a kubota L3200 and JD 30302e. I think a Mahindra Max 28 is comparable to a B3200.
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Retro is back in style, flaunt the same wearing this navy blue coloured regular-fit T-shirt by Arrow Sport. Fashioned using cotton, this can be easily worn when heading out for a crazy day ahead with friends. Team this T-shirt with distressed jeans and leather sandals for a relaxed and cool look.
FabricCotton
SleevesHalf Sleeves
NeckPolo Neck
ColorNavy Blue
Wash CareDo Not Bleach, Do Not Wring,Wash with similar colors, Dry Promptly, Steam Iron
StyleStriped
SKUAR016MA07IPKINDFAS
Model StatsModel is wearing size M and his height is 6.2, chest 40 and waist 32.
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315 S.E.2d 640 (1984)
In The Matter of Magistrate Gary OSBURN.
No. 15-83.
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
May 9, 1984.
*641 Charles R. Garten, Charleston, for Judicial Investigation Comn.
George D. Beter, Huntington, for Magistrate Osburn.
PER CURIAM:
This is a judicial disciplinary proceeding in which the Judicial Hearing Board recommends that Wayne County Magistrate Gary Osburn be publicly reprimanded for failing to discharge his administrative responsibilities diligently and for failing to maintain professional competence in judicial administration. After examining the record before us, we concur in the Board's recommendation, and we, therefore, publicly reprimand Magistrate Osburn, and we caution him to discharge his responsibilities diligently in the future.
On June 28, 1983, a complaint was filed against Magistrate Osburn which charged him with violating Canon 3 A(1), Canon 3 A(4), Canon 3 B(1), and Canon 3 B(2) of the Judicial Code of Ethics.[*] The complaint specifically alleged that Magistrate Osburn, who was on duty in Wayne County, on September 17, 1982, was out of his office when a prisoner, Glen Rideout, was taken to the office. The magistrate was contacted by telephone and told that the prisoner was in the office. It was alleged that the magistrate directed his assistant to commit Mr. Rideout to jail by rubber-stamping a jail commitment form with his signature. It was also alleged that the magistrate's conduct was improper in that he failed to have the prisoner brought personally before him for a hearing, in that he failed to inform the prisoner in plain terms of the nature of the complaint against him and of his right to counsel, and in that he failed to inform the prisoner that he was not required to make a statement, and that any statement made by him could be used against him. The Complaint also averred that the Magistrate failed to provide Mr. Rideout with reasonable means to communicate with an attorney or at least one other person for the purpose of obtaining counsel or arranging bail.
On October 11, 1983, a hearing in the matter was held before the West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board. At the hearing the testimony of a number of witnesses was taken. Glen Rideout testified that he had been arrested on September 17, 1982, and that he had been taken to Magistrate Osburn's office. The magistrate was not there at the time, and according to Rideout the assistant showed him papers which he read and signed. He said that the assistant spoke to the Magistrate on the telephone, but he could not remember speaking to him. He could not remember anyone other than the arresting officers telling him what he was charged with. He also testified that he did not believe that he was informed that he had the right to have an attorney appointed to represent him. A bond, however, was set for him.
*642 While being questioned, Mr. Rideout was shown a document which he had signed on September 17, 1982. In that document he had stated that he had been informed of the charges against him, that he understood that he did not have to make incriminating statements, that any such statements might be used against him, and that he also understood that he was entitled to the assistance of counsel. In the document Rideout also had indicated that he had wanted an attorney appointed for him. Rideout testified that he had read through the document and that he had signed it.
Geraldine Rideout, Glen Rideout's mother, contradicted the testimony of other witnesses at the hearing and testified that her son was taken to jail directly after his arrest and denied that he was even taken to the magistrate's office.
Patricia Napier, the magistrate's assistant who was in the magistrate's office at the time Rideout arrived, testified that she called the magistrate and that he asked to speak to Mr. Rideout. According to her, a telephone conversation ensued between the magistrate and Rideout. She indicated that she had given Mr. Rideout a "right's sheet" and that he had signed it. She verified Mr. Rideout's testimony that Magistrate Osburn did not appear in the office while Rideout was there. She also testified that she had affixed the magistrate's name to Rideout's commitment papers with a rubber stamp.
Magistrate Osburn testified that he was on duty on September 17, 1982, and that he was at home eating when Mr. Rideout was taken to his office. He said that he talked with the prisoner over the telephone and informed him of his rights. He stated that he remained on the telephone while his assistant advised Mr. Rideout of his rights. He admitted that he had a rubber stamp which had been used for official papers, but when he had instituted the use of it, he had not considered such use wrong or improper. He testified that since the Rideout incident he had been informed by a judge that its use was improper.
At the conclusion of the hearing the Judicial Hearing Board found that Magistrate Osburn was absent from his duty post during the incident in question. The Board also found that the magistrate had informed the prisoner of his right over the telephone and that he had authorized his assistant to affix his signature to the commitment form by rubber stamp. The Board specifically found that Magistrate Osburn failed to have the prisoner Rideout personally brought before him for a hearing.
In syllabus point 4 of In Re Pauley, 314 S.E.2d 391 (W.Va.1983), we said:
"Under Rule III(C)(3) (1983 Supp.) of the West Virginia Rules of Procedure for the Handling of Complaints Against Justices, Judges and Magistrates, the allegations of a complaint in a judicial disciplinary proceeding `must be proved by clear and convincing evidence.'"
We have also held that the decision of the Judicial Hearing Board is not conclusive since, "The Supreme Court of Appeals will make an independent evaluation of the record and recommendations of the Judicial Review Board [now Judicial Hearing Board] in disciplinary proceedings." Syllabus Point 1, West Virginia Judicial Inquiry Commission v. Dostert, W.Va., 271 S.E.2d 427 (1980).
As previously noted, Canon 3 of the West Virginia Judicial Code of Ethics (1982 Replacement Vol.) provides, in part, that "[t]he judicial duties of a judge [magistrate] take precedence over all his other activities." We believe that the evidence in the case before us clearly and convincingly shows that Magistrate Osburn failed to return to his office on September 17, 1982, to attend to the arraignment of Mr. Rideout. Although his assistant may have performed the arraignment, she was not authorized to do so. See W.Va.Code 50-1-9. W.Va.Code, 62-1-5, requires that law enforcement officers take arrested persons before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, and W.Va.Code, 62-1-6 requires the magistrate to follow certain mandatory arraignment *643 procedures. See, State v. Persinger, W.Va., 286 S.E.2d 261 (1982).
After an independent evaluation of the record, we agree that the Judicial Hearing Board was correct in concluding that the magistrate failed to give his official duties preference in violation of Canon 3 of the Judicial Code of Ethics.
Accordingly, the Court hereby reprimands Magistrate Osburn for failing to attend to his official duties on September 17, 1982.
Reprimanded.
NOTES
[*] The relevant sections of Canon 3 of the Judicial Code of Ethics provide:
"The judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all his other activities. His judicial duties include all the duties of his office prescribed by law. In the performance of these duties, the following standards apply:
A. Adjudicative Responsibilities
(1) A judge should be faithful to the law and maintain professional competence in it. He should be unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor, or fear of criticism.
. . . . . .
(4) A judge should accord to every person who is legally interested in a proceeding, or his lawyer, full right to be heard according to law, and, except as authorized by law, neither initiate nor consider ex parte or other communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding. A judge, however, may obtain the advice of a disinterested expert on the law applicable to a proceeding before him if he gives notice to the parties of the person consulted and the substance of the advice, and affords the parties reasonable opportunity to respond.
B. Administrative Responsibilities.
(1) A judge should diligently discharge his administrative responsibilities, maintain professional competence in judicial administration, and facilitate the performance of the administrative responsibilities of other judges and court officials.
(2) A judge should require his staff and court officials subject to his direction and control to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to him."
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GameCube Classic Built By Fan Who Can't Wait For Nintendo To Make One Nintendo/Madmorda
When Nintendo released the SNES and NES Minis, the company inspired a new wave of petite retro consoles, including the PlayStation Classic and the upcoming Mega Drive Mini.
Naturally, nobody has really managed to touch Nintendo’s fun approach to these novelty consoles just yet. It didn’t help that the PlayStation Classic came with a pretty underwhelming selection of games, where the NES and SNES Minis offered titles that represented the very best of what each console had to offer.
Madmorda
Advert
As such, all eyes are very much on Nintendo to keep the good times going and release Mini versions of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube. While the former has been rumoured for a while now (but probably won’t happen any time soon) the prospect of a GameCube Mini is even less likely, but is by far the one tiny console I’d pay any amount of money for.
On a personal level, I’d owned consoles before the GameCube, but it was with Nintendo’s underrated cube of joy that I really started to fall in love with video games. Super Smash Bros Melee, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Luigi’s Mansion… if you put all of these in one compact box, I’d lose my mind.
Unfortunately, I don’t see Nintendo getting around to shrinking down the GameCube, and I don’t think I’m alone in that opinion. A YouTuber by the name of Madmorda has gotten tired of waiting and as created his very own GameCube Mini.
It really is the real deal. It draws power over Micro USB, comes with four working controller ports, and boasts a USB Type-A port that can be used with the Wii U’s USB GameCube adapter. I want it.
Advert
For extra authenticity, Madmorda opted to use a circuit board taken from an old Wii, instead of using a Rasberry Pi or some other emulator. As you may be aware, the Wii’s CPU and GPU are near identical to the GameCube’s, aside from being faster, smaller, and more power-efficient, making it perfect for this project.
The circuit board was, of course, heavily modified to fit inside the adorably tiny gummy case that acts as the GameCube Mini’s shell. The end result is gorgeous, and I would honestly like very much for someone to put together one of these bad boys for me.
Madmorda
Advert
For a more detailed look at the process, you can head to Madmorda’s Worklog, which can be found here.
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Larry,
I shall be glad to join you and Prof. Goldenfeld for dinner.
Vince
-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Pinsky <pinsky@uh.edu>@ENRON [mailto:IMCEANOTES-Lawrence+20Pinsky+20+3Cpinsky+40uh+2Eedu+3E+40ENRON@ENRON.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2001 2:37 PM
To: Yannis.C.Tzamouranis@dynegy.com; Kaminski, Vince J
Subject: Nigel Goldenfeld's Visit
Guys:
Professor Nigel Goldenfeld of the University of Illinois, [who
also runs an options pricing software firm, NumenX, with Professor Mitchell
Feigenbaum of Rockefeller University] will be visiting the University of
Houston Physics department Monday and Tuesday September 24-25. Goldenfeld
arrives on Monday afternoon, and we were wondering if there would be any
interest in anyone there going out to dinner with us on Monday evening
(Sept. 24). His Colloquium will be given at 3:00-4:00 PM (rather than the
normal 4:00-5:00 PM) on Tuesday afternoon in room 634 SR1 on our campus,
but at present it is on Soft Condensed Matter Physics, and I don't know if
he will say anything about his work in "Econophysics." He has also been a
pivotal person in starting an "Econophysics" program at Illinois. You can
either let me know or get in touch with Mike Gorman, who is coordinating
his visit, at 713 743 3558 (or Gorman@uh.edu).
Larry
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Prof. Lawrence S. Pinsky, Esq. |
| Chairperson |
| Physics Department |
| University of Houston |
| Houston, Texas 77204-5005 |
|
|
| Tel. +1 713 743 3552 (Private +1 281 488 6719) |
| FAX: +1 713 743 3589 (Private +1 281 488 4339) |
| e-mail: pinsky@uh.edu |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|
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Reforma publica que la Comisión Federal de Competencia (CFC) ratificó la multa de 53.8 millones de pesos a Televisa por incumplir con la obligación que le fue impuesta cuando adquirió TVI (Televisión Internacional), la cual consistía en no permitir que los directivos de la subsidiaria participaran en los órganos de control o consejos de administración de otros concesionarios.
Esta reafirmación de la multa se dio después de que Televisa interpusiera un recurso de revisión ante el regulador antimonopolios en el cual justificaba el por qué no debía imponérsele la sanción.
De acuerdo con la Comisión, la televisora incumplió con la obligación impuesta durante la adquisición de TVI al permitir que directivos de la empresa de TV de paga formaran parte de los órganos de control o consejos de administración de otras empresas de TV de paga, en este caso de GSF, controladora de Iusacell.
Leer nota completa en Reforma (Suscripción)
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When SNK Corporation announced SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, many fans (including myself) were overjoyed. However, when a comparison between the Japanese and English trailers revealed some costumes weren’t shown, some were concerned the game’s western release could be censored. Now, publisher NIS America has commented on the issue.
“The content released globally will contain the same costumes and content. Nothing will be removed or replaced in the Western release,” the publisher said on Twitter. “As for controls, it is more accessible for all players, and not just the hardcore fighting gamers :) You will use your entire controller.”
Despite some of the costumes (featured above) not being shown in the English trailer, it’s worth pointing out that you can customize the ladies to wear lots of different outfits. Read more on the game in our original report here.
SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy will launch for PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch sometime this summer, worldwide.
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Deltophalonia huanuci
Deltophalonia huanuci is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is found in Peru.
The wingspan is 19–22 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is cream grey, suffused with brownish grey. The markings are blackish. The hindwings are creamish grey with confluent brown-grey strigulation (fine streaks).
Etymology
The species name refers to the type locality in the Huánuco Region.
References
Category:Moths described in 2010
Category:Cochylini
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The island of Coche is the kind of spot you almost don’t want to tell anyone about. It’s so remote and low key very few people know about the beauty and kiting potential. Every year when the PKRA stops by to host an event, the word spreads a little more about this flat water kiting paradise. Coche is becoming a world class kite spot and the word is spreading fast!
Location
The tranquil island of Coche is located 24 miles off the coast of Venezuela and just a short 20 minute ferry ride across from the larger island of Margarita. (See Map)
Getting There
With direct flights to Margarita from Europe now, traveling with overstuffed gear bags is becoming easier. Most major airlines will fly into Caracas, Venezuela. From there a short 30 minute flight will take you to Porlamar. These quick flights leave every two or three hours and cost around $60-80US each way. Kites and board bags are usually allowed at no extra charge. From the Porlamar airport, hop a taxi to El Yaque for 25,000 Bolivars ($12US) then head to the Yaque Paradise Hotel to check the ferry schedule and buy a ticket for the next boat to Coche. The ferry from El Yaque Paradise Hotel services Coche island almost every 2 hours of the day from sunrise to sunset. The cost each way is 15,000 Bolivars ($8US).
Wind Conditions
The dependable South Eastern trade wind blows constantly and is much stronger in the daytime when accompanied by the thermal winds which start around 2.00pm. In peak season the average is around 18 knots and winds regularly exceeds 25 knots in the afternoon. The peak season for wind is December through June. On the "average" day you can expect to be flying a 12 meter kite.
The Scene
UK pro rider Christian Valentine owns and operates a cabana right in front of the launch called Coche Kite Sports. (Don’t let his warm personality and outgoing island spirit fool you – on a kite, he rips!) It’s a beach oasis stocked with bean bag chairs, lounge tables and a back-ache saving air compressor. Serving up snacks, cold beers and smooth music, this truly is the center of the Coche kite scene. (Pic Below)
Winds don’t usually kick up until the mid afternoon allowing local riders to sleep off their late hangovers. 12-16 meter kites fill the sky for much of the mornings and then around 2pm you realize why Coche is a world class draw. The thermals kick up and the fun begins. It’s a given that there are usually a couple pros riding around for added inspiration. Pro riders Cesar Portas, Leo Estredo and Bertrand Fleury put on a clinic right in front of me, going huge and making it look effortless. Afterwards, they can be found chilling at the kite shack recharging while waiting for another epic session.
The buttery flat water combined with a reliable offshore wind attracts professional riders from all over the world. During my 2 week stay I meet five pro riders and I’m sure there were more that I never noticed. How many people can make that claim at their local spot? Even the local kids from El Yaque that are barely 16 years of age are boosting ultra smooth 20 foot spins and board offs. Even the women were ripping. Bertrand is building a slider park on the far end of the bay in Punta Playa for the PKRA event in the end of April. The sliders and kickers will remain out in the bay until the event culminates the first of May. (Pending coast guard intervention.)
Instruction
After enduring too many windless months in California I decided on Coche as the best place to break into this sport. There a few choices for kiteboard lessons on the island. I chose Sky Riders (http://www.myskyriders.com) located on the beach right next to Coche Paradise Hotel. Three quick sessions with a young energetic girl named Celia and I was up riding both ways. A quick 30 minute session pushed me a few hundred meters offshore. Luckily, local fishing boats trail riders in the outer waters and fish out newbies that can’t yet stay upwind. For a $5 fee they bring you back to the launch saving you an impossible swim. Offshore winds make learning a tough task and unlike the local mantra, Coche is not an ideal place for beginners. To take advantage of the flat waters Coche is renowned for, you must stay upwind near the shore. However, seasoned riders with upwind ability will be spoiled like no other. It’s basically a kiteboard wet dream come to life.
Lodging
At this stage you have some decisions to make. Do you want convenience or luxury. Lodging in Margarita offers numerous high end all inclusive hotels, while Coche offers convenience and localized tranquility. Decide accordingly. I chose a spot one mile up the beach from the launch in the town of San Pedro. Alex Battistini runs a kite hostel for travelers and kiters looking for the rustic Coche experience. $20 a night will get you a home cooked breakfast, dinner, and all the cold beer you can guzzle. In addition to running the hostel with his wife Maria, Alex is a tour guide and knows nearly everyone on the island. If you have questions about the area, he has the answers.
Vibe
The vibe on Coche is laid back and mellow. It’s the perfect place for either a ride-every-day-until-your-arms-fall-off session, or just to bring the wife or girl friend and enjoy a few mellow days while you share quality time. If you arrive with the right attitude, ready to absorb all the local flavors, your visit will be unforgettable.
Local Knowledge / Tips
- Store all of your kite gear in a locker at the Coche Kite Center cabana right on kite beach. Lockers rent for 10,000 Bolivars per day ($5) but will save you the hassle of lugging your gear to and from the beach, especially if you stay in El Yaque.
- The only internet access on Coche island is atop the hill at the police office. It’s free to use for 30 minutes.
- Bring your own waterproof sunblock and mosquito repellent.
- No need to bring Booties or foot protection. Unlike neighboring Caribbean islands, there are no coral reefs in Coche. The ocean floor is soft squishy sand.
- Learn some basic Spanish phrases and words before you leave. The locals are very friends yet many don’t speak any English.
- Bring enough money for your entire trip. Getting to the bank in Porlamar from Coche will cost you around $50. The cash machines in the airport and in the city will most likely be empty or out of order. If you need cash, you need to go to a bank. Bring cash and travelers checks (preferably in US dollars). Currency can be exchanged in nearly all the hotels in El Yaque and at the Coche Paradise Hotel.
Last edited by tiger20 on Fri May 12, 2006 8:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
How are you? Your report is very nice, very complete. I'm Romain from France, I hope the end of your vacation was great. Maybe I will see you in Brazil or in Hawai the next time?....
Thank you for the Liquid Force Board. I have some pictures of you if you want, give me your email...
thanks tiger20! hola romain, very windy here! lots of pro kiters training, the house has 2 new rooms and one new bathroom, so total is 5 rooms 3 bathrooms, scooter rental very soon. hope to have you guys here again soon. gracias, mucho exito y adios
Im planning a trip to Coche from 22 april to 14 of may. Do you have any vaccant rooms at that time?
Is it possible to ride somewhere on Coche, even in the period of the PKRA from the 25th april to 1th may.
Can you write me your email adress for more info?
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"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Obama and Family Attend Christmas Show Taping
The First Family attend Christmas show taping, greet children dressed as elves. Julie Noce reports.
http://www.wtsp.com/video/2938607130001/1/Obama-and-Family-Attend-Christmas-Show-Tapinghttp://cdn.newslook.com/df/df7c7ec0c63dde403e9a6d250ad9cdca/images/frame_0013.jpgObama and Family Attend Christmas Show TapingThe First Family attend Christmas show taping, greet children dressed as elves. Julie Noce reports.WashingtonBarack ObamanewslookUnited States of AmericausD.C.Michelle Obama00:36
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Q:
Sign In with FB issue: FB popup window with the Login dialog is blocked by a web browser
FB documentation says:
As noted in the reference docs for this function, it results in a
popup window showing the Login dialog, and therefore should only be
invoked as a result of someone clicking an HTML button (so that the
popup isn't blocked by browsers).
And I did as it says, I put the FB.login function into an onCLick function. But the the Login dialog is still blocked. Why? How to reorder the code?
// Facebook
// Here is a click event, so FB.login is inside a click function.
$("#login_btn_fb").on("click", function() {
function getUserData(res, fCallback) {
if(res.authResponse != null) {
FB.api('/me', function(response) {
console.log('/me_: ', response);
});
}
else {
console.log("getUserData CANCEL: ", res);
return;
}
};
FB.getLoginStatus(function(res) {
var uid = null;
var accessToken = null;
if($.isPlainObject(res)) {
// Fb+ App+
if(res.status == "connected") {
console.error("connected");
uid = res.authResponse.userID;
accessToken = res.authResponse.accessToken;
getUserData(res, null);
}
// Fb+ App-
else if(res.status == "not_authorized") {
console.error("not_authorized");
FB.login(function(res) {
getUserData(res, null);
}, {scope: 'email,user_birthday,user_photos,public_profile,user_location'});
}
// Fb- App-
else {
console.log("UNKNOWN");
FB.login(function(res) {
// console.log("===UNK FB.login res: ", res);
getUserData(res, null);
}, {scope: 'email,user_birthday,user_photos,public_profile,user_location', return_scopes: true});
};
}
// ERROR with FB
else {
alert("Facebook sign in failure. Please try again later.");
return;
}
});
});
A:
You did not put FB.login in a function that is directly called by a User event, but in an asynchronous callback function of FB.getLoginStatus.
Use FB.getLoginStatus to refresh a User Session and to check if the User is logged in right when you load your Page (right after FB.init), and FB.login only on User interaction - but NOT in an asynchronous callback, of course.
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"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
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Q:
C#, Windows Forms: How to prevent firing of EventHandlers while data is retrieved from the backend
I have over 40 controls (TextBox, RadioButton, CheckBoxes, etc.) on Windows Forms. Each control is registered for EventHandlers (TextChanged, CheckChanged, etc.).
I want to prevent these events from firing during initialization of the form.
Unsubscribing all events before initialization and subscribing later is laborious.
Which is the best way to achieve this?
A:
You could enumerate all controls like:
private void DisableAllHandlers()
{
foreach (var control in this.Controls)
{
// Use reflection
}
}
And use sources from the article How to remove all event handlers from a control to disable handlers for selected control.
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{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
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The Mammoth Book of Vampires
ATTENTION: This item is an eBook. It can be read on iOS, Android, MAC and PC's with a supported eReader. It is not a physical book. eBooks are available via download immediately after you've checked out.
All Available Copies
Used Good
(1 Copy):
Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy!
Ships directly from Better World Books
$3.98
FREE
Used Very Good(1 Copy):
Very Good 0786713720 unmarked.
BARGAIN_BOOKS_USA
FL, USA
$10.60
FREE
Used Very Good(6 Copies):
Very Good 0786713720 Crisp, clean, unread paperback with light shelfwear to the covers and a publisher's mark to one edge-Nice!
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
PA, USA
$10.61
FREE
Used Good(1 Copy):
Good Some may have high-lighting or writings, some are ex-library.
5Boros Books
NJ, USA
$38.07
FREE
Used Like New(1 Copy):
Fine trade paperback format
Fantastic Literature Ltd
ESSEX, GBR
$40.95
FREE
Used Very Good(1 Copy):
Very Good Very nice copy.
5Boros Books
NJ, USA
$44.27
FREE
Used Very Good(2 Copies):
Very good Great customer service. You will be happy!
booklab
VA, USA
$56.69
FREE
New:
New Great customer service. You will be happy!
booklab
VA, USA
$94.39
FREE
Used Good(2 Copies):
Good We ship International with Tracking Number! May not contain Access Codes or Supplements. Buy with confidence, excellent customer service! j.
Books Express
NH, USA
$113.35
FREE
About the Book
Award-winning horror editor Stephen Jones presents thirty-six modern masters of the macabre--among them Harlan Ellison, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Paul McAuley, Peter Tremayne, Steve Rasnic Tem, and Ramsey Campbell--in this collection of the very best in vampire fiction which blends sheer horror with dark humor, deadly tenderness with tingling terror. For the classic vampire, as this volume amply shows, the Blood is the Life. So you'll discover throughout these always scary and diversely crafted pages, from Hugh B. Cave's pulp thriller "Stragella" through to Harold Waldrop's bizarre mix of vampire and Nazis in "Der Untergang Des Abendlandesmenschen" and Christopher Fowler's "The Legend of Dracula Reconsidered as a Primetime TV Special." In between lie artful chillers by the likes of Clive Barker, Brian Lumley, R. Chetwynd-Hayes, Robert Bloch and John Burke, along with new and original stories by Niel Gaiman with "Cards from a Vampire Tarot," and Kim Newman with "Andy Warhol's Dracula: anno Dracula 1978-79." You can sink your teeth, too, in F. Paul Wilson's fast-paced thriller "Midnight Mass," Manly Wade Wellman's "Chastel," offering bloody intrigue and adventure with Judge Keith Hilary Pursuivant; and Les Daniel's "Yellow Fog," which features his enigmatic vampire-hero Don Sebastian de Villanueva.
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|
Analysis of errors in the calculation of irreversible enzyme inhibition kinetic constants.
The kinetic constants for irreversible enzyme inhibition are determined by non-linear least-square regression using a new optimisation technique. An analysis is given of how calculation of the dissociation constant and the unimolecular rate constant is affected both by the inherent error involved in fitting an exponential curve to the plot of product concentration against time, and by the ill-conditioned nature of the equations relating these constants to the parameters of the exponential. The analysis is applied to simulated sets of product concentration curves.
|
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"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
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|
While checking the
usage health reports for a SharePoint site, I got an Error Saying that “There
is no data available for this report. Here are some possible reasons: (1) Web
Analytics has not been enabled long enough to generate data; (2) There is
insufficient data to generate this report; (3) Data logging required for this
report might not be enabled; (4) Data aggregation might not be enabled at the
level required for this report.”
After checking that one by one in the issues
I am having full of data in SharePoint site and that is fair
enough to generate the data reports.
In the site I am sure that Data logging and Data Aggregation
are enabled. I was checked that also as part of trouble shooting. Web Analytic are also enabled as mentioned in the issue.
After pulling hair and digging into the deep, I have found
that Usage and Health Data Collection Service Application Proxy has not been
started. Silly, but I have spent so much of my time. After starting the service
proxy by using following Power Shell command everything working as expected.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
SharePoint 2013 analytics has been improved a lot compared
to SharePoint previous versions. MS people designed analytics to improve the
search and result relevance. All the things like views, social tags, and clicks
will be used in the SharePoint 2013 analytics searching capabilities.
Usage Reports: SharePoint 2013 generates the usage reports
via excel. This will show the data of hits and unique users of the site.
We have option to view the data of Site, Site Collection scope including each
page and document library. We can access the data for the site and site
collection by navigating to Site Settings page.
We have two links “Popularity Trends” and “Popularity and
Search Reports” in the site settings. By Clicking on the links we can the usage reports as shown in the images below.
Most Popular Items: With Reports analytics also provides us
to integrate with search results. For each page we have popularity trends on the ribbon, Share & Track section as shown in the image below.
We can see most popular items for library by checking the Most Popular Items button on the ribbon as shown below.
By
clicking on the button we can find the items that most viewed, Most Viewed by
Unique Users, Most recommended clicks.
We can filter the results by using Search Driven Content
section, Popular items web part to get the popular item in a page.
Follow us in facebook
About Me
Having good experience in SharePoint 2007/2010 and .net applications. Currently, working on SharePoint 2013 and training people on SharePoint. Microsoft certified technology specialist, Microsoft Certified Professional developer in SharePoint 2010.
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{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
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Probin Deka
Probin Deka (1 October 1943) is an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha the lower house of the Indian Parliament from the Mangaldoi constituency of Assam in 1991 and is a member of the
Indian National Congress.
References
External links
Official Biographical Sketch in Lok Sabha Website
Category:1943 births
Category:Indian National Congress politicians
Category:Living people
Category:10th Lok Sabha members
Category:Lok Sabha members from Assam
Category:People from Darrang district
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Wikipedia (en)"
}
|
Q:
One machine blocked from a single server, and only when it's at this physical location?
I host an e-commerce website for a client who suddenly is unable to access it from his computer. He can ping the server, he can SSH in, but cannot load the website in any browser we've tried: IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera. Other machines at this location can connect ok. DNS resolves fine, accessing direct with IP address does not work. Using Wireshark on the server side I can see the requests come in, and the responses leave our switch. Wireshark on the client end sees no reply.
Tried so far:
I find nothing in the client's router settings that would block the site for this one computer. He's had his public IP reassigned, and he's tried a different private IP to no avail.
This all seems to point to malware or an otherwise busted Windows 7 install.
The kicker: carry the machine off-site to a different Internet connection, and it works fine. I have never heard of malware that would deny only return responses from one specific server and only while working from a certain public IP address specific physical location (public IP changed, no difference).
In my experience when some sort of filter is the cause, either all the machines behind a single connection would be blocked, or a single machine would be blocked behind all connections. Here it seems neither applies.
What could be the problem? What do we test next?
Update
I noticed the initial redirect to www. was working before the hang, and that the favicon was coming through. Sure enough, both these requests were under 1k and it lead us to check the MTU values on the client and server. But why were they changed?
A:
if client's router is linux-based, please check that:
1) ICMP blocked by site or ISP
2) client used PPPOE connection
man iptables:
TCPMSS
This target allows to alter the MSS value of TCP SYN packets, to con‐
trol the maximum size for that connection (usually limiting it to your
outgoing interface's MTU minus 40 for IPv4 or 60 for IPv6, respec‐
tively). Of course, it can only be used in conjunction with -p tcp.
This target is used to overcome criminally braindead ISPs or servers
which block "ICMP Fragmentation Needed" or "ICMPv6 Packet Too Big"
packets. The symptoms of this problem are that everything works fine
from your Linux firewall/router, but machines behind it can never
exchange large packets:
1. Web browsers connect, then hang with no data received.
2. Small mail works fine, but large emails hang.
3. ssh works fine, but scp hangs after initial handshaking.
Workaround: activate this option and add a rule to your firewall con‐
figuration like:
iptables -t mangle -A FORWARD -p tcp --tcp-flags SYN,RST SYN
-j TCPMSS --clamp-mss-to-pmtu
|
{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
|
Step 1 In the box above, enter your zip code, optional address, and delivery time.
Step 2 Pick a restaurant from the list on the left and tell us what you'd like to order.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "OpenWebText2"
}
|
Positive
alaTest has collected and analyzed 580 reviews of Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse - Mouse - optical - 7 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - black. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices for all reviews. People are impressed by the reliability and size. The durability and design also get good opinions, but comments are divided on the price.
alaTest has collected and analyzed 90 user reviews of Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse - Mouse - optical - 7 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - black from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the size and durability. The design and price are also appreciated.
usability, price, design, durability, size
87% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.
alaTest has collected and analyzed 204 user reviews of Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse - Mouse - optical - 7 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - black from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the size and usability. The durability and design also get good opinions, but some have doubts about the price.
Microsoft Sidewinder X8
Microsoft's latest Sidewinder mouse, the X8, combines a wireless design with the latest in optical sensor technology. Sporting a proprietary BlueTrack sensor, the X8 will work on most any surface, including granite and marble, which are problems for...
Microsoft SideWinder X8
Wireless mice are all well and good, but you'd never use one for gaming, right? Everybody knows wireless mice suffer from lag, skipping, and all sorts of other problems. Well, here's a situation where common wisdom is wrong. Microsoft has managed to...
Wireless; programmable; overall precision; ergonomically sound design
Slippery scroll wheel; adds to cable clutter despite being wireless
We never thought we'd see the day when we could recommend a wireless mouse
Sidewinder X8 Gaming Mouse
The Microsoft designers attend everything from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to fashion shows in Milan for inspiration for new products. The Microsoft User Research team interviewed hundreds of gamers from all around the world...
Review: Microsoft SideWinder X8 Gaming Mouse
Microsoft's SideWinder gaming gear has been around for close to two years now and line has expanded from a single mouse to a few different products. We have looked at a lot of it in the past and while it all always looks impressive on paper, I...
As the ultimate in Microsoft's wireless gaming mouse offerings, the Sidewinder X8 has found a niche for itself in hardcore gaming. Based on Microsoft Bluetrack Technology, the Sidewinder X8 is claimed to be much better than other contemporary...
Microsoft's Sidewinder X8 was pleasant to use and provided a functional, high-performance, user experience. I will personally use it as a portable gaming mouse, but cannot foresee extensive desktop use because of how the mouse holds my hand. It is my...
Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Wireless Mouse
Last week I looked at both Microsoft's Sidewinder X5 mouse and Sidewinder X6 keyboard. Both surprised me with their near perfect windows integration along with quality construction. To cap off our coverage of the current sidewinder lineup Microsoft...
Of course I haven't even talked about the most important feature of the mouse, no wires.. Wait, a wireless gaming mouse? My first concern with the X8 was noticeable lag that I experienced with my last wireless mouse. It didn't take long in game to...
Microsoft Sidewinder X8 BlueTrack Gaming Mouse
Try and try again must be Microsoft's motto when it comes to gaming mouse design. First, they brought us the original Microsoft Sidewinder Gaming Mouse which had looks that killed, ...
Very much improved over previous products ; Wireless convenience without the wireless lag ; Great tactile response from all buttons ; A joy to use in FPS shooters and very fast and accurate
There is no loitering on this mouse if you want to avoid discomfort (RTS, MMORPG and heavy web surfers can move along)
With the twist of the lid, the wireless receiver/charging puck reveals two additional sets of feet for the Sidewinder X8. The least slippery ones are installed (black) while the white ones are the most slippery. In all honesty, the difference in...
Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Wireless Mouse
The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 is the bestgaming mouse from the folks at Redmond. They have created a mousewith an excellent set of features, which includes their tracks onalmost anything BlueTrack technology, and the charge and play cable,keeping you in...
Product Specifications
The SideWinder X8 Mouse offers wireless freedom with wired performance with a 2.4GHz wireless connection that is built for lag-free play. The SideWinder mouse features an innovative play-and-charge system to ensure a nonstop gaming experience - with no need to stop the game to change batteries. The SideWinder X8 Mouse is a top performer thanks to Microsoft's proprietary BlueTrack technology that gives this mouse the best frame rate, speed and acceleration on the market.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
// Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
// or more contributor license agreements. See the NOTICE file
// distributed with this work for additional information
// regarding copyright ownership. The ASF licenses this file
// to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
// "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
// with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
// software distributed under the License is distributed on an
// "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
// KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the
// specific language governing permissions and limitations
// under the License.
#pragma once
#include <cstdint>
#include <set>
#include <string>
#include "kudu/gutil/ref_counted.h"
#include "kudu/util/locks.h"
#include "kudu/util/status.h"
namespace kudu {
namespace rpc {
// RequestTracker implementation, inspired by:
// "Implementing Linearizability at Large Scale and Low Latency" by Colin Lee et al.
//
// This generates sequence numbers for retriable RPCs and tracks the ongoing ones.
// The main point of this is to enable exactly-once semantics, i.e. making sure that
// an RPC is only executed once, by uniquely identifying each RPC that is sent to
// the server.
//
// Note that the sequence numbers here are differet from RPC 'call ids'. A call id
// uniquely identifies a call _to a server_. All calls have a call id that is
// assigned incrementally. Sequence numbers, on the other hand, uniquely identify
// the RPC operation itself. That is, if an RPC is retried on another server it will
// have a different call id, but the same sequence number.
//
// By keeping track of the RPCs that are in-flight and which ones are completed
// we can determine the first incomplete RPC. When this information is sent
// to the server it can use it to garbage collect RPC results that it might be
// saving for future retries, since it now knows there won't be any.
//
// This class is thread safe.
class RequestTracker : public RefCountedThreadSafe<RequestTracker> {
public:
typedef int64_t SequenceNumber;
static const RequestTracker::SequenceNumber kNoSeqNo;
explicit RequestTracker(std::string client_id);
// Creates a new, unique, sequence number.
// Sequence numbers are assigned in increasing integer order.
// Returns Status::OK() and sets 'seq_no' if it was able to generate a sequence number
// or returns Status::ServiceUnavailable() if too many RPCs are in-flight, in which case
// the caller should try again later.
Status NewSeqNo(SequenceNumber* seq_no);
// Returns the sequence number of the first incomplete RPC.
// If there is no incomplete RPC returns kNoSeqNo.
SequenceNumber FirstIncomplete();
// Marks the rpc with 'seq_no' as completed.
void RpcCompleted(const SequenceNumber& seq_no);
// Returns the client id for this request tracker.
const std::string& client_id() { return client_id_; }
private:
// The client id for this request tracker.
const std::string client_id_;
// Lock that protects all non-const fields.
simple_spinlock lock_;
// The next sequence number.
SequenceNumber next_;
// The (ordered) set of incomplete RPCs.
std::set<SequenceNumber> incomplete_rpcs_;
};
} // namespace rpc
} // namespace kudu
|
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"pile_set_name": "Github"
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|
Hindalco, Sterlite better than Tata Steel: experts
Independent market analyst Shrikant Shetty and technical analyst Neera Jain say investors should avoid buying Tata Steel at the current levels. Shrikant says non-ferrous stocks like Hindalco and Sterlite Industries are better bets than Tata Steel, while Neera says only if Tata Steel remains above Rs 395 for a couple of days should investors looking at buying the share.
|
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1. Introduction {#sec0005}
===============
In 1785 William Withering observed that digitalis glycoside beyond its diuretic effects also \"has a power over the motion of the heart with a degree yet unobserved in any other medicine\" \[[@bib0005]\]. In subsequent years, it was recognised that digitalis could also stabilise a rapid and irregular heart-beat \[[@bib0010]\] and some hundred years later, Fothergill reported that digitalis also enhanced ventricular contraction \[[@bib0015]\]. In the 1980s Hamlyn and colleagues reported the presence of endogenous sodium potassium pump inhibitors, termed cardiotonic steroids (CTS), in patients with essential hypertension \[[@bib0020]\] and healthy controls \[[@bib0025], [@bib0030], [@bib0035]\]. Despite almost four decades of intense research into the role of endogenous CTS in physiology and disease unanswered questions, heightened discussion and disagreement dominate the research field. Even the mere existence of endogenous, circulating CTS is questioned! Further disagreements and questions relate to their structure, biological target, interaction with digoxin, mechanism of action and function in health and disease. Digoxin, an archetypal CTS, is still used for treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Research into the role of endogenous CTS continues and the clinical use of digoxin, while reduced, is unlikely to come to a halt. Aim of this review is to highlight the current state-of-the-art of the endogenous CTS in health and disease and discuss some of the key questions that remain to be addressed.
2. Sodium potassium pump is the primary target for CTS {#sec0010}
======================================================
Sodium potassium pump (NKA) is ubiquitous and as such plays a key role in many physiological processes in the body. NKA uses the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP to exchange three intracellular Na^+^ ions for two extracellular K^+^ ions, thus setting the electrochemical gradient for both Na^+^ and K^+^ across the cell membrane. NKA is therefore vital for maintaining the resting potential and Na^+^ and K^+^ gradients in almost every eukaryotic cell. These gradients ensure basic cellular homeostasis such as regulation of cell volume, essential ionic, glucose and amino acid transport processes. In excitable cells NKA activity restores the Na^+^ and K^+^ gradients following depolarisation and in the kidney its activity provides the driving force for Na^+^ reabsorption essential to control extracellular volume and blood pressure. Among the many Na^+^-dependent transmembrane transport processes in muscle cells, the activity of the NKA drives Na^+^/Ca^2+^ exchanger (NCX) and thus regulates the concentration of Ca^2+^ in both the cytosol and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Furthermore, recent evidence points towards a crucial role for the NKA in neurological function \[[@bib0040],[@bib0045]\].
The work of Skou \[[@bib0050]\] and others on the NKA structure and function over many years identified that CTS bind to the conserved binding site and thereby inhibit NKA activity. Commonly referred to as the "ouabain binding site", CTS binding site resides within the catalytic domain of the NKA α subunit \[[@bib0055]\], see [Fig. 1](#fig0005){ref-type="fig"}. It is highly conserved across the species, suggesting an important physiological function. Mutations of the ouabain binding site, leading to CTS desensitisation, have been identified in monarch butterflies and leaf beatles that feed on plants rich in digitalis \[[@bib0060],[@bib0065]\]. Similar mutations are also observed in toads, presumably developed as adaptational protection to high concentrations of CTS in their skin \[[@bib0070]\]. Remarkably, mice and rats also contain a CTS insensitive α-1 isoform \[[@bib0075],[@bib0080]\]. It is unclear as to the benefits of this adaptational mutation and further studies are warranted and could shed light on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of CTS.Fig. 1**Structure of the NKA and the chemical structures of its commonly described ligands ouabain, marinobufagenin and digoxin.** NKA is made up of the α and β subunits and the accessory FXYD protein. Conserved CTS binding site is found within the α subunit. Three commonly studied CTS are shown on the right. Ouabain and marinobufagenin have been detected in circulation in patients and healthy controls. Ouabain and digoxin have a five-membered lactone ring, whereas marinobufagenin contains a six-membered lactone ring.Fig. 1
NKA is composed of a catalytic α subunit, regulatory β subunit and an accessory FXYD protein \[[@bib0085],[@bib0090]\]. β subunit stabilises the NKA and helps the complex traffic through the secretory pathway to the plasma membrane \[[@bib0095],[@bib0100]\]. In the heart, FXYD protein named phospholemman modulates NKA activity in response to kinase/phosphatase mediated stimuli \[[@bib0090],[@bib0105], [@bib0110], [@bib0115], [@bib0120]\]. NKA functional unit is made up of α and β macromolecular complex with four α (α1, α2, α3 and α4), three β isoforms (β1, β2 and β3) \[[@bib0125],[@bib0130]\] and a FXYD protein, allowing a formation of a number of different NKA isozymes with distinct transport and pharmacological properties \[[@bib0135]\]. Whether multiple isozyme combinations exist within the same heart, whether they demarcate distinct chambers or even distinct topologies within a single cardiomyocyte, is not known and warrants investigation. It has been clearly demonstrated that CTS differentially affect alpha subunits, yet little information exists as to the biological relevance of these (see Pavlovic review \[[@bib0140]\]). Preliminary work shows that in the heart and kidneys α1 is the dominant isoform regulating bulk Na^+^ whereas α2 plays a more prominent role in smooth muscle contraction and has been shown to significantly contribute to regulation of T-tubular Na^+^ and thus modulation of cardiac contraction, via its indirect effects on the Na^+^/Ca^2+^ exchanger (NCX) \[[@bib0090],[@bib0145]\]. Digoxin and ouabain have all been shown to reduce heart rate \[[@bib0150]\], and this is likely to be the primary mechanism for beneficial effects observed in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. When compared to ivabradine, another rate lowering drug, digoxin performed as well in risk reduction for worsening heart failure \[[@bib0155]\]. NKA activity has been demonstrated to play an important role in the brain. Mutations in the brain α1 and α3 NKA isoforms affecting the NKA activity have been identified and linked with the neuronal defects \[[@bib0040],[@bib0045]\]. Whether CTS-mediated regulation of the brain NKA plays a significant functional role in neuronal control remains to be determined.Relevant questions:What is the relevance of different NKA isoforms in different tissues?Are the NKA isoforms differentially expressed in different chambers of the heart?Why is the CTS binding site not conserved in mice and rats?What evolutionary advantage does desensitisation of the CTS binding site confer to mice and rats?
3. Structure and biosynthesis of the endogenous CTS {#sec0015}
===================================================
Whilst the existence of an endogenous, circulating, natriuretic factor, targeting the NKA may have been suggested as early as 1960s, Hamlyn and colleagues were the first to demonstrate and identify the presence of a ouabain-like compound in human plasma \[[@bib0030],[@bib0035]\]. Initial mass spectrometry studies showed the compound to be similar to ouabain, with adrenals showing 500-fold higher concentrations, possibly indicating the origins \[[@bib0025]\]. Development of an immunoassay for detection of endogenous ouabain \[[@bib0160]\] allowed multiple studies in serum of experimental animals and humans. Subnanomolar concentrations of ouabain were detected in the blood of patients with essential hypertension \[[@bib0165], [@bib0170], [@bib0175]\], heart failure \[[@bib0180],[@bib0185]\], acute kidney injury \[[@bib0190], [@bib0195], [@bib0200]\], and end stage renal failure \[[@bib0205]\]. Some evidence exists for the presence of digoxin in human urine \[[@bib0210]\] and of deglycosylated congeners of digoxin in mammals \[[@bib0215],[@bib0220]\]. Marinobufagenin was isolated and identified in urine of patients with myocardial infarction \[[@bib0225]\] and serum of patients with terminal renal failure \[[@bib0230]\]. Structurally related telocinobufagin, the reduced form of marinobufagenin, was identified as a constituent of human serum in patients with terminal renal failure \[[@bib0230]\], at higher concentration than that of marinobufagenin and ouabain. It is likely that other bufadienolides may also be present in circulation. Indeed there are reports of proscillaridin A- \[[@bib0235]\] and bufalin-like \[[@bib0240]\] immunoreactive substances detected in human serum. Some of the studies have relied on the use of antibody-based ELISA methods for detection of the endogenous CTS whereas others have used high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR, though often without detailed validation. Baecher et al. have recently developed a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for detection and quantification of ouabain, with a lower detection limit of 1.7 pmol/L \[[@bib0245]\]. Controversially, they found no ouabain in the plasma of 5 control and 25 heart failure patients and thus concluded that endogenous ouabain detected previously is an artifact. Disqualifying 30 years of work with a single study in 30 patients, though well executed, seems premature. Unsurprisingly, this precipitated a flurry of robust exchanges between the interested parties \[[@bib0250], [@bib0255], [@bib0260]\] with strong views being expressed on both sides. In their review \[[@bib0265]\], Hamlyn and Blaustein rightly argue for possible presence of several isomers of ouabain, and considering detection of several structurally related CTS, e.g. marinobufagenin, telocinobufagin, deglycosylatyed digoxin congeners, it is possible that several CTS species exist in circulation. No attempts have been made thus far to develop validated LC-MS/MS methods for detection and quantification of multiple CTS in plasma or serum. With the recognition that steroids do not exist nor function in isolation of others, development of methods for detection of CTS panel is necessary in order to move the field forward.
Biosynthesis pathways for the CTS are unclear, though existing evidence suggests that CTS are synthesised from cholesterol in the adrenal glands \[[@bib0270],[@bib0275]\] and possibly hypothalamus \[[@bib0280]\]. Indeed, missense polymorphism (rs2254524 V642 L) in lanosterol synthase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, were shown to affect ouabain biosynthesis \[[@bib0285]\]. Can this pathway be targeted pharmacologically requires investigation. The trigger for biosynthesis initiation seems complex, with serum concentrations of ouabain and marinobufagenin increasing in response to volume expansion \[[@bib0290]\], adrenocorticotropic hormone, angiotensin II, vasopressin, and phenylephrine \[[@bib0270],[@bib0295]\], adding another layer of complexity.Relevant questions:Which CTS are present in circulation, if any?What is the effect of multiple different CTS on cardiac, smooth muscle, neuronal and kidney function? Do they act synergistically or is there antagonism?How do endogenous CTS get synthesised and can these biosynthetic pathways be targeted?
4. CTS mechanism of action and interaction with digoxin {#sec0020}
=======================================================
Textbook model describes CTS-mediated inhibition of the cardiac NKA, thereby, raising intracellular Na^+^ and Ca^2+^ (via NCX), see [Fig. 2](#fig0010){ref-type="fig"}. The effects of acutely increased Ca^2+^ on contractility \[[@bib0300]\] are well described and this is postulated to be the inotropic mechanism providing improved cardiac output in heart failure patients. Digoxin, and digitoxin also reduce heart rate, presumably by parasympathomimetic effects, and as such are used for rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation. Of course, it may be that bradycardic effects are the primary mechanism for improved morbidity in patients with heart failure. It is unclear, whether the effects on heart rate are mediated directly on the vagus, sino-atrial node, on cardiac conduction, or possibly on all of them. Levels required to achieve these effects in patients are around 1 nM. Considering that circulating concentrations of CTS are in the range of 0.05-0.7 nM \[[@bib0020],[@bib0025],[@bib0165],[@bib0225],[@bib0230],[@bib0305], [@bib0310], [@bib0315], [@bib0320], [@bib0325], [@bib0330], [@bib0335], [@bib0340]\], it is questioned whether inotropic and bradycardic effects are likely to be observed. Alternative theory that does not involve modulation of intracellular Na^+^ and Ca^2+^ concentrations was presented \[[@bib0345]\]. This hypothesis proposes that the NKA acts as a receptor for the CTS and thus plays a signaling role \[[@bib0350]\], regulating early response genes associated with cell growth \[[@bib0355]\]. In this model, Lie and Xie suggest that a fraction of inactive NKA subunits are localised in the caveolae and are physically associated with other key signaling proteins such as EGFR and Src \[[@bib0360],[@bib0365]\] see [Fig. 2](#fig0010){ref-type="fig"}. Binding of the CTS leads to activation of hypertrophic and fibrotic signaling cascades via NKA-Src-ERK \[[@bib0355]\]. Evidence also exists for the involvement of other signaling molecules, phospholipase C, TRP proteins, PI(3)K, and PKC \[[@bib0345],[@bib0365], [@bib0370], [@bib0375], [@bib0380], [@bib0385]\] and that the CTS induce the endocytosis of the CTS-NKA-Src-EGFR complex \[[@bib0370], [@bib0375], [@bib0380]\]. There is disagreement whether the activation of signaling cascades via CTS indeed occurs independently of NKA inhibition and the accompanying increases in intracellular Na^+^ and Ca^2+^ \[[@bib0390],[@bib0395]\]. There is certainly substantive evidence that acute CTS inotropic effects and activation of NKA-Src-ERK signaling cascades depend on the presence of functional NCX and intracellular sodium and calcium increases \[[@bib0300],[@bib0400],[@bib0405]\].Fig. 2**Schematic diagram of ionic versus signaling pathways for cardiotonic steroid effects.** In the classic pathway (shown on the left), CTS binds and inhibits the NKA, which in turn is accompanied by changes in cytosolic \[Na^+^\]. The increase in cytosolic \[Na^+^\] then reduces NCX activity and induces an increase in cytosolic \[Ca^2+^\]. High cytosolic \[Ca^2+^\] mediates muscle contraction (inotropy) or activates a variety of signaling pathways. It is unclear whether the effects of CTS on heart rate (bradycardia) are also mediated via the ionic pathway. The signaling pathway (shown on the right hand side) occurs in the caveolar domain and involves the physical interaction with Src. When the CTS binds the NKA, SRC gets activated inducing further activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK) through activation of its mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK).Fig. 2
Presence of endogenous CTS raises an important therapeutic query, if endogenous CTS exist in patients treated with digoxin or digitoxin, how do these affect outcomes? It is possible that administration of digoxin to patients with already raised endogenous CTS can be detrimental. Link between mortality and elevated serum levels of CTS in heart failure patients has been clearly established. Heart failure patients treated with therapeutic doses of digoxin, where serum levels of digoxin are \>1.2 ng/ml (as measured by ELISA with poor specificity), are associated with 11.8 % increase in mortality \[[@bib0410]\]. Thus, differing levels of endogenous cardiotonic steroids may partly explain the varied success of digoxin in this patient population and also the susceptibility to adverse drug reactions and overt toxicity. Surprisingly, experiments in rat arteries suggest potential antagonism of ouabain and digoxin \[[@bib0415]\], and digoxin was shown to oppose ouabain-induced hypertension \[[@bib0420]\]. This may explain the beneficial effects of digoxin therapy in heart failure patients \[[@bib0425]\], however, whether antagonism between digoxin and ouabain, and other CTS exists in the heart and what the therapeutic implications of these findings are, remains to be investigated.Relevant questions:Are the clinical benefits of CTS in heart failure patients primarily mediated via heart rate reduction?Do endogenous CTS levels affect response to digoxin therapy in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation?Does the antagonism between digoxin and endogenous CTS exist in the heart?
5. Endogenous CTS in physiology and pathophysiology {#sec0025}
===================================================
CTS were shown to be involved in cardiac contraction, heart rate modulation, blood pressure regulation and natriuresis. Chronic exposure to CTS can lead to remodelling of the heart, kidneys and arterial walls but also cardiac fibrosis and arrhythmias ([Fig. 3](#fig0015){ref-type="fig"}). Their secretion seems to be driven by kidney dysfunction and sodium and volume status and is likely involved in a number of diseases from uremic cardiomyopathy, preeclampsia, hypertension, congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia-induced arrhythmias and diabetes mellitus.Fig. 3**Graphical representation of the proposed biosynthesis and function of endogenous cardiotonic steroids.** Synthesis of endogenous cardiotonic steroids is thought to occur in the adrenal cortex from cholesterol. Acute effects of endogenous cardiotonic steroids are mediated via inhibition of the NKA. Isoform specific effect in each tissue is shown in red. Acute and chronic effects of elevated cardiotonic steroids levels on the specific organs are shown in black boxes. Adapted from Schoner and Scheiner-Bobis \[[@bib0535]\].Fig. 3
Regulation of sodium content and thus blood volume is proposed as the primary physiological role of endogenous CTS. The basis of this natriuretic control is thought to be dependent on the direct inhibition of the α1 NKA isoform in renal tubular cells \[[@bib0430]\]. The most convincing evidence in support of this are the studies by Periyasami and colleagues where marinobufagenin antibodies given to salt loaded rats lowered urinary excretion and increased NKA activity \[[@bib0435]\]. Given, high similarity in chemical structures between different CTS, antibodies raised against individual CTS tend to have poor specificity \[[@bib0440]\] and thus marinobufagenin may not necessarily be the primary modulator. Indeed, increases in both endogenous ouabain and marinobufagenin are observed in states of volume expansion and volume expansion mediated hypertensive syndromes that are related to water and salt accumulation \[[@bib0310],[@bib0430],[@bib0445]\]. Beyond the expected inhibition of the NKA, administration of ouabain or marinobufagenin also resulted in translocation of the NKA to intracellular compartments via clathrin-dependent endocytosis \[[@bib0380]\]. This translocation required PI(3)K activation, the plasmalemmal pump to be in the context of caveola, and signaling through the Src-EGFR pathway \[[@bib0375]\]. It is therefore suggested that salt loading leads to increases in ouabain and marinobufagenin in the proximal tubules, both of which act to decrease Na^+^ through NKA inhibition and/or activation of a signaling mechanism mediated by NKA-Src-EGFR cascades. This decrease in renal Na^+^ reabsorption is expected to lead to an increase in urinary Na^+^ excretion. In studies of healthy individuals, salt loading for up to 6 days lead to a transient elevation in plasma ouabain and sustained increase in marinobufagenin, followed by an increase in urine Na^+^ excretion \[[@bib0290],[@bib0450]\]. CTS are also implicated in control of blood pressure and infusion of ouabain or marinobufagenin, at concentrations comparable with *in vivo* plasma levels, lead to an increase in blood pressure \[[@bib0330],[@bib0455], [@bib0460], [@bib0465]\]. Indeed, increased levels of endogenous ouabain were detected in patients with essential hypertension \[[@bib0165],[@bib0170]\] and preeclampsia \[[@bib0470], [@bib0475], [@bib0480]\]. Hypertension induced by salt loading, ouabain infusion or preeclampsia was reduced by immune-neutralisation with anti-CTS antibodies \[[@bib0485],[@bib0490]\] or CTS antagonists rostafuroxin \[[@bib0495]\] and resibufogenin \[[@bib0500]\]. It should be noted however that rostafuroxin did not reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients enrolled in Ouabain and Adducin for Specific Intervention on Sodium in Hypertension (OASIS-HT) phase-2 Trial \[[@bib0505]\]. Whilst the evidence for the role of endogenous CTS in natriuresis and blood pressure homeostasis is mounting it is unclear which endogenous CTS are involved and whether the acute and chronic responses are differentially modulated.Relevant questions:Do endogenous CTS directly modulate natriuresis and blood pressure or are they simply by products of these homeostatic mechanisms?Are there differences in CTS biosynthesis between the acute and chronic responses to salt loading?Which CTS are involved in physiological volume and blood pressure control?
Endogenous CTS levels were also shown to be increased in animal models and patients with acute kidney injury \[[@bib0200]\], chronic kidney disease \[[@bib0330]\], end stage renal disease \[[@bib0205],[@bib0230]\], myocardial infarction \[[@bib0510]\] and heart failure \[[@bib0180],[@bib0515],[@bib0520]\]. Most of the studies demonstrate increases in ouabain and marinobufagenin from circa 0.3 nM in healthy individuals to circa 0.7--1.0 nM in patients. The evidence in favor of the hypothesis that endogenous CTS drive the disease progression rather than simply act as biomarkers of pathology is growing. In healthy adult rats administration of marinobufagenin for 4 weeks led to increases in blood pressure, diastolic dysfunction and ventricular hypertrophy \[[@bib0330],[@bib0525]\]. Remarkably, active and passive immunisation against marinobufagenin reversed most of these alterations \[[@bib0330],[@bib0525]\]. Independent studies by Ferrandi et al. showed that infusion of 0.7 nM of ouabain for 18 weeks in healthy adult rats induced hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy and could be reversed by ouabain antagonist PST2238 \[[@bib0460]\]. These studies demonstrate that chronic exposure to pathophysiological concentrations in healthy animals can lead to some of the cardiovascular changes observed in patients, however, utilisation of animal models with a preserved NKA sensitivity to CTS is required to provide further mechanistic insights. Whether immunisation for CTS or intravenous administration of antibodies raised against CTS (e.g. in patients on renal replacement therapy) is beneficial to these patient populations is an easily testable and attractive proposition.Relevant questions:Which CTS are synthesised in patients with renal and heart failure?Is the cardiovascular disease progression mediated by chronic elevation of CTS?Does quenching of endogenous CTS by immunisation or administration of antibodies against CTS represent a viable therapeutic option for patients with chronically high CTS levels?
6. Conclusion {#sec0030}
=============
Administration of CTS was conclusively shown to modulate contraction, blood pressure regulation, natriuresis and chronically can contribute to remodelling of the heart, kidneys and arterial walls. Although endogenous CTS have been detected in blood of patients with kidney and cardiovascular dysfunction as early as 1981, the chemical identities of CTS and mechanistic insight into the cardiovascular physiology and pathogenesis of these molecules remains unclear. Antibody-based assays cannot distinguish different CTS due to their high structural similarity. Furthermore there is a clear need for human studies as murine NKA shows a 1000 fold reduced sensitivity to CTS \[[@bib0530]\]. A clear barrier to further expansion of knowledge is our lack of tools to accurately detect and measure the CTS present in circulation and thus identify patients with a positive CTS status. Understanding how these endogenous molecules interact with digoxin is also important if we are to come up with novel stratified therapies, better tailored for treatment of patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. These studies must be carried out in either human tissue or animal models with preserved NKA sensitivity to CTS, rather than mice and rats, where NKA sensitivity is reduced.
Sources of funding {#sec0035}
==================
DP is supported by the British Heart Foundation (PG/17/55/33087, RG/17/15/33106, FS/19/16/34169, FS/19/12/34204) and Wellcome Trust (109604/Z/15/Z).
CRediT authorship contribution statement {#sec00005}
========================================
**Davor Pavlovic:** Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Resources, Validation, Visualization, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
=================================
None.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Central"
}
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The monitoring and surveillance of the psychosocial work environment in Canada: a forgotten determinant of health.
The psychosocial working environment is an important determinant of health status and health inequalities in Canada. Particular dimensions of the psychosocial work environment such as low job control, job strain and imbalances between perceived efforts and rewards have been related to cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of mortality in Canada) and poorer mental health status. Despite its importance to the health of Canadians and health inequalities in Canada, the national surveillance of the psychosocial work environment is decreasing. Currently, the surveillance of the psychosocial work environment in Statistic Canada's population health surveys is limited to convenience-based samples within particular health regions. Not including important dimensions of the health, such as the psychosocial work environment, in our population-based surveys limits the ability of these surveys to help us better understand the challenges and opportunities to reducing health inequalities in Canada.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Doberman Pinscher Dogs can make good pets in Cook Islands if they match your IifestyIe. The Doberman Pinscher is a powerful guard dog. Dobermans are protective, but are not vicious dogs; their reputation for aggression is undeserved. Doberman Pinschers that are properly trained and socialized are very gentle family companions.
Rescue Me! - HeIpingAnimaIs in Need.
lnteresting Doberman Pinscher Trivia
Cook Islands Fact Sheet
Doberman Pinschers were first bred by a German tax collector named Louis Doberman. Dobermans cannot work in areas where it gets very cold in the winter.
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The ultimate goal of BJJ competition is to tap your opponent out, not to win by points. That being said, the point system is still a very important part of the game and you have to understand how to use it!
Here’s why…
First of all, the point system in BJJ tournaments generally reflects what would work in a real fight.
For example, its better to be on top than on bottom in a fight, which is why you get 2 points for a guard sweep. It’s better to get past the legs of an opponent which is why you get 3 points for the guard pass. You can hit your opponent harder in kneemount (2 points) or full mount (4 points) than side mount, and the back is the ultimate position for doing unilateral damage to any enemy (4 points).
Secondly, if you get a lot more points than your opponent he may panic, do something stupid, and give you an opening you can use to submit him.
So points are important in BJJ tournaments…
And I recently came across a really cool system for quickly racking up 15 points in competition.
This came from dropping in on my friend Mike Zenga just as he was finishing up training with Robson ‘Mau Mau’ de Lima Rodrigues.
I came in through the basement door in the middle of an all-out dogfight sparring session…
Mike is a big, tall, and skilled black belt, but Mau Mau is a 3 x No Gi Pan Am champion and 1 x World No Gi Champion. Needless top say there was a lot of sweat, scrambles, and even a brand new hole in the wall where Mike had caved it in. Fun times!
As they wound down their training Mike started prodding Mau Mau to share his patented system for getting 15 points in competition. I wasn’t sure what this was, but it sounded good and so I scrambled to get my camera out!
It ended up being some really cool stuff, and I’m glad I can share it with you now. I think this is one of those things you can add to your game quickly and derive some real benefit from.
Here’s the video of Mau Mau’s system for getting a whole bunch of points and putting your opponent into a terrible position. And if you scroll down below the video you’ll get that same system in bulleted form.
Enjoy!
Here are the steps to go from the bottom to the top, get 15 points, and end up in a great position to submit your opponent as well!
Start by trapping his right leg in half guard
Sit up and trap his left arm using the Kimura grip
Fall back keeping the grip tight
Escape your hips out to the left slightly and insert your left butterfly hook
Now shift your hips back under your opponent, lift with your hook and roll your opponent to your right (2 points)
Land in half guard and maintain the Kimura grip
Use your right foot to free your left leg and pass his half guard (3 more points, total = 5)
Pop up to kneemount (2 more points, total = 7)
Drop down to sidemount, switch your base and swing left leg over to the mount. (4 more points, total = 11) Note that it’s really difficult for your opponent to block the kneemount or the full mount because the arm he might use to block is tied up in the Kimura
Note that it’s really difficult for your opponent to block the kneemount or the full mount because the arm he might use to block is tied up in the Kimura Dismount back to sidemount, circle over your opponent’s head and prop him up onto his right side
Step over your opponent with your left and let him catch that leg in his half guard
Use the chair sit manoeuvre to take your opponent’s back (4 more points, total = 15)
Choke him out from the back!
Train this and then start putting it into action!
Take care,
Stephan Kesting
Related Links
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Isoprostanes in amniotic fluid: a predictive marker for fetal growth restriction in pregnancy.
Isoprostanes are markers of free radical-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress occurs in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR). The aim of this study was to analyze F2-isoprostanes in amniotic fluid of FGR pregnancies. We tested the hypothesis that F2-isoprostanes are reliable markers to distinguish FGR pregnancies from normal ones and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) from small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns. F2-isoprostanes levels were measured by colorimetric enzyme immunoassay in the amniotic fluid of 77 pregnancies with normal fetal growth (group I) and 37 with FGR (group II). Fetal biometry and Doppler measurements were obtained using an ATL HDI 3000 ultrasound system. Isoprostanes were higher in group II than group I. The ROC curve distinguished group I from group II, showing 100% sensitivity and 88.3% specificity at a cutoff of 94 pg/ml. There were no statistical differences in isoprostanes levels between AGA and SGA newborns in group II. The area under the ROC curve drawn to distinguish AGA and SGA newborns showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 72.3% at a cutoff of 94 pg/ml. The relative risk index indicated a 8.05 times higher risk of birth weight below the 3rd percentiles in group II than in group I. High isoprostanes concentrations can be detected in the amniotic fluid of FGR pregnancies and the assay of isoprostanes in amniotic fluid is a reliable assessment of fetal oxidative stress. Common use of this predictive marker in obstetrics will improve the ability of clinicians to identify those fetuses who will be born SGA or with a birth weight below the 25th percentile.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The future for electrocoagulation as a localised water treatment technology.
Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical method of treating polluted water whereby sacrificial anodes corrode to release active coagulant precursors (usually aluminium or iron cations) into solution. Accompanying electrolytic reactions evolve gas (usually as hydrogen bubbles) at the cathode. Electrocoagulation has a long history as a water treatment technology having been employed to remove a wide range of pollutants. However electrocoagulation has never become accepted as a 'mainstream' water treatment technology. The lack of a systematic approach to electrocoagulation reactor design/operation and the issue of electrode reliability (particularly passivation of the electrodes over time) have limited its implementation. However recent technical improvements combined with a growing need for small-scale decentralised water treatment facilities have led to a re-evaluation of electrocoagulation. Starting with a review of electrocoagulation reactor design/operation, this article examines and identifies a conceptual framework for electrocoagulation that focuses on the interactions between electrochemistry, coagulation and flotation. In addition detailed experimental data are provided from a batch reactor system removing suspended solids together with a mathematical analysis based on the 'white water' model for the dissolved air flotation process. Current density is identified as the key operational parameter influencing which pollutant removal mechanism dominates. The conclusion is drawn that electrocoagulation has a future as a decentralised water treatment technology. A conceptual framework is presented for future research directed towards a more mechanistic understanding of the process.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Familial pervasive development disorder, Tourette disorder and hyperlexia.
Four children and one adult have been found to have Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Tourette disorder and hyperlexia in North Dakota, a state with a population of 204,161 children ages 0-18. Assuming that these are independent disorders the probability of these three disorders occurring by chance in one child is 3.39 x 10(-12). Two of these individuals are from the same family. This suggests evidence for genetic linkage among these three disorders.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Eurocommerce
EuroCommerce represents national federations and companies in the retail, wholesale and international trade sector from 31 European countries. The sector comprises some 5.5 million companies, 99% of which are small or medium-sized enterprises. The sector plays a unique role in the European economy as a link between producers and 500 million consumers across Europe.
EuroCommerce seeks to inform decision-makers and the wider public of the significance of the retail and wholesale sector, which interacts with 100 million customers every day, and offers 29 million European, particularly young people starting their careers a wide range of rewarding jobs and skills: 1 in 7 jobs in Europe are in retail or wholesale, and 1 in 5 young people (15-24) employed are in retail or wholesale.
The retail and wholesale sector faces a constantly changing market, with consumers looking for new products and new ways of shopping, digital technology opening up new possibilities to compare prices and products across borders and many new ways of paying for them. The sector is also active in adopting sustainable environmental policies to reduce the carbon footprint and waste in the retail and wholesale.
EuroCommerce looks to raise the profile of retail and wholesale in European policymaking, and help shape the regulatory agenda to ensure that its members can continue to offer the best products at the most competitive prices.
EuroCommerce is the official European social partner for the retail and wholesale sector, and plays an active role in European social dialogue.
History
EuroCommerce was founded in 1993, as a result of merging three pre-existing large retail chains, small retail operators and wholesalers and traders. It brings together European and national associations representing various aspects of retail and wholesale and international trade to form a single voice for the sector in Brussels. Its first President (from 1993–94) and driving force behind the creation of EuroCommerce, was Dr Albert Heijn (1927–2011), the chairman of the major Dutch retailer Ahold.
Policy areas
EuroCommerce brings together the expertise of its members and secretariat to help inform and contribute to debate in a range of policies, including competitiveness and the economy, the digital economy, single market, global trade, environment and sustainability, social policy and industrial relations, food and non-food, enterprise and SMEs.
List of Presidents
Members
National associations
Company members
References
Category:Business organizations based in Europe
Category:Cross-European advocacy groups
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"pile_set_name": "Wikipedia (en)"
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Aug 22, 2011
Apparently, most people didn't know Kurt Cobain was a feminist. Looking at his relationship with Courtney Love, I am not exactly sure why. Kat Broderick put together a couple of quotes of his on the matter. (Via)
In her Try it out Tuesdays-series, Tara Stiles suggests to just be kind to people one whole day long. Probably more difficult than it sounds?
Naturally, not only left-handed females are underpaid: According to a study by Georgetown University, women need a PhD to earn as much as men with Bachelor degrees. According to the study, on average women earn 25% percent less than men. Source and more info. (Via.)
Have you got globetrotter genes? Milk put together a list of things to know for people who are thinking about moving to L.A.
Ari of Advanced Style has asked a 99-year-old lady for her life advice. Tips include classics like "Never loan, never borrow" and fancier Upper East Side-y stuff like "Don't frequent a restaurant where they don't crumb the table".
Aug 21, 2011
Veggie Love, a German blog edited by vegan Franziska Schmid, is still celebrating its first birthday with a wonderful blog parade: Everyday, different bloggers are portrayed who share their opinion on Veggie Love. Amongst the congratulants are also Susanne and myself (in English, just scroll down a tad bit). Remember, we developed the GCB tote bags together - and named one after Franziska! If you're interested in a sustainable lifestyle at all and can read some German, check out Franziska's posse.
Aug 20, 2011
One week ago today, 3000 people took to the streets in Berlin to protest against sexist discrimination. (Think Christopher Street Day for women's rights.) I was there - as were plenty of other Girls On Web Society members. If you like, please follow the jump for a collection of some of their posts.
Aug 18, 2011
I just accidentally deleted a whole post on this Gazpacho soup I made recently (grrr!) - and that my cat Frido stepped into a couple of minutes after I took this photo. Because it's late and I'm tired I won't rewrite everything that just went into digital nirvana now, please apologize. Let me just say that this cold raw vegetable soup that I prepared with my KitchenAid Artisan Blender has made it onto my Favorite Things to Eat of All Time list instantly! And for someone who enjoys cooking, that's really something. The blender performed perfectly at all times, and as per usual, cleaning it was super easy. For more photos, please follow the jump...
Aug 14, 2011
These are the three core questions of this year's 21 Day Meditation Challenge. The idea is to meditate for ten minutes every day over three weeks to get to know yourself better. To that end, you will receive free MP3 files with guided meditation instructions each day. Registration is quick and easy. I've never partaken before, but past participants wrote rave reviews and are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's start of this year's challenge. So why not try out something new for a change? This sounds easy enough. ;)
Aug 11, 2011
Like announced last week, a couple of days ago I prepared the veggie burger featured in 24 hours a day, the KitchenAid blender cookbook. Despite a long list of ingredients, its preparation was fairly inexpensive (given you have a couple of basics like olive oil etc. at home) and the result tasted great. For more pictures and a German Bericht of my first ever veggie burger, please follow the jump.
Aug 8, 2011
Coming Saturday, August 13, the Slutwalk Berlin will take place. What sounds a little strange is a demonstration for women's rights that has been taking place the world over. (I think the last I've heard of was staged in New Delhi.) Nadine Lantzsch is one of the local organizers and is still looking for helping hands.
Johanna shows us one of her favorite buildings in Germany: The Vitrahaus in Weil am Rhein.
This Vegan Life is proud of Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for adding Jonathan Safran Foer's book Eating Animals to their reading lists. Way to go!
Aug 7, 2011
Never heard of the Be Body Positive Day? Me neither, until Anna Guest-Jelley featured it on her blog recently. The idea is to do one thing today that will make you feel great about your body. As to me, I'll do Yoga, but Anna has a list of fifteen other ideas for you try if that's not for you (yet). In any case, it's never too late to start loving your body! Find out more about the initiative at the body positive.
Aug 5, 2011
A couple of months back I saw someone walk around my Berlin neighbourhood wearing a tote bag saying There's a special place in hell for fashion bloggers. It made me smile although I do like me my fashion blog every once in a while and don't believe in hell at all. Well, now I found the same slogan stitched onto some customized jeans vest and thought I'd share. If you're still looking for your own perfect tote bag, check out the GCB ones. Only last week, Franziska Schmid (whom I haven't seen in way too long) unpacked hers and put her favorite every day items on display: Bloggerinnen It Bag!
Aug 4, 2011
With my KitchenAid Artisan Blender also came the German version of a KitchenAid Blender Cookbook. Along the lines of its English language counterpart "24 hours a day"the book is entitled "Rund um die Uhr". Quite obviously, the idea is to show that a blender is useful for the preparation of most any meal or drink - no matter what time of the day, whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, baby food or cocktails. For a German Einschätzung whether this cookbook is of any use at all (it is!) and whether it's also suitable for vegetarians like my humble self (it is!), please follow the jump!
Aug 1, 2011
This is one of a series of awesome photographies of dogs shaking off water. Carli Davidson, the photographer, is based in Portland, Oregon, has previously worked at the local zoo and has specialised in animal photography. Check out her portfolio or take a look at my source for more hilarious images.
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Brown-Séquard and cerebral localization as illustrated by his ideas on aphasia.
Brown-Séquard's concept of localization was built on the phenomena of inhibition and dynamogenesis, constituting a dynamic system in which reflex mechanisms, that played a part not only in the spinal cord but in the brain as well, were considered of particular importance. The use of this concept is considered in Brown-Séquard's discussion of the subject of cerebral localization, and especially of aphasia. The origin and development of Brown-Séquard's ideas on aphasia from 1861 onwards are discussed, as is the part he possibly played in the transfer of knowledge from Paris to London (Broca and Jackson). In the 1870's Brown-Séquard debated on cerebral localization with Charcot before the Société de Biologie. Opposing the cluster theory of localization, Brown-Séquard developed the theory of "réseau de cellules anastomosées", a kind of network theory in which scattered cells subserving the same function are connected by nerve fibers. This was to him a plausible theory, with which he was able to explain the fact that damage in several locations may produce the same effect, and, to account for observations that some functions remain unimpaired despite extensive brain-injury. Although Brown-Séquard's arguments were not always valid, because they were based on imprecise observations, his dynamic model, nowadays, seems valuable. He influenced "anti-localizers" such as Goltz, but also Jackson and probably Von Monakow and Sherrington.
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On the Origin of the "Influencing Machine" in Schizophrenia
"On the Origin of the 'Influencing Machine' in Schizophrenia" is an article written by psychoanalyst Viktor Tausk. It was first published in 1919 in the journal Internationale Zeitschrift für Psychoanalyse and then, after translation into English by Dorian Feigenbaum, in the Psychoanalytic Quarterly in 1933.
The paper describes Tausk's observations and psychoanalytic interpretation of paranoid delusion that occurs in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The delusion often involves their being influenced by a "diabolical machine", just outside the technical understanding of the victim, that influences them from afar. It is typically believed to be operated by a group of people who are persecuting the individual, whom Tausk suggested were "to the best of my knowledge, almost exclusively of the male sex" and the persecutors "predominantly physicians by whom the patient has been treated".
These delusions are known in contemporary psychiatry as "passivity delusions" or "passivity phenomena" and are listed among Kurt Schneider's 'first rank' symptoms which are thought to be particularly diagnostic of schizophrenia, and still form some of the core diagnostic criteria.
Extract from the article
The schizophrenic influencing machine is a machine of mystical nature. The patients are able to give only vague hints of its construction. It consists of boxes, cranks, levers, wheels, buttons, wires, batteries, and the like. Patients endeavor to discover the construction of the apparatus by means of their technical knowledge, and it appears that with the progressive popularization of the sciences, all the forces known to technology are utilized to explain the functioning of the apparatus. All the discoveries of mankind, however, are regarded as inadequate to explain the marvelous powers of this machine, by which the patients feel themselves persecuted.
The main effects of the influencing machine are the following:
It makes the patient see pictures. When this is the case, the machine is generally a magic lantern or cinematograph. The pictures are seen on a single plane, on walls or windowpanes, and unlike typical visual hallucinations are not three-dimensional.
It produces, as well as removes, thoughts and feelings by means of waves or rays or mysterious forces which the patient's knowledge of physics is inadequate to explain. In such cases, the machine is often called a "suggestion-apparatus." Its construction cannot be explained, but its function consists in the transmission or "draining off" of thoughts and feelings by one or several persecutors.
It produces motor phenomena in the body, erections and seminal emissions, that are intended to deprive the patient of his male potency and weaken him. This is accomplished either by means of suggestion or by air-currents, electricity, magnetism, or X-rays.
It creates sensations that in part cannot be described, because they are strange to the patient himself, and that in part are sensed as electrical, magnetic, or due to air-currents.
It is also responsible for other occurrences in the patient's body, such as cutaneous eruptions, abscesses, or other pathological processes.
The Influencing Machine in art and media
Literature
The most well-known example of an influencing machine is that of James Tilly Matthews who believed he was being controlled "body and mind" by a device called the "Air Loom." Matthews was a tea merchant and political activist before he was admitted to the Bethlem Royal Hospital (Bedlam) after shouting "treason" in the British House of Commons in 1797. He was a prolific writer and artist and described the "air loom" in great detail. His descriptions were published as a book in 1810 by John Haslam entitled Illustrations of Madness. This example is the only concrete example of the influencing machine in the history of psychiatry.
In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the narrator, "Chief" Bromden, believes that the psychiatric ward in which he is committed (including the staff) is a machine in the service of a broader "Combine" - his name for technological society. This portrayal has been described as one of the best-known fictional examples of an "influencing machine" patient.
Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander (1978).
Activist Jerry Mander's book argues for the complete removal of television from our lives because of its ill effects. Mander gives the example of Tausk's "Influencing machine" as being a parallel for television: "Doubtless you have noticed that this 'influencing machine' sounds an awful lot like television ... In any event, there is no question that television does what the schizophrenic fantasy says it does. It places in our minds images of reality which are outside our experience. The pictures come in the form of rays from a box. They cause changes in feeling and ... utter confusion as to what is real and what is not."
Other
VALIS
Paranoia (role-playing game)
Chronicles of Darkness: The God-Machine Chronicle
Real-life cases
John C. Lilly
James Tilly Matthews ( "Air Loom" delusion)
Daniel Paul Schreber
Richard Sharpe Shaver
Francis E. Dec
See also
Conspiracy theory
Tin foil hat
References
External links
On the Origin of the "Influencing Machine" in Schizophrenia at PubMed Central
NPR's Brooke Gladstone explains Tausk's "Influencing Machine" in an animated short film
Category:1919 documents
Category:Academic journal articles
Category:Schizophrenia
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Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphism in Polish rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Interleukin (IL)-10 is an important multifunctional cytokine with both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, we evaluated the frequency and potential impact of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms on susceptibility to and severity of RA in Polish in - patients with a high disease activity (mean DAS 28 C-reactive protein 5.25). DNA was obtained from 244 RA patients and 106 healthy controls. The -592C/A and -1082G/A IL-10 gene polymorphisms were amplified by polymerase chain reaction with restriction endonuclease mapping. The frequency of the IL-10-592CA, -592AA genotypes (respectively: 30% vs 5% and 7% vs 0%) and allele -592A (37% vs 5%) were significantly higher in RA patients as compared with a control group. We did not find any association of the IL-10-592C/A genotype distribution with disease parameters, except for an increased ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in patients with the -592CC genotype as compared with those with -592CA or -592AA genotypes (P = 0.01). The frequency of the IL-10-1082GG genotype was lower (P = 0.0001), and that of the IL-10-1082GA genotype was higher (P = 0.009) in RA patients comparing with the control group. In RA patients with -1082GA or -1082AA genotypes the time duration of the disease (P = 0.03), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Score (P = 0.04) and PLT count (P = 0.001) were significantly increased as compared with subjects with -1082GG genotype. Presented findings indicate that IL-10-592C/A and IL-10-1082G/A polymorphisms may be considered genetic risk factors for RA susceptibility and severity.
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In the field of cancer chemotherapy, a variety of microbial metabolites such as bleomycins or adriamycin have been used in clinical practice. However, many of these substances are not sufficiently effective for many of tumors which are clinically encountered and, moreover, the acquisition of resistance of tumor cells to these drugs, which is being made increasingly clear, has been interfering with their use in clinical cases (the Proceedings of the 47th Congress of the Japanese Cancer Association, pages 12 to 15, 1988).
Under these circumstances, there is naturally a constant demand for the development of new anticancer agents. Thus, a strong demand exists for a substance which would overcome the resistance of various types of tumors to the existing anticancer agents and be effective even in those cases which do not respond to the anticancer drugs heretofore available.
The inventors of the present invention screened a variety of microbial metabolites in search of candidate antitumor agents. As a result, it has been found that a novel compound of the following formula has an excellent antitumor activity. The present invention has been achieved on the basis of the above finding.
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Collier Young
Collier Hudson Young (August 19, 1908 – December 25, 1980) was an American film producer and writer, who worked on many films in the 1950s, before becoming a television producer for such shows as NBC's Ironside and CBS's The Wild, Wild West, as well as the supernatural anthology series One Step Beyond (1959–61).
Biography
Young was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Young who in 1938 lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to Dartmouth College and graduated in 1930. Collier Young was originally an advertiser before he got into film producing and writing.
Young was married five times: to Ruth Valerie Edmunds of Toronto, Canada, on May 3, 1938, in New York City, to actress and director, Ida Lupino, from 1948 to 1951, to actress Joan Fontaine from 1952 to 1961 and businesswoman and former model, Marjory Ann "Meg" Marsh, in 1965. Young's film production credits included Outrage (1950) and The Hitch-Hiker (1953), both with Lupino as director. He produced the movies Huk! (1956) and The Halliday Brand (1957).
After his divorce from Lupino, Young was executive director of her 1957–58 CBS sitcom Mr. Adams and Eve, co-starring Lupino's then-husband, Howard Duff. He was creator of the long-running TV series Ironside, starring Raymond Burr. Young also produced the television show, The Rogues, in 1964-65, starring Charles Boyer, David Niven, Gig Young, Robert Coote, and Gladys Cooper. The Rogues won the Golden Globe award for "Best TV Show" in 1965.
Death
Young died on Christmas Day, 1980, as the result of a road accident, at age 72.
References
External links
Photograph of Young and Joan Fontaine
Category:1908 births
Category:1980 deaths
Category:De Havilland family
Category:Road incident deaths in California
Category:Writers from Asheville, North Carolina
Category:American film producers
Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Category:20th-century American businesspeople
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540 U.S. 816
WILLINGHAMv.LOUGHNAN ET AL.
No. 02-1694.
Supreme Court of United States.
October 6, 2003.
1
Appeal from the C. A. 11th Cir.
2
Certiorari denied. Reported below: 321 F. 3d 1299.
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Jehu
Keeping up with digital shooters- part three
First let me say that no fish were harmed in the making of these pictures. Two of them are living happily at my sister's house and one is at my house. One has the curious habit of floating on his side. Once you get his attention he acts normal. Weird huh?
Dan's result:
My attempt:
At this point, I was still limited by my camera's excessive size for sharing a composition. Also, I kept using BW film so I'd have the ISO400 that the setup was lit for. The awkward cropping is due to the edge of the background creeping into my frame. I also didn't refocus between shots. We only had three fishbowls so the attempts were limited. I didn't realize how much the subject was moving around between attempts. This explains the bad focus and background alignment. The next meeting was a good one. I'll post that soon...
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This invention relates to thermoset resins. More particularly, this invention relates to a curable resin composition including a mixture of epoxy vinyl ester resins and urethane vinyl ester resins.
Thermoset resins prepared from a mixture of epoxy vinyl ester resins and urethane vinyl ester resins are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,919 (the ""919 patent). The ""919 patent describes the use of urethane oligomers as flexibilizers added to epoxy vinyl esters to impart a toughening effect, that is, increased impact resistance, to the vinyl ester resin. The ""919 teaches that vinyl ester/styrene mixtures are flexibilized by adding thereto minor amounts of urethanes which (1) comprise at least one polyglycol moiety and two urethane groups and are terminated by vinyl-reactive end groups, and (2) form a dispersed second phase in the cured mixture. The flexibilized compositions otherwise largely retain the characteristic properties of the unflexibilized mixtures.
The flexibilizer described in the ""919 patent xe2x80x9cis of a nature such that the uncured mixture of resin, monomer and flexibilizer is a homogeneous liquid at ordinary temperatures.xe2x80x9d Phase separation of the flexibilizer on cure is seen as essential to obtain the desired good flexibilization effect.
The preferred flexibilizers described in the ""919 patent are urethane oligomers derived from one molecular proportion of a polyalkylene glycol (for example, polyether glycols such as VORANOL* (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company)), about two molecular proportions of an aromatic diisocyanate and about two molecular proportions of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate.
The thermoset resins described in the ""919 patent are known to have good impact resistance when using urethane vinyl ester resins in combination with epoxy vinyl ester resins. These type of resins, which show microphase separation on cure, give better impact resistance and good thermal performance than other comparable known resins based on CTBN (carboxy-terminated-butadiene-acrylonitrile) rubber.
While the urethane oligomers disclosed in the ""919 patent provide resins with good impact resistance, there still exists a need for more suitable flexibilizers which exhibit a phasing behavior (that is, phase separation upon curing) for vinyl ester resin systems and which are compatible with and stable with vinyl ester resin prior to cure. It is desired to provide resins with good impact resistance using such flexibilizers.
It has been found that the properties of oligomeric urethanes used as flexibilizers in the composition of the present invention are critically dependent on the structure of the diisocyanate component and the mixture of polyalkylene glycols used in preparing the oligomeric urethane flexibilizer. Thus, the choice of diisocyanate component and mixture of polyalkylene glycols used in the present invention is important in obtaining a final resin product with good properties.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a curable thermoset resin composition which contains a homogeneous mixture of:
(a) an epoxy vinyl ester resin;
(b) a urethane vinyl ester resin having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 8,000 which forms a dispersed second phase in the epoxy vinyl ester resin upon curing of the curable formulation; and
(c) optionally a co-reactive monomer, characterized in that the urethane vinyl ester resin is preparable by reacting:
(1) an alkylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) compound;
(2) at least two polyalkylene glycols having different molecular weights, including a first polyalkylene glycol with an average molecular weight of from about 1,500 to about 10,000 wherein the amount of the first polyalkylene glycol is from about 1.45 to about 12.6 weight percent based on the curable resin composition; and a second polyalkylene glycol with an average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 800 wherein the amount of the second polyalkylene glycol is from about 0.15 to about 3.75 weight percent, based on the curable resin composition; and, optionally a branched-polyalkylene polyol with a hydroxy functionality of greater than 2 and an average molecular weight of from about 450 to about 4600; and
(3) a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or hydroxyalkyl methacrylate.
The invention also provides a urethane vinyl ester resin having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 8,000 which may be prepared by reacting
(1) an alkylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) compound with
(2) at least two polyalkylene glycols having different molecular weights, including a first polyalkylene glycol with an average molecular weight of from about 1,500 to about 10,000 and a second polyalkylene glycol with an average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 800 and, optionally,
(3) a branched polyalkylene polyol with a hydroxy functionality of greater than 2 and an average molecular weight of from 450 to 4600, and
(4) a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or hydroxyalkyl methacrylate.
Such vinyl ester resins may be compounded with an epoxy vinyl ester resin and, optionally, other co-reactive monomers, to produce the curable resin.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a process of making a curable composition comprising blending such a urethane vinyl ester resin with an epoxy vinyl ester resin.
Still another aspect of the present invention is a process of making a cured article comprising curing such a composition
It has been found that the properties of oligomeric urethanes used as flexibilizers in the composition of the present invention are critically dependent on the structure of the diisocyanate component and the mixture of polyalkylene glycols used in preparing the oligomeric urethane flexibilizer. Thus, the choice of diisocyanate component and mixture of polyalkylene glycols used in the present invention is important in obtaining a final resin product with good properties.
The present invention relates to thermoset resins comprising blends or mixtures of epoxy vinyl ester resins and urethane vinyl ester resins. The epoxy vinyl ester resins as well as the urethane vinyl ester resins used in the present invention can be dissolved in a solvent monomer such as, for example, styrene, resulting in transparent and clear solutions at room temperature and elevated temperatures. When styrene solutions of epoxy vinyl ester resins are blended with urethane vinyl ester resins at various blend ratios surprisingly, depending on the composition of the urethane vinyl ester resin and the amount of urethane vinyl ester resin blended with the epoxy vinyl ester resin, a solution is obtained which has a clear transparent to a slight hazy visual appearance and which undergoes a microphase separation on cure. Resins with a turbid or opaque visual appearance show a phase- instability and separate in a short period of time (for example, a maximum of one day) in two separate resin layers. Such resins which phase separate prior to cure do not provide the improvements of the present invention. The resin blends of the present invention that give a microphase separation on cure provide a much better impact resistance than comparable vinyl ester resins that contain, for example, a CTBN rubber as a flexibilizer. In addition, the thermal performance (glass transition temperature) of the epoxy/urethane vinyl ester blends of the present invention is only slightly decreased compared to unmodified epoxy vinyl ester resins.
The epoxy vinyl ester resins used in the present invention may be, for example, the epoxy vinyl ester resins described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,919 incorporated herein by reference.
The epoxy vinyl esters suitable for the practice of the present invention are generally preparable by the adduction of an at least difunctional epoxide with at least two molecules of an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid in which the carbon-to-carbon double bond is vinyl reactive.
Exemplary of suitable epoxy resins are the well-known polyglicidyl ethers of polyphenylol alkanes and the xe2x80x9cadvancedxe2x80x9d resins (higher polymers) formed by the reaction of polyphenols-such as bisphenol A, for example, with polyglycidyl ethers, such as the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, for example. Epoxy novolacs are also suitable, as are cycloaliphatic diepoxides.
The glycidyl ethers of polyphenols, such as lower alkanes (or alkenes) substituted with 3 or 4 hydroxyphenyl groups, for example, are of particular interest for the preparation of vinyl esters suitable for the practice of the present invention. Most notable among such epoxides are the triglycidyl ethers of tri(hydroxyphenyl)methanes, ethanes and propanes and the tetraglycidyl ethers of tetra(hydroxyphenyl)ethanes and propanes.
Suitable epoxides having functionalities higher than four are exemplified by the oligomeric reaction products of tri(hydroxyphenyl)methanes with epichlorohydrin, which may comprise as many as 7 glycidylether groups. Similarly, phenol/formaldehyde or bisphenol/formaldehyde novolacs containing 5 or more hydroxyphenyl groups are well-known as the corresponding polyglycidyl ethers.
Exemplary of suitable acids are the ethylenically unsaturated monoacids such as, for example, acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic and cinnamic acids. Also suitable are half-esters derived from unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and/or unsaturated alcohols-such as hydroxyalkyl acrylates, for example. Preferably, the acid is one in which the reactive vinyl group is a terminal group. Another class of suitable acids are bicycloalkenyl acids, such as, for example, 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid.
The epoxy vinyl ester is prepared by reacting the polyepoxide and the acid in about stoichiometric amounts, generally with heating and in the presence of a catalyst, such as a trivalent chromium salt, as for example CrCl3; or a phosphine; alkali, onium salt; or a tertiary amine, for example, tris(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl phenol). Optionally, the epoxy vinyl ester resin can be formed in the presence of a non-resinous, vinyl monomer such as styrene and the resulting mixture, in this instance, will constitute what is meant by the term xe2x80x9cepoxy vinyl ester resin.xe2x80x9d
The non-resinous, vinyl monomers (xe2x80x9cdiluents,xe2x80x9d commonly) believed suitable for the practice of the present invention include, for example, styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, methylstyrene, divinylbenzene and acrylonitrile and others disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,919 incorporated herein by reference.
A substantial number of different epoxy vinyl ester resins having distinct characteristics may be prepared by reacting different epoxides (or mixtures thereof) with various unsaturated acids (or mixtures thereof). Similarly, the properties of the epoxy vinyl ester resin/non-resinous, vinyl monomer mixture may be varied by selecting various such monomers (or mixtures thereof).
Preferably, epoxy vinyl ester resin/styrene monomer compositions marketed under the trademarkxe2x80x9cDERAKANE*xe2x80x9d by The Dow Chemical Company are used in preparing the composition of the present invention.
The urethane vinyl ester resins used in the present invention as a flexibilizer is a urethane oligomer derived from the reaction of an isocyanate group with an xe2x80x94OH function. A most preferred flexibilizer is a urethane oligomer derived from (i) a blend of 2 or more long- and short-chain polyalkylene glycols with a functionality equal to or greater than 2, said blend of polyalkylene glycols exhibiting a bimodal distribution of weight average molecular weight, (ii) a diphenyl alkylene diisocyanate and (iii) a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate. The urethane oligomers of this type may be exemplified by a reaction product of (i) a blend of polypropylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 (for example, VORANOL* P2000 commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company), and a polypropylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 400 (for example, VORANOL* P400 commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company) or, alternatively, a mixture of for example VORANOL* P2000, VORANOL* P400, and a branched chain polypropylene glycol with weight average molecular weight of 755 for example VORANOL* CP755 commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company; (ii) diphenylmethane diisocyanate; and (iii) hydroxypropyl acrylate. As an illustration, the resulting urethane oligomer reaction product may have the following ideal or statistical Formula (Ia) or (Ib):
The polyalkylene glycols used to make a blend thereof are those containing an alkylene linked by oxygen as shown in the following Formula (II):
HO"Parenopenst"Rxe2x80x94O"Parenclosest"Hxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
wherein the alkylene group R is preferably an average of at least 2 carbons, more preferably 2.5 carbons and preferably at most 10 carbons, more preferably at most 6 carbons and most preferably at most 4 carbons. The polyalkylene glycols useful in the present invention include, for example, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and copolymers thereof as well as polyols based on polyethylene or polypropylene glycols and glycerine.
The blend of polyalkylene glycols is a mixture or blend of at least two or more polyalkylene glycols having a bimodal distribution of weight average molecular weight. As known to those skilled in the art such a bimodal distribution is shown in dual peaks graphically illustrating each of the weighted average molecular weights of the polyglycols. Preferably the blend of polyalkylene glycols exhibits a weight average molecular weight peak at above about 1200 and a peak at below about 1000 weight average molecular weight. The lower peak is preferably below about 800, more preferably below about 600 and preferably above 200. The higher peak is preferably above about 1,500, more preferably above about 1,800 and preferably below 10,000 and more preferably below 5,000.
The first long-chain polyalkylene glycol useful in preparing the urethane oligomer can be, for example, a polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 1,500 to about 10,000.
The second short-chain polyalkylene glycol useful in preparing the urethane oligomer can be, for example, a polyalkylene glycol having an average molecular weight at from about 200 to about 800.
The third polyalkylene polyol with a functionality of greater than 2 can be a polypropylene polyol having an average functionality of 3 and an average molecular weight of from 450 to 4600.
The ratio of long-chain polyalkylene glycol to short-chain polyalkylene glycol used in the present invention is generally from about 99:1 to about 0.1:1 and preferably from about 1.66:1 to about 16:1. The ratio of 2 functional polyalkylene glycols to multifunctional polyalkylene polyols is preferably from about 10:1 to about 1.05:1.
The amount of the first polyalkylene glycol is preferably from about 1.45 to about 12.6 more preferably from about 2.9 to about 10.6 weight percent, based on the curable resin composition. The amount of the second polyalkylene glycol is preferably from about 0.15 to about 3.75 weight percent, more preferably from 0.35 about to about 3.2 based on the curable resin composition. The amount of branched-polyalkylene polyol is preferably from about 0.14 to about 1.5 weight percent, more preferably from about 0.3 to about 1.2 based on the curable resin composition. The amount of diphenylmethane diisocyanate is preferably from about 1.15 to about 7.75 weight percent, more preferably from about 2.3 to about 6.6, based on the curable resin composition. The amount of hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate is preferably from about 0.45 to about 3.2 weight percent, more preferably from about 0.9 to about 2.7, based on the curable resin composition.
The present invention uses an aromatic diisocyanate compound in preparing the urethane oligomer. The aromatic diisocyanate is preferably an alkylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) compound or an inertly-substituted variation thereof which preferably meets the following Formula (III):
NCOxe2x80x94Arxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x94Arxe2x80x94OCNxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
wherein Ar is an aromatic preferably having from about 1 to about 10 carbons and more preferably Ar is phenylene; and R is an alkyl having from about 1 to about 6 carbons, more preferably about 1 to 3 carbons and most preferably methylene. The alkylene group preferably contains no more than about 6 carbon atoms, more preferably no more than about 3 carbon atoms, and most preferably no more than about 1 carbon atom. The isocyanate groups are preferably in para-position with respect to the alkylene group. The diisocyanate reactant used in preparing the urethane oligomer of the present invention is preferably methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) or an inertly-substituted variation thereof, and most preferably MDI.
The hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate used in preparing the urethane oligomer preferably contains a C1-C6 alkyl group, more preferably a C2-C4 alkyl group and most preferably an ethylene or 1,2-propylene group. Preferred examples include 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate.
The urethane vinyl ester resin is prepared by mixing the above-mentioned reactants: (i) blend of polyalkylene glycols, (ii) diisocyanate and (iii) hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate and allowing them to react. Optionally, the reaction can be carried out in the presence of one or more of the following components: a polymerizable monomer or a solvent, a polymerization inhibitor and/or a catalyst for the urethane-forming reaction.
Preferably, the reaction to form the urethane vinyl ester resin is carried out by charging the ratio of starting materials into a reactor in the following order: first adding isocyanate followed by the blend of polyalkylene glycols and then adding the hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate. The styrene monomer, if used, can be added before or after the hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate.
An optional component useful in making the urethane vinyl ester resin is a polymerizable monomer, such as the non-resinous, vinyl monomer described above. In order to decrease the viscosity of the reaction product and cause the reaction to proceed uniformly, use is made of the polymerizable monomer such as a styrene or substituted styrene or alkylated styrene. Other monomers useful in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,919.
Another optional component useful in preparing the urethane vinyl ester resin is a polymerization inhibitor. A polymerization inhibitor such as a heterocyclic component, for example phenothiazine or a phosphite such as an aryl or alkyl phosphite for example triphenyl phosphite or tributyl phosphite, may be added to the reaction system to prevent polymerization due to the acrylic or methacrylic residual groups and the polymerizable monomer.
Still another optional component useful in making the urethane vinyl ester resin is a catalyst. The catalyst used can be, for example, dibutyltin dilaurate. The urethane-forming reaction can be carried out without a catalyst, but the reaction may require a longer period of time to be completed.
The urethane-forming reaction temperature is generally from about 40xc2x0 C. to t 100xc2x0 C. and preferably from about 60xc2x0 C. to about 80xc2x0 C. The overall blending of the urethane vinyl ester resin with the epoxy vinyl ester resin is also generally carried out at a temperature of from about 40xc2x0 C. to about 100xc2x0 C. and preferably from about 60xc2x0 C. to about 80xc2x0 C.
The weight ratio of epoxy vinyl ester resin to urethane vinyl ester resin (flexibilizer) useful in the present invention is generally from about 4:1 parts by weight to about 19:1 parts by weight and preferably from about 9:1 parts by weight to about 5.65:1 parts by weight.
Other additives suitable for a particular application can be included in the composition of the present invention if desired.
In another embodiment of the present invention, resins that show a phase separation at room temperature surprisingly can be stabilized against phase separation by using small amounts of phase separation stabilizer in the composition of the present invention. By xe2x80x9cstabilizedxe2x80x9d herein it is meant that the system does not separate into 2 or more different resin layers. The amount of stabilizer used in the composition of the present invention depends on the composition, but generally is up to about 2 percent and preferably from about 1 to about 2 percent. The stabilizer used in the present invention includes, for example, benzyl alcohol or acetyl acetone. This is important for resin systems that are applied in hot-cure (70xc2x0 C. to 120xc2x0 C.) applications because the resin blends that give a microphase separation at room temperature cure do not necessarily give the same effect at higher cure temperatures.
A process for preparing each of the following examples consists of a two-step process. In one step the urethane vinyl ester is prepared in styrene monomer and blended in the second step with a bisphenol A epoxy vinyl ester resin that is also dissolved in styrene monomer.
A calculated amount of 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate is charged to a reactor, equipped with a stirring devise, a temperature control system, a condenser, a dropping funnel and a heating/cooling device. The reactor content is heated to about 60xc2x0 C. Over about 30 minutes a mixture of calculated amounts of polypropyleneglycols (having an average molecular weight of 2000 and 400) and an appropriate catalyst (preferably dibutyltin dilaureate. 1500 ppm based on the amount of polypropyleneglycols) is added to the reactor under agitation. The temperature inside the reactor is kept at about 60xc2x0 C. to 65xc2x0 C. After the addition of the polypropyleneglycol mixture, the reaction mixture is agitated at the given temperature for 3 to 4 hours. After that time, a sample is taken and analyzed for the residual amount of isocyanate. When the calculated level of isocyanate has been reached the calculated amount of styrene monomer as well as an appropriate inhibitor (for example, phenothiazine) is added to the reaction mixture. Then hydroxy-ethyl- or -propylacrylate is carefully added to the reaction mixture in such a manner that the temperature of the reaction mixture does not rise above 80xc2x0 C. After the addition of the hydroxyalkyl acrylate to the reaction mixture, the mixture is kept under agitation at 65xc2x0 C. to 70xc2x0 C. for another 3 to 4 hours. After that time the reactor contents is cooled to 40xc2x0 C. The resulting urethane vinyl ester is a colorless to straw-yellow low viscous liquid.
The preparation of the bisphenol A based vinyl ester resin is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,919 incorporated herein by reference.
The urethane vinyl ester is preferably added to the bisphenol A based vinyl ester at 80xc2x0 C. together with the residual amount of styrene, additives and inhibitors. After a maximum mixing time of 60 minutes, the blend is finished and is cooled to room temperature (25xc2x0 C.).
Depending on the composition, the resulting epoxy-urethane-vinyl-ester blend is a colorless to slightly straw-yellow, low viscous liquid of transparent to slight hazy appearance.
In all cases, Parts A and B were mixed in a ratio of 1:3 to form the final resin composition.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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News Release
Hwy 52 traffic will change over Aug. 4 at Cannon Falls for next stage of bridge project
CANNON FALLS, Minn. – Highway 52 traffic at Cannon Falls will change over Aug. 4 near the Little Cannon River on as crews prepare to replace the second bridge in the project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Traffic will be switched, so northbound motorists will travel in a single lane in the southbound lanes through the construction zone, while southbound motorists will remain in their lanes in a single lane. Both directions will use the new southbound bridge, while crews begin to replace the northbound bridge.
The Hwy 52 bridge replacements at Cannon Falls are between the interchanges for Goodhue County Road 24 and Highway 19. Lunda Construction is the prime contractor on the $3.5 million project. Work is expected to be completed in October.
Traffic delays are also likely in this work zone during high-traffic periods, such as weekends.
MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
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{
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In every city, there’s another city that visitors rarely see. But this other city isn’t just anywhere—it’s in Washington, D.C. The very city that is home to the capital of the most powerful country in the world has an HIV/AIDS rate that is not only the nation’s highest, but rivals some African countries. “The Other City” introduces us to the people who live in the shadow of the Capitol but remain almost invisible to the lawmakers and lobbyists who live there. It’s about politics and ideology, corruption and bureaucracy, and an epidemic that grew out of control while few people paid any attention or cared. HIV/AIDS is wrapped in a thicket of American prejudices and discomfort about homosexuality, race, class, and drugs—all of which fuel opposition to life-saving programs like needle exchange. “The Other City” tells the stories of people who haven’t let lack of government assistance stop them, and have taken matters into their own hands.
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{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
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Q:
Bitmap PNG save without modifications
I am attempting to load a PNG image into a Bitmap and save it without modifications.
I tried something along these lines:
var png = Bitmap.FromFile("t_02.png");
png.Save("t_02_out.png", ImageFormat.Png);
I also tried:
var png = Bitmap.FromFile("t_02.png");
png.Save("t_02_out.png");
In either case, the original 233kb file procuded a 356kb image. What am I doing wrong?
A:
The image in question is stored with the grey-scale color type. The specification describes:
http://www.libpng.org/pub/png/spec/1.2/PNG-Chunks.html
A pixel is then be stored as a single byte. .NET saves a PNG file as 32-bit regardless of pixel format.
The closest I got is using AForge grayscale filter and storing, which turns it into a palette storage.
The result is then much closer to the original, but due to the palet it is often still larger.
Conclusion: .NET image format support is terrible. I used ImageMagic to solve .NET incompetence.
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{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
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President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE’s unexpected victory in 2016 was in no small part due to his promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington. And among members of the White House Cabinet, no agency head has done more to follow the president’s lead in draining the swamp than Scott Pruitt Edward (Scott) Scott PruittJuan Williams: Swamp creature at the White House Science protections must be enforceable Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE, who leads the Environmental Protection Agency. Make no mistake, that’s why the left and its allies in the media are working overtime to smear him.
They know he’s being effective — perhaps the most effective member of Trump’s Cabinet when it comes to actually translating rhetoric into reality — and they know they cannot stop him, so in typical swamp fashion, they are intent on destroying him. After eight years under President Obama, Americans were fed up with being ordered around by liberal elites in a distant capital city, and by bureaucrats who put in place job-killing regulations and pushed policies that steadily reduced the number of Americans looking for work year after year, all while calling it “progress.”
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President Trump has reversed that. He has led the way on draining the swamp, with a White House directive to agencies to cut two regulations for every new regulation proposed, with tax reforms that simplify the tax code and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, and with decisions like the one he made to remove the United States from the unfair and ineffective Paris climate accord.
At the EPA, one of the very worst of the alphabet soup bureaucratic fiefdoms that make up the swamp, Pruitt took charge and immediately focused on returning the agency to its stated goals of improving air quality, shoring up our water infrastructure, and cleaning up contaminated areas. This was a huge change after the Obama administration, which used the EPA to issue volumes of job-killing regulations to mollify environmental extremists. Among its most egregious efforts, it utilized “sue and settle” practices to abuse legal limits on rulemaking and reward ideological allies.
In his first year in charge of the EPA, Pruitt finalized more than 20 deregulatory actions, saving taxpayers more than $1 billion in regulatory costs. He also ended the “sue and settle” practices. The agency is rescinding and replacing the ridiculous and onerous “Waters of the United States” rule, and acting on President Trump’s order to review and overturn the Obama administration’s so-called “Clean Power Plan.”
Delivering these results has put a “yuge” target on Pruitt’s back. The environmental left, liberal bureaucrats and academics, and their allies in the media have been relentlessly attacking him in what appears to be a coordinated media assault, but he won’t back down and he won’t be intimidated. This year, Pruitt is ensuring the EPA adheres to the rule of law and continues to remove burdensome regulations that are harming workers and consumers. Just this week, the EPA announced its decision not to move forward with the Obama administration’s anti-consumer fuel efficiency standards, which could have harmed consumers by artificially driving up the price of American cars and trucks.
Likewise, in a huge blow to the environmental left, Pruitt has announced the agency will end the use of “secret science” — data that is not subject to public scrutiny — in crafting new rules for the agency. In a recent interview, Pruitt said, “We need to make sure their data and methodology are published as part of the record. Otherwise, it’s not transparent. It’s not objectively measured, and that’s important.” More transparency in decision-making at an agency under as much pressure from activists as the EPA is critical to ensuring taxpayers and consumers aren’t harmed by rulemaking gone amok.
In spite of his coming under attack from the radical left and their allies in the liberal media, Pruitt is making real progress for the American people at an agency that the left believes it alone should run and control. President Trump unified a governing coalition behind the promise of draining the swamp in Washington, and of all his Cabinet members, Scott Pruitt has done the most to help him advance the cause.
Jenny Beth Martin is chairman of Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund.
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About Senshido
Senshido History
Senshido – The Way of 1000 Masters – was a reality-based self-defense and combat system created in 1994, in Montreal, Canada by then, head trainer and founder of Senshido, Richard Dimitri.
Senshido was notorious for their eclectic style, using a modern and conceptually based methodology, rather than technical or memory-based forms in regards to personal protection and combative arts. The Senshido philosophy also focused on the non-physical aspects of reality-based self-defense (RBSD), by understanding the pre-contact phases (psychology, emotions, and communication) of confrontations and potentially violent situations.
Physical training however, was, and still continues to be scenario-replication based, providing students with realistic emotional and psychological experiences to better handle physical confrontation. Many of the Senshido drills allow students to understand and react to body language in a short period of time.
On the physical level, students have been trained by enhancing their own natural flinch response to react appropriately to the given attack or situation. The types of attacks/counter attacks by a student of the Senshido philosophy leaned more towards gross-motor function (grabbing, crushing, smashing, pushing, tearing, etc.) , rather than fine motor skills (complex movements such as proper punches, high kicks, spinning techniques, specific combinations, etc.). However, these rather simple tactics are still practiced in cohesion with more developed forms of movements especially if the practitioners already have these skills in their arsenal.
These gross motor based movements on the offense allowed the development of “Shredding”. The “Shredder,” often mistaken as a style of attack, is simply a concept used when attacking, in which requires the practitioner to attack their “opponent” by ripping, tearing scratching, or gouging in a continuous fashion. This produces a sense of confusion to the one on the receiving end of the attack, due to the onslaught and never-ending damage caused by the shredding effect. The damage is enhanced especially when attacking the vitals, namely the eyes, throat and facial structure. Shredding, however, is not limited to reaching out to the face, and can expand to grabbing, ripping, pinching, biting tearing and hitting anywhere on the body, but still following the concept of a continuous, yet, a non-telegraphic attack.
Senshido has expanded over the years internationally, from Canada, to the United States, the UK, Ireland, Australia, Finland, Germany and Lebanon. Each Senshido International Team member was hand picked for their certification. Senshido International is now an organization of dedicated Senshido instructors each with their own strengths and abilities but share the common goal of providing quality training to their students and clients.
Senshido Evolved
Senshido is now going through a new direction. The focus now is self-development using self-defense training as the vessel. Senshido is no longer just a self-defense system, but an organization made up of international instructors who focus on the individual. Empowerment comes from the training, and the development of each individual comes from the care and empathy that a Senshido instructor provides.
Each Senshido instructor has their own strengths. Senshido today, is now going back to its philosophical roots. Since psychology is a major component, The Senshido mindset allows practitioners to adapt it to their lifestyle in whatever they may do. The Senshido methodology is not limited to reality-based self-defense and can expand to the worlds of health & fitness, communication, mindset and goal-setting, sports and recreation, coaching, and much, much more!
We haven’t changed the way we teach combative training, and self-defense is still the major function of our programs. But, the focus is on helping others with our methodology.
Senshido the Reality Based Self-Defense System (RBSD) is now and has always been the vehicle we use to reach people. It has also become, as said, a worldwide movement for peace and unity, for tolerance and co-existence and ultimately for the message of love. If you want to do or create something that will provide tremendous value to the world, something that will go on long after you’re gone, that will outlast your own life, you have to be able to answer the question, “How will this really help humanity?”
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The change in modern football as of late has seen the majority of central attacking midfielders undergo a change that sees them provide a much needed defensive shift to carry out play. Oscar, Mkhitryan, Kroos, Modric, Marchisio, and now Fabregas are some of the Modern AM’s that contribute hugely to defense, keeping the likes of Mata, Goetze, Isco and many more out of the no.10 spot and forcing the latter majority out into wide positions.
Cesc has been rotated heavily under the Barcelona side since joining, being compared most often to Xavi. But recently under Martino the Spaniard has played as a furthest midfielder, proving to be imperative to Barcelona’s defensive systems and contributing to both channels of the pitch as well as central deep areas off the ball. This work saw Cesc often fatigued during the latter stages of the game, as he is dropped into central midfield positions or substituted completely during the last 20 minutes of the game.
Could these excessive work loads that are constantly planted on Cesc’s back be taking its toll? Well, in one of Barcelona’s recent games against Athletic Bilbao, he looked deprived of stamina as he was freed off the role of pressing the GK and forcing play long. Fabregas played very deep all game, dropping to the half line in the 1st phase and trying to exploit the huge gap between midfield and defense that Bilbao were risking the majority of the game.
Fabregas allowed Sanchez and Neymar to take up much more vertical positions because of this, but Bilbao’s ultra low block prevented penetration excellently the entire night. A 6-3-1 like formation was implemented, with the Bilbao ST hassling CM’s, wingers dropping to form a midfield block around the DM who stayed central, and CM’s dropped to wing backs.
This hugely defensive method proved its excellence, offering huge defensive stability and abilities in transitions thanks to the speed provided by the wingers. Fabregas was utilized in a number of roles to break down this block, being rotated heavily with the midfield trio Xavi and Iniesta, allowing the latter to take up higher roles while Fabregas fed full backs from deep to set up low crosses. Despite the efforts of Tata’s men, Athletic’s defense was largely solid the entire night and unable to falter.
Similar to the Bilbao game in terms of result was Barcelona’s recent match against Ajax. The game astonished thousands of fans as de Boer seemed to have taken a leaf out of Bielsa’s approach to games. He inspired an immense pressing game that would result in little or no time and space on the ball for the opposition, something that would prove to be a master stroke and the biggest test so far for Barcelona this season.
Ajax had been clearly instructed to carry out a huge pressing system, and not for the first time this season. Their 1st defensive phase was extremely aggressive, fielding up to 7 players in the opposition half. When Barcelona would progress to the 2nd phase, Ajax seemed to press from midfielders and forwards towards the ball zone with the back four staying goal side off of the opposition, allowing for awareness of the situation and ability to track back easily. The high defensive line would also be utilized whenever Barcelona aimed for a quick succession into 3rd phases from the 1st build up. This nullified the runs from Barcelona’s front three and allowed for a huge press as the back four closed space between midfield and defense.
These are just some of the points on how Barcelona were totally shackled by Ajax’s wondrous efforts, but Fabregas’ role must not be forgotten. Cesc approached the game after being picked at CF for not the first time and his task was clear: to press spare CB’s and GK’s and force the opposition into long balls. This regular pressing tactic indoctrinated by Tata is always going to require work ethic in which Cesc has been horribly victim to over his games at CF, endlessly working channel to channel.
But his defensive work in this game was clearly not up to par. The Spaniard looked hopelessly tired the entire game, which was fantastically noticed pre-game by Ajax manager Frank de Boer, who appeared to instruct his CB’s to wait for the press and slowly play back to GK. This effective tactic took its toll after a mere 30 minutes as Cesc looked incredibly fatigued, unsurprisingly due to the amount of movement he was carrying out due to Ajax’s pressing.
Tata noted his troubles, and the workhorse Pedro, stationed on RW, was instructed to carry out this pressing role, a costly but necessary call. The supposed ‘minor pressing role switch’ had a huge effect on the game, as Pedro situated wide had to work those few seconds longer to close down the space between him and the GK and CB’s. On top of this, Pedro’s role saw Cesc pushed deeper in defensive organisation, picking up the defensive midfielder Blind.
This lack of pressing in the 1st defensive phase early on from Febregas allowed a key man in midfield to progress forward as the GK could play on the ground and have time to pick out a key pass into midfield. Ajax added to Barcelona’s problems by fielding a single pivot with two midfielders advancing with wingers, creating a 2v1 deep in Barcelona’s midfield against Song.
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{
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Tuberculosis of the tongue.
A case of pulmonary tuberculosis of the tongue is reported, and tuberculosis of the upper airway in a VA Hospital is reviewed. A regimen of triple antituberculous drugs, isoniazid, ethambutol, and rifampin, was prescribed. Repeated radiographs of the chest showed considerable improvement of the pulmonary lesions. The lesion of the tongue was surgically excised as a diagnostic procedure and has not recurred.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
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Latest Posts
From Mike:
Hello! I should have posted this before now: I’m playing with Brendon Small, Joe Travers and Pete Griffin tonight at the Improv in LA, 8 pm. There will be great music and sidesplitting comedy and you owe it to history to be in attendance if you can. I know I’ll be there.
“Craney” was recorded during the Sluggo! sessions, and originally released on Something With A Pulse, a benefit record for drummer Mark Craney. “Bob Dylan’s Nose” was previously only available in a live version on the Soap Scum Remover VHS); it was originally intended to be part of Sluggo! This studio version of “Nose” was never completed, but it is a pretty scorching track recorded live in the studio by Bryan Beller, Joe Travers and myself.
We’re doing a few shows in California in December, playing music from Sluggo! and You Must Be This Tall and other songs too. If production schedules go according to plan we will have Sluggo! for sale at the shows. All info about the four shows is located HERE.
Thanks to all who’ve pre-ordered and have had such great things to say about the new stereo mix (which you receive as a download link when you pre-order Sluggo! for no additional charge). It’s a little unnerving to present a brand new mix of an album so many of you know and appreciate, and the fact that the response to the new mix has been so overwhelmingly positive validates my choice to remix the thing. I’m ridiculously thrilled about the audio on the MLP lossless surround layer on the DVD-A – I’ll be eager to hear what you guys think of it.
All right, time to drive home! Talk at you soon!
Love,
Mike
Order today at The Mike Keneally Store. You’ll get the stereo download NOW, and your multi-disc Sluggo! package will ship in early December.
DVD with over two hours of unreleased stereo live and studio video material, a commentary track by Mike, the original 1997 stereo mix, more bonus audio tracks, shots of the original tracking sheets and more
Digipak & 20-page booklet with all original artwork plus new liner notes
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{
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Q:
What is the purpose of dividing an audio signal into segments and analysis each segment?
I read bunch of materials for extracting feature from audio signal and they all tell me to break signal into segments, why don't we analyze all the audio signal? I don't know what are the advantages of doing that and how wide a segment should be? I only see 256 samples per frame or 512 samples per frame... what about 1028 per frame?
A:
Analyzing signals per segments, with proper windowing, is a way to cope with non-stationary in audio samples. With full-size analysis, features can get mixed. Segment-splitting is thus at play in many algorithms (mp3, shazam).
The length of window is often a matter of trade-offs, between data information and computing advantages:
signal sampling (window length is quite meaningless without sampling rate), with respect to the following:
analyzing or extracting informational content from the signal: various ranges of stationarity may exist in the data, or generally useful processing features,
easiness in computing: the power-of-two length you mention can be beneficial (faster algorithms like in the FFT), parallel computing, dedicated hardware, closer to real-time analysis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
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UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 19-1404
FRANKLIN C. SMITH,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
v.
MS. AMY; ANDREW SAUL, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration,
Defendants - Appellees,
and
MS. JACKSON, Case manager; ELIZABETH B. DEJARNETTE,
Defendants.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, at
Norfolk. Mark S. Davis, Chief District Judge. (2:16-cv-00494-MSD-LRL)
Submitted: August 20, 2019 Decided: August 22, 2019
Before FLOYD and RUSHING, Circuit Judges, and SHEDD, Senior Circuit Judge.
Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Franklin C. Smith, Appellant Pro Se. Garry Daniel Hartlieb, OFFICE OF THE UNITED
STATES ATTORNEY, Norfolk, Virginia, for Appellees.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Franklin C. Smith appeals the district court’s order denying relief on his civil action
filed pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403
U.S. 388 (1971), and also challenging the temporary suspension of his social security
benefits. We have reviewed the record and find no reversible error. Accordingly, we
affirm for the reasons stated by the district court. Smith v. Amy, No. 2:16-cv-00494-MSD-
LRL (E.D. Va. Mar. 21, 2019). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and
legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument
would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED
2
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{
"pile_set_name": "FreeLaw"
}
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nutes are there between 12:42 AM and 8:07 AM?
445
How many minutes are there between 8:42 PM and 8:11 AM?
689
What is 355 minutes after 1:08 PM?
7:03 PM
What is 103 minutes before 10:34 AM?
8:51 AM
What is 591 minutes before 6:07 PM?
8:16 AM
How many minutes are there between 11:27 AM and 6:13 PM?
406
What is 344 minutes after 11:48 AM?
5:32 PM
How many minutes are there between 5:40 AM and 8:54 AM?
194
What is 408 minutes before 12:46 AM?
5:58 PM
How many minutes are there between 6:01 PM and 3:31 AM?
570
How many minutes are there between 3:30 AM and 1:39 PM?
609
How many minutes are there between 7:45 PM and 7:04 AM?
679
How many minutes are there between 9:22 AM and 7:49 PM?
627
What is 570 minutes before 9:31 PM?
12:01 PM
What is 588 minutes after 3:24 AM?
1:12 PM
How many minutes are there between 5:40 PM and 2:39 AM?
539
What is 144 minutes after 12:28 PM?
2:52 PM
What is 289 minutes before 8:27 PM?
3:38 PM
What is 12 minutes before 11:45 PM?
11:33 PM
What is 682 minutes before 3:03 AM?
3:41 PM
How many minutes are there between 11:45 AM and 11:28 PM?
703
What is 660 minutes after 3:46 PM?
2:46 AM
How many minutes are there between 1:06 AM and 1:55 AM?
49
How many minutes are there between 9:45 PM and 2:48 AM?
303
What is 141 minutes before 5:51 AM?
3:30 AM
How many minutes are there between 3:42 AM and 5:13 AM?
91
How many minutes are there between 7:32 AM and 8:35 AM?
63
How many minutes are there between 7:56 PM and 5:02 AM?
546
What is 67 minutes before 2:13 AM?
1:06 AM
What is 331 minutes after 7:21 PM?
12:52 AM
What is 310 minutes before 9:00 PM?
3:50 PM
What is 237 minutes before 8:23 PM?
4:26 PM
How many minutes are there between 3:34 PM and 7:59 PM?
265
How many minutes are there between 6:39 PM and 5:13 AM?
634
How many minutes are there between 5:44 PM and 1:55 AM?
491
What is 631 minutes before 5:40 PM?
7:09 AM
What is 410 minutes after 1:12 AM?
8:02 AM
How many minutes are there between 2:24 PM and 7:07 PM?
283
How many minutes are there between 10:08 PM and 1:25 AM?
197
How many minutes are there between 1:09 AM and 11:36 AM?
627
What is 243 minutes before 10:12 PM?
6:09 PM
What is 236 minutes before 9:52 PM?
5:56 PM
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6:02 PM
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2:40 AM
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11:18 AM
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48
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42
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1:23 PM
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1:59 PM
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260
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3:51 AM
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408
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480
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250
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345
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406
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620
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5:49 PM
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243
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583
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9:27 PM
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40
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1:15 AM
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647
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153
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332
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399
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186
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611
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302
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36
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584
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691
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6:50 PM
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3:25 AM
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9:31 AM
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11:11 PM
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50
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342
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405
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485
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467
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42
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410
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546
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630
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293
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62
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328
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318
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139
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596
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582
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209
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530
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207
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310
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2:03 AM
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60
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117
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585
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126
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419
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699
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4:24 AM
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457
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3:49 AM
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4:29 PM
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1:20 PM
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11:35 AM
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493
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110
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678
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153
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4:10 PM
How many minutes a
|
{
"pile_set_name": "DM Mathematics"
}
|
Q:
Can this be modified to run faster?
I'm creating a word list using python that hits every combination of of characters which is a monster of a calculation past 944. Before you ask where I'm getting 94, 94 covers ASCII characters 32 to 127. Understandably this function runs super slow, I'm curious if there's a way to make it more efficient.
This is the meat and potatoes of the my code.
def CreateTable(name,ASCIIList,size):
f = open(name + '.txt','w')
combo = itertools.product(ASCIIList, repeat = size)
for x in combo:
passwords = ''.join(x)
f.write(str(passwords) + '\n')
f.close()
I'm using this so that I can make lists to use in a brute force where I don't know the length of the passwords or what characters the password contains. Using a list like this I hit every possible combination of words so I'm sure to hit the right one eventually. Having stated earlier that this is a slow program this also slow to read in and will not my first choice for a brute force, this more or less for a last ditch effort.
To give you an idea of how long that piece of code runs. I was creating all the combinations of size 5 and ran for 3 hours ending at a little over 50GB.
A:
Warning : I have not tested this code.
I would convert combo to a list: combo_list = list(combo)
I would then break it into chunks:
# https://stackoverflow.com/a/312464/596841
def get_chunks(l, n):
"""Yield successive n-sized chunks from l."""
for i in range(0, len(l), n):
yield l[i:i + n]
# Change 1000 to whatever works.
chunks = get_chunks(combo_list, 1000)
Next, I would use multithreading to process each chunk:
class myThread (threading.Thread):
def __init__(self, chunk_id, chunk):
threading.Thread.__init__(self)
self.chunk_id = chunk_id
self.chunk = chunk
def run(self):
print ("Starting " + self.chunk_id)
process_data(self.chunk)
print ("Exiting " + self.chunk_id)
def process_data():
f = open(self.chunk_id + '.txt','w')
for item in self.chunk:
passwords = ''.join(item)
f.write(str(passwords) + '\n')
f.close()
I would then do something like this:
threads = []
for i, chunk in enumerate(chunks):
thread = myThread(i, chunk)
thread.start()
threads.append(thread)
# Wait for all threads to complete
for t in threads:
t.join()
You could then write another script to merge all the output files, if you need.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
|
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nuclear reactor start-up monitoring apparatus installed in, for example, a boiling-water reactor, particularly relates to the contrivance of the constitution of a digital apparatus for signal-processing of an output pulse from a radiation sensor disposed inside or outside of a reactor pressure vessel as data for measuring and monitoring reactor power.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a recent boiling-water reactor, there are provided with radiation sensors such as six to ten SRNM (Start up Ranged Neutron Monitor) detectors and 100 to 200 LPRM (Local Power Ranged Monitor) sensors installed in a reactor pressure vessel of the reactor, and a reactor power monitoring apparatus such as, for example, a start-up ranged monitor and power ranged monitor, for measuring and monitoring reactor power based on the detected signals by these radiation sensors.
Among them, the start up ranged neutron monitor (to be referred to as "reactor start-up monitoring apparatus " hereinafter) monitors reactor power at the time of reactor start-up or the like based on output pulses in accordance with neutron fluxes detected by the SRNM detectors. This apparatus performs processing for counting the number of output pulses of the SRNM detectors (to be referred to as "pulse measurement" hereinafter) in low reactor power ranges (10.sup.-9 % to 10.sup.-4 %) and performs processing for measuring the power of a fluctuabon component generated by the overlapping output pulses of the SRNM detectors, i.e., processing based on the principle of Campbell Law (to be referred to as "Campbell measurement" hereinafter) in high reactor power ranges (10.sup.-5 % to 10%).
An example of a reactor start-up monitoring apparatus conducting the pulse measurement and Campbell measurement as stated above will be described based on FIGS. 5 and 6.
A reactor start-up monitoring apparatus shown in FIG. 5 consists of an SRNM detector 100 detecting, as data for measuring reactor power, neutron fluxes in the reactor, an analog amplifier 101 amplifying and rectifying the detector output pulses, two signal processing systems connected in parallel to the signal output side, i.e., a pulse measurement system 102 and a Campbell measurement system 103, and reactor power evaluating (monitoring) means 104 for continuously monitoring/evaluating reactor power at least at time of starting up the reactor based on the processing results of the measurement systems 102 and 103.
Among those elements, the pulse measurement system 102 consists of a pulse wave height comparator 105 comparing the wave height value of the detector output pulse amplified by the analog amplifier 101 with a preset wave height value and counting the number of the detector output pulses having wave heights higher than the preset wave height value, and pulse measurement evaluating means 106 evaluating reactor power at the time of low power output by converting the counted pulse number to the output level of the reactor power.
Also, the Campbell measurement system 103 consists of a plurality of amplifiers (a small gain amplifier 107, a medium gain amplifier 108 and a large gain amplifier 109) amplifying and attenuating the detector output pulses amplified by the analog amplifier 101 under different conditions of a plurality of amplification factors and thereby limiting frequency bands to a specified band, a plurality of MS (Mean Square) operators 110, 111, 112 calculating mean square roots of the outputs of the amplifiers 107 to 109 and Campbell output evaluating means 113 for selecting an optimum value from the outputs of the operators 110 to 112 and for evaluating reactor power at the time of high power output.
In the reactor start-up monitoring apparatus stated above, if reactor power is low, pulse measurement is executed to adjust an output pulse to a signal level optimal to the pulse wave height comparator 105 and to accurately count the number of output pulses of the SRNM detector 100 by the analog amplifier 101. If reactor power is high, Campbell measurement is executed. When the Campbell measurement is executed, about five figures which is the measurement range thereof, cannot be covered by a single MS (Mean Square) arithmetic element 110, 111 or 112. Due to this, as shown in this example, a plurality of amplifiers 107 to 109 amplify the output of the SRNM detector 100 at different amplification factors to thereby cover the overall measurement range. In that case, an amplifier can be formed of a single logarithmic amplifier. Recently, however, there are many cases where divided amplifiers are employed as described above in light of temperature characteristics and the like, which constitution makes it possible to continuously monitor the wide measurement range of the reactor.
Nevertheless, since the above-stated reactor start-up monitoring apparatus is constituted to signal-process detector output pulses with an analog circuit, there is a possibility that counting only based on the magnitude of pulses may cause error measurement by the influence of discharge pulses generated as a result of discharge within the SRNM detector and noise erroneously generated by electromagnetic induction in the vicinity of the monitoring apparatus. As a result, this apparatus has a disadvantage in that information contained in the waveforms of the detector output pulses cannot be always utilized efficiently.
To deal with the above disadvantage, it is necessary to sufficiently shield signal cables and the like to prevent the induction of external noise at the time of execution. Additonally, as measures to prevent erroneous measurement due to the external noise during execution, there is a method of using not only pulse wave heights but also other waveform information since the waveforms of the erroneous pulses are, in most cases, different from those of signal pulses. Further, since a detector output pulse is changed by the leakage of gas sealed in the detector or by the abnormal distance between electrodes, it is possible to detect these abnormal states during measurement by monitoring waveforms. In the present system, however, it is necessary to, for example, diagnose the detector while precluding the system from monitoring targets. According to the present system, it is necessary to provide circuits dedicated to Campbell measurement and pulse measurement, respectively to simultaneously conduct the measurements, which results in larger-sized and complicated circuits. Due to this, the measurements are conducted by different hardware and, therefore, the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has a problem that maintenance and inspection operations are carried out for the measurements, respectively. To solve this problem, it is desired that hardware parts are integrated, particularly, signal processing parts are integrated.
Considering the above, as means for solving the erroneous measurement problems with the analog circuit of that type, there is proposed a digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus for converting a detector output pulse to a digital signal and for conducting signal processing (e.g., in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-274095). Description will now be given to an example of this apparatus based on FIG. 6.
A digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus shown in FIG. 6 consists of an SRNM detector 100, an analog amplifier 101, as in the case of the above apparatus, a pulse measurement system 102 and a Campbell measurement system 103 connected to the signal output side in parallel, and reactor power evaluating (monitoring) means 104, such as a monitor, for continuously monitoring reactor power at the time of reactor start-up based on the measurement results of the measurement systems 102 and 103.
Among the elements, the pulse measurement system 102 consists of the first A/D converter 120 sampling the detector output pulse amplified by the analog amplifier 101 at intervals shorter than the pulse width, pulse counting means 121 for counting the number of detector output pulses from the obtained sampling data and pulse measurement evaluating means 106 for converting the counted pulse number to a reactor power level and evaluating reactor power at the time of low power output. The pulse counting means 121 performs arithmetic processing to not only pulse wave height values but also other features using sampling data and recognizes output pulses. Thus, it is possible to count only the output pulses and to remove different signals such as noise.
In addition, the Campbell measurement system 103 consists of a plurality of analog amplifiers (a small gain amplifier 107, a medium gain amplifier 108 and a large gain amplifier 109) amplifying and attenuating the detector output pulse amplified by the analog amplifier 101 under different conditions of a plurality of amplification factors, at least one, the second A/D converter 122 A/D converting the outputs of the respective amplifiers 107 to 109 and Campbell measurement evaluating means 113 for calculating a mean square value corresponding to the power of a specific frequency band using the obtained sampling data and then evaluating reactor power at the time of high power output. Among them, the Campbell measurement evaluating means 113 limits a frequency band after A/D conversion and operates the mean square value. Since the operation of the means 113 can be processed by software-based calculation, the measurement frequency band can be advantageously easily changed.
The above-stated conventional digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus has, however, the following problems.
1): The pulse measurement and Campbell measurement differ in necessary sampling cycle (interval) and A/D conversion accuracy and require individual A/D converters, respectively. PA0 2): Since Campbell measurement has a sampling cycle of about 2 MH.sub.Z as stated above, it is necessary to remove frequency components of 1 MH.sub.Z or more before sampling according to the sampling theorem. For that reason, an antialiasing analog filter is normally provided. PA0 3): If a digital filter is used as a band limiting filter for Campbell measurement, it is necessary to execute a simple method capable of real-time processing operation using the digital filter. This is because the present Campbell measurement elements do not have enough operation speeds. PA0 4): In regard to an algorithm for digitally sampling pulse waveforms and selecting a detector output pulse from the sampling values, it is difficult to make waveform selection in a real-time manner at a cycle of 100 nsec or less as in the case of the digital filter for Campbell measurement. To deal with this, a method for simplifying a waveform selection algorithm is desired.
That is, in pulse measurement, it is required that a sampling cycle is shorter than the pulse width of a detector output pulse. Since the width of the output pulse is about 100 nsec, an N/D converter capable of digitizing a pulse with 20 MH.sub.Z is required for the pulse measurement. For example, a commercially available A/D converter having accuracy of about eight to ten bits is employed.
In Campbell measurement, by contrast, the measurement band is normally 1 MH.sub.Z or less and an A/D converter having a sampling cycle of about 2 MH.sub.Z is, therefore, required. Besides, to broaden the measurement range, the accuracy of the converter needs to be higher than that of the above-stated N/D converter for pulse measurement. For example, a commercially available AND converter having accuracy of about 16 bits is employed.
Meanwhile, Campbell measurement, as in the case of the conventional analog type apparatus described above, covers a measurement range as wide as five figures and a plurality of analog amplifiers are, therefore, required.
As stated above, due to the need to prepare a plurality of A/D converters and analog amplifiers, the overall constitution of the conventional digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus becomes disadvantageously complicated.
If such an antialiasing analog filter is provided, however, analog filtering characteristics play a major role and digital response expected by the digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus cannot be disadvantageously realized. That is to say, since power operation is performed by the Campbell measurement system in the digital type reactor start-up monitoring apparatus in a frequency band of about 100 kH.sub.Z to 400 kH.sub.Z, a digital filter instead of an analog filter is expected to be adopted as the band limiting filter to enhance time response and performance against external noise.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
}
|
{#sp1 .308}
{#sp2 .309}
|
{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Central"
}
|
Add to Wish List
Product Description
Look out and get your bankrupt airline hooded sweatshirt. Recently departed, Aloha Airlines is an American cargo airline headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, operating from a hub at Honolulu International Airport. It operated passenger service until March 31, 2008.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
2 U.S. 179
2 Dall. 179
1 L.Ed. 339
Shawv.Wallace
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
September Term, 1792
1
This cause was set down for trial; but was afterwards continued by the plaintiff. The defendant's attorney, prayed a rule might be granted for security for costs, the plaintiff residing in New York. Moylan, objected, that the motion came too late, after the cause had been marked for trial.
2
But, By the Court: It is never too late to grant the rule, when it will not delay the trial.
3
Rule granted.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "FreeLaw"
}
|
An optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor includes both a metal layer and an overlay or underlay material on its surface. Existing fiber based SPR devices are inherently incapable of monitoring aqueous systems which have a refractive index ranging between 1.33 and 1.35, and existing prism...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US5327225?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5327225 - Surface plasmon resonance sensor
An optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor includes both a metal layer and an overlay or underlay material on its surface. Existing fiber based SPR devices are inherently incapable of monitoring aqueous systems which have a refractive index ranging between 1.33 and 1.35, and existing prism based SPR sensors have proved too cumbersome for online chemical and biochemical analyses. Inclusion of the overlay or underlay material on the SPR sensor allows monitoring media with a refractive index from 1.00 to the 1.39 barrier and above. Hence, the SPR sensor allows monitoring important biochemical and chemical aqueous processes where the media typically have a refractive index between 1.33 and 1.35. In operation, samples are simply applied to the sensing region of the SPR sensor where the metal layer and overlay or underlay materials are coated, introducing a polarized beam of light into the optical fiber, and detecting surface plasmon resonance. The optical fiber can be positioned in a flow cell for on line operations where media are simply moved past the sensing region of the SPR sensor or can be part of a dip stick which is used for batch processes. The SPR sensor has particular utility in monitoring biochemical (antigen-antibody) reactions, detecting corrosion of metal surfaces, and identifying chemical products in an HPLC effluent.
Images(11)
Claims(22)
Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:
1. A surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising:
an optical fiber;
a source of electromagnetic radiation connected to said optical fiber;
first and second films coated on each other and on said optical fiber at a sample contacting region of said optical fiber, said first and second films having a combined thickness small enough to allow an evanescent field portion of a beam of electromagnetic radiation supplied from said source into said optical fiber to penetrate into both said first and second films; and
a detector connected to said optical fiber for detecting surface plasmon resonance as a function of a thickness and refractive index for both said first and second films and a refractive index of said sample.
2. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 further comprising a means for conveying said sample to said sample contacting region of said optical fiber.
3. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 3 wherein said means for conveying includes a flow cell housing said optical fiber.
4. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said first film is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, chromium, silicon, germanium, and alloys and oxides thereof.
5. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1, wherein said second film is selected from the group consisting of dielectric materials, polymeric materials, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic layers, inorganic layers, and glass materials.
6. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said source of electromagnetic radiation is a laser.
7. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 further comprising a means to identify changes in surface plasmon resonance.
8. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said optical fiber is a single mode optical fiber.
9. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said first film is a metal or metal alloy and said second film is silicon monoxide.
10. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said optical fiber is less than fifty microns in diameter.
11. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said detector can detect surface plasmon resonance when said sample has a refractive index ranging between 1.00 and 1.39.
12. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1 wherein said detector can detect surface plasmon resonance when said sample has a refractive index ranging between 1.00 and 1.50.
13. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1
wherein said first film is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, chromium, silicon, germanium, and alloys and oxides thereof,
wherein said second film is selected from the group consisting of dielectric materials, polymeric materials, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic layers, inorganic layers, and glass materials, and
wherein said second film overlies said first film.
14. The surface plasmon sensor of claim 13 wherein said second film is porous.
15. The surface plasmon sensor of claim 13 further comprising a biomaterial specific for binding an analyte of interest in said sample immobilized on said second film.
16. The surface plasmon resonance sensor of claim 1
wherein said first film is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, chromium, silicon, germanium, and alloys and oxides thereof,
wherein said second film is selected from the group consisting of dielectric materials, polymeric materials, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic layers, inorganic layers, and glass materials, and
wherein said second film underlies said first film.
17. The surface plasmon sensor of claim 1 wherein said second film comprises two or more materials selected from the group consisting of dielectric materials, polymeric materials, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic layers, inorganic layers, and glass materials.
18. A surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising:
an optical waveguide;
a source of electromagnetic radiation connected to said optical waveguide;
first and second films coated on each other and on said optical waveguide at a sample contacting region of said optical waveguide, said first and second films having a combined thickness small enough to allow an evanescent field portion of a beam of electromagnetic radiation supplied from said source into said optical waveguide to penetrate into both said first and second films; and
a detector connected to said optical waveguide for detecting surface plasmon resonance as a function of a thickness and refractive index for both said first and second films and a refractive index of said sample.
19. A biochemical or biological sensor, comprising:
an optical fiber;
a source of electromagnetic radiation connected to said optical fiber;
first and second films coated on each other and on said optical fiber at a sample contacting region of said optical fiber, said first and second films having a combined thickness small enough to allow an evanescent field portion of a beam of electromagnetic radiation supplied from said source into said optical fiber to penetrate into both said first and second films, said first film being a metal or metal alloy film, said second film being selected from the group consisting of dielectric materials, polymeric materials, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic layers, inorganic layers, and glass materials, said first film being coated on said sample contacting region of said optical fiber and said second film being coated on top of said first film;
a biomaterial specific for binding an analyte of interest in a sample immobilized on said second film; and
a detector connected to said optical fiber for detecting changes in surface plasmon resonance which occur when said biomaterial binds said analyte of interest in said sample as a function of a thickness and refractive index for both said first and second films.
20. A corrosion sensor, comprising:
an optical fiber;
a source of electromagnetic radiation connected to said optical fiber;
first and second films coated on each other and on said optical fiber at a sample contacting region of said optical fiber, said first and second films having a combined thickness small enough to allow an evanescent field portion of a beam of electromagnetic radiation supplied from said source into said optical fiber to penetrate into both said first and second films, said first film being a metal or metal alloy;
a detector connected to said optical fiber for detecting changes in surface plasmon resonance when said metal or metal alloy in said first film corrodes due to exposure to corrosive agents in a sample which contacts said first film, said changes in surface plasmon resonance being a function of a thickness and refractive index for both said first and second films.
21. A corrosion sensor as recited in claim 20 wherein said second film is porous and allows said sample to permeate therethrough to contact said first film.
22. A surface plasmon resonance sensor for monitoring effluent from a liquid chromatography or high performance liquid chromotography column, comprising:
an optical fiber;
a source of electromagnetic radiation connected to said optical fiber;
first and second films coated on each other and on said optical fiber at a sample contacting region of said optical fiber, said first and second films having a combined thickness small enough to allow an evanescent field portion of a beam of electromagnetic radiation supplied from said source into said optical fiber to penetrate into both said first and second films;
means to convey effluent from a liquid chromotography or high performance liquid chromotography column over said sample contacting region of said optical fiber; and
a detector connected to said optical fiber for detecting surface plasmon resonance as a function of a thickness and refractive index for both said first and second films and a refractive index of said effluent.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based devices. More particularly, the present invention is related to a surface modified optical fiber sensor of a wider refractive index range than heretofore possible.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Surface plasmon resonance is the oscillation of the plasma of free electrons which exists at a metal boundary. These oscillations are affected by the refractive index of the material adjacent the metal surface. Surface plasmon resonance may be achieved by using the evanescent wave which is generated when a p-polarized light beam is totally internally reflected at the boundary of a medium, e.g., glass, which has a high dielectric constant. A paper describing the technique has been published under the title "Surface plasmon resonance for gas detection and biosensing" by Lieberg, Nylander and Lundstrom in Sensors and Actuators, Vol. 4, page 299.
Illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram of the equipment described in the Liegerg paper. A beam 1 of light is directed from a laser source (not shown) onto an internal surface 2 of a glass body 3. A detector (not shown) monitors the internally reflected beam 4. Applied to the external surface 2 of glass body 3 is a thin film 5 of metal, for example gold or silver, and applied to the film 5 is a further thin film 6 of organic material containing antibodies. A sample 7 containing antigen is brought into contact with the antibody film 6 to thus cause a reaction between the antigen and the antibody. If binding occurs, the refractive index of the film 6 will change owing to the increased size of the antibody molecules, and this change can be detected and measured using surface plasmon resonance techniques.
Surface plasmon resonance can be experimentally observed by varying the angle of the incident beam 1 and monitoring the intensity of the internally reflected beam 4. At a certain angle of incidence, the parallel component of the light momentum will match with the dispersion for surface plasmons at the opposite surface 8 of the metal film 5. Provided that the thickness of metal film 5 is chosen correctly, there will be an electromagnetic coupling between the glass/metal interface at surface 2 and the metal/antibody interface at surface 8 which results in surface plasmon resonance, and thus an attenuation in the reflected beam 4 at that particular angle of incidence. Thus, as the angle of incidence of beam 1 is varied, surface plasmon resonance is observed as a sharp dip in the intensity of the internally reflected beam 4 at a particular angle of incidence. The angle of incidence at which resonance occurs is affected by the refractive index of the material against the metal film 5, i.e. the antibody film 6, and the angle of incidence corresponding to resonance is thus a direct measure of the state of the reaction between the antibody and the antigen. Increased sensitivity can be obtained by choosing an angle of incidence half way down the reflectance dip curve where the response is substantially linear at the beginning of the antibody/antigen reaction, and then maintaining that angle of incidence fixed and observing changes in the intensity of the reflected beam 4 with time.
As the angle of incidence is changed, either by moving the light source or rotating the glass body, or both, the point on surface 2 at which the incoming beam 1 is incident moves. Because of inevitable variations in the metal film 5 and the antibody film 6, the angle of incidence at which resonance occurs changes as the point of incidence of incoming beam 1 moves, which, in turn, introduces a further variable factor into the measurement and thus makes comparison between the initial unbound state and the bound state of the antibody film 6 less accurate.
FIG. 2 shows a surface plasmon resonance sensor where the glass body is a prism 13 and a thin film 15 of metal is applied to its undersurface. Light 11 from a laser source is incident on the prism 13 where it is refracted at point 19 before entering the prism 13. The internally reflected beam 14 is likewise refracted at point 20 upon exiting from the prism 13. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,064,619, 5,055,265, 5,047,633, 5,047,213, 5,035,863, 5,023,053, and 4,997,278 to Finlan, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,427 to VanVeen et al. describe prism-based SPR sensors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide an optical fiber SPR sensor.
Another object of this invention is to provide an SPR sensor which can detect changes in the refractive index of a chemical or biochemical sample.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for assaying chemical or biological reactions without the use of specific markers.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a quadruple layer SPR-based sensor.
A further object of the invention is to provide means for monitoring corrosion processes of metallic overlay materials and for analytical process control.
An additional object of this invention is to provide an SPR sensor of much wider refractive index range than heretofore known or described.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide dispersion equations determinative of conditions necessary to achieve surface plasmon resonance.
According to the invention, an SPR sensor includes an optical fiber with an electromagnetic radiation source (laser) and a detector connected to opposite ends of the fiber and both a metal layer and an overlay or underlay material coated on its surface. The overlay or underlay material permits analyzing samples of a much wider refractive index range than previously possible, and allows the optical fiber SPR sensor to be used in biochemical and chemical applications. In operation, a sample is brought into contact with the optical fiber SPR sensor. The overlay or underlay material on the sensor can include a bound solid-phase for antigen-antibody reactions or the like. The evanescent field portion of the beam of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the metal layer generates surface plasmon resonance which changes as a function of the refractive index of the sample. The effective index of the surface plasmon generated is dependent on the thickness and refractive index of the metal layer and the overlay or underlay material, as well as the refractive index of the sample. Changes in the surface plasmon resonance due to an interaction between the sample and a solid-phase on the overlay or underlay material, or changes in the refractive index of the sample due to a chemical reaction, etc., are detected and used for identifying the presence of an antigen or antibody, process controls, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be better understood upon a reading of the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a prior art SPR sensor;
FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a prism based SPR sensor;
FIGS. 3a and 3b are cross-sectional views of optical fiber SPR sensors of the present invention which include a metal film and an overlay or underlay material, respectively, coated on the surface of the optical fiber;
FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a theoretical quadruple layer arrangement for the optical fiber SPR sensors of the present invention;
FIGS. 5a and 5b are dispersion plots of overlay thickness versus the overlay refractive index used to determine overlay thickness needed for SPR;
FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of an on-line experimental optical fiber-based SPR sensor system according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a flow cell used in the experimental system of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a graph showing the SPR of standardized fluids having a known refractive index on a fiber with a metal film coating, but no overlay or underlay material coating;
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the SPR of standardized fluids having a known refractive index on a fiber with a silver coating and an silicon monoxide overlay coating where the thickness of the silicon monoxide overlay has been optimized;
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the SPR of standardized fluids having a known refractive index on fibers with a silver coating and a silicon monoxide overlay coating where the thickness of the silicon monoxide layer varies;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber-based SPR sensor according to the present invention arranged for monitoring biological interactions;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber-based SPR sensor according to the present invention arranged to monitor aluminum corrosion;
FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing showing the optical fiber based SPR sensors of the present invention used in process control;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber-based SPR sensor arranged for monitoring column effluent so that it may perform as a chromatography detector; and
FIGS. 15a and 15b are graphs showing the ray trace model of propogation in large diameter fiber cores and the mode model of propogation in small diameter fiber cores, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Surface plasmon is a transverse magnetic (TM) electromagnetic wave guided by a thin metal film surrounded by dielectric material. The plasmon is a surface effect which causes electron density fluctuations at the interface between the metal and the dielectric. The generation of surface plasmons occurs when energy contained in an evanescent field is coupled into the plasmon mode on the metal film. The amount of coupling is extremely sensitive to the refractive indices of the dielectric materials on both sides of the metal film. If one of the dielectric layers consists of a chemical sample, changes in this sample's refractive index can be monitored by measuring changes in the evanescent field to plasmon coupling efficiency.
SPR was initially used as a probe to investigate metal surfaces, then later as the basis for chemical and biochemical sensor devices. Initial experiments involved the use of a prism onto which the metal film was deposited. The reflection from the prism/metal interface of a p-polarized laser at angles less than the critical angle (θc) was monitored with a photodetector. When the angle of incidence of the laser beam is scanned from a highly grazing angle up to near θc, a sharp minimum in reflectivity is seen at a very discrete angle. At this angle the wave vector of the laser beam in the prism matches the wave vector of the plasmon, and energy from the laser is coupled to the plasmon via the evanescent field at the reflection point. The position of the minimum is strongly dependent on the refractive index of any material (sample) disposed onto the surface of the metal. An increase in sample refractive index leads to an increase in the angle of minimum reflectivity.
SPR has been utilized in the fiber optic communications field as the basis for an in-line, all-fiber polarization device.
Chemical reactions can be monitored using SPR with optical fibers clad with metal films; however, only samples whose refractive indices are larger than approximately 1.39 can be monitored. This limitation is inherent to optical fibers because of the limited range of cladding indices available. The dispersion equation is strongly dependent on cladding index. Most chemical and biochemical applications require monitoring reactions where the refractive index of the sample media ranges between 1.33 and 1.35. Hence, a modification of the fiber is necessary in order to monitor that refractive index range.
FIGS. 3a and 3b show the construction of optical fiber SPR sensors according to the present invention. The polished surface 30 of an optical fiber 32 includes both a conductive (metal) film 34 and an overlay 36 or underlay 38 material coated thereon. In order to produce a fiber based SPR device, a dispersion equation must be generated to describe the conditions necessary to achieve the resonance condition, and the device must be constructed to monitor the refractive index range of the target application. In a preferred embodiment of his invention, the metal film 34 and overlay 36 or underlay 38 materials are chosen to monitor chemical or biochemical reactions in aqueous samples 40.
EXAMPLE 1--SENSOR FABRICATION
The optical fiber SPR sensors of the present invention can be fabricated by a number of different methods. In a technique performed by the inventors, a section of the fiber 32 is bonded to a curved aluminum polishing substrate. The surface of the fiber 32 is then polished and the polishing procedure is controlled by monitoring laser throughput in the fiber. When the polishing reaches the evanescent field, the laser intensity starts to decline and the polishing procedure is terminated. The polished surface 30 of the fiber 32 is then coated with metal 34 and overlay 36 or underlay 38 material by standard processes, including vacuum vapor deposition, electron beam deposition, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, and the like. Preferably, the fiber 32 is placed on the target of the deposition unit and deposition is carried out at reduced pressure. The coating thickness is controlled with a quartz crystal oscillator or other suitable thickness monitor. The overlay 36 or underlay 38 material should have a high refractive index, so only a thin layer need be deposited. In addition, the overlay 36 or underlay 38 material should have a low melting point to promote vapor deposition, and it should be insoluble in water if the SPR sensor is to be used for aqueous analysis.
In experiments discussed below, an overlay 36 material was used in the SPR sensor and the overlay 36 was silicon monoxide. However, it should be understood the overlay 36 could comprise organic or inorganic layers, polymeric layers, metals or semiconductive materials, or other dielectric and glass materials. In addition, the overlay 36 or underlay 38 material could be comprised of two or more materials. A number of materials will be suitable for use as the metal film 34, including silver, gold, aluminum, chromium, and alloys thereof. Semiconductors such as silicon or germanium, or conductive polymers might be substituted for the metal film. In the experiments described below, the metal film was silver. The thickness and refractive index of the metal film 34 and overlay 36 or underlay 38 material are important factors in the performance of the optical fiber SPR sensors, and FIGS. 3a and 3b show that the order in which they are coated on the fiber 32 can be reversed; however, using an overlay 36 material has certain advantages. Specifically, the overlay 36 could include a solid-phase with bound antibodies or antigens that are brought into intimate contact with an analyte of interest in the sample 40. The overlay 36 could also be porous to increase the surface area for antibody-antigen interactions or to allow corrosive agents to contact the metal film.
FIGS. 3a and 3b show that the metal film 34 and overlay 36 or underlay 38 coatings on the surface 30 of the fiber allow the evanescent field present in the fiber 32 to penetrate the coatings. This can be accomplished by several methods including: polishing the fiber's 32 surface to within the evanescent field and applying the coatings to the polished section as described above; using an unclad fiber and applying the coatings directly to the core (the application of metal layers directly to the core tends to attenuate guided modes); using a fiber with a very thin cladding (e.g., less than a few microns thick) and applying the coatings directly to the cladding; or substituting a planar optical wave guide for the optical fiber.
The plasmon, being a surface effect, is sensitive to only a few to several hundred nanometers of material above the metal surface. Consequently, the thickness of the plasmon sampling region of the device (e.g., the thickness of the metal film 34 plus the overlay 36 or underlay 38) is only a few to several hundred nanometers. If the overlay 36 or underlay 38 is comprised a highly refractive material, the `net` refractive index of the plasmon sampling region (overlay or underlay refractive index plus sample refractive index) can be adjusted to a level that allows monitoring samples 40 by surface plasmon resonance with an optical fiber-based SPR device. Hence, the optical fiber-based SPR sensors of the present invention are capable of monitoring samples 40 with refractive indices from 1.00 up to and beyond the 1.39 limit inherent in an optical fiber SPR sensor with no overlay 36 or underlay 38 material. The exact index monitored is determined by the refractive index and thickness of the overlay 36 or underlay 38.
EXAMPLE 2--SPR SENSOR PARAMETERS
It is noted that only for simplicity of calculations, the cladding and sample layers are assumed to be semi-infinite and the polished fiber is assumed to approximate a planar waveguide. This is shown schematically in FIG. 4. These assumptions simplify the derivation of the dispersion equation and are validated by the work of Johnstone et al., J. Light Technol. 8:538 (1990). Since the plasmon is a transverse magnetic (TM) effect, only the Hy and Ez fields need to be considered. Starting with Maxwell's equations, the one-dimensional waveguide equation for the y-component of the magnetic field in a TM wave can be derived by the following equations (Marcuse, 1973, Theory of Dielectric Optical Waveguides, Academic Press, N.Y. Chapter 1):
δ2 Hy /δx2 +(n2 k2 -β2)Hy =0
and the z-component of the electric field is
Ez =(-i/n2 ωE0)δHy /δx
For the above equations, n is the refractive index, k=2π/λ, and β is the propogation constant of the mode in the fiber. A solution to the waveguide equation is expressed in equation 3.
A and B are constants obtained from the solution of the differential equation and will be discussed later.
The four layers in the sensor configuration (cladding, metal, overlay, and sample) shown in FIG. 4 each have a different refractive index and therefore produce a different expression for Hy and Ez from equations 3 and 4 above. Equations 5 and 6 present the different equations for Hy and Ez. ##EQU1## The sample and fiber layers contain only one term because the second term would explode as the x-component moved to ±infinity (see FIG. 4).
Boundary conditions dictate that E and H fields must be continuous across a material boundary. Therefore, the Hy and Ez fields in both materials at a layer boundary must be equal. With the following substitutions to simplify the writing of the equations, the Hy and Ez fields are equated across the boundaries according to equations 7-13. ##EQU2## Equations 8-13 are in terms of six unknowns (A-F). The dispersion equation describing the four layer system is obtained by a method similar to that for the three layer system. The six equations are algebraically reduced to two equations and two unknowns whose coefficients are formed into a 2*2 matrix. The determinant of this matrix must equal zero in order for a solution to exist. This solution will indicate the conditions necessary to achieve resonance. The determinant is set equal to zero, then rearranged to solve for d2. The resulting dispersion equation is given by Equation 14. ##EQU3##
Upon selection of a fiber, optical source and metal, all of the parameters are fixed except for ns, no, and t. Equation 14 is plotted for the overlay or underlay thickness (t) as a function of the overlay index (no), and a family of curves results. Each curve represents a different sample refractive index (ns). Each curve will determine the thickness of the overlay or underlay, based on its refractive index, needed to generate SPR for a given sample index.
FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate an example of dispersion plots described above for a quadruple layer system which will employ an overlay material. In generating these plots, the following optical source, metal and fiber were used: a laser diode operating at 780 nm, a 34 nm thick silver metal film, and a Corning Flexcore singlemode (at 780 nm) fiber (Corning Glass Works, Telecom. Div., N.Y.) with a core index of 1.4603, a cladding index of 1.4537, and an effective index of 1.457. Several features of these plots are of interest. First, FIG. 5b shows the plot slopes downward as the overlay refractive index increases. This behavior is expected because less overlay is needed to increase the `net` index of the sampling region as the refractive index of the overlay increases. Secondly, FIG. 5a shows a sharp, semi-infinite peak at an overlay index of 1.419. This index exactly matches the experimentally determined and theoretically predicted sample index needed to generate SPR on this system if no overlay were present. With reference back to FIG. 5b , it can be seen that a thickness of 100 nm of an overlay material with a refractive index of 1.5 will be needed to generate SPR. With refrence to FIG. 5a, it can be seen that at overlay refractive indices less than 1.419 the thickness contains an imaginary component. This can be interpreted as a region of operation that requires an overlay material with a complex index of refraction, such as a metal. For dielectric overlay materials the region of no >1.419 is considered as the functioning range of this sensor.
EXAMPLE 3--EXPERIMENTAL CONFIGURATION AND RESULTS
FIG. 6 shows the experimental testing arrangement for the optical fiber SPR sensor of the present invention. A source of coherent radiation, such as a laser 50, is used as the source of light, and a suitable photosensitive device is used as the optical detector 52. The output of the optical detector 52 is routed through an operational amplifier 54 and collected by a data logger 56. Output from the operational amplifier 54 may be routed through an analog to digital converter 58. For testing purposes, the sensing portion of the fiber 60 is contained in a 2 ml sample volume plexiglass flow cell 62.
FIG. 7 shows the 2 ml plexiglass flow cell 62 is comprised of a top 70 secured to a bottom portion 72 by screws 74. The optical fiber 60 passes through the bottom portion 74 and is positioned on the curved polishing substrate 66. High performance liquid chromotography (HPLC) fittings 68 can be positioned around the optical fiber 60 to seal th flow cell 62. The fluid of interest passes through tubing into the sample inlet 76, fills the internal volume (internal slot 78), and then passes out through tubing at sample outlet 80. Threaded connectors 82 can be used to seal the flow cell 62 and mounting holes 84 can be used to secure the flow cell 62 to a support structure.
While FIGS. 6 and 7 show the use of a flow cell 62, it should be understood that other on-line configurations could be employed, as well as batch process dipping arrangements, for bringing the sample into contact with the optical fiber 62. Objective lenses 86 and a stage 88 can be used for focussing the radiation source 50 on the detector 52.
In the experiments, one fiber was coated with 35 nm of silver by vacuum deposition, but received no overlay material. The fiber was a Corning Flexcore single-mode fiber as described above. The fiber was placed in the instrumentation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and tested by successive applications of Cargille (Cargille Labs., N.J. 07009) refractive index matching fluids to its sensing area. After each fluid application, the fiber was rinsed with cyclohexane to clean the silver surface. The dispersion equations in Johnstone, supra, indicate that a sample index of 1.4197 should promote plasmon resonance. Data presented in FIG. 8 shows a surface plasmon resonance signal minimum at a sample refractive index of 1.419. This refractive index value exactly matches the sharp peak in the four-layer dispersion equation described herein above.
In the experiments, another fiber (Corning Flexcore single-mode fiber) was overcoated with silicon monoxide (SiO) as a test overlay material. Silicon monoxide has a relatively high refractive index (1.928 at 780 nm), has a melting point (approximately 1700° C.) that allows it to be easily vapor deposited, and is insoluble in water. However, it should be understood that the overlay could be any of a number of materials including, but not limited to dielectrics, glasses, metals, metal oxides, chalcogenides, semiconductors, organic films, polymeric materials, and the like. For testing, equation 14 was solved for λ=780 nm, no =1.928, nm =5.5i (silver), d1 =34 nm (silver thickness), and Corning Flexcore single-mode fiber, for a sample index of 1.350. The results indicated that 27.4 nm of SiO would be needed to generate SPR under the given conditions. Vacuum deposition was carried out with the application of 33.7 nm of silver and 27.8 nm of silicon monoxide overlay. The fiber was then placed in the instrument and solutions of sucrose in water having standardized refractive indices were applied. The experiment was repeated a total of three times and the data is shown in FIG. 9. The dispersion equation accurately predicted (within 3%) the results obtained from the optical fiber-based SPR sensor. The resonance condition occurred well below the 1.42 sample index achieved with no overlay, and the results were very repeatable over the three trials.
A similar trial was then carried out on polished optical fibers with 34 nm of silver films and SiO overlay material where the thickness of the SiO overlay was varied for each fiber (e.g., 27.4 nm, 32.2 nm, and 36.8 nm). The results, shown in FIG. 10, indicate that the sample index generating resonance decreases with increasing overlay thickness. This behavior matches that predicted by the dispersion relationship.
Other modifications of the sensor are possible to increase the scope of its applications. These include, but are not limited to, the use of elliptical core polarization maintaining fibers, polarizing optical fibers that transmit only one polarization state, i.e. TM, while attenuating the other, i.e., TE, the use of a dual-fiber geometry or a multimode fiber to allow a reference arm, the use of planar waveguides in place of the optical fiber, microscaling of the device with integrated optical components, remote sensing with long range optical cables, and the use of disposable sensing elements.
Certain applications of the device of the present invention are now illustrated by Example.
EXAMPLE 4--BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS
An important application of this sensor is in the area of biological and biochemical analyses. FIG. 11 shows a biosensor design in accordance with the present invention. The optical fiber 90 has a metal film 92 and an overlay 94 material as described above. In addition, immobilized antigen 96 is bound to the surface of the overlay 94. Antibody 98 in a sample fluid becomes bound to the immobilized antigen 96, thereby changing the refractive index of the overlay 94, and thus allowing the presence of an antibody 98 in the sample fluid to be detected. While the solid-phase has been described above as an immobilized antigen, the solid-phase can be varied to suit the needs of the user and can include either antigens or antibodies or other receptors or portions thereof including: Fab fragments, hypervariable fragments, single chain antigen binding proteins, and the like. The optical fiber-based SPR biosensor of FIG. 11 is very sensistive to refractive index (R.I.) changes, such as those that occur in a bioreaction (e.g., the reaction between antibody & antigen, enzyme & substrate, cell & receptor, and the like). The R.I. may range from about 1.0 to 1.5 . The sensor would have its active area coated with one half of a reaction pair (e.g., an antigen, antibody, etc.). Reactions with the other half of the reaction pair found in a biological sample of interest will cause a change in R.I. which will be monitored as a change in optical throughput in the fiber.
The optical fiber-based SPR bioligical sensor has several advantages over more traditional assay techniques, such as ELISA. It requires only one step, viz., the addition of the sample to be analyzed. It requires no complex reaction and washing steps, no radioactive or fluorescent tags, and no expensive equipment to measure those markers.
In addition, the optical fiber-based SPR biological sensor of the present invention has several advantages over prior art prism and glass rod sensors. For example, the SPR biological sensor of the present invention requires no moving parts, has a very simple sample introduction mechanism, requires no angle measurements, and does not require expensive and complex detectors (e.g., photodiode arrays, charge coupled displays (CCD), etc.). Furthermore, the SPR biological sensor of the present invention can employ disposable fiber sensing elements that do not require fitting in sensor blocks, and has excellent microscaling potential. Lastly, it is extremely inexpensive and simple to produce sensing elements for the SPR biological sensor of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 5--CORROSION MONITORING APPLICATIONS
Corrosion is a critical problem in many applications and has particular relevance in the aerospace and shipbuilding industries. There is currently no simple and accurate method for the detection of corrosion in metallic parts on aircraft and ships.
FIG. 12 shows a corrosion monitor in accordance with the present invention arranged to monitor aluminum corrosion; however, it should be understood that corrosion of other metals could be similarly monitored. In one embodiment, a fiber 100 can be embedded in a part to be monitored. At the site to be monitored, the fiber 100 will have an underlayer 102 of silicon monoxide or other suitable dielectric material. The aluminum 104 surface of the part at the site to be monitored will serve as the metal film. Corrosive agents 106, such as salt water, etc., will change the surface characteristics (e.g., thickness and refractive index) of the aluminum 104; thereby, causing a change in SPR which will be detected by the optical fiber-based SPR sensor of the present invention. In another embodiment where the optical fiber-based SPR sensor of FIG. 12 is not embedded in the part, but is placed adjacent the parts to be monitored, a technician will be alerted to inspect the parts in the immediate vicinity of the optical fiber-based SPR sensor for replacement or repair, etc.
The optical fiber-based SPR sensor could be multiplexed or arrayed to cover an entire aircraft or ship at low expense with very little added weight. This would enable the technician to look for corrosion only in those areas where the sensor indicates corrosion problem. It is also small enough to be placed in hard-to-reach areas.
Of course, the optical fiber-based SPR corrosion sensor could be used in many other applications where corrosion monitoring is necessary. While FIG. 12 shows the use of an underlayer 102, it should be understood that a porous overlayer could be used instead where the corrosive agents 106 are free to penetrate the overlayer.
EXAMPLE 6--PROCESS CONTROL APPLICATIONS
FIG. 13 shows that the optical fiber-based SPR sensors of the present invention can be used to monitor chemical and biochemical processes. As a chemical reaction or process proceeds, it will usually undergo a change in refractive index. The SPR sensors of the present invention can be used to monitor a change in refractive index as a function of change in optical throughput intensity. FIG. 13 shows optical fiber-based SPR sensors 110 positioned in separate process vessels 112. Since the optical fiber-based SPR sensors are small, inexpensive, and disposable, they can be arrayed throughout a complex multi-step process and tied into the computer control system 114 which regulates the process. In a particular embodiment, the sensors 110 can be configured such that the media at the endpoint of a reaction or process has a refractive index which will cause SPR to be generated. Hence, the endpoint can easily be detected by measuring changes in optical throughput in the fibers of sensors 110. The sensors 110 could be customized to the specific process and constructed of materials that survive harsh chemical environments. It must be noted that the device is sensitive to any change in refractive index and would be subject to interference caused by changes in refractive index of impurities or spectator molecules in the process stream. Hence, in another particular embodiment, the SPR sensors could be fabricated to detect the presence of particular impurities in a process stream.
EXAMPLE 7--CHROMATOGRAPHY APPLICATIONS
Changes in refractive index are commonly used in liquid chromotography and HPLC as an indicator that a particular reaction has occurred or a particular compound of interest is present in solution. A small volume flow cell, with an optical window, attached to the end of the column is typically used to refract a narrow light beam passing through the effluent contained in the cell. The refraction is related to the effluent's refractive index.
FIG. 14 shows an optical fiber-based SPR sensor which has been microscaled to fit into the output end of the HPLC column. The optical fiber 120 has a metal film 122 and overlay 124 material optimized so that the mobile phase's refractive index (column effluent 126) generates the surface plasmon resonance condition. Specifically, the refractive index of the column effluent 26 should fall on the steep part of the resonance curve so that changes in refractive index due to the presence of solutes would cause large changes in throughput in the SPR fiber sensor.
The optical fiber-based sensor of the present invention is so small that it could be placed directly into the end of the HPLC column, eliminating the need and problems associated with current flow cell designs.
As with other refractive index sensing devices, the optical fiber-based SPR sensors of this invention will be somewhat sensitive to temperature fluctuations. A temperature control or compensation system may be needed if very sensitive measurements are to be carried out. This could involve one or more of the following: providing a temperature controlled enclosure, using an elliptical core optical fiber or some other device to yield a reference arm, or experimentally determining a temperature correction factor. The signal/noise ratio of the optical fiber-based SPR sensors of this invention are fairly good; therefore, temperature fluctuations should only be a problem if the temperature change is significant or if a very sensitive (small change in refractive index) reaction is to be monitored.
Apart from the features described above, certain other aspects of the invention are noteworthy.
First, it may be pointed out that at the fiber diameters below about 50-100 microns which certain embodiments of the present invention may employ, the ray trace analysis of light progression in a fiber core shown in FIG. 15a no longer holds. At these micro dimensions, the quantum nature of light takes effect and the propagation of light in the fiber must be described in mode theory and not in terms of ray trace analysis. A mode is a description of the lateral optical field distribution in the fiber, and the number of modes supported by a fiber depends on the fiber's core and cladding indices of refraction, the core diameter, and the wavelength. Each mode is a discrete solution to Maxwell's equations as applied to the waveguide. Even though a fiber may contain many modes, it is impossible to adequately spatially separate these modes at the distal terminus of a small diameter fiber because they travel through the fiber together. For instance, a device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,213 to Finlan, cannot work below "rod" diameters of about 50 microns, depending on the wavelength, because it is impossible to spatially separate the rays (modes) after they exit the fiber.
The optical fiber-based SPR sensor of the present invention is an intrinsic sensor wherein the fiber itself plays a crucial role in the sensing mechanism. The field distributions in the sensor are strongly dependent on the fiber parameters (e.g., core index, cladding index, core diameter) which play an important role in the mathematical description of the surface plasmon effect on the fiber. The fiber is not simply a light delivery system to a prism-like sensor which is what the extrinsic sensors do (e.g., Finlan, supra) wherein a large number of rays (modes) are simultaneously monitored with a complex detection device, such as a photodiode array or CCD imager. Such devices have a large numerical aperture and V number. In contrast, the optical fiber-based SPR sensor of the present invention uses a single mode fiber and the intensity of that mode is greatly affected by the plasmon conditions. The output of the sensor of the present invention can be monitored with a very simple and inexpensive photodiode and can have a small numerical aperture and a V number below 2.405.
Additionally, the sensor of the present invention uses a polarized radiation source which can easily interact with the plasmon on the metal-coated fiber. Surface plasmon is a polarization specific phenomenon. Only light with an electric field oriented perpendicular to the metal surface can couple to the plasmon. This is called the transverse magnetic or TM polarization. Since the inventive device operates in a single mode fashion, the fiber can be curved to accomodate a particular application. Single mode devices are relatively insensitive to bending. The device can also use polarization maintaining fibers, such as elliptical core fibers. This type of fiber maintains the two polarizations in the core over long distances. One polarization (TM) could be used to interact with the plasmon, while the other (transverse electric or TE) could be used as a reference arm. The two polarizations can be separated with a Wollaston prism after exiting the fiber. Furthermore, since the fiber sensor of the present invention is single mode, it is insensitive to radiation (e.g.laser) launch angle, and polishing angle is not important as long as the polish is fairly parallel to the fiber core, and the polished surface is perpendicular to the laser's plane of polarization.
A particular advantage of this sensor is its small diameter fiber that could easily be nonintrusively embedded into structures for analysis, such as corrosion monitoring. Since the device is all-fiber, it could be used for remote sensing, where the laser and detector are housed remotely from the sensing element. Since the device has only a surface modified optical fiber, it could be easily microscaled with little manufacturing. It is also possible to have more than one sensing element on a single fiber strand. Moreover, the sensing element could be used in any fiber optic network, such as multiple sensors arranged in a multiplexed, networked, parallel, or series fashion. The sensor could also be employed in a fiber optic coupler where the sensor functions as an arm of the coupler. The sensor could also be spliced into an optical fiber line in order to make the sensor disposable or remote.
It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
Comprising optical fibers having a first end serving as a surface plasmon resonance sensor, a light source for emitting a predetermined light coupled to second end, a spectrometer analyzing a reflected light wavelength distribution
containing detectable probe and labels which generate signal when detecting analyte within test sample; spherical shape, formed by electrostatic layer deposition; use in flow-through and diffraction-based systems
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Q:
Setting high frame rate recording in Swift
i'm trying to create an app to record video at 120fps but i'm having troubles.
First, when print(device.activeFormat), i get this in the logs
AVCaptureDeviceFormat: 0x13fe49890 'vide'/'420v' 1920x1080, { 2- 30 fps}, fov:58.080, supports vis, max zoom:104.38 (upscales @1.55), AF System:1, ISO:34.0-544.0, SS:0.000024-0.500000
but my device is an iPhone 5s which supports 120fps, don't know why the range here is 2-30fps.
Second, when i do device.activeVideoMaxFrameDuration = CMTimeMake(1, 120) to change the max frame rate to 120 fps, i get this error in the logs:
[AVCaptureVideoDevice setActiveVideoMaxFrameDuration:] - the passed activeVideoMaxFrameDuration 1:120 is not supported by the device.
What am i doing wrong?
Thanks!
A:
As you can see from your print(device.activeFormat), the max support fps is 30 given {2- 30 fps}. Therefore, setting 120 fps with device.activeVideoMaxFrameDuration = CMTimeMake(1, 120) is not supported.
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|
Application of solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the early detection of active moulds on historical woollen objects.
The goal of this work was to determine the microbial volatile organic compounds emitted by moulds growing on wool in search of particular volatiles mentioned in the literature as indicators of active mould growth. The keratinolytically active fungi were inoculated on two types of media: (1) samples of wool placed on broths, and (2) on broths containing amino acids that are elements of the structure of keratin. All samples were prepared inside 20 mL vials (closed system). In the first case (1) the broths did not contain any sources of organic carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur, i.e. wool was the only nutrient for the moulds. A third type of sample was historical wool prepared in a Petri dish without a broth and inoculated with a keratinolytically active mould (open system). The microbial volatiles emitted by moulds were sampled with the headspace solid-phase microextraction method. Volatiles extracted on solid-phase microextraction fibers were analyzed in a gas chromatography with mass spectrometry system. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of chromatograms were carried out in search of indicators of metabolic activity. The results showed that there are three groups of volatiles that can be used for the detection of active forms of moulds on woollen objects.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Former Colorado State and NFL standout Joey Porter will join the Rams' coaching staff this season as he finishes up his degree.
Rams football coach Jim McElwain said Wednesday that Porter will serve as an undergraduate student assistant coach. Porter was a star for the Rams and went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl title with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. He will be inducted into CSU's sports Hall of Fame in November.
McElwain, who attended the practice of the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, says of bringing Porter on board: "This is another example of reaching back into our past to help build our future at Colorado State."
Porter is working toward his liberal arts degree with a focus on social studies.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity that Coach Mac gave me to come back and finish my degree at Colorado State," Porter said in a statement. "I'm extremely happy to have opportunity to work with the CSU football team as an undergraduate student assistant. It's an honor for me to come back and be a part of the CSU family, and I'm extremely excited to see what happens with the 2013 season."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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|
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to means for removing nails, pins, spikes and the like from wood and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various means and methods have been developed over the years for use in extracting or removing nails, pins, spikes and the like from wood and the like. Perhaps, the most common nail extraction tools are the typical claw hammer and the typical crowbar. These tools require the user to force the distal end of the claw hammer or crowbar under the head of the nail, and then to use the claw hammer or crowbar as a lever to urge the head of the nail upward. The problems associated with removing a nail or the like that has been completely driven into a workpiece or the like so that the head of the nail is flush or even slightly below the outer surface of the workpiece are well known and include sever damage to the surface of the workpiece, injury to the worker attempting to use a claw hammer or crowbar to remove such nails, etc. Typically, a claw hammer, crowbar or pry bar is used to first pry the workpiece from its attached structure in hopes of exposing the head of the nail. However, this often results in breaking the lumber or underlying structure. Present devices and methods used to remove nails holding plywood or sheeting to existing structure usually results in broken plywood or sheeting.
A preliminary patentability search was conducted in class 254, subclasses 18, 20 and 21.
Devine, U.S. Pat. No. 155,429, issued Sep. 29, 1874, discloses a spike extractor for removing spikes from wood. The spike extractor includes a frame, a screw mounted for vertical movement in the frame, a grapple for being attached to the lower end of the screw and having a pair of jaws for being driven into the wood around the upper end of the spike, and a becket or ring for compressing the jaws against the spike so that rotation of the screw will cause the grapple to move and cause the spike to be extracted from the wood.
Baumeister, U.S. Pat. No. 401,113, issued Apr. 9, 1889, discloses a nail extractor for withdrawing nails from wood. The nail extractor includes a shell, a sliding carrier mounted within the shell, jaws within the carrier projecting below the carrier and having inwardly-turned edges at their extremities to undercut the head of a nail, a spring for urging the jaws downward, another spring for opening the jaws when raised, and cam means for turning the carrier and jaws backward to cut away the wood from under the head of the nail and for raising them straight outward to withdraw the nail from the wood.
Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 559,803, issued May 12, 1896, discloses a horseshoe-calk extractor including a tubular body, a branched standard received in one end of the body, a pair of semicylindrical clamping-jaws coupled to one end of the standard, and a cam-crank arm combination coupled to the other end of the standard for drawing the standard and the clamping jaws into the body.
Morrill, U.S. Pat. No. 712,083, issued Oct. 28, 1902, discloses a spike extractor including an upright frame, a lifting block mounted for vertical movement within the frame, a lever cam pivotally attached to the frame for engaging the lifting block through antifriction rollers, and a pair of gripping jaws coupled to the lifting block through a rod whereby movement of the lever cam will cause vertical movement of the lifting block and, thereby, the gripping jaws.
Swallert, U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,649, issued Feb. 21, 1956, discloses a pneumatic spike extractor including a pneumatic piston having a piston rod, two jaws pivotably mounted on the outer end of the rod, a double-armed lever pivotably mounted on the piston rod for locking the jaws in an opened position when the piston rod is retracted and in a gripping position when the piston rod is protruded.
Mustoe, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,576, issued Sep. 7, 1976, discloses a nail extractor including a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder under the influence of fluid pressure, a pair of gripping jaws located externally of the cylinder, at least one of which is movable between nail gripping and non-gripping positions as a result of mechanical interactions between the piston and the movable jaw upon displacement of the piston towards and away from the jaws under the action of fluid pressure.
Saurwein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,766, issued Mar. 14, 1978, discloses a fluid actuated nail extractor including a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on a reciprocable rod. An impact piston impacting a second rod coupled to the jaws closes the jaws about a nail embedded in a workpiece when the extractor is positioned adjacent the nail. A second piston actuates the reciprocable rod to extract the nail from the workpiece. Pressurized fluid, controlled by a plurality of poppet valves, drives the pistons through a predetermined sequence of operations.
Nothing in the prior art discloses or suggests the present invention. More specifically, nothing in the prior art discloses or suggests a nail extractor including a body member having a first end and a second end; at least three leg members, each of the leg members having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the leg members being attached to the second end of the body member; and collar means slidably positioned over at least a portion of the leg members for causing the second ends of the leg members to be urged inwardly.
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"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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|
Q:
In-App purchasing: Listen for the "Cancel' button?
I'm trying to figure out how I can listen to the "Cancel" button that appears in the "confirmation" alert shown when a user tries to purchase something. You know, the official one done by Apple, looks something like: "Confirm Your In App Purchase. Do you want to buy one $product for $price? [Cancel] [Buy]"
If I understand my code correctly, the alert initiated by something like this:
SKPayment *payment = [SKPayment paymentWithProductIdentifier:productIdentifier];
[[SKPaymentQueue defaultQueue] addPayment:payment];
So basically I'd like to do something if they hit Cancel. Thanks
A:
implement the paymentQueue:updatedTransactions: method from the SKPaymentTransactionObserver Protocol. There you can check the transactionState and the error of each transaction object.
I used something like that:
- (void)paymentQueue:(SKPaymentQueue *)queue updatedTransactions:(NSArray *)transactions {
for (SKPaymentTransaction *transaction in transactions) {
switch (transaction.transactionState) {
case SKPaymentTransactionStatePurchased:
[self completeTransaction:transaction];
break;
case SKPaymentTransactionStateFailed:
if (transaction.error.code == SKErrorPaymentCancelled) {
/// user has cancelled
[self finishTransaction:transaction wasSuccessful:NO];
}
else if (transaction.error.code == SKErrorPaymentNotAllowed) {
// payment not allowed
[self finishTransaction:transaction wasSuccessful:NO];
}
else {
// real error
[self finishTransaction:transaction wasSuccessful:NO];
// show error
}
break;
case SKPaymentTransactionStateRestored:
[self restoreTransaction:transaction];
break;
default:
break;
}
}
}
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{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
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Q:
Why should I use AWS RDS?
I installed a LAMP stack in my AWS EC2 instances so that I can use the MySQL server. Somebody recommended using RDS. But RDS is not free and also a MySQL server. My question is what makes RDS so special comparing with my MySQL server in EC2 instances?
Thanks. By the way, I'm quite new to AWS.
A:
RDS is a managed solution. Which means, AWS staff will take care of:
Patches
Backups
Maintenance
Making sure it's alive
Hosting your database in a second EC2 instance means that:
You have to manage everything of the above
Using a LAMP stack and co-hosting Apache and MySQL is the cheapest, but:
You have to manage everything of the above
You're probably hosting a database on an instance exposed to the internet
That said, if you're planning to host a production website / service that's more than a personal website / blog / experiment you'll probably need to host webserver and database in different instances. Picking RDS is less of a headache.
For anything thats not that important, a LAMP stack makes more sense. Less scalability, potentially less security but also less administrative overhead and costs.
|
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"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
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are you set up on MSN messenger or aol instatnt messenging
-----Original Message-----
From: John Maliszewski <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 8:40 AM
To: Tholt, Jane M.
Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
What time do you think we should start? Don't forget to make enough double
baked potatoes for 2 days.
Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> No-really-the menu is not that big of a deal-the most important thing to me
> is that we all share Christmas together. We can eat weinies for all I
> care.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Maliszewski <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 3:20 PM
> To: Tholt, Jane M.
> Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
>
> Sounds like you want to make a suggestion. What is it?
>
> Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
>
> > I'm easy-the menu is fine-you guys can also talk it over at
> Thanksgiving
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: John Maliszewski <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
> > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 2:41 PM
> > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
> >
> > Yes, nothing is set in stone. I really have not discussed the menu
> with
> > anybody. What would you perfer?
> >
> > Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> >
> > > does it matter
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: John Maliszewski <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
> > > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 1:58 PM
> > > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > > Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
> > >
> > > Thanks- Do you like my menu for Christmas?
> > >
> > > Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> > >
> > > > will bring you back some cajun chef at Chistmas
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: John Maliszewski <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
> > > > Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 11:42 AM
> > > > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > > > Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
> > > >
> > > > I like to make my own chili. I load it up with beans,
> Sue
> > uses
> > > pork and
> > > > beans(it's O.K.), but I like the beans mom used to use.
> I
> > was
> > > told I
> > > > needed
> > > > to put a little more kick into my chili, so I figured
> that I
> > would
> > > ask
> > > > the
> > > > best-JOE.
> > > >
> > > > Hey, for Christmas, I will provide the Ham and all the
> > > > beer,wine,pop,liquor,
> > > > pie,chips , nuts and bread. I will have Amy make some
> > barbacued
> > > weiners.
> > > > I will
> > > > need you to make double baked potatoes. I will have Jean
> bring
> > the
> > > > polish
> > > > sausage and corn/greenbeans. I may get some sourerkraut
> and
> > > dumplins
> > > > from
> > > > Stoysich also. I will tell dad that he can pay for the
> ham.
> > > > I will have Joey bring a relish trey and some lasagne.(
> I
> > thought
> > > it
> > > > was
> > > > pretty good)
> > > > Do we need anything else? We are all off on that day, so
> we
> > can
> > > start
> > > > the party
> > > > as early as 3P.M. or earlier if you think, my guess is
> that
> > you
> > > will be
> > > > at the
> > > > casino that morning. Please advise.
> > > >
> > > > Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > since when do you cook-Ithought Sue did everything
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: "John Maliszewski" <jmalisz@qwest.com>@ENRON
> > > > > Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 2:14 PM
> > > > > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > > > > Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
> > > > >
> > > > > I need his recipe. We had a chili cookoff and I made
> my
> > own
> > > chili
> > > > and
> > > > > came in
> > > > > 3rd out of 5 people. I beat 2 women, but My chili
> was
> > not
> > > spicey
> > > > > enough.
> > > > >
> > > > > Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Cajun Chef-can only get it here. Too bad.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: "John Maliszewski" <jmalisz@qwest.com>
> @ENRON
> > > > > > Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 1:33 PM
> > > > > > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > > > > > Subject: Re: Thanksgiving
> > > > > >
> > > > > > You mean the stuff you buy or the gas that
> comes out
> > of
> > > my
> > > > butt
> > > > > after I
> > > > > > make chili. Speaking of chili, what does Joe
> put in
> > his
> > > to
> > > > spice
> > > > > it up.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Jane.M.Tholt@enron.com wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > All the gas stocks getting hammered. Natural
> gas
> > is
> > > > bursting at
> > > > > the
> > > > > > seams.
> > > > > > > Your bill should go way down
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > > From: "John Maliszewski"
> <jmalisz@qwest.com>
> > @ENRON
> > > > > > > Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 12:19
> PM
> > > > > > > To: Tholt, Jane M.
> > > > > > > Subject: Thanksgiving
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I ordered the pies for our big
> Thanksgiving day
> > > feast at
> > > > > Jeanies.
> > > > > > Wish
> > > > > > > you could be there. Dad is bringing the
> beer,
> > he
> > > said
> > > > one 12
> > > > > pack
> > > > > > > would do, I told him to bring a case, just
> in
> > case
> > > > someone
> > > > > wants
> > > > > > more
> > > > > > > that one can. I know that Joan is not
> coming to
> > > dinner.
> > > > > Should we
> > > > > > > invite her to Christmas or wait for her to
> > call.
> > > If
> > > > you
> > > > > ever
> > > > > > talk to
> > > > > > > her, you may want to mention that her
> father is
> > > still
> > > > alive
> > > > > and
> > > > > > lives in
> > > > > > > the same house that she was raised in. I
> hope
> > she
> > > comes
> > > > for
> > > > > > Christmas.
> > > > > > > If she doesn't, I doubt that I will ever
> invite
> > to
> > > > anything
> > > > > again.
> > > > > > But
> > > > > > > that is that fucking Links "better that
> > everybody
> > > > > else"attitude.
> > > > > > I
> > > > > > > might just turn that sideways and stick it
> up
> > his
> > > German
> > > > ass.
> > > > > Hey
> > > > > > our
> > > > > > > stock is going up, how bout yours?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> **********************************************************************
> > > > > > > This e-mail is the property of Enron Corp.
> and/or
> > its
> > > > relevant
> > > > > > affiliate and may contain confidential and
> > privileged
> > > material
> > > > for
> > > > > the
> > > > > > sole use of the intended recipient (s). Any
> review,
> > use,
> > > > > distribution or
> > > > > > disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If
> you
> > are
> > > not
> > > > the
> > > > > intended
> > > > > > recipient (or authorized to receive for the
> > recipient),
> > > please
> > > > > contact
> > > > > > the sender or reply to Enron Corp. at
> > > > > > enron.messaging.administration@enron.com and
> delete
> > all
> > > copies
> > > > of
> > > > > the
> > > > > > message. This e-mail (and any attachments
> hereto)
> > are not
> > > > intended
> > > > > to be
> > > > > > an offer (or an acceptance) and do not create
> or
> > evidence
> > > a
> > > > binding
> > > > > and
> > > > > > enforceable contract between Enron Corp. (or
> any of
> > its
> > > > affiliates)
> > > > > and
> > > > > > the intended recipient or any other party, and
> may
> > not be
> > > > relied on
> > > > > by
> > > > > > anyone as the basis of a contract by estoppel
> or
> > > otherwise.
> > > > Thank
> > > > > you.
> > > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> **********************************************************************
|
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"pile_set_name": "Enron Emails"
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|
Female sexual preferences differ in Mus spicilegus and Mus musculus domesticus: the role of familiarization and sexual experience.
Mating systems correspond to particular ecological conditions and result from proximate interactions between individuals. We compared the mating preferences of female mice of two species: the house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, and the mound-builder mouse, Mus spicilegus. Because of differences in their habitat, we expected to observe differences in their sexual preferences. We studied female preferences for a familiar or an unfamiliar male and the occurrence of copulation with the unfamiliar male, during two states of female sexual activity: (1) the postpartum oestrus of paired females, to evaluate the stability of their sexual partnership; and (2) the oestrus of females familiarized with a male, to study the mechanisms underlying their sexual preferences. In the polygamous house mouse, postpartum oestrous females did not show a clear preference between their familiar male and the unfamiliar one. Moreover, oestrous females, familiarized with a male (without sexual interactions), preferred an unfamiliar male and copulated with him. In contrast, postpartum oestrous females and oestrous females of M. spicilegus preferred their familiar male and rarely copulated with the unfamiliar male. This study indicates a strong pair bond in established breeding pairs in M. spicilegus and shows that this bond can be established by familiarization, which is not the case in M. m. domesticus. Our study suggests the existence of monogamous traits in M. spicilegus in contrast to the polygamous M. m. domesticus. (c) 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
|
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|
The apparatus and method disclosed here relate to the field of electrical power transmission and distribution and the need to insulate electrical power systems from short circuits caused by birds and other animals. Long-distance electricity transmission is typically carried with high voltage conductors. Higher voltages reduce resistance power loss, and line voltage for long distance lines is stepped up with generating stations at selected locations. Transmission lines traverse large regions and require numerous support towers. The conductors in high tension powerlines are typically uninsulated because of the cost and additional weight of insulated versus uninsulated conductors.
Electric poles, towers, including substations provide attractive roosts for birds, particularly in treeless regions. If the wings of a bird simultaneously contact a conductor and another object such as an adjacent conductor, support tower or tree, the resulting electrical short-circuit can kill the bird and also damage the power system. The electrical short can further cause electrical system damage resulting in power outages. Because large (and typically protected) birds are more susceptible to such incidental contact, electrocution hazards disproportionately affect large bird species such as raptors.
In particular, substations transform power from transmission voltages to distribution voltages (typically ranging from 2400 volts to 37,500 volts. Distribution voltages allow for reduced system clearences. These reduced clearences between Phase to ground and phase to phase, increase station susceptibility to bird or animal caused outages. During animal or bird caused fault conditions, close in faults often trigger sensitive relay protection schemes resulting in Substation lockouts interupting service to thousands or possibly tens of thousands of customers and at the same time damaging expensive substation equipment.
The variety and number of proposed solutions for repelling birds and other animals from electrocution risks highlights the persistence and magnitude of the problems created by such undesirable intrusion. Many different types of scarecrows and other moving devices have been developed to repel birds. In addition to moving devices, various physical structures have been developed to discourage birds from roosting on structures, particularly involving spikes or other physical barriers. Other bird repelling concepts use electricity or magnetics to discourage bird intrusion. Shield and cage devices have been specifically designed to restrict birds and other animals from short-circuiting electrical leads, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,153,383 and 5,485,307.
The inventor's own prior patent application discloses a method of in situ application of a dielectric coating to live power transmission components, see United States publication no. 20040265497. The variety and number of these efforts indicate significant problems in the exclusion of birds from undesirable areas, and the inherent difficulties in effectively accomplishing such exclusion. Many of these techniques are expensive to employ and are ineffective in preventing birds from landing in a particular spot. While the inventor's own prior patent application supplies a solution for many applications, there remains a need for an improved method and apparatus capable of resisting electrical wire short circuits deleterious to birds and other animals.
|
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"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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|
Writing. Information. Inspiration. Sarcasm guaranteed.
Post navigation
The Cardinal Sin of Romance
I love my fellow writers on this site. They offer me support and encouragement when I need it the most. Every one of them has read my work and offered invaluable feedback. But I must say, both Michelle and Amanda are quite…selective in their reading. Neither of them favor the romance genre. I truly believe that neither of them would have ever read a romance in their lives had I not requested their assistance in beta reading/editing my work.
I love them dearly, but I get the feeling that romance disgusts them on a fundamental level. They’ve asked me to kill my characters. But that would NOT a romance make. They take the phrase “kill your darlings” literally. I merely torture mine, then ensure they at least have a happy ending for the moment. I don’t think I can even write anything but romance. It’s not in my blood to spill blood.
Michelle and Amanda tease me incessantly about my inability to commit MC (main character) murder. I cannot do it. Well, at least I haven’t yet. I may at some point in my career, but today is not that day and tomorrow isn’t looking good either.
By definition, romance must have a HEA (happily ever after) or a HFN (happily for now). You cannot kill the MC or multiple MCs and still have the story remain a romance by definition. It may have romantic elements, but it’s not by trade definition a romance.
Some of the best stories have elements of romance in them but the MCs die.
Romeo and Juliet ~ NOT a romance.
Terminator ~ NOT a romance.
Titanic ~ NOT a romance.
See where I’m going with this…the stories themselves have romance elements, but they are obviously not the main plot. Although Romeo and Juliet could be contested otherwise…but it’s obvious love is NOT enough…especially when you have a sadistic writer. Yes, I’m looking directly at you guys (you know who you are).
Serial murderers you are, the lot of you. I swear sometimes I think you do it just for fun. Okay, so I know you don’t just do it for shits and giggles. But the thought of killing off one of my main characters gives me feels deep down to my bones. I…*sniffles*…I can’t do it.
But I’m going to take my own advice and put myself out there, try something I’ve never done before in my own writing, slip outside my comfort zone and test the limits of my strength as a writer.
OTOH, it’s not about the murder. The murdered character becomes uninteresting as soon as he/she’s dead. Much more important are the survivors and their struggle out of the abyss this death hurled them into.
It may be the definition of romance -now-, darling, but I live to challenge the rules. I’ve fully admitted to this cardinal sin; even using exactly that phrase. On a serious note, for me it was incredibly hard, it really was, because I LOVED the character I had to sentence to death. But in my Writerly bones, I knew…that was just how the story had to go. In order to make way for the true tale to unfold, my beloved Darling had to die.
That being the case, you DON’T have to kill off an MC. You have to do what’s right for the story. I’m all for stretching your writerly boundaries and applaud you thusly, but don’t feel bad if its not part of your unique tales. 🙂 just be true to the story.
Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.
An Emotionally Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
If you kill a main character (one of the couple) or they do not end up together, then it’s not considered a romance.
You can have romance elements in any story and kill whomever you please, but I personally don’t consider it a romance if they don’t end up together or one of them dies. No.
Thanks for the response and I’m glad you posted the “rules. Because IMO (I’m writing a hybrid memoir like project that may or may not be considered a romance) “emotional justice and unconditional love” can come even if a character dies. Or even if the characters don’t end up together. Needs to be a satisfying reason why, but could work. Like Time Traveller’s Wife.
True. But I’m going off of what I look for when I read romance. I prefer a HEA or HFN. Life is hard enough without having to deal with the “meh, go our separate ways” or “one of them dies” endings. I personally won’t read them if I know those are the endings, which is why they aren’t normally included in the genre of romance. They’re normally published as general fiction or literary fiction.
When I read something, I want to know that they’re building a life together after I close the book. Again, this is my personal preference. 🙂
There are actually to be the variety of dreams like that to take into considerationwe would Thright into could be a factors level advertising and marketing convey comfortably. simply put i offer the basic questions above amale masturbator normal inspiration however most likely there are diseases like the moreover you convee up the instance crucial thing can be cropping in sincere good faith. . I are dressed in?testosterone levels know if best practices have emerged round things like that– but in which am sure that your app is clearly identified as our new good game. every week boys and girls really feel the influence of just a moment’s convenient, for an individuals rest of therate of interest lives: d
The Sarcastic Muse Tweets
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author(s) and/or owner(s) is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Sarcastic Muse with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
/***************************************************************************/
/* */
/* ftgasp.c */
/* */
/* Access of TrueType's `gasp' table (body). */
/* */
/* Copyright 2007 by */
/* David Turner, Robert Wilhelm, and Werner Lemberg. */
/* */
/* This file is part of the FreeType project, and may only be used, */
/* modified, and distributed under the terms of the FreeType project */
/* license, LICENSE.TXT. By continuing to use, modify, or distribute */
/* this file you indicate that you have read the license and */
/* understand and accept it fully. */
/* */
/***************************************************************************/
#include <ft2build.h>
#include FT_GASP_H
#include FT_INTERNAL_TRUETYPE_TYPES_H
FT_EXPORT_DEF( FT_Int )
FT_Get_Gasp( FT_Face face,
FT_UInt ppem )
{
FT_Int result = FT_GASP_NO_TABLE;
if ( face && FT_IS_SFNT( face ) )
{
TT_Face ttface = (TT_Face)face;
if ( ttface->gasp.numRanges > 0 )
{
TT_GaspRange range = ttface->gasp.gaspRanges;
TT_GaspRange range_end = range + ttface->gasp.numRanges;
while ( ppem > range->maxPPEM )
{
range++;
if ( range >= range_end )
goto Exit;
}
result = range->gaspFlag;
/* ensure that we don't have spurious bits */
if ( ttface->gasp.version == 0 )
result &= 3;
}
}
Exit:
return result;
}
/* END */
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Github"
}
|
// Code generated by private/model/cli/gen-api/main.go. DO NOT EDIT.
// Package eks provides the client and types for making API
// requests to Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service.
//
// Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) is a managed service that
// makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS without needing to stand up
// or maintain your own Kubernetes control plane. Kubernetes is an open-source
// system for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized
// applications.
//
// Amazon EKS runs up-to-date versions of the open-source Kubernetes software,
// so you can use all the existing plugins and tooling from the Kubernetes community.
// Applications running on Amazon EKS are fully compatible with applications
// running on any standard Kubernetes environment, whether running in on-premises
// data centers or public clouds. This means that you can easily migrate any
// standard Kubernetes application to Amazon EKS without any code modification
// required.
//
// See https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/WebAPI/eks-2017-11-01 for more information on this service.
//
// See eks package documentation for more information.
// https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-go/api/service/eks/
//
// Using the Client
//
// To contact Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service with the SDK use the New function to create
// a new service client. With that client you can make API requests to the service.
// These clients are safe to use concurrently.
//
// See the SDK's documentation for more information on how to use the SDK.
// https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-go/api/
//
// See aws.Config documentation for more information on configuring SDK clients.
// https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-go/api/aws/#Config
//
// See the Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service client EKS for more
// information on creating client for this service.
// https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-go/api/service/eks/#New
package eks
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Github"
}
|
Menopause Facts
Most of us want to live long but we don’t like what comes with aging. Nobody likes wrinkles, failing health and menopause for women. Once you hit 40, changes occur in the body occasioned by fluctuating hormonal levels. Every woman experiences different menopausal symptoms but most women will experience the symptoms for up to four years after the onset of menopause. The symptoms are uncomfortable prompting many women to find relief.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include a plummet in sexual interest, sleeplessness especially at night, a dry vagina, pain during sex, aching joints, osteoporosis due to feeble bones, hot flashes and extreme mood swings in some cases.
Aging men usually experience a drop in the production of the hormone testosterone.
Treatment
The most common treatment involves replacing the lost or fluctuated hormones. Hormonal Replacement Therapy, involves administering oestrogen, progesterone and other hormones in form of capsules, sprays and other forms. Sometimes, testosterone supplements are administered to help with low sex drive. Each individual receives treatment according to their specific symptoms.
Criticism has thronged this method of treatment because health experts say artificial hormones eventually interfere with too many body processes leading to more hormonal problems and more severe symptoms.
Nutrition experts also help women overcome or minimize the discomfort by encouraging the women to take soy, milk and other foods that build up their hormones. Menopausal women are also advised against smoking and indulging in alcohol.
Vaginal moisturizers can help women with dryness while lubricants can help with lubrication during sex.
Conclusion
Counseling or support groups can sometimes be helpful to Menopause Toronto women and other women in the globe to deal with the emotional strain caused by menopause. Treating it as a passage of life rather than a disease is good for the emotional health of menopausal women and their families.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
Q:
Clicking text to check checkboxes in one table column
i have rows inside container with text header and checkboxes in every column, i want to make when the header is clicked the checkboxes below inside the same container become checked but the other in different container not affected(still in their original state checked or checked). Here's the screen shoot for the layout:
here's the html code for first container:
<div class="container-fluid" style="">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5" style="background-color:green;"><P class="member">Member</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="add">ToogleAdd</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="edit">ToogleEdit</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="delete">ToogleDel</p></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth100" value="auth100" id="auth100" onclick ="togAuth1()">New Member + Kit Purchase</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth100" value="addAuth100" id="addAuth100">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth100" value="editAuth100" id="editAuth100">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth100" value="delAuth100" id="delAuth100">Delete</input></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth101" value="auth101" id="auth101">New Member Registration</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth101" value="addAuth101" id="addAuth101">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth101" value="editAuth101" id="editAuth101">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth101" value="delAuth101" id="delAuth101">Delete</input></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth102" value="auth102" id="auth102">Member Data Maintenance</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth102" value="addAuth102" id="addAuth102">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth102" value="editAuth102" id="editAuth102">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth102" value="delAuth102" id="delAuth102">Delete</input></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth103" value="auth103" id="auth103">Member Registration Listing</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth103" value="addAuth103" id="addAuth103">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth103" value="editAuth103" id="editAuth103">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth103" value="delAuth103" id="delAuth103">Delete</input></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth104" value="auth104" id="auth104">Geneology Listing</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth104" value="addAuth104" id="addAuth104">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth104" value="editAuth104" id="editAuth104">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth104" value="delAuth104" id="delAuth104">Delete</input></div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth105" value="auth105" id="auth105">Member Rank Report</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth105" value="addAuth105" id="addAuth105">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth105" value="editAuth105" id="editAuth105">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth105" value="delAuth105" id="delAuth105">Delete</input></div>
</div>
html code for second container:
<div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5" style="background-color:green;"><P class="member">Member</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="add">ToogleAdd</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="edit">ToogleEdit</p></div>
<div class="col-sm-2" style="background-color:green;"><P class="delete">ToogleDel</p></div></div><div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-5"><input type="checkbox" name="auth100" value="auth100" id="auth200">New Member + Kit Purchase</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="addAuth100" value="addAuth100" id="addAuth200">Add</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="editAuth100" value="editAuth100" id="editAuth200">Edit</input></div>
<div class="col-sm-2"><input type="checkbox" name="delAuth100" value="delAuth100" id="delAuth200">Delete</input></div></div></div>
here's the unfinished jquery code:
$('.container-fluid').each(function(){$('.row:first').each(function(){$('.member').click(function(){
});
$('.add').click(function(){
});
$('.edit').click(function(){
});
$('.delete').click(function(){
}); });});
A:
Add classes to all the checkboxes (.edit_check, .add_check etc.)
Then change them all using Javascript or JQ.
$('.add').click(function(){
if ($(".add_check").is(":checked")){ //if at least one is checked
document.getElementByClassName(".add_check").checked = false; //JS version
$(".add_check").prop("checked", false); //JQ version
} else {
document.getElementByClassName(".add_check").checked = true; //JS version
$(".add_check").prop("checked", true); //JQ version
}
});
|
{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
|
Much Abrew: Six-Drop Tribal (Standard)
Tweet by SaffronOlive // Nov 20, 2017
video standard ixalan Much Abrew About Nothing
Hello, everyone! Welcome to another episode of Much Abrew About Nothing. Last week during our Instant Deck Techs, the crazy Sunbird's Invocation deck Six-Drop Tribal was the clear winner, which means we are heading to Standard this week to answer the age-old question, how many six-drops is too many? The basic idea of the deck is simple: maximize the power of Sunbird's Invocation by chaining six-drop into six-drop and hope for the best!
Before we get to the video, I should tell you about a small update I made to the deck. The original build had 23 six-drops and zero ways to kill a creature in the early game, which meant if the opponent played a Longtusk Cub on Turn 2 (which happens a ton in Ixalan Standard), we quite literally just scooped up our cards. In an effort to fix this problem, I added four copies of Harnessed Lightning and trimmed back four of the six drops (although all of the cards from the original deck tech are still in the deck, we just trimmed back on six-drops that came in multiples). While we still usually lose if our opponent plays a Longtusk Cub on turn two, at least with a few Harnessed Lightning we have a slight chance of living long enough to cast a six-drop or two.
Just a quick reminder: if you enjoy the Much Abrew About Nothing series and the other video content on MTGGoldfish, make sure to subscribe to the MTGGoldfish YouTube channel to keep up on all the latest and greatest.
Six-Drop Tribal (Deck Tech)
Six-Drop Tribal vs. Ramunap Red (Match 1)
Six-Drop Tribal vs. WB Tokens (Match 2)
Six-Drop Tribal vs. Sultai Energy (Match 3)
Six-Drop Tribal vs. UW Approach (Match 4)
Six-Drop Tribal vs. UW Embalm (Match 5)
Six-Drop Tribal (Wrap-Up)
Discussion
Even with the slight change to add some early-game removal to the deck, Six-Drop Tribal is pretty high on the list of worst Much Abrew decks of all time. Thankfully, we eventually managed to win a match, giving us an overall record of 1-4.
So, what made Six-Drop Tribal so bad? The long and short of it was that the curve was horrible. Most games, we simply spent the first three or four turns passing while our opponent played creatures, and by the time we could actually start casting six-drops, we were so far behind that it didn't really matter.
Six-Drop Tribal actually provides a very good reminder of the importance of curve. Based solely on raw power, Six-Drop Tribal might rank at the top of Standard. The problem is that the curve was so clunky that we never got to deploy the power. Choose the worst one-, two-, three-, and four-drops in Standard. If our opponent simply played those cards in order, starting from Turn 1, it's very likely they would beat Six-Drop Tribal as we sit around with a bunch of powerful, expensive creatures stuck in hand.
Oddly, Six-Drop Tribal did a really bad job of harnessing the power of Sunbird's Invocation. While on paper it seems like this should be a great Sunbird's Invocation deck, the problem we ran into is that we rarely found a window to cast Sunbird's Invocation. Even if we beat the odds and live until we have six mana, we usually have to cast a six-drop creature rather than Sunbird's Invocation in an attempt to stay alive for another turn.
The original build of Six-Drop Tribal had a massive 23 cards that cost six or more mana (along with a bunch of five-drops), and even our slightly updated build has 19 six-or-more-mana cards (in an attempt to maintain the spirit of the deck). This is simply too many. Even apart from the fact that our curve was horrible, we don't need nearly this many six-drops to make Sunbird's Invocation work. With 23 six-drops in the deck, we are roughly 95% to hit a six-drop off Sunbird's Invocation when we cast a six-drop. On the other hand, if we cut all the way down to 10 six-drops, we'd still have about a 70% chance of finding another six-drop with the enchantment. Basically, we are destroying our curve for a relatively slight increase in our odds of chaining six-drop into six-drop.
As such, for the deck to have any chance at working, we need to cut at least half of the six-drops to improve our curve and then use these extra slots to play some combination of cheaper creatures to block, ramp, and removal.
Which six-drops should we cut? While it's probably a matter of personal preference more than anything, The Locust God and Demon of Dark Schemes weren't especially impressive, and while I like Ajani Unyielding, but it doesn't seem especially well suited for this deck.
There is a problem with cutting at least half of the six-drops: the deck is no longer Six-Drop Tribal. But maybe this is a good thing. I'm not sure it's possible to build a six-drop tribal deck that also has a functional curve.
So, should you play Six-Drop Tribal? As it currently stands, the answer is a clear no. Not only was the deck bad, but it wasn't especially fun to play because most of the time, we just didn't cast anything while our opponent beat us down with cheaper threats. If you do want to play something similar, cut at least half of the expensive cards and play a more well-rounded Sunbird's Invocation deck, or better yet, play something like the Sunbird Panharmonicon deck we played for Against the Odds a few weeks ago, which was both more competitive and more fun!
Conclusion
Anyway, that's all for today. Don't forget to vote for next week's deck by liking, commenting on, and subscribing to Instant Deck Tech videos! As always, leave your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and suggestions in the comments, and you can reach me on Twitter @SaffronOlive or at SaffronOlive@MTGGoldfish.com.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "OpenWebText2"
}
|
Tell us...Have you used the 2015 report yet? How did you use it? To support a grant proposal, be strategic in your strategic planning, or just help to better understand health in the Capital area? Please contact Anne at abarna@bedhd.org to let us know how YOU used the report!
Give us feedback on the 2015 Community Health Profile!Click here to go to the brief survey and let us know what YOU think about the 2015 Healthy! Capital Counties Community Health Profile & Needs Assessment!
2018 DRAFT Community Profile & Health Needs Assessment
Clink on the link below for the newly released DRAFT 2018 report! This version is a working draft, as some components, such as the geographic-specific pages, will be added at a later date.
2015 Community Health Profile
Click on the link below for the most up-to-date version of the report. You may need to refresh the page. If you downloaded the report prior to March 17, 2016, we recommend you download a new copy as some items have been corrected.
What has been updated or revised?- added indicator page 42 on Access to Primary Care which was mistakenly missing from previous version- several minor typos and other errors have been fixed- added the Prioritization section at the end of the report that included the results of the October 21, 2015 meeting and the final set of priority issues- 12/23/2015 version corrected minor formatting errors- 3/16/2016 version corrected additional formatting errors
The findings from the 2015 Community Health Profile have also been summarized in the 4-page document below.
What has been updated or revised?- sections describing results from the community and health care provider surveys and the community input walls have been added
Community Health Improvement Plans
A Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is an action-oriented work plan that outlines the goals, objectives, and actions that will be taken to improve outcomes related to the health priorities from the Community Health Profile. Please click on the links below for the CHIP for the respective county.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
Chinese Sky Lanterns pride its self on only manufacturing 100% Eco-Friendly Sky Lanterns, Chinese Lanterns, Wish Lanterns, and Flying Lanterns. All Chinese Sky Lanterns are 100% Biodegradable. We have the best quality your money can buy. We know that if you're wanting to make an event special, you do not want to have to worry about fires or other hazards that come with some of the other sky...
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Flying Lanterns, also known as Sky Lanterns, will add an exciting new element Lantern Movie to your party. Their sparkle can be seen flying up in the air for up to 20 minutes and will travel several miles in distance, after which the flame will blow out and they will gently float back down for a safe landing. Sky Lanterns will fly to more than 1,000 feet in altitude, providing an enjoyable yet...
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Lan Su Chinese Garden presents Tea & Poetry at Lan Su, a series of events and activities celebrating poetry, tea, and tea arts. During the month of October, special Tea & Poetry activities include Gongfu tea ceremonies, Steeped in Words Poetry Series, tea lectures & activities with The Tao of Tea, and more! Learn more and find a full schedule of Tea & Poetry events in the garden...
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
Q:
Quarter on Quarter/ Month on Month analysis in mysql
I've loans data and I want to compare sales in different years based on quarter or month
My data looks like this
disbursementdate | amount | product | cluster
2017-01-01 | 1000 | HL | West
2018-02-01 | 1000 | PL | East
So After querying, I'd ideally want the result to look like this
Quarter | 2017 | 2018
Q1 | 1000 | 0
Q2 | 100 | 1000
Similarly, it can be done for a monthly analysis as well
I'm not averse to storing data in a different format either ... can split date in different field like month quarter year
I'm struggling with query
A:
You can use conditional aggregation:
select quarter(disbursementdate) as quarter,
sum(case when year(disbursementdate) = 2017 then amount else 0 end) as amount_2017,
sum(case when year(disbursementdate) = 2018 then amount else 0 end) as amount_2018
from
group by quarter(disbursementdate) ;
If you wanted year/quarter on separate rows, you would do:
select year(disbursementdate) as year, quarter(disbursementdate) as quarter,
sum(amount)
from
group by year(disbursementdate), quarter(disbursementdate) ;
|
{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
|
SC denies petition to stop Duterte from taking presidency
“On the ground that there is no showing of a clear legal right to the performance of the duty sought to be compelled by the petitioner," the Supreme Court denies petition nullifying Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency.
(Photo from philstar.com)
On Tuesday, June 7, the SC dismissed a petition filed against the president-elect which seeks to stop him from taking over the highest executive position in the country.
Lawyer Elly Velez Pamatong filed the petition for mandamus in order to disregard and invalidate the votes that Duterte gained during the national elections on May 9. Moreover, stop the future president’s proclamation. However, in a full court session, Pamatong’s petition was junked by the SC.
Pamataong got disqualified in the 2004 and 2010 presidential races for being a "nuisance" candidate. He also took accountability to the attempted bombing by a group because of disappointment with how the government handles territorial dispute with China.
The Congress assembled in a joint session last week to finally proclaim Duterte and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo as the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates from the recent election.
The outgoing mayor of Davao City and frontrunner of PDP-Laban party has won by a huge margin. Duterte took 16,601,997 votes. Duterte beats LP presidential candidate by more than six million votes lead along with presidential rivals Senator Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Meanwhile, Liberal party and administration bet Robredo got 14, 418,817 votes making her win by only a slim margin of more than 200, 000 votes versus closest contender Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
Q:
Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture
Does anyone out there know if Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture is still open? if not, I would appreciate any references.
A:
As far as I know, it is still open. Here are some of related results (Probably you know all of them):
Chen-Shen-Yuster proved that for any digraph $D$, there exists a vertex $v$ such that $|N^{++}(v)|\geq\gamma|N^+(v)|$, where $\gamma=0.67815.$. See "Second neighborhood via first neighborhood in digraphs", Ann. Comb. 7 (2003), no. 1, 15–20. (Recall Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture asserts that $|N^{++}(v)|\geq|N^+(v)|$ for some $v$.)
Fisher proved that Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture is true for tournament $D$, that is, the underlying graph of $D$ is a complete graph. See "Squaring a tournament: a proof of Dean's conjecture", J. Graph Theory 23 (1996), no. 1, 43–48.
Ghazal proved that Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture is true for tournaments missing a generalized star. See "Seymour's second neighborhood conjecture for tournaments missing a generalized star", J. Graph Theory 71 (2012), no. 1, 89–94.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "StackExchange"
}
|
Mean-field versus microconvection effects in nanofluid thermal conduction.
Transient hot-wire data on thermal conductivity of suspensions of silica and perfluorinated particles show agreement with the mean-field theory of Maxwell but not with the recently postulated microconvection mechanism. The influence of interfacial thermal resistance, convective effects at microscales, and the possibility of thermal conductivity enhancements beyond the Maxwell limit are discussed.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty.
Limitation of motion after knee arthroplasty can be the result of a multiplicity of factors. Among these are malpositioning of the components, especially in the sagittal plane; oversizing at the patellofemoral or tibiofemoral joint spaces; retaining posterior osteophytes; and persisting with a tight posterior cruciate ligament. Postoperatively, problems with physical therapy likewise can cause limitation of both extension and flexion. Specific patient factors also may affect the range of motion after surgery. Although most patients achieve a postoperative flexion that is highly correlated to that which was present preoperatively, factors such as pain, obesity, and deformities of adjacent joints may limit such motion.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
Effect of captopril on high-density lipoprotein subfractions in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
Changes in serum lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipoproteins including high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions following administration of captopril in patients with hypertension were studied. Captopril (25 mg twice daily) was administered over a 12-week period to 17 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Captopril was observed to significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as to increase HDL2- cholesterol (HDL2-C) and to decrease HDL3-cholesterol (HDL3-C); however, no significant changes in total HDL-C were recognized. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo A-II, apo B, apo C-II, apo C-III, and apo E did not change significantly. It is suggested that captopril monotherapy produces a favorable effect on HDL subfractions.
|
{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
/*
* Copyright (C) 2016 Red Hat, Inc.
*
* Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
* you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
* You may obtain a copy of the License at
*
* http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
*
* Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
* distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
* WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
* See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
* limitations under the License.
*/
package io.syndesis.server.runtime.swagger;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.stream.Collectors;
import java.util.stream.Stream;
import io.swagger.v3.core.jackson.ModelResolver;
import io.swagger.v3.core.util.Json;
import io.swagger.v3.oas.models.media.Schema;
import io.syndesis.common.model.Kind;
/**
* We're using {@link Kind#modelName} as value for the {@link Kind} enum values.
* The OpenAPI document generation has no knowledge of that so this
* {@link ModelResolver} sets {@code enum} values to the values of the
* {@code modelName}.
*/
public final class KindModelResolver extends ModelResolver {
private static final List<String> KINDS;
static {
KINDS = Stream.of(Kind.values())
.map(k -> k.modelName)
.collect(Collectors.toList());
}
public KindModelResolver() {
super(Json.mapper());
}
@Override
protected void _addEnumProps(final Class<?> propClass, @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes") final Schema property) {
if (Kind.class.equals(propClass)) {
@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
final Schema<String> kindProperty = property;
kindProperty.setEnum(KINDS);
} else {
super._addEnumProps(propClass, property);
}
}
}
|
{
"pile_set_name": "Github"
}
|
Alex Rodriguez’s nephew briefly held against his will in New York City, police sources say
iStock/Thinkstock (NEW YORK) -- The nephew of former New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was briefly held against his will in a New York City hotel, according to New York Police Department police sources.
Rodriguez's nephew, Norberto Susini, 29, met with two men at the Mariott Marquis hotel in Times Square on Wednesday to facilitate the sale of a Lamborghini, NYPD police sources told ABC News.
The prospective buyers -- Lamin Vucetovic, 33, and Anthony Gilkes, 30 -- demanded their $30,000 deposit back from Susini, according to police sources. When Susini hesitated, the men held him in his hotel room against his will, police sources said.
Vucetovic and Gilkes then attempted to ransom Susini's business partners, who instead called police.
Susini was identified by police sources as Rodriguez's nephew.
Vucetovic and Gilkes were arrested and were expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon, police sources said.
Vucetovic is charged with kidnapping, while Gilkes is charged with unlawful imprisonment.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will now determine if they will prosecute this case.
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{
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
}
|
Haida Z, Hakiman M. A comprehensive review on the determination of enzymatic assay and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities. Food Sci Nutr. 2019;7:1555--1563. 10.1002/fsn3.1012
1. INTRODUCTION {#fsn31012-sec-0001}
===============
It is a fact that human exposure to vast chronic ailments has never been higher than this present age. Free radicals are being generated at high quantities, particularly at metabolic and contact processes. Tissues and cells are damaged by oxidation as macromolecules (fatty acids, nucleic acids, and proteins) deteriorate (Gupta et al., [2014](#fsn31012-bib-0019){ref-type="ref"}). Basically, the reaction that takes place between free radicals and electrons derived from other molecules harms the human body due to its negative effect on the enzyme system (Bjelakovic, Nikolova, Gluud, Simonetti, & Gluud, [2007](#fsn31012-bib-0009){ref-type="ref"}). Hence, the complex systems of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants have the capability to address the deteriorating impacts of oxidants and free radicals that may lead to infirmity. An antioxidant is a type of compound that stabilizes, scavenges, and suppresses the generation of oxidants and free radicals. Therefore, consumption of antioxidants based on natural resources (greens, fruits, and herbs) may help to shield one from oxidants and free radicals without side effects.
All enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant assays described in the review are based on UV--vis spectrophotometry method. Apart from spectrophotometry method for analysis of antioxidants, other methods such as electrochemical and chromatography methods have also been used. The electrochemical methods include cyclic voltammetry, superwave voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, coulometry, potentiometry, amperometry, and biamperometry. The chromatography methods include thin layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography--mass spectrophotometry (LC‐MS), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography. However, among all the methods mentioned above, the spectrophotometry method has been the most commonly used method because it is the easiest to handle and inexpensive to run when compared to the electrochemical and chromatography methods.
Spectrophotometry method can be performed by using a cuvette or a microplate reader. Analysis of antioxidant by using cuvette is usually conducted for small number of samples. The method is time consuming as only one sample is allowed to be read at one time which takes about 1--2 min. This method also requires high amount of reaction mixture due to large volume of cuvette (approximately 1.5--2 ml). In contrast, the use of a microplate is more convenient and time saving. It allows reading of 96 samples at one time. Presently, a microplate reader of spectrophotometer has been upgraded to allow reading of 384 samples at one time. By using a microplate reader, the volume of samples needed is significantly low (approximately 100--200 µl). Hence, the amount of reaction mixture needed to prepare is low, thus saving the use of chemicals.
As such, a number of methods have been proposed to quantify antioxidant content in many samples. With that, this paper presents a review pertaining to the common techniques employed to analyze both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants.
2. FREE RADICALS, REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS), AND REACTIVE NITROGEN SPECIES (RNS) {#fsn31012-sec-0002}
====================================================================================
Free radicals are claimed to be harmful to humans because its unpaired electron(s) extracts electron(s) from other molecules in the body to gain stability, hence damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids. These free radicals, which can be found as nitrogen derived (RNS) or oxygen derived (ROS), have rather high reactivity and short life. Components that are present as free radicals in ROS are O~2~ (superoxide), HO^•^ (hydroxyl), HO~2~ (hydroperoxyl), ROO^•^ (peroxyl), and RO^•^ (alkoxyl), while those nonradicals refer to H~2~O~2~(hydrogen peroxide), HClO (hypochlorous acid), O~3~ (ozone), and ^1^O~2~ (singlet oxygen). Meanwhile, NO^•^ (nitric oxide), NO~2~ (nitrogen dioxide), N~2~O~3~ (dinitrogen trioxide), and ONOO^−^ (peroxynitrite) are the free radicals derived from RNS (Ali et al., [2008](#fsn31012-bib-0004){ref-type="ref"}; Evans & Halliwell, [1999](#fsn31012-bib-0016){ref-type="ref"}).
The major source of ROS is the environment that is filled with car exhaust fume, cigarette smoke, ozone, and low‐wave electromagnetic and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Meanwhile, some sources of the endogenous ROS are amino acids auto‐oxidation, respiratory burst by phagocytes, ischemia reperfusion injury, and mitochondrial electron transport chain. Hydroxyl radical (HO^•^), which is generated from H~2~O~2~ and O~2~ via Harber--Weiss reaction, refers to a damaging ROS with 10^−5^ s half‐life (Beauchamp & Fridovich, [1970](#fsn31012-bib-0007){ref-type="ref"}). The H~2~O~2~ component, although with poor reactivity and relatively stable properties, can cross cell membranes easily and arrack various sites after conversion to HO. Besides, H~2~O~2~ produces free radicals with the existence of transition metal ions.
One essential RNS‐based free radical refers to nitric oxide (NO) as this component is one of the 10 smallest molecules that are naturally found in 30‐Da molecular weight. The processes of redox, substitution, addition, and chain termination reaction are closely associated to NO. According to Stamler ([1994](#fsn31012-bib-0036){ref-type="ref"}), the primary targets of NO are proteins that contain metals, intracellular thiol, and low molecular weight thiols (glutathione). The peroxynitrite (ONOO^−^) is also an essential antioxidant with a range of targets. The mechanism of ONOO^−^ is as follows: peroxidation of lipid, break of DNA strand, nitration of tyrosine, and, lastly, death of cell. Upon reaction with NO, ONOO^−^ produces NO~2~ and causes nitrosative stress, while generating N~2~O~2~ with more NO (Koppenol, Moreno, Pryor, Ischiropoulos, & Beckman, [1992](#fsn31012-bib-0022){ref-type="ref"}).
Harmful oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic disease, is produced when RNS and ROS concentrations exceed the amount of antioxidants in the human body.
3. ANTIOXIDANTS {#fsn31012-sec-0003}
===============
Oxidative stress can be addressed by antioxidants by delaying or preventing the oxidative chain reaction promulgation. Plant‐based antioxidants scavenge free radicals to inhibit tissue/cell damages, hence minimizing risk of chronic diseases (Soobrattee, Bahorun, Neergheen, Googoolye, & Aruoma, [2008](#fsn31012-bib-0035){ref-type="ref"}). Besides, antioxidants donate their electrons in order to neutralize both exogenous and endogenous free radicals (Jacob, [1995](#fsn31012-bib-0021){ref-type="ref"}).
Antioxidant components are composed of lipid‐soluble (hydrophobic) and water‐soluble (hydrophilic) substances. Plant‐based antioxidants are mostly hydrophilic, in which some instances are phenolics, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as uric, lipoic, benzoic, and ascorbic acids. On the other hand, hydrophobic antioxidants are linked to biological membrane functional, which are found in carotenoids, tocopherols, vitamin K, ubiquinone, and phospholipids.
Additionally, antioxidants are categorized depending on defense lines: preventive antioxidant as the initial line of defense, radical scavenging antioxidant in the second line of defense, and, lastly, repair and de‐novo enzymes as the third line of defense, as further elaborated: The first line of defense hinders the production of free radicals that leads to oxidative stress via enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, GPx, glutathione reductase, and several types of minerals, for example, selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe).The second line of defense inhibits the production of damaged species, apart from making the free radicals less harmful that further reduces damages caused by oxidative reaction. Some excellent scavengers of free radicals are vitamins E and C, flavonoids, and uric acid.The third line of defense serves to repair damaged DNAs, proteins, peroxides, and oxidized lipids, besides inhibiting the propagation of chain reaction in peroxyl lipid radical.
The classification of antioxidants depends on their catalytic action type, either enzymatic or nonenzymatic antioxidants. The enzymatic antioxidants possess certain cofactors and tend to be highly specific for substrate reactive species. Some instances of enzymatic antioxidants refer to SOD, CAT, and GPx. Meanwhile, those nonenzymatic antioxidants differ from the former as they do not possess any specific substrate and, hence, could nullify the negative effects of both RNS and ROS.
4. ENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANT ASSAY {#fsn31012-sec-0004}
==============================
4.1. Superoxide dismutase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0005}
-------------------------------
The enzyme extract was prepared by homogenizing fresh samples (200 mg) in 5 ml of 100 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.8) that contained 0.1% (v/v) Triton X‐100, 2% (w/v) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and 0.1 mM EDTA. Next, the extract was filtered and centrifuged at 22,000 × *g* for 10 min at temperature 4°C. The resultant supernatant was collected and dialyzed by using cellophane membrane tubing for 240 min against cold extraction buffer. The remaining extract was used for enzyme assay.
The final volume of incubation mixture is 3 ml that contains 50 mM of potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.8), 45 µM of methionine, 20 µM of potassium cyanide, 84 µM of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), and 5.3 mM of riboflavin. The amount of homogenate added to the mixture is kept under one unit of enzyme so as to ensure high accuracy. The mixture is incubated at 25°C with the presence of 15 W fluorescent lamps in an aluminum foil‐lined box. After 10 min of exposure to light, the reduction in NBT is measured at absorbance of 600 nm. Absence of enzyme is indicated by the highest reduction. One unit of enzyme activity is defined as the amount of enzyme that leads to 50% inhibition of NBT reduction (Misra & Fridovich, [1972](#fsn31012-bib-0027){ref-type="ref"}).
4.2. Catalase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0006}
-------------------
Extraction of catalase assay was prepared by homogenizing fresh samples (200 mg) in 5 ml of 50 mM Tris‐NaOH at pH 8.0 that contained 0.5% (v/v) Triton X‐100, 2% (w/v) PVP, and 0.5 mM EDTA. The homogenate was centrifuged for 10 min at 4°C at 22,000 × *g*, and the resultant supernatant was dialyzed prior to enzyme assay.
Catalase assay can be conducted by adhering to the method suggested by Aebi ([1984](#fsn31012-bib-0001){ref-type="ref"}). One milliliter of reaction mixture containing 50 mM of potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 250 µl of enzyme extract is initiated by adding 60 mM of hydrogen peroxide. The absorbance is measured by using a spectrophotometer at an absorbance rate of 240 nm for 3 min. The H~2~O~2~ decomposition is calculated by using extinction coefficient of 39.4 mM^−1^ cm^−1^. One unit of activity is equivalent to 1 mM of H~2~O~2~ degraded per minute and is expressed as unit per milligram of protein.
4.3. Peroxidase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0007}
---------------------
Two grams of samples had been homogenized with 10 ml of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0). The extract was filtered through cheesecloth and centrifuged for 30 min at 12,000 × *g*. The resultant supernatant was collected and heated at 65°C for 3 min to inactivate any catalase present in the extract.
Peroxidase assay is prepared by performing the guaiacol oxidation method as depicted by Britton and Mehley ([1955](#fsn31012-bib-0011){ref-type="ref"}). The final reaction mixture (3 ml) in the test tube consists of 10 mM of potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 8 mM of guaiacol, and 100 µl of enzyme extract, in which 2.75 mM of hydrogen peroxide is added to initiate the reaction. Increment in absorbance measured at 470 nm within 30 min indicates the formation of tetraguaiacol. The change in absorbance per min and specific activity as enzyme units per mg soluble protein with extinction coefficient 6.39 mM^−1^ cm^−1^ refers to a unit of peroxidase activity. The enzyme activity is expressed as unit per milligram of protein.
4.4. Ascorbate peroxidase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0008}
-------------------------------
The enzyme assay was extracted from 200 mg of samples. Next, the samples were homogenized in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (5 ml, pH 7.8) that contained 1 mM ascorbic acid, 1 mM phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and 1% PVP. The reaction mixture was centrifuged at 22,000 × *g* at 4°C for 10 min. The resultant supernatant was collected and dialyzed prior to enzyme assay.
The reaction mixture that contains 100 mM of Tris‐acetate buffer (pH 7.0), 2 mM of ascorbic acid, and enzyme extract is added with 2 mM of hydrogen peroxide to initiate the reaction. The decrease in absorbance rate is measured by using a spectrophotometer at 290 nm for 100 s. The extinction coefficient 2.8 mM^−1^ cm^−1^ is used to calculate the reaction. The specific enzyme activity is expressed as unit per milligram of protein (Ali, Hahn, & Paek, [2005](#fsn31012-bib-0003){ref-type="ref"}).
4.5. Ascorbate oxidase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0009}
----------------------------
The plant sample tissue was extracted in 20 mM potassium phosphate (pH 7.4), 1.5% PVPP, and 0.5 mM PMSF. After that, the mixture was homogenized with Polytron, incubated on ice for 20 min, and vortexed for every 2‐min interval. Next, the mixture was centrifuged at 15,000 × *g* at 4°C for 15 min. The resultant supernatant was collected and dialyzed prior to enzyme assay.
The final reaction mixture consists of 1.0 ml that is comprised of 20 mM of potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 2.5 of mM ascorbic acid. The 10 µl of enzyme extract is added to initiate the reaction. Due to ascorbate oxidation, the decrease in absorbance is monitored for 3 min at an absorbance rate of 265 nm and calculated by using extinction coefficient, 14 mM^−1^ cm^−1^ (Diallinas et al., [1997](#fsn31012-bib-0014){ref-type="ref"}).
4.6. Guaiacol peroxidase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0010}
------------------------------
The enzyme extract for determination of guaiacol peroxidase assay was performed by homogenizing 200 mg of fresh samples in 5 ml of cold 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. Next, the dialyzed enzyme extract was used for assay after being centrifuged at 22,000 × *g* for 10 min.
The assay mixture (5 ml) contained 2 mM H~2~O~2~, 9 mM guaiacol, 40 mM sodium phosphate (pH 6.1), and 50 µl enzyme. The increment in absorbance was measured at 420 nm and calculated by using extinction coefficient of 26.6 mM^−1^ cm^−1^ for 2 min with 30‐s interval. The outcomes are expressed as unit per milligram of protein (Egley, Paul, Vaughn, & Duke, [1983](#fsn31012-bib-0015){ref-type="ref"}).
4.7. Glutathione reductase assay {#fsn31012-sec-0011}
--------------------------------
Glutathione reductase assay was carried out by adhering to the method depicted by Schaedle and Bassham ([1977](#fsn31012-bib-0033){ref-type="ref"}). The enzyme extract was prepared prior to enzyme assay. Briefly, 200 mg of fresh samples was homogenized by using chilled mortar and pestle in 5 ml of 50 mM Tris‐HCl buffer at pH 7.6. The resultant supernatant was collected after being centrifuged at 22,000 × *g* for 4 min and dialyzed prior to enzyme assay.
The final reaction mixture (1 ml) was composed of 200 µl enzyme extract, 50 mM Tris‐HCl buffer (pH 7.6), 1 mM glutathione disulfide (GSSG), 0.15 mM NADPH, and 3 mM MgCl~2~. A decrease in NADPH absorbance was observed at 340 nm. The specific activity of enzyme is expressed as unit per milligram of protein.
5. NONENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANTS ASSAY {#fsn31012-sec-0012}
==================================
5.1. Total polyphenol content {#fsn31012-sec-0013}
-----------------------------
Polyphenols are polyhydroxylated phytochemical that are synthesized by plants and have many benefits to the human health. Polyphenols have abilities to trap and to scavenge free radicals by donating hydrogen ion to stabilize the free radicals. In addition, polyphenols can regulate nitric oxide, induce apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and prevent high blood pressure, apart from possessing anti‐aging, anti‐bacterial, and anti‐tumor properties. The two major subclasses of polyphenols are phenolic acids and flavonoids (Arts & Hollman, [2005](#fsn31012-bib-0006){ref-type="ref"}; Yazaki, Sasaki, & Tsurumaru, [2009](#fsn31012-bib-0039){ref-type="ref"}).
The total polyphenols content in the plant can be determined by employing the method suggested by Marinova, Ribarova, and Atanassova ([2005](#fsn31012-bib-0025){ref-type="ref"}). A total of 10 µl of sample extract are mixed with 2.5 ml of 10‐fold of diluted Folin--Ciocalteu reagent. After 5 min, 2.5 ml of 7% sodium carbonate is added and the mixture is incubated at room temperature. After an hour of incubation, the absorbance of reaction mixture is measured at 725 nm. The total polyphenol content is expressed as milligram gallic acid equivalents per gram of samples.
5.2. Total phenolic acids {#fsn31012-sec-0014}
-------------------------
Phenolic acids are hydroxylated that derive from benzoic and cinnamic acids. Hydrobenzoic acid is mainly present in the form of glucosides in foods, while hydrocinnamic acid, such as *p*‐coumaric, caffeic acid, and ferrulic acid, is mostly found in food as simple esters (Mattila & Kumpulainen, [2002](#fsn31012-bib-0026){ref-type="ref"}).
Total phenolic acids can be determined by adhering to the method proposed by Singleton and Rossi ([1965](#fsn31012-bib-0034){ref-type="ref"}), which is known as the Folin--Ciocalteu phenol reagent technique. Briefly, 1 ml of sample extract is added into a test tube that contains 9 ml of distilled water. Then, 1 ml of Folin--Ciocalteu phenol reagent is added to it and the mixture is mixed thoroughly via vortex. After 5 min, 10 ml of 7% sodium carbonate is added. Next, 4 ml of distilled water is added and the mixture is adjusted to 25 ml of final volume. The reaction mixture is incubated for 90 min at room temperature, and the absorbance is measured at 750 nm. The total phenolic acids are expressed as milligram of gallic acid equivalents per gram of samples.
5.3. Total flavonoids {#fsn31012-sec-0015}
---------------------
Flavonoids are widely found in plants, and they consist of a large group of polyphenolic compounds that can be characterized by benzo‐y‐pyrone structure. Flavonoids are low molecular phenolics, and they can be divided into several subclasses, such as flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, anthocyanins, flavanols, and flavonols. The most crucial function of flavonoids is their antioxidant activity. Flavonoids can scavenge various oxidizing species, including superoxide anion, hydroxyl or peroxyl radicals by quenching the singlet oxygen. Flavonoids can also act as an inhibitor in oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), anti‐bacterial, and anti‐fungal, besides preventing malaria (Harborne & Williams, [2000](#fsn31012-bib-0020){ref-type="ref"}; Subramanian, Stacey, & Yu, [2007](#fsn31012-bib-0037){ref-type="ref"}).
The content of total flavonoids can be determined based on the method depicted by Marinova et al. ([2005](#fsn31012-bib-0025){ref-type="ref"}) by employing the aluminum chloride colorimetric technique. Briefly, 1 ml of sample extract is added into a test tube containing 4 ml of distilled water. After that, 0.3 ml of 5% sodium nitrite is added. After 5 min, 0.3 ml of 10% aluminum chloride is added into the mixture. At the sixth min, 2 ml of 1 M sodium hydroxide is added. Next, the mixture is adjusted to 10 ml by adding 2.4 ml of distilled water and mixed thoroughly with a vortex machine. The absorbance of the reaction mixture is measured at 510 nm. The total flavonoid content of the extract is expressed as milligram rutin equivalents per gram of samples.
5.4. Total ascorbic acid {#fsn31012-sec-0016}
------------------------
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is an organic acid that is the most crucial vitamin for human nutrition. Ascorbic acid is synthesized in mitochondria and transported to other cell through proton--electron chemical gradient or through facilitated diffusion. It also has the ability to scavenge many types of free radicals. The main sources of ascorbic acid are fruits and vegetables. Ascorbic acid can fight against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer (Aro & Ohad, [2003](#fsn31012-bib-0005){ref-type="ref"}; Borland et al., [2006](#fsn31012-bib-0010){ref-type="ref"}; Gil, Tomás‐Barberán, Hess‐Pierce, & Kader, [2002](#fsn31012-bib-0017){ref-type="ref"}).
The total ascorbic acid can be determined by using 1% phosphate citrate buffer (Davies & Masten, [1991](#fsn31012-bib-0013){ref-type="ref"}). Briefly, fresh plant sample is extracted by using chilled pestle and mortar with the addition of 1% phosphate citrate buffer (pH 3.5). Next, the sample is homogenated and centrifuged at 14,000 x *g* for 10 min at 4°C. The supernatant is collected, and 1.72 mM of 2,6‐dichloroindophenol (2,6‐DCPIP) is added. The absorbance is immediately measured after mixing at 518 nm by using a spectrophotometer.
5.5. Anthocyanin content {#fsn31012-sec-0017}
------------------------
Anthocyanins are chemicals that have a single aromatic structure known as cyaniding, which refers to a widely distributed pigment group found in the plant kingdom. The colors range from red to blue of the visible spectrum due to the water‐soluble pigments. The colors of these substances are varied due to addition or removal of hydroxyl groups or because of methylation or glycosylation (Harborne & Williams, [2000](#fsn31012-bib-0020){ref-type="ref"}; Sakakibara, Honda, Nakagawa, Ashida, & Kanazawa, [2003](#fsn31012-bib-0032){ref-type="ref"}).
Determination of anthocyanin content can be carried out based on the technique proposed by Bharti and Khurana ([2003](#fsn31012-bib-0008){ref-type="ref"}). Briefly, fresh leaves are added into 10 ml of acidic methanol (1% v/v HCl) and the mixture is incubated overnight. To partition anthocyanin from chlorophyll, 10 ml of chloroform and 9 ml of double deionized water are added. The test tube is shaken gently, and the mixture is allowed to settle. The absorbance of the reaction mixture is measured at 505 nm.
5.6. DPPH scavenging activity {#fsn31012-sec-0018}
-----------------------------
Molecule 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) is classified as a stable free radical by virtue of the delocalization of the spare electron over the molecule as a whole that prevents it from dimerize. When a solution of DPPH is mixed, it donates hydrogen atom that reduces its form and loses its violet color.
The DPPH radical scavenging activity can be carried out by preparing 1 ml of sample extract in a test tube. Next, 2 ml of 1 mM of methanolic DPPH is added. The solution is mixed thoroughly and incubated for 30 min at 37°C. The blank sample is prepared without adding any standard or sample extract. The change in absorbance is measured at 515 nm, and the percentage of inhibition is calculated (Alhakmani, Kumar, & Khan, [2013](#fsn31012-bib-0002){ref-type="ref"}).$$\text{Inhibition}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {\left( {\text{A}_{515}\,\text{Control} - \text{A}_{515}\,\text{Sample}} \right)/\text{A}_{515}\,\text{Control}} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.7. Ferric reducing‐antioxidant power (FRAP) assay {#fsn31012-sec-0019}
---------------------------------------------------
The FRAP assay measures the reduction of ferric iron and 2,3,5‐triphenyl‐1,3,4‐triaza‐azoniacyclopenta‐1,4‐diene chloride to blue ferrous complex by antioxidants under acidic condition (pH 3.6). The FRAP unit is the reduction of one mole of Fe (lll) to Fe (ll).
The FRAP assay can be prepared based on the method described by Wong, Leong, and Koh ([2006](#fsn31012-bib-0038){ref-type="ref"}). Briefly, 200 µl of sample extract is added with 3 ml of FRAP reagent that is prepared with a mixture of 300 mM of sodium acetate buffer (pH 3.6), 10 mM of 2,4,6‐tri(2pyridyl)‐s‐triazine (TPTZ) solution, and 20 mM of FeCl.6H~2~O at the ratio 10:1:1. The reaction mixture is incubated for 30 min at 37°C. Increment in absorbance is measured at 593 nm, and the percentage of inhibition (antioxidant) is calculated.$$\text{Inhibition}\left( \text{antioxidant} \right)\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {\left( {\text{A}_{593}\,\text{Sample} - \text{A}_{593}\,\text{Control}} \right)/\text{A}_{593}\,\text{Sample}} \right\rbrack\, \times 100$$
5.8. Hydrogen peroxide (H~2~O~2~) scavenging activity {#fsn31012-sec-0020}
-----------------------------------------------------
Hydrogen peroxide is found naturally at low concentration levels in air, water, human body, plants, foods, and microorganism. H~2~O~2~may enter the human body by inhalation of vapor or mist and through eye or skin contact. Hydroxyl radicals (OH^•^) are the by‐products of H~2~O~2~decomposed into oxygen and water that initiate lipid peroxidation and damages to DNA.
In order to determine the scavenging activity of hydrogen peroxide, 40 mM of hydrogen peroxide solution is prepared in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and the absorbance is measured at 230 nm. Next, 1 ml of sample extract or standard is added with 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide solution. After 10 min, the absorbance is measured against blank solution. The blank solution is prepared with phosphate buffer without adding hydrogen peroxide. Then, the percentage of hydrogen peroxide scavenge can be calculated (Nabavi, Ebrahimzadeh, Nabavi, Hamidinia, & Bekhradnia, [2008](#fsn31012-bib-0028){ref-type="ref"}).$$\text{H}_{2}\text{O}_{2}{\mspace{6mu}\text{scavenge}}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {\left( {\text{A}_{230}\,\text{Control} - \text{A}_{230}\,\text{Sample}} \right)/\text{A}_{230}\,\text{Control}} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.9. Nitric oxide scavenging activity {#fsn31012-sec-0021}
-------------------------------------
NO^•^ is generated in biological tissues by specific NO synthase that metabolizes arginine to citrulline via five‐electron oxidative reaction. At a physiological pH of 7.2, the sodium nitroprusside compound is decomposed into aqueous solution and generates NO^•^. Stable products (nitrate and nitrite) are produced when NO^•^reacts with oxygen under aerobic condition, which can be determined by using the Griess reagent.
The scavenging activity of nitric oxide can be determined based on the method proposed by Marcocci, Maguire, Droylefaix, and Packer ([1994](#fsn31012-bib-0024){ref-type="ref"}). Briefly, 2 ml of 10 mM of sodium nitroprusside is prepared in 0.5 ml of phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4). Next, 0.5 ml of sample extract is added and incubated at 25°C. After 150 min of incubation, 0.5 ml of Griess reagent (1% sulfanilamide, 2% H~3~PO~4~, and 0.1% naphthylethylenediamine dihydrochloride) is added to 0.5 ml of incubated solution. The reaction mixture is re‐incubated for 30 min at room temperature. The rate of absorbance is measured at 546 nm, and the inhibition percentage is calculated.$$\text{NO\ inhibition} = \left\lbrack {\left( {\text{A}_{546}\,\text{Control} - \text{A}_{546}\,\text{Sample}} \right)/\text{A}_{546}\,\text{Control}} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.10. Superoxide radical scavenging activity {#fsn31012-sec-0022}
--------------------------------------------
Although the superoxide anion is a weak oxidant, it can ultimately produce powerful and dangerous hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, which contributes to oxidative stress.
This assay can be prepared based on the method developed by Robak and Gryglewski ([1988](#fsn31012-bib-0031){ref-type="ref"}). The final mixture of 16 mM Tris‐HCl buffer at pH 8.0 (3 ml) is comprised of 0.3 mM of NBT (0.5 ml), 0.936 mM of NADH solution (0.5 ml), and 1 ml of sample extract. The mixture reaction is initiated by adding 0.5 ml of 0.12 mM phenazine methosulfate (PMS), and the mixture is incubated at 25°C for 5 min. The absorbance is measured at 560 nm against blank sample, and the percentage of inhibition is calculated.$$\text{Inhibition}\left( \% \right) = \left( {1 - \text{A}_{560}\,\text{Sample}/\text{A}_{560}\,\text{Control}} \right) \times 100$$
5.11. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity {#fsn31012-sec-0023}
------------------------------------------
The hydroxyl refers to a dangerous free radical that belongs to ROS. Hydroxyl radical reacts with polyunsaturated fatty acid moieties of cell membrane phospholipids, which can inflict damages to the human cell.
The ability displayed by hydroxyl radicals to scavenge can be determined by adhering to the method described by Kunchandy and Rao ([1990](#fsn31012-bib-0023){ref-type="ref"}). The final mixture (1.0 ml) contains 28 mM of 2‐deoxy‐Dribose (100 µl) in 20 mM of potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), 500 µl of sample extract, 1.04 mM of EDTA (200 µl) and 200 µM of FeCl~3~ (1:1 v/v), 1.0 mM of H~2~O~2~ (100 µl), and 1.0 mM of ascorbic acid (100 µl). Next, the mixture is incubated for an hour at 37°C. After that, 1.0 ml of 2.8% trichloroacetic acid and 1.0 ml of 1% thiobarbituric acid are added and the mixture is re‐incubated for 10 min at 100°C. The solution mixture is cooled on ice, and the absorbance rate is measured at 532 nm. After that, the extract is substituted with distilled water as blank, while the sample blank contains the sample solution, but without deoxyribose. Lastly, the inhibition percentage is calculated.$$\text{Inhibition}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {\text{A}_{532}\,\text{Blank} - \left( {\text{A}_{532}\,\text{Extract} - \text{A}_{532}\,\text{Sample\ blank}} \right)/\text{A}_{532}\,\text{Blank}} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.12. Phosphomolybdate assay (total antioxidant capacity) {#fsn31012-sec-0024}
---------------------------------------------------------
The total antioxidant capacity assay can be used to determine the capacity of antioxidants through the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex. The assay is based on the reduction of Mo (Vl) to Mo (V) by using sample analyte, which subsequently produces a green phosphate Mo (V) complex at acidic condition.
Briefly, 0.1 ml of the sample extract is added to 0.3 ml of reagent solution that contains 0.6 M of sulfuric acid, 28 mM of sodium phosphate, and 4 mM of ammonium molybdate. The test tube is covered and incubated at 95°C for 90 min. After that, the mixture is cooled at room temperature and the absorbance is measured at 695 nm. The blank solution that functions as control contains both the reagent solution and the solvent. The total antioxidant capacity is calculated (Priya, Rajaram, & Suresh‐kumar, [2012](#fsn31012-bib-0030){ref-type="ref"}).$$\text{Total\ antioxidant\ capacity}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {\left( {\text{A}_{695}\,\text{Control} - \text{A}_{695}\,\text{Sample}} \right)/\text{A}_{695}\,\text{Control}} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.13. Reducing power {#fsn31012-sec-0025}
--------------------
The principle of this method is based on the increment of absorbance that indicates an increase in the antioxidant activity. Compounds with reducing power ability are electron donors and, hence, possess the ability to reduce the oxidized intermediate process of lipid peroxidation.
Briefly, the reaction mixture contains 2.5 ml of sample extract, 2.5 ml of 0.2 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.6), and 2.5 ml of 1% potassium ferric cyanide. Next, the reaction mixture is incubated at 50°C. After 20 min of incubation, 2.5 ml of 10% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid and the mixture is centrifuged at 1,000 x *g*for 10 min. Then, 2.5 ml of the upper layer in the supernatant is collected and mixed with 2.5 ml of distilled water and 0.5 ml of 0.1% ferric chloride. The absorbance of reaction mixture is measured at 700 nm against blank, which consists of all reagents without the sample extract (Gulcin, Tel, & Kirecci, [2008](#fsn31012-bib-0018){ref-type="ref"}).
5.14. Metal ion chelating activity {#fsn31012-sec-0026}
----------------------------------
Formation of chelates with Fe^2+^ ~,~ferrozine can generate a complex that is red in color. Nevertheless, the fading of red shade in ferrozine‐Fe^2+^ complexes is only restricted in the presence of other chelating agents. The measurement of the reduced color determines the chelating activity that competes with ferrozine for ferrous ion.
Briefly, 800 µl of sample extract is added to 2 mM of ferrous chloride (100 µl). In order to initiate the reaction, 5 mM of ferrozine (400 µl) is added and the mixture is incubated for 10 min at room temperature. The absorbance of the mixture is measured at 562 nm against the blank sample. Citric acid or EDTA can serve as control, whereas distilled water can function as blank. The capacity to chelate ferrous ion is calculated (Prieto, Pineda, & Aguilar, [1999](#fsn31012-bib-0029){ref-type="ref"}).$$\text{Chelation}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {1 - \left( {\text{A}_{562}\,\text{Sample}/\text{A}_{562}\,\text{Control}} \right)} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
5.15. β‐carotene/linoleic acid bleaching {#fsn31012-sec-0027}
----------------------------------------
β‐carotene bleaching is one of the fastest methods that can be employed to screen antioxidants based on the principle that linoleic acid, which is an unsaturated fatty acid, gets oxidized by ROS that is produced by oxygenated water. The produced resultant can initiate the oxidation of β‐carotene, thus leading to discoloration.
In brief, β‐carotene (0.2 mg/ml) is dissolved in chloroform and added into a round bottom flask, along with 20 µl of linoleic acid and 200 µl of Tween 20. A volume of 200 µl of the sample extract, either control or standard, is added. The mixture is evaporated at room temperature to dry under vacuum. Next, 50 ml of distilled water is added and the mixture is shaken to form a liposome solution. The initial absorbance (Abs^0^) of the mixture is measured at 470 nm. After that, the remaining solution is placed in water bath at 50°C for 120 min and the absorbance is recorded at 470 nm (Abs^120^). As for the control solution, 80% of methanol excluding sample extract can be used. The percentage of antioxidant activity is calculated (Dastmalchi, Dorman, Laakso, & Hiltunen, [2007](#fsn31012-bib-0012){ref-type="ref"}).$$\text{Antioxidant}\left( \% \right) = \left\lbrack {1 - \left( {\text{Abs}^{0}\,\text{Sample} - \text{Abs}^{120}\,\text{Sample}} \right)/\left( {\text{Abs}^{0}\,\text{Control} - \text{Abs}^{120}\,\text{Sample}} \right)} \right\rbrack \times 100$$
6. PRECAUTIONS, REPEATABILITY, AND LIMIT OF DETECTION {#fsn31012-sec-0028}
=====================================================
Performing an in vitro antioxidant assay requires several precautions in order to reduce error. Both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic in vitro antioxidant assays need to be conducted in a dark room. An antioxidant is a sensitive compound that easily deteriorates when exposed to light. Alternative to using a dark room, preparation of samples also can be performed by covering the flasks with aluminum foil or by using amber glass bottles. Enzymatic antioxidant assay needs to be performed in a cold room (approximately 4°C) due to higher rate of fluctuations. In an in vitro antioxidant assay, the reagents used need to be freshly prepared as the reactivity of the reagents decreases with time. Preferably, extraction of samples needs to be prepared fresh prior to carrying out the assay. Although samples can be stored in a freezer (at −4 to −80°C) for several days, antioxidant activity is generally lower as compared to freshly prepared samples.
Repeat of in vitro antioxidant assay is usually conducted to increase precision and yield more accurate results. In order to establish repeatability, an in vitro antioxidant assay needs to be conducted in the same place, using the same procedures and instruments. Environmental conditions such as room temperature and light intensity need to be adjusted to same. An in vitro antioxidant assay for each sample needs to be repeated for at least three times, and an average reading is calculated. With the average of readings, a standard deviation and a standard error can be obtained. Significance of results is determined by conducting statistical analysis. Comparison between samples of antioxidant activity can be analyzed by calculating IC~50~ values. IC~50~ is defined as the concentration of sample required to exhibit 50% of free radical inhibition. The lower the amount of sample required to inhibit 50% of free radicals, the greater the antioxidant activity of the sample.
Limit of detection (LOD) is defined as the lowest amount or concentration of test samples that can be detected from zero. Prior to calculating the LOD, a calibration curve of sample needs to be plotted and linear equation be obtained. The limit of detection is calculated by using the formula (Yilmaz, Sadikoglu, Saglikoglu, Yagmur, & Askin, [2008](#fsn31012-bib-0040){ref-type="ref"}):$$\text{Limit\ of\ detection} = 3\, s/m$$where *s* is the standard deviation and *m*is the slope.
7. CONCLUSION {#fsn31012-sec-0029}
=============
At present, researches pertaining to antioxidant compounds from plant sources have attracted attention across the globe due to its therapeutically and pharmacologically potent properties with low or no side effects to human. Besides, the increasing uses of chemicals in food productions, pollution, smoking, and synthetic medicine appear to increase the chances of free radicals based diseases. Plants are the biggest source of antioxidants, and they are sufficient to be used as medicine to fight against harmful diseases. This review article looked into enzymatic and nonenzymatic assays to evaluate antioxidants. Hence, this review article serves as a comprehensive reference for those keen in studies pertaining to antioxidants.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST {#fsn31012-sec-0031}
====================
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
ETHICAL STATEMENT {#fsn31012-sec-0032}
=================
This study does not involve any human and animal testing.
The authors would like to thank Dr Thavamaran Kanesan, who helped in English editing of this article.
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Recent headlines are screaming about the Trump administration’s alleged attempt to “kill $3 billion in foreign aid,” preventing a tidal wave of year-end spending by the State Department. The administration has yet to confirm this is their plan. But if it were, would it really be the end of the world?
President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE ran on a platform of decreasing and reordering our spending priorities, focusing on what is good for making America great. Changing the status quo spending at the State Department, which has remained largely the same since he took office, should not come as a shock to the swamp.
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Under current law, these cuts are legal. Using a process called
rescissions
, the White House can propose funding cuts to Congress. Congress can then vote on legislation to implement the cuts.
But here’s the trick. Normally, the president’s rescissions expire if Congress doesn’t act within 45 days. But, with less than 45 days left in fiscal year 2018, Congress would need to affirmatively act to prevent these cuts from taking place, instead of just letting them expire.
Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has vowed to challenge the administration if they take such a step. He wouldn’t be the first Republican senator to do so. Recall Trump’s failed $15 billion rescissions package from earlier this year, where the president’s attempt at forcing some fiscal austerity was thwarted at the last minute by fellow Republican, Sen. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Rep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy MORE (R-N.C).
Corker’s outrage aside (he is retiring in December, after all), State Department spending is in dire need of review. The agency itself wasn’t reauthorized for over a decade, and then at the last-minute a bill was signed by President Obama in December 2016 without any amendments and very little debate.
But this is a new administration, with different priorities. At a minimum, good governance mandates a review of the millions allocated to hardly-heard-of and hardly-overseen multinational organizations.
For example, should the US really be spending $33 million on unspecified programs of the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the “international disaster assistance” account with the intentionally vague purpose description “support to FAO activities worldwide”? It is baffling that swaths of cash should be given so loosely to international organizations while Congress frequently has to pass “emergency” spending packages to pay for disaster assistance at home.
Or how about the $21 million from the “economic support fund” account going to the International Organization for Migration slated to “Support the inclusion for Peace Activity that aims to foster social and economic inclusion of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities that have been disproportionately affected by conflict”?
Not that these are independently bad programs, but in both cases, this funding is not clearly specified, not well-monitored, and has an unclear benefit to the American people. At the very least, those running these programs should be required to consistently make the case for the dollars they spend.
This problem exists among many lesser-known agencies and programs financed by American taxpayers. Take for example, the Office of Transition Initiatives run out of USAID that is supposed to finance development in countries transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy but instead has been found to be financing television programs promoting “alternative family structures” on Macedonian television.
It is not abnormal for large buckets of money to remain unspent at the end of the fiscal year. Former Sen. Tom Coburn Thomas (Tom) Allen CoburnCOVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Inspector general independence must be a bipartisan priority in 2020 Congress must protect federal watchdogs MORE (R-Okla.), infamous for his “wastebook,” reminded everyone of the perpetuity of some pots of congressionally authorized funds. But if the money is not yet obligated less than 40 days away from the end of the fiscal year, we should really be asking if the money is actually necessary. In the case of many of our international assistance programs funded through Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the answer is no.
Programs that aren’t given proper guidance and oversight from Congress are instead left to the devices of the bureaucrats at the State Department. Given this, it’s no wonder that the State Department and other various agencies have financed a pro-left agenda around the world, promoting cultural values that undermine nation-states’ sovereignty rather than providing traditional foreign assistance.
Many more examples abound, but the priorities of the former administration are not those of this one. For conservatives, it is positive to hear of proposed changes hopefully forthcoming to more than $3 billion of the nearly $40 billion foreign assistance budget.
Republicans should not be afraid of rescissions. If Congress is unwilling to do its job of controlling the purse, the White House absolutely can and should propose cuts that align with its priorities. This administration has every right to redirect spending away from the previous administration’s priorities. After all, it’s what the American people voted for.
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Power Up Your Cell Phone By … Talking?
In 2009, I wrote an article about the top 10 green cell phones manufactured or conceptualized that year. Included in that list was a concept phone called Zeri which can “convert air vibrations into usable power through hair-thin generators on piezoelectric system.”
Well, this year, the idea of a cell phone powered by air or sound vibrations has just advanced one step closer into mainstream consumer use. Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea recently announced that they have developed the technology to make this futuristic concept possible.
The initial test unit consists of wires made of zinc oxide that are placed between electrodes. Electricity is generated when a sound pad on top vibrates after the zinc oxide strands compress and release as they are hit by sound waves.
The prototype is able to successfully generate about 50 millivolts of electricity by converting sound waves at high decibel levels like loud traffic. The Sungkyunkwan University scientists are optimistic that they can generate more energy from lower sound levels in future test models by changing some materials in the prototype unit.
Approximately 140 million used cell phones are discarded every year in the United States. Only 10 percent of these are recycled or returned to manufacturers for proper disposal. Recycle your old cell phones through Pacebutler today.
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Applejack : ( pokes a different tree gently with her front hoof) eh.
( 70 more apples fall)
Yep your right. In the right tree there would have been more apples.
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Tanner Vallejo, a 2013 Nevada Union graduate and linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, saw some game action in his team's 19-17 preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns on Friday.
The 6-foot, 1-inch, 228 pound Vallejo accounted for one tackle in the win.
Now in his second season with the Bills, Vallejo is currently listed as the third middle linebacker on Buffalo's depth chart, behind rookie Tremaine Edmunds and fifth year pro Julian Stanford.
Vallejo also saw game action in the Bills preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers. He did not notch a tackle in that game.
Vallejo was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In his rookie season with the Bills, he played in 15 regular season games, mostly on special teams, and made four tackles.
While at Nevada Union, Vallejo notched 419 tackles in his three-year varsity career. He was a two-time Sierra Foothill League Defensive MVP, three-time All-Metro League selection and three-time All-Sac-Joaquin Section selection.
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During Vallejo's career at Boise State, he played in 46 games, made 277 tackles, 5.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered three fumbles, grabbed an interception and scored two defensive touchdowns.
In his sophomore year at Boise State, he was named to the All-Mountain West Second Team and earned Defensive MVP honors in the Mountain West Championship Game and Fiesta Bowl. He received All-Mountain West honorable mention in his junior and senior seasons.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Allison Daley McColloch, a 2005 Nevada Union graduate, dug into the sand at Manhattan Beach, California for the most recent AVP Tour event of the season.
McColloch teamed up with tour-veteran Kendra Van Zwieten for the event and the two went 3-2 overall to place ninth.
After dropping their first match of the tournament, the No. 12 seeded McColloch and Van Zwieten won their next three matches, including a victory over the No. 6 seeded team Lauren Fendrick and Sarah Sponcil.
McColloch and Van Zwieten's tourney came to end with a loss to Geena Urango and Allie Wheeler, the No. 9 seeded team.
Across the five matches, McColloch tallied 81 kills, nine aces, 37 digs and four blocks.
The 31-year-old McColloch has been playing beach volleyball professionally since 2012 and competing regularly in AVP events since 2013. Her best finish on the AVP Tour has been third, a feat she has accomplished three times. In addition to competing on the AVP Tour, McColloch is also the head coach for the UC Davis women's beach volleyball team.
During McColloch's time at Nevada Union, she was a highly decorated athlete who led the Lady Miners volleyball team to three straight Sac-Joaquin Section titles and two NorCal Championships.
GOLF
Logan Lowe, a 2015 Nevada Union graduate, competed in his second straight U.S. Amateur Championship last week.
Competing at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Lowe fared well early on with rounds of 75 and 67 to finish 1-under-par and in a 10th place tie after the stroke play portion of the tournament.
Lowe, who is entering his senior year at George Washington University, would be eliminated during the match play portion of the tourney, losing by one hole in the Round of 64 to Clay Feagler. Norway's Viktor Hovland went on to win the tourney.
During Lowe's time at Nevada Union he earned back-to-back Sierra Foothill League individual titles and MVPs in his junior and senior seasons, and was a four-time All-SFL First Team selection.
He's coming off a stellar junior season at George Washington where he was named the Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Year, becoming the first player in school history to win the award.
BASEBALL
Josh Roenicke, a 2001 Nevada Union graduate, continued his strong season with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
The hard-throwing righty earned his 10th win of the season Saturday, tossing six solid innings in a 7-5 victory over the Chinatrust Brothers. Roenicke allowed eight hits and four earned runs while striking out two in the game.
For the season, Roenicke is 10-5 overall with a 1.07 WHIP and a 2.43 ERA.
Roenicke has been playing baseball professionally since 2006, and in his more than a decade-long career as a pitcher has played pro ball in six different countries on four different continents.
Roenicke started his pro baseball journey when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB draft. He worked his way into the Majors shortly after and had stints with the Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins from 2008-2013. From 2014-16, he bounced around multiple minor league teams in the United States before heading to Mexico to play for the Pericos de Puebla in 2017. He signed with the UniLions in February.
Have we missed anyone? If you know of a college or professional athlete with local ties, email wford@theunion.com or call 530-477-4232.
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Q:
Async/Await single thread/some threads
I need a little rule about correct usage of await. Run this code in .net core c# 7.2:
static class Program
{
static async Task<string> GetTaskAsync(int timeout)
{
Console.WriteLine("Task Thread: " + Thread.CurrentThread.ManagedThreadId);
await Task.Delay(timeout);
return timeout.ToString();
}
static async Task Main()
{
Console.WriteLine("Main Thread: " + Thread.CurrentThread.ManagedThreadId);
Console.WriteLine("Should be greater than 5000");
await Watch(NotParallel);
Console.WriteLine("Should be less than 5000");
await Watch(Parallel);
}
public static async Task Parallel()
{
var res1 = GetTaskAsync(2000);
var res2 = GetTaskAsync(3000);
Console.WriteLine("result: " + await res1 + await res2);
}
public static async Task NotParallel()
{
var res1 = await GetTaskAsync(2000);
var res2 = await GetTaskAsync(3000);
Console.WriteLine("result: " + res1 + res2);
}
private static async Task Watch(Func<Task> func) {
var sw = new Stopwatch();
sw.Start();
await func?.Invoke();
sw.Stop();
Console.WriteLine("Elapsed: " + sw.ElapsedMilliseconds);
Console.WriteLine("---------------");
}
}
As you all can see the behavior of two methods are different. It's easy to get wrong in practice. So i need a "thumb rule".
Update for real men Please, run code. And explain please why Parallel() runs faster than NonParallel().
A:
While calling GetTaskAsync without await, you actually get a Task with the method to execute (that is, GetTaskAsync) wrapped in. But when calling await GetTaskAsync, execution is suspended until the method is done executing, and then you get the result.
Let me be more clear:
var task = GetTaskAsync(2000);
Here, task is of type Task<string>.
var result = await GetTaskAsync(2000);
Here result is of type string.
So to address your first interrogation: when to await your Tasks really depends on your execution flow.
Now, as to why Parallel() is faster, I suggest your read this article (everything is of interest, but for your specific example, you may jump to Tasks return "hot").
Now let's break it down:
The await keyword serves to halt the code until the task is completed,
but doesn't actually start it.
In your example, NotParallel() will take longer because your Tasks execute sequentially, one after the other. As the article explains:
This is due to the tasks being awaited inline.
In Parallel() however...
the tasks now run in parallel. This is due to the fact that all [tasks]
are started before all [tasks] are subsequently awaited, again, because
they return hot.
About 'hot' tasks
I suggest your read the following: Task-based Asynchronous Pattern (TAP)
The Task Status section is of interest here to understand the concepts of cold and hot tasks:
Tasks that are created by the public Task constructors are referred to as cold tasks, because they begin their life cycle in the non-scheduled Created state and are scheduled only when Start is called on these instances.
All other tasks begin their life cycle in a hot state, which means that the asynchronous operations they represent have already been initiated
I invite you to read extensively about async/await and Tasks. Here are a few resources in addition to the ones I provided above:
Asynchronous Programming in C# 5.0 part two: Whence await?
Async/Await - Best Practices in Asynchronous Programming
Async and Await
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Flamingos are a pretty underrated bird. But the more you dig, the more you discover how strange they are, from their limbs to their pigment to the erectile tissue in their mouths.
One of the most recognisable traits of this leggy bird is how it seems to prefer to stand on one leg– even when asleep – with what appears to be its knee bent backwards. This is actually its ankle and heel; the flamingo's knee is located much further up the limb, hidden underneath its feathers. The whole area from the ankle to the toes is actually a giant foot. The joint that looks like an ankle, right down the bottom, is actually the beginnings of the toes. So effectively half the flamingo’s legs are actually its feet, and the normal stance for a flamingo is on its tiptoes. This arrangement makes more sense when you see a flamingo chick, whose legs and feet are still developing.
But why stand on one leg instead of two? Until a few years ago, no one could say for sure, but there had been suggestions made about how this could reduce muscle fatigue and assist in thermoregulation. The former theory suggested that by standing on one leg, the flamingo was preventing half of its leg muscles from stiffening and wearing out, so if a predator turned up, it could get moving very quickly. And the latter theory suggested that by keeping one leg up and close to its body, the flamingo could reduce heat loss. In 2009, psychologist Matthew Anderson from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, who had been studying the behaviour of flamingos for many years, decided to test both theories.
Observing captive Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), Anderson's team timed how fast they could get moving from both the unipedal and bipedal stance. He found that, contrary to what the theory suggested, the birds were just as fast to get moving when they started from either stance.
Anderson next tested the thermoregulation theory and found that while the flamingos generally preferred resting on one leg to two regardless of the temperature, the percentage of birds resting on one leg was significantly higher among birds standing in the water than among those on land. This suggests that they were trying to lessen the amount of body heat that gets lost very rapidly when they come into contact with water. Anderson also noticed a relationship between the weather conditions and the leg lifting: "We demonstrate a negative relationship between temperature and the percentage of observed birds resting on one leg, such that resting on one leg decreases as temperature rises", he reported in Zoo Biology. So it would appear that this peculiar habit came about to keep the flamingos warm when standing in the water to feed.
Another interesting aspect of the flamingo is how it gets its pigment. Flamingos aren't born pink, they're born white, and they gradually get their pink pigment from their parents. Both parents regurgitate what's known as crop milk to feed their young chicks, and this acts as a pigment transfer. So often you'll see the colour of new flamingo parents begin to fade as their chicks turn pink. The pinkish hue comes from pigments called carotenoids, which are found in the blue-green algae and crustaceans that flamingos eat in the wild, or in the pellets fed to captive flamingos. The same process causes salmon to become pink. Flamingos even use this pigment in sexual signaling, according to a 2010 paper in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology by a team of Spanish researchers who discovered red and yellow carotenoid pigments in the flamingo’s preening oils, and that during mating season, these birds would secrete much more of these pigments, seemingly to enhance their colours.
Another study, published in Anatomical Record in 2006 by biologist Casey Holliday and professor of anatomy Lawrence Witmer from Ohio University, found erectile tissue in the flamingo’s beak. Flamingos are known for their odd way of eating – they stand in shallow water, and put their beaks in an almost upside-down position in the water to catch food as it floats by. Their tongues act like pumps that manipulate the water, squeeze the food out and trap it. When Holliday and Witmer constructed a 3D model of a flamingo’s head, they noticed large, oval-shaped masses of erectile tissue on the floor of its mouth and running along either side of its tongue. Just like the erectile tissue in a man’s penis, this stiffens when filled with blood – like when the head is tipped upside-down – and helps to strengthen and support the floor of the mouth and tongue when the flamingo is feeding. “We suspect this stabilises the mouth and tongue and helps with the peculiar way that flamingos eat,” said Witmer. “It’s an important new piece of the puzzle of flamingo feeding – frankly, a piece we hadn’t known was missing.”
So flamingos seem to have it all sorted out. Except when it gets really windy, in which case they could be in trouble of ‘blowing away’. A BBC article from earlier this year reported that Zoo keepers at Dudley Zoo in the UK spent half an hour trying to catch a flock of flamingos because they were worried they’d be blown away in the 48km/h winds. Not an easy task, when you’re dealing with a bird that is renowned for its aggressive behaviour – “The best approach is to corner them and then move them by putting a hand around their neck and another across their body – and believe me, that's much easier said than done,” Zoo curator Matt Lewis told the BBC. And the Queen of Hearts was just sitting at home...
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