question stringlengths 14 1.69M | answer stringlengths 1 40.5k | meat_tokens int64 1 8.18k |
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This next length of Les Tramways de l'Aude takes us south of Lezignan-Corbieres. Some assumptions have had to be made about the route followed based on what appears to be the route in Michelin Maps of the 1930s.
Should anyone have better evidence of the route, I'd be delighted to hear from<|fim_middle|> covers the line between Narbonne and Fluery d'Aude.
This is the final planned post on the Tramways de l'Aude. | them.
This post carries a bonus! Two lengths of the Tramways de l'Aude in one post! Each is dealt with separately in the posts below. I hope you enjoy them.
There is still a significant amount of the network to investigate!
Tuchan is the terminus of one of the branches of the Tramways de l'Aude. The line travels from Tuchan to Ripaud where it forms a junction with the line from Les Palais.
The onward route will take us on towards the coast!
This next post focusses on the three tramways which served the city of Narbonne.
We are nearing the end of a long journey through the countryside of the Departement de l'Aude. This is the penultimate post covering the Tramways of the Departement and covers the line between Narbonne and Ouveillan.
The last post that I have planned | 183 |
The Favonio wind gives the name to "Aegusa", the island whose shape reminds of a butterfly spreading its wings, and whose sea has an enchanting green-light blue, almost transparent color that attracts a wide number of tourists and visitors looking for relax and wonderful scenarios during summer. Our villas in Favignana are a wonderful setting for a holiday. As you set your first foot on its land, you'll find yourself immersed in its flavors and colors: the typical Mediterranean shrub, salty waters, delicious local cuisine and so on. The island is also the perfect destination for scuba-diving lovers: Favignana is actually full of natural caves along its coast, and some of them can be reached only from the sea – moreover, the seabed is very interesting and rich in secrets. Beaches and bays are very charming as well: sandy or rocky accesses to a really transparent and, at the same time, colorful sea. One of the most famous ones<|fim_middle|> – nowadays, the Favignana tuna is still one of the most appreciated and delicious fishes in the whole Sicily. | is Cala Rossa (that gives the name to one of our most appreciated Sicily beach villas, deriving its name from an epic ancient battle between Phoenicians and Romans ("red cave", where red stands for blood). Open-air tuff caves are really worth a visit as well: the extraction of tuff has been one of the most important activities in the island so far. For centuries has been practiced the quasi spiritual rite of "mattanza", the traditional tuna fishing activity. Tuna fish can be purchased in the ancient "tonnara" of the island | 117 |
An Evening with Nobel Laureate Gregg Semenza
Dec 10, 2019 | posted by Kyla Britson | Events and Happenings | No comments
They say you can get used to anything given enough time. Yet, I still haven't gotten over my awe of sharing the halls of Johns Hopkins with Nobel laureates. I remember my surprise when Dr. Carol Greider taught us about telomeres and how they are maintained by the enzyme telomerase in my first-year molecular biology and genomics class. In 2009, Dr. Greider, Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Jack Szostak were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of telomeres and telomerase. It was the scientific equivalent of being taught by a celebrity. To date, 29 people associated with Johns Hopkins as a faculty member, fellow, resident or graduate have received a Nobel Prize, and four of these laureates are current faculty members, including 2019 Nobel laureate Dr. Gregg Semenza.
The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Dr. William Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter Ratcliffe and Dr. Gregg Semenza "for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability." When this news broke in October, the campus was taken by storm, and there were several congratulatory events and lectures.
More recently, Dr. Semenza gave a keynote presentation for the Hopkins Medicine Distinguished Speaker Series (HMDSS). The series is organized every year by a group of medical students and supported by Dr. Roy Ziegelstein and the office of the vice dean for education. This year, the HMDSS committee is composed of Alexander Blum, Mohamed Mohamed, Jaclyn Nguyen and Anthony Salerno.
Photo courtesy Kyla Britson.
By the time the seminar began, there was standing room only in the large lecture hall. Dr. Semenza divided his lecture into five parts: control of red blood cell production, vascular disease, cancer, eye disease and life at high altitude. The first part of the talk encompassed the work for which he, Dr. Kaelin and Sir Ratcliffe were being recognized by the Nobel Assembly. Dr. Semenza's lab was interested in how red blood cell production is controlled by changes in oxygen levels. The lab used a DNA/protein binding test to discover a protein that binds and turns on the erythropoietin gene, which controls red blood cell production1. This protein was enriched in cells deprived of adequate oxygen supply, a condition called hypoxia, and the protein was accordingly named hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). That is to say, in low oxygen conditions, the HIF protein turns on genes that increase red blood cell production. Further research by Dr. Kaelin and Sir Ratcliffe revealed how HIF can sense the oxygen level. Under normal physiological levels of oxygen, HIF is chemically marked with an oxygen-containing molecular tag that codes for its destruction, such that it cannot act to turn on red blood cell production genes2,3,4. However, under hypoxic conditions, there is not enough oxygen for HIF to be tagged. It can escape destruction, allowing it to drive expression of its target genes such as erythropoietin.
Humble throughout the presentation, Dr. Semenza made a point of acknowledging the researchers and collaborators who made these discoveries possible, such as Dr. Guang Wang, a postdoc in the Semenza lab at the time who was instrumental in the initial discovery of HIF-1, as well as collaborator Dr. Tom Kelly, whose lab was one of the first to purify a protein based on its interaction with DNA.
The rest of the lecture focused on discoveries built upon the foundation of this HIF research, which demonstrates that the Nobel Prize only directly acknowledges a small snapshot of the work a scientist has contributed to his or her field. Dr. Semenza went on to discuss hereditary polycythemia, a disease caused by mutations in genes involved in the HIF pathway, resulting in the overproduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow. This was the first of four ways Dr. Semenza tied his work understanding the basic biology of HIF and oxygen homeostasis to human disease. More recent work in his lab has explored HIF overexpression in tumors and the use of HIF-1 antagonists to treat ocular neovascularization.
In the words of Dr. Semenza, "I think it's really great for people to get a sense of research and to see how fundamental discoveries can lead to very practical results,<|fim_middle|> 20; 399(6733):271–5.
nature.com/articles/20459
Ivan M et al. HIFα targeted for VHL-mediated destruction by proline hydroxylation: implications for O2 sensing. Science. 2001 April 20; 292(5516):464–8.
science.sciencemag.org/content/292/5516/464.long
Jaakkola P et al. Targeting of HIF-α to the von Hippel-Lindau ubiquitylation complex by O2-regulated prolyl hydroxylation. Science. 2001 April 20; 292(5516):468–72.
Ushma S. Neill. A conversation with Gregg Semenza. J Clin Invest. 2016; 126(11):4063–4064. doi:10.1172/JCI90960. jci.org/articles/view/90960
Learn more about Dr. Gregg Semenza's award-winning discovery
Read complete coverage of Dr. Semenza's Nobel journey at The Hub
« What Happens to Heart Cells in Space? » Should We All Go Vegan? | ultimately. For the public to get some sense of what science is like, and when you can make that connection to the diseases that most people end up being affected by — heart disease, cancer — the public can really appreciate the impact of scientific research."5
Semenza, GL and Wang, GL. A nuclear factor induced by hypoxia via de novo protein synthesis binds to the human erythropoietin gene enhancer at a site required for transcriptional activation. Mol Cell Biol. 1992 Dec.; 12(12):5447–54. mcb.asm.org/content/12/12/5447.long
Maxwell PH et al. The tumour suppressor protein VHL targets hypoxia-inducible factors for oxygen-dependent proteolysis. Nature. 1999 May | 177 |
China celebrates Mao Zedong's 120th birthday with its largest-ever 3D pixel mapping project
Beijing, China, 11 February 2014 – On 26 December 2013, China celebrated the 120th birthday of Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China. For the occasion, Shaoshan Runze Orient Group created China's largest-ever outdoor 3D pixel mapping project, immersing audiences into China and Mao's shared history through vivid imagery. To ensure the best possible image quality and a smooth project flow, Shaoshan Runze Orient Group used 42 ultra-bright premium projectors provided by visualization technology leader Barco.
The high-quality projectors,<|fim_middle|> DLP projector
Model: HDF-W26 | which offer a brightness of 22,000 lumens, were used to produce cutting-edge 3D and holographic images that brought to life Mao Zedong's many contributions to China, under the title Mao Zedong, A Great Man in China. Over a projection area of more than 6,000 square meters, on a stage in the shape of a Chinese map — mountainous backdrop included — the audience could relive historical events such as the People's Liberation War with mind-blowing realism. The show debuted on 26th December in Shaoshan, in China's Hunan province, and was attended by many officials from both the state and the province.
Innovative stage technology
Barco's partner Shenyang 4D-Vision Technology was responsible for the delivery and installation of the projectors on site. "This large-scale live-action show combines live scenes with stereo stage settings and a wide range of performance elements, such as song, dance, drama, acrobatics, and water and fire effects," commented representative manager from 4D-Vision. "That's why we needed to use innovative stage technology, and the best projection technology we could get our hands on."
The show itself was directed by famous Chinese director Li Hanzhong and his team. To provide an immersive—and interactive—experience, his team used a variety of technologies and methods. When, in the movie, the People's Liberation army crossed the Yangtze River to take Nanjing, the audience seats became boats approaching the Presidential Palace, and explosions could be heard overhead.
To determine the exact locations for the projectors, Barco conducted a complete measurement and evaluation of the scene and the lighting environment using its exclusive SIM CAD software, which provides a simulation program with three-dimensional roaming mode, allowing users to view, evaluate, and experience the 3D and stereoscopic images to be shown. This enables planners to accurately calculate and adjust the effect that different installation methods have on projection brightness and the amount of light that shines in the audience's eyes.
In recent years, innovative projection technology has been widely used for important celebrations. As projection technology advances, so do the requirements for visualization technology. "By applying our simulation technology to the stage design, we gave the designers all the tools and space they needed to let their imaginations and creativity run freely," says Tang Feng, Barco's Managing Director for Greater China. "Furthermore, thanks to the government's support for the culture industry, organizers can invest in cutting-edge projection technology that ensures even more excellent shows and projects. As such, we are glad to join hands with outstanding partners to contribute to the development of the culture industry in China."
HDF-W26 26,000 lumens DLP Projector 26,000 lumens, WUXGA | 581 |
The editors and readers have spoken. The best books of the century, year and week are ready for your perusal.
Infoplease relays Publishers Weekly's bestselling hardcover and paperback children's titles of all time (through 2000). Janette Sebring Lowrey's "The Poky Little Puppy" tops the hardcover list. E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" was the winner in paperback.
Criticized<|fim_middle|> updated by the hour. | for including few nonwhite, female or contemporary authors, this list did an outstanding job of sparking national discussion. James Joyce's "Ulysses" topped the list. The Independent of London responded to the controversial list with its own list of the worst 100 books of the century. Number 1? "Ulysses."
This list was compiled by five writers as an alternative to the Modern Library's. It reflects a far more realistic race and gender balance and includes a good number of contemporary books.
George Orwell's "1984" leads this impressive list and is closely followed by such favorites as "Dune" by Frank Herbert, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley and "Camp Concentration" by Thomas M. Disch.
This list of children's favorites is divided into pre- and post-1950 and contains heartwarming favorites. L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz" and E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" top the lists.
A benchmark of book success. Browse the bestselling hardcover fiction, hardcover nonfiction, children's, religion, computer, mass market paperback, trade paperback, audio fiction and audio nonfiction titles.
CNN publishes the Wall Street Journal's weekly bestselling books in fiction and nonfiction/general. The Journal pulls sales figures from more than 25,000 bookstores nationwide.
USA Today's weekly list pulls from traditional bookstore sales and diverse content stores to provide a range of great works. Their survey enlists figures from approximately 3,000 sources.
Features the hottest selling titles in children's literature. The list is updated each Wednesday.
Pick a genre and see which books are the most popular among Amazon users. The lists are | 358 |
Report:<|fim_middle|>0 | California's creative economy…
Report: California's creative economy generates $604.9 billion annually, but wage gaps persist
In L.A. County, a woman earns 77 cents for every dollar her male counterpart earns.
California's creative industries — which include fashion and entertainment and digital media, among others — support 2.6 million jobs, $227.8 billion in labor income and $604.9 billion in annual economic output., according to a new report.
By Kevin Smith | kvsmith@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley Tribune
PUBLISHED: February 4, 2019 at 11:51 a.m. | UPDATED: February 4, 2019 at 11:53 a.m.
California's creative industries pack a powerful economic punch and Los Angeles County is leading the way, according to a report from Otis College of Art & Design.
The 2019 report, prepared by Beacon Economics, shows that creative industries throughout the state support 2.6 million jobs, $227.8 billion in labor income and $604.9 billion in annual economic output. One million of those jobs represent workers directly employed in creative industries and the other 1.6 million are jobs indirectly generated by those sectors.
When added up, they account for 15.4 percent of California's total employment.
"This report really shows that there is a creative ecosystem here in Los Angeles County and in California as a whole," said economist Robert Kleinhenz, Beacon's executive director of economic research. "The thing to recognize is the key contribution this segment makes to the state and local economy. It's much bigger than the motion picture and sound recording industry."
So what exactly is the creative economy?
The report breaks it into five key sectors: architecture and related services, entertainment and digital media, creative goods and products, fashion, and fine arts and performing arts. Each of those sectors contains several sub-categories, some of which are probably not top of mind when envisioning creative work.
Architecture and related services, for example, includes everything from interior design services to ornamental and architectural metalwork manufacturing. Entertainment and digital media include such industries as advertising, graphic design, newspaper publishers and greeting card publishers.
LA County's role
Los Angeles County plays a major role, producing roughly 40 percent of all direct creative industry employment in California. The region is also home to about a third of the jobs indirectly generated from creative industries.
Indirect jobs typically include vendors and suppliers. In the case of a film production company, that could include the business that supplies lumber to build sets, the security personnel who are on site during filming and the catering trucks that provide food for film crews.
A deeper dive shows L.A. County's creative industries support 864,958 jobs, nearly $78 billion in labor income and $207.8 billion in annual output. Nearly 415,000 of the jobs are workers directly employed in the creative industries and 450,013 are positions indirectly generated by creative work.
When multiplier effects are factored in, that accounts for nearly 20 percent of the county's total employment.
Graphic design is included among California's creative industries.
Wage disparity
The report notes a wage disparity between men and women who work in creative industries. In L.A. County, a woman earns 77 cents for every dollar her male counterpart earns. So a man who earns $70,000 a year would make $16,100 more than a woman doing the same job.
In New York City, women earn 72 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn.
The report attributes L.A. County's smaller gender wage gap to rapidly rising pay for female professionals. From 2007 to 2017 their average wage rose 40 percent, nearly double the pay hikes seen by males working in the same industries.
Wages vary widely throughout the creative industries.
Women made up 51 percent of L.A. County's fine arts and performing arts industry in 2017 and earned an average of $30,000 a year, the report said, while men averaged $42,000.
Wages in entertainment and digital media were considerably higher. Women accounted for 37 percent of the workforce in 2017, averaging $68,000 a year, while men averaged $82,000 annually.
Fashion – an entrepreneurial industry
Else Metchek, president of the California Fashion Association, said her industry is thriving. Most employees in the fashion field, she said, work for small businesses that are hyper-attuned to rapid changes and trends in the industry.
"The industry is very healthy but very entrepreneurial," Metchek said. "Usually, these businesses are 20, 30 or maybe 40 people. It can't be much bigger because you have to be able to move very quickly if you are going to change every five weeks."
Creativity can take many forms. Another recent report from Business.org showed California far outpaces others U.S. states in research and development spending. National Science Foundation data on research and development spending in 2016 — the most recent year for which numbers are available — found that California accounted for 31 percent of the nation's overall R&D spending.
Kevin Smith | reporter
Kevin Smith handles business news and editing for the Southern California News Group, which includes 11 newspapers, websites and social media channels. He covers everything from employment, technology and housing to retail, corporate mergers and business-based apps. Kevin often writes stories that highlight the local impact of trends occurring nationwide. And the focus is always to shed light on why those issues matter to readers in Southern California.
kvsmith@scng.com
Follow Kevin Smith @sgvnbiz
Amazon to charge Prime members for grocery orders less than $15 | 1,238 |
Grevillea: named after Charles Francis Greville, co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society.
eriostachya: (Greek) from erion – wool, and Stachys – an ear of corn; referring to the shape of the inflorescence and the hairy surface on the flowers.
Grevillea eriostachya has a widespread distribution throughout arid Western Australia, from Derby in the north to almost as far south as Perth, where it can grow in deep red, yellow or grey sand in low heath, mixed scrub and spinifex shrubland. Its range also extends into the Northern Territory and the northwest corner of South Australia.
Grevillea eriostachya is a bushy, upright shrub that grows up to two<|fim_middle|>, either by sucking the flowers or dunking the flowers in water and sipping the resultant sweet drink.
Use as a feature shrub for its masses of brilliant golden yellow flowers.
Best planted in autumn or winter in a sunny position and well-drained soil.
Drought and light frost tolerant once established.
Suited for dry climates and difficult to maintain in humid climates.
Tip pruning will improve shape and density.
Do not prune off flower canes as these continue to produce flowers for some years.
Take a stroll through the Western Australian Botanic Garden to see Grevillea eriostachya growing in the Hakea and Grevillea Garden (refer to map). | metres with long, thin, grey-green leaves. The dominant feature is its tall leafless branches that can extend above the foliage capped with spectacular large yellow flowers of torch-like appearance. However, due to its large range, its characteristics can vary with shrubs in the north having much shorter branches and flowers closer to the foliage.
The Flame Grevillea flowers prolifically for many months, generally peaking in spring; however, in desert regions it flowers in response to rainfall. The flowers mature from green buds to bright yellow or orange and attract many birds with their copious sweet nectar. At peak nectar flows, the flowers can drip quantities of nectar onto the ground.
These nectar rich flowers are used by Aboriginal people as a drink | 150 |
Teen drops out of college to help dying friend complete bucket list
Shari Puterman
The (Lafayette, La.) Daily Advertiser
"It's an incredible position to be in. If he does pass, then I think I can deal with it in an effective way, and the plan is to carry on his legacy and keep changing the world."
Dillon Hill, 19, speaks these words about his best friend, Chris Betancourt, 21.
The Sacramento, California, natives have been inseparable since elementary school, when, in 2009, Chris was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a slowly progressing and uncommon type of blood-cell cancer that begins in the bone marrow.
"We spent a lot of time together in the hospital," Dillon says. "Cancer is life-changing for fifth-graders. It made us more than classmates."
Months after being diagnosed and completing a rigorous chemotherapy regimen, Chris went into remission.
"He was taking an experimental pill," Dillon explains. "And thankfully, it worked."
For the next five years, they enjoyed being "normal kids."
"We played a lot of video games," Dillon recalls. "I even dated Chris' sister at one point."
But when they were sophomores in high school, tragedy struck.
"His sister committed suicide," Dillon says. "We went through that together, and we escaped to video games again ... because it was our outlet."
During their senior year, the boys took their hobby and turned it into a charity called Gamers Gift, a "nonprofit organization serving to promote well-being and positive spirits through the use of video games and other electronic media," according to the Facebook page description.
"Basically, we take virtual reality to people with disabilities, children's hospitals, and assisted living facilities," Dillon explains. "We bring virtual reality to them so they can see the world through our eyes, just for a little while. So far, we've raised $75,000 for the charity. We also do video game donations, and we don't take any salary for ourselves ... we don't even reimburse ourselves for gas."
Life was looking up for the "dynamic duo."
But things took a very unexpected detour in September 2017.
"Chris called me," Dillon says. "And he said that the doctors noticed something, a mutation. My initial response was that we had been through these scares, it was nothing major."
One month after that, however, doctors found out that the cancer cells weren't responding to treatment.
"Chris got a new prognosis," Dillon recalls. "The cancer cells were mutating ... the leukemia was back - and it was aggressive."
Doctors predicted that Chris had 1-2 years to live.
Dillon got that fateful phone call from his best friend while sitting in a lecture hall at the University of California, Davis, where he was studying cognitive science and managerial economics.
"We talked about mortality," Dillon says. "And what that meant. The fact that Chris might not be able to experience things that people like you and I are moving toward ... buying a car, finding<|fim_middle|> that life is short and you need to live for today. Facing a grim prognosis isn't the only excuse to try and do something that you really want to do."
As time passes, the guys are checking things off the list like crazy - and changing lives along the way.
"One of Chris' biggest wishes - No. 119 on the list - was to help someone else," Dillon says. "I mean, we are just two dudes facing tragedy. We don't really deserve this, we want to turn it around to other people."
So, that's what they're doing.
Recently, Chris and Dillon met a boy named Josh, 17, who was fighting cancer almost his entire life.
One of his wishes was to meet actor Will Ferrell.
"We published Josh's bucket list," Dillon says, "and Will Ferrell made a video message for him. The last picture we saw of Josh was him sitting in a hospice bed wearing our 'One List, One Life' shirt."
Josh died on Feb. 28.
"But in that picture," Dillon explains, "he had a huge smile on his face."
And that, in a nutshell, is the goal of this mission - to help people with terminal prognoses cross things off their lists by giving them a platform to share their stories.
So, how is Chris handling the exposure while dealing with his diagnosis?
"We (Dillon and a friend named Clay Stevens) have been working on the organizational aspects, while coordinating and telling Chris what's happening," Dillon says. "He just says, 'awesome, sweet.' He's been doubling his daily chemo, and it's been very rough. The emotional aspect of facing this prognosis hasn't been easy. But every morning, he wakes up to at least one message saying, 'Hey, you changed my perspective on life.' "
How is Dillon dealing with the very real possibility of losing his best friend?
"We are feeling super optimistic," he says, "but in worst case, I have the best closure I could possibly have. We did the list, and we are carrying on a legacy where thousands can carry out their bucket lists. We are running out of adjectives to explain how life changing this is ... we never expected this to happen, and now, here we are."
Visit www.mybestfriendslist.com for more information and to follow Dillon and Chris' journey.
How about a little more happiness? Join us to get the best of Humankind in your inbox. We always have something good to share. | a soulmate ... those things were no longer in his grasp. Then we talked about adventures - we had never even gone to Los Angeles. Basically, we hadn't even experienced life yet, and Chris was 20 facing this news. The frustration, for me, came quickly."
One week later, Dillon dropped out of school to make - and complete - a bucket list with Chris.
"After that call," Dillon explains, "I couldn't possibly sit in a lecture hall while my best friend was potentially dying. I said to Chris, 'Let's make this bucket list ... if we are facing the end, let's not worry about it. Let's just do it.' "
The guy started a website, "One List, One Life," where they posted their bucket list to document this journey and share it with the world.
But they had no idea it would go viral.
"First, we just went door-to-door with a flier, but then we made it to the front page of (social media giant) Reddit. Some things we never expected to cross off the list started happening, like meeting Danny DeVito. We even broke a world record by inspiring 3,715 people to sign up for a bone marrow donor list in one day ... the magnifying effect, it's incredible. People are realizing | 267 |
Saturday, September 30th, 20<|fim_middle|> we identified 59 species of birds, a very successful field trip.
Below is the 59 species list of combined 13 sites. Click on each photo for a larger view. | 17, Stephane Canévet led a group on a full day trip North along hwy 6 to the North end of Last Mountain Lake, returning via highways 2 and 11.
The temperature was around 10 in the morning, but it warmed up to around 20 by mid afternoon.
The wind made it difficult at times to focus the scope, but Stephane had us stop at 13 locations all together because there were so many migrating birds on ponds and fields.
The highlight was the witnessing of over two thousand Lapland Larkspurs drinking and bathing in ponds and feeding in the fields, constantly moving in massive flocks.
We stopped for our bagged lunch in the park at sheltered but sunny picnic tables. There were many warblers feeding in and around the long hedges at the banding station which we explored after lunch. In all | 179 |
The Passing of Sister Barsett
by Sarah Orne Jewett
Mrs. Mercy Crane was of such firm persuasion that a house is meant to be lived in, that during many years she was never known to leave her own neat two-storied dwelling-place on the Ridge road. Yet being very fond of company, in pleasant weather she often sat in the side doorway looking out on her green yard, where the grass grew short and thick and was undisfigured even by a path toward the steps. All her faded green blinds were securely tied together and knotted on the inside by pieces of white tape; but now and then, when the sun was not too hot for her carpets, she opened one window at a time for a few hours, having pronounced views upon the necessity of light and air. Although Mrs. Crane was acknowledged by her best friends to be a peculiar person and very set in her ways, she was much respected, and one acquaintance vied with another in making up for her melancholy seclusion by bringing her all the news they could gather. She had been left alone many years before by the sudden death of her husband from sunstroke, and though she was by no means poor, she had, as some one said, "such a pretty way of taking a little present that you couldn't help being pleased when you gave her anything."
For a lover of society, such a life must have had its difficulties at times, except that the Ridge road was more traveled than any other in the township, and Mrs. Crane had invented a system of signals, to which she always resorted in case of wishing to speak to some one of her neighbors.
The afternoon was wearing late, one day toward the end of summer, and Mercy Crane sat in her doorway dressed in a favorite old-fashioned light calico and a small shoulder shawl figured with large palm leaves. She was making some tatting of a somewhat intricate pattern; she believed it to be the prettiest and most durable of trimmings, and having decorated her own wardrobe in the course of unlimited leisure, she was now making a few yards apiece for each of her more intimate friends, so that they might have something to remember her by. She kept glancing up the road as if she expected some one, but the time went slowly by, until at last a woman appeared to view, walking fast, and carrying a large bundle in a checked handkerchief.
Then Mercy Crane worked steadily for a short time without looking up, until the desired friend was crossing the grass between the dusty road and the steps. The visitor was out of breath, and did not respond to the polite greeting of her hostess until she had recovered herself to her satisfaction. Mrs. Crane made her the kind offer of a glass of water or a few peppermints, but was answered only by a shake of the head, so she resumed her work for a time until the silence should be broken.
"I have come from the house of mourning," said Sarah Ellen Dow at last, unexpectedly.
"You don't tell me that Sister Barsett"--
"She's left us this time, she's really gone," and the excited news-bringer burst into tears. The poor soul was completely overwrought; she looked tired and wan, as if she had spent her forces in sympathy as well as hard work. She felt in her great bundle for a pocket handkerchief, but was not successful in the search, and finally produced a faded gingham apron with long, narrow strings, with which she hastily dried her tears. The sad news appealed also to Mercy Crane, who looked across to the apple-trees, and could not see them for a dazzle of tears in her own eyes. The spectacle of Sarah Ellen Dow going home with her humble workaday possessions, from the house where she had gone in haste only a few days before to care for a sick person well known to them both, was a very sad sight.
"You sent word yesterday that you should be returnin' early this afternoon, and would stop. I presume I received the message as you gave it?" asked Mrs. Crane, who was tenacious in such matters; "but I do declare I never looked to hear she was gone."
"She's been failin' right along sence yisterday about this time," said the nurse. "She's taken no notice to speak of, an' been eatin' the vally o' nothin', I may say, sence I went there a-Tuesday. Her sisters both come back yisterday, an' of course I was expected to give up charge to them. They're used to sickness, an' both havin' such a name for bein' great housekeepers!"
Sarah Ellen spoke with bitterness, but Mrs. Crane was reminded instantly of her own affairs. "I feel condemned that I ain't begun my own fall cleanin' yet," she said, with an ostentatious sigh.
"Plenty o' time to worry about that," her friend hastened to console her.
"I do desire to have everything decent about my house," resumed Mrs. Crane. "There's nobody to do anything but me. If I was to be taken away sudden myself, I shouldn't want to have it said afterwards that there was wisps under my sofy or--There! I can't dwell on my own troubles with Sister Barsett's loss right before me. I can't seem to believe she's really passed away; she always was saying she should go in some o' these spells, but I deemed her to be troubled with narves."
Sarah Ellen Dow shook her head. "I'm all nerved up myself," she said brokenly. "I made light of her sickness when I went there first, I'd seen her what she called dreadful low so many times; but I saw her looks this morning, an' I begun to believe her at last. Them sisters o' hers is the master for unfeelin' hearts. Sister Barsett was a-layin' there yisterday, an' one of 'em was a-settin' right by her tellin' how difficult 't was for her to leave home, her niece was goin' to graduate to the high school, an' they was goin' to have a time in the evening, an' all the exercises promised to be extry interesting. Poor Sister Barsett knew what she said an' looked at her with contempt, an' then she give a glance at me an' closed up her eyes as if 't was for the last time. I know she felt it."
Sarah Ellen Dow was more and more excited by a sense of bitter grievance. Her rule of the afflicted household had evidently been interfered with; she was not accustomed to be ignored and set aside at such times. Her simple nature and uncommon ability found satisfaction in the exercise of authority, but she had now left her post feeling hurt and wronged, besides knowing something of the pain of honest affliction.
"If it hadn't been for esteemin' Sister Barsett as I always have done, I should have told 'em no, an' held to it, when they asked me to come back an' watch to-night. 'T ain't for none o' their sakes, but Sister Barsett was a good friend to me in her way." Sarah Ellen broke down once more, and felt in her bundle again hastily, but the handkerchief was again elusive, while a small object fell out upon the doorstep with a bounce.
"'T ain't nothin' but a little taste-cake I spared out o' the loaf I baked this mornin'," she explained, with a blush. "I was so shoved out that I seemed to want to turn my hand to somethin' useful an' feel I was still doin' for Sister Barsett. Try a little piece, won't you, Mis' Crane? I thought it seemed light an' good."
They shared the taste-cake with serious enjoyment, and pronounced it very good indeed when they had finished and shaken the crumbs out of their laps. "There's nobody but you shall come an' do for me at the last, if I can have my way about things," said Mercy Crane impulsively. She meant it for a tribute to Miss Dow's character and general ability, and as such it was meekly accepted.
"You're a younger person than I be, an' less wore," said Sarah Ellen, but she felt better now that she had rested, and her conversational powers seemed to be refreshed by her share of the little cake. "Doctor Bangs has behaved real pretty, I can say that," she continued presently in a mournful tone.
"Heretofore, in the sickness of Sister Barsett, I have always felt to hope certain that she would survive; she's recovered from a sight o' things in her day. She has been the first to have all the new diseases that's visited this region. I know she had the spinal mergeetis months before there was any other case about," observed Mrs. Crane with satisfaction.
"An' the new throat troubles, all of 'em," agreed Sarah Ellen; "an' has made trial of all the best patent medicines, an' could tell you their merits as no one else could in this vicinity. She never was one that depended on herbs alone, though she considered 'em extremely useful in some cases. Everybody has their herb, as we know, but I'm free to say that Sister Barsett sometimes done everything she could to kill herself with such rovin' ways o' dosin'. She must see it now she's gone an' can't stuff down no more invigorators." Sarah Ellen Dow burst out suddenly with this, as if she could no longer contain her honest opinion.
"There, there! you're all worked up," answered placid Mercy Crane, looking more interested than ever.
"An' she was dreadful handy to talk religion to other folks, but I've come to a realizin' sense that religion is somethin' besides opinions. She an' Elder French has been mostly of one mind, but I don't know's they've got hold of all the religion there is."
"Why, why, Sarah Ellen!" exclaimed Mrs. Crane, but there was still something in her tone that urged the speaker to further expression of her feelings. The good creature was much excited, her face was clouded with disapproval.
"I ain't forgettin' nothin' about their good points either," she went on in a more subdued tone, and suddenly stopped.
"Preachin' 'll be done away with soon or late,--preachin' o' Elder French's kind," announced Mercy Crane, after waiting to see if her guest did not mean to say anything more. "I should like to read 'em out that verse another fashion: 'Be ye doers o' the word, not preachers only,' would hit it about right; but there, it's easy for all of us to talk. In my early days I used to like to get out to meetin' regular, because sure as I didn't I had bad luck all the week. I didn't feel pacified 'less I'd been half a day, but I was out all day the Sabbath before Mr. Barlow died as he did. So you mean to say that Sister Barsett's really gone?"
Mrs. Crane's tone changed to one of real concern, and her manner indicated that she had put the preceding conversation behind her with decision.
"She was herself to the last," instantly responded Miss Dow. "I see her put out a thumb an' finger from under the spread an' pinch up a fold of her sister Deckett's dress, to try an' see if 'twas all wool. I thought 'twa'n't all wool, myself, an' I know it now by the way she looked. She was a very knowin' person about materials; we shall miss poor Mis' Barsett in many ways, she was always the one to consult with about matters o' dress."
"She passed away easy at the last, I hope?" asked Mrs. Crane with interest.
"Why, I wa'n't there, if you'll believe it!" exclaimed Sarah Ellen, flushing, and looking at her friend for sympathy. "Sister Barsett revived up the first o' the afternoon, an' they sent for Elder French. She took notice of him, and he exhorted quite a spell, an' then he spoke o' there being need of air in the room, Mis' Deckett havin' closed every window, an' she asked me of all folks if I hadn't better step out; but Elder French come too,<|fim_middle|>'t, an' so here I be. I can't help it now." Sarah Ellen was crying again; she and Mrs. Crane could not look at each other.
"Well, you set an' rest," said Mrs. Crane kindly, and with the merest shadow of disapproval. "You set an' rest, an' by an' by, if you'd feel better, you could go back an' just make a little stop an' inquire about the arrangements. I wouldn't harbor no feelin's, if they be inconsiderate folks. Sister Barsett has often deplored their actions in my hearing an' wished she had sisters like other folks. With all her faults she was a useful person an' a good neighbor," mourned Mercy Crane sincerely. "She was one that always had somethin' interestin' to tell, an' if it wa'n't for her dyin' spells an' all that sort o' nonsense, she'd make a figger in the world, she would so. She walked with an air always, Mis' Barsett did; you'd ask who she was if you hadn't known, as she passed you by. How quick we forget the outs about anybody that's gone! But I always feel grateful to anybody that's friendly, situated as I be. I shall miss her runnin' over. I can seem to see her now, coming over the rise in the road. But don't you get in a way of takin' things too hard, Sarah Ellen! You've worked yourself all to pieces since I saw you last; you're gettin' to be as lean as a meetin'-house fly. Now, you're comin' in to have a cup o' tea with me, an' then you'll feel better. I've got some new molasses gingerbread that I baked this mornin'."
"I do feel beat out, Mis' Crane," acknowledged the poor little soul, glad of a chance to speak, but touched by this unexpected mark of consideration. "If I could ha' done as I wanted to I should be feelin' well enough, but to be set aside an' ordered about, where I'd taken the lead in sickness so much, an' knew how to deal with Sister Barsett so well! She might be livin' now, perhaps"--
"Come; we'd better go in, 'tis gettin' damp," and the mistress of the house rose so hurriedly as to seem bustling. "Don't dwell on Sister Barsett an' her foolish folks no more; I wouldn't, if I was you."
They went into the front room, which was dim with the twilight of the half-closed blinds and two great syringa bushes that grew against them. Sarah Ellen put down her bundle and bestowed herself in the large, cane-seated rocking-chair. Mrs. Crane directed her to stay there awhile and rest, and then come out into the kitchen when she got ready.
A cheerful clatter of dishes was heard at once upon Mrs. Crane's disappearance. "I hope she's goin' to make one o' her nice short-cakes, but I don't know's she'll think it quite worth while," thought the guest humbly. She desired to go out into the kitchen, but it was proper behavior to wait until she should be called. Mercy Crane was not a person with whom one could venture to take liberties. Presently Sarah Ellen began to feel better. She did not often find such a quiet place, or the quarter of an hour of idleness in which to enjoy it, and was glad to make the most of this opportunity. Just now she felt tired and lonely. She was a busy, unselfish, eager-minded creature by nature, but now, while grief was sometimes uppermost in her mind and sometimes a sense of wrong, every moment found her more peaceful, and the great excitement little by little faded away.
"What a person poor Sister Barsett was to dread growing old so she couldn't get about. I'm sure I shall miss her as much as anybody," said Mrs. Crane, suddenly opening the kitchen door, and letting in an unmistakable and delicious odor of short-cake that revived still more the drooping spirits of her guest. "An' a good deal of knowledge has died with her," she added, coming into the room and seeming to make it lighter.
"There, she knew a good deal, but she didn't know all, especially o' doctorin'," insisted Sarah Ellen from the rocking-chair, with an unexpected little laugh. "She used to lay down the law to me as if I had neither sense nor experience, but when it came to her bad spells she'd always send for me. It takes everybody to know everything, but Sister Barsett was of an opinion that her information was sufficient for the town. She was tellin' me the day I went there how she disliked to have old Mis' Doubleday come an' visit with her, an' remarked that she called Mis' Doubleday very officious. 'Went right down on her knees an' prayed,' says she. 'Anybody would have thought I was a heathen!' But I kind of pacified her feelin's, an' told her I supposed the old lady meant well."
"Did she give away any of her things?--Mis' Barsett, I mean," inquired Mrs. Crane.
"Not in my hearin'," replied Sarah Ellen Dow. "Except one day, the first of the week, she told her oldest sister, Mis' Deckett,--'twas that first day she rode over--that she might have her green quilted petticoat; you see it was a rainy day, an' Mis' Deckett had complained o' feelin' thin. She went right up an' got it, and put it on an' wore it off, an' I'm sure I thought no more about it, until I heard Sister Barsett groanin' dreadful in the night. I got right up to see what the matter was, an' what do you think but she was wantin' that petticoat back, and not thinking any too well o' Nancy Deckett for takin' it when 'twas offered. 'Nancy never showed no sense o' propriety,' says Sister Barsett; I just wish you'd heard her go on!
"If she had felt to remember me," continued Sarah Ellen, after they had laughed a little, "I'd full as soon have some of her nice crockery-ware. She told me once, years ago, when I was stoppin' to tea with her an' we were havin' it real friendly, that she should leave me her Britannia tea-set, but I ain't got it in writin', and I can't say she's ever referred to the matter since. It ain't as if I had a home o' my own to keep it in, but I should have thought a great deal of it for her sake," and the speaker's voice faltered. "I must say that with all her virtues she never was a first-class housekeeper, but I wouldn't say it to any but a friend. You never eat no preserves o' hers that wa'n't commencin' to work, an' you know as well as I how little forethought she had about putting away her woolens. I sat behind her once in meetin' when I was stoppin' with the Tremletts and so occupied a seat in their pew, an' I see between ten an' a dozen moth millers come workin' out o' her fitch-fur tippet. They was flutterin' round her bonnet same's 'twas a lamp. I should be mortified to death to have such a thing happen to me."
"Every housekeeper has her weak point; I've got mine as much as anybody else," acknowledged Mercy Crane with spirit, "but you never see no moth millers come workin' out o' me in a public place."
"Ain't your oven beginning to get overhet?" anxiously inquired Sarah Ellen Dow, who was sitting more in the draught, and could not bear to have any accident happen to the supper. Mrs. Crane flew to a short-cake's rescue, and presently called her guest to the table.
The two women sat down to deep and brimming cups of tea. Sarah Ellen noticed with great gratification that her hostess had put on two of the best tea-cups and some citron-melon preserves. It was not an every-day supper. She was used to hard fare, poor, hard-working Sarah Ellen, and this handsome social attention did her good. Sister Crane rarely entertained a friend, and it would be a pleasure to speak of the tea-drinking for weeks to come.
"You've put yourself out quite a consid'able for me," she acknowledged. "How pretty these cups is! You oughtn't to use 'em so common as for me. I wish I had a home I could really call my own to ask you to, but 't ain't never been so I could. Sometimes I wonder what's goin' to become o' me when I get so I'm past work. Takin' care o' sick folks an' bein' in houses where there's a sight goin' on an' everybody in a hurry kind of wears on me now I'm most a-gittin' in years. I was wishin' the other day that I could get with some comfortable kind of a sick person, where I could live right along quiet as other folks do, but folks never sends for me 'less they're drove to it. I ain't laid up anything to really depend upon."
The situation appealed to Mercy Crane, well to do as she was and not burdened with responsibilities. She stirred uneasily in her chair, but could not bring herself to the point of offering Sarah Ellen the home she coveted.
"Have some hot tea," she insisted, in a matter of fact tone, and Sarah Ellen's face, which had been lighted by a sudden eager hopefulness, grew dull and narrow again.
"Plenty, plenty, Mis' Crane," she said sadly, "'tis beautiful tea,--you always have good tea;" but she could not turn her thoughts from her own uncertain future. "None of our folks has ever lived to be a burden," she said presently, in a pathetic tone, putting down her cup. "My mother was thought to be doing well until four o'clock an' was dead at ten. My Aunt Nancy came to our house well at twelve o'clock an' died that afternoon; my father was sick but ten days. There was dear sister Betsy, she did go in consumption, but 'twa'n't an expensive sickness."
"I've thought sometimes about you, how you'd get past rovin' from house to house one o' these days. I guess your friends will stand by you." Mrs. Crane spoke with unwonted sympathy, and Sarah Ellen's heart leaped with joy.
"You're real kind," she said simply. "There's nobody I set so much by. But I shall miss Sister Barsett, when all's said an' done. She's asked me many a time to stop with her when I wasn't doin' nothin'. We all have our failin's, but she was a friendly creatur'. I sha'n't want to see her laid away."
"Yes, I was thinkin' a few minutes ago that I shouldn't want to look out an' see the funeral go by. She's one o' the old neighbors. I s'pose I shall have to look, or I shouldn't feel right afterward," said Mrs. Crane mournfully. "If I hadn't got so kind of housebound," she added with touching frankness, "I'd just as soon go over with you an' offer to watch this night."
"'T would astonish Sister Barsett so I don't know but she'd return." Sarah Ellen's eyes danced with amusement; she could not resist her own joke, and Mercy Crane herself had to smile.
"Now I must be goin', or 'twill be dark," said the guest, rising and sighing after she had eaten her last crumb of gingerbread. "Yes, thank ye, you're real good, I will come back if I find I ain't wanted. Look what a pretty sky there is!" and the two friends went to the side door and stood together in a moment of affectionate silence, looking out toward the sunset across the wide fields. The country was still with that deep rural stillness which seems to mean the absence of humanity. Only the thrushes were singing far away in the walnut woods beyond the orchard, and some crows were flying over and cawed once loudly, as if they were speaking to the women at the door.
Just as the friends were parting, after most grateful acknowledgments from Sarah Ellen Dow, some one came driving along the road in a hurry and stopped.
"Who's that with you, Mis' Crane?" called one of their near neighbors.
"It's Sarah Ellen Dow," answered Mrs. Crane. "What's the matter?"
"I thought so, but I couldn't rightly see. Come, they are in a peck o' trouble up to Sister Barsett's, wonderin' where you be," grumbled the man. "They can't do nothin' with her; she's drove off everybody an' keeps a-screechin' for you. Come, step along, Sarah Ellen, do!"
"Sister Barsett!" exclaimed both the women. Mercy Crane sank down upon the doorstep, but Sarah Ellen stepped out upon the grass all of a tremble, and went toward the wagon. "They said this afternoon that Sister Barsett was gone," she managed to say. "What did they mean?"
"Gone where?" asked the impatient neighbor. "I expect 'twas one of her spells. She's come to; they say she wants somethin' hearty for her tea. Nobody can't take one step till you get there, neither."
Sarah Ellen was still dazed; she returned to the doorway, where Mercy Crane sat shaking with laughter. "I don't know but we might as well laugh as cry," she said in an aimless sort of way. "I know you too well to think you're going to repeat a single word. Well, I'll get my bonnet an' start; I expect I've got considerable to cope with, but I'm well rested. Good-night, Mis' Crane, I certain did have a beautiful tea, whatever the future may have in store."
She wore a solemn expression as she mounted into the wagon in haste and departed, but she was far out of sight when Mercy Crane stopped laughing and went into the house.
Add The Passing of Sister Barsett to your own personal library.
Return to the Sarah Orne Jewett Home Page, or . . . Read the next short story; The Town Poor | an' he was very reasonable, an' had a word with me about Mis' Deckett an' Mis' Peak an' the way they was workin' things. I told him right out how they never come near when the rest of us was havin' it so hard with her along in the spring, but now they thought she was re'lly goin' to die, they come settlin' down like a pair o' old crows in a field to pick for what they could get. I just made up my mind they should have all the care if they wanted it. It didn't seem as if there was anything more I could do for Sister Barsett, an' I set there in the kitchen within call an' waited, an' when I heard 'em sayin', 'There, she's gone, she's gone!' and Mis' Deckett a-weepin', I put on my bunnit and stepped myself out into the road. I felt to repent after I had gone but a rod, but I was so worked up, an' I thought they'd call me back, an' then I was put out because they didn | 238 |
The candles are burning in the window.
Over three hundred people are dead in the Central African Republic, and thousands in Syria, and every day a new war.
The presents are bought and wrapped and shining under the Christmas tree.
A young woman with a terminal illness decorates her tree knowing that it will be the last time.
I walked past eight people tonight who have nowhere to sleep and no food to eat.
The lights twinkle from every shop window.
And from the darkness, a helicopter drops out of the sky.
We want to have the perfect Christmas. In these weeks of preparation, we all convince ourselves that if we can only do it right, if we just do this thing and buy that thing and jolly everyone along, our Christmas too<|fim_middle|> vict'ry over the grave.
This entry was posted in reflections by Beth Routledge. Bookmark the permalink. | will look like something from the end of It's A Wonderful Life. For the month of December, things will be all sweetness and all light, and woe betide anyone who interferes with that. And if it should happen this year, if there should be a knock on our door, if it should be us and now to whom the Unexpected and yet Long Expected Guest comes, there will be a place set for Him, and the fire on, and the children won't have left their toys out for Him to trip over and nobody will be fighting with Aunt Muriel.
It is no less than Jesus deserves.
But it wasn't what he came looking for.
We are promised a God who comes to us in our darkest moments, in the darkest parts of the world, in a darkness that never seems to quite lift, this time of year, and who squats down next to us in all our unglorious and undignified humanity. God sought us out when we were at our most broken. He doesn't come to the house with the best turkey or the twinkliest lights or the shiniest gifts under the greenest tree. He comes to the places that are torn apart by conflicts. He sits on a dirty street corner with the people that society has all-but forgotten. He finds the weary and the grieving.
If he had been coming to that other place, that It's A Wonderful Life place, the ideal that we strive for and never ever quite achieve — would he have come? And why would he have come?
The magic of Advent was never that things were wonderful. The magic of Advent was that things were going to get better.
Last week, I began Advent in a city where a helicopter really had fallen out of the sky. Never had we needed an Advent God as we did then. And in the notes of the old familiar melody, I prayed that we would meet Him in our dark places and that light would come once more.
And give them | 399 |
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Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
Art is beauty and what is beautiful has a high energy that draws us unto it to<|fim_middle|> by Isabel Feist. | be lifted by it. Art that enters our soul brings us close to the soul of the artist and the magic of it comforts us. Art pieces can be a portals in the physical world to the inward world, similar spiritual experiences of life shared by all humans at any time in history.
Mankind's evolutionary journey through all the atrocities and the goodness that cause the cycle of darkness and light that transforms us, is mirrored in art. We are drawn to the places artists create in the physical world because through them we escape to another place and find peace and rest, but only for a moment. Art gets us through while our stories remain unfinished and the dreams are still up ahead. These beautiful gifts are not just a record of the past. To the conscious and unconscious they have held the future within them, creating visions and enabling our hearts to have great power to reach beyond what is and change our world.
Art has many faces — paintings, music, sonnets, clothing — and they all mirror the negative and positive vortex to a higher place of existence. It may be that the clearest physical picture of our journey out of the darkness of hell on Earth into the light of heaven of Earth is seen in the history of architecture.
Human beings physically look upward to survive and they find that something happens that is beyond the physical world. The ancients found answers to survive their simple lives. They wanted heaven to come to Earth and remove their struggles. They kept gods happy so they could live and prosper. The great ziggurat at Ur, Iraq, built in the 21st century BC, was 'a stairway to heaven' and was the greatest artifact at the time that humans could build to honor their gods and invite them down the great brick steps into their city, hopefully, making Earth and their city fruitful. The Greeks let their mountainous terrain be the climb to heaven. The Mayan and Southeast Asia's mountain-temples were to reach for something beyond and the Mayan architecture aligned humanity with the stars of heaven. As we evolved, architecture became a 'self-conscious act of building with sense and artistry, as we began to house gods, kings, priests and soldiers who would teach, provide for, protect and comfort people. In the flat terrains of the city, the vaulting of the Beauvais Cathedral was the leap toward heaven. We look up and we reach up and as we experience tall buildings, high ceilings, domes and steeples our human spirits are lifted to a higher consciousness.
Everything mankind has done, from our simple, unevolved past to the much more sophisticated and evolved present, is to figure out what we have needed each step of the way in order to survive, be happy and live in a beautiful heavenly place. And as we uncover the architecture of the past and observe it in the present, we learn the culture, politics and political economy, beliefs, desires and goals of each group of people making their concept of heaven on Earth according to the level of their minds' evolution.
Architects are masters of light.
"It is the greatest visible means by which we celebrate our wealth and health...and a form of staircase to heaven. From ancient times — about eight or nine thousand years ago — humankind began reaching for the sky with extraordinary structures that resemble either holy mountains (pyramids) or early lightening conductors (towers,steeples) up which their priests could ascend to meet the sky-gods or down which , presumably, the gods could step to Earth.
"The first real works of architecture we know of are temple. This makes sense. Ever since the Bronze Age when the male (or sky) gods triumphed over the prehistoric earth goddess(es) in most parts of the world, mankind has attempted to connect with the eternal and to build in harmony with the cosmos. The fact that ancient temples are designed to line up with equinoxes and eclipses and other movements and patterns seen in the start would come as no surprise. Mankind wanted to tune in with the mind that created the universe."
Mankind has always sought God or gods first to survive, and then to be happy and live in a beautiful environment. The ancients believed that a connection to the gods would make land or sea fruitful.
"Stonehenge, ...an observatory or temple of sorts, was probably the mainspring of a giant theodolite or clock that, connected to a network of megalithic stone circles set around Britain, enabled our ancient forbears to read the stars and thus navigate their ancient trade routes successfully.
"And, just as great world religions tend to get watered down and split into sects and warring factions with the passing generations, so has architecture."
Kings took on the roles of being gods protecting and providing for the people and grand palaces and tombs where built for them.
"Sit quietly in Le Corbusier's pilgrimage chapel at Ronchamp and feel the light directed so knowingly, and carefully, through slits and chutes, windows and shafts: the every-changing light not only animates and celebrates the architecture, but sends gentle shivers down the spine of the observer.
"At is best, architecture should lift our spirits, while serving as guide to our ambitions, vanities, our needs, our gods, and our dreams."
When churches with high ceilings were first built, the windows had to remain small so the walls would be strong enough to support the ceilings. As their skill became more sophisticated, they were able to support the ceilings other ways and the windows could be made large letting a lot of light into the building. As we meditate we look up and this physical activity organically raises our frequency, moving us beyond, evolving us to higher levels of consciousness.
The story of the Tower of Babel, possibly architecture inspired by the ziggurat, was a lesson on connecting to God the wrong way and God's separation of us began a path that would lead to our consciousness being awakened to figure out the right way to connect and be in heaven. It's not outward steps up a mountain, or bricks and stones built high into the sky that brings heaven here. It's an inward path to higher levels of consciousness and clearer truth that enables us to know God and create heaven on Earth.
Mankind has been passing through an evolutionary path of worldviews — religious, modern, postmodern, integral — out of seeing darkly to finding the pieces in each place that are put together to have clearer understanding about the deeper things of life. Art reflects this process. Artists combine styles from everywhere. The Castillo Monumento Colomares, a castle in Spain honoring Christopher Columbus, features a mixture of Moorish, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic architecture styles. We now live in a modern world where all the styles are mixed together just as major cities are filled with all the peoples of the world. This speaks of the evolutionary path to the truth and the ultimate heaven on earth we belong in, that is built from the beliefs and beauty that is found everywhere in the world and that have been passed down through history.
"We seem divided between an urge to override our senses and numb ourselves to our settings and a contradictory implies to acknowledge the extent to which our identities are indelible connected to , and will shift along with, our locations. An ugly room can coagulate any loose suspicions as to the incompleteness of life, while a sun-lit one set with honey-colored minestrone tiles can lend support to whatever is most hopeful within us.
"Belief in the significance of architecture is premised on the notion that we are, for better or for worse, different people in different places — and on the convection that it is architecture's task to render vivd to us who we might ideally be.
"We are sometimes eager to celebrate the influence of our surroundings…We accept with gratitude the power that a single room can possess.
"The Architecture of Happiness is a dazzling and generously illustrated journey through the philosophy and psychology of architecture and the indelible connection between our identities and our locations.
"One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings, and streets that surround us And yet a concern for architecture is too often described as frivolous, and self-indulgent. Alain de Botton starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences when we can be, and argues that it is architecture's task to stand as an eloquent reminder of our full potential."
Traveling and looking at art and architecture, seeing all the beauty in the world, is a spiritual experience "that creates a new identity." It has given artists new ideas and energy for creativity. "In many ways you unlock who you are through the places you experience." "Taking in different people and places gives you more stories and more substance."
A French architect studies in Italy and returns to transition France from the Dark Age's nightmarish Gothic architecture, with its gargoyles to ward off evil, to the golden Renaissance architecture.
"The Winter Palace has been calculated to contain 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows, 1,500 rooms and 117 staircases." Wikipedia.
A stave church is a medieval wooden church once common in north-western Europe.
These two churches are made entirely of wood and not a single nail.
Photo of Berliner Dom of Berlin Cathedral, Germany, | 1,914 |
OK, when I say meditation I'm guessing one of the following images pops into mind; A Buddhist monk sat cross legged chanting for hours at a time or a bunch of hippies dancing around incense holding flowers and giving everyone the peace sign! Now that's OK if this was your first thoughts on meditation, it was for me too.
Now don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against Buddhists, I think they are amongst the most peaceful people on the planet and I don't dislike hippies. I love the planet too! I'm a vegetarian/vegan and promote peace but I could not see myself meditating in these ways.<|fim_middle|>! Even when I decided to commit to doing meditation I found it EXTREMELY difficult! I just couldn't switch off! My mind is always running – no sprinting – at 1000 miles and hour so to be asked to sit in silence and clear your mind was almost impossible! It was very frustrating at first. I just couldn't 'get it'!
Now don't feel disheartened if this is you too. In fact if you're finding it as difficult as I did then meditation will benefit you even more! Trust me, we are the people that need it!
Meditation can be guided by a teacher in a class or on an app or You Tube. Or you can do it alone in silence or with some soft music.
I use a guided meditation. If I don't then my mind is free to roller coaster out of control! My favourite so far is Headspace. I think its amazing and I love Andy Puddicombe!
It starts with 10 minutes of meditation over 10 days. Then you are free to subscribe to further sessions if you wish. He guides you in such a gentle way and gives you little reminders throughout if you mind – like mine – starts to wander. It focuses on doing body scans and counting with you breath which again suits me much better than trying to sit in silence with a blank mind.
There are so many other options out there though so please keep searching, there will be one that suits you. The benefits of meditation are so amazing.
Something that I've learnt through this journey is that as humans we are meant to be happy and at peace! It's the modern outside world that causes the stress, worry and anxiety. But by being in the present moment you are putting all of that negativity to one side and focusing purely on the here and now. Which in itself is so empowering!
It's important to set yourself up for success when you are starting out. Choose a nice quite place and make sure you are comfortable. You can sit cross legged, upright on a chair or even laying down. I will usually do my mediation practice after my yoga in the mornings. so I will usually sit crossed legged on my yoga mat. But try them all and choose what works best for you. I also light candles, again you don't have too if this isn't your thing. Another tip would be to keep a blanket handy. Your body temperature tends to drop when sitting still like this and if your like me and always cold then wrap yourself in one before you start.
And there you have it, practice aborted! And if you are someone than finds it difficult to squeeze in the mediation in the first place, this will be the difference of practising or not.
In the beginning I also thought meditation was a bit of a waste of time to be honest. I have housework, work, my son to look after! How can I possibly justify 15 minutes of sitting on my bum doing nothing when there are all these jobs to do!
Oh how wrong I was! Of course at first it's going to be difficult fitting your meditation practice into your already jam packed routine but it is honestly SO worth it! And honestly 10/15 minutes is all it needs to be and the results will have you hooked! | It's just not for me.
In the beginning I was extremely reluctant to meditate. I had read about it time and time again but kept finding excuses not to try it. I read a lot of self help and self development books and I began to notice that they all had chapters on Meditation and I also read how it has helped many people who suffer from mental health issues!
I have given it a go and despite a few small blips, I haven't looked back!
However, saying that makes it sound very easy but it really wasn't | 110 |
Sunlights Balayage Lightener | Home of the Balay Box - Sunlights Welcomes 37 NEW Trainers at Train the Trainer 2019!
Another Train the Trainer has come and gone!
This past weekend, Sunlights Balayage had the distinct pleasure of hosting a whopping 37 trainers from all over the world right here in Atlanta, Georgia — including one from the United Kingdom and not one, but TWO from Sweden! It was truly a mind-blowing weekend overflowing with inspiration, fun, friendship, mentorship, and — most of all — SUNSHINE!
The weekend kicked off with a bang, beginning with an entrepreneurship workshop that featured some of our Artisan Team "Legends" — Lacie Wehrle, Abby Warther, Wayne Giles, and Jessica Scott Santo. A tour of Candy's award-winning 50 chair salon, Jamison Shaw Hairdressers, followed to give the class of 2019 a glimpse into a busy day at the birthplace of Sunlights.<|fim_middle|> was no exception. Please welcome to the family your 37 newest Sunlights Artisan Educators, the Train the Trainer Class of 2019!
Be on the lookout for classes in these brand new territories: Washington, New Hampshire, Maryland, Colorado, Arkansas, and Minnesota! For classes in the UK, please contact Rebel Beauty Brands; for classes in Sweden, please contact Baldacci Haircare. | Afterward, our newest crop of Artisan Educators was treated to a wonderful night of celebration at the Balay Lama's own home, including a beautiful piano and cello duet from two of their own — Dianne Sitar of New Hampshire, and Brendan Buoni of Washington!
It wouldn't be a Sunlights event if it wasn't packed to the brim with education! The second day featured an intensive, all day, hands-on balayage class in which our newbies learned a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques straight from the Balay Lama to carry with them into the classroom. After a busy day of painting, the group blew off some steam with a surprise trip to Top Golf to putt and play the night away — inflatable yellow suits included.
On the final day of the event, painters were divided into teams to show off their skills on stage, all judged by Candy Shaw and the Artisan Team Legends! After winners were awarded, Candy took a few moments to honor those legends and give the new class back story on their journey with the Sunlights family. Diplomas were presented, educators were gifted their very own handmade Sunlights aprons, and the whole weekend was topped off with what else? A dance party!
Train the Trainer is always a weekend full of laughter, tears, inspiration, new friendships, and life long bonds, and this fourth year | 278 |
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? - Before you write this movie off as one that sounds like it was done by those guys that make stupid teen movies (I almost did), go watch the trailer. It's done by the guy who made Supersize Me, and chronicles his quest to find Osama Bin Laden. And the trailer plays Gogol Bordello music.
Planet B-Boy - A documentary on the breakdancing culture. This movie looks awesome.
Young at Heart - A group of elderly people in New England sing covers of great rock songs. This is a must-see.
Les Chansons D'Amour - I'm really excited about this one. Three people are each in love with the other two and have a fascinating relationship. French musicals ftw.
The Visitor - College professor with a ho-hum life accidentally meets a young couple, and his life gets turned around when as they become friends. This movie looks really good.
Smart People - The trailer didn't impress me all that much, but I really want this movie to be a good one. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram De Férias - A Brazilian boy is taken in by his Jewish grandfather's neighbor (?) when his parents are exiled. I can't put my finger on it, but something about this movie really appeals to me.
Backseat - Two guys go on a roadtrip to get away from life and have wild antics along the way. This movie will probably either be really good or pretty dumb, so I hope for the former.
Son of Rambow - A movie about two boys filming a movie. It wowed the crowds at Sundance, and I think "delightful" would be a good word to describe it. They asked us to help promote the movie through Graffiti, and I wish we could've :(.
Roman De Gare -<|fim_middle|>'t Mess with the Zohan - I haven't been excited for an Adam Sandler movie in a while, but this one sure does look fun.
Be Kind Rewind - A movie about Jack Black making movies? Heck yes! | Follows the stories of three people, who may not be exactly who they claim to be. I'm not sure if this is going to be a thriller, but it seems pretty exciting, and clever. I'm excited to see Dominique Pinon.
Flawless - I love bank robbery movies! This one stars an unlikely duo trying to pull an inside job.
Spiral - I personally will not be watching this, but if you're into creepy, disturbing horror movies then this one's for you.
Priceless - Huzzah! Another rockstar French cast. It's a remake of Breakfast at Tiffany's, and it looks like it won't disappoint. That, and I love Audrey Tautou.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 40 Year Old Virgin? Knocked Up? Superbad? Yeah, their new one is coming out. Go watch it.
You Don | 179 |
Hugs boost your child's self-esteem
New research says that a slow, loving, affective touch may give children a positive sense of self
By Sonali Hindmarch
A loving touch – a slow caress or stroke – may sustain a positive sense of self.
So-called "affective touch", where skin is stroked slowly – similar to baby massage – has previously<|fim_middle|> journal Frontiers of Psychology, but it may have implications for children, too.
"As affective touch is typically received from a loved one, these findings further highlight how close relationships involve behaviors that may play a crucial role in the construction of a sense of self," said Laura Crucianelli, the researcher who carried out the study.
Another author on the study, Dr Katerina Fotopoulou, said: "The next step for our team is to examine whether being deprived of social signals, such as affective touch from a parent during early development, may also lead to abnormalities in the formation of a healthy body image and a healthy sense of self, for example in patients with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa."
Ben Cohen's 'Cuddle Mastery Guide' for dads
How to massage your baby – step-by-step guide
Touch is as key as food and sleep for babies
Baby induced before dad goes to Afghanistan
Antibiotics for babies linked to increased risk of asthma
Breastfed babies are "more intelligent"
Mum breastfed newborn before being told it wasn't hers | been shown to ease anxiety in both adults and infants. But now researchers say it could improve your sense of self.
It says that slow, light touch is more pleasant than fast touch.
The study was conducted in adults and published in the | 47 |
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Avaya promotes Sheikha Na'amah Al Qassimi to GM for UAE
CloudEducationGovernmentHealthcareIntelligent TechnologyTop Stories
Manda Banda | 15 December, 2021
Avaya has appointed Sheikha Na'amah Al Qassimi as general manager for the UAE, expanding her previous role as general manager for Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
In her new role, Sheikha Na'amah Al Qassimi will work closely with Avaya's customers and partners across the country to support their increased focus on delivering superior customer and employee experiences.
With the country's economy having benefited from a recovery in global travel, as well as a pick-up in domestic and external demand, Sheikha Al Qassimi will work with organisations to help them quickly adapt to a new period of growth through delivering outstanding experiences for their customers and employees.
The new role is the latest in a wide variety of positions that Sheikha Al Qassimi has held at Avaya, working with customers across multiple government sectors and leveraging a wealth of experience in the technology industry.
Since joining Avaya, Sheikha Al Qassimi has lead the implementation of communications and collaboration solutions with major government, healthcare and education accounts, and has played a pivotal role in helping UAE organisations to leverage the Avaya OneCloud AI-powered total experience platform to compose differentiated customer and employee experiences.
"Like Avaya, the UAE is going through an unprecedented and unique transformation, and Sheikha Na'amah has been a part of that transformation on both counts. With her rich experience at Avaya, Sheikha Na'amah has been at the cutting edge of government service transformation, helping various departments to leverage AI and automation to<|fim_middle|> to meet the needs of our customers, and I am excited to be leading our efforts in this new role. With the Avaya OneCloud platform, we have the right solutions to help the UAE and its businesses build incredible customer and employee experiences. And I look forward to working with stakeholders across the UAE to contribute to the country's vision." | uplift the citizen experience. She is also our ambassador for change, guiding and influencing our decision making to meet the needs of the UAE's visions. We look forward seeing Sheikha Na'amah continue to ensure we are meeting the country's ambitions by driving change with the best people and technology," said Nidal Abou-Ltaif, President, Avaya International.
Sheikha Na'amah Al Qassimi, said: "As the UAE embarks upon its impressive vision for the next 50 years, we at Avaya have a huge responsibility to fulfil as the enabler of so many next-generation citizen experiences. This is a challenge we are happy to take on, as we continue with our own business transformation | 146 |
Dux PR Now Represents POLYN Technology
CANTON, Texas, February 8, 2022 – POLYN Technology has selected Dux Public Relations as its public relations agency as the company moves forward rapidly to bring a<|fim_middle|> Israel, is a fabless semiconductor company supplying ultra-low-power, high-performance Neuromorphic Analog Signal Processing technology (NASP). This enables edge artificial intelligence applications and enhances the way sensors operate in Internet of Things environments.
For POLYN, Dux will provide strategic communications counsel and launch a determined campaign to raise the company's visibility in the healthcare, industrial IoT, wearables, and other markets. Making the company known among the industry analysts and news media in those areas is a key to gaining visibility and market traction.
Dux's track record of success with technology companies, particularly those based in Israel, was a factor in POLYN's decision to work with Dux. Kevin Tanzillo, who leads the Dux technology practice, has worked with Israeli companies for 15 years.
"POLYN Technology has some fascinating technology that will transform the way sensors operate across a variety of industries," Tanzillo said. "POLYN isn't known in the industry yet, but that is why they came to Dux. As we raise their visibility among the media and industry analysts, that will help the company stake out a bigger market space for its groundbreaking products." | range of its semiconductor products to market globally.
POLYN, headquartered in London and based in | 18 |
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Podcasts | Science Friday – science, technology, health, environment news
Science Friday is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health, and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow.
Science Friday is broadcast over public radio stations nationwide as part of NPR's 'Talk of the Nation' programming. Each week, they focus on science topics that are in the news and try to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand.
Pan<|fim_middle|> host, Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science – and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.
Science Friday video – Art Meets Geek in Toni Dove's Studio
Toni Dove takes a high-tech approach to art—her mixed-media performances star cyborgs and robots and employ mechanical three-dimensional projection screens. Performers animate video puppets through custom-built motion-sensing software (easier seen than said). With some operatic singers thrown in, a visit to Dove's studio feels like a trip into a futuristic Wonderland.
Dove has spent the last 20 years figuring out how to tell stories in new ways and through new technology. Defying any particular artistic tradition runs in the family: Her grandfather, Arthur Dove, was among the first abstract painters in America. "Probably in the family DNA was the idea that it's okay to get off the path with a machete," she says. Her newest creation, Lucid Possession, premiers at Brooklyn's Roulette in April.
Ira Flatow
Veteran NPR science correspondent and award-winning TV journalist Ira Flatow is the host of Science Friday. On television, Flatow has discussed cutting-edge science stories on a range of programs, including the four-part PBS series Big Ideas.
For six years Flatow was host and writer for the Emmy award-winning Newton's Apple on PBS and he has been a science reporter for CBS, Westinghouse, and CNBC. In his 35 year career, Ira has talked science on the Today Show, Charlie Rose, Merv Griffin and Oprah.
Ira is the author of numerous books. His latest is Present at the Future.
This entry was posted in Articles & Reviews - podcasts, apps, websites, recipes, videos, photography, Articles and reviews about excellent podcasts and tagged Ira Flatow host Science Friday podcast, NPR Science Friday podcast, Science Friday podcast, Science Friday podcast environment news, Science Friday podcast health news, Science Friday podcast Ira Flatow host, Science Friday podcast news, Science Friday podcast technology news. | els of expert guests join Science Friday's | 8 |
Arts & Culture » Summer Arts Preview
Summer Arts Preview 2017
by Chronogram Staff
Jerry L. Thompson
Maya Lin's "Wavefield" at Storm King
Storm King Art Center Summer Season (through September 1)
Visible from the New York State Thruway in Orange County like some far-off psychedelic dream, the 500-acre Storm King Art Center (est. 1960) is an outdoor paradise of massive modern sculpture that includes permanently installed pieces by Alexander Calder, Richard Serra, Isamu Noguchi, Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. This year alongside those works are David Smith's series "The White Sculptures" and Heather Hart's piece Outlooks (both on view through November 12). Open from 10am to 5:30pm weekdays and 10am to 8:30 summer weekends, the park offers guided trolley rides and group tours, bike rentals, children's workshops, food and beverages at the Storm King Cafe, and special events (check website).
Kayla Nales
Heather Hart's "Oracle of Lacuna" installation at Storm King
Todd Norwood
Melissa Citro and Clay Hilley perform in "Dimitrij" this summer.
Bard SummerScape (June 30-August 20)
Bard College's annual SummerScape remains one of America's most acclaimed multidisciplinary arts events. In addition to its Bard Music Festival component, which focuses on a different composer each year—for 2017 it's Fryderyk Chopin—SummerScape boasts seven weeks of related opera, dance, music, theater, cabaret, and film. Besides concerts by the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bard president Leon Botstein, festival highlights include a fully staged production of Dvorak's "Dimitrij"; the New York City Ballet MOVE's "Dances at a Gathering"; the Wooster Group's theatrical production "A Pink Chair in Place of a Fake Antique"; appearances by Sandra Bernhardt and John Waters (!); jazz from Wynton Marsalis (both his octet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra) and Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks; and cabaret and small-scale performances in the Spiegeltent.
Paul Kolnik
New York City Ballet Move's Sean Suozzi and Ensemble perform at Bard's SummerScape.
Solid Sound Festival at Mass MoCA
Solid Sound (June 23-25)
After a requisite year off, the intelligently hip, Wilco-curated gathering returns to the Mass MoCA compound in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, with one of its most, er, solid lineups yet: Television, Kurt Vile and the Violators, the Shaggs (!), Peter Wolf and the Midnight Travelers, Robert Glasper Experiment, Dave and Phil Alvin, Deep Sea Diver, Big Thief, Jeff Parker Trio, Alloy Orchestra, and more—including, of course, Wilco and several of their enticing side projects. Plus there's comedy by John Hodgman, Michael Ian Black, Eugene Mirman, and others. Admission also includes access to the recently expanded Mass MoCA museum.
Mountain Jam (June 16-18)
The mother of all Northeast roots-rock-jam fests once again lords over Hunter Mountain. 2017's headliners are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Steve Miller Band, and String Cheese Incident are abetted by Peter Frampton, the Head and the Heart, Gary Clark, Jr., Michael Franti and Spearhead, Matisyahu, the Strumbellas, Shovels & Rope, the Revivalists, Amy Helm, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Infamous Stringdusters, Elephant Revival, Lukas Nelson, Moon Hooch, Marco Benevento, the Band of Heathens, Chuck Prophet, Nicole Atkins, and much more.
Econosmith.com
Clearwater Festival at Croton Point Park
Clearwater (June 17-18)
Also known as Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival, this tried-and-true outing in honor of the ecological advocacy of patron saint Pete Seeger at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson is back again, this time with Lake Street Dive, Los Lobos, Arlo Guthrie, Richard Thompson, a reunion by Dar Williams's trio Cry Cry Cry, Josh Ritter, Nick Lowe, Alejandro Escovedo, Tommy Emmanuel, Joan Osbourne, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Tom Paxton, Holly Near, David Amram, Tom Chapin, Guy Davis, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Josh Whie, Jr., and others.
Summertide (July 7-9)
Musical foodies and amateur (or professional) sommeliers should feast their ears and palates on this taste-filled new fest. Presented by Cascade Mountain Winery and Restaurant on the occasion of the eatery's 40th anniversary, the weekend takes place on a 20-acre pasture in Amenia with stunning views of Connecticut's nearby Litchfield Hills. Complementing the fine hand-crafted libations and locally sourced food from a host of regional vendors are live sets by singer-songwriters Jonathan Edwards ("Sunshine") and Jess Colin Young (the Youngbloods) and area players Kerri Powers, Cole Quest and the City Pickers, Elissa Jones, Advanced Phunk, Peter Muller Band, and the Ram Miles Trio.
Glimmerglass Festival (July 7-August 22)
Founded in 1975 by the opera company that bears its name, Glimmerglass is the second-largest opera festival in the United States and takes place at the glorious Alice Busch Opera Theater on Otsego Lake, near Cooperstown. Every summer, Glimmerglass presents four feature productions performed in a rotating repertory. This season, the 914-seat theater unveils George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!," Handel's "Xerxes," and Donzinetti's "The Siege of Calais." Second-stage events include youth theater performances.
MORE MUSIC FESTIVALS:
Green River (<|fim_middle|> Season (June 10-September 23)
The dream continues to be lived by artists of all stripes and their admirers at Wassaic Project, a magical mill-complex-turned-arts-utopia in the Dutchess County hamlet of Wassaic. The compound's summer season officially kicked off last month with an opening by resident artists, which recurs the last Saturday of every month through October. A benefit in support of the site's summer events takes place on June 10, followed by the July Festival of music on July 1; the intriguing Heather Metal Parking Lot ("a massive bonfire, heavy metal DJs, event-inspired artist projects and films, beer pong, making out in the woods with strangers," etc.) on July 12; the August Festival of dance and film on August 12; the Sandwich Summit on September 23; and more.
An ensemble dance scene from the 2016 production of "As You Like It" at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (June 8-September 4)
When it comes to Shakespeare, this delightfully different series is beloved by longtime lovers of the dean of all playwrights as well as audiences of all ages who are new to his timeless works. Performed outdoors on the grounds of the Boscobel estate in Garrison, HVSF spans approximately 12 weeks and is known to attract as many as 35,000 attendees from the Hudson Valley, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and well beyond to its lush lawn and capacity open-air theater tent to take in classics by the Bard and other productions. This summer's roster has his "Twelfth Night" (June 16-August 27) and "Love's Labour's Lost" (August 14-29) plus an adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" (June 24-September 4) and the original "Book of Will" (June 22-July 28).
A mashup of the cast of "Twelfth Night" with David Ryan Smith as Duke Orsino, performing as part of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
Summer Arts Preview Storm King Bard SummerScape Solid Sound Clearwater Festival Mountain Jam Glimmerglass Summertide Jacob's Pillow PS21 Chatham O+ Positive Powerhouse Theater Turn Park Art Space Tanglewood Meltasia Summer Hoot Ashokan Center Hudson Summer Fest Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Green River Festival Shadowland Stages Phoenicia Festival of the Voice
The Origin Story Behind 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' at Bard
Spacetime Continuum: Heavy Mental Health Conversations at the Powerhouse
"Memoirs of a Forgotten Man" At Shadowland Stages | July 14-16)
This long-running (since 1986), multicultural folk-roots fave occurs at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The lineup this year, as always, puts the accent on Anglo-American traditions while remaining reliably diverse: the Mavericks, Lake Street Dive, NRBQ's Big Al Anderson, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, the Funky Meters, Amadou and Mariam, Pokey LaFarge, the Sweetback Sisters, Infamous Stringdusters, Darlingside, Chicano Batman, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Robbie Fulks, Pedrito Martinez Group, Dan Bern, and lots more.
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (August 4-6)
Falcon Ridge flies back to Dodds Farm in Hillsdale for another long weekend of rollicking music and dance at the foot of the Berkshires. Acts taking to its four stages this time around include Eric Andersen, Sawyer Fredericks, David Massengill, Joe Crookston, the Adam Ezra Group, Abbie Gardner, Jimmy LaFave, Vishten, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Upstate Rubdown, the Nields, Rod McDonald, ZydeGroove, and others. On-site camping is available, and campground activities such as song swaps and round robins hosted by patrons abound, as do specially selected food and craft vendors.
0+ Poughkeepsie (August 5)
With offshoots now in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, and Haverhill, Massachusetts, the revolutionary, Kingston-born celebration dedicated to exchanging art for medicine sets its sights right down the road, to the Queen City of the Hudson. In addition to a curated selection of public works by muralists and artists using other mediums, the inaugural 0+ Poughkeepsie will feature music at multiple venues by Holly Miranda, Knock Yourself Out, Dustbowl Fairies, Pontoon, Decorum, the Funk Junkies, Ramblin' Jug Stompers, Corey Dandridge and Salt, and, among many more, festival founders Monogold—all playing in exchange for care from participating medical and wellness practitioners.
Hudson SummerFest (August 19)
No longer merely a townwide open mike, this fun function in Hudson leaps to the next level with headliners NRBQ, who bring their rarely seen brass section, the Whole Wheat Horns, to the event's new, fixed site at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Also: the Zolla Boys, the Matchstick Architects, the Fabulous Versatones, Too Blue, and individual roving artists from the resident Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Food and beverage vendors curated by the FarmOn! Foundation and a craft/maker tent sponsored by Etsy and the Hudson Area Library will be on hand. Admission proceeds benefit the library, FarmOn!, and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus.
Summer Hoot (August 25-27)
The Ashokan Center's family-perfect outdoor jubilee of world-class folk-roots music, dancing, camping, hiking, food, and crafts is back for three days in its beatific Olivebridge environs. Hosted by Mike & Ruthy, the happening hoedown once again promises performances by the head hooters themselves and their elders, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (Ruthy's dad and stepmom), as well as Rhett Miller, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Dan Bern, Sweetback Sisters, the Mammals, the Downhill Strugglers, Arm-of-the-Sea Puppet Theater, and more. Get yer hoot on!
Meltasia (September 8-10)
When the American wing of the international All Tomorrow's Parties festival vacated its Sullivan County home before eventually imploding, music lovers in the Hudson Valley who lean toward edgy, nonmainstream sounds were crestfallen. Riding to the rescue is upstate/downstate scenemaker Andy Animal and his crew with the magnificent Meltasia, which here marks its second local year by debuting at a new site, the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham. Bands are still being added as we go to press, but on the bill so far are Rory Erickson, Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan, Pissed Jeans, Mungo Jerry ("In the Summertime"), Giuda, Midnight, A Giant Dog, and a Kiss tribute by students of the Paul Green Rock Academy.
Tanglewood (June 16-September 3)
This beloved outdoor music/performance festival is chiefly identified with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which has summered here since 1937, and James Taylor, who has been a staple act for decades. Taylor returns this year (July 3-4), as does the BSO's standard full schedule of symphonic concerts. Also booked: Joan Baez with Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Indigo Girls (June 17), Joey Alexander (June 23), John Mellencamp (July 1), Natalie Merchant (July 2), Sondheim on Sondheim with the Boston Pops (July 8), Yo-Yo Ma (August 6), the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music (August 10-14), Joshua Bell (August 16), John Williams's Film Night (with the composer conducting; August 19), Sting (August 29), Diana Ross (August 30), the Avett Brothers (September 1), and more.
Camille A. Brown & dancers Fana Fraser at Beatrice Capote perform "Black Girl: A Linguistic Play" August 9-13 at Jacob's Pillow.
Jacob's Pillow (June 21-August 21)
Founded by dancer Ted Shawn in 1931, Jacob's Pillow dance center, school, and performance space in Beckett, Massachusetts, is home to the oldest internationally acclaimed summer dance festival in the United States. For this, its 85th season, the Pillow is packed: the Miami City Ballet and Jonah Boker Choreography (both June 21-25), Michelle Dorrance and NW Dance Project (both June 28-July 2), Jessica Lang Dance and Faye Driscoll (both July 5-9), Paul Taylor Dance Company and Roy Assaf Dance (both July 12-16), Compaigne Marie Chouinard and Aakaesh Odera (both July 19-23), Dendy/Donovan Project's "Elvis Everywhere" (August 9-13), Trisha Brown Dance Company (August 16-19), and Compania Irene Rodriguez (August 16-20) are just a few of the attractions.
Turn Park Art Space (seasonal; ongoing)
Opened just last month, Turn Park Art Space, in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is the latest addition the thriving Berkshires arts scene. The converted stone quarry features open sculpture fields, a stone amphitheater, and roaming dancers and musicians who perform in colorful costumes. As of this writing no live entertainment events have been scheduled at the adaptive-reuse industrial site, but currently on view are three enticing art exhibitions: illustrator Nikolai Silis's "Don Quixote Graphic Series" (through October 15), sculptors Ben Butler and Jim Holl's "Wooden Forms" (July 15-September 1), and a collection of paintings by renowned jazz bassist Alex Rostotsky (August 19-November 15).
Powerhouse Theater (June 23-July 30)
Since 1985, Powerhouse Theater has brought fully produced plays, staged readings of works-in-progress, and musical workshops to the campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, which also serves as the home of Powerhouse's acclaimed resident theatrical training program. This season includes new works by Tony winners Lisa Kron and Duncan Sheik; "How I Met Your Mother" star and Powerhouse regular Josh Radnor; Hedwig and the Angry Inch composer Stephen Trask; stage and screen star and playwright Hamish Linklater; and two-time Pulitzer Prize for Drama recipient Lynn Nottage, among many others. Also present are some of the industry's leading theater directors, including Tony winners Sam Gold and Michael Mayer, Tony nominees Scott Ellis and Sheryl Kaller, and OBIE winner Trip Cullman.
Robin Williams in "Moscow on the Hudson"
PS21 (July 15-September 2)
A few minutes' drive from Hudson, Performance Spaces for the 21st Century aka PS21 presents live music, dance, and theater under its beautiful saddlespan tent (construction recently began on a permanent pavilion) in a Chatham apple orchard. Among its many plum picks this season are concerts by the opener, klezmer fiddler Alicia Svigals (July 15), pianists Lincoln Mayorga (July 16) and Simone Dinnerstein (July 22), and blueswomen Rory Block and Cindy Cashdollar (July 29). Theater includes "Before the Sun and the Moon" by Mettawee River Theater (July 26) and staged readings; the dance component features Parsons Dance (August 4), Monica Bill Barnes & Company (August 18), Ephrat Asherie Dance (August 25), and more.
Lois Saff
Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice
Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice (August 4-7)
In less than 10 years, the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice has risen to become one of the Hudson Valley's indispensable cultural staples. The annual vocal music festival programs an ever-changing variety of performance styles that include, but are not limited to, opera, gospel, ethnic folk, and musical theater. On its one-weekend-only calendar are "A French Affair," featuring the works of Piaff, Brel, and Offenbach (August 4), "Les Trois Mousquetaires," an original new operatic adaptation of Dumas's "The Three Musketeers" (August 5), Puccini's La Boheme (August 6), and "The Spiritual Side of Duke," an homage to Duke Ellington's famed sacred concerts (August 7).
Justin Swader
Alex Glossman and Tom Teti perform in "Red" at Shadowland Stages.
Shadowland Stages (June 2-October 22)
Constructed in the 1920s as vaudeville/silent movie house the Shadowland Theatre, this Ellenville institution rebranded itself last year as Shadowland Stages in a move to put the focus on the classic and visionary contemporary productions put forth on its multiple stages. Shadowland's current summer-into-fall schedule has Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" (June 2-25), Gino Dilorio's "The Jag" (June 30-July 16), Larry Shue's "The Foreigner" (July 21-August 13), Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's "Murder for Two" (August 18-September 10), David Lindsay-Abaire's "Ripcord" (September 15-October 1), and Ayad Akhtar's "Disgraced" (October 6-22).
Live music at Luther Barn at the Wassaic Project
Wassaic Project Summer | 2,398 |
"Painting, it's how I pray. It's how I use my hands," Thomas Carney said. Carney has been an artist with ArtStreet for the past two years.
Over 200 people gathered together on a Friday night at the Harwood Art Center for ArtStreet's "Recycled Heart" exhibit, featuring Carney's work as well as over 80 other artists. The exhibit focuses on the injustice of<|fim_middle|> Coordinator, said.
ArtStreet is a program of AHCH. ArtStreet provides a community-based open art studio, bringing together artists weekly – homeless and housed – on Thursdays and Fridays.
Grossberg first heard about ArtStreet while at a conference in Cairo, Egypt, although she was living just a few hours south of Albuquerque, in Las Cruces. Grossberg has been involved with ArtStreet for over 17 years now, and running the studio for nine years, she said.
Funding for ArtStreet is 12.9 percent of the AHCH budget. It is considered one of their several social and behavioral health day programs, including STARS case management, counseling and therapy, harm reduction outreach, housing and navigation, and their resource center.
In 2016, AHCH served more than 7,000 clients through their programs, as well as their medical clinic, dental clinic, and pharmacy.
"There's three things I take seriously: being sober, my health, and my art," Carney said.
Carney is 64 years old, and spent over 20 years living in San Francisco where he studied at the San Francisco Art Institute. He moved to Albuquerque from Seattle, and had been homeless for about 3 months until he recently got an apartment in November.
Carney creates abstract paintings mostly, but works with mixed media, including found materials, charcoal, chalk, and pastels. Cheap paint and jazz fuels his art.
ArtStreet's "Recycled Heart" exhibit will run through Feb. 22. Additional information on future and current ArtStreet events can be found on their Facebook page.
For more follow Christina on Twitter. | poverty and homelessness together through contemporary art made of old, recycled, and reused objects.
David Carney, an Artstreet artist, stands next to some of the pieces that he had sold at the Recycled Heart Exhibit. Carney had sold four of his pieces within the first hour.
This is the 22nd annual show, made possible through the collaboration between the Harwood Art Center and the Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH). The exhibit contains over 100 pieces of art, ranging from sculptures, collage, paintings, jewelry, and drawings.
ArtStreet artists price the art themselves, and receive 100 percent of the proceeds. The organization of the annual exhibition began in November 2017.
"The power of art is something beyond words, that really allows us as individuals to connect to a different, deeper, more expansive part of ourselves. We're able to re-envision ourselves, our lives, and our place in the world, and we're breaking out of boxes," Mindy Grossberg, ArtStreet Program | 214 |
See Christabel Blackburn's vivid artworks at Alex Eagle Studio
The figurative painter's work will go on display during Frieze London
By Brooke Theis
Courtesy Christabel Blackburn
"London is a never-ending treasure trove of interesting people," says the artist Christabel Blackburn, who observes strangers interacting with cityscapes in her minimalist works, capturing their essence without revealing the intricacies of their faces.
Inspired by the realist paintings of Edward Hopper, photography by Philip-Lorca diCorcia and David Hockney's architectural studies, Blackburn explores the theme of urban solitude, portraying cities as places of isolation and anonymity. "When you go somewhere on your own, such as a gallery or walking along the South Bank – somewhere quite public – you can have that contradictory feeling of being alone and yet not," she reflects.
From a woman in a red dress slouching over a metal-framed table surrounded by Brutalist grey blocks to a white-haired man in a beige trench-coat turned towards a painting (represented by a single-line square), Blackburn's paintings bridge the gap between loneliness and intimate engagement, allowing the onlooker to project themselves into the place of the subject.
Having studied classical portraiture at Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, where she learnt to depict the human form through traditional drawing and sculpting techniques, Blackburn went on to spend two years at the London Atelier of Representational Art. But it was a visit to New York that inspired her enduring interest in metropolitan life. "I was wandering around and found myself fascinated by all the people – the 'ordinary' people – sitting on park benches and going about their lives, and that was the moment the inspiration just flooded in," she recalls.
Though she admires Gauguin for his palette, Blackburn doesn't have a colour theory as such. "I go on what I see in nature, but if the<|fim_middle|> immediately feel like I'm being taken out of my body to a more important place." The same is true of Blackburn's own canvases, which offer moments of stillness in an increasingly busy city.
Christabel Blackburn (@christabelblackburn) is at Alex Eagle Studio from 2 to 5 October.
Le Corsaire at the London Coliseum
La Traviata at the Royal Opera House
Renaissance meets modernity in this artist's work
A new book celebrates beautiful tiles in history
Otello at the Royal Opera House
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See classical art beside Dolce & Gabbana couture
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Town & Country UK, part of Hearst UK Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
©2020 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved. | colours in life aren't working well, I'll change them," she explains. This allows her to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary; to focus on unusual details, such as the way someone carries their bag. "I could be walking along the river and an idiosyncratic-looking person who cuts a good figure against a building will spark my attention," she says.
Blackburn's work has been shown at the Cynthia Corbett Gallery as part of the 2016 Young Masters Exhibition, and in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy in the same year. She also displayed her linear oil-on-panel 'Concrete' series as part of her solo show at the Foundry Gallery, in which building-block windows appear as a set of cells, some darkened, some illuminated by white light. Last year, she thrived on Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year, where her delicate likeness of the actress and writer Meera Syal was selected as the subject's favourite of the group.
Now, Blackburn is preparing to exhibit 20 new 12-by-12-inch works at Alex Eagle Studio, as well as several larger pieces, during Frieze London in October. "To me, art is a person's way of expressing themselves when words fail," she says. "If I feel low or flat, I can look at some art and | 276 |
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Home / About ASTRO / History
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History Interviews
Michael Goitein
Dr. Suit: Good morning, everyone. This is Herman Suit and it is January 18th 2013. I'm representing ASTRO and, together with Marcia Urie and Lynn Verhey, we are interviewing Michael Goitein. So, Michael, to start out, tell us a bit about your early upbringing and schooling. Were you set on a path which led you directly to your eventual career?
Dr. Goitein: Well, yes and no. When my elder daughter, Lara, was contemplating what subject to major in when she went to college, I asked a number of people I knew whether they ended up in the career that they initially imagined they would pursue – and almost all of them reported that they did not. Their eventual careers owed far more to serendipity than to forethought and planning. I certainly did not plan to be a medical physicist. I didn't even know the profession existed. But, on the other hand, from an early age I was interested in technology as demonstrated by my pulling apart various devices to inspect their innards. One of these I remember was a treasured family clock - which never subsequently worked.
Neither of my parents was technically minded. My father was a law professor at Birmingham University and was quite impractical. I do not recall ever seeing him with a hammer or screwdriver in hand. My mother was multi-talented: an artist; an interior designer and amateur (but very good) architect; and a very practical (though not terribly successful) business woman. I was, however, nudged in the direction of pursuing the sciences by two factors. First, from an early age I showed an aptitude for mathematics. Second, the English school system tended to stream children into either the arts or the sciences at a fairly young age, and my choice was made at an even younger age than usual due to the fact that, as a bright youngster, I had been advanced to classes two years ahead of my peers. The choice of sending me down the science path was, as I recall, made with little input from me. I'd like to interpolate that I think advancing a child in such a manner is a mistake and is one that I feel I paid a price for during much of my life.
At the end of my school years I obtained a scholarship to go to Balliol College in Oxford University. I decided, pretty much on my own initiative as I recall, that I was too young to go up to Oxford directly and that I should spend a year growing up. (Actually, a year was nowhere near long enough. Bertrand Russell famously said that "Education is wasted on the young.") I decided to spend a year at the Sorbonne in Paris, studying mathematics. I had hoped that this would put me in proximity with French students (which it did) so that I would come to socialize with them (which I did not). But, I did learn a little mathematics. To this day there are mathematical concepts and terms whose names I know in French but not in English.
Dr. Suit: That takes us up to Oxford. What did you study there, and did you socialize with those students?
Dr. Goitein: Well, Herman, I think you know from your own experience at Oxford that you have asked the questions in the wrong order. I quickly deduced that a primary goal of an Oxford education, at least in those days (1958), is socialization. That is, in the case of boys, to turn one into a young gentleman. So, yes, I socialized: I learned to keep a sherry decanter filled with a fairly decent sherry always close to hand in my rooms; I attended the Oxford Union's always interesting and often frivolous debates; I went regularly to the Jazz Club's weekly bash; and so forth. I also went to a lot of fascinating lectures in subjects far removed from my major. I particularly remember Isaiah Berlin's inaugural lecture entitled "The two liberties" and a series of talks on the 18th century English artist William Hogarth, which were so popular that they had to be held in the local cinema in order to accommodate the large number of listeners.
To answer the first part of your question, I elected to study physics. In some ways this decision was made a bit difficult for me. I had been accepted to Balliol to read either physics or chemistry. Thinking that they may have formed an impression of my abilities, I asked for separate interviews with the physics and chemistry senior tutors at the college, primarily to ask them which specialty they thought I should pursue. Of course they did not come right out with a clear suggestion but, on the whole, I got the impression that the physics tutor favored chemistry and the chemistry tutor favored physics for me. So, I was thrown back on my own resources. In the end I chose physics on the grounds that it was the more fundamental discipline. I've never regretted that decision, although modern chemistry has advanced way beyond the horizons that I sensed for it in those days. For one thing, they have learned how to build the most amazing, highly specialized, molecules.
One's degree at Oxford depended entirely on one's performance on the final exams at the end of three years. The distractions of the place meant that one's learning was crammed into reading during the fairly long holidays and some serious cramming in the last few months. Degrees were classified as first, second (split into two parts) and third class honors. I was awarded a so-called "good second" for my performance. My tutor was surprised at this, having expected me to get a first, and I too was disappointed. However, I have come to consider this to have been a correct grade. I have come in contact with, and in a few cases known well, some of the best minds in physics of my time – such people as Ramsey, Purcell, Schwinger, Glauber, Gilbert, Alvarez, to mention some of them and I know my talents are in no way in their league, nor in the next league down. I am comfortable with this realization.
Dr. Suit: Well, we've got you through Oxford. What then? Did you feel you needed another year's break?
Dr. Goitein: Herman, you have hit the nail on the head. I had arranged to do graduate work in low temperature physics with Kurti at Oxford. However, I felt that, after the ardors of an Oxford undergraduate education, I first needed a year off and I was lucky enough to get a fellowship for a year's study of physics at Harvard. My plan was less to study physics than to experience life in the United States. With my Oxford arrogance I 'knew' that American students were far less well prepared than were we British, so I anticipated that the class work would be a breeze and would in no way hamper my real goal. I was in for a huge surprise. The teaching was excellent, giving me contact with some of the finest possible minds; the students were bright and knowledgeable; and, more than anything else, for the first time I found the subject really interesting. I abandoned my plan to experience America and settled down to learn some physics. I also abandoned Kurti and Oxford and decided to remain at Harvard for the rest of my graduate education.
I chose to work in elementary particle physics, the discipline dedicated to understanding the nature of sub-atomic matter. I didn't imagine that I would be the one to uncover the secrets of matter, but I thought that I would like to be able to understand them when they were discovered. Alas, this was an unrealistic expectation; the theories today are way beyond my ability to comprehend. In any event, The Cambridge Electron Accelerator, a 6 BeV electron accelerator, had just been built on Harvard's grounds, and I joined a group doing experiments designed to explore the charge structure of protons and neutrons. This was done by scattering high energy electrons from the accelerator off liquid hydrogen or deuterium and measuring the angular and energy distribution of the scattered electrons. These were wonderful times. Together with a fellow graduate student and good friend, Bob Budnitz, I learned a lot, worked hard, and had fun. I was a computer freak and, amongst other things, was responsible for the online data collection and computer analysis. Eventually, I wrote my thesis using a computer word-processing program that I had concocted and submitted Harvard's first doctoral thesis composed on a computer. It was also, I believe, the longest thesis that the physics department ever had to deal with, and one of my three examiners, coming across me in the hallway a few days before my oral exam, said to me "Michael, do you really expect me to read all this?" I hastily put together a synopsis for him.
Dr. Suit: When you look back on your days as a graduate student and on your thesis work, how do you view them?
Dr. Goitein: As I've hinted at, I had a very broad experience of many different technologies, and I learned a lot from that. But I am a bit doubtful about the importance of what we learned. Today, some 40 years later, our work is largely forgotten or ignored and I don't think it made an appreciable impact on the current understanding of nuclear structure. I have learned that this is not all that surprising. The essence of scientific research is that one does not know how it will come out. Much of it turns out, unavoidably, to have been unproductive. Research is very inefficient; only a handful of experiments or theories turn out to change our ideas or introduce new possibilities. This makes it quite frustrating at times, but success is all the more precious because it is so rare.
Dr. Suit: And, after you graduated?
Dr. Goitein: I spent one-and-a-half years as a post-doc at Harvard, participating in a very enjoyable experiment led by Gene Engels at Brookhaven National Laboratory. I then joined the staff of what is now called the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) in Berkeley, California. I was seconded to the Moyer-Helmholz group and worked on an experiment to test time-reversal invariance. The laboratory is situated in a wonderful setting half-way up the Berkeley hills with a view over the San Francisco Bay which, particularly at sunset, can be stunningly beautiful.
But, despite the great scenery, I began to grow disenchanted with the work I was doing and with what I saw to be the direction in which the field of elementary particle physics was going. Experimental groups were getting to be bigger and bigger – by then they were typically from ten to 20 strong. Today there are reports of experiments which list quite literally many thousands of co-authors. I began to feel increasingly inessential and replaceable; and that my work lacked social value.
Dr. Suit: How did you react to these realizations?
Dr. Goitein: I decided to change fields. I had had a little insight into the general field of medicine through the fact that my wife of that time was a physician and I had a colleague, Howard Maccabee, who had trained as a medical physicist with Gordon Brownell at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). More importantly, LBL had a strong biophysics department led by a very inspirational man, Cornelius Tobias. So, I went to talk with him to see if there was a chance of joining his group. Being a wise man, he simply mentioned a few problems which interested him. One of these was the then unsolved problem of computed tomography (CT). The problem was whether, and if so how, one could reconstruct the interior structure of an object (e.g. a patient's anatomy) from a series of projections (e.g. radiographs) taken from multiple viewpoints around the object. Tobias was so sure it should be possible that he had one of the physicists in his group, John Lyman, put together a phantom and make some projection measurements of it – but they had no idea as to how to analyze the measurements. I thought about their problem while seated in Toby's office and thought that I knew how to solve it. And, I made the mistake of telling him so. Later, back in my office, I realized that I had made an error in my mental calculation and my 'solution' would not work. So, now I was in trouble. I mulled the problem over for a few days and came up with an alternative approach which did, indeed, work. I performed a number of computer simulations, analyzed Lyman's data and brought the results back to Tobias. He was happy with my results – but, he never offered me a job! I published my method and became, as I later learned, somewhere between the sixth and tenth person to have solved the problem of CT – for which the first two inventors, Hounsfield and Cormack, got the Nobel prize.
Later, I collaborated with Doug Boyd at Stanford who had developed a fan-beam CT scanner, but did not know how to analyze the data – previous devices used a laterally scanned pencil beam yielding a parallel geometry for the measurements. I was easily able to adapt my method to the fan-beam geometry and provided Doug's machine with an accurate reconstruction – a process for which we obtained through Stanford a patent. Of course, fan beams now provide the normal geometry for CT.
Let me interject here, although it's a bit out of place, a few words about a study of the value of CT in radiotherapy that I later undertook. Health care payers were, in the early days of CT, extremely concerned about its cost. A machine went for about a million dollars and, in those days (the 1970's), that was an unimaginable amount to pay for a single diagnostic device. So they put roadblocks in the way of purchasing them. The MGH acquired one of the early whole-body scanners, and part of the justification was that it would be used as a research tool to evaluate CT's clinical value. I was therefore able to get time on the machine and, with Jack Wittenberg, a radiologist, and Marta Mendiondo, a medical physicist in our group, we designed and conducted a study in which patients, already imaged and planned using conventional techniques, then received a CT study which was used to evaluate the adequacy of the original plan. This was the first prospective study of the impact of CT on radiation treatments and we found that the pre-CT plans were inadequate in 52 percent of the cases. I then performed a modelling exercise, reported in a paper in JAMA, estimating the impact that the use of CT would have on outcome. The model predicted a 6 percent improvement in local tumor control. Today, of course, there's hardly a cancer patient who does not have not just one but several CT studies in his or her folder. I like to think that our study has some modest impact on the acceptance of CT into clinical practice.
Dr. Suit: Since Tobias did not bite, what did you do then?
Dr. Goitein: My entry into medical physics was not without some hiccups. Tobias had advised me that, if I wanted to contribute to cancer care, I should involve myself with mice rather than men. Patient treatments are too messy, he opined; far better to work in a more controlled way with animals. However, I felt that, if I wanted to contribute to patient care, I would rather get as close to the patient as possible. So I decided to try to get a job as a hospital physicist.
I wrote letters to, as I recall, 24 institutions which had medical physics programs of some sort. Most did not even answer my letters; the rest sent regrets. I asked Howard Maccabee for suggestions and, one day, he came and told me that he had heard that Ted Webster at the MGH might be looking for someone. I phoned Ted immediately and let him know of my availability. "There's a high energy physicist on every street corner these days." he said to me, "Why should I choose you?" Well, this was an inauspicious start but somehow I managed to convince him to take me on. Then, out of the blue, the new<|fim_middle|> be wasted dose leading to increased normal tissue damage but not improving the TCP. These predictions were quite different from what was then conventional wisdom, and I was very concerned that I might be missing something important. I was very relieved, then, after I spent a nervous hour presenting my model to Mort Elkind when he happened to be visiting our department, to find that he didn't see any fatal flaw in my reasoning. Indeed, I had the feeling that he bought into my ideas.
I had a somewhat amusing and instructive experience regarding the publication of this model. I submitted a paper on the subject to the Red Journal. It was rejected on the recommendation of one reviewer, who wrote that my work was hypothetical and too speculative. I put the rejected paper in a desk drawer for several years, during which time I presented my model at numerous conferences and included it in the report of the first NCI working group which I have already described. I then decided to rework the paper a little and resubmit it. This time it was rejected, I am pretty sure by the same reviewer, on the grounds that it described things that were well known already! Publishing is, in truth, a very chancy business and one has to be a bit philosophical about it. As I've already mentioned, I tried in my career to keep my eye on the ball which is the cure of cancer. If one's work advances that goal, then the issue of whether or not it is published over one's name, or even whether one's role is acknowledged, is largely irrelevant.
I think my model was an important underpinning to the treatments we were giving with protons at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. Herman had the insight and courage to deliver treatments in which the dose to base-of-skull sarcomas was reduced in the part of the tumor adjacent to the brainstem in order to keep the dose to the brainstem below what was taken to be its tolerance level. The results of our strategy have been very satisfactory – and have given me, at least, some confidence in my model.
After I had developed it, I spoke at several conferences about modelling in general and my model in particular. But, how I addressed biophysical models depended on the audience. When I spoke primarily to physicians, I judged that they were generally (and quite appropriately) cautious about accepting any new approach. I responded to this by urging them to be open-minded. "There may be something to it." I would urge. When talking mainly to physicists, whom I generally found to be overly enthusiastic about involving themselves in biological manipulations (remember my flirtation with TDF), I urged great caution and skepticism. These days, I have to say, I think caution and skepticism are needed across the board. Therapists accept a much greater degree of dose inhomogeneity in tumors than I think is wise, absent experimental proof that what they are doing is safe. And they accept hot spots in normal tissues with insufficient concern or, again, without experimental backup. I think people interpret the literature, to the extent they are aware of it at all, too superficially.
Dr. Suit: Well, so much for tumor control probability. What about the problem of normal tissue damage which you just hinted at?
Dr. Goitein: At the start of the first NCI-sponsored working group, which I've already described, I had successfully persuaded the group that we needed to be able to assess dose distributions in terms of their biological impact. And, in particular, to be able to compare two dose distributions in terms of the difference in their biological impacts and not the differences in the dose distributions. The issue then arose as to who would develop the necessary models. I was happy when John Lyman volunteered to take on normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) – in doing so, he made an important contribution to radiotherapy. This was around the time that Sten Graffman had tickled me to look into TCP, so I willingly undertook to take on the problem of estimating what happened when a tumor was inhomogeneously irradiated. I was glad to do that side of the problem because I had the philosophy that, when there was a choice, one should always tackle the simpler problem first.
I thought TCP was simpler for two reasons. First, the tendency with tumors was always to deliver an as-near-as-possible uniform dose so that, in practice, the non-uniformities were mostly modest perturbations of the dose – whereas, for normal tissues, recognizing that it is advantageous to spare as much as possible of an organ, the dose distributions were mostly deliberately highly non-uniform and hence it would be harder to estimate their biological impact. Then, the cells which made up tumors responded, I thought, fairly independently to irradiation – whereas the responses of cells within normal tissues and organs – one might now say functional-sub-units – could be highly correlated and we knew little about the quantitative extent and impact of such correlations. This second concern has, over time, heightened in importance in my estimation.
As a result of all this, I did much less work in the area of normal tissue complication probability. What little I did was as junior partner in a collaboration. And, here I would like to digress for a moment. I had the good fortune to have two gentlemen fall into my lap so-to-speak in the late 1990s. Andrzej Niemierko and Harald Paganetti. Both had obtained fellowships in their native countries (Poland and Germany respectively) and contacted me, asking if they could use them to come and work with me. In general I have a paradoxical attitude to free gifts; they are usually costly and I tend to refuse them. (I turned down an offer to receive for free one of the first Pixar graphics engines and, despite their subsequent huge success in the entertainment industry, never regretted the decision.) But both Andrzej's and Harald's accomplishments, to date, were persuasive, and to MGH they came. Since then I have had most pleasant collaborations with both of them.
I bring this up here because what little I did in the area of NTCP estimation was with Andrzej. And what might be of some general interest is the nature of the longstanding and sometimes energetic discussions we had about modelling. Our common ground is that the reaction of biological tissue to radiation certainly involves many complex processes. My preferred approach was, nevertheless, mechanistic. I thought one should try to identify the dominant processes and model them explicitly in the hope that the ones that one ignored might not be too greatly perturbing. Andrzej's view, if I can venture to characterize it, was that we did not know enough to isolate the dominant processes and, in any case, had inadequate data to characterize them separately. In complex systems, he thought, one is best-advised to fit such data as one has with an empirical formula. To this day I think we continue to hold opposite opinions on this matter. However, I have to say that Andrzej has had more success with his approach than I have had with mine.
I'd like to add one thing. As I already emphasized, science (like haut culture) is subject to fashionable trends and, these days, classical radiobiology is out of fashion. Funding is hard to come by for it, and many of the old-timers have retired or given up. The emphasis is now on the sub-cellular scale. But, I am of the opinion that what I term 'whole-organ radiobiology' – the understanding of the response of organs and biological systems as a whole to radiation insult badly needs investigation. This is very important for guiding radiotherapy in an era where precise control over dose distributions and, in particular, the ability to sculpt partial organ irradiation, is now possible. Only, we don't know what particular dose sculpture is best. We need data. Funding agencies please note!
Dr. Suit: Let's turn to proton therapy. You have been very active in that field. How did you get into it and what did you do first?
Dr. Goitein: Well, Herman, of course you were the guilty party. I started out in conventional X-ray therapy and fully intended to remain there, assisting in routine patient treatments and I envisioned doing research in that area. I had worked in particle physics for nearly a decade and I wanted to leave particles behind me. But then you were offered the opportunity to make use of the Harvard Cyclotron for radiotherapy and asked me if I would work with you, first to just look into the advisability of involving ourselves with proton therapy and eventually perhaps to develop a program. A bit reluctantly, because I thought that I had already found my niche, I got sucked in. You were never anything but persuasive and, of course, the superior depth-dose characteristics of protons made them very tempting. So, at first tentatively, I got on board. We went through several initial phases: a seminar with invited speakers; many internal discussions; the conduct of numerous radiobiological experiments both by you and by invited outside experts like Eric Hall, Raju, Paul Todd and Urano; and the building up by Andy Koehler of a treatment facility at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. All this went pretty quickly because I came to the MGH in 1972 and we treated our first patient in 1974.
Our work on protons was a set of close collaborations between:
the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory (HCL), led by Andy Koehler;
MGH medical staff – led by you, Herman;
MGH physicists – led by me; and
the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute (MEEI) – initially led by Ian Constable and taken over in the clinical phase by Evangelos Gragouds.
Dr. Suit: So, tell us about the role of each of these groups.
Dr. Goitein: The Harvard Cyclotron was a venerable machine, built just after the end of World War II. It already had a history of use for medical purposes, but our involvement was in the context of fractionated large-field cancer therapy and this was a new initiative for the laboratory. Andy Koehler was acting director of the HCL – his modesty did not allow him to call himself 'Director' although that is what he, in effect, was. Under Andy's leadership, the HCL staff took on the job of developing the beam-forming and beam-delivery apparatus and, for decades thereafter, for delivering the treatments accurately. In that connection, Bernie Gottschalk played an important role as Andy's scientific partner.
Andy had a particular style which permeated all of his work and strongly influenced his colleagues. He was at once modest, very knowledgeable, highly ingenious and meticulous in doing and documenting what was done. Most of all, his work was what I can only describe with admiration as 'low end.' What I mean by that is that his solutions to problems used the minimum needed to accomplish the job. Pencil and paper were far more common tools for him than computer print-outs. His many ingenious figures illustrated technical points perfectly. Small was indeed beautiful in Andy's hands. His team emulated him in developing a warm informal style which permeated all that they did, their technical work, their seminars, their parties and, particularly, their caring support of patients. There were, in fact, two cultures: the HCL's and MGH's more structured and formal style. Mainly as a result of the disparities between these, while we worked effectively together, it was nevertheless not without its frictions, something that I always regretted but found myself unable to reverse.
You, Herman, of course, both headed the proton project and led its medical team. I say "of course" but it is by no means to be taken for granted that the chief of a large busy department would play so intimate a role in such a particular program. I think its success is directly attributable to your engagement in its development. You had some excellent helpers. John Munzenrider battled in the trenches for decades and Norbert Liebsch became a world expert in the treatment of base-of-skull sarcomas. Then we had the engagement of a sequence of more junior physicians such as Joel Tepper who was in at the beginning, Oscar Mendiondo, and later Jurgen Debus among many others.
After the preparatory work we treated three patients: a young boy with a rhabdomyosarcoma; a mother of two young children with a chondrosarcoma involving the petrous ridge; and a man with a mixoid liposarcoma of his thigh. This experience encouraged us to continue and expand our work which we did after a short hiatus needed to apply for and receive money from the NCI. We were very fortunate that they strongly supported us over numerous grant cycles and, indeed, continue to do so to this day.
I am fond of pointing out that some of our most substantial successes have been in the treatment of rare tumors such as sarcomas of the base of skull and ocular melanomas. No committee of wise men and women seeking to define a clinical program would come up with these tumors, both because of their rarity and because they are simply nowhere near the top of most practitioner's mental lists. But, in fact, there are some real advantages to specializing in rare tumors. It is easier to establish a recognized center of competence in them, and one's colleagues are not reluctant to refer the occasional patient to one since it barely puts a dent in their patient throughput (and, hence, pockets).
Although protons can take a great deal of credit for our successes, I did learn one thing over the years. Namely, that protons – or any other modality for that matter – are only a tool. The hand of the craftsman who guides the tool is a lot more important. So, when relatives and friends call me up about someone who has a cancer and asks me if they need protons, I always respond by saying that "No, they first need a really good physician with a lot of experience in that particular disease. Then, he or she will tell them what therapy or therapies would be most appropriate."
Dr. Suit: Let's move on to the physics of proton therapy and your personal contributions.
Dr. Goitein: Well, of course, it was a team effort and Marcia and Lynn here were mainstays of that effort. Proton therapy would not be the same today had it not been for their involvement. But, I guess you'll have to interview them to get their story. Parenthetically, it is a source of considerable discomfort to me that, because of their sheer numbers, I cannot name and give credit to all the people with whom I worked over the years. I owe so much to them.
As you obviously know, the design of a treatment system and then the planning and delivery of treatments involve a huge number of detailed tasks and activities. It's impossible to describe the full list in any reasonably compact way but I'll try to mention some of the larger items. One can identify individual physicists who took the lead in some of these things, but the fact is that we all had our hands deep into all of them.
Immobilization and localization Because the advantage of protons is their superior dose localization, and because the alignment of a compensating bolus with the patient's anatomy can be critical, the localization of the tumor and nearby structures – and hence the patient – have a special importance and we put a great deal of effort into the design of patient support systems, techniques of patient immobilization, and methods to localize tumors.
Dosimetry The dosimetry of the proton beam turned out to be difficult to tie down. Initially we depended on Faraday-cup dosimetry using a cup previously designed by Andy. However we, led by you, Lynn, also used ionization chambers and calorimetry and made a number of inter-comparisons with other centers. It took many years of effort to resolve the discrepancies which we found. Eventually we had to make an embarrassing 6.5 percent adjustment, I think it was, to our dosimetry.
Horizontal CT unit Our work depended heavily on the availability of CT imaging. Proton therapy requires a map of the patient's tissues with quantitative information about their density. CT evolved just in time to provide this map for us. It was important to us to be able to image the patient in the treatment position. Since we had no gantry, patients had to be treated either lying down or, particularly in the case of patients with head and neck tumors, seated. We needed therefore to be able to image a seared patient's head and/or neck and this required a scanner that could scan a slice in a horizontal plane. The only glitch was, there were no such scanners. So, we had to persuade one of the companies to make one for us and, incidentally, the state regulatory agency to allow us to buy one. It was a long and difficult saga and I won't go into it except to say that I formed the impression, à la Groucho Marx, that any firm that would consider building such a one-off device was a firm one wouldn't want to do business with. Eventually, however, EMI agreed to build such a scanner for us. At the time they were the leading firm in CT, although they got out of the business two weeks after signing a contract with us! They built two other horizontal CT scanners, one went to the particle program at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and I don't know where the other ended up. Over the years this machine needed quite some care and feeding, but it nevertheless served us well.
Impact of inhomogeneities When protons pass through matter they lose energy and eventually come to rest. They are also deflected slightly from their otherwise straight path though scattering processes. When the material traversed is inhomogeneous – that is to say, is composed of a complex of multiple materials such as bone, muscle, fat and air cavities, changes occur in both their penetration and in the paths they traverse. The two can and do interact in the sense that a change in path can involve a change in the materials encountered. When we started out these effects were, of course, known in principle but their quantitative impact on dose distributions had not been investigated. So we engaged in quite a long and demanding set of experiments and developed models which allowed one to take these effects into account. Perhaps the most startling perturbation that could occur was what we later termed 'distal edge degradation'. This meant that the normally sharp fall-off of dose at the end of range seen in homogeneous materials, and on which the benefit of protons partially depended, could be substantially modified by inhomogeneities. The dose would then fall more gradually at the end of range, spreading sub-maximal dose over even several centimeters rather than the usual millimeters. We were apprised of this problem in an interesting way. Our fourth potential patient was a man with a nasopharyngeal tumor, referred to the proton group by CC Wang, the senior staff member responsible for managing patients with head-and-neck disease. The idea was to irradiate the patient from one side and bring the beam up to, but just short of, the contralateral neck nodes and skin. On the way, the beam would have to go through some substantially inhomogeneous regions. I was concerned as to whether we could pull this off, and we designed a test in which we would irradiate the patient using a beam whose energy was increased over that which would be needed for the actual treatment, thereby adding some known centimeters of range to it. We built a 'telescope' consisting of a series of several thin plastic sheets interspersed with films. By exposing this telescope to a tolerably low dose of protons we could, after developing the films, determine where the protons stopped in any particular part of the field. By calculation we knew where they should stop. Had the patient been composed of uniform matter, the protons would stop sharp so that one film would be darkened and the following film not. To our surprise and consternation there were areas of the field where the darkening took place gradually, over several layers of the telescope. We had seen distal edge degradation. CC, not without some energetic ribbing of any of those of us he encountered over the next days, took the patient back and treated him with X-rays, and we launched our program of investigation into the perturbative effects of inhomogeneities. You, Marcia, demonstrated this effect in some very elegant experiments. So impressive was this experience that, to this day, I remember that patient's first and last names as, indeed, do I recall the names of those fist three patients we treated using protons.
Treatment planning I have already talked in extenso about our development of 3-D treatment planning. I just want to add that writing the programs was just one side of the problem. Enormous effort went on over the years to plan the treatment of each patient. Lynn and Marcia know all about that; they were in the trenches. I want also to mention Judy Adams whom I met at a conference in Denver and immediately recruited to MGH where she has been a pivotal person in the treatment planning effort ever since. Along the way we evolved several strategies for solving difficult geometric problems. Field-patching was one of these, in which we used two or three beams, coming from different directions, to cover the tumor volume, none of which individually treated the entire tumor but which together did so, and we 'feathered' the beams where they abutted to reduce the magnitude of hot or cold dose spots due to possible small misalignments. This was, in effect, a crude form of intensity modulation, developed long before intensity modulation got its name.
Study design and implementation For completeness, and because it often involved a lot of effort, I want to add that we physicists participated, of course, in designing and then implementing the various clinical studies which were undertaken.
Dr. Suit: Tell us about the treatment of ocular tumors. What was your role in it?
Dr. Goitein: Initially, Milford Schultz, who preceded you as radiation therapy department chief at the MGH and, I believe, Dr. Regan of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute had the idea of using protons to treat childhood retinoblastomas. They involved a young Australian ophthalmologist, Ian Constable, in their scheme and he quickly redirected the effort towards the treatment of ocular melanomas for which he thought protons would be particularly well suited. His involvement took place at the time that you, Herman, had already taken over as department chief and you roped me in to help Ian perform experiments on the eyes of owl monkeys with both protons and 2 MeV X-rays. This led to a clinical program for the treatment of, mainly, choroidal melanomas. As usual, Andy Koehler designed and built the beam delivery system with his usual ingenuity. He held the philosophy that it was better to build purpose-build devices for particular problems, rather than general devices to handle all-comers. In large part I have come round to his opinion.
I designed the software program for planning the eye treatments. This was developed before the large-field program that I have already described and it used quite primitive hardware. Because the eye has such a homogenous density, one did not need CT and the imaging of the eye and the embedded tumor was primarily based on ultrasound measurements. The program turned out to work well. The fact that local control rates of 95 percent and better are obtained in treatments based on that program attest to its satisfactory function as well as on the adequacy of the treatment technique that we developed. The treatment of choroidal melanomas with protons has spread widely and there are some 14 centers at which proton treatments are or have been given at present counting. The MGH/MEEI collaboration treated for many years the largest number of such patients but by now the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, whose medical program is presently headed by my wife, Gudrun Goitein, is the world leader. My program has proved to be quite robust and the majority of the several centers now treating choroidal melanomas with protons still use it – although, over the years, some very useful enhancements have been added by others.
Dr. Urie: Michael, I think one of the most significant contributions that you made was in the area of treatment planning, not only in proton therapy but also in the X-ray world. You hinted that one of the regrets you have is that your confidence level approach has not been incorporated widely. Where else do you see treatment planning needing improvement?
Dr. Goitein: Well, I've been a bit out of the scene for probably the last 15 years, so I'm not a good commentator on the current situation. What I would say is that there is a big disconnect between what is commercially available and what the best people in the field are thinking and doing. Now, maybe there is always something like a 20-year gap for innovations to take root and we get there eventually. But the development of treatment planning programs has become really quite expensive for the commercial companies and they, by-and-large I think, do as little development as they can get away with. Institutions which are new to proton therapy and are in the market for treatment planning programs tend to be relatively unknowledgeable about the finer details of what is needed, so they are not in a position to use the power of their purse to nudge the companies into necessary new developments such as, for example, including confidence limits. The community might do well to form an expert group to push the companies to do more.
I can think of three areas (over and above confidence limits) in which improvements would be desirable. First, streamlining the user interface. A user should only have to do things that only a human can do; the rest should be automated. One 'clicks' and types far more often than is necessary and that is simply a waste of the user's time and competence. Programmers, given the chance, will write the code which is easiest for them to write. They have to be persuaded to be the user's friend.
In the field of proton therapy the issue of robustness is now receiving attention in academic centers – Thomas Bortfeld's group at the MGH is a leading player in this effort. Robust planning is the art of avoiding geometries in which small errors can lead to large problems. The development of techniques to assure robust plans has not reached the commercial world to any great extent but it is very much needed.
My third area in which developments are sorely needed is really in the field of radiobiology – although its solution would then have to show up in treatment planning. What we have learned in the last 20 years is that we have the tools now to tailor an inhomogeneous dose to both the tumor and normal tissue. I think the tumor side of the problem is fairly OK. But on the normal tissue side, we really don't know how to shape the dose within, say, a kidney or brain or whatever in order to produce an optimal plan, all things considered. Physicists and computer people could implement solutions very easily if we knew what they were. But we don't. So I think one of the big problems is that we don't have any very substantial investigation going on into learning how best to tailor dose so as to minimize organ damage. Recently there was a series of reviews of what we know under the acronym QUANTEC, and I think that it has been a valuable contribution, but it has also highlighted how little we know. A particular area of ignorance, which is important in the context of proton therapy, is in knowing what the implications are of the additional dose bath which X-rays deliver as compared with protons. We have no idea of what the clinical implications are of reducing the dose from 35 gray to 15 gray over a large volumes. We desperately need really long-term studies to try to look into dose-volume effects. So I think there is a whole area of radiobiology that has come up as being important and valuable which is not getting attention and is not getting funding. And, as I already mentioned, the lack of funding of traditional radiobiological research has meant that many of the experts have left the field.
Dr. Suit: All the activities you describe needed quite a bit of money and you were responsible for putting together most of our grant applications. Was that a pleasant experience?
Well, I did accumulate quite some experience with grants. Over the course of my career I was responsible for putting together something like a dozen grant applications for NCI funding. I think that, for a short while, due to the happenstance that I was the principal investigator for the grant to build the MGH's proton center, I was the top MGH awardee of NIH grant money.
Such grant applications are typically at least a couple of hundred pages long. They have to be carefully written and well produced. Some people resent the effort that this entails, but I never did. Writing a grant application forces one to assess what one has accomplished, to think carefully about what one wants to do in the future, and to justify it convincingly, first to oneself and then to the reviewers. This effort is good for the entire team and, moreover, it is reasonable that one be required to do it. I learned a few tricks of the trade, foremost among which is that one should read the instructions carefully and then follow them – no matter how unnecessary or foolish one thinks them to be.
I was always impressed with the seriousness and integrity of the grant reviewers and the grant administrators. I, myself, was a member of site-visit committees for several large grant applications (so-called program-project applications). These were very serious affairs which were intellectually challenging and from which one learned a great deal. I got, I think, a reputation as a tough interrogator. I always felt one should ask the difficult questions. I know for a fact that I was blamed by unsuccessful applicants of two large and important projects for their applications having been turned down. In fact, although I certainly posed difficult questions in the open sessions, in the end I supported the applications in both of these two cases and it was other committee members who nixed them.
Dr. Suit: You mentioned the grant to build a proton center at the MGH. How did that come about?
Dr. Goitein: Well, there was an external and an internal basis for wanting to build a new proton therapy facility at the MGH. Externally, the dean of Harvard's faculty of arts and sciences woke up to the fact that the faculty was hosting a medical program – namely the work at the HCL, while having no medical competence themselves. So he wrote a letter, I think to MGH's director general, asking what his plans were for terminating the HCL program as Harvard had other uses for the land. This letter, of course, put a lot of things in motion. We could surely have resisted this implicit request to move, but we had our own reasons for wanting a new facility and so we're happy to have this pressure applied. The HCL, while a truly amazing facility, had some fundamental limitations: the cyclotron's energy (160 MeV) was too low for its protons to reach all but relatively shallow tumors; there was no room to build a gantry which was needed to allow treatments from any direction; and the site was distant from the main MGH radiation oncology department and from needed hospital services such as radiology and anesthesiology with the consequence that the proton program was a bit cut-off from the mainstream activities of the department and the hospital.
So, we saw Harvard's initiative as an opportunity to improve the program. I will not go into the details of how we went about that, it was a long and complicated process. But I will mention a few high points. However, I first want to mention my first step. I knew that this would be a big job and I did not want to embark on it unless I was assured of the clinical appetite for it. I had seen too many physicist-driven clinical projects which languished because they did not have enthusiastic medical support and involvement. So I went to you, Herman, and I told you that I was willing to help you with the project, but that the decision to do or not to do it had to be yours alone. It had to be your project and I would not venture an opinion on its merits. Well, you bit and the rest is history.
All that was needed was a space in which to locate the new facility and the money to build it. Anyone who has worked in a large urban hospital knows that, of these two needs, finding space is often the more difficult to fulfill. However, we were fortunate in that regard. The MGH, in some sort of a land swap with the city, had just acquired the Charles Street Jail which abutted the MGH campus. We got to put the new center in the old exercise yard of the jail. That left us with the money problem. We applied to the NCI for permission to apply for construction funds and they turned down our request on a technicality. We had no option then but to lobby congress for funding. However, and I was very happy for this, the MGH had a policy of not applying for so-called earmarked money funds that were allocated to a specific institution. What they would do was to lobby for money to be allocated to build one or more proton therapy facilities in the US and we would then compete with all comers, with luck successfully, for a piece of the pie.
I do feel the urge to relate one anecdote. I had estimated that the facility would cost in the range of 40 to 56 million dollars. (This was based on a wild under-estimate I had received from the Loma Linda people who were just then building a proton center which, in the end, cost them in the neighborhood of 100 million dollars.) We had obtained a meeting with the president's science advisor of the time, Alan Bromley, himself a physicist. A few of us trooped down to Washington to make our case. We gave him a figure of 120 million dollars for three facilities to be located nationwide. Several months later I met up again with Dr. Bromley at some event taking place in a fancy Boston hotel, and I reintroduced myself to him, saying that he might not remember me but that I'd been in his office, pitching for funds for proton therapy. "Remind me, how much were you looking for?" he said to me. "One hundred twenty million dollars," I replied. "Michael," said he, "you don't really think that I micromanage the budget, do you?" Thus it was that I gained a personal perspective into the size of the US federal budget.
To cut a very long story short, our lobbying was successful. We went through a two year planning phase with our one competitor, a group from San Francisco. The NCI decided to fund just one facility and, in a face-off with our California friends, we got the nod. So, now we had both space and money. All we had to do was to build the facility.
Let me add one thing. I just mentioned the Loma Linda proton facility. This was the brainchild of Jim Slater – the first hospital-based general-purpose proton treatment center to be built, anywhere in the world. It was a ground-breaking achievement from which we at the MGH learned a very great deal. Our facility, both in its conception and in its design, owed much to Loma Linda's pioneering work.
Dr. Suit: And, how did you go about building the facility?
Dr. Goitein: You know, one could write a whole book on that subject alone. I'm hard-pressed to know what and how much to say about the construction process itself. It lasted a long time; from 1993 to at least 2002, and some would say, I among them, that it's not finished yet. And, it was arduous. I'll try to list out just the main highlights.
A firm cost for the project had to be established and the money secured. In the end we had 6.1 million dollars from the NCI for a planning phase and then 40 million dollars for construction, half from the NCI and half from MGH funds. I am proud of the fact that, with a lot of help from my friends, I brought the project in within budget – although not, alas, within schedule.
I built up MGH's core project staff. My goal was to have people so experienced that they could stand toe-to-toe with our contractors' staff in any discussions. The team consisted of five besides myself: Al Smith as deputy director cum medical physicist: Stan Durlacher as construction expert; Jay Flanz as accelerator physicist; Anne Levine as hospital planning expert; and Susan Woods as grants manager and general problem solver.
The next stage was to decide on the overall strategy. We decided to split the job into two pieces purchase of the proton therapy equipment and of the building and to let two separate contracts, one for each piece.
We then wrote up specifications for the project. So far as the equipment was concerned, I decided on a novel approach. Instead of telling the provider what to build (e.g. a cyclotron of such-and-such an energy and intensity), we told them how the system as a whole should function (e.g. it must deliver a beam of a stated range of sizes and range of penetrations in the patient from any angle and with at least a stated dose rate). This made clear to the provider what he should accomplish – i.e. the nature of the radiation that a patient could receive – but left the technical design up to the vendor – e.g. the accelerator could be a cyclotron, a synchrotron or even some other device. The approach of writing functional specifications has since been adopted by almost all subsequent proton therapy facility customers.
For both contracts, after identifying qualified interested bidders, we published a request for proposals and then, after evaluating the bidders' written responses, we gave them an opportunity to present their proposals orally and to answer questions. In all this we relied heavily on a panel of outside experts for advice.
We then identified the preferred provider for each contract and negotiated, and eventually signed, a contract. This was a long and expensive process, involving as it did some very pricey lawyers, which lasted most of a year. But, it was time and money well spent in my judgment. The execution of the work is greatly facilitated by a clear and detailed contract without ambiguities. Recently there has been more than one proton facility whose construction has got into great difficulties through not having a clear contractual understanding between the parties.
And then, the work began. In the end, Ion Beam Applications (IBA), a Belgian firm, was selected to design and build the proton therapy equipment and the Bechtel Corporation to design and build the building and to support MGH in some management matters. The biggest problem with the decision to have two separate contracts with two separate providers was the danger that they would simply point the finger at the other if any problems arose and, in the worst case, would be at loggerheads. We dealt with this in part by building into the schedule a coordination phase in which IBA had to develop an interface document which specified everything that they needed the building to provide. Developing this document was a long and difficult matter, but it paid huge dividends in the end.
Time passed and the project progressed. So far as the building was concerned, things went smoothly. The building was designed and built within the scheduled time. I learned that time is very much money in the building trade. I had built a contingency of something like 2 million dollars in our budget for the building phase. I needed to conserve it in order to be able to buy a second gantry for the facility – which was an option in our contract with IBA. With Bechtel's willing support, we were able to protect the contingency fund and, as a result, we were, in the end, able to buy the second gantry.
The equipment side of things did not go so smoothly. We had divided their deliverables in several parts and payment for each part was contingent on IBA passing a review by the MGH aided by outside experts. Each review typically lasted two days. In the end, we held some 20 such review sessions. On the technical side there were a few substantial problems, wear of the gantry's rolling surface, for example, which cost time but which were all manageable. More seriously, as they came to assemble the whole apparatus and test it, numerous small problems cropped up and it seemed as though for every problem that got fixed a new one cropped up.
The most devastating technical problem was with the development of the equipment control system. This problem was responsible for much of the eventual delay in completing the equipment contract. IBA had badly underestimated the difficulty of developing the control system. Once the problem was realized, IBA scrapped their in-house development to date and sub-contracted the entire job to an outside company. This cost them at least a two-year delay –and a whole lot of money which, as we had a fixed price contract, they had to swallow.
With all these problems, everyone was getting nervous: IBA, the MGH directorate, my team, and, not least of all, I myself. I reacted by dividing IBA's deliverables into two parts, only requiring the first de-scoped part to be delivered initially. This was disappointing, but it was an essential step; we would never have got to patient treatments otherwise. As a result, three years delayed from the contracted finishing date, IBA was able to deliver a somewhat incomplete but nevertheless functioning system.
Dr. Suit: This was a large multi-million dollar project. Did you have any previous experience with such a large undertaking and, if not, how difficult was it for you to manage it?
Dr. Goitein: No, I really did not have any relevant experience of management on the scale that was involved. Like many academics, I had a rather disparaging view of 'management'. My technique had been to lead by example and, when the going got tough, to implore my co-workers to "just settle down and do the job." This does not always work, especially in a large and complex project, and over time I came to appreciate the importance of good management and formal procedures. In this I was tremendously helped by Paul Reardon, a dear man who is now sadly dead, who became a consultant to the project. He held my hand and cheerfully educated me in these matters.
I learned that good management requires that one has: clear and adequate specifications, a schedule and a budget. One then needs to keep within the schedule, to keep within the budget, and to achieve the specifications. One has to allocate both responsibility and authority to one's co-workers and ensure that they have the resources needed to do their job. All this needs to be documented, and one must audit people's work to make sure they are following the plan and that the work is of good quality. That is all. I wish I had known that from the beginning.
I learned one other useful thing from a little story attributed to the French author André Malraux. The bishop had reached the ripe age of 80, and his congregation put on a celebration. A young journalist was dispatched by the local newspaper to interview the great man. "Your Excellency," he asked, "you have certainly met with many people in the course of your ministry. Can you sum up for my readers what your experiences have taught you?" The bishop paused a moment for thought and then spoke. "Well, young man, I have learned really only one thing. There are no grownups." So many management problems, I realized, come down to the immaturity of the people involved.
Dr. Suit: Michael, you left the project before it was completed. How did that come about and was it difficult for you?
Dr. Goitein: Well, what was difficult was remaining with the project as it dragged on. My early departure came about for personal reasons. I had met, fallen in love with and, after three years, married Gudrun, a wonderful and exceptional woman if I may be allowed to say so. She lived and worked in Switzerland and, for both professional and family reasons, we decided that I would move to Switzerland rather than she to the US. However, I felt that my presence in Boston was essential for the success of the proton facility project, so I remained there for four years after our marriage, traveling to Switzerland for about a week each month. The more than seven year separation was, of course both physically, because of the travel, and personally demanding also for Gudrun. I waited until I judged that the project was finally coming together and that Flanz would be able to oversee its completion, and then I resigned from the MGH and moved to Switzerland. I think that the results demonstrate that my judgment in this matter was correct.
Dr. Suit: So, what did you do, once you had moved to Switzerland?
Dr. Goitein: Well, I had to decide whether to look for a position doing pretty much what I had been doing for the past thirty years, or whether to try something different. Once I put it to myself in those terms, the choice was clear. Something different. I decided to become a consultant, primarily in the field of proton therapy. That might not seem different at all, but in fact, as I learned, a consultant's tasks and perspectives are quite different from a researcher's. I decided to restrict my consulting to supporting people who wanted to set up a proton facility, rather than to consult for industries who wanted to sell them. One cannot do both, of course. That would lead to enormous conflicts of interest. I set up a small one-man company for liability protection reasons, and went to work. Let me briefly describe a few of my projects.
A group in the French-speaking part of Switzerland were considering raising a proton therapy project and asked me to consult for them. I mention them for the paradoxical reason that I helped them decide that they did not want to pursue this plan. I considered my job to be to assist my clients in first learning, and then achieving, their objectives. In this case, the people did not really have an appetite, nor did they have a sufficiently large patient base, for a proton project, and I helped them realize that. So, although my relationship with them was short, about one year, and no facility resulted from it, I nevertheless considered it to have been very successful.
My most substantial project, which lasted almost ten years, involved assisting a group in Trento, in Northern Italy, to raise a proton facility. The "group" initially consisted of one man, Renzo Leonardi, who conceived of the project and has carried it forward all the way. I was persuaded to work with him for two reasons. First, he, and later the group, really wanted my advice. I can't tell you how rare that is. Mostly, people want to hear you confirm what they intended to do in any event. Second, the funding of the project was to be provided by the Province of Trentino and, in effect, there was no business plan. It was not intended to be a money-making project. It probably didn't even have to break even. The idea was that the province was providing a benefit for its citizens. How refreshing! This, too, was a rare approach, and one that greatly appealed to me. So, I helped Renzo to: sell the idea to the Province; build up a project team; define how the facility should look through developing detailed specifications; go through a procurement process very similar to the one we went through at MGH; select a provider; and conclude a contract with IBA, as it happens. I then elected to leave the project. It had been a very fruitful collaboration, but I felt that the Trento group needed to stand on their own feet and not rely any more on my prodding and advice.
Finally, I will mention a quite different relationship. Radhe Mohan, at MD Anderson, asked me to consult with him to help him define a research program and then write an application for NCI funding. We had a very pleasant collaboration over several years. I persuaded him to join forces with the MGH in seeking funds and in conducting the research, which he did, I think, to their mutual advantage. At least they were successful in getting funding for their research.
I had thought that becoming a consultant would have the benefit of allowing me to taper down my level of effort over the years and, indeed, that was so. Eventually, in 2011, I decided to retire completely. I gave up my consulting work and, indeed, all professional activities, no more articles, no more talks, no more conferences and so forth. Or, at least, I tried to do so. It is amazing how many things keep cropping up which it would be churlish to refuse to do. But, I'm getting there. I find that the moment I have even the most minor professional obligation, it occupies my mind virtually full-time. I don't want that anymore.
Dr. Verhey: There is something that Michael hinted at but didn't really talk about directly and that is the use of sledge hammers to drive small nails. The bottom-line aspect of particle therapy, in particular proton therapy, means that there are places treating prostates with two proton fields because there are a lot of patients who want it and can fill their coffers. But, at least as I learned with you guys, that's not the best use of protons. So what are your thoughts about, let's say, the use of protons for something common like prostate cancer which, while they won't be worse than using X-rays, might in fact not be significantly better. Shouldn't protons be reserved for situations where their advantage is much more obvious?
Dr. Goitein: Well, I think that that is certainly the toughest question of the afternoon. It raises a number of difficult points and I'll try to address them though, since time is short, only briefly. Perhaps I should start with cost since most informed persons agree that, were proton therapy cheaper than, or even as cheap as, X-ray therapy, protons would be preferred. Protons are, without doubt, more costly than X-rays. Having said that, I have to remark that the charges for proton therapy in the United States are, in my opinion, way out of line. They are, for example, between 5 and 10 times higher than the comparable charges for heavy charged particle therapy in Europe. This means that proton therapy revenue in the US must greatly exceed its cost and this, as your question implies, is a strong incentive for a proton facility to use its protons on as many patients as possible. This incentive has two consequences: patients whose benefit from protons is only modest, but whose treatments are simple and hence rapid, may be preferred over more difficult cases; and there may be an incentive to take short cuts in designing the treatments so as to make them simpler and faster (e.g. treating only one field per day). Prostate treatments share both these aspects.
With regards to these points I want to make a few observations. First, one has learned some radiotherapeutic principles from conventional radiation therapy, and they haven't changed just because one is using protons. For example, we have learned that treating all fields a day is kinder to the patient's normal tissues than is one field a day. One-field-a-day proton therapy is being used purely for financial gain. The interest in hypo-fractionation is also relevant in this regard. I wish that the appetite for hypo-fractionation came from a belief that it was advantageous to the patient rather than from the fact that it makes a treatment course cheaper. Let's do clinical trials and find out – here I do think that randomized trials could be ethically designed. But to jump in and treat with fewer larger fractions because you can get more patients through and can get away with it is, I think, very undesirable. Very. To me, it is madness to build an expensive facility and then degrade its performance to reduce costs. Lastly, as most of my colleagues are well-aware, the costs of radiation therapy, even with protons, are very modest as compared with those of many other treatments. I cannot sympathize with the fact that the critics of proton therapy on financial grounds do not first turn their guns on, say, some very expensive regimens of chemotherapy.
However, given the higher cost of proton facilities and their relative scarcity, it makes sense to limit their use to clinical situations in which conventional X-ray therapy is unsatisfactory – either because local tumor control is inadequate or because complications are either too frequent or too grave. Prostate treatments would likely not meet these criteria. However, I must sound a note of caution. The advantage of proton therapy may often lie in the reduction of late effects. These complications may become evident years and even decades after treatment, so very long follow-up times are needed to evaluate protons' performance.
Dr. Suit: Before we wrap up, as you bring the subject up, I want to ask you your thoughts about the ethics of randomized clinical trials. I know that you were engaged in this matter in the last few years. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Dr. Goitein: For many years I was intimately involved in the design and the practical conduct of our research protocols regarding proton beam therapy. This necessarily put me in the middle of the controversy, which rages on to this day, as to whether randomized clinical trials (RCT's) are appropriate for evaluating proton therapy vis-à-vis conventional X-ray therapy – and my opinions on the subject have matured over the years. A couple of years ago, I collaborated with Jim Cox to write a paper on the subject. It was published in the JCO and, I believe, attracted a record number of editorials and letters to which we offered a lengthy reply. Subsequently, Joel Tepper, Anthony Zietman and I wrote a somewhat related piece on what we termed 'technology evolution.' So, let me just mention the main established and controversial points with respect to proton therapy.
First, some experimentally supported facts:
for a given tumor dose, protons almost always deliver less dose to uninvolved normal tissues;
normal organs and tissues are damaged by radiation and, in virtually all cases, the damage is greater, the greater the dose; and
protons do have additional problems relative to conventional radiations (especially as regards the impact of tissue inhomogeneities on their dose distributions) but techniques have been developed to satisfactorily overcome these problems.
These considerations make it quite unlikely that proton therapy would be worse than conventional therapy (provided comparable levels of technology for dose-delivery are used).
To justify a RCT, 'equipoise' must obtain – that is, the arms of the study must be judged to be comparably good. This is not controversial. But, the devil is in the details. Three issues are not agreed upon:
what evidence is appropriate in judging the relative goodness of the competing therapies;
who should make that judgment; and
at what confidence level should equipoise be judged not to obtain.
Briefly, RCT advocates think that only clinical data are relevant (in a cunning bit of double-speak which George Orwell would have appreciated they have coined the term 'clinical equipoise' and substitute it for 'equipoise' in their definition of the ethics of RCTs) whereas I think that all existing relevant data should be considered (including, in the case of protons, the physical and clinical data mentioned above). Moreover, RCT advocates think that investigators' judgments, backed by that of an Institutional Review Board, is all that is needed to justify an RCT, whereas I think that a patient's likely opinion (informed by all existing relevant data) should have a central role.
There are a couple of terms whose use in connection with the ethics of RCTs can be misleading. The first is embedded in the statement that "We do not know that protons are better for the patient than X-rays." This is sometimes stated by proponents of RCTs as a justification for judging that equipoise obtains. But the issue is not what we know with certainty, it is what the probability is that protons are better. And, while academicians would like to use a very high standard for probability – 20:1 for example – patients are likely to be content with a much lower threshold – 2 or 3:1 for example. The other misleading term is embedded in the statement "There are uncertainties surrounding proton beam delivery" which is taken to imply that, since there are uncertainties, equipoise must obtain. Well, of course there are uncertainties – but what matters is their magnitude. Are they great enough to likely make the use of protons inferior? This is a technical judgment and generally those knowledgeable about the technical aspects of proton beam therapy judge that the uncertainties can be managed (e.g. with safety margins) to the point that the level of any uncertainties is acceptably low.
So there, in a nutshell, is the argument. I can sympathize with the desire to obtain the best possible data, but one has to accept that some things which are scientifically desirable can simply not be done on ethical grounds. Most practitioners of proton therapy hold opinions similar to those I have described as being my own and, as a result, there have been almost no RCT's of proton beam therapy. The hidden agenda is cost. If protons were cheaper than X-rays there would be no discussion. Unfortunately, they are not.
Dr. Urie: I'd like to ask Michael if he would expand his views on the role of statistics and statisticians in the radiation oncology world?
Dr. Goitein: Well, so far as statistics are concerned, I have emphasized the importance of uncertainty analysis in almost all areas of radiation therapy (and, indeed, of life) – and it goes without saying that statistics provide the tools for such analyses. In fact, I have long felt that we should teach statistics to school children from a very early age.
Statisticians are another story. My opinion is that they are necessary in radiation therapy but not sufficient. They are necessary for two reasons. First, clinical investigators are often surprisingly naive about the demands of statistics on the design of clinical trials; they can wildly underestimate the patient numbers needed to obtain the desired power and overestimate the gain that they hope to see. A statistician can help them here – and should be involved from the very start, not at the last moment to 'fix up' a flawed grant application (as they legitimately complain is frequently the case). Then, too, even if the investigator is statistically competent, it always helps to have a second pair of eyes look over one's experimental design and over its implementation. So, I think that, at the Department level, the involvement of a trained statistician in any proposed clinical trial should be made obligatory.
However, in my mind, statisticians are not sufficient, also for two reasons. First, professional statisticians tend to be focused on a rather narrow range of problems – the design of RCTs in particular. They have the tools for such problems and are good at using them. But I have found that they tend to waver when a problem does not fit into their armamentarium. And, radiation therapy is full of 'unconventional' problems – for example, extracting a model for the dose-volume effect in an organ from 'dirty' data, or measuring (with uncertainty bounds of course) the magnitude of an effect rather than testing a hypothesis. Second, with regard to RCTs, they are no more competent to make judgments about the ethics of a proposed trial than you or I. And the worst of it is that statisticians have the bias that RCTs are the gold standard and hence have the urge to fit all questions into that mold. We, the clinical team, must take responsibility for the ethics of our proposed trials and not be intimidated by those who may have ethical blinkers.
Dr. Verhey: As we get to the end of our time, I would love to hear you opine on what you think were the contributions that you have made to the field of which you are most proud. I think they're all in here, but maybe if you could sort of point a finger at some of the things that you think have made the biggest difference in the treatment of patients with protons or X-rays, for that matter. I would love to see that in print.
Dr. Goitein: Well, that is an embarrassing question - but I confess I do have a few thoughts on the matter. I'd like first to say that almost all of what I did in medical physics was not complicated physics and certainly did not involve complicated mathematics. It was purely applied common sense. I think that, had I not gone into medical physics, others would have done most of the same things in due course. Perhaps I bought a few years on some of these developments. Interestingly, many of the things that I developed, almost always with the help of colleagues – yourselves, Marcia and Lynn, in particular, and often based on concepts mooted by others – have seeped into general clinical practice and no one knows or cares anymore that we were behind them. In fact, I find that very comforting.
If you twist my arm to make a short list, I would include:
analysis of the effect of uncertainties on planning and delivering radiation therapy. This was something that I pushed quite hard and I have to say it's been an uphill battle. It's been very disappointing to me that uncertainty analysis has not become more ingrained in the field. However, some of the work that is going on now under the rubric of robust treatment planning is to a large extent directed towards reducing uncertainties, so that's a very good development in my estimation.
development of 3-D treatment planning for proton treatments of choroidal melanomas;
measurement and analysis of the effect of tissue inhomogeneities on proton dose distributions;
development of image-based 3-D treatment planning for both X-ray and proton therapy – what is now termed IGRT. Novel developments included: incorporation of CT imaging, beam's-eye-view, digitally reconstructed radiographs, dose-volume histograms developed with you, Lynn, display of uncertainty bounds on dose distributions, side-by-side display of color-wash dose distributions for rival plans and so forth;
facilitation of non-coplanar treatments. Since the time of introduction of isocentric therapy machines, virtually all treatments were delivered using coplanar beams. Our program and the use we made of it completely changed perceptions or what was possible so that non-coplanar treatments are today freely employed;
introduction of simple aids to improve patient alignment, for example; thin foam mattresses and perforated thermoplastic masks and body molds. Today you can hardly go into a radiotherapy department and not see these masks lying around all over the place. That's something I feel very good about although almost no one knows that I originated these things;
development of biophysical models of TCP and, to a lesser extent, NTCP – and their use in guiding treatment planning and informing judgments about rival plans;
guiding the building of a commercially-developed hospital-based proton therapy center at MGH based on a set of functional patient-driven specifications.
In later years, contributing a bit to the discussion of the ethics of randomized clinical trials for particle therapy.
Dr. Verhey: Unfortunately I have my own answer to my own question because I think the thing that makes you so unusual and important in the field is that you always ask the question of what's the most important thing in terms of solving a particular patient's problem. What are the things that are going to cause you to potentially make errors in what you think you're doing? Which area of the treatment do you have to worry about the most? Is it the patient immobilization? Is it the definition of the beam? Is it the fractionation schedule? Whatever it is, you always were asking the right questions. So, unfortunately my answer to my own question is that I think you were the only person - I'm not sure I ever ran across anybody else, I hope I imitated you - but I'm not sure I ran across anybody else in the field who ever thought as logically or with as much common sense as to how to look at every patient's problems with a physicist's point of view and find the best solutions.
Dr. Goitein: Those are very warm words for me and I thank you for them. Common sense is a surprisingly rare commodity. You, Marcia and Herman all have enormous common sense and that was very important for our work together.
Dr. Verhey: I think we learned it from you, Michael. I don't know what Marcia would say.
Dr. Urie: I think it comes in my genes, too.
Dr. Goitein: I suppose the other thing is a patient-oriented view of things. Very often somebody who will come in and ask "What can I bring to the table?" Whereas, when you're tending to patients, the right question is "What does this person need?" And I think we had that orientation. Our weekly proton rounds were very focused and very exciting because we would ask just that sort of question. When I'd visit another hospital, I would ask to attend rounds, and most of the time they could be pretty boring. You know, images and plans were thrown up and everybody sort of nodded because they were half asleep and then they would go on to the next patient. I think our rounds were very energetic and interesting. The rounds at Harvard's Joint Center were the same way. I went over there a few times and Sam Hellman really stimulated a lively scene there. I think this level of active engagement on the behalf of the patient was quite an important element of what we did and was very - it was a big part of our success.
Dr. Verhey: Yeah, and I don't know whether it's attributable to the institution or to Herman or to you, but I think the lesson I learned there is that the way you make treatments better is you bury yourself in the clinic, identify patient-centered problems and find solutions that can benefit future patients as well as the particular one under discussion. I know lots of leaders who wouldn't basically remember where their clinic is. You were there. We all were there. That's where I think the advances came from: solving clinical problems on a patient-by-patient basis.
Dr. Urie: I would agree with that.
Dr. Suit: Michael, is there anything you would like to add?
Dr. Goitein: I would like to add a couple of remarks. I bemoan the fact that the world of radiation oncology and, indeed, of medicine in general has, over the period that I have been involved in it, become far more driven by the bottom line, by considerations of profit margins. And, what I particularly regret is my impression that the soldiers in the field, rather than resisting the administration's pressure with all their might, have not only accepted it, but have fallen in line to support the new model. For example, in my opinion, in proton therapy compromises in treatment technique and selection of patients are more and more made for financial reasons – and physicians are less and less inclined to represent the patients' best interests.
And second, although I do not wish for immortality, I would like to come back for one day every, say, 50 years as a fly on the wall. I would like to find out how cancer treatment – and, indeed, how the world in general – has evolved in the intervening years. I'm not very optimistic. I don't have a clue how it will change - but change it will, dramatically I would predict. I wonder whether the things with which we occupied ourselves during my professional lifetime will turn out to have 'weathered' well and how many of them will have become at best historical curiosities.
Finally, let me say that it was a great pleasure to hear your voices. It's been a long time. You know, I've recommended to virtually everyone who has told me that they are considering an offer to become chief of a department that they refuse it. Lynn was a very good example of semitone who completely ignored my advice and proved me completely wrong, so . . .
Dr. Suit: Well, so did Marcia. But . . .
Dr. Urie: Yeah, but I learned that Michael was right, so I withdrew after a few years.
Dr. Suit: Well, I think that there is an increasing number of physicians who are refusing to become chief as they don't want to spend all their life worrying about money. But, thank you all very much again and very best wishes to you all.
Dr. Urie: Before we sign off I would just like to acknowledge how much work Michael put into this assignment. I feel that it's interesting and I'm pleased that I was asked to participate.
Dr. Verhey: Yes, and I am, too, very much so. It helped me revisit the good old days, some of which are not so old. It was quite a time for me. And you were a big part of it, Michael and Marcia.
Dr. Suit: Okay. Well, I see that we have come up to the 60-minute point and I would just like to express appreciation for your participation in this, Michael, and also, of course, to Marcia and Lynn.
Dr. Goitein: My thanks to all of you for being willing to give your time to this enterprise. It was a pleasure for me that we could be 'together' once again, albeit for so short a time, and reminisce so pleasantly together.
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We use cookies to provide, secure and improve our services to you. To learn more, click here. | chief of radiology took the post away from Ted, needing it for another purpose. Ted rang me up, terribly apologetic, to un-invite me. He told me, though, that a new young chief of radiation therapy had just been appointed and he might be interested in me; he'd pass my name along. That, of course, was you, Herman. You invited me to an interview. I brought along some computer simulations that I had made to show my interest, suggesting a possible advantage to treating with multiple radiation beams entering the patient near-isotropically and so spreading the extra-tumoral dose around over a greater volume, but at a reduced level as compared with beams confined to a single plane. In retrospect, this was a bit paradoxical in view of my current concern about the delivery of dose baths to a large volumes of a patient. In any event, it did not hurt that you are an Anglophile and you offered me a job in spite of my total lack of training or experience in medical physics. You advised me to read Johns' and Cunningham's medical physics textbook before I came, which I did from cover to cover, and armed with that I showed up at your door in early 1972 and stayed with you for just one month short of 30 years.
Dr. Suit: While we're on the subject of your lack of training in Medical Physics, I think it might be kind of interesting if you, Michael, would comment on your and Ed Epp's policy that there would be no graduate student PhD thesis work in our department. That is, that everyone coming to a staff position would already have a PhD in pure physics. Now this is something that I thought was a fine idea and it seemed to work well. But, things have changed a lot and I want to know if you would comment on your present view.
Dr. Goitein: I did feel - and it was in view of what my own education had been that one got a more in-depth training when one followed one of the more usual physics routes. I thought that our research program at the MGH did not have the rigor and depth that I had experienced in my elementary particle physics training. It seemed to me to be unfair to allow people to think they were getting a doctoral-level training when, in fact, we couldn't really offer that. On the other hand, George Chen changed the policy and started bringing in graduate students and I think he made it a very lively place for them. So I must admit that in later years I had some second thoughts. I think in the end it has a lot to do with personality. You know, if a person feels that they can offer a proper environment for a PhD training, then I think they should go ahead. I was a bit surprised that Ed Epp agreed with my viewpoint because he himself had a very substantial radiobiology research program.
Dr. Urie: I'd like to ask a follow up to that. What is Michael's view now on the requirements for residency, medical physics residency and having to go through a medical physics graduate program to be board certified?
Dr. Goitein: Well, I'm blissfully ignorant of exactly how things are today, so I can't quite answer. In the generation before me, people like Ted Webster had no training at all in medical physics. They came in having trained, in his case I think, in nuclear physics and they picked up medical physics on the way. This is more or less what I did. It didn't work out so badly as a way in because medical physics in the trenches strikes me as something of a craft, if you will. There's a lot to know; I'm not denigrating in any way the amount of knowledge that one has to have. But I think it might be better to split the problem into two parts: a basic training in 'pure' physics at either the masters or doctoral level depending on the level the person wishes to reach, followed by a period of practical clinical training.
Dr. Verhey: Thank you, Michael. For what it's worth, I've always given you credit for the fact that I had exactly the same point of view at UCSF. We never took a physics resident in who didn't have a PhD in a more pure field than applied medical physics. Most of my colleagues or people of my age disagreed with that, but I think it was a good idea and I got it from you.
Dr. Suit: Okay. Well, that's a very nice clarification. To change the subject, what were your impressions and experiences when you first came to the MGH?
Dr. Goitein: Of course everything was brand new to me. The department was bustling with activity. I was extremely lucky that the two medical physicists already on board, Miriam Gitterman and Art Boyer, gave me a warm welcome and patiently initiated me into the myriad details of the work. The department was cramped for space. A new cancer center was being built to house it, but for the present it was mainly located in the few rooms coming off a rather short corridor, with scarcely space to swing a cat, let alone a newly arrived medical physicist. I was given a corner of the control area of one of the three treatment machines, an orthovoltage (280 KeV) machine. It was literally in the corner; my desk was a small triangular piece of Formica put in by the hospital's carpenters in a corner where two walls intersected. What was so fortunate was that I could observe indeed, could not avoid observing the treatment process up close. I was within arm's reach of the technician, saw the patients as they entered and left the treatment room, observed them through a leaded glass window during the time that they were positioned and treated, and heard everything that was going on. There could not have been a better learning experience. I noted how useful it was that the treatment head was articulated so that it could be angled to bring the beam in from any direction not just within a plane as the more modern isocentric machines tended to be limited to. It was there that I saw my first error in treatment delivery: a patient was treated using the technique intended for a different patient. An easy mistake to make and this led me into the field of computer monitoring of treatments (so-called 'Record and Verify' systems) which had the goal of avoiding such mistakes.
I will never forget, Herman, your coming to chat with me in my little corner after I had been at the MGH for a few months. You asked me what I had been doing and then, clearly unimpressed with my accomplishments to date, urged me to take on some research projects and build up a record of professional activity. It was as though you had put me into gear, and I don't think I ever got back into neutral for the entire time that I was at the MGH.
Dr. Suit: So, tell us what your early projects were.
Dr. Goitein: If I may, let me first step back and make some general comments. I have been thinking about what my overall approach has been, and I think that it has informed most of what I did. There were four main strands:
At first unconsciously, and later consciously, I decided not to attempt to tackle the prominent problems of the day. There are always 'fashionable' problems and people tend to gravitate towards them. Since so many people are already working on them, one can be pretty sure that others will solve them and there's no sense in simply racing to be the first to do so. For example, accurately computing the 'dose at point P' was the holy grail when I entered medical physics – so I elected to focus primarily on target and organ coverage rather than dosimetry near the center of the irradiated volume.
I appreciated that medical physics is an applied field – and that therefore the application is king. Therefore I always asked myself whether the solution of any problem that I was contemplating working on was likely to improve cancer care. If not, or even if its probable impact was simply doubtful, I backed away and conserved my energies for something more relevant to the goal I had set myself. Having said which, one has to be careful to keep one's expectations at a reasonable level. It is not given to everybody to find the cure for cancer. I told myself that I would be content if, over a lifetime's career, I would have improved survival of our patients by an average of two percent. If fifty people achieve two percent, then the problem's solved!
I tried to maintain a broad focus. Although I became known for working with protons, I consider my professional work to have been at least as relevant to conventional (X-ray and electron) therapy as to proton therapy.
I have consistently sought out collaborators with whom to work. You three are foremost among these and it has been a huge pleasure to have collaborated with you. At the time I was awarded ASTRO's gold medal, I thought I might show the names of all those with whom I had actively collaborated in order to thank them, so I started to compile a list. I stopped when it reached 231 names. I realized that there certainly were others whose names I had not yet recalled and I abandoned the idea of putting up a slide. And, too, I hate the NIH (not invented here) phenomenon. If others have already solved a problem, or are well on the way to solving it, then one should take advantage of their efforts and use one's own energies elsewhere to better advantage.
In this connection, I once heard the saying that "the inventor of something is the first person who forgot to say from whom he learned it." Ever since hearing and digesting this saying I have tried to give attributions where they are due. Many, perhaps most, of my 'innovations' were not wholly original. Others had the same or similar ideas (of which I was not always aware). My contribution was often to bring these ideas into general clinical practice, and with (relatively) easy-to-use tools.
Dr. Suit: Back to specifics. What projects did you undertake initially?
Dr. Goitein: Let me mention just two things:
When I first came to the MGH I noticed that the treatment couches were covered with several-inch-thick foam mattresses. While these were comfortable for the patient, they did not provide reproducible positioning; the patient tended to lie in a slightly different position at each treatment session. I developed a much thinner, though still reasonably comfortable, mattress with a non-slip and washable surface which led to more reproducible positioning, and this was widely adopted by industry.
Reproducibility of the position and orientation of a patient's head was also imperfect; the tools available being various gadgets, augmented by lots of adhesive paper tape. With the help of Julian Cherubini, a plastics salesman, I developed a mask which was made of thermoplastic sheets which could be easily formed to fit the individual patient and which were perforated by multiple holes, both for comfort and to partially protect the patient's skin from the effects of radiation. It was gripped in a wooden frame (initially I used a Wilson tennis-racket frame) secured to the couch top by quick-release fasteners. This invention has also been widely adopted and these masks can now be seen in virtually every modern radiotherapy department.
Of all my developments, the mattresses and masks, simple as they are, rank amongst the things I have done about which I am most pleased.
Dr. Suit: One of your interests was in developing a 3-D treatment planning program. Can you tell us about that?
Dr. Goitein: Of course, but I have one related subject that I would like to address first, namely the issue of uncertainty. It does have a lot to do with treatment planning in my view.
In my opinion, no physicist worth his or her salt, and indeed no scientist, should state the value of a measurement or calculation without adding an estimate of the uncertainty in that value at a specified level of confidence. When someone states that they know what the dose will be, or was, to a given part of some structure, let us say 48 Gy, they are probably reporting a value taken from some pretty picture generated by their treatment planning computer. Let us call this the 'nominal dose'. Assume for simplicity that both positional and dosimetric errors are normally distributed. The nominal dose will be our best estimate of the actual dose. However, under these assumptions, saying that the (nominal) dose is 48 Gy is equivalent to saying that "There is a 50 percent chance that the dose will be greater than 48 Gy." Given the latter statement, most clinicians would gulp and immediately ask "Well then, how much greater than 48 Gy can it be?" In effect they would be asking for (and should already have been given) the confidence bounds on the statement of dose.
I recall walking through the treatment area one day and seeing out of the corner of my eye a couple of residents conferring on a case. Somehow, I realized that their decision that the port film indicated that the patient was correctly aligned was erroneous. This led me to design a study, performed by two South African medical students who were visiting our department for a few months, in which treatment portal films taken over the course of treatment were compared with one another and with the initial simulation film. This study documented the degree of patient misalignment, both day-to-day and relative to the intended alignment. It was, I believe, the first study to identify that systematic errors can be, and often are, larger than random errors in patient positioning – and hence more worrying.
In my development of a treatment planning program I included an estimate of the dose uncertainty (usually at the 1.5 standard deviation level). Treatment devices such as apertures and compensating boluses could be designed with safety margins based on the computed uncertainty estimate. The program included methods of displaying uncertainties in the dose distributions. I also advocated that normal tissue constraints be stated and imposed in terms of the estimate of the upper bound of dose and not on the nominal dose. Alas, it is relevant to report that my clinical colleagues eventually gave up this way of imposing and reporting dose constraints. Their reasoning was that they became weary of trying to explain this unusual approach to their bewildered colleagues.
It has been a great disappointment to me that these or similar methods of uncertainty analysis have largely been ignored by practicing medical physicists and the supporting industry.
Dr. Suit: Speaking of uncertainty, I would like to just comment, Michael, that it seems to me that it would not be out of line for you to put a little bit of emphasis on the fact that the first patient we treated by proton beams had position confirmation about as accurate as I think anything going today for lesions in non-mobile sites. I was at a DoE-NCI conference last week and a very prominent radiation oncologist said that, when protons started at Boston, they had very little knowledge of the position of the beam relative to the target. I responded with a little bit of vigor saying that I think it would be difficult for anybody to do much better today than we did then because we had biplanar imaging before each field, although that required reading of the film followed often by re-positioning of the patients and repeating of the filming as indicated to achieve the planned position accuracy. Further, a large fraction of the patients had fiducial markers placed as well.
Additionally for the ocular melanoma patients, Evangelos Gragoudas, our ophthalmologist partner, sutured usually four quite small tantalum rings around the tumor base for positioning by X-ray beams while the patient gazed at a very small and precisely positioned light beam. Then during the proton beam-on time, a greatly enlarged image of the iris was viewed continuously; if there was any significant eye motion the beam was turned off immediately. The local control result of 95 percent at 15 years is convincing evidence that the beam was on the target. This procedure was largely developed by you, Michael.
Dr. Goitein: Well, Herman, I think you have made the point perfectly. We used radiographic alignment on almost every patient – except for a very small number of patients with quite superficial lesions where we went by skin marks. The reason for that is because of two things: 1) the whole rationale of proton therapy is to confine the dose as well as you can to the volume that you want to treat and have as little as possible outside, so the more accuracy you have the better you can achieve that goal; 2) when the beam is mis-registered with the patient, then the compensation is compromised. Lynn, here, spearheaded a very nice study looking at radiographs taken before and after treatment to determine by how much patient alignment could change and the numbers were in the millimeter range. They varied a bit on the method of immobilization and on whether the patient was seated or supine. We did realize excellent alignment and I think it was the right thing to do.
Dr. Suit: Well, to return to treatment planning, how was it that you decided to develop your own treatment planning program?
Dr. Goitein: When I arrived at MGH, treatment plans were designed using a teletypewriter connected to a remote computer at Memorial in New York. The system was developed by Radhe Mohan and was the mainstay of many institutions for many years, but by today's standards it was very limited. Art and I had the job of selecting the department's first in-house treatment planning computer. We chose an interactive system made by a small firm, Artronix. It was made interactive though the manipulation of 4 knobs which controlled, as I recall, gantry angle and the collimator settings. Patient anatomy was defined using a digitizing arm, but only in a single plane. The skin surface was traced from the shape of a solder-wire which had been bent around the patient and internal anatomy was outlined by some artful combination of information from radiographs and from an atlas of human anatomy based on sectioned frozen cadavers.
Although considered state-of-the-art at the time, the Artronix system was quite primitive. It could not directly use imaging information such as CT images which were becoming available in the early 1980s; it was at best what I called 2½ dimensional only supporting treatment techniques in which all beams lay in a plane; and it only allowed one to compute dose distributions in a single, or in a very few, transverse sections. It was clear that a much more capable system was possible, so I decided to try to develop one.
This decision was catalyzed by my experience in planning the treatment in 1974 of the second patient to receive proton therapy at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. She was a lady with a chondrosarcoma of the skull base which required the use of a posterior-oblique beam. I spent three days and much of three nights designing her plan (based on a sequence of so-called smearing tomograms) and yet more time implementing it. At the end of this effort I pledged to myself that I would never again do by hand what could be done by computer. I learned from this experience that invention must often be driven by inherent laziness. Inventors seek solutions which will allow them to accomplish a desired goal with ease.
The development of my treatment planning system spanned a decade or more during which several important technical developments took place: the development of powerful and, eventually, affordable mini-computers (specifically Digital Equipment's VAX computer with its virtual memory, costing when I bought it about $250,000 – today a comparable computer system could be bought for about $1,000); the development of interactive computer graphics (an outgrowth of the space program with its military underpinning); and, of huge importance, the invention, development and proliferation of computer tomographic scanners (CT) with their amazing anatomic detail. In connection with CT, I went to a conference in Puerto Rico in, I think, 1973 or '74 at which whole-body CT images were shown publicly for the first time. I was so impressed by them that I managed to snag several CT images (of Mike Terpegosian) and carried them around in my briefcase for over a year, showing them to everyone I came across. I knew right away that CT would revolutionize radiation therapy.
Dr. Suit: Your treatment planning program introduced many new ideas. Can you list for us some of its main innovations?
Dr. Goitein: I'd be happy to. But first, let me make a general point which informed all my developments and is not something that, even today, all software developers recognize. Namely: (1) Even if you have a great idea of what you want to accomplish, if you don't have the necessary tools, you won't be able to do it. for example, if non-coplanar beams are not supported, you will not be able to design non-coplanar treatments; and (2) even if one has the tools, unless the advantage is truly enormous they won't be used unless they are easy to use .
Having said which, and bearing in mind my point about how much I owed to previous innovators and to those who worked with me. Mark Abrams, Greg Moulton and Tom Miller deserve special mention. I'll rattle off brief descriptions of some of our innovations. Our planning program included:
fully three-dimensional geometry (patient and delivery equipment) this, for example, made the planning of image-based non-coplanar treatments possible;
use of CT images, based on which the three-dimensional shape, size and location of the tumor and of the normal anatomy could be defined;
a soft-labeled user interface (a video screen surrounded by push-pull switches whose function was labeled by the computer);
interactive tools to delineate anatomy from the CT data;
modeling of the treatment equipment which allowed the user to move it interactively (a capability later termed 'virtual simulation');
display of anatomy in the beam's-eye view (prior work had been done by Stirling, Siddon, and McShan);
interactive and automatic design of ancillary devices (e.g. apertures, compensating boluses) in the beam's-eye view;
back-projection of aperture and collimator outlines on sectional CT images (transverse, sagittal and coronal);
dose calculated three-dimensionally;
dose displayed as either isodose contours or, preferably, as color-wash on transverse, sagittal and coronal images;
computation and display of dose uncertainty bounds;
treatments designed taking uncertainties into quantitative account;
what came to be called digitally reconstructed radiographs (similar views but without perspective distortion had been developed for diagnostic use);
dose-volume histograms (invented together with Lynn Verhey);
plan comparison techniques, e.g. side-by-side display of two or more plans (in color-wash or with isodose lines); overlay of DVH's for two or more plans for a particular volume of interest; and side-by-side comparison of biophysical quantities (TCP, NTCPs);
implementation of the capability to interact with treatment plans during departmental conferences and from a remote site, namely from the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory.
The routine clinical use of all these capabilities was, I think, novel. Most of them are now in day-to-day use worldwide – but, alas, not uncertainty analysis.
Dr. Suit: Didn't you eventually collaborate with a company in the development of a commercial treatment planning system. What happened with that?
Dr. Goitein: Being impatient to see my ideas in clinical practice, I, together with Peter Kijewski of Harvard's Joint Center, formed a collaboration with Siemens to develop a commercial treatment planning system. It was to be based on my system and on Peter's ideas for, primarily, data management.
This effort lasted at least five exhausting years and finally failed. The project was terminated by Siemens for two main reasons: (1) due to problems that Siemens were having in another of their plants which made ultrasound scanners, they were having trouble getting FDA clearance for their projects in general; and (2) our project was taking too long to come to fruition. In part, I blame myself for the second of these reasons. I simply tried to do much in the first release, fearing that, if I didn't get all my ideas in the initial system, then they would never get in.
Although our development was discarded, it did, I think, have some influence. The beta version was shown at several congresses and was seen by large numbers of viewers, commercial and otherwise. And a few beta versions, I think four, were distributed, one of them to the University of Zurich's radiotherapy department and one in Munich, and were generally very well received. I think it is no accident that many of our developments showed up in subsequent commercial planning programs.
Dr. Suit: There was another collaboration you were involved in, namely in some NCI-sponsored working groups. Tell us about that.
Dr. Goitein: Yes, that was an interesting interlude. It took place during the 1980s and was, I think, quite important for the dissemination of ideas about three-dimensional treatment planning. There were two projects, each involving collaborations of four institutions; the MGH participated in both. The first was initiated by David Pistenma during the time that he was head of the radiation development branch of the NCI. He hoped that one could decide on the relative merits of various treatment modalities by a paper computer exercise – and it would be faster and cheaper than funding a lot of clinical trials. So he let a series of contracts for a working group to engage in the inter-comparison via treatment planning of X-rays, protons, Carbon ions, neutrons and, initially, pi-mesons. However, one did not then, and still does not today, have the basis for assessing the clinical importance of the radiobiological differences between the particles. Consequently, the collaboration, although valuable for stimulating interest in 3-D treatment planning, did not succeed in its primary goal.
The project culminated in a voluminous report, published by the NCI, and several hundred copies were disseminated. That the interactions between the groups were very fruitful can be deduced from the titles of the technical sections of that report which I think one can say were, for their time, groundbreaking. The titles were:
Description of evaluations for several sites
The use of CT and other modalities in planning treatment
Correction for inhomogeneities
Radiobiological considerations and microdosimetry
Uncertainty analysis
Normal tissue tolerance
Tumor control probability
Tape exchange standard
As regards publication of the findings in the open literature, I have to make an embarrassing confession. I undertook to put a manuscript together, which I did, and I submitted it to the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. It came back with a multitude of reviewers' complaints. Being tired of the project, I postponed dealing with them and, eventually, the manuscript died in my desk drawer and was never published. To this day I feel guilty about this failure of mine which was very unfair to the other participants.
The second project was developed by Al Smith who had taken over by then from Dave Pistenma. The collaborators were to define the elements of three-dimensional treatment planning in the context of X-ray therapy. Of course, the first project had gone a long way towards that end, but there is no doubt that the second project made significant extensions to that work. For me, however, the dominant memory of the second project was an unfortunate one: a lengthy squabble regarding the publication of results. This took place at the start of the project and very nearly put an end to it before it had really begun. Most of the participants wanted to be sure that all four institutions would have a mathematically equal presence of their members in the list of authors and would be the leading institution in one quarter of the publications of which, in the end, there were 20 (a number divisible by four you will note!). They wanted the author lists to be decided from the beginning. I resisted this notion strenuously, believing that authorship should reflect actual substantive contribution. In the end, in order to not bring the project to its knees, I caved in. But, to this day, I have a bad taste in my mouth. It seemed, and still seems to me, to be the antithesis of what an academic collaboration should involve.
The MGH was nearly thrown out of the project for another reason. There was a lot of debate at the beginning about the dose calculation algorithms. The other groups had implemented complex algorithms and believed my simpler one, as they judged it to be, was inadequate. They felt that the MGH's planning program therefore did not meet the minimum required standard. They did agree, however, to delay our expulsion until the results of comparisons between calculation and measurement in a variety of phantoms had been ascertained. What they did not understand was that my algorithm took great care of defining how dose falls off at the edge of a field. They were focused on 'dose at point P' issues where P tends to be near the middle of the field. It gave me no little satisfaction when the MGH algorithm outperformed theirs in the majority of the tests.
There is no doubt in my mind that the two projects, taken together, were very influential in introducing and further developing three-dimensional treatment planning. The second project, in particular, mapped out the field of 3-D treatment planning. It was both a valuable status report and provided a template for future developments. Its results filled a full issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (volume 21). Until then, 3-D treatment planning was in its infancy. No 3-D system was commercially available, and very few people even knew what it involved. And, the collaborations between the groups led to cross-fertilizations which affected their ongoing developments in important ways.
Dr. Suit: You have mentioned biological modelling. I know you had a great interest in this area. How did you get into it and what were your contributions?
Dr. Goitein: In my later years, I coined a phrase along the lines of "Dose is just a surrogate for what we really care about, namely the extent of biological damage to the tumor and to normal tissues." I have seen and heard the word 'surrogate' used often enough to have the feeling that I played some role in putting this concept on the map. Of course it was always obvious to the more sophisticated radiation oncologists, but the rank and file of physicists and physicians seemed unaware of it.
I appreciated this point the moment I entered the field. Initially I focused on the issue of fractionation. Ellis's Nominal Standard Dose concept was popular at the time, and a couple of derivative formulations, TDF and CRE, had evolved from it. These dealt, however, with regularly-spaced fractionation with equal doses per fraction. I wondered how to deal with irregular spacing and unequal doses per fraction, as not infrequently occur in the clinic, and I developed and published an approach to this problem. However, a conference in Wisconsin devoted to time-dose fractionation emphasized for me the complexity of the problem and persuaded me not to pursue work in this area.
Some years later, though, I came back to biophysical modelling. It came about through the wise words of Sten Graffman, a Swedish radiation oncologist who was spending some time at the MGH (and who, sadly, just recently died). I had been worrying about the dose perturbations which our studies had taught us that protons suffer when passing through inhomogeneities. It's quite possible that the dose in a small volume - in the shadow, for example, of a thin piece of bone – could suffer a reduction of 20 percent or so. In those days the conventional wisdom was that tumor control was driven by the minimum received by a tumor; any dose above the minimum to other parts of a tumor was, it was supposed, 'wasted'. If this was true then, I worried, if a reduced dose happened to lie within the tumor, the tumor control probability (TCP) could be badly compromised. Upon my speaking of my concern to Sten, he answered, "Well then, why don't you try calculating by how much tumor control would be reduced?" It turned out that he had previously done some work on calculating tumor control probabilities and that got me started.
I don't want to go into details of the model I developed, but it had some characteristics that I should mention. In contrast to the few models in the literature which dealt with uniform irradiation of tumors, I addressed the problem of inhomogeneous dose within a tumor. And, in order to have the model conform to experimental data in the limit of uniform irradiation, I introduced variability of cell radiosensitivity between supposedly similar tumors. The model had two surprising consequences. It predicted that the TCP would be only slightly, and not catastrophically, reduced by a relatively small dose reduction to a relatively small volume of the tumor. And, in a complementary manner, it predicted that a boost dose to most, but not all of a tumor could increase the TCP significantly; it would not | 6,876 |
Braid to stay in Glasgow
27 February 2015 11:07am
By Jenny Tulloch
Glasgow Warriors head coach<|fim_middle|> and wish them all the best for the remainder of the season." | Gregor Townsend
© www.inpho.ie
Connor Braid will now be staying with Glasgow Warriors until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old Canadian back was due to return to London Scottish following the conclusion of his loan spell, but with Duncan Weir out injured and Finn Russell and Peter Horne with Scotland, the Warriors have agreed a deal to keep him at Scotstoun.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "We're delighted that Connor will be staying with us until the end of the season.
"He is a hard-working player who is always looking to improve and can play in a variety of positions throughout the backline.
"We have a number of players unavailable at the moment, so we'd like to thank London Scottish for their support."
Connor Braid added: "I want to play as many games as I can for the Warriors over the next few months.
"I'd like to thank everyone at London Scottish for making me feel so welcome | 199 |
Written by: aburtz3 on November 13, 2015.
Good video! The video was going a little to0 fast for the audio, so I suggest slowing down the video and speeding it up when needed. I did like how the video showed the facts and the processes<|fim_middle|> the differences in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. I was a bit long and the use of a steady camera may have been helpful. | were drawn instead of just a picture explaining it. Overall really good video!
When doing a video like this it's best to use a fixed camera, because the fast movement can be nauseating. The way you made your video makes the topic of endosymbiosis easy to understand, but in some ways it seems too childish.
I like the use of color in the markers and diagrams, the information was great. Need to slow down when talking because in the beginning it was really hard to understand the differences.
The use of different colored markers to explain cells made the video intriguing. However, I couldn't really hear what you guys were saying. So next time you should improve on the voice quality because that is very important.
The beginning of the video was a bit wobbly and the audio felt more like giving a list than teaching a concept. However this video is very thorough and really a good review of the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (although it is a bit long).
The content is explained well, and the visuals look good.
I would suggest the audio and visual parts be more synchronized. Some background music would also be good during the audio blackout.
A well-made video, however the video and the audio seem to not be in sync at a few points throughout. Also the video's a bit long (4.5 mins instead of 1-3).
The information presented was relevant and informative. The visuals were effective and cute. However, at some points the video is unstable. I would suggest investing in a tripod and trying to edit you video to flow more smoothly. You have a strong base and with some minor improvements, your video could be very good.
The drawings and audio were informative and engaging, but it was distracting to have the camera moving around a lot, and then changing whiteboards. Also there were parts when the audio stopped completely and the drawings were still being finished.
The topics are clearly presented through appropriate language and citations of various papers. However, proper editing in the video could have provided further cohesion between ideas and concepts. The most important thing is that the concepts were taught, which is really good!
The video does well at touching on certain topics (differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells).
In general the video could have been more polished, the audio didn't line up well with the videos at times, the studies you cited were often times shoehorned into the video with little to no explanation of relevance to the subject at hand.
Overall a good video! Your explanation of the theory of endosymbiosis was very clear! I do suggest that you work on the sound quality. There were parts of the video where the recording ended abruptly.
You guys have covered the material clearly in a well-organized way. The drawings are cute and help visualize the concepts.
However, there is room for improvement in the sound quality. In some parts, the audio and the visual content feel like they are not synchronized.
Overall, the video serves as a good review of the material.
The video does a good job of describing endocytosis and incorporating research studies that explain how the process is biologically important. The embosymbiont theory could use some additional explanation though, particularly in explaining what benefits each cell obtained from the incorporation of cyanobacteria into larger cells– why is it evolutionarily feasible?
I liked the explanations and the diagrams that went along with them; it made the concepts easier to understand. However, there were times when the audio would finish while the video was still going. Perhaps in the future you could record the two separately, that way you could speed up the video to match the audio.
The content was explained well, but there could have been more drawing to go along with the audio explanations. The audio was also a little out of sync, which could have been helped by some more written definitions or drawings.
I liked that the content was explained clearly, but there were times when the audio and video weren't really in sync.
The graphic at the very beginning comparing prokaryotes and eukaryotes was very helpful in creating a general idea of the differences.
In the future, it might be good to have some soft background music playing to make the video a bit more interesting.
This video was a great demonstration of the topic and very clear to read and understand | 880 |
PCN Flight West: Death of Millie the Stewardess, wife of DL Pilot John McDonald, ret.
Death of Millie the Stewardess, wife of DL Pilot John McDonald, ret.
I wish to<|fim_middle|>.org). | thank Susan, Millie's daughter, for passing along the sad news of Millie's passing just before her 87th birthday. Note: I will forward more information including addresses if shared.
Mildred McDonald, beloved wife, mother and sister, passed away Friday July 8 at the age of 86.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she was a first generation American, the second of six children of Andrew and Marie Pilch. Millie was a graduate of Wright Junior College and worked several years as a secretary for a bank inside Chicago's "Loop".
In 1952 on a visit to the Chicago airport, she talked her way into an impromptu interview with a Delta Airlines recruiter and was hired as a stewardess. Against family advice, she moved south to Atlanta, Georgia, and traveled throughout the southern United States in Delta's fleet of DC-3 airplanes. It was a job she loved, and one which took full advantage of Millie's smile and outgoing personality.
She married John McDonald, a graduate of Georgia Tech and native of Ashburn, Georgia, in 1953. They spent their early married life in Detroit, Michigan, where John worked for the Chrysler Corporation, but moved back (happily) to Atlanta in 1957, when he was hired as a pilot for Delta Airlines.
As a wife and career homemaker, Millie raised four daughters and took an active role in their lives, serving many times as room mother or field-trip volunteer in their schools. She was also an accomplished seamstress, producing not only dozens of outfits for herself and her daughters, but also several sets of sparkling majorette uniforms. Millie and John lived for over 40 years in the Lake Spivey community south of Atlanta and were members of the Jonesboro United Methodist Church. They both loved to travel and visited locations in Europe and Asia by air, plus many destinations throughout North America in their RV after John retired. In 2007, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and settled in the Hampton Cove neighborhood. In April of this year John and Millie celebrated their sixty-third wedding anniversary.
Millie leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband John, her daughter Susan and husband Carlos Carvajal (Huntsville, AL), her daughter Karen and husband Robert Nash (Jonesboro, GA), her daughter Janet (Atlanta, GA), her daughter Lisa and husband David McNamee (Oldsmar, FL), plus six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family plans a Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends in Jonesboro, GA, on August 20, which would have been her eighty-seventh birthday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Millie's memory to the Huntsville Botanical Garden or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety | 587 |
Aqva Pour Homme EDT Bali | Fragrance Singles
Aqva Pour Homme EDT
Aquatic, noble and masculine, AQVA POUR HOMME evokes the power and beauty of the sea. An aromatic aquatic eau de toilette, AQVA POUR HOMME, is a powerful and vivifying fragrance characterized by a woody sillage.
Country of Origin IT-ITALY<|fim_middle|>lgari products
Please note that price displayed does not include duties and GST (goods and services taxes). |
Emboldened by 2,700 years of Roman history, Bvlgari honors its rich past within modern designs. Known for stylistic audacity and a penchant for color, Bvlgari pieces are immediately recognizable. Designing with the sensuality of volume, a love of linearity and a reverence for the art and architecture of Bvlgari's Roman roots, these iconic features are found in each of Bvlgari's creations. Harmonized with Rome's ancient history, Bvlgari incorporates the city's symbolism while innovating the future of its design. With an inimitable vision of luxury, Bvlgari's origins at the Via dei Condotti flagship store hosted an international elite of artists, writers and actors during the "Dolce Vita" years—leading to Bvlgari's diversified presence today.
View all Bv | 179 |
Home > Features > News > Caroline Cardus: Hidden Battles
By Colin Hambrook
Photograph of Fort Brockhurst by Caroline Cardus
Image: Caroline Cardus
Caroline Cardus' Go Make! residency at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport is the fourth in an ongoing series of bursaries for disabled and deaf artists, awarded by Dada-South, in partnership with English Heritage.
Once a Victorian Fort, with full moat, drawbridges, parade ground and central keep, Fort Brockhurst is now primarily a museum store and a relatively untouched vast space full of potential to explore ideas of exclusion, defence and barriers. This is a fantastically unusual site which is not regularly open to the public, with lots of interesting areas to explore.
Caroline Cardus was delighted to present a multi-sensory installation piece on Saturday 13 September 2008, produced in response to her residency at the Fort. Heritage Open Day visitors were invited to experience the installation, take part in a creative session and hear Caroline talk about her work and the project.
Fort Brockhurst seems an unlikely venue for disability art-making with a group of local disabled punters. What inspired you about the building, its architecture and its history?
When you visit Fort Brockhurst, there's immediately a feeling that it's an eclectic and mysterious place. There's all this empty space which was built to have people in it, but there aren't any now, so there's a feeling of loss, or lack. Maybe that appeals to my melancholy side. It was built to be used, but was never used to it's full potential. I found that interesting too.
It's also very inaccessible. A challenging place to send a disabled person and then ask them what they think! In fact, when inviting disabled people to take part in the workshops, some of the feedback was "Why would we want to<|fim_middle|>. I don't think people can really understand that if they're not affected by it.
For my own art practice, I want to relate directly to this space, something I've begun to think about more intently since working with the Architecture Inside-Out project. So often I go into a space and it doesn't fit who I am or what I need it to do.
I feel like a lot of spaces that speak to me as a wheelchair user are effectively saying 'Not you' at every point they are difficult to use. Also, the only other people who can get any sense of that are other disabled people.
I want the workshops to explore that sense, to find out if we have that as common ground - can other people hear these voices from inaccessible spaces? Or are the spaces saying something different to different people? Do we cope in or react to them differently, and where do we go with that?
As for the partnership between Dada-South and English Heritage I'm really pleased English Heritage wants to work with disabled people. I have a good feeling about this collaboration because it feels like an acknowledgement we exist, and have existed throughout history.
The invitation to collaborate doesn't feel like a 'box ticker' because English Heritage are aware the fort isn't accessible, yet I'm being invited in with a group of people who are part of access groups in the local area in a residency to explore that.
Friendly URL: http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/Hidden_Battles_caroline_cardus | go somewhere that isn't accessible?!" which was a fair point.
I like to make work that considers the barriers people encounter, so having workshops in a space that has lots of them seems like a logical starting point to explore those feelings. Maybe if we held them somewhere nice and accessible instead, we'd be too unattached to everything. I want people to feel frustrated for this one so we can explore how to represent those feelings.
What kinds of results are you hoping to get from this residency, firstly for yourself as an artist, secondly for the people who come along for the workshop; and thirdly for the partnership between English Heritage and Dada-South?
I'm not looking for happy endings necessarily. It won't be like The Way Ahead, which was a quite positive project because it put the people making the work in control of giving instruction through signage. There's still a lot of barriers everywhere for disabled people, so as well as looking ahead I think we have to look at the reality of now.
So, in this residency, I want to communicate how these barriers feel; and although it's logical to assume much of that won't be positive, I hope its appeal will be that anyone, disabled or not, will be able to understand the impact that has on the people it affects.
Disabled people are forgotten about and 'designed-out' of spaces a lot of the time, physically and emotionally. Even if the act of design isn't directly agressive, the feelings it provokes are very strong | 305 |
When my family and I go out for a walk in the city, in the midst of a crowd, of strangers, outside the protected shell of our town, then things become clearer.
The others look at us.
They look at us, but in fact it is Killó who attracts their attention.
If you walk along the streets, or in the supermarket, or at the sea or in the mountains, together with a blond child wearing blue glasses whose name is Killó, people look at you. It is clear that he has Down syndrome and a lot of people only notice that (unfortunately).
There are stares, the most annoying, from those people who, turn blank as if they are seeing a heavenly vision, and make you feel sorry you haven't got any autographed photos to hand out.
There are quick, hidden glances, which come and go, and end up with strange uneasy expressions, showing embarrassment, which seem to say: "Sorry I'm looking at you but I don't really want to, I can't stop staring".
There are questioning looks ("But has he got Down syndrome<|fim_middle|> and those of you who are the same: would you like to tell me about those glances, yours, when you meet us?
Would you like to give your words to those glances, those smiles, would you like to tell me what you feel when faced with my diversity, Killó's or any other person with Down syndrome?
I hope so, I will read, I will answer if necessary, and I will take a break from the silence which is often so distressing.
Write on your blogs and then link here to the comments, or write to me directly here, just a few lines are enough.
Together with Martina, Marina and Valle, we have decided to pay tribute to World Down Syndrome Day by telling you about our personal experiences as mothers, inviting you to move over to this side, even if only to tell us a story. We will collect all the stories and comments that you share with us in our blogs or facebook pages with the links to all the posts, to create a bridge between US and YOU, hoping that together we can tear down that wall and one day be able to speak only about US. | ???"), those gazes removed too quickly, those that become so cold.
There are glimpses out of the corner of the eye from those who you can see will turn round as soon as you have gone by, who are so curious and here it becomes fun to play a trick: I turn round too and catch you looking at me. Then I smile, calmly, I come in peace).
Having said all this, I must also say that Killó greets randomly, ciao here, hallo there, with a clear preference for those people who pass him by immerged in their own thoughts. He says hallo, they are taken back, they say hallo even before noticing the Syndrome, then they see it and there are various reactions. The one I prefer is the rather surprised and often tender smile.
A lot of people smile at him, even if he doesn't say hallo to them, he is often given sweets in the shops, a caress, a couple of compliments. Total strangers have even stopped us, to meet him, to say some set phrases (you are special, he is special, children like that arrive only in marvellous families etc.) which don't have much effect on us (because it's not true that we are special) but they surprise us and sometimes move us due to the good intentions behind them.
So we don't pass unobserved.
One of my friends, Martina (the first mum that you can see in the video, together with her Emma), pointed out to me that those gazes are mute.
I interpret, imagine, suppose, but I don't really know what they mean, what thoughts are behind them.
I could know if I was told, but quite honestly I don't think I would be too happy to know all those thoughts. I certainly wouldn't appreciate the "poor thing" nor any form of pity to its own end, in the same way that I don't like the "Ah, Down syndrome children are always so good and happy", because it isn't true (all people are different, whether or not they have Down syndrome in common).
So, there is a wall, it is still there, which divides us with the Syndrome (the different ones) from the others (those who are the same) and it is nourished by silence, by unasked questions, wrong information, irritated answers from those who are observed and by the embarrassment of the observers.
Well, the wall is there, even if there are quite a few gaps in it, and we – four women, mothers of children and young people with Down syndrome - would like to tear it down.
Even just a few parts of it, as others have done before us and others will do after us.
I am asking for your help, from those of you who are different | 572 |
Welcome to our Master Bathroom! This is one of the cooler features in our new home. It<|fim_middle|> relaxing process since there is lots of space to spread out! This bathroom was updated by the previous owners and it has some super nice and luxurious upgrades. I will say that depending on how far we get with making this whole house updated to our specific taste, I may or may not be updating this bath a bit in the future. We will see!
The layout and lots of things would stay the same, just possibly going with a more white and grey color scheme which we will slowly be transitioning the rest of the house to as well. Just our personal preference! For now, though, we love getting to use this awesome bathroom. Really, all I have done in here so far is just putting little touches here and there with accessories and decor! I love how it is working out so far, it feels very streamlined and organized.
Here is the view of the double vanity from the other side.
I have all my favorite and most used skincare and perfumes corralled on a vintage gold vanity tray. But nothing that I deem too "un-pretty!" I am a huge fanatic of pretty packaging and if anything is an eyesore, into the closed drawers it goes! The pretty stuff I like to display as sort of decor and function rolled into one. I love trays for gathering small stuff into one place as it really contains all the clutter in a visually appealing way.
It took me forever to find the right soap dishes to put in here, and I just couldn't find anything I loved. Finally the other day I was at Target and saw these little beauties which were perfect! Love the gold stripe detail since most of the accents in here are gold.
On the ledge by the bathtub, I have more contained storage for towels and other miscellaneous items!
I really like to roll any towels that are stored out in the open since it looks neat and tidy.
These apothecary style glass jars hold extra soap, Q-tips and cotton rounds.
I love our glorious garden tub and am looking forward to taking some relaxing soaks in here! As much as I ADORE the look of a standalone clawfoot tub, and it would be possible to replace this with one in the future, I am actually really digging having all the surfaces and ledges around it for storage of little things like candles and stuff.
The shower is so nice and we love it. The rugs I have by the shower and the vanity are from Target and are my favorite ever! They are super soft and plush and so cozy to step out onto after a shower. When I felt them in the store the first time, I decided I must have them!
That pretty much wraps up what's going on in our Master Bathroom! Hope you enjoyed the little tour and got a few fun ideas for ways to store the little items we all need in our bathrooms. In style! Love it when things are pretty and practical all at once, don't you?
This entry was posted in Decor on 11/14/2017 by bekah. | makes getting ready in the morning a nice and | 9 |
Towns in the Overberg Menu
Arniston/Waenhuiskrans
Gansbaai & Surrounds
Genadendal
Grabouw & Elgin
L'Agulhas
Riviersonderend
Struisbaai
Suurbraak
The Republic of Swellendam
Villiersdorp
Witsand & Infanta
Botrivier
Grabouw/Elgin
Pearly Beach
Rooiels
Struisbaai / L'Agulhas
Tesselaarsdal
Witsand<|fim_middle|> of an open plot. Some people thought that they belonged to those soldiers. This could hardly be so as none of the soldiers was buried there.
L'Agulhas is on the southernmost point of the African continent and at the time there was lots of submarine activity around the coast, therefore the radar screen was necessary. Both men and women were on the camp staff. They had no electricity, and water was brought down from the mountain. The L'Agulhas Hotel held regular dances. The girls at Mount Pleasant Camp were in great demand for the dances. | /Infanta
Home Towns in the Overberg Swellendam Swellendam
Spookdraai at Agulhas and the Radar Base (By SJ du Toit)
Prof C Lohann has written about Spookdraai (a ghostly spot on the road). Apparently visitors to the Agulhas Guest House, just above Spookdraai, refused to stay in a certain room. They were frightened by a woman in old-fashioned dress who entered the room. No one really knows the origin of the appearances of this ghost. There are many opinions. The char of Lettie Myburgh, a L'Agulhas resident, told of a gruesome car accident. The head of one passenger was severed in the crash and it rolled over the road. Some people maintain that the road is haunted.
Lettie is a stalwart in the L'Agulhas community. She played a special role in planting endemic vegetation at the lighthouse grounds. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of many plant species growing in the area, was a great help.
During World War II a radar screen was installed on the L'Agulhas mountain with seamen living in a camp. After the war the camp was sold on auction. Lettie's father-in-law and five other farmers bought it and divided it into holiday apartments, after refurbishing.
Once, three skeletons were dug out | 281 |
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Blogging may generate more visitors to your site, helps to analyze and understand your audience and possible customers, and look after all on the internet advertising and marketing requirements. Blogging is definitely revolutionizing the spot of skill, but a whole lot of writers and singers hesitate to start a weblog only because they will don't understand how to approach this, or simply don't understand what could do for them. Writing a blog is a huge advertising and marketing strategy that has many additional positive aspects and the free of charge plugins under can make it simpler to publicize your website. Blogging and new press will keep gaining importance and prestige as it provides people a greater marketplace of suggestions to buy from, a bigger platform to affect transform on earth also because it's and so significant in promoting engagement and thoughtfulness.
Marketing is a nominal | 801 |
FEV Consulting launches North American Practice
Auburn Hills, MI (March 3, 2014) - FEV Consulting, a global strategic management consultancy and member of the FEV Group has announced the launch of its US practice, FEV Consulting, Inc. The move comes on the heels of the growth and success experienced by its flagship, German practice, FEV Consulting GmbH, with offices presently in Aachen and Munich. Founded in 2011, FEV Consulting GmbH has been providing management consulting services to a wide portfolio of clients in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. The opening of the US office represents a logical progression in the fulfillment of its vision of a global consulting practice.
"We are already active in the North American market. Commencing US operations will help us better serve the needs of existing clients in the region, while continuing to expand the reach of FEV Consulting to new clients, industries, and issues," said Alex Nase, Managing Director of FEV Consulting GmbH. "Our combination of deep technical knowledge and solid business fundamentals represents a unique and compelling value proposition for organizations striving to align technology with the performance of their businesses," he added.
Focusing on the key areas of strategy, technology, growth, and operations, FEV Consulting advises customers ranging from OEMs and suppliers in<|fim_middle|> the engineering excellence we are known for with business and entrepreneurial intelligence. We are eager to extend this end-to-end capability to the North American market," said Prof. Stefan Pischinger, FEV Group President and CEO.
About FEV Consulting
FEV Consulting is a global strategic management consultancy, and member of the FEV Group. The firm offers a complete range of consulting services, blending business fundamentals with the technical expertise and industry knowledge of the FEV Group. Clients range from original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in the automotive, on- and off-highway transportation arena, to companies in the aerospace, defense and energy industries, as well as investors, banks and private equity enterprises. The firm's services span the areas of technology, strategy, growth, and operations with a focus on creating change that is both transformational and sustainable. FEV Consulting GmbH operates in Germany through its offices in Aachen and Munich. The firm's US practice, FEV Consulting, Inc. is located the Detroit metropolitan area. | the automotive, off-road, aerospace and energy industries, to investors, banks and private equity firms. "Whether it's helping a client plan their future product line, get to the bottom of quality issues, or enter a new market, our goal is to create a lasting impact that can be sustained by the client long after our job is done," said Nase.
FEV Consulting, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FEV North America, Inc. and is presently co-located at FEV North America, Inc.'s operations in Auburn Hills, MI. "This strategic move aligns perfectly with our increasing role as a thought leader in the areas of transportation, energy, and environmental sustainability," said Dr. Patrick Hupperich, President and CEO of FEV North America, Inc. "Combining our 30 years of engineering innovation, pre-production development, production development, and value engineering with management disciplines is in lock-step with our vision for delivering added value to our North American customers, while continuing to expand our reach into new markets," he added.
"Our customers achieve the highest degree of success when their product innovations are supported by the right business strategy. FEV Consulting has brought that strategic capability to our suite of services, marrying | 250 |
Why is it I come to this prayer closet, sit down and start crying? It's worship—or I should say the lack thereof. Again I'm downcast because my keyboard playing this morning failed to draw me into worship.
I can worship silently in my heart and I do and love<|fim_middle|> But worship at the piano feels like I'm alone in a desert.
Why so downcast O my soul? I am sitting in my closet with only hot, burning sand around me—wind whirling sand so I can't see two feet in front of me. I am so alone with only the sturdy foundation of CHRIST holding me. But, that is enough. This too, will pass.
Today I'm sensing I need taken care of in all areas of my life. The strangest thing is happening. Jerry and I are babysitting a dog for the week. No big deal, right? For some reason I'm out of sorts so I'm blaming it on the dog—that sweet, sweet dog, I love him, but he's bothering me. I can't seem to get my life on a path I like.
Journaling always seems to help so I've brought the computer into the closet. But, even in the few minutes before getting the computer GOD began His revelation. He didn't tell me why I was crying. But He impressed upon me that I am out of sorts for a reason. I can blame it on the dog but no matter, I need to be undone, defeated, and convinced I can't navigate my world by myself. Out of sorts is the perfect ground for Him to speak and me to listen.
As I started saying, worship is the subject that bothers—playing the piano and worshipping specifically. Not long ago I thought I had found the way: play and sing with YouTube videos. But today that didn't even work.
I know I can do nothing without the SPIRIT and that definitely includes playing piano and worshipping. So, the reason I'm crying is the SPIRIT is nowhere to be found. Can I beg Him to come? It hasn't worked so far.
So what is my option as I wait for the SPIRIT? "Purposeful" comes to mind. And I turn my attention to You, FATHER, and review in my mind some activities I read in Scripture about You.
With this journal entry I'll write down two activities to pursue. It is Your advice to me for learning how to worship with fingers on the piano keys: You say to me, "Recall My excellences and worship in your heart and continue to practice piano. You remind me again that You have previously directed me to consent to everything my piano teacher suggests. So, when the SPIRIT is not present I'll hunker down, think of You and simply play the piano. | to magnify the great King of the universe. For reasons unknown, He takes care of me. | 20 |
Dr Mark Sheehan
mark.sheehan@ethox.ox.ac.uk
Overview of Ethics - Irish Citizens' Assembly
Q & A - Irish Citizens' Assembly
Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Public Lecture: Why Do PPI?
Should you involve patients and the<|fim_middle|> Research Fellow, King's College London and Chair Dr Mark Sheehan, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Ethics Fellow at the Ethox Centre and a Research Fellow at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.
Who cares about research integrity?
(audio file) | public in research? Is it important for society to ensure patients and the public are involved in research at all or some of the stages in the research process?
BA (Hons), MA (Hons)/BSc, PhD
Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Ethics Fellow
Research Fellow, Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy
Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy, St Benet's Hall
Mark Sheehan is Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Ethics Fellow at the Ethox Centre and a Research Fellow at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics in the Faculty of Philosophy. He received his PhD in Philosophy from The City University of New York, where his PhD thesis was on the nature of moral judgements. Prior to his PhD, he received an MA (Hons) and a BA (Hons)/BSc from the University of Melbourne. Prior to coming to Oxford he was a lecturer in the Centre for Professional Ethics at Keele University, Ethics Fellow at the Mt. Sinai Medical School, New York and Adjunct Lecturer in the Philosophy Department at The City College of New York.
He is a National Research Ethics Advisor for the National Research Ethics Service, a member of NICE's Highly Specialised Technology Evaluation Committee, co-leader of the Ethical Analysis of Key Concepts GECiP sub-domain in the context of the 100K Genome Project and was recently a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Working Group on research in children and. He is also a member of the Thames Valley Priorities Committee in the NHS. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Medical Ethics. Finally, he Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at St. Benet's Hall, University of Oxford.
As BRC Ethics Fellow, Mark is involved in Research Ethics and Governance as well as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) across the Oxford NIHR BRC themes. This involvement includes discussions with researchers about research ethics issues in their work, collaborating on research proposals with ethical components and conducting research on issues in research ethics, ethics generally and PPI that engage with the research themes within the BRC.
Mark teaches a range sessions on research ethics across the University aimed primarily at practitioners and researchers. He also teaches Medical Ethics and Law to the Graduate Entry Medical students at the Medical School.
He has published in a broad range of bioethics and medical journals such as the Journal of Applied Philosophy, the Journal of Medical Ethics, the Cambridge Quarterly on Healthcare Ethics, the British Medical Journal and the American Journal of Bioethics. With colleagues from the Centre for Professional Ethics at Keele University, he wrote an EU-funded textbook on research ethics (which can be downloaded from
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.topic&id=1362).
Current Research Themes:
1. Research Ethics and Governance
2. Ethics and Reproductive Technologies
3. Ethical issues in Resource Allocation
4. Commercialisation and Health
5. Methodology in Applied Ethics and Bioethics
The ethics of grandfather clauses in healthcare resource allocation.
Wester G. et al, (2020), Bioethics
Constructing authentic decisions: proxy decision making for research involving adults who lack capacity to consent.
Shepherd V. et al, (2020), J Med Ethics
Public involvement in the governance of population-level biomedical research: Unresolved questions and future directions
Erikainen S. et al, (2020), Journal of Medical Ethics
Tragic choices in intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic: on fairness, consistency and community.
Newdick C. et al, (2020), J Med Ethics
Trust, trustworthiness and sharing patient data for research.
Sheehan M. et al, (2020), J Med Ethics
Good to share? Data, research, privacy and the NHS
A video of an hour-long debate on issues around mass sharing of patient data to support research and improve patient care can now be viewed online. "Good to share? Data, research, privacy and the NHS" was held as part of the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre's Public Open Day – Celebrating Biomedical Research on April 21 at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The mediated debate featured Professor Martin Landray, Deputy Director of the University of Oxford's Big Data Institute; Carol Moore, Head of Projects, Healthwatch Oxfordshire and Professor Jim Davies, Professor of Software Engineering, University of Oxford, Frederica Lucivero, Marie Curie | 937 |
The Office's ninth and final season starts on NBC
This Thursday, Sept. 20, the British-originated, American-adapted comedy hit The Office will begin it's ninth and final season. And series developer Greg Daniels promises a return to basics.
During an interview with Variety, Daniels<|fim_middle|> both have upcoming movie deals. Rainn Wilson will only be returning for thirteen episodes as Dwight K. Schrute before leaving for a Dwight-centric spinoff, tentatively titled Schrute Farms, focusing on his characters beet farm.
What may be more interesting are the characters that will be added to the cast. Catherine Tate will be reprising her role as Nellie Bertram, a character who weaseled her way into a job a Dunder Mifflin during season eight and was heavily criticized by critics. And David Denman will return as Roy Anderson, a former warehouse employee at Dunder Mifflin as well as Pam's ex-fiance. Two customer service representatives are also expected to join the cast.
The season will consist of 22 episodes, one of which is to be directed by Bryan Cranston, of Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad fame, and will air on NBC on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m..
By Mark Rontondo
Two-person play "Sex Signals" comes to KU
KU football drops two straight, postseason hopes in jeopardy | said "I'll tell you the last couple of years, I don't think we did any big arc-type things in the way that we used to in the beginning, I think the thing we're going to do is bring back a lot of arcs." Daniels has also promised to final answer some questions that have been swirling around, including who is filming the documentary, why they are filming it, and the true identity of the Scranton Strangler.
The season has a lot of work to do if it truly wants to go out with a bang. The show has received much criticism since the departure of star Steve Carrell towards the end of season seven. And season eight received some of the lowest ratings in the series' history, with episode 22, "Fundraiser," receiving the lowest rating in Office history, only garnering 4.17 million viewers.
The ninth season will also see some interesting changes in the cast. Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak, who portray Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard, respectively, will only have recurring roles during the season. Ed Helms and John Krasinski will also appear in fewer episodes as Andy Bernard and Jim Halpert, respectively, as | 244 |
Meet Six Pack Band, India's first group of transgender
A music group of transgender is breaking all the stereotypes and coming out of the barrier put forward by the society.
The word 'transgender' brings a sense of inquisitiveness among the people. Initially, in the early years,<|fim_middle|> Slider | the transgender people had very scarce opportunities in the society and were treated unequally. Recently, people started being conscious about them and began to accept them as they are and as a third gender to the society. The gazing perspective of the people past 10 years has completely reformed. This band of six Transgender -the India's first transgender band- hailing from Mumbai Maharashtra has changed the mindset of many people. The six pack band started their debut in January, started along with Hum Hain Happy to Sab, Rab De Bande, Hila Pori Hila, RaulaPayegaya and AeRaju which featured Hrithik Roshan. The main intention of bringing the band together was to break the social barriers. Yash Raj films along with Shameer Tandon got them by conducting auditions. They collaborated even with Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sonu Nigam.
As the name tells, the band comprises of six people: Fida Khan, Ravina Jagtap, Asha Jagtap, Chandni Suvarnakar, Komal Jagtap and Bhavika Patil. These six transgender people have bought replaced a trend in the film-industry. India's agency Mindshare have won the Cannes Grand Prix Glass Lion for creating India's first transgender music group 6 Pack Band for Hindustan Unilever's (HUL) brand Brooke Bond Red Label.
Ravina Jagtap said; "My journey has been great, as I am living with the community and helping them gain respect in society. I am very protective about my community." "I have always been a fighter. There are problems, but it's our job to handle them and be happy," says Ravina, who wants to see her band "go beyond expectations and do a few Bollywood songs too". "I want the world to know that we can do everything that others can do," she adds. Talking about her association with music, Ravina says, "I have been associated with music since childhood. I love singing." (Courtesy: Hindustan times)
Asha Jagtap has been living with the transgender community since childhood. "My life has not been pleasant. The problems we face in our day-to-day life is different from the everyday issues that other people face. For us, acceptance is an issue. Not being accepted is a feeling we live with every day," she says. Asha feels her community has always been associated with music. "We sing badhaais (songs that eunuch's sing on festivals and special occasions). That is how most of us are attached to music. We have always been musicians, but it's only now that people have started noticing [our skill]," says Asha, adding, "We want to be one of the top most bands in the world." (Courtesy: Hindustan times)
Bhavika Patel: "I was not accepted by my family and was left to fend for myself. I started working as a nurse in a clinic, but when I saw I was not treated equally, I was hurt. My colleagues, who had joined after me, got promotions. I never got an increment, so I had to quit," says Bhavika, who was never inclined towards music. "But when I came to know that something like this (Six Pack Band) was coming up, I did not want to miss out on being part of it," she says. Bhavika adds that her family never supported her. "It hurts when people you love the most are not with you when you need them," she says, adding that she just wants to work hard and become a better musician. "I want to bring about a change in society through music. I want people to know what we, as a community, can do," she adds. (Courtesy: Hindustan times)
Chandni Suvarnakar considers herself "lucky". Her parents have always supported her. "They were supportive of who I was and what I did. They have been happy in my happiness," she says. Chandni enjoys singing. "I don't know if I am good or bad, but I love singing," she says. Talking of her aspirations as a musician, Chandni says, "I have not thought of anything yet. I will wait and see what comes my way. I will go with the flow." (Courtesy: Hindustan times)
Fida Khan's parents had always been supportive, and nothing changed for her after they learnt about her sexual orientation. "But they did not allow me to leave the house a lot because people in my locality didn't want me to be there. I work with an NGO called Humsafar. I am currently fighting for an ashram in Mumbai for our community," she says. She adds that music just happened to her. "I never took training. I used to watch TV and movies. That's how I learnt singing," says Fida, who wants to become a "soulful and melodious musician" and idolises Michael Jackson. (Coutesy: Hindustan times)
Komal Jagtaps parents disowned her when she was young. "They stopped talking to me. But when the Six Pack Band came about, my family started talking to me again. I did what our community does for a living. I faced the same problems that the transgender community faces in this country. But the band changed my life," says Komal. Talking about her experience of becoming a musician, she says, "Since we go to various houses around weddings and baby showers, music has been part of my life. But I never faced the camera or sang in a big studio earlier." Komal says her family is still upset with her, but they talk to her now. "I still live with the community. I am happy with what I am doing. I love music," she adds.
Sankirtha S
featured, Headline, Home Page Footer | 1,228 |
The Pragmatic Philosophy of C. S. Peirce
Thompson, Manley
Charles Sanders Peirce has been widely acclaimed as America's greatest native philosopher. His greatest aspiration was to outline a philosophy so comprehensive that the work of all scientists and philosophers "shall appear as the filling up of details." C. S. Peirce never lived to harvest the fruits of his labor, and it was left to posterity to synthesize his philosophy from his numerous articles and unfinished manuscripts. The present volume undertakes a systematic construction of Peirce's philosophy and, guided by his own extensive comments on his work, shows how the word "pragmatism," which he coined, is appropriately applied to the whole of his philosophy. The commentary examines Peirce's attempts to avoid the difficulties he came to recognize in his early writings and<|fim_middle|> which it purports to overthrow. Peirce believed that the only alternative to his pragmatism was the philosophy based on the traditional logic of Aristotle and Kant, as opposed to the modern symbolic logic which Peirce himself helped develop. In this book, for the first time, the claims Peirce made for his new philosophy are subjected to a searching examination which, while critical, allows him to speak for himself, without being subjected to conformity with some preconceived standard of positivism or naturalism. The result is a commentary which will be of considerable value to philosophers of every persuasion, as well as to all students of C. S. Peirce and his work. }",
keywords = "Pragmatism",
note = "From the Commens Bibliography | \url{http://www.commens.org/bibliography/monograph/thompson-manley-1953-pragmatic-philosophy-c-s-peirce}" | traces the gradual development of his final views. The last chapter considers Peirce's pragmatic philosophy in relation to the older philosophies which it purports to overthrow. Peirce believed that the only alternative to his pragmatism was the philosophy based on the traditional logic of Aristotle and Kant, as opposed to the modern symbolic logic which Peirce himself helped develop. In this book, for the first time, the claims Peirce made for his new philosophy are subjected to a searching examination which, while critical, allows him to speak for himself, without being subjected to conformity with some preconceived standard of positivism or naturalism. The result is a commentary which will be of considerable value to philosophers of every persuasion, as well as to all students of C. S. Peirce and his work.
Thompson, M. (1953). The Pragmatic Philosophy of C. S. Peirce. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
@book{Thompson1953,
author = "Manley Thompson",
title = "{The Pragmatic Philosophy of C. S. Peirce}",
address = "Chicago",
publisher = "The University of Chicago Press",
abstract = "{Charles Sanders Peirce has been widely acclaimed as America's greatest native philosopher. His greatest aspiration was to outline a philosophy so comprehensive that the work of all scientists and philosophers "shall appear as the filling up of details." C. S. Peirce never lived to harvest the fruits of his labor, and it was left to posterity to synthesize his philosophy from his numerous articles and unfinished manuscripts. The present volume undertakes a systematic construction of Peirce's philosophy and, guided by his own extensive comments on his work, shows how the word "pragmatism," which he coined, is appropriately applied to the whole of his philosophy. The commentary examines Peirce's attempts to avoid the difficulties he came to recognize in his early writings and traces the gradual development of his final views. The last chapter considers Peirce's pragmatic philosophy in relation to the older philosophies | 426 |
You've heard that phrase many times before, but this time we mean it in a totally different way. While you're having fun in the sun & sipping on a Margarita, or Corona with lime, you're putting your skin at serious risk. The month of May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, and we want to be sure that all of our readers take extra precautions to protect their skin.
The combination of citrus on your skin that is exposed to the sun can cause a severe chemical burn. The reaction is called phytophotodermatitis. The severity can vary based on exposure, but we also like the phrase "better safe than sorry".
One of the worst parts about this scary situation, is that you cannot feel it happening. 24 hours after exposure, your skin will blister, and trust us it is PAINFUL! Not to mention, the burns can leave permanent scars.
To prevent this painful reaction, wash any skin exposed to citrus immediately before returning to the sunshine. This includes the sides of your mouth!
Now<|fim_middle|>Towel Plus) and are easy to apply sans mess. Use the towelettes on dry, clean skin and for even darker results, just reapply it more frequently.
Tip 4: Use a product like the DDF Hyperpigmentation Protect & Correct SPF 15 to get ride of minor discoloration. | pass the guacamole! Ole!
Summer is just around the corner and for some of us, it feels like it's already arrived. Hot weather calls for more skin exposure and bikinis. It's only natural for you to worry about looking as good as possible when you are showing more skin. One accessory that has long been in style is a tan. You look better and sexier with a healthy glow. A tan also helps hide cellulite and makes you look thinner. At the same time, (fortunately) more and more people are recognizing the serious dangers associated with tanning and excessive sun exposure.
– One intense sunburn can boost your risk of skin cancer. As little as just five bad sunburns can double your risk of skin cancer.
– Tanning beds can cause unattractive dark spots; receiving short spurts of intense UV exposure is the fastest way to damage and age your skin.
Get a beautiful tan while minimizing the risks.
Tip 1: Avoid midday sun and sun overexposure to prevent pigmentation marks.
Tip 2: Regularly wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF on your face. A good option is the Kinerase Daily Defense Cream.
Tip 3: Get a safe, year-round natural-looking tan using TanTowel self-tanning towelettes. The towelettes come in two different shades of darkness (original TanTowel or Tan | 284 |
Hello there, travelers. I'm Marko.<|fim_middle|> usually have food included.
in insulin and will help you adjust to jet lag.
Stay hydrated by bringing your own water bottle.
to turn a well drink into a craft cocktail.
Number 8: befriend the flight crew.
of people, and they usually just get bitched at.
So a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
which can lead to deep vein thrombosis.
or doing some simple exercises.
Well those are our tips. What are yours?
Make sure you share them in the comment box.
to Vagabrothers for new travel videos every Tuesday.
Otherwise, plug here for more travel tips.
keep exploring, and we'll see you guys on the road. | I'm Alex.
And we are the Vagabrothers.
on how to survive a long flight.
which is great, but it means flights are longer than ever.
to survive a flight, and maybe even enjoy it.
Number 1: rest before you go.
to help your body get adjusted.
Number 2: upgrade your seat.
you can upgrade to using cash or frequent flyer miles.
& ask if there are any extra seats in the emergency row.
Thank you. Enjoy your flight. Bye.
Number 3: once you're on board, get comfortable.
not down below. Trust me, you're going to want the extra leg room.
because cabin pressure affects your circulation.
even give you a blanket.
They left me with no blanket!
So you need to dress warm and wear layers.
ten hour wedgie. Ten hour wedgie?
Number 5: pack good gear.
plugs are crucial and easy to pack.
Number 6: pass the time.
be it movies, music, or TV.
But sometimes you've got to pay.
Maybe get a little bit of work done?
they put in the seat back pocket.
Number 7: eat and drink right.
Long flights | 243 |
Who doesn't love a big bowl of ice-cream? Sure, there are plenty of flavors to choose from. But, as we all know, chocolate is one of the most beloved of them all. What better way to celebrate Chocolate Ice-Cream Day than with a bowl and your favorite toppings?
Have fun celebrating chocolate ice-cream<|fim_middle|> homes in the area. Our team members are here to answer all of your housing questions and concerns. | day!
Many people love to make their own ice-cream with preferred ingredients in their own kitchen. The Food Network has you covered with a wide array of recipes for the home-made chocolate ice-cream lover. Everyone from Alton Brown to Dave Lieberman and Emeril (Bam!) Lagasse all have suggestions for the chocolate ice-cream that fits your taste buds.
When you make your creation, there are several choices with which to top it off. According to The Top Tens, certain toppings such as caramel, hot fudge and sprinkles are bigger favorites. But, let us know what yours is.
If you want to go the more traditional route, the Upstate has several ice-cream shops. Go out and enjoy yourself at your favorite place. While there, you may view any one of our beautiful | 165 |
Ortho/Spine
Medical Device News
Alex Hattaway
Medtech companies start 2023 on 'optimistic' note amid earnings forecasts, staffing: J.P. Morgan
By MEDTECHDIVE
Executive comments at the healthcare conference in San Francisco suggests companies expect staffing pressures and supply constraints to improve in 2023, analysts say.
People walk through the lobby of the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco on Jan. 10, 2023
Medical device companies set the tone for 2023 at last week's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference as earnings forecasts and company executives' comments set an "overall optimistic tone" for the year J.P. Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus wrote in a research note on Monday.
"With staffing dynamics, capital constraints, and supply constraints stabilizing/improving, procedure volumes and revenues should continue to move in the right direction in 2023," Marcus said.
Here are several other conference takeaways from J.P. Morgan analysts:
More mergers and acquisitions could be on the horizon as economic pressures stabilize. Small and mid-size companies may find a lot of buyers but there still doesn't seem to be much interest in larger deals, Marcus wrote.
Illumina will make a decision about whether to spin out liquid biopsy subsidiary Grail in 2023, as it expects a potential divestiture order from the European Commission. "Management pointed to 1H24 timing for the sale/spin, but also didn't rule out the possibility of keeping Grail," J.P. Morgan analyst Julia Qin wrote in a separate research note, adding that the company will make a "go/no go" decision by the end of the year.
As demand for COVID-19 testing wanes, medical device and diagnostics companies continue to watch for the impact of rising COVID-19 cases in China. The surge in cases could create "volatility" going into next year, but likely not enough to disrupt the overall recovery for medical device companies in 20<|fim_middle|>23
'Mixed signals' from medtech management suggest industry had bumpy end to 2022: analysts
PitchBook Analyst Note: Takeaways From the 2023 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference: | 23, Marcus wrote. Testing companies including Danaher and Thermo Fisher, as well as makers of tests that are viewed as non-critical (such as allergy testing) would likely see short-term pressure on revenue from outbreaks, J.P. Morgan analyst Rachel Vatnsdal wrote in a research note.
For liquid biopsy companies, testing volumes healthy as the focus shifts to new product launches, Qin said in her note. Qin added that Guardant Health "had the most meaningful update" at the conference with its planned upgrade of its Reveal minimum residual disease test, which is expected to be five times more sensitive than the current version of the test, and less costly.
Earnings pre-announcements point to a "pretty good" fourth quarter, Marcus wrote. Dexcom and Intuitive were among the companies that shared early results, with Dexcom saying it expects its 2023 revenue to increase by as much as 20%, and Intuitive forecasting a 12% to 16% increase in procedure volumes for the year.
Digital health outlook: trends to watch in 20 | 225 |
Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch is located in Buda, Texas.
The facility name, logo and brand are the property and registered trademarks of Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch, and are being used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, logos and brands shall<|fim_middle|> will do everything in their power to help them throughout this trying time. Reaching personal life goals is possible but it requires the addict to kick the habit of abusing drugs and alcohol in order to obtain them. This is exactly why facilities for addiction treatment exist.
There is no reason that treatment shouldn't begin today, so contact Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch and discuss the various treatment options today. Breaking the cycle of addiction is difficult which is why treatment facilities are here to help. Typically speaking, addicts fail when it comes to seeking treatment on their own as not all facilities out there are as reputable as others. At Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch, the staff is dedicated to helping their patients succeed in recovery. It's never too late to seek help and assistance with drug or alcohol addiction.
Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch strives to show addicts that there is a life outside of addiction and through treatment; Addicts will be able to take control of their lives. Patients are also urged to attend relapse prevention programs even after treatment is completed in order to mitigate the chances of relapse in the future.
The time to get help for addiction is now. Contact Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch today at www.Austinrecovery.Org and learn how treatment can change life around for the better. | not imply endorsement. BetterAddictionCare.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch.
I have nothing but great things to say about Austin Recovery. I received a great education about my addition to being addicted. Jerry is great, my counselor Wade Miller always offered great feedback,Mayrice offered a class and a testimonial that was informative and mindblowing. The rooms were perfectly sized for two people and I gained 20lb's. GREAT PLACE to learn how to love myself. This is where the healing began.
At Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch, located in scenic Buda, Texas, individualized addiction treatment programs are aimed at fitting the specific requirements of the patient. With unique treatment plans that are tailor-made to suit the individual, addicts will have every opportunity to overcome their addiction.
Just before the patient begins treatment at Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch, a comprehensive patient assessment will be conducted in order to determine which treatment method will work best. No matter what age group the individual belongs to, treatment is available to those of all ages . In order to obtain a life that is free of addiction, the addict has to be in the mindset of 'recovery'. This means that the idea of sobriety is already planted in the individual's mind and therefore will want to work toward achieving that goal.
The dedicated staff members at Austin Recovery - Hicks Family Ranch are committed to the recovery of the patient and | 289 |
KARACHI: Pakistan will do whatever it takes to win the two-test series in Sri Lanka even if it means spoiling senior batsman Mahela Jayawardene´s farewell party, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said on Saturday.
Former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene, who has scored 11,6<|fim_middle|> and has a modest strike rate in one-dayers, was coy about his chances of leading Pakistan in next year´s 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
"I just focus on the match at the moment because that is important. No one knows what will happen after one day so why think about the World Cup.
"I take it one match at a time and carry on from there. And I am under no pressure because of the captaincy debate," he added. | 71 runs in 147 tests averaging over 50, announced last month he would retire from test cricket after the home series against Pakistan starting at Galle on Wednesday.
Jayawardene, 37, has also scored 11681 runs in 420 one-dayers and with stalwart Kumar Sangakkara is the mainstay of the Sri Lankan batting.
Misbah predicted a tough series against the Sri Lankans who have a strong home record.
Misbah, who turned 40 in May | 111 |
The LWW Moulin (pr. 'moo-lahn') is a precision crafted CNC machined pepper mill that produces a consistent and repeatable grind time after time. Building on our experience designing and producing world-class coffee grinders, the LWW Moulin is<|fim_middle|> to a fine power for the most delicate sauces all the way up to a hearty, coarse mélange for a steak au poivre. In between there are 20 reapeatable settings on the locking ring accommodating just about every recipe in the cookbook.
Wipe exterior with a soft damp cloth to clean. Do not grind anything other then peppercorns with the LWW Moulin. Do not use harsh detergents or abrasives when cleaning. Do not submerge in water. Not dishwasher safe. The grinder may be disassembled with a set of standard metric hex or Allen keys. Threads should be lubricated with a food safe PTFE grease.
To grind, firmly grasp the body of the grinder and rotate cap clockwise.
Firmly grasp body of grinder and pull cap upward to remove. Strong magnets hold the cap in place.
Replace cap and turn slightly till the cap drops into place.
FINE GRIND: rotate locking ring counter clockwise.
COARSE GRIND: rotate locking ring clockwise.
When adjusting the grind finer you may experience some resistance when turning the locking ring. Residual peppercorns can become caught in between the grinding burrs. Turning the cap counter clockwise will clear the burrs and allow the locking ring to turn more easily.
At finer grind settings, the locking ring may become difficult to lift. In this case simply remove the cap and rotate the inner body of the grinder back and forth while lifting upward on the locking ring. | without peer.
Unlike other pepper grinders with plastic burrs that wiggle about on a wobbly shaft, the LWW Moulin utilizes a custom hard carbon steel burr set, mounted to a ridgid stainless steel shaft on two precision radial ball bearings, a feature set not found in any other pepper grinder available today.
The LWW Moulin grind can be adjusted down | 76 |
<|fim_middle|> find out where it is good and where it needs help or might be non-existent.
Lack of broadband called a hindrance to area students, businesses
By Mike Desmond • Jun 19, 2015
Mike Desmond/WBFO News
The push for reliable high-speed broadband internet across the community continues, with a town hall meeting Thursday night in Cheektowaga.
Lack of Verizon FiOS in Buffalo called example of 'digital divide'
By Chris Caya • Aug 5, 2015
Chris Caya WBFO News
Community activists and elected officials are once again calling on Verizon to provide FiOS service in the City of Buffalo and they're looking to the New York State Public Service Commission for help. | $170M for broadband expansion coming Upstate
By WBFO Staff • Jan 27, 2017
New York State will get to keep $170 million in federal funding for broadband access after all.
"This administration has made an unprecedented commitment to ensuring access to high-speed internet for New Yorkers in every part of the state and this action brings us a step closer to making this a reality," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday.
The money was originally earmarked for New York, but was at risk of going to other states after Verizon declined the money.
A bipartisan group of state officials had urged federal officials not to reallocate the money. On Thursday, they announced their effort had been successful.
Credit National Public Radio
"This is huge news for rural communities all across Upstate New York," said Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer. "The federal government's job should be to invest not divest in Upstate New York's internet access."
The money will support the expansion of broadband access throughout rural areas of upstate, something that officials say is needed to strengthen the local economy.
"Reliable, fast internet access should not be a luxury, it's a necessity in the 21st century economy," said Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. "These federal funds combined with additional state funds will give our rural communities in Upstate New York greater access to the resources they need to get online and stay competitive in our digital economy."
"Access to rural broadband is crucial for Western New Yorkers," said Republican Rep. Chris Collins. "This money is a critical investment in New York's future and I'm proud to have partnered with Senator Schumer and Governor Cuomo to get this done."
The New NY Broadband Program sets as its goal access to speeds of 100 Mbps for all New Yorkers with 25 Mbps acceptable in the most remote and rural areas. This goal far exceeds the 10 Mbps requirement of the Federal Communications Commission's Connect America Fund program and also requires that projects be completed on a more accelerated timeline.
Many Upstate New York homes do not meet New York's enhanced goal of 100 Mbps nor the FCC's broadband benchmark speeds of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. According to the FCC's 2015 Broadband Progress Report, the previous 4 Mbps for downloads and 1 Mbps for uploads standard – set in 2010 – were dated and inadequate for evaluating whether advanced broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely way.
Kristen Gillibrand
How good is your broadband service? Erie County wants to know
By Mike Desmond • Dec 6, 2016
Erie County wants to know: How good is your internet service? It is looking to | 570 |
News & Articles May 2015
News & Articles from the latest Imp Sheet are listed below.
Click on them to view.
Lay Director's Report
Spiritual Directors Report
The Lincoln Group Reunion group retreat at Mirfield
ULTREYA GB 2015
Norwich Anglican Cursillo
Leicester Cursillo comes of age !
'Fear not, for I am have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you walk through fire, the flame shall not consume you. For you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you.'says the Lord.Is.43:1-4
<|fim_middle|>There is a park and ride system.
http://www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/travelling-by-bus/park-and-ride | Old articles have been moved to News & Articles Resource page.
What a difference a year makes!
This time last year I was juggling two hats – that of Lay Director and Lay Rector! It was all a bit hectic, but we got there! #30 was both a joy and a privilege, and I just about got the 2 hats in the right order at the Clausura!
This time last year I was facing with trepidation all the Safeguarding issues we had to work through. Again, all a bit hectic, but we eventually got there! Suffice it to say in this report as Lay Director that our Lincoln Cursillo Safeguarding Policy is now in place, with the blessing of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. Hopefully today we will be able to appoint a Safeguarding Officer to our Secretariat.
This time last year I expressed my concern that we were not clear in our thinking about the difference between Servant Community and the Secretariat within our Movement. Thanks to a wonderful Training Event in January of this year this has become untangled. What a privilege to have both our BACC President and National Spiritual Director with us for that session, as well as to celebrate with us the 20th Anniversary of Cursillo's inauguration within the Lincoln Diocese!
This time last year we were still at the planning stages for our promotional DVD. Following the AGM David Simcox mentioned to me in passing that his son Adam was a professional in this field, and the wheels were set in motion for Adam to work with us on this important project. What a wonderful resource has been produced! Please remember to USE it! Show it to friends, and at meetings within your parish and deanery. Be brave! I am so pleased that today it looks as though we will be voting on to Secretariat a new Publicity Rep to help us promote Cursillo in our diocese even more. We were sorry that David McCormick had to stand down as our Spiritual Director during the year. We benefitted enormously from his ministry to and with us for over 2 years. However, we were pleased to welcome Jeff Wilson on board. We have already enjoyed his input, and he is raring to go with ideas to help us in the administration of Cursillo within the diocese. My commissioning as Lay Director alongside Jeff's as Spiritual Director by Bishop Christopher was a first for our diocese, and felt truly significant.
I would like to register my thanks to everyone who has served on Secretariat this year. Like any good team we are a mixed bunch, but our meetings are always fruitful, based on mutual love and respect as fellow pilgrims along the way. I have learnt the importance of accepting help when I have needed it, due to lack of personal skills in a particular area, or just a lack of time or energy, so thank you team! I shall miss Jude greatly, as she comes to the end of her term of office as our Secretary. She has had a difficult year in many ways, and yet has always shared of herself, and kept me sane on more than one occasion! Thank you, Jude.
This coming year I will benefit from having our new Diocesan Lay Director Elect on board. Cursillo is a dynamic movement and we should keep on journeying on. During the past year my visits to the various Reunion Groups around the diocese have continued, and I am still wow-ed by the loving reception I receive every time! My thanks go to the various Group Convenors. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and open-ness within the groups. Please continue to make your Reunion Groups a priority. However, numbers attending Diocesan Ultreyas and our Summer Events remain disappointingly low. We clearly need to alter the format and/or the venues of all of these. Please be in prayer alongside your Secretariat about this. Please discuss them in your reunion groups and report back your thoughts.
May God continue to bless and encourage us through Cursillo!
Ultreya!
Click to return to index
Well, what do you know !
As I write, I am looking forward to attending a Cursillo Leaders Workshop at Shallowford House near Stone in Staffordshire. I've received my directions to the venue, and a timetable. Although the programme seems pretty full, what do you know! there's an hour off on Saturday afternoon! There are ten talks, discussion groups and worship every day. Does that sound familiar? I don't know what the content of the talks will be, but I hope to learn a lot. There may be some things I already know and more that I don't know.
In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul found idols, shrines and altars to many 'deities'. There was even one to an unknown god. Paul told the people that what they worship as unknown was known to him, and he proclaimed the Lord our God to them.
Donald Rumsfeld was the U.S. Secretary for Defence in 2002. He said :-
"Reports that say something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns: there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns: that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns: the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is in the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.'
Wow! That sounds like something Nigel Hawthorne might say in his role as Sir Humphrey in the TV programme 'Yes, Minister'.
One thing I do know, is that on Saturday April 11th, we had our Lincoln Cursillo AGM and Ulyreya at Woodhall Spa. As usual we started with a Eucharist at 12 noon in the beautiful St. Peter's Church. It is large, well appointed, light and warm. We were also given a warm welcome by the Verger & Churchwarden. Adjoining the church is the church hall, where we had our bring and share lunch in a happy, relaxed atmosphere. The business of the AGM was concluded with time for our Ultreya, then time to say goodbye before going our separate ways. There were more Cursillistas there than at the last AGM, but there was room for many more.
We really do want to encourage more people to attend Diocesan events. This is why the venue was chosen, because it is central in the diocese, so as to make it easier for those who live near to the county borders.
What do we know about the effects of Cursillo to our lives? It does affect almost everyone who attends the three day short course. The effects stretch into our Fourth Day, but it does need the encouragement we get from attending Group Reunions and Diocesan Events.
Have you heard the story of the man who stopped going to church?
He used to go nearly every Sunday. The Vicar noticed the man hadn't been in church for a while, but he did miss the occasional service, so his absence wasn't immediately noticed. The Vicar asked the churchwardens, who said he hadn't been for a while. They added that they'd heard he was a bit depressed.
The Vicar decided to visit the man later that evening. He knocked on the door. Eventually it was opened by the man, who looked at him, said nothing, just turned & went inside, leaving the door open.
The Vicar followed him inside & found him sat by the fire staring into the coals. He sat down in the other chair, said nothing, & also stared into the coals. Time passed without either saying anything. Suddenly, a coal dropped out of the fire, & lay glowing on the hearth. It began to lose heat, & the glow began to fade. The Vicar picked up the fire tongs, replaced the coal in the fire where it began to glow again.
There was a pause, then the man looked at the Vicar & said "OK, I'll be in church on Sunday."
Together we glow better, and together we grow better. Do come to the next event.
As Dickens' "Tiny Tim" says "God bless us, each and every one."
At one of our reunion meetings Paul suggested we might like to go on a retreat – we all said "Yes please!" "Perhaps we'd see if we could go to Mirfield." "Yes please!" "Maybe we'd ask Peter Godden if he would come back and lead it for us." "Yes please!" So that was that.Seven of us met up with Peter at the House of the Resurrection one Sunday in time for tea on an afternoon in April and from that moment on our lives slowed down to the tranquil pace of life in a monastery. Our time alternated between the church for the daily offices, the refectory for bodily sustenance and quiet thought – oh yes, and the room set aside for us where Peter talked with us about the prayers which meant a lot to him.
No-one rushed and, after observing silence from Compline until after Peter's talk next morning, no-one wanted to talk much either! I woke early the first morning and as I lay in bed I felt the silence lying deeply over the whole building, and as I revelled in it a blackbird outside the window burst into song. My first thought was "No-one told him to be quiet", then on opening the curtains and seeing the dew on the ground, I suddenly felt that the hymn 'Morning has broken' had a far deeper significance than the rather twee children's song that I'd always regarded it. This incident set the tenor of the rest of our stay.
All walked slowly and thoughtfully through the long silent corridors to the church at the other end of the building. The unhurried plain chant of the psalms, observing long pauses between and within each verse, gave time for it to sink in. (When I got home the daily prayer in our church seemed to go at breakneck speed in contrast)! The buffet-style breakfast which followed was also in silence (what a relief from the polite 'Did you sleep well?' sort of conversation usual in these circumstances!) There are no words to convey the inner calm the absence of noise induced. I had taken 'something to do' with me but never touched it!The House is set on a fairly steep hillside in a large garden with a woodland walk leading to the quarry, a Calvary garden next to the monks' cemetery, an apple orchard and an ample number of benches on which to sit and let the love of God embrace us. The sun shone, the birds sang, bees buzzed among the flowers and squirrels played in the treetops; plenty of God's creation to lead our thoughts to our Heavenly Father. Then, when our senses were sated it was time for church again and the next Office.
I could have stayed there forever! But, alas, all good things come to an end. After our third night, one last Morning Prayer, breakfast and Peter's talk, it was time to return to Lincolnshire and face daily life again.
Thank you Paul for arranging it all.
Thank you Peter for your wise and spiritual guidance.
Thank you to the monks for your hospitality and warm welcome.
Thank you God for this spiritual experience.
ULTREYA!!!
Margaret Parker
BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL
The Blackburn Cursillo Community is eagerly looking forward to giving a warm Lancashire welcome to Cursillistas from across the nation travelling in to Blackburn next September.
The whole day's programme will take place in the Cathedral itself.
Registration from 8am in the Cathedral's south transept with tea, coffee and biscuits. Cathedral café will also be open to serve breakfast from 8am. No need to book or prepay.
Singing to gather with the Music Group
Morning session – 10.00 am – 12.30pm Ultreya Meeting
Lunch – as the Cathedral is situated in Blackburn town centre, there are plenty of options for lunch. However the licensed Cathedral café will be available subject to pre-booking and prepayment – see the Registration Form for further details.
2.30pm Eucharist.
Celebrant: The Right Reverend Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn
Preacher: The Right Reverend Geoff Pearson, Bishop of Lancaster
4pm The Cathedral Café will serve a 2 course meal, subject to pre-booking and prepayment. see the Registration Form for further details.
Accommodation in Blackburn town centre is limited. There is a Premier Inn by junction 4 of the M65, and others close to other motorway junctions which are only minutes from Blackburn on the motorway network, namely:-
Preston South Premier Inns (both Craven Drive and Cuerden Way) situated by the M6/M65 junction, Preston East Premier Inn by junction 31A of the M6, and Chorley North by junction 8 of the M61.
For those travelling by train, the Preston Central Premier Inn is within walking distance of Preston railway station and Blackburn railway station is also situated close to the cathedral.
In addition some Cursillistas in various locations across the diocese have offered to open up their homes for overnight accommodation for Friday 4 September and/or Saturday 5 September. If you prefer this option, kindly contact David Riding – email: driding@btinternet.com
If you are interested in going the registration form can be downloaded from.
http://www.anglicancursillo.co.uk/assets/documents/ULTREYA-GB-2015-REGISTRATION-FORM.docx
No parking around the Cathedral but see link below for a map of carparks in Blackburn.
Council car parks are free on Saturday.
http://www.blackburncathedral.com/userfiles/file/BwDBC-Blackburn-FREE%20PARKING-Map-2013%20(2).pdf
Will be holding their ULTREYA
for the very first time in Norwich Cathedral
followed by a
'Bring and Share Lunch'
in The Cloisters
Please Come and Join Us
Numerous car parks and a park and ride system.
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Travel_and_transport/Public_transport/Park_and_Ride/Park_and_Ride_sites/index.htm
Leicester Anglican Cursillo invites
the UK Cursillo Family and friends to
our cathedral to celebrate our
Saturday 20 June 2015.
The Eucharist will be celebrated at 2pm
by Rt Revd Christopher Boyle
We also have the sole use of the Cathedral Gardens from Midday for a picnic.
The White Rose Café, located in St Martins House is next door to the Cathedral.
Check out car parks as some are expensive.
| 3,084 |
If you're not completely satisfied with your GRE score—verbal or quantitative—you might consider taking the GRE again after some additional practice.
While GRE practice is usually recommended, people often wonder if retaking the GRE after receiving a less-than-stellar score is really the best idea. While every applicant is unique and every grad school program has its own particular guidelines and preferences, there are a number of general factors to consider before deciding to test again and shoot for a higher GRE score.
TAKING THE GRE MULTIPLE TIMES WILL NOT HARM YOUR CHANCES OF ADMISSION.
Last year, the ETS (Educational Testing Service—the makers of the GRE) introduced a new feature for test-takers applying to<|fim_middle|> opposite outcome. Schools will see the entire GRE score for a single test date, so it's not a good idea to sacrifice one section to the other.
These are just a few general factors to keep in mind as you decide whether or not to retake the GRE. However, remember that every applicant, school, and program is unique. As always, thoroughly research the programs you're interested in attending. | grad school called ScoreSelect. The introduction of this option allows you to decide which test scores you'd like to send to schools. In other words, if you take the test three times, you can choose which of those three test scores you'd like to send to the individual program or programs of your choice.
IT IS ONLY ADVISABLE TO RETAKE THE GRE IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT YOU WILL SCORE HIGHER.
For most students, the process of taking the GRE—including GRE practice, enrollment, and completion—costs money ($195), takes energy (all those hours studying), and can spell s-t-r-e-s-s (at least on Test Day). Why put yourself through the ringer if you're not entirely sure that you're going to beat your last GRE score? While many students simply hope that taking the GRE a second or third time will lead to a score increase, don't leave your performance to chance. Instead, prepare for the test thoroughly and take a number of practice tests to gauge your ability. You should expect your GRE score to roughly match your practice test scores.
IS YOUR CURRENT SCORE GOOD ENOUGH TO GET YOU INTO THE PROGRAM OF YOUR CHOICE?
If so, you might want to forego retaking the test. Let's say you're looking to get into a program that requires a minimum GRE score of 150 in both the verbal and quantitative sections. If your current scores are in the mid-150s, consider what benefit there would be in retaking the test. Many programs with minimum GRE scores will ultimately look to other factors, like research interests and work experience, to determine admission.
If the programs you are interested in offer scholarships to students with high GRE scores, then it may be worthwhile to retake the test. Otherwise, a score that is even a little bit above a school's requirement is probably sufficient. Use the time you would have spent preparing for the test to do other things, like working on research projects or crafting a really fantastic personal statement.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO RETAKE THE GRE MULTIPLE TIMES, BE SURE TO TAKE BOTH SECTIONS SERIOUSLY EVERY TIME.
While the new ScoreSelect option offered by ETS is a great way to send only your best test scores to schools, be aware that you cannot send only the GRE verbal score or the GRE quantitative score for a particular test. For example, let's say you take the test for the first time and discover that, while your quantitative score is outstanding, your verbal score is lackluster. If you decide to take it again, it would be extremely unwise to disregard the quantitative section altogether and focus only on the verbal, thereby risking an | 544 |
Experiences In Blogging-Premium Themes is up next in my series about my experiences in getting Culinary Zest up and running.
When I started out, I was mainly using free themes that I came across that I liked in principle but wanted to adapt to suit my overall needs. Though it was an educational process, learning how to do it, it proved a frustrating experience as well. I found having to edit code in drastic ways tiring in the long run. It became time-consuming and in the end more trouble then I really wanted to deal with. Making minor changes and adding things or removing small things here and there is fine, but trying to really overhaul something in a major way brought on more headaches than I really wanted to tackle, or had time to tackle.
What started out as something that would help me get up and running without cost was turning into a massive time eating monster. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot trying to do it that way, but found that it took more time then I had to give it. You have to be careful where you get your free themes from, make sure you are dealing with legit creators with solid reputations. You don't really want to turn code lose on your site without knowing that it's clean and without malicious code planted within. Please put the time in to find out who is creating the theme you want to use. That goes for free themes as well as premium.
I decided to spend some time looking at what was out there in terms of premium themes. And there is a lot out there to choose from. I want something that appeals to me on many levels but also makes it super easy for me to change things without having to resort to drastic code changes, but leaves me with the ability to do so if I want too. I really want something that allows me to create the look I want, to make it mine, but that has the perk of having someone else do<|fim_middle|> I am looking for in their Support Forums.
I've used the U-Design WordPress Theme for over two years now and can honestly say that it has been money well spent. They've even added new features that didn't exist when I bought my theme and at no extra cost to me. That's what I call great Customer Service.
Going with the U-Design WordPress Theme was exactly what I needed and at the right time. I've changed the look of Culinary Zest a lot since its original launch and U-Design made it super easy to make those changes without having to worry about how. The U-Design WordPress Theme does the hard stuff for you and leaves you to enjoy the creative process.
If you don't have the time, the know-how or the want to design a site from the ground up yourself, seriously consider going with a good premium theme. One that meets your needs and wants and allows you the freedom to develop the way you wish too.
The U-Design WordPress Theme makes it possible for me to get to the stuff I really want to spend time on and leave the other important stuff to people who know what they are doing and do it well.
Up next in my Experiences In Blogging Series will be plug-ins and why they make your WordPress sites awesome! | all the ground work for me. Build the framework for me, make it super easy to use and then let me do the decorating.
That's when I came across the U-Design WordPress Theme on Themeforest. They have a great Live demo site that really caught my attention. It was really interesting to see exactly what this theme could offer, which is a lot. I can very easily say that after the purchase of my domain and my hosting services, it ranks as a great buy for my creative process.
U-Design is easy to set up, easy to use, and super easy to customize. It's a great theme for newbies or the more experienced developer. It's designed with SEO in mind, has a responsive layout, regular updates and is mobile ready. It has rock solid documentation and 24/7 support. The U-Design team does a great job answering questions and pointing users in the right direction. I have yet to fail to find the answers | 197 |
Award-Winning PR Agency SSPR Opens Denver Office
Increased Demand for PR Services in Denver's Growing Tech and Consumer Sectors Prompts Expansion
DENVER, Nov. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SSPR LLC, a PR agency focused on technology and consumer brands, today announced the company has opened a new office in Denver, Colorado. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, SSPR also has offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. A growing roster of Denver-area clients prompted the company to open a second Colorado location to accommodate increasing demand.
The agency's new Denver office is located on Wazee Street in the trendy Milk Market district, which is quickly becoming home to an expanding array of businesses. Denver's population has grown by nearly 20% since 2010, and the area has the ninth-largest share of technology workers in U.S. tech hub cities. As the Denver boom continues, demand for business services like public relations is growing.
The Denver office is led by experienced<|fim_middle|> innovative public relations agency that specializes in executing media and social media strategy for businesses ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. The company has offices across the U.S., emphasizing strong workplace culture and inclusion. SSPR's business goal is to, "work with clients we love, organizations we believe in and projects where making something great together can happen." SSPR has been listed as a Top Place to Work by PR News and has been recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, with many stellar employees selected as PR Rising Stars and Agency Elite Finalists in 2019 alone. Learn more about how SSPR pushes PR boundaries to help clients launch brands, disrupt industries and engage with the audiences that matter most at sspr.com.
Liz Reilly
SOURCE SSPR
http://sspr.com | PR professionals, including Vice President Shannon Tucker, who was included in the "50 on Fire" list by American Inno for being a notable disruptor on the PR scene. Tucker joins Liz Reilly, Senior Media Lead at SSPR, who was recognized last year by PR News as a "Rising Star" for her strategic successes, quick-fire ideas and enthusiasm to deliver on client campaigns.
"We're excited to make history by opening our second Colorado office in Denver," said SSPR CEO Heather Kelly, who began at the agency as an intern 20 years ago and moved the headquarters from Chicago to Colorado Springs as CEO in 2015. "SSPR has helped Denver-based companies tell their stories for many years, and we couldn't be more thrilled to officially join them in this growing, vibrant city."
The agency, which was recently named to PR News' "Top Places to Work," is hiring in Denver as it gears up to serve more clients in a city that is rapidly solidifying its status as a top-10 tech hub. SSPR already works with Denver-area clients in a variety of sectors. The agency is currently exploring opportunities and engaging with clients in insurance and healthcare tech, ad tech, email marketing, AI, food and beverage, consumer goods, security, data management, cybersecurity and other industries.
Denver-area organizations in any sector looking for an experienced, cutting-edge agency to tell their stories are encouraged to reach out to Tucker at [email protected]. PR professionals seeking a fast-paced, innovative career are also encouraged to reach out to Tucker about SSPR's open positions.
About SSPR
SSPR LLC is an agile, | 334 |
This sleveless top is comfortable and provides the signature hold and sculpting effect of SDress. Easy and versatile piece that can be used<|fim_middle|> If packed for prolonged time some creasing will occur but it relaxes with body heat. Machine washable and no iron. Doesn't fade, lint or lose shape wash after wash. No more expensive dry cleaning bills! Made in Italy with ultrasonic and thermal bonding technologies for smooth, stitchless finish. Made with our signature eco-certified carbon neutral Italian fabric that feels smooth and silky on the skin, is hypoallergenic, breathable and provides UV protection. All the fabrics we use are comfortable, durable, made with non toxic dies in a water saving, non polluting process endorsed by WWF. | in all seasons for layering or on its own for sporty or elegant look. Without any zips, buttons or labels. The ultimate travel essential as it packs very small and doesn't crease. | 41 |
As we age, we lose fat in 21 distinct pockets below our facial muscles, which leads to sagging jowls, under eye shadows, flattened cheeks, and hollow temples. We also lose the skin-plumping layer of fat just below the surface of the skin, revealing wrinkles, folds, and expression lines. When facial filling first began in the 1980s, the only option was Collagen. Many patients had great results, but the effect only lasted two to three months, and allergies were common enough that spot testing was routinely required. Since then, a number of fillers have been FDA approved for use. Although most are approved for a very specific use (lips, cheeks),<|fim_middle|>abial folds, are wrinkles run vertically from the bottom of the nose to the corners of your lips. This is a very popular injection site for injectable fillers like Juvederm.
Marionette lines are the vertical wrinkles that form below the corners of the mouth. These lines often annoy patients because can sometimes give the appearance of sad and/or a down turned expression. Juvederm is also a great solution for these types of age lines.
Facial lines above and around the lips can begin to form over time due to ordinary lip muscle movement. However, environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, smoking and stress can also contribute to how the area around our lips ages and the formation of vertical lip lines. Believe it or not, excessive use of straws can even lead to the formation of these lines. | most physicians use them in multiple areas of the face, so this can increase the number of options to a point of confusion.
To help make sense of all the options, the first thing to understand is that there are basically two kinds of fillers. The first basic type is called a Hyaluronic Acid (HA) filler, and the other type is called a Collagen Stimulator. There are a larger number of HA fillers, and they have a lot of similarities, even between brands.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are thin gels made of carbohydrates that are based on the same molecules that are normally found in the connective tissue around our skin cells. The original HA fillers are still used today and the full effect lasts an average of 4 to 6 months, with some product remaining in place up to 12 months. They are fairly thin and smooth, which makes them safe to inject anywhere in the skin. The effect is seen immediately, but since the HA molecules tend to attract water, for many patients the effect improves subtly over the first week after treatment.
In recent years, more cross-linking between the HA molecules has been used to make some of the HA gels thicker. This means more volume as well as effects that last more like 12-24 months, but it also means that they should not be used in superficial lines or near the eyes or lips. Any of the HA fillers can be partially or completely dissolved by injecting a solution containing the enzyme Hyalruonidase (brand name Vitrase) into the area where there is too much volume. This breaks down the filler within 1-3 days, but it can take up to 3 weeks for the body to completely clear the product and the swelling from the area. Let's look at some specific products.
Allergan's newest filler is the only filler officially FDA approved for volumizing and lifting the cheeks. It has become extremely popular for its subtle but noticeable effects, especially for decreasing shadows under the eyes and cheeks in photographs. When full correction is performed (which was up to 6 syringes per patient in the study), the effect was still seen two years after treatment. This filler can be used elsewhere in the face, but it cannot be used around the eyes or in the lips, and it cannot be injected superficially in the skin due to the thick nature of the gel. Voluma comes as a 1mL size, and many patients are happy with 1-2mL for a full treatment. The XC means that the filler contains lidocaine, a numbing agent, to make the injections more tolerable. All of the "XC" fillers are available in regular form upon request for patients with sensitivity to lidocaine.
FDA approved for moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, this filler can be used almost anywhere. Ultra Plus is soft enough to blend in with the skin without lumps and firm enough to correct wrinkling, and it is most commonly placed in the nasal folds and around the chin and mouth. After injection, most patients return for correction in about 9 months. With complete correction, including a touch up treatment at 6 months, patients see results that last up to 18 months. We offer Ultra Plus in a 1mL size.
Juvederm's softest filler, Juvederm Ultra is great for treating "smoker's lines" above the lip or at the edge of the lip to prevent lipstick bleed, or it can be used to add volume for both the upper and lower lips. Ultra is also used for tear troughs or under-eye hollows and for improvement of superficial lines in a variety of places. Due to its soft nature, it's the fastest absorbing filler, with a duration of about 6 months, depending on the amount used and the amount of muscle motion in the area where it is injected. This is available in a 1mL and 0.5mL size.
The newest Galderma filler to the market, Restylane silk is the only filler actually FDA approved for injection into the lips as well as perioral lines around the mouth. Most patients think of the lip as only the colored part, but technically the lip includes the skin up to the nose as well, so it's possible to correct lines and improve the lip shape without increasing the size of the colored portion of the lip at all (no duck lips!). Silk has a small molecule size, designed for the softest, smoothest feel possible and lasts about 6 months. It comes in a 1mL size with lidocaine to decrease discomfort.
The original Galderma lip filler, Restylane is indicated for moderate to deep facial folds and wrinkles, and can be used for everything from smoothing the under eyes and plumping the lips to filling in acne scars and wrinkles. Patients find that Restylane offers a very smooth correction for many areas of the face, and it lasts about 6 months before repeat injection is needed. Restylane comes in a 1mL or 0.5mL size for patients who are not interested in large volume correction. The L means it includes lidocaine, which is included to decrease discomfort.
Perlane is another filler from Galderma that has a larger particle size, which is indicated for deeper folds and increased volumizing compared with Restylane. It can also be used for acne scars and other types of volume loss in the skin. Because of the large particle size, it should not be used in the lips or near the eyes, but it does an excellent job in volumizing the cheeks. It comes in a 1mL size and has a lower cost than Juvederm Voluma, but it does not last as long (6-12 months vs 12-24 months). The L means it includes lidocaine, which is included to decrease discomfort.
Collagen stimulators work differently than HA fillers. Instead of a gel that provides immediate volume exact where it is desired, collagen stimulators are absorbed and then stimulate the body's tissues to produce its own collagen over the course of several weeks. Some patients find that the collagen growth is impressive with even one treatment, and others find that multiple treatments are needed for the desired effect. This has to do with a person's metabolism as well as the amount of collagen they had in youth as well. Results can last up to two years. Collagen stimulators can be used in the temples, along the cheek and jawbones as well as in deeper folds and wrinkles in many places, but it is not meant to be used in the eyes or lips. There are two main types that are used at the practice, which will be discussed below.
Radiesse is actually a mixture of hyaluronic acid and a calcium based particle that stimulates collagen. The HA provides immediate volumizing and wrinkle correction, which is then maintained by the growth of new collagen as the HA portion dissolves over time. Because of this, the effect is immediate and can last 12-18 months for many patients, depending on the amount of product used and where it is injected (areas of the face with more movement will break down the product and the new collagen faster). Radiesse comes in a 1.5mL as well as a 0.8mL size and is one of the more economical fillers because of the larger syringe size available.
Scultpra is a pure collagen stimulator, made of a small molecules related to absorbable suture material. It is mixed with saline and injected in a series of sessions several weeks apart to stimulate collagen production. After the saline is absorbed (in about 24-48 hours), patients experience a gradual increase in the amount of volume in the areas injected over 6-8 weeks, at which time injections can be repeated if desired. The average patient has three sessions to achieve a full result. It can be used in conjunction with other fillers, although it is best to allow for the full effect before adding other fillers to the exact same areas. Sculptra is an excellent way to gradually replace a large amount of volume loss in many places over the face.
Now that the different types of fillers in our practice have been reviewed, it may be helpful to look at this flow chart to figure out which filler(s) will help achieve your individual goals. Keep in mind most patients end up using more than one type of filler.
Need help finding the right filler for you?
Some patients worry about the risks of fillers as well as the potential for complications or discomfort associated with their use. We do everything possible to minimize these risks, but they do sometimes still occur. The most common side effect with fillers is temporary discomfort. Many of the products contain lidocaine to help numb the skin as the product is injected, but we also use ice and a topical numbing cream to improve the experience. A dental block (numbing injections) can be used for the lips since they are the most sensitive, but this is saved as a last resort since it can distort the area slightly and affect the final result.
Another common risk is bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Usually this is minor and can be minimized by avoiding blood thinners for 7-10 days before injections. Significant bleeding is rare, but if it occurs it can take a few weeks to resolve in the worst cases. Luckily it will not affect the final result. This is critical for formal blood thinners like Plavix or Coumadin but is also important for over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS as well as any supplements that can cause bleeding like fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids. Alcohol is also a blood thinner and should ideally be avoided for a few days before injections to minimize bruising and bleeding.
If bruising does occur, an herbal supplement called Arnica can be used both in pill form and topically to help resolve bruising and swelling. Some patients even begin taking Arnica before their injections to help prevent bruising and swelling.
Uneven correction or nodule formation can occur even if both the injector and patient do everything possible to avoid it. Most of the time, this can be corrected with the addition of more product or by dissolving product (if it is an HA). Unfortunately, some nodules are scar tissue based and may not resolve even after the product dissolves completely on its own. This is a rare occurrence that is more often felt than seen, and it can be surgically addressed under local anesthesia, but it is definitely something to be carefully considered before injections are performed.
Smile lines, or nasol | 2,182 |
Medical experts will benefit from information about new mechanistic disease hypotheses, disease risk models, longitudinal disease progression and clinical studies with available data for validation and analyses. In particular,in AETIONOMY we want to overcome historical disease taxonomies for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and target new methods using public available information from medical publications and medical data. The outcome resulted in new hypotheses for both diseases which are described by new mechanistic processes, involved pathways and biomarkers giving indications of the disease stage and progression.<|fim_middle|> and patient data as the ultimate goal will be the translation of these findings into clinical practice (following the IMI perspective 'diagnostic and treatment biomarkers for diseases clearly linked to clinical relevance and approved by regulators'). | Naturally, this group is most interested in associations between these hypotheses | 12 |
The most important piece of kitchen equipment you'll need to make perfect crêpes every time is a really good non-stick frying pan, as it makes flipping so much easier. Make sure your frying pan is properly heated before you start cooking too. You can test this by putting a small spoonful of the batter into the frying pan – it should turn golden on the underside after about 30 seconds.
1. Put the flour, eggs, milk and sunflower oil in a bowl and whisk to a smooth batter. Leave it to rest for 30 minutes if time allows, but up to 2 days is fine, covered with cling film in the fridge – just give it a good stir before using, and if you find it has thickened up a little, then loosen it with a splash of milk. But if you're in a hurry, you can cook the crêpes straight away.
2. Place a medium non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.<|fim_middle|> wide distribution. Spread some chocolate hazelnut spread over the warm crêpes and drizzle over a little golden syrup, then finish with a sprinkling of toasted chopped nuts to serve. | Once hot, ladle in a thin layer of batter and cook for 1 minute, until golden. Once the crêpe is cooked underneath, give it a little shake and it should move easily. Tip the crêpe to the edge of the frying pan and three, two, one, flip! Remember, practice makes perfect – it's about having a confident flick of the wrist (the same action as you would use when making a stir-fry in a wok). Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, keeping the crêpes warm in a low oven as you go. Repeat until all the batter is used up.
3. If you'd prefer to make the crêpes in advance, allow them to cool and then layer up between non-stick baking or greaseproof paper and wrap in cling film. They will keep happily for 2 days in the fridge, then reheat later in a low oven or in the microwave (they can also be frozen for up to 2 months).
4. Fold each crêpe into quarters and arrange on plates with the berries and a good spoonful of the yogurt, then drizzle over the honey to serve.
This is perfect if you're looking for more of a treat at the weekend and plan to serve the crêpes for brunch. There are now a number of good Irish brands of chocolate hazelnut spread on the market, such as the one from The Chocolate Garden of Ireland, who are based in Co. Carlow. Keen also makes a hazelnut butter with dark chocolate that's to die for. They're based in Bangor but have a very | 334 |
Solutions that<|fim_middle|> necessary logistics involved from packaging to transportation. | focus on clients.
FLAMA's combined services and industrial capacities allow for optimised results.
FLAMA has developed a solid experience and high know-how on thermoplastic (plastic parts) and thermoset (bakelite) production. All its processes – from production to delivery – meet high quality criteria.
FLAMA benefits from great experience in the manufacture of tools and moulds for plastic injection in several fields such as fast-moving consumer goods, the auto industry, and electrical and sanitary equipment.
FLAMA produces a great variety of metal components for all different applications. It is capable of transforming many types of raw material, particularly stainless steel.
In the metal field, experienced teams carry out safe welding operations.
FLAMA has equipment for sanding and polishing metal parts in order to obtain a matte or gloss finish.
The different painting techniques used by FLAMA allow for a highly-quality end result. Powder coating is used to decorate different metal parts. The non-stick treatment is obtained by means of the painting process.
Before the metal parts are painted, they go through a chemical or mechanical stripping process.
Qualified teams work flexibly and in shifts. Execution rigour and quality control carried out on every stage ensure a top quality end product.
FLAMA has equipment for marking plastic or metal parts in the case of a logo, pictogram, or symbol. The pad printing and serigraphy processes ensure a high-quality result in accordance with the specifications.
FLAMA counts on the most advanced equipment for laser marking metal parts.
From design to production passing through prototyping and the construction of moulds, FLAMA controls the different stages of product development. These result in integrated solutions adapted to client and market needs.
Functional products that meet consumer expectations. At FLAMA, we design solutions from a simple idea or a detailed briefing.
An essential step in product development, FLAMA develops prototypes based on three-dimensional CAD data or 3D printing.
FLAMA's project management assures clients constant supervision from product development to large-scale production.
Throughout the product development process a competent and multidisciplinary team validates all technical matters making sure that the product is viable.
FLAMA specialises in the manufacture of moulds for bakelite and plastic injection. These are produced from all the various technologies.
Installed capacity and a production line organised into cells allow for the quick production of high quantities.
Because the best products also reach the best partners, FLAMA counts on professionals who are exclusively dedicated to the research for the most suitable solutions.
Because each project ends with the delivery of the finished product, FLAMA adopts all the | 514 |
One have become an cartoon movie fan pretty lengthy and have been viewing quite a lot off movies of this category for the last number of of months. I have definitely been watching movies the I felt were likely for people my years and have been faithfully avoiding Disney movies. Very when I ran out in the open of options, I used to see the movie the romantic and the frog cropping up when I been recently browsing for more pictures. I am not<|fim_middle|> offered her dream auberge in the long term future. Her friend Charlotte, nc La Bouffe, their spoilt rich debutante asks her in order to really provide refreshments by the huge golf ball that she is simply throwing. marketing video production is for the main rich and for welcome Prince Naveen of Maldonia.
Tiana is really glad about the likely as she could be able to successfully buy the antique sugar mill so as to renovate in time for a restaurant this she has imagined about. The King-size who is apparently considered rich should be penniless and novice. He prefers into marry a well-off woman rather in comparison working for salary. They meet powerful encounter a voodoo doctor who converts the prince within just to a frog. He transforms the entire valet in on the way to the prince created by giving a voodoo charm. Facilier, this particular voodoo doctor involves Lawrence to get married to Charlotte so in which it he can try to get access to it father's charm. | a girl who believes in agreeably ever after and definitely not a big fan most typically associated with such movies. But the main movie pricked my interest rates as the story is very much something that I possess read when I was already a kid.
So, I bought each movie through the satellite dish TV offers that Naturally i have. The movie was basically released in the spring and released under specific genre of animate musical show family film. The videos has been produced according to Walt Disney Animation Parlors and has been stirred from the novel, typically the frog princess. The motion pictures has been directed using John Musker and John Clements of Aladdin as well as the Little Mermaid fame. The entire film was initially titles, The Frog Princess that may was later renamed in the form of The Princess and unquestionably the Frog.
The film appeared to be nominated for our own Best Animated Credit and for Ultimate Original Song when it comes to the Academy Accolades. The movie offers been set when it comes to the early on hour. The story could be about Tiana an important young woman individual is passionate exactly about cooking. She does the job in two needs simultaneously to | 232 |
When taking a case to court, it's important to have evidence, exhibits, and key documents readily accessible. The less time you spend searching for the items you need, the more time you can spend arguing the merits of the case. Plus, powerful evidence can lose some of its impact if the jury is left waiting for you to find the items you need. At A. William Roberts, Jr. & Associates (AWR), we turn effective trial presentation into an artform. Here are some basic tips on how to organize documents for court.
While the world is moving toward "going green," understandably not everything can be digitized. There are going to be some documents that you want to hand to the witness while asking questions. If you work primarily from printed documents, it can be helpful to use a trial binder for your potential exhibits. Make sure each document has an easy to find tab or placeholder so you can find it when you need it.
A growing number of lawyers throughout the country are using digital document management software to organize their documents for court. With this seamless technology, a lawyer can be virtually free from paper at a hearing or trial, while having the power of thousands of<|fim_middle|> and we are very close to being able to try cases without paper.
AWR is proud to offer a free online litigation repository. View our case management tool.
Ultimately, you should try to organize your trial evidence, whether by paper or electronic means, in the order in which you plan to use them at your court appearance. Doing so can take a lot of advanced planning and careful preparation.
The dedicated team at A. William Roberts, Jr. & Associates can work closely with you and your firm to build trial exhibits, establish powerful document management, and help you create an amazing presentation to win your case. Contact us today to schedule a deposition or to discuss your litigation and presentation needs. | documents and images at their fingertips.
Powerful Indexing. By taking all of your exhibits and uploading them to a cloud-based software program, you can ensure that your items will be there when you need them. There's no risk of a page being lost or stuck somewhere else in a binder.
Better Cross-Examinations. Many experienced attorneys have been in the uncomfortable position of trying to respond to a witness's remarks, only to desperately need a specific document. Perhaps there's impeaching information in a key document. Perhaps the witness just contradicted deposition testimony or discovery responses. Having a properly indexed and easily accessible document management program allows you to instantly search for the document without clumsily flipping through hundreds of pages on a table.
Tablet Compatible. When your documents are organized electronically, you are able to use a tablet or laptop during hearings and court appearances. Imagine being able to attend a motion hearing or even a trial with nothing but a couple of folders and a computer. Technology is moving in this direction | 201 |
Amy was introduced to Pilates in September of 2001--one month after the death of her younger sister. During this time, Amy was overweight and exercised infrequently, and through Pilates began to see healing after this devastating loss in her body, mind, and spirit. She found the center of who she is through the power of Pilates.
She founded Centered to help others find healing like she did, in body, mind, and spirit, uplifting men and women by helping center their core and reconnect their whole being upon the reality that they are valuable, worthy, beautiful, and loved.
Now nearly 15 years into her Pilates practice, Amy loves the "a-ha" moments she experiences every day on the journey towards an aligned spine and a balanced musculature. She also loves how the Pilates breath helps to keep her centered while attempting to balance the jobs of mother, fiance, studio owner, and instructor.
Amy has a B.S. in Business Management awarded by Virginia Tech in 1994. She obtained her M.B.A. from Marshall University in 1997. Amy spent ten years honing her teaching skills as a Forensic Economist before becoming a certified Pilates instructor in April of 2007. Amy opened her home-based studio in August of 2007, and within 8 months had a client base exceeding 80 individuals. She expanded to a larger studio location in August of 2008 and expanded again to a studio on Hale Street on January 1, 2012. On February 1, 2015, she opened the current location of 108 Capitol Street. Amy currently splits her time between Charleston and Dallas, Texas. She recently joined the team at Studio 6 Fitness in Dallas and is undergoing Lagree Method training.
Amy has experience with pre- and post-natal clients, golfers, runners, equestrians, and tennis (as well as racquetball and squash) players. She has also worked with clients who have undergone lumbar discectomy and knee replacement surgeries (all post physical therapy), individually and in groups.
Amy strongly believes in the mission of CENTERED--she cares for the bodies, minds and spirits of each and every client utilizing the wondrous tool that is the Pilates method.
Jennifer was introduced to Pilates by Amy Teter, in 2010 after lumbar back surgery.
With the guidance of Amy's expert cues and knowledge, changes occurred that come from reprogramming an off-centered body. Her core became stronger and as a result, less back pain. After one year of faithful practice, Jennifer was grateful to be living a pain free life.
After a ski injury, Jennifer had herniated L5/S1. After a second, failed surgery, Jennifer was referred to The Cleveland Clinic, where a third surgery was successfully performed.
Equipped with the knowledge that movement can heal, she began a new journey to pain free living. She obtained her Bodhi Suspension Certification in 2013, TRX training in 2014, and Lagree Fitness Certification in 2018. Jennifer and Amy became business partners at Centered in October 2018.
Jennifer has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from WVSU, an Associate Degree in Photography from The Art Institute of Colorado, and is currently a trainee in PAI Pilates Reformer I. She lives in Charleston, WV with her three sons, four cats and two dogs.
Annette's enthusiasm for fitness started at an early age. As a straight A student who always got a "B" in gym, she realized that being an athlete wasn't the only way of being physically fit. Together with her mother, at the age of 16, she enrolled in a dance aerobics class offered through a local community education program. Two years later, she became certified to teach her own classes and was then recruited to teach at a local fitness facility. In 2008, as a full time working mom with a daughter of her own, she converted her traditional 1 hour workout into a 30 minute time saver workout. She decided that one could accomplish just as much in a short workout by simply making the format a bit more intense. In 2011, Annette discovered Centered Pilates. Much to her delight, Centered not only offered lunch time workouts, they offered express workouts. She took her first TRX Express class in February 2012 and became a certified instructor 6 months later. Like many others, Annette fell in love with both the strength and cardio benefits of TRX training. She also admired Amy Teter's vast knowledge of proper body alignment and the benefits of incorporating such into daily activities.
Annette has a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She works full time in grants administration for the West Virginia Higher Education Division of Science and Research. She has 25 years of group fitness teaching experience with certifications from the National Exercise Trainers Association(NETA), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of American (AFFA), Mad Dogg Spinning, Kickboxing, Zumba Gold, Tracy Mallet's Booty Barre, and TRX Suspension Training.
Dr. Jacqueline Stump was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology and chemistry at The University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. Jacqueline then attended West Virginia University School of Dentistry, graduating with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree in 2012. After graduating dental school she had the privilege to train and work with her two uncles and brother in private practice in her hometown of Charleston.
Dr. Jacqueline enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle outside of the dental office. Being able to practice dentistry in her hometown she considers herself fortunate to be involved in multiple local organizations and charities that are committed to improving the Charleston area. Jacqueline strongly believes that her ability to preserve and beautify her patients' smiles starts with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys staying centered by taking Pilates and TRX training.
Jacqueline first experienced Centered a little over five years ago when she took her first ever Cardio Interval TRX class. It was an instant connection not only to TRX but to Centered. Jacqueline soon expanded her training to both weekly TRX and barre classes, as well as private Pilates training with Amy.
When the Monday evening TRX instructor, Kim Matras, announced she was moving to San Francisco, Jacqueline knew she was ready to step in. She completed her TRX certification in January of 2018 at the Charlotte Athletic Club.
"Dr. J" believes strongly that Centered is not just a gym or studio providing a variety of fitness programs--it is a Community! She feels that whether you are just beginning your fitness journey or striving to reach your peak, Centered helps you feel, move AND live better!
After three years of dedication to TRX classes, Christine got certified in February 2015 at Working Out in Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Like many women who try to balance exercise, healthy eating and stress management, along with the demands of work and family life, I too thought I had a handle on this aspect of my life. In the fall of 2011, I lost my father to lung cancer. I discovered that he also had Type II Diabetes. In addition, my mother has Type II Diabetes, as did both of my maternal grandparents. My mother also has severe osteoarthritis. In the early part of 2012, I was inspired by a friend to get a little more serious about my fitness routine and to start eating "cleaner". Before this time, I had tried to: count calories, walk and talk with a friend, lift some light weights, use my elliptical machine or treadmill at home, etc. However, with co-morbid diseases in my genetic make-up, I knew I had to do as much as possible to prevent or stave off what I could through diet and proper exercise.
As a Lenten sacrifice that year I decided to follow the Paleo diet and I completely gave up, - for 47 days – all artificial sweeteners including diet soda, (I never thought it was possible, now it repulses me), coffee creamer, candy, and any processed foods, etc. I also quit using dairy products and switched to almond milk and clarified butter.
During this same time, I came across a Living Social deal to try Centered Pilates Studio. At the time I was a bit of an exercise whore, (in that, any offer that came along that seemed new, different, a good value and peaked my interest, I'd try). Little did I know what I was signing up for! I had been hearing for several months, from another friend, about the results she got from TRX. Finally, I listened.
The first TRX class I took was challenging, but fun. The next day, I could barely walk up and down steps, could not bend to tie my shoes and it hurt every muscle in my body to laugh or move swiftly. Yet through the hurt-so-good pain, I knew if I was that sore and still had fun doing it, I was onto a life-changing experience – and I was right! I was immediately hooked by the energy at Centered! Amy, Wendi and staff are inspiring, to say the least. The focus on proper alignment and positioning are second to none and clearly so imperative to success.
Within weeks I saw a difference in my appearance and by March of 2012, I had dropped 12 pounds and lost about 6 or more inches. My work continued. I still followed Paleo, although not always as strictly. And I am a regular Centered customer, fan, advocate and walking/talking billboard! I truly stop people on the street, bring it up to co-workers, friends, church members, and the like, every chance I get.
I have scoliosis, I had knee surgery when I was 19, I broke my shoulder at 21, and I injured my other knee a few years ago while attempting to out-run a group of 8-year-old soccer players. I see a chiropractor and massage therapist regularly. Compared to other forms of exercise, I have not experienced knee, joint or back discomfort since doing TRX, Pilates and core barre. In fact, when my schedule pulls me away from Centered to other forms of exercise, the pain follows. I have learned first-hand how invaluable core-strengthening truly is!
Tiffany is<|fim_middle|> to find new methods to help strengthen my core and close my diastases. I fell in love with Pilates. When the PAI training became available at Centered Pilates I was thrilled. Here we are a couple years later and I absolutely love what I do. PAI Certified for anatomy, biomechanics, and posture analysis in addition to receiving certifications for pilates instructor mat 1 and 2 all 5 tiers. I watched the brilliant sectional sequences heal my body from the inside out. I'm completing my reformer hours with hope to achieve that certification in the near future. I am obsessed with Booty Barre and all of Tracey Mallett's programs. I hold certifications for several and I am working toward more. It was thrilling to travel to the Booty Barre Summit in October of 2017 to become West Virginia's first certified Booty Barre Bounce Instructor. I also co-own Improve Physical Therapy with my husband.I continue to learn more every day as I teach and watch my wide variety of clientele grow in strength and endurance and love seeing the results. Nothing is more rewarding than receiving messages about how our time together has helped them through the day or how they bought their first bikini in years. I love the "thank you's", but more so, I love the joy our studio brings. I have always enjoyed helping people of all ages find confidence and happiness as they create and reach their fitness goals. I love being part of their fitness journeys. My clients see that and also know that I am very concerned with safety and proper alignment to avoid injuries. I want everyone to have a safe, fun-filled, and effective workout and leave the studio feeling better than when they came in. I am blessed to do what I love.
Jordan is a 2015 University of Charleston graduate with a degree in Political Science and is currently employed with Partners In Health Network as a Credentialing Clerk. After graduating and entering the world as a full-time employee, she began devoting time to her physical health. By discovering the power of Pilates, she noticed that her muscles were really shaping up.
After a few months, her amazing results included improved posture, confidence, and increased muscle strength and definition. Because of this, she was hooked and jumped at the opportunity of becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor and is proud to be completing Mat I and II Certification through Pilates Academy International. At 5'1" in height, along with a petite, yet curvaceous figure, Pilates has given Jordan confidence, strength, lean muscles and a taller posture. She has found that teaching Pilates is a great fit because she is so upbeat and loves to help others with a goal to reveal the same positive experience, results and way of life.
After many years of struggling with an eating disorder; various failed attempts to deal with chronic back pain; later weight gain; and insomnia, Mia began taking classes at Centered in early 2014. To her delight Pilates was just what she needed. Through breath, movement and proper alignment, Mia finally found the relief (and healing) she was looking for. Mia, like so many others, fell in love with both Pilates and Barre. She then expanded her practice to include private reformer sessions and Core Suspend classes. She was quickly hooked and became a daily practitioner.
In 2015, Mia decided to share her love of Pilates by beginning her journey to become a PAI certified Pilates Instructor. She loves the focus on whole body health that Centered and her personal practice have brought to her life. In 2016, Mia became the retail manager at Centered when Amy decided to branch out into active wear.
In addition to her teaching at Centered, Mia is currently the office manager and paralegal for her husband's law office in Charleston, WV and also works as a floral designer for Dartagnon, Events and Culinary Designs, LLC. She obtained her bachelors degree in Psychology in 2002.
Meghann is a graduate of Ohio University with degrees in Performance & Choreography and Magazine Journalism. A long time movement enthusiast, she has completed training in Pilates, Barre and has over 17 years of formal training in choreography, modern dance, jazz, ballet and lyrical dance and became Pilates Mat certified through Power Pilates in 2007. After discovering how Barre combines her love of dance and pilates she became VBarre certified through Leaders in Fitness in 2012. Meghann works full time as a Public Relations Specialist and loves how Pilates and Barre make her feel balanced, centered and strong. | a married mother of three who has always enjoyed working out and being active. Over the years she has enjoyed step aerobics, cross fit, spinning, boxing, and running.
My husband and I were married in 2005 when I immediately became blessed to be a second mother to Lauren and Garrett. They are now referred to as my "bigs" because we then had 3 "littles" of our own. (Madison, Logan, and Lucas). Due to an inguinal hernia, the littles each came via c-section on 2008,2009, and 2012 to make a total of 5 children that I love with all my heart. After college I joined my husbands physical therapy practice where my primary position was director of marketing in addition to working with patients in the clinic or helping the front desk. I was very fortunate to be part time after the littles came along secondary to nursing and navigating being nursing mom while healing from major surgery. Praise God all our children are healthy and were worth every single stretch mark. I have always been a fitness fanatic. I love my time in the gym lifting weights and I love to ride horses. After my hernia repair, I decided I needed | 259 |
What makes a dive trip really special is when you see something underwater for the very first time. Malaysia's Perhentian Islands didn't disappoint me on that score – it was during a dive at D Lagoon, one of the simplest, shallowest coral reef dives possible on the Perhentians, that I got to witness the arrival of a school of humphead parrotfish. They turned up just at the end of our dive like a gang of Hell's Angels taking over the reef – there were easily 20 to 30 of them and I was taken aback at just how big they were. Over half a metre in length, the humpheads clustered together and repeatedly attacked the coral itself, chomping away and sending out clouds of debris which soon muddied the water. No diver would want to get in the way of their powerful beaks. I'd never seen humpheads in real life before and couldn't stop marveling at their size and the slightly comic appearance their beaks gave them, which seemed fixed in a perpetual mischievious grin. Back on board the boat, there were similarly broad smiles from the divers too. It may not be Malaysia's most superlative dive destination, but diving in the Perhentians is always full of surprises.
A half hour speedboat ride off the the western coast of peninsular Malaysia, the Perhentian Islands are an increasingly popular scuba destination that sees a lot of divers returning several times after their first visit. It's not difficult to see why: the Perhentians are blessed with the archetypal white sand and palm trees of a tropical paradise and their beauty on land is matched by what lies beneath the water too. Best of all, the Perhentians are relatively easy to get to and extremely affordable too – this is one dive holiday that won't break the bank.
It's this combination of idyllic beaches and low prices that has driven the Perhentians' rise in popularity for divers and non divers alike over the last five years. The islands attract a diverse mix of Singaporeans on weekend breaks, Chinese package tourists coming for some sea and sand, and a swathe of European backpackers on their South East Asian travels. There's little sense of being amongst a crowd however – during my stay in June, the small beaches remained pleasantly empty and the dive sites were usually uncrowded too. Despite the Perhentians' growing popularity, there's still a sense of discovering somewhere that not many other people know about when you first arrive on one of the islands' beaches.
That sense of discovery is compounded by the islands' quite modest infrastructure. While you can get mobile phone reception, there's no high rise buildings, no roads and no ATMs on the two islands that make up the Perhentians – there are a couple of tracks through the jungle that link several of the beaches, but otherwise the only way to get between them is by boat. Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil, where I stayed, is the more backpacker orientated beach and so a bit of a party zone, while the beaches on the bigger Perhentian Besar are more family orientated and quieter. Whichever beach you go to, you'll find a picturesque mixture of wooden huts serving variously as accommodation, beachside cafes and dive shops.
There are several dive operators on the Perhentians, and some have been there for over a decade. The dive schedule follows the<|fim_middle|> dive safari. | laid back attitude of the islands' beach life – first dive is at 8.30am, second dive at 1.30pm, with journeys to the dive sites in simple wooden skiffs taking around 20 minutes. The boat comes back to shore between dives. Night dives can be arranged for those interested, and there are also dive day trips organised to nearby Palau Redang, besides the usual array of dive courses for those looking to learn diving or further their dive skills.
The calm, shallow waters of the Perhentians makes it an ideal place to learn to dive – few of the dive sites go below 25 metres and most of the interesting stuff is at 18 metres and above. But the Perhentians are much more than just a training ground. There is an abundance of marine life here, with snorkellers enjoying regular sightings of turtles and black tip sharks without even leaving the surface of the water. The repeat business of many divers returning to the islands from all over the world attests to the diversity of their dive sites. There are around 10 dive sites around the islands which will keep novice and qualified divers alike entertained for the best part of a week.
Amongst these feature two wrecks, the Vietnamese wreck which is upside down in around 24 metres of water, and the Sugar Wreck in 18 metres, which lies on its side with its two loading cranes still attached strewn out over the sandy bottom. The cranes provide a home for several lionfish and a school of razorfish, which hover vertically and nose down over the battered steel struts. The visibility at the Perhentians varied quite dramatically from day to day during my stay, and on my dives on both wrecks we only had around 7 metres viz – but that didn't hamper our enjoyment because once on the wreck all the marine life was hovering around the sides of the sunken ships, clearly in view. That said, big cobias have been known to turn up out of the blue, so it's worth taking a look away from the wreck every now and then.
The Sugar Wreck has large cargo doors in its now vertical deck that can be penetrated, while the Vietnamese wreck's upside down profile means that there's a large confined space between the boat's deck and the sandy bottom, which is easy for divers to negotiate. It's also a haven for schools of fish, allowing them to sit out of the current that flows around the wreck – and, bizarrely, for some of them to be upside down too! Big marble rays have also been spotted lying on the sand in here, so divers need to take care both to spot these beautiful creatures and to avoid coming to harm from their barbed tails. Outside the wreck, baby barracuda hang in the current and tiny yellow boxfish fuss around the broken metal.
Besides the wrecks, Tirumbla Tiga (universally known as T3) and The Pinnacle (also known as Temple), are the other two star attractions of Perhentians diving. T3 is made of three huge fingers of rock rising from 20 metres to the surface with a profusion of smaller boulders strewn around them, creating an aquatic labyrinth that even the local divemasters joke about getting lost in despitediving the site hundreds of times. This jumble of rocks and coral makes for some exciting swimthroughs too, and its nooks and crannies provide ample shelter for many critturs.
Like many other Perhentian divers, Temple was my personal favourite, a straightforward pinnacle of rock that sits just off the shore, allowing a good current to pass through and providing both great viz and a headturning mass of different fish life. I was hoping against hope we might see an elusive guitarfish, which has been spotted both here and at the Tulumben Basi dive site, but no such luck: I had to content myself with schools of travally, fusiliers and jack whipping around us and a long line of squid propelling themselves single file over head, and finding a truly massive moray eel curled amongst the Pinnacle's rocks.
Divers are not limited to the Perhentians' cluster of immediate sites though. If you have the time to spare, you should definitely take a speedboat trip from the Perhentians to Redang as well. Only 40 minutes away, most dive shops organise cheap trips with two dives and lunch included, allowing divers to be back mid afternoon. Palau's deeper dive sites mean that the viz can be a lot clearer than the Perhentians, but the currents a lot stronger too – certainly that was my experience, and the dives we did at Batu Tokong and Turumbu Kili needed some concerted finning at times but were eminently worth the effort. There are some spectacular table corals on these sites which run into one another, creating an organic plateau that is quite mesmerising. The coral is also a big hit with the turtles, who we saw several times feasting on the reef.
The Perhentians, then, offer a wealth of dive opportunities that are easy to get to and won't cost a fortune. While diving at the Perhentians may not be as flat out spectacular like diving at, say, Sipadan, the islands have a particular charm both above and below the surface.
Many thanks to Turtle Bay Divers (www.turtlebaydivers.com/) on Perhentian Kecil for their help with writing this report.
Most major airlines fly into Kuala Lumpur International Airport. From there domestic flights can be taken to Kota Bharu, the nearest town on the mainland to the Perhentian Islands. It's a one hour taxi ride from Kota Bharu to the pier at the coastal town of Kuala Besut. Speedboats from the pier take about half an hour out to the Perhentians. Don't bother with the mechanically unreliable slow boat.
27 to 30 degrees Celsius.
The Perhentian Islands are a tropical island, and the temperature can rise to 34 degrees. Apply a lot of sunscreen and drink a lot of water.
English is widely spoken in the Perhentian Islands as it is throughout Malaysia.
Most accommodation on the Perhentian Islands is of the simple beach hut variety, with a couple of more luxurious resort-style places having opened up on Perhentian Kecil.
Michael at SeaUndersea.com has written up a useful overview of his three days of diving at Tioman island just off peninsular Malaysia. Short version – he loved it!
Borneo has long been known for the superlative beauty of its scuba diving. Home to thousands of different aquatic species, Malaysian Borneo's islands boast a staggering range of biodiversity. Coupled with postcard-perfect tropical islands set amongst shimmering azure seas under the vast canopy of the Indo-Pacific sky, Borneo is quite simply one of the best places in the world to go diving.
The large island of Borneo is geographically divided between three different countries – Indonesia, the tiny state of Brunei and Malaysia. Sabah and Saruwak are the two states of Malaysian Borneo. All of the dive sites mentioned here fall within Sabah's jurisdiction and are therefore subject to Malaysian law and immigration requirements. Most European nationals can get a visa on arrival into Malaysia.
Sabah's dive areas are focussed on specific islands which are located all around the state's coastline. A holiday can be comprised of visits to two or three islands depending on what you want to do – whether you want a full on dive holiday, a romantic retreat or lots of non-diving fun to keep the family entertained. A good guidebook like Lonely Planet Malaysia and Borneo can give you full details of the wealth of non-diving activities available across the country.
Whatever you decide to do, Kota Kinabalu will be your entry point into Sabah and from there you can hop to any of the other locations listed. Malaysia Airlines provide numerous comfortable and efficient flights from London to Kuala Lumpur and then onto Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital city, as well providing an extensive network of internal flights throughout Borneo.
Earlier this year the Malaysian government caused some consternation amongst the global diving community when they announced that all the diving operations based on Sipadan would have to completely shut down by the end of 2004. All building structures would have to be removed from the island so as to allow the island to return to its pre-tourism state. Given that Sipadan is one of the world's most well-known dive destinations, famous for its sheer walls which plunge directly from the island's tiny beach hundreds of metres into the depths of the ocean, there were fears that the shutdown order meant the end of diving at Sipadan itself.
This is thankfully not the case. The shutdown order came about due to growing concerns about the damage tourists are doing to the island and the impact of human presence on the turtle population of the island. Divers can still come to Sipadan from Mabul or Kapalai, the two impressive reef-based resorts which are only a 10 minute boat ride away from the island.
Pulau Sipadan, to give it its full name, looks like the original paradise island – a slash of gleaming white sand topped with verdant palm trees on the horizon, a tiny land oasis in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by the turquoise patches of coral reefs all around and set beneath a vast blue sky. The approach to this undeniably beautiful island makes for a glorious speedboat journey. Whilst there is an undeniable romance to staying on Sipadan itself, the facilities and accommodation on offer at the two nearby resorts are of a distinctly better quality and more suitable for non-divers.
This quite bold move by the government is a welcome start in serious conservation of diving sites. Sipadan has continued to grow both in popularity and accessibility, thanks to its spectacular wall reefs where thousands of species gather to live and hunt. Given that Sipadan is effectively a finger of rock rising 600 metres from the depths of the ocean floor, it offers shelter and protection to manta rays, large schools of hammerhead sharks and occasionally whale sharks. These tend to be found at deeper depths – 30 metres and below – and the clarity of Sipadan's water means that the light penetrates quietly easily to these depths, even if the warmth doesn't. But for all Sipadan's headline grabbing with what can be found further down its wall reefs, gentle tours at 10 metres by the side of the reef and over it can be equally rewarding.
Here hundreds of turtles can be found nestled amongst coral, sometimes rubbing an itchy spot against a rock, then languidly making their way gracefully to the surface for a breather. Also lazing around are reef sharks, gathered in twos or threes, a little less than a metre long and looking like minature Jaws but perfectly harmless if treated with respect. The Indo-Pacific is the most abundant oceanic region for aquatic life and Sipadan seems to be home for most of them. This sheer profusion turns any dive report into a long list of fish spotted – there are numerous species of lionfish here, resplendent in their delicate colours and quills contradicting the venom of their sting; shoals of shining barracuda; huge schools of jack who move simultaneously en masse to create a spectacular silver streak all around divers lucky enough to get in amongst them; endless brightly coloured tropical fish; and my personal favourite, the clown triggerfish, a puffa-fish lookalike with a black underbelly decorated with white splodges that look exactly as if they've been painted on by some whimsical fish god who was feeling slightly the worse for wear at the time.
Divers don't need to be experienced to dive at Sipadan, but feeling comfortable and confident in the water is important, given the depths and strong currents that can be encountered. Coming cold to Sipadan on a dive expedition is probably not a good idea – a few practise dives at Mabul or Kapalai, or elsewhere in Borneo, before diving Sipadan will let divers maximise their enjoyment and appreciation of its dive sites.
There is something truly unique about diving at Sipadan – not just because of its wall diving, which let you peer into the abyss below, and not just because of the turtles who have made this their breeding ground. There is a feel, an atmosphere to diving at Sipadan that I have never encountered anywhere else. It's a truly breathtaking dive experience and one that looks set to be enjoyed by many more people to come now that steps are being taken to protect Sipadan's wildlife and coral reefs. Sipadan is certainly the apex of Borneo diving and a fitting climax to any | 2,657 |
CONVERSION Grade II listed ORIGINAL FEATURES OF EXPOSED BRICKWORK & CAST IRON COLUMNS, CANAL BASIN adjacent and just minutes walk from city centre, Piccadilly train station and Northern Quarter.
Close to public transport, double glazing, en suite, family bathroom, garden, large fitted kitchen, fully furnished, parking, open plan kitchen/lounge diner.
Stunning property which has been converted to a very high standard. This two bed Duplex apartment features entrance hall, storage cupboard, master bedroom with En suite shower room, second double bedroom, Large family bathroom & open plan living and<|fim_middle|> Bar Metrolink stop, this apartment allows for great access into the City Centre.
Part of the conversion of the old Royal Mail Buildings on Mirabel Street and close to the Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, The Printworks and the City Centre. 24hour concierge service.
One bedroom apartment now available in the Delaney Building just outside the city centre, one double bedroom, open plan kitchen lounge diner and main full bathroom.
This development has a selection of both one and two bedroom apartment available and ready to be occupied from the 5th May renovated to a high standard Park Rise development. Located a five minute walk from the Trafford Bar Metrolink stop, this apartment allows for great access into the City Centre. | dining room through to fully fitted kitchen.
Stunning property which has been converted to a very high standard. This two bed apartment features entrance hall, storage cupboard, master bedroom with En suite shower room, second double bedroom, Large family bathroom & open plan living and dining room through to fully fitted kitchen.
Stunning property which has been converted to a very high standard. This one bed apartment features entrance hall, storage cupboard, double bedroom, bathroom with shower over bath & open plan living and dining room through to fully fitted kitchen.
Victorian listed building, impressive communal area, LOTS OF ORIGINAL FEATURES & SEPARATE GARAGE for parking or storage plus walking distance to the city centre.
AVAILABLE 22nd MAY, LARGE bedroom and living area, ORIGINAL FEATURES, EXPOSED BRICKWORK, CAST IRON BEAMS, close to universities and transport links.
renovated to a high standard Park Rise development. Located a five minute walk from the Trafford | 192 |
The official student newspaper of the University of Glasgow, independently informing since 1932.
Red Bull X-Fighters
Motocross is a sport that's very much out of sight, and out of mind in Scotland. Growing up, the only mentions of it seemed to be driving past an old quarry, the sport mentioned in explanation of why there were so many cars, trailers and cordura-clad people tinkering with motorbikes in the muddy ditch that served as a guerilla car park. These days, the sport is a million miles away from this image - inclusion in events such as the X-Games (both Summer and Winter), huge sponsorship deals, all in addition to major race series across the world mean it's a sport that now registers on the public conscious, and has a staunch following<|fim_middle|> Hustings coverage
The Glasgow Guardian
The Glasgow Guardian is an award winning volunteer newspaper at the University of Glasgow. independently informing its students since 1932. The Glasgow Guardian has a long history of investigative journalism and holding the university to account.
Find the latest issues in :
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© 2020 Glasgow Guardian | All rights reserved | amongst enthusiasts. That said - MX, in any form, is still far from the mainstream.
Red Bull has a serious penchant for events that are more than a little inventive, ranging from the Rampage, a huge freeride mountain bike event, where riders pull huge tricks off equally enormous geological features in the middle of the desert, to Flugtag, where teams compete to build and fly the craziest flying machines, to the Air Race series, where the pilots and their craft are a considerably more suited to the job. Amongst these many different gatherings, one thing is common - the spectator (and in some cases, the participant too) is left in no doubt that they're witnessing something special, and of course, that it's Red Bull behind it all.
Their approach to FMX is little different, as a cursory glance at the event's website will tell you: five countries, five cities, a dozen riders, huge jumps, and bigger tricks. With the UK leg of the tour, the organisers have chosen the old Battersea Power Station as the venue, and are aiming at an appropriately epic crowd of 17,000 people to gather there to see the culmination of the series, and the crowning of the tour champion. Throw into the mix Cambridge's very own Chris Birtch - one of the riders shredding the Square in Glasgow - and it's bound to be an astonishing event.
For Glasgow, the tour's demo riders were in full swing, with the solitary jump proving to be a launch platform for some unashamedly impressive style. Huge backflips, seat grabs and cliff hangers littered the two sets, winding up passing shoppers with a baptism of FMX fire, and drawing them in to see the rest of the demonstration, and to hang around afterwards for photographs, t-shirt signings and of course, the obligatory free Red Bull. As a taster of the possibilities of the main London show - which on the basis of the display seem virtually limitless - you could do little better.
This is what activism looks like: GU Red Alert
How little does sport matter?
GUSA | 432 |
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 2 2007 - Kodak's Derek Awalt and Nick Patrissi will provide insights on the changing nature of proofing and ways that<|fim_middle|>9 booths, allowing print specifiers to meet exhibitors from around the globe. | print buyers can keep up with the latest trends at the 2nd Print Buyers Conference, Nov. 7-8 in Westford, Mass.
During their presentation, "How to Prove Yourself in Today's Proofing Landscape," Awalt, Global Product Manager Halftone Proofing, Prepress Solutions, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG), and Patrissi, Senior Marketing Manager, Market Development, GCG, United States and Canada, will present an overview of the latest proofing technologies. They'll also share insights on how proofing solutions can strengthen integration among various participants in the print production process, including the agency, client, prepress operation, publisher, print services provider and even the pressroom.
"Shorter turnaround times, geographically distant clients and vendors, and the need to deliver higher levels of quality without incurring higher costs are challenges facing today's print buyer," said Awalt. "Understanding and utilizing the right solution, such as digital halftone, monitor or inkjet proofing systems, can address each of these issues."
Along with sharing the latest trends and technologies that are shaping proofing methods, Kodak (booth 10) will also showcase solutions for creative production and resources for sustainable print communications.
The 2nd Print Buyer's Conference is sponsored by Print Buyers International, an independent, international organization led by Margie Dana that focuses on the needs and interests of print buyers in any role across every industry. This year's conference includes 21 sessions, panels, and provocative presentations that explore the latest ideas in digital printing and practical lessons that attendees can apply to their businesses. The conference's expo will feature 3 | 339 |
By Ben Parman DVD/<|fim_middle|> unprepared for independence, but believing that all her "prayers have gone to see that one holy hour when he can stand alone…I want him just once more as the man he once was. Able to stand on his own two feet and face responsibility. And you don't do that by bending the truth."
A bender of truth is exactly what they all need, and indeed, the satisfaction of Country Girl is watching three people finally pause from running in circles and consider taking the first step. "Just about anybody can face a crisis," Frank says. "It's that every day living that's rough. I'm not sure I can lick it, but I think I got a chance."
*From "Apropos of Many Things."
**These phrases are from Harold Cantor's Playwright-Poet, 1978.
***Luke 1:35 and Carl Jung.
ActingAddictionBing CrosbyClifford OdetsGeorge SeatonGrace KellySinWilliam Holden
Ben Parman
Ben studied theatre at Wisconsin Lutheran College and graduated from the film program at Full Sail University in Orlando. Moving to NYC, he worked in casting for television and wrote film reviews for Relevant Magazine. For 9 years, Ben served in various roles on staff at Acacia Theatre Company in Milwaukee; currently he continues as their media contact. Soulstice Theater produced his second play, Starlings, which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described as "a conversation making as smart and moving a contribution to the halting dialogue between homosexuality and Christianity as I've seen on stage." Recently, Ben relocated to Chicago and is trying to write the second act of his life.
Latest Posts By Ben Parman
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
What's Up, Doc?
If Beale Street Could Talk
"If you didn't sweat so much nobody'd take you for a landlord," Fanny (Diana Sands) tells Elgar (Beau Bridges). "You could pass for a human being." Actually, The Landlord does… | Blu-Ray, Reviews September 15, 2016
The Country Girl
"We would rather be ruined than changed," wrote W.H. Auden. "We would rather die in our dread than climb the cross of the present and let our illusions die."* As an addict, especially a recovering addict, yes, Auden, I would prefer attempting to build with ruins than build upon the rock. The rock is hard. So, while The Country Girl may be about many things, including "marital discord," "the attraction of philandering,"** and, of course, a country girl, for me, it is 104 riveting minutes in the theatre of addiction, featuring a trio of hypokrites with habits — actors by profession and/or necessity — and the lies they tell themselves and each other.
Their Own Version of Events
Frank Elgin (Bing Crosby) is a "wonderful guy," according to almost everyone, the sort who remembers your kids' names and has a joke for all occasions. He is also, according to his wife, Georgie Elgin (Grace Kelly), "weak," "a leaner" and "a cunning drunkard." This behavior started 10 years before the movie does, after the accidental death of the Elgin's only child. At the time, Frank was an unequaled entertainer, easily conquering radio and Broadway; it was the latter on which Bernie Dodd (William Holden) first witnessed Frank's magnificent talent, and now, a decade later and directing a show, wants him for the lead, despite the rumors of drinking. But then, none of these characters listen to rumors, or advice — just their own version of events, coming over and over their mind's wire.
"[Frank] hates himself," Georgie laments to Bernie late in the film. "Consequently he'll do or say anything to be liked by others. People like Frank ought to have two votes. Then they could mark their ballot Democrat and Republican. That way everybody would love them." For those who hustle for people's approval, this line isn't accurate so much as it is an Eye of Providence, staring at us, from the top of a perfectly made point. But Frank is not the only one with an addiction. Georgie tries to fix everything even as she feeds on being needed, and Bernie tries to avoid failure even as he seeks out risk; they try themselves in knots and spellbind us.
The Distance Between Three Points
When Country Girl premiered on Broadway, most critics agreed on the quality of its structure, to which playwright Clifford Odets credited his recent work in movies: "[they] are a brilliant training school for a dramatic writer." And yet, Odets did not take The Country Girl to Hollywood; instead, George Seaton took up the cause, and what a cause célèbre that is. Seaton's adaptation is concurrently more cinematic and still theatrical — cutting characters but keeping the crackling dialogue, raising stakes but maintaining the shape — shortening the distances between three points, forcing the triangle to become smaller and sharper by the second.
Odets never really wanted to be seen with The Country Girl, calling it "a superficial play." Perhaps this is due to the alleged lack of his customary "humane social gospel," as critic Robert J. Griffin dubbed it. Odets had the morality of an outsider and the perceptiveness of an insider, which put him in a unique position to critique, to present another vision for society. But if we are to believe Richard Rohr that "addiction is a modern name and honest description for the biblical tradition called 'sin,'" then it is difficult to accept The Country Girl is without social gospel of a kind, involving, as it eventually does, the admission of a problem and the making of amends. When that happens, a higher power will overshadow you, whether you invoke it or not.***
One Holy Hour
Seaton's most brilliant choice, encouraged by the made-to-order nature of filmmaking and stars, is remodeling the character of Frank Elgin for Bing Crosby. In the play, Frank is a former legend appearing in a rather nondescript drama, giving the sense that most decent actors of a type could play this man. In the film adaptation, Frank is a fallen star with a talent and career so similar to Bing Crosby that the believability is unshakeable. There is no "character," there is no "actor," there is only Frank Elgin, in front of us, falling apart. And Crosby puts together a performance the likes of which you won't find in the rest of his filmography.
Groucho Marx called Grace Kelly's Country Girl Oscar win "the biggest robbery since Brinks" — everyone expected it to be Judy Garland for A Star is Born — yet Kelly is the embodiment of the role, completely exhausted by codependency and | 995 |
Sisters on the Move
The Dominican Sisters of Peace
By Ann Killian
The Varieties of Religious Community Today
This story is included in these collections
Women religious from seven Dominican communities formalize their merger as the Dominican Sisters of Peace, April 14, 2009 (CNS photo/Jerry Naunheim Jr.).
Editors' Note: We've devoted a set of articles to examining Catholic religious communities today. Despite the impressive variety of these communities, some common themes emerge: the importance of a shared prayer life; the difficulty of adapting to new circumstances; the relationship of community to place. To read all the articles, see the entire collection, The Varieties of Religious Community Today.
When Sr. Mary Daniel, OP, entered the Dominican Sisters of St Mary's, New Orleans, in 1958, she thought she knew what the rest of her life would be like: life in a large motherhouse with her sisters and a steady job as a teacher, nurse, or catechist. After the Second Vatican Council, though, everything changed. Religious life underwent sweeping renewal, and Dominican sisters reclaimed their order's charism of itinerant preaching. Sr. Daniel, then middle-aged, traveled to Berkeley to study theology, later becoming pastoral associate of several parishes in Mississippi, where she regularly preached at Eucharist. "What I admire about women entering religious life today<|fim_middle|> the Spirit, the sisters say that God named us "peace." It's an invitation for every sister to ask herself how God is calling her to build and preach peace.
That's what it means for us to be co-creators of God's just future.
Community is an essential part of that vocation. During my first year in the congregation, I lived in Columbus, Ohio, with sisters from Kansas, Michigan, Louisiana, New York, Massachusetts, China, Cuba, Ireland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Many were in their seventies and eighties; socialized in such different regional and ethnic cultures, and hailing from different founding congregations, they had learned to navigate sensitive differences and dwell peaceably under one roof. Sharing meals and celebrating Eucharist together fosters their mutual care and respect. For me, their multicultural community remains a sign of hope in a time of division.
Pope Francis has called us to be "a poor Church, for the poor," and I see the strategic planning that our sisters are carrying out today as a model for the wider Church, both in the United States and worldwide. In light of changing demographics, our leaders are right-sizing. Relinquished properties in Louisiana and Massachusetts have been converted into land conservancies; a former motherhouse in Michigan now belongs to the local school district. Our predominantly white sisters are also educating themselves about racism and white supremacy to build a more inclusive community for the future. Committed to nonviolence and peace-building, our congregation has advocated for an end to gun violence, human trafficking, and the death penalty. That's what it means for us to be co-creators of God's just future.
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What a rich inheritance, passed on to me by the Dominican sisters who have gone before, itinerant preachers all. Trusting in the Spirit's guidance, they have spent their lives constantly on the move, changing place and custom to meet the emerging needs of the people of God. As I join them on this journey into mystery and ponder the future, I'm encouraged by the thought that our God once chose Israel, "the smallest of peoples," to bring forth a blessing to the nations.
The genius of monastic life and oblate formation at a tiny Camaldolese community
Adapting to new places and pandemic times with the Community of Sant'Egidio
Finding a place in Catholicism through the lay Marianists
Resilience in the face of hatred with the Knights of Peter Claver
Published in the November 2021 issue:
Ann Killian is a novice with the Dominican Sisters of Peace. She holds a PhD in English Language and Literature from Yale University.
This story is included in these collections:
Power in Perpetuity?
The Varieties of Religious Community TodayReligious Life
'Companions on the Path'
By Paul Elie
We Are Still Standing
By Lauren Warner
Silence in the City
By Kaya Oakes | ," she told me, "is that you know everything will change. And you're entering anyway."
As a second-year novice with the Dominican Sisters of Peace, I'm inspired by Sr. Daniel's willingness not simply to embrace change, but to undergo total transformation. It's no secret that congregations of women religious are dwindling in the United States; in just a few decades, my fellow Catholic sisters and I will number in the hundreds rather than the thousands. We will no longer own extensive properties, nor will we sponsor large institutions like schools or hospitals. In fact, our leaders are currently divesting of such assets, establishing canonical structures to pass governance on to others. Whatever else the future brings, it will doubtless require extensive discernment.
Fortunately, our sisters have a wealth of experience in that department, having ventured into emerging ministries decades before the institutional Church would recognize the need for them. Anticipating the environmental crisis as early as the 1970s, Dominicans opened farms and ecology centers to preach the goodness of creation. Jane Belanger, OP, studied sustainable agriculture and began working in eco-justice ministry, first in Ohio and later in Kansas. Other sisters got involved with populations at the margins of the American economy. Witnessing the poverty and neglect suffered by migrant farmworkers, Janice Thome, OP, and Roserita Weber, OP, learned Spanish so they could accompany the growing Latinx population near the Tyson beef plant in Dodge City, Kansas. These ministries have borne fruit, but now the sisters must face the prospect that there will not be other sisters to succeed them. Letting go and trusting that their work has not been in vain will require deep faith in Christ's promise of resurrection.
[Interested in discussing this article in your classroom, parish, or reading group? Click here for a free discussion guide.]
Our sisters have acted on the same faith before. In 2009, following a decade of discernment, they chose to let go of their lifelong religious identities and came together to form a new congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The story that I've heard most often since entering the order, and the one I love the most, is about how we received the name "peace." The sisters voted over two weekends, with half gathered in one place and half in another. Of fifty possible names, including a whole string of Dominican saints, "peace" hardly made the list. However, at the first gathering, an elderly sister addressed the assembly. "What the world needs now more than anything," she said, "is Christ's gift of peace." Her words made a powerful impression. The results of the first vote were kept secret; nevertheless, a similar leaning swept the second gathering. "Peace" was the nearly unanimous selection. After such a powerful movement of | 570 |
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Not only will our certified professionals guide you through every phase of the optimized workflow, but they will continue to offer ongoing support and engagement in an effort to ensure compliance and results. Additional training and review will help generate feedback that further streamlines the process to gain even greater efficiency and effectiveness.
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For a thorough consultation, contact Superior Document Solutions today. | results.
Taking a look at how your business produces, maintains, stores, and accesses your most frequently-used documents is the very first step in optimizing workflow, increasing margin, and reducing costs. Because your company's information is your greatest asset, it's important that proper attention be paid to the best way to access and utilize those documents via proper channels and methods of document management.
Superior Document Solutions | 79 |
Hey y'all. I hope you are doing well! I've been missing you guys. Sorry that I haven't been posting much lately. I've been trying to get back to feeling good about being productive and feeling good about things in general after having recently lost a very good friend of mine. I will be talking about that subject at length before too much longer. But anyway, I wanted to look at the results<|fim_middle|> Here's to making it to NUMBER 1000! | of my little experiment last year.
I actually recorded what films I watched for an entire year which is something I'd never attempted before. Other than watching and rewatching The Avengers, there was actually quite a bit of unseen-by-me viewings in 2016. Because everyone (Brad) likes lists, I've decided to do my top 20 films that I watched for the first time last year. I've split this up into horror and non-horror and the following are not ranked in any way. And away we go!
Oh yeah, duh. I almost forgot to mention! This is my 800th post on this blog. Wait, what!? That's right, folks. | 147 |
Mike Vinn, booker for the La Jolla Comedy Store, says his time in the Marines has helped him run a tight ship here since<|fim_middle|> do standup in the Marines?
What's the funniest thing about La Jolla? | 2006.
Editor's Note: "People in Your Neighborhood" shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about! If you know someone you'd like the Light to profile, send the lead via e-mail to editor@lajollalight.com or call (858) 875-5950.
So the Light paid a visit to the La Jolla franchise to see what, if anything, had changed. We sat for a chat with Mike Vinn, its talent coordinator and marketing director since 2006.
Not everyone gets to achieve all their dreams by age 25, but Vinn says he only had two: 1) to serve in the military; and 2) to become a standup comic. After a four-year stint in the Marines, the former Chicagoite stayed on in San Diego to sample the open-mic circuit. A year later, he achieved a veritable comedy impossibility — a fulltime job in comedy.
Vinn, now 38, books comics at the La Jolla Comedy Store on weeknights and serves on the team that decides which to recommend to the company's Hollywood talent coordinators, who book La Jolla's weekend acts.
What's your favorite Mitzi story?
Has anything changed about the La Jolla Comedy Store since she died?
Pauly Shore fought Peter for ownership, right?
Is it accurate to think of the La Jolla Comedy Store as the farm team for Hollywood?
According to Mike Vinn, the signatures on the La Jolla Comedy Store's exterior all represent comics who have played the club since it opened in 1977.
Is there something in a comic that you look for that's a good predictor of future success?
Does your military background help you do your job?
Did you | 374 |
The 2015-16 academic year is almost over –– in fact, for many of you, it already is. Whether you're struggling through your last week of finals or you had finished cleaning out your locker weeks ago, summer break is here, and we know you're all excited about the prospect of taking some much-needed time off. Journalism programs in the SNO network have something else to look forward to, too –– the recognition<|fim_middle|> crediting of images. We will also be re-working the current Site Excellence badge into a more focused badge called Homepage Excellence, which will look exclusively at the design and layout of your site's homepage. | and pride that comes with being named a SNO Distinguished Site.
Twenty-seven student news websites earned the title of 2016 SNO Distinguished Site after earning badges in each of six areas of distinction. These badges recognize achievement in what SNO views as the best practices of a successful modern news website: story page design, writing, multimedia, continuing coverage, audience engagement, and overall excellence in website design.
SNO created the Distinguished Sites program two years ago with the goal of eliminating the ambiguity of what makes a good online student news site. SNO provides detailed guidelines for each badge, and encourages schools to make improvements and reapply if at first they don't succeed.
With many of this season's Distinguished Sites being repeat awardees, the program has fostered an atmosphere of continuing excellence.
Overall, a total of 102 different scholastic news sitesearned a variety of badges over the course of the past six months, with 27 of those programs earning all six badges and earning the title of SNO Distinguished Site.
The 2017 SNO Distinguished Sites program will be announced at the start of the 2017 academic school year. We will have some exciting changes to look forward to concerning new (and slightly revamped) badges moving into next season; we will be introducing a new badge based on Best Practices and Web Standards, which will look at a variety of elements, such as your site's editorial statement, staff page, and the appropriate use and | 308 |
Can we all become statistical myth-busters?
Making stats meaningful to media and the public; experts show how at the Cambridge Science Festival
By Julia Wilson
Dr. Rebecca Goldin shares some statistical bloopers in the media at her public talk "Numbers in the News" at the Cambridge Science Festival. (Photo © Trevor Butterworth, Sense about Science USA)
Editor's note: This month, we have been exploring the theme of "diversity of mind" – through the lens of the renowned animal scientist and autism advocate Temple Grandin, who sheds light on the different kinds of minds science needs, for example, and Elsevier's accessibility specialists, who work to ensure that our content is accessible to people of all abilities – and disabilities. Science also needs to be welcomed and understood by a diverse range of people in society – not just scientists but the people whose lives and health are affected by the work of researchers and scholars. Researchers have a role to play in helping the public – and the journalists who write about their work – understand the statistics in their research papers. That was the subject of two presentations at the Cambridge Science Festival this week: "From Bench to Broadcast" and "Numbers in the News." Here's more from Julia Wilson of Sense about Science, an organization we partner with that challenges the misrepresentation of science and evidence in public life.
In my years at Sense about Science, I have come to think, almost without realizing it, that there are two types of myth-busting minds.
There are those with an eye for dodgy scientific claims; they hone in on promises that don't add up and can spot common tricks used to pull the wool over our eyes. These people ask sceptical questions: "Is that plausible? That sounds too good to be true!"
Then there are those who dive straight into the statistics, asking questions of error bars, confidence intervals and significance. (Yes, they often have PhDs.) They are the ones who take a news story about the latest miracle cure or health hazard and say, "Hang on a minute! The confidence interval is this – so that means the range of the true answer lies in as much as this or as little as that!" Suddenly the headline grabbing story is not quite so headline-worthy.
Here's a good example of the second type. When Sir David Spiegelhalter, Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk in the Statistical Laboratory of the University of Cambridge, saw the headline that pollution was killing 40,000 people a year in the UK, he got straight into the figures to find out if it was true. In an article for Medium.com, he wrote:
But where does the 40,000 figure come from, what does it mean, and is there really a 'crisis'? I discovered that digging down to the basis for this figure required some statistical detective work.
He took a forensic look at the figures – where did they come from, what estimates were made and what were the uncertainties? Confidence intervals and "plausibility distribution" meant an estimate of 29,000 deaths used in the calculation could actually be between 5,000 and 60,000. It's a very detailed analysis – a lot of which I struggle to grasp to be honest – but what is clear is that this 40,000 figure is based on a lot of uncertainty and assumption.
Can anyone grasp stats? And what can experts do to help?
I'm certainly in the first camp of myth-busting minds. People like me think more about the plausibility of claims. We don't jump for the stats. I think it is fair to say the people who can dig down into the figures behind a story are usually the experts and have particularly mathematical minds. But is it possible for us all to become better at looking at numbers? Can someone like me take on more of a statistical approach to myth-busting? And can the experts do a better job at helping us, and journalists and policymakers, understand statistics and know what to look out for?
To answer these questions, Sense about Science just held a series of sessions for early-career researchers and the public in collaboration with Elsevier and Elsevier's Cell Press at the Cambridge Science Festival in Massachusetts. Ann Gabriel, Elsevier's VP for Academic & Research Relations, pointed out that this event aligns with her team's efforts to engage with leading institutions and academic leadership to promote discussion and developments in open science, research integrity, and research data management and applications. "We were delighted to partner with Sense about Science in supporting this event in the US following their legacy of important leadership and reporting in the UK, including the value of peer review," she said
With more than a decade of experience helping journalists make sense of statistics, Dr. Rebecca Goldin, Director of STATS and Professor of Mathematical Sciences at George Mason University in Washington, DC, knows a lot about statistical pitfalls and the challenges of communicating statistics to non-experts like me. I asked her whether she thought someone with a mind like mine can get to grips with statistics:
It is entirely possible for us all to get better at understanding statistics. Sometimes a few good questions can help us wrap our heads around a study's conclusions. A piece of advice I would give to people who struggle with understanding percentages and risks is to ask, 'What does this mean for 1,000 people?' If you translate an increase or decrease in risk to actual numbers of people affected, it is much easier to grasp.
At the workshop, she gave an animated account of the common misconceptions that many journalists have about statistics, and encouraged the researchers in the audience to communicate the figures in their papers with clarity.
I asked her what she wished scientists would stop doing when it comes to communicating statistics:
The absolute top thing I would say to scientists when it comes to communicating statistics would be to stop implying causality. It varies of course from field to field, but far too many research papers describe causal links when really only a correlation has been found. The other thing I would say is stop just giving a P-value as evidence from your research. We need to know about the effect size, what is actually clinically meaningful and why.
"From Bench to Broadcast"
A panel debate called "From Bench to Broadcast" followed, with Dr. Emilie Marcus, CEO of Cell Press and Editor-in-Chief of Cell; Trevor Butterworth, Executive Director of Sense about Science USA; and Dr. Christopher Labos, a cardiologist at McGill University in Montreal. They took the researchers through some of the best (and worst) examples of statistical descriptions they've seen in papers, press releases and public reports of research, and shared their own difficulties with understanding and communicating statistical concepts.
Dr. Marcus talked about the journal editor's role in ensuring that press releases are statistically sound, but also the importance of transparency and clarity at every point in the communication chain:
Responsibility for communicating statistics in research relies on rigor at every stage, starting with the researcher through to the editor, press officer and journalist.
Scientific publishers and journals clearly play a vital role in ensuring researchers are communicating the statistics in their research clearly and accurately. It's great to see journals like Cell communicating this message to the next generation of researchers. And it is fantastic that statisticians like Dr. Goldin are going on the road and sharing statistical concepts with journalists and the wider public.
So although<|fim_middle|> of events and publications works to promote an understanding of peer review among journalists, policymakers and the public and engage and inspire early-career researchers to stand up for science in public debates around the world. Read more.
Diversity of mind at Elsevier
It takes all kinds of minds to help the world understand science. That's why we support diversity of mind at Elsevier, employing people with different thinking styles to develop our tools and technologies – and supporting initiatives that enable people of diverse abilities, cultures and nationalities to access our research, understand it and act on it. By championing diversity and the unconventional, we empower people to go beyond the obvious, inspiring new opportunities for science and society. For more stories about people and projects empowered by knowledge, we invite you to visit Empowering Knowledge.
science-communication,expert-advice
Julia Wilson
Julia Wilson is Director of Operations and Development at Sense about Science, where she has worked since 2009. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of Sense about Science, ensuring it achieves its ambitious goals as well as delivering on its fundraising plans. Julia regularly presents on the importance of public understanding of science to a variety of audiences across the UK and at conferences around the world, from Hungary to China. Julia launched the Ask for Evidence campaign in Boston in February 2013 and oversaw the launch of the US version of the organization's public guide to peer review.
She previously coordinated the Voice of Young Science program, where she headed a campaign that pressured the WHO to respond to the promotion of homeopathy for serious diseases in Africa, and has run many Standing up for Science media workshops in the UK and internationally, including South Africa.
Read more from Julia Wilson
Getting science out of the lab and into society
By Sacha Boucherie
From scientific study to public opinion — is John Oliver right?
By Elisa Nelissen
So does the public finally 'get' peer review? | we might not be able to all become statistical experts, with clear communication from the research community, it should be possible for us to value the importance of statistics and what they can uncover. There are some simple concepts to grasp, such as sample size, risk and significance, that can give us an idea of what the numbers really mean and how reliable they are. And that's incredibly useful. Without this way of thinking, there is a risk we will be uninformed and make poor decisions about our health, the environment, our education and how we lead our lives.
Am I convinced that we can get all journalists to read study reports like statisticians – to spot flaws in methods or understand distribution and error bars? No. Nor can we all become full-time statisticians.
But with backing from researchers and journal editors, we can start asking more questions about the numbers in reports and getting a better grasp of what they mean. And that is hugely valuable to society.
Elsevier and Sense about Science
Since 2006, Elsevier has partnered with Sense about Science (SAS), an independent charity that challenges the misrepresentation of science and evidence in public life. This unique partnership program | 238 |
Acqualibera asd came about with this philosophy in mind, to promote leisure sailing in all its forms, be it for sports, culture, nature or social ends.
Anyone is welcome to join us; take look at the programs we offer and contact us so that you too can share in our mariner's spirit, respecting the seas, the boats that host us and the association's principles.
Our home berth is along Dondero pier in the port of Portovenere, a charming fishing village on the Ligurian coast, nominated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and heaven on earth for sailing.
In fact, the archipelago in front of Portovenere (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) offers sailing enthusiasts a mirror-flat sea of extraordinary beauty, bordered by bays and anchorages, protected from the open sea but always with just the right amount of wind for fabulous outings in any weather.
Portovenere is the perfect embarkation port for a sailing course or a holiday, its location allows us to sail the magnificent waters of the Gulf of Poets, or those of the<|fim_middle|> that lean upon one another to create a long and disorderly yet harmonious coloured wall of architecture.
The unifying factor here, that which brings even the smallest detail together, is the sea… sometimes calm and peaceful, other times wild and frothy breaking on the boulders upon which the little medieval church of San Pietro sits perched on a little terrace over the sea.
And the Park is not just Nature, it's History too. There are traces of prehistoric settlements in the Grotta dei Colombi and it was here, in much more recent times, that the inventor Marconi conducted his innovative experiments on board the Elettra. | nearby Cinque Terre (five miles); elegant Portofino (28 miles ) is within easy reach, as is worldly Versilia (20 miles to Viareggio), and for those who want to stay out a bit longer there's Corsica (60 miles), Capraia (60 miles) and Elba (80 miles).
The Portovenere Regional Natural Park is blessed with a truly unique landscape of high peaks and deep caverns, of aromatic vegetation that changes colour with the seasons and regales us with its beauty.
The Palazzata, the ancient city walls and the impressive castle have maintained the characteristics of a fortified village intact, with narrow alleys that wind in and about the towered houses (known as the case torre) | 157 |
How can I get a job at NASA? We had some follow-on questions for Laura Beachy, the most recent Women in STEM feature. Want to know how she came to be a flight controller? Or the most amazing thing Laura's ever seen while working in Mission Control? Read on!
How did you get such a cool job?
I was really interested in going into pharmacy school towards the end of college. A friend of mine in the medical field was going to a career fair near our school. I went along with her so she'd have someone to go with and so I could scope out the medical and pharmacy scene and learn a little more. I'd just gotten back from a trip to Disney World where I'd ridden the Mission: Space ride. I ended up hanging back at the career fair and talking to someone about the ride and travelling to space. I finally got around to<|fim_middle|> previous crewmembers are genuinely excited to welcome them aboard. I realize that may seem trivial compared to the other things I've mentioned, but the raw human emotion of happiness is infectious. Everyone in the control room is smiling and happy in those moments. It's a great reminder that even though we do the greatest things, we're still all human and we're all connected. | explaining that I was studying astrophysics. We set up an on campus interview for the next day. Soon after, I did a phone interview, then flew to Houston for an interview. Before I knew it, I was moving to Houston!
What is the most incredible event you've witnessed from Mission Control?
How do I choose? It's all so awesome. During training, I would sit in the ISS control center viewing room and just watch the external cameras capture the Earth. It was amazing. I've watched Mt. Etna erupt, seen the Aurora Borealis, and viewed hurricanes, all from a perspective above Earth. EVAs (Space Walks) are so amazing, too. I can't believe I get to help put people outside in space.
Watching new crews come aboard is incredible as well. You know how you're all excited when your friends or family come visit after not seeing each other for a long period of time? You go open the door and everyone is smiling and hugging. Imagine getting to do that in space after not seeing any other people in months. When new crews arrive, you can tell that they're genuinely excited to be on board and the | 239 |
Lovely 3 Bedroom Unit in Secure Complex!
This neat and tidy unit at is located in a small block of just 9. You can enjoy the fact that this lovely two story unit contains all your necessities plus has much more to offer!
The property is located conveniently close (just a few houses away) to the Eagleby Shopping Plaza as well as being within walking distance to both Eagleby Primary and Eagleby South Primary Schools. Located right in the middle of Brisbane and The Gold Coast you can access the heart of each with just a 30minute drive. The unit is located just 2 minutes away from the motorway which will make your commute to work that much easier.
You will have your own single lock up garage. The garage contains a large cupboard for extra storage as well. The downstairs area comprises of a generous living area as well as the kitchen and living area floors are all tiled for easy maintaining. There is a ceiling fan located in the living area for your comfort. The Kitchen contains a stainless<|fim_middle|>.
This unit will not last long, it is in a highly sought after area so make sure you inspect today! | steel stove as well as a dishwasher and plenty of bench space and cabinets. Attached in front of the kitchen, is a separate are for dining, this area also contains an air conditioning unit.
The unit also comprises of a large separate laundry, just off the kitchen area. It consists of a washtub, bench space and an additional toilet as well!
Upstairs you will find the 3 bedrooms. The main bedroom entails of carpeted floor, a built in robe and an en suite. There is an air-conditioning unit in the master bedroom as well as heavy curtains to block out the light when needed. The remaining two bedrooms are generously proportioned each with built in robes, carpet and a ceiling fan each.
The main bathroom has a large shower as well as a bathtub. There is a great amount of space underneath the mirrored vanity as well. The toilet is separate from the bathroom for more convenience.
The unit has its own private courtyard which contains a washing line also. The outside area is paved and has decking for easy maintenance. For the enjoyment of all residents, there is a gazebo area available to relax with friends and family | 227 |
Graphic animation is a variation of stop motion (and possibly more conceptually associated with traditional flat cel animation and paper drawing animation, but still technically qualifying as stop motion) consisting of the animation of photographs (in whole or in parts) and other non-drawn flat visual graphic material, such as newspaper and magazine clippings.
Technique
In its simplest form, Graphic "animation" can take the<|fim_middle|>.
See also
Collage film
Cutout animation
Motion graphics
References
Animation techniques
Experimental film
Collage | form of the animation camera merely panning up and down and/or across individual photographs, one at a time, (filmed frame-by-frame, and hence, "animated") without changing the photographs from frame to frame. But once the photos (or "graphics") are also moved from frame to frame, more exciting montages of movement can be produced, such as on Los Angeles animator Mike Jittlov's 1977 short film, Animato. Graphic animation can be (and often is) combined with other forms of animation including direct manipulation animation, and traditional cel animation.
Notable films
Examples are Frank Mouris' 1973 Oscar-winning short film Frank Film, and Charles Braverman's Condensed Cream of the Beatles (1974), originally produced for Geraldo Rivera's late night TV show at the time, Goodbye America | 177 |
CNT Expositions and Services LLP – First Sinterline Conference in India showcases pioneering Polyamide materials for Additive Manufacturing<|fim_middle|> Manufacturing Center They provide prototypes to an assortment of industries from Jewry, engineering, automotive, architecture, consumer goods, etc. With their diverse range of state-of-the-art equipment, they offer customers complete solutions. With over a decade of Rapid Prototyping experience, customers can rest be assured that Imaginarium can meet your needs. | .
First Sinterline Conference in India showcases pioneering Polyamide materials for Additive Manufacturing.
Making the transition from parts design to physical production has always been a challenge in the manufacturing industry. Recent advances in Additive Manufacturing now to stand to change the game significantly by bringing unprecedented prototyping flexibility, speed, and robustness within the easy reach of all.
Sinterline® Technyl® Powders are the first polyamide 6 powder range for selective laser sintering (SLS). This solution yields the mechanical and thermal performance required to make the 3D printed parts printing a compelling option for prototyping and low to medium volume production.
Solvay along with Imaginarium – India's largest Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing company and Event Partner, CNT – a pioneering enterprise promoting additive manufacturing – hosted the first Sinterline Conference in ITC Windsor, Bengaluru on 11th April 2017 to showcase pioneering polyamide materials for Additive Manufacturing to a select audience from the automotive, aeronautical, consumer and industrial product manufacturers.
The conference began with the lamp lighting ceremony and Mr Dilip Raghavan, Partner, CNT welcoming the audience and putting in perspective the need for deeper engagement from the industry with the material community for further development for the additive manufacturing industry. Mr Peter Browning, VP Performance Polyamides – Eng. Plastics GM, Solvay, delivered the welcome address for the evening. He emphasized that "Take this technology as an industry and if we can use to increase speed, offer mass customization and offer new opportunities for our customers, which they feel is impossible, then additive manufacturing can go a long way in adding value to current business's".
This was followed by a presentation from Mr Dominique Giannotta, Global Sinterline Project Leader, Solvay. who enlightened the audience with a global AM overview on usage of materials and delved into technical details and case studies on the benefits and applications of Sinterline a Pioneering Polyamide 6 solution. Mr Giannotta's presentation was well received and let to an intereactive Q & A session with constructive discussions.
Nishant Shah, Director, Imaginarium shared his perspective as a leading additive manufacturing service bureau in India and also presented case studies where they have used Sinterline Technyl Powders for manufacturing for a few customers.
The Automotive OEM community was represented by B.Thej Kumar, GM – Product Development and Quality, Toyoda Gosei on stage and he shared important insights on the requirements of an automotive manufacturing from 3D Printing.
Overall the conference saw the various key stakeholders of the industry including material manufacturers, service providers and OEM's converging to understand the opportunities AM can create and further more learn about the Sinterline Technyl range of material solutions for SLS printing.
The conference concluded with a networking dinner with cocktails.
Solvay Engineering Plastics Business Unit is the global specialist in polyamide-based engineering plastics, with more than 60 years of experience in the development, manufacture and marketing of a complete range of high-performance materials under the Technyl® brand for demanding applications in automotive, consumer goods and electrical markets. With a growth strategy bolstered by six production sites worldwide, the Business Unit employs its expertise and innovation capabilities in order to serve the needs of its customers more closely through a global network of technical and R&D centers. Learn more about the Technyl® brand at www.technyl.com and follow us on Twitter @Technyl.
Imaginarium is India's largest Rapid Prototyping and Rapid | 722 |
Sorry if we caused a mass panic last week with all of the reports of UFO's and abductions. We staged the whole<|fim_middle|> is the perfect time to give it a try. If only for one day. To get to work, or for a leisurely trip around the block.
Visit Reconnect Rochester at the Greentopia Festival (High Falls, vendor area, booth 55) and grab your FREE pin today… before they VANISH. | UFO thing. But we can't apologize for the adbuctions. As it turns out, every dollar we spend on gasoline, over $1.5 MILLION each day*, leaves the local economy never to be seen again. Vanished! The numbers are real. The UFO's are not. We can do something about the vanishing resources.
Did you know every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns. It's true. Households that use public transportation and live with one less car can save on average $9,000 every year.
The volunteers at Reconnect Rochester find these numbers downright frightening. And we're doing something about. We've organized a 'human resistance' movement have been getting the word out this weekend at the Greentopia Festival about Critical Mass Transit Day.
ON OCTOBER 20 SHOW THIS PIN TO YOUR RTS DRIVER AND RIDE FREE ALL DAY!
THAT part is no hoax. RTS has kindly agreed to honor our NO-UFOs pin as free entry onto any RTS bus all day on October 20. Just flash this pin at the friendly driver. Even if you've never ridden RTS before, now | 238 |
Students pursuing the Biomedical Engineering Minor will learn to integrate the tools of engineering analysis with fundamentals of life sciences to enliven the understanding of living organisms, medical treatments, and biochemical pathways with the goal of providing quantitative predictions and insight towards the design of medical and biological devices and processes.
The minor requires a total of six courses. Two of these courses may also be used to fill major requirements.
The minor is open to all majors. However the engineering coursework will expect proficiency in calculus and physics, even if these courses are not listed as prerequisites. Students should take at least two semesters of calculus, such as MATH 10550 and 10560, and two semesters of calculus based physics, such as PHYS 10310<|fim_middle|> accommodate students studying abroad in fall. | and 10320.
Students wishing to pursue the Biomedical Engineering Minor should contact Professor Glen Niebur <gniebur@nd.edu>.
Note that CBE 30386, Introduction to Bioengineering, is offered in the spring semesters to better | 56 |
Becoming partly cloudy later with any<|fim_middle|> Jenelle Grant hops the pond to play for the Boilers
Front Page PDF | flurries or snow showers ending by noontime. High near 20F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..
A person using the ghost system alongside a robot, with both of their ghosts superimposed. This technology would be used to make collaboration between humans and robots easier.
Purdue team develops future of factories with AR
By NATHANIEL SHENK Staff Reporter
The word "automation" may conjure ideas of jobs being replaced and robots taking over, but manufacturers around the world have had a difficult time getting rid of humans in the assembly line.
Robots can work in conditions humans cannot due to extreme heat or radiation and perform tasks that require heavy lifting or extreme precision. On the other hand, human judgment and flexibility are not traditional functions of a robot.
Many manufacturers, like Tesla, have tried making their factories mostly automated, only to find that humans are necessary in the production line.
"Humans are underrated," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an April 2018 tweet about excessive automation.
Collaboration between robots and humans requires both of them to know exactly what the other is going to do — a problem that currently stands in the way of more effective factories.
A team at Purdue is developing a platform called Ghost to solve this problem.
"Factories currently prefer for humans and robots to work separately because they would need an extremely robust method to sync a human with a robot. That's not the case for current technology," said Yuanzhi Cao, a postdoctoral student in the College of Engineering, in a Purdue press release.
Ghost is an augmented reality system that lets humans plan out what they're going to do in relation to the robot, and then wirelessly send their movements to the robot so they both know what the other is doing, according to an abstract on the research.
With this system, the tasks of both the human and robot can be acted out and edited in space and time with just a headset and hand controllers. Humans can plan out their part of the task through an AR headset and then a "ghost" is created of their actions. With that, the user can plan out the robot's task alongside the ghost of the human that they just recorded.
"It's totally codeless. The user programs the robot by demonstrating in an AR environment how the two will work together," said Karthik Ramani, a mechanical engineering professor.
This could potentially be scaled up to program the tasks of hundreds of robots at once, all without writing any code on the part of the user, according to a press release.
The researchers' goal for this technology is to make it easy for robots to work alongside workers in joint assembly tasks, with the potential for application in countless other industries in the future.
Purdue Men's Basketball: Trevion takes over the court
Purdue Women's Basketball: | 592 |
A thin line between neology and nonsense
You are here:Home/General musings/A thin line between neology and nonsense
Douglas Adams – master of the neologism
Tory minister Justine Greening<|fim_middle|> of common experiences, feelings, situations and even objects which we all know and recognize, but for which no words exist. On the other hand, the world is littered with thousands of spare words which spend their time doing nothing but loafing about. Our job, as I see it, is to get these words into the mouths of babes and sucklings and so on, where they can start earning their keep in everyday conversation and make a more positive contribution to society."
Among his many gems, Adams gave new, phonetically-suggestive definitions to English place-names. He declared, for instance, that 'grimsby' should mean "a lump of something gristly and foul-tasting concealed in a mouthful of stew or pie".
Justine Greening, among others, would do well to read Adams' neologism materclass The Meaning of Liff before "re-moding" the English language in future…
Colourful2017-12-02T18:43:59+00:00General musings|0 Comments
nineteen − 5 = | became an unintentional figure of fun recently when advising Londoners how to avoid traffic congestion. Instead of telling them, in simple English, to get out of their cars and walk, she suggested they "re-mode".
It's easy to see how this crime against plain-speaking occurred. After all, it's exactly the sort of blue-sky buzzword that's probably banded about freely in meetings between civil servants and bureaucrats.
Greening's mistake was introducing it into the public arena, whereupon she was rightly ridiculed for talking such balderdash and being out of touch with Joe and Josephine Public.
"Re-moding" is an example of a neologism – a newly coined (i.e. made-up) word. Mangle a neologism at your peril, as Ms Greening discovered. It will make you sound like you're a member of an exclusive club which the rest of us simply aren't smart enough to join.
Far wiser people than government ministers, however, enjoy creating neologisms in whose wit we can all share.
Here are some recent inventions courtesy of journalists on The Washington Post, who put a novel twist on the theme by bestowing humorously-appropriate meanings on existing words.
Coffee: the person upon whom one coughs.
Flabbergasted: appalled over how much weight you have gained.
Esplanade: to attempt an explanation while drunk.
Willy-nilly: impotent.
Negligent: a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.
Balderdash: a rapidly receding hairline.
Circumvent: an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.
Cashtration: buying a house thus neutering yourself financially forever.
Giraffiti: vandalism spray-painted surprisingly high.
Sarchasm: the gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
Yes, when not deeply immersed in business copywriting, this is how the team at Wordsworks gets its kicks.
Arguably, the master of the neologism was the late Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams, who enjoyed inventing funky new words where gaps existed in our current dictionary.
He expressed his addiction thusly: "In life there are many hundreds | 468 |
Vietnam Airlines Launches First Non-Stop Service From SFO To Ho Chi Minh City
By Kenny Choi November 30, 2021 at 12:49 am
Filed Under:business, Ho Chi Minh City, San Francisco, San<|fim_middle|> will offer two flights a week to start, but plans to increase that number and expand to other cities in the country.
"It's an amazing night to see that beautiful plane as I drove up I could see that plane from the freeway and my heart skipped. It really skipped," said the San Francisco Mayor's office Director of International Trade and Commerce.
The Bay Area has the second largest Vietnamese population in the country.
City leaders say the new route will increase business opportunities, academic exchanges, and promote tourism both to and from Ho Chi Minh City.
San Francisco City Hall was also lit up in teal and gold to commemorate the first non-stop flight.
Kenny Choi
More from Kenny Choi | Francisco International Airport, SFO, Travel, Vietnam Airlines
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — San Francisco International Airport was lit up in teal and gold Monday night to commemorate the first non-stop service between Vietnam and the United States. It's another first for SFO as travel during COVID expands.
Airport and airline officials say growing demand from the Bay Area is making this possible.
The check-in line for Vietnam Airlines inaugural flight from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City stretched to the entrance of the international terminal.
"I've been waiting for this service for over twenty years," said Sang Nihn.
For Nhin, who runs a semiconductor business based in San Jose, the new route will open more opportunities.
"It's for the American entrepreneurs who want to find and explore new businesses in Vietnam," said Nhin.
"To connect cultures, connect families and business so we see this as a great opportunity. We know the people of the Bay Area are looking forward to traveling to Vietnam from the research we've done," said SFO Airport Director Ivar Satero.
The new service is twenty-four years in the making.
The airline | 226 |
At the show
Top things to do at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
Gorgeous gardens
<|fim_middle|>021 show
We put together the show in pictures so you can relive the joys of the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2021. | Find an abundance of ideas and inspiration in our glorious gardens. Pick up big ideas for small spaces in our Small Tatton Gardens.
See the 2021 gardens
A crop of up and coming designers will be vying for the coveted crown of Young Designer of the Year 2022. Their gardens always delight and inspire.
Talks and demonstrations
Learn from some of the best in the business with our exciting programme of talks and demonstrations on a range of topics.
Floral Marquee and Plant Village
Surround yourself in flawless florals and shop from some of the UK's finest growers at the Floral Marquee and Plant Village.
Children and families will have plenty to keep them entertained with creative crafts and wonderful workshops to inspire gardeners of all ages.
Shop 'til you drop
Indulge yourself with a spot of shopping. Whether you're looking for original gifts and treasures that can't be find on the high street, or a new favourite plant, there's something for all tastes.
Explore the 2 | 208 |
Opportunity, policy, and the<|fim_middle|> emphasize principles for ensuring wellbeing and equitable opportunity for all in a technologically–driven future. The viability of this system will require substantial public policy engagement to revise our social infrastructure, including a social insurance system that provides sufficient, comprehensive, and timely assistance for workers displaced by technological change. It will also require more concentration on ensuring equitable pre-market resources to vulnerable communities.
It is clear that policymakers, private sector organizations, and businesses will need to partner to develop consensus on the appropriate path forward. We have worked on a number of these issues over the past two years, please visit the Future of the Middle Class Initiative site to find more information on the various public and private conferences, research papers, and podcast conversations exploring this topic.
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Alex Engler | future of automation
Series: Automation and the Middle Class Middle Class Memos
Marcus Casey and Ashleigh Maciolek Monday, December 21, 2020
This paper was prepared for the December 8, 2020, conference on the Future of Automation and the Middle Class for the Brookings Institution, Future of the Middle Class Initiative.
Despite persistent fears that robots and computers are coming for our jobs, most labor market experts agree that fears (or hopes) for a future where work will be optional, or worse, extremely scarce due to technological change are unlikely. In rare instances, such as the elevator operator, jobs will be rendered completely obsolete. Most jobs, however, will still exist even if fundamentally changed in both task content and form. Technological change will create new tasks and jobs as well.
Marcus Casey
Nonresident Fellow - Economic Studies
Twitter @MarcDCase
Ashleigh Maciolek
Intern - Center on Children and Families
The productivity and efficiency gains of technological change will be a net positive for society. However, this does not mean we have no reason for concern. First, the availability of work for all who seek it is a precondition for a prosperous and equitable society. Advances in automation and AI have the potential to magnify many of the challenges currently facing our society: income and wealth inequality, concentration of corporate power, reduced upward mobility, and persistent disability, gender, and racial discrimination. Mitigating potential negative tradeoffs of technological change will require new public policy paradigms to ensure that the most at-risk segments of the population are not left even further behind.
To that end, the Future of the Middle Class Initiative at Brookings hosted an event exploring these topics. A two-part panel first considered the role and design of social insurance programs and second, discussed how to foster social mobility and ensure equity of opportunity in the face of automation. The panelists identified key public policy challenges in a technology-driven economy and offered potential non-incremental solutions to best support low and middle-income Americans.
Panel 1: Optimal Social Insurance Design in an Automated Future
The first panel, "Social Insurance in an Automated Future," featured comments from Diana Farrell, founding President & CEO of the J.P. Morgan Chase Institute, Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute, Byron Auguste, CEO and cofounder of Opportunity @ Work, and Marcus Casey, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Nonresident Fellow in Economic Studies at Brookings. The key unifying question: "suppose it is 2050 and all routine tasks have been automated, how we can optimally design social insurance so as to insure well–being but also not disincentivize skill acquisition and work?" The panel agreed that social insurance should not be aimed at long-term replacement of income streams, such as Universal Basic Income (UBI). Instead, the focus should be on redesigning systems to help them efficiently meet the needs of workers. Accordingly, the panelists offered four key policy solutions:
The social insurance system of the future should take advantage of the improved technology to automate workers' ability to use their benefits in real time. In an increasingly automated world, it might also be useful to rethink some aspects of federalism, particularly in the context of the provision of social insurance. As the pandemic has shown, the fragmented nature of the social insurance model leaves workers in some states waiting months for assistance. A more streamlined social insurance system—in which individuals automatically receive benefits while unemployed—will allow people to focus on their futures rather than interacting unnecessarily with the social services system.
The panelists also highlighted to importance of inequality, both income and wealth, and how the future technology–driven labor market might exacerbate its consequences. Diana Farrell suggested shifting focus away from incremental policies, such as providing unemployment insurance payments or targeted housing subsidies, to a more comprehensive system. She suggests that the social insurance system of the future should feature tools that foster financial self-insurance and help middle- and working-class households save and invest.
The panel further advocated for incorporating reskilling programs in the social insurance system by taking advantage of the advances made in delivery technology. In addition to providing financial benefits to those in need, the social insurance system can help displaced workers acquire new skills to aid their transition back into the workforce. Currently, the social insurance system is not equipped to support workers in this way; instead, workers face the opportunity cost of missing out on employment and income if they choose to participate in training programs. The social insurance system can mitigate this challenge by supporting individuals through training programs and ensuring that they have the opportunity to develop the right skills and talents needed in an automated economy.
The panel concluded with a discussion of how private and public sector interests can be combined to better help workers achieve and maintain middle–class incomes even in the face of technological change. Ms. Farrell noted that policymakers should design appropriate incentives that encourage employers to invest in their workforce and enable lifelong learning. Employers should be expected to train up their employees such that workers acquire skills on the job. Dr. Auguste echoed this idea by advocating for employers to better recognize skills gained through work, rather than exclusively focusing on credentials. He suggested that the private sector of the future should rethink existing hiring practices and place more emphasis on a worker's abilities rather than solely their highest degree, which will allow for more movement within the labor market.
The future of automation and the middle class
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM EST
Automation from farm to table
Marcus Casey and Ember Smith
Gender, occupational segregation, and automation
Patricia Cortes and Jessica Pan
Panel 2: Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Opportunity in a Technology-Driven Future
The second panel, "Opportunity and Equity," included NY Times columnist Kara Swisher, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of the Center for Technology Innovation Nicol Turner Lee, and Peter Blair, an Assistant Professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. They considered the role of private and public institutions in ensuring opportunities and resources would be equitably distributed given current inequalities. Without substantial commitment by both market leaders and policymakers, such inequalities are likely to expand rapidly in the future. In this conversation, three key suggestions were made:
Markets need to better recognize workers who are skilled through alternative routes—or, as Dr. Blair calls them, STARs. He shared that nearly 75 million workers in the United States have high school diplomas but have yet to complete a college degree. In the past 40 years, most job growth has been in sectors dominated by college-educated workers. This concentrates economic opportunities for those with a college education, and this is important through a racial equity lens: Black Americans are less likely to have a college education than their white counterparts. This has excluded them from higher-wage positions and has contributed to less upwards social mobility experienced by Black Americans. Typical policy solutions suggest a college-for-all approach, but as Dr. Blair notes, ensuring that every worker has a degree is largely infeasible. Instead, the market should focus on evaluating workers based on their acquired skills, which may subsequently open doors to opportunity—particularly for traditionally disadvantaged populations.
Kara Swisher, drawing upon her extensive work covering the tech sector, reinforced this point. She called for a rethinking of the evaluation paradigm, arguing that there has been an overemphasis on "talentism" in private labor markets, a word she coined to illustrate the idea that there is an overemphasis on manifesting extraordinary talent as a prerequisite for upward mobility. She continued to say that more pressure should be placed on large companies to reform their hiring practices and place diversity at the top of their priority lists. Otherwise, employers will continue to operate what she calls a "mirror-ocracy." That is, they will only recognize and hire what they want to see: reflections of themselves.
If there is going to be greater investment in retraining programs, there must first be investment in broadband services across the country, or, as Nicol Turner Lee suggests, a "New Tech Deal." As the world becomes increasingly virtual, many retraining programs will be offered online, but the 19 million Americans who live without stable broadband service are at risk of being left behind. This is especially true for Black Americans who are less likely than their white peers to have stable broadband service. Moreover, if education remains (at least partially) virtual, children without access to broadband will fall behind in their learning. The pandemic has started to reveal this issue and its adverse effects on vulnerable populations: on average, Black children may fall 10.3 months behind in learning. In the next decade, as these children start to enter the labor market, they will have fewer opportunities than their white, more advantaged peers. In a world that is expected to see competition rise for well-paying positions, the prospects for Black and other traditionally disadvantaged groups may be bleak without substantial ongoing investments.
Conclusion: Preparing for an Automated Future
Taken together, the two panels | 1,828 |
Continuing from<|fim_middle|> strip into a Hollywood film. And, like every 80's film, it's complete with a twee romantic subplot.
However, the motto is "don't shoot for the stars, shoot higher", and Eugenius! successfully manages to push the theme of believing in yourself to the limits, with crowd-rousing tunes that are genuinely toe-tapping and astonishingly memorable. Truly, Ben Adams' score is one of the best to arrive in British musicals for years. Combine that with Aaron Renfree's imaginative choreography, which makes the most of the theatre's limited space, it creates active, dance-in-your-seat moments.
Rob Houchen is a harmless Eugene and Daniel Buckley reprises his fan-favourite performance as sidekick Feris, but it's Laura Baldwin's fierce Janey that captures the heart, with stellar vocals and comedic timing to boot. Scott Paige is wonderfully funny in a cameo role as Theo, and Christopher Ragland grounds the fun with his genuinely touching portrayal of Eugene's Dad. Overall, the cast are good and viscerally energetic.
It's great to see that "Superhot Lady" has been replaced by the much more badass "Hands Up!", swapping innuendo for defiant, stomping lyrics. It's unfortunate, in that respect, that the character Superhot Lady has gone from sweet and unassuming to stereotypical dumb blonde. Superhot Lady is the only part that hasn't quite been mastered.
Hannah Wolfe's tacky costumes make a swift return, and it would be a delight to see the show on a larger stage to at least allow for bigger budget ideas. But Ian Talbot's fast-paced direction keeps everything moving along nicely, in a high-octane show that rarely lets up.
Despite being slightly reworked for a new run, there are clear improvements to be made, but Eugenius' saving grace is its musical numbers and the plentiful laugh-out-loud moments. It's clear that Eugenius! is already a lightning-fast hit for audiences, with superfans cosplaying and dancing along to routines. For that, this new musical is unmissable.
Eugenius! runs through 20 October. | its stratospheric success earlier in the year, now-cult classic musical Eugenius! sets to stun audiences with another limited run at The Other Palace. Minor changes have occurred to revamp the fun, with some recasting and a new song replacing "Superhot Lady". Sadly, there are no book rewrites, as this is where the show has the potential to go from global to universal.
The story is the typical 80's trope of a teenage geek struggling to fit in. Jam-packed with super-geeky references, superhero fun and super-silliness, the story sees comic book-obsessed schoolboy Eugene given the opportunity to transform his Tough Man | 137 |
feed-0.3.9.1: Interfacing with RSS (v 0.9x, 2.x, 1.0) + Atom feeds.
Description: Module for an abstraction layer between different kinds of feeds.
The kinds of feed documents supported.
Construct an empty feed document, intending to output it in the fk feed format.
withFeedHTML sets<|fim_middle|>ItemAuthor auStr' associates new author info with a feed item.
'withItemCommentLink url' sets the URL reference to the comment page to url.
'withItemEnclosure url mbTy len' sets the URL reference to the comment page to url.
'withItemFeedLink name myFeed' associates the parent feed URL myFeed with a feed item. It is labelled as name.
'withItemId isURL id' associates new unique identifier with a feed item. If isURL is True, then the id is assumed to point to a valid web resource.
'withItemDescription desc' associates a new descriptive string (aka summary) with a feed item.
'withItemRights rightStr' associates the rights information rightStr with a feed item. | the URL where an HTML version of the feed is published.
'withFeedDate dt' is the composition of withFeedPubDate and withFeedLastUpdate, setting both publication date and last update date to dt. Notice that RSS2.0 is the only format supporting both pub and last-update.
'withItemTitle myTitle' associates a new title, myTitle, with a feed item.
'withItemTitle myLink' associates a new URL, myLink, with a feed item.
'withItemPubDate dt' associates the creation/ publication date dt with a feed item.
withItemDate is a synonym for withItemPubDate.
'with | 133 |
Four steps towards a value-based care model for Singapore
Get the latest Philips Future Health Index news in your mailbox
Mar 04, 2019 - reading time 6-7 mins
By Diederik Zeven
General Manager, Health Systems, Philips ASEAN Pacific
Diederik Zeven is the General Manager, Health Systems for Philips in ASEAN Pacific. He oversees the diverse portfolio of products, services and solutions across the region, including diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics.
<|fim_middle|> the workforce to deliver on digital health
- By Patricia Mechael
Making the EU's health systems fit for the 21st century
- By Guy Kerpen | By Diederik ZevenRead less
While Singapore's healthcare system topped Philips' Future Health Index (FHI) survey in efficiency and satisfaction, a future-proof approach is needed to cope with rising healthcare costs and a rapidly aging population. Moving towards a value-based care model could be the answer.
Singapore's healthcare system came top of our recent Future Health Index (FHI) study[1] for both efficiency and satisfaction, with most of its healthcare professionals (HCPs) agreeing that the care available meets patient needs.
However, maintaining such a well-performing system comes at a price. Singapore's Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat recently announced that the government expects to spend an additional 0.8% of gross domestic profit on healthcare – an increase of about €2.5 billion (SGD$3.6 billion)[2] – over the next decade. In addition, costs are expected to rise as a result of the country's aging population and rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes.
The financial implications of maintaining standards of care for a bigger, and more demanding, population is a pressing challenge across the developed world, but just pumping in more money might not be the answer. Instead, forward-thinking governments are starting to look at new models of care in order to future-proof quality – in particular, the 'value-based care' model.
Value-based care is a care delivery model where providers are paid based on patient health outcomes rather than the amount of healthcare services that they provide. This is a fundamental shift from most countries' current models – placing more emphasis on helping patients to live healthier lives and to prioritize illness prevention, rather than just on treating the sick.
According to the World Economic Forum there are four key enablers[3] that countries need to invest in to truly make the shift to a value-based approach:
data and health informatics
benchmarking, research and tools
delivery organizations and change management
incentives and payments
The first step towards value-based care is having an infrastructure in place for collecting, sharing and analyzing data that can be used not only for early diagnosis, but also in informing health policy around population management and disease prevention.
The holy grail is to make it possible for data to be easily and safely shared between different organizations and databases, providing a single patient view regardless of which department or institution a patient is seeing.
According to our FHI study, this integration to enable easy sharing of patient data is something that would be welcomed by the vast majority of Singapore's healthcare professionals – with 90% agreeing that it's important for healthcare systems to be integrated.
To achieve this, Singapore will need to introduce a singular standard and architecture so that there is a common framework across all healthcare organizations. As well as government backing, this will require healthcare organizations – both public and private – to be willing and open to collaboration.
Data security and trust are also key; Singapore's government will need to reassure healthcare professionals and patients alike that their medical data is protected, in order to encourage widespread adoption.
Diederik Zeven
All that said, data can only make a difference if healthcare professionals have the knowledge and tools to make sense of it – otherwise it's just numbers.
So, as well as putting in place a framework to gather and share data more easily, Singapore will also need to upskill its healthcare professionals to be able to benchmark and analyze it effectively.
Again, having a common language and curriculum around this is important, to ensure a consistent experience for patients, and to make it easier for healthcare professionals in different faculties, or even different organizations, to collaborate.
Another challenge to be overcome is the organization of care delivery and patient information.
Most healthcare professionals are segmented by function at each stage of the care chain, which often makes it difficult to achieve transparency and coordination.
In theory, this structure should allow patients to find the right treatment for their conditions – be it basic care and disease prevention, or more specialized care. However, in practice, because most functions are not currently in the habit of sharing information with each other, patients often find themselves repeating the same information to multiple HCPs.
For better patient outcomes and satisfaction, health systems need to do a better job of collaborating. Guided by the principles of equal access and regional autonomy, Sweden's healthcare system is a good example of what can be achieved through an integrated healthcare system. All patients have access to their electronic health record online and undergo a similar process when it comes to seeking treatment.
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The final piece of the puzzle is how healthcare is remunerated.
The reality is that more often than not, payment models in the private sector still tend to 'reward' providers for the amount of treatment they provide, not the outcomes that they achieve. In the public sector, the fragmentation of government agencies can lead to compartmentalized spending, rather than a holistic approach – meaning certain areas of care are sometimes prioritized over others.
To truly move towards a value-based approach, more emphasis needs to be placed on rewarding outcomes – particularly preventative ones. The difficulty comes in setting short-term KPIs for this, given the success of an outcomes-based approach will be most visible over the longer term
Clearly the road to value-based care won't be an easy one, but as costs continue to rise it may be Singapore's only chance of safe-guarding its high quality of care in the future. By focusing on these four pillars, and following examples of best practice from around the world, Singapore can place itself into a stronger position to address the challenges of the next decade, and beyond.
Future Health Index, 2018 Report 1, Building health systems for better outcomes
Singapore Budget 2018, Statement by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat
World Economic Forum,Value in Healthcare: Mobilizing cooperation for health system transformation
Cost management Access to care Care staffing Blog
Patient-centered care and technology: a powerful partnership
- By Dr K. Elizabeth Hawk
Making the promise of the empowered patient a reality
- By the FHI editorial team
How AI will shape the future of precision diagnosis
- By Peter Quinlan
Interview: Uncovering the potential of computational pathology
Finding the path to telehealth adoption at scale
- By Professor Stanton Newman
HIMSS Europe Webinar: Transforming healthcare experiences
Empowering | 1,292 |
Although he promotes bourbon-related tourism at every<|fim_middle|>10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Boundary Oak's grand opening is not yet scheduled and awaits some final touches. For example, videos to be shown on an over-sized oak barrel suspended from the ceiling still are being completed.
Visitors can see the pot still at work through lobby windows, visit the gift shop and sample the company's two versions of Kentucky Moonshine or its new Kentucky Amber.
Thanks to a law passed by the 2016 Kentucky General Assembly, qualifying bourbon tourism sites will be able to apply next month for liquor licenses and the distillery will be able to sell drinks. Goodin also expects to introduce a wheated whiskey plus cinnamon and creme flavored products later this year.
The company's first batch of bourbon, produced on family property near a natural limestone-filtered spring off Battle Training Road, continues to age in charred white oak barrels.
Unlike major manufacturers, Goodin and his family can provide a personal touch by getting to know the guests and answering individual questions.
"You can't meet Jack Daniel or Evan Williams, but you can meet me," he said. | turn, Brent Goodin admits to being stunned by the initial visitor count at Boundary Oak's new location off Ky. 313 in Radcliff.
With no promotion, no interstate signage and not yet being admitted to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Goodin's craft distillery is seeing 40 to 50 visitors per day since its soft launch two weeks ago. The peak attendance thus far exceeded 100, he said.
"The traffic's been great," the master distiller said Thursday.
Word-of-mouth promotion and a chance to meet the distiller are bringing tourists to Radcliff, Goodin said.
He said many visitors have come from hotel referrals in Radcliff and Elizabethtown. Travelers in the area to visit Fort Knox or the Elizabethtown Sports Park are the most frequent guests thus far.
While open from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays and | 186 |
Raspberry Leaf: The Herbal Remedy for Menstrual Symptoms
ParisLynn
When we think of raspberries, we often think of them as an addition to iced tea or<|fim_middle|>000) | a topping for vanilla yogurt. Rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, raspberries are a sweet and delicious fruit that propose many health benefits. But the fruit isn't the only part that's beneficial; raspberry leaves are too.
Raspberry leaves boast a variety of benefits ranging from increased fertility in women to a faster metabolism. Once the leaves are crushed and dried, they are used to make a tea. Considering the many benefits that raspberry leaves offer, it would make it hard not to indulge in a cup.
Botanical Name of Raspberry Leaves
Raspberries are botanically known as Rubus idaeus and their existence dates back to prehistoric times. They're believed to have originated in Asia, but there are also some varieties of raspberries that have originated in the U.S as well.
Botanical Family of Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry is the name given to the edible fruit of the Rosaceae plant species family. Raspberry leaf, also known as the garden raspberry leaf, is produced by this fruit and has been used in folk medicine for centuries.
What Are Raspberry Leaves?
The thorny trailing raspberry vines yield a tasty fruit, but the leaves are of interest for their medicinal qualities. Raspberry leaves have been used for years predominately for women's health. They are popularly used as an herb to help promote a healthy pregnancy, but the ancient Chinese, Greeks, and Romans have used these leaves as a treatment for wounds and diarrhea as well.
Raspberry leaves are also used for making tea. Interestingly enough, this specialty tea doesn't have the strong tangy essence of the raspberry fruit, but more of a floral black tea flavor instead.
Active Ingredients Found in Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry leaves are packed with potassium along with iron and magnesium. The leaves of raspberry leaf contain fruit sugars, citric and malic acid, vitamins and a handful of antioxidants and alkaloids that gives this tea a variety of health benefits. Rasberry leaves also contain the following:
Health Benefits of Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry leaves have been recommended for a variety of ailments, including the following benefits:
Used to treat diarrhea, colds and stomach complaints
Reduces fever
Builds strong bones
Reduces excessive bleeding during periods
Alleviates menstrual cramps
Tones the uterus and pelvic muscles
Raspberry leaves are also useful for women who are expecting a new addition to the family and for those struggling with fertility issues. These leaves help relieve eczema, psoriasis, obesity, indigestion, high blood pressure, aching joints, and general inflammation. As an added bonus, raspberry leaves extracts have also been used for skin care.
How to Consume Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry leaves have been widely recommended for many generations as an herbal tea to help common ailments. This herb is best taken as an infusion (herbal tea). Drink one cup, one to three times a day.
Pour ¼ cup of dried red raspberry leaf into a quart-size mason jar, then fill with freshly boiled water, cover, and let the leaf steep for at least 15 — 30 minutes. For a stronger infusion, steep for three to four hours.
Side Effects of Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry leaves are generally safe for use, but the tea may not sit well with all individuals. Though the side effects are few, some rare side effects include nausea, increased Braxton Hicks contractions (for pregnant women) and diarrhea. Also, be sure to keep in mind that if you are currently experiencing a high-risk pregnancy or have experienced issues in the past, it is not recommended to drink raspberry tea as it may complicate or exacerbate some of these issues.
Always make sure you discuss new herbal teas or remedies with your doctor before consumption.
Quick FAQs
How much raspberry leaf tea is needed to induce labor?
If you are looking to prepare your uterus before giving birth, experts recommend two to three cups per day, at the beginning of your third trimester
Burn J. H. & Withell E. R. (1941). A principle in raspberry leaves which relaxes uterine muscle. The Lancet, July 5, pp. 1-3.
Parsons, M. (1999). Raspberry leaf. Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond Newsletter, 1(2), pp. 1-2.
Parsons, M. (2000). [Raspberry leaf]. Emailed report
Thomas. C. L. (ed.). (1985). Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary 16th ed. F. A. Davis: Philadelphia.
Whitehouse B. (1941). Fragrance: an inhibitor of uterine action. British Medical Journal, Sept 13, pp. 370-371.
Wilson, M. (1993). Herbal tea consumption during pregnancy. Author: Wollongong. (29th December 2 | 1,006 |
Roadhouse rock and upbeat blues is the smoky flavor you get when you pick up a Kelly's Lot album. Formed in 1995 by singer Kelly Zirbes after playing for family and friends, she embarked on an international music career that has spanned several releases and multiple live performances. Live in Brussels was released in Belgium and in the United States. After touring France and the UK in late 2013, the band will soon begin a new recording for a full band album introducing keys and a horn section. The band consists of Kelly Zirbes (songwriting, vocals), Peter Robinson (composer, keyboards), Matt McFadden (bass) and Rob Zucca (guitar).
Live albums can sometimes be a fifty-fifty shot. Some are good and you get the emotion of the band. Some make you want to hide in the closet and turn the album into a coaster. Live in Brussels is thankfully the former. I listen to music while I write. Most of the time the sound blends into the background and becomes part of my story in one way or another. This album took me to another place-a smoky blues café. How wonderful. The Americana and Southern roadhouse rock sound of this live album took me out my world and into Kelly's. Sultry female vocals and vibrant percussion and guitar led me down the road to perdition and I was thrilled to be on the journey.
"Taking Time" or "Coffee" is a morning song that wakes you up as sure as its name. This piece should be my mantra! A writer's life incarnate! Somewhat familiar in the background melody, this song rockets up and gets you moving like a double shot of espresso. Deadlines, madness…and then the thought of a lover stops time and shifts things back into focus. Guitar swings out, Southern rock style and the warm pull of the percussion slides down my throat like my favorite salt<|fim_middle|> Kelly Z. and her crew are going on my bands to watch list and I eagerly await their next album. | ed caramel mocha and I smile. This song rocks.
"Tired" surrounds you with curling guitar riffs and smoking hot bass. Joplin style vocals growl from Kelly Z. bringing the listener right in the center of the action. Soul searing lyrics of loss and a want for love burn from the center of this song. Southern rock meets the blues and I didn't want it to end.
"Take This Heart" has to be one of my favorites on the album. Kelly's vocals ease their way into place with a steady percussion and guitar element. Morphing into a gritty performance of longing, I was enthralled. Every emotion comes through, screaming and loud. Guitar riffs flair and bend the piece into a complex weave of harmony and substance.
Live from Brussels is an album that illustrates the blues and rock styles of Kelly's Lot. Known for their Americana roots rock style, this band is headed for great things. Internationally known and ready to step back into the studio, I am excited to see they are getting a horn section and will also be adding some keys to the mix. Five stars with flames and this band is worth every second. Earthy tones, vibrant percussion, rocking guitar and bass with vocals that will curl your toes…what more can you ask for? | 263 |
Riveters Sign Princeton Forward Fiona McKenna
August 14, 2018 August 13, 2018 by Dan Rice
Beginning June 1, NWHL teams can start signing players for the 2018-19 season. For players who have completed their college eligibility and want to continue their hockey careers, the free agency period provides them an opportunity to continue playing at the highest level of professional women's hockey. The fourth season of the NWHL will begin in October as the Metropolitan Riveters defend their Isobel Cup championship, and with the addition of a fifth team – the Minnesota Whitecaps – as well as the inclusion of players who participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics, this very well could be the most competitive season yet.
My colleague Nathaniel Oliver will keep THW readers up-to-date on Boston and Buffalo's signings throughout the summer, while I post updates on Connecticut and the Riveters. Together we will collaborate to keep readers informed of all of Minnesota's signings.
Boston Re-Signs Kaleigh Fratkin
Whitecaps Sign Forward/Defender Pezon
All-Star Lexi Bender Back for 3rd Year with the Pride
ICYMI: Former @PWIH teammates Kelsey Koelzer and Fiona McKenna reunite to defend the Isobel Cup Championship. McKenna signs with the Rivs for 2018-19!
🔗: https://t.co/6im30sWMQs pic.twitter.com/EaoWfr9ibD
— Metropolitan Riveters (@Riveters) August 10, 2018
On August 10 the Riveters signed a new player for the upcoming season, and they didn't have to go too far to find her. Fiona McKenna from Princeton University signed her first pro contract with the NWHL team that plays in the same state in which she attended college. McKenna, a native of Illinois, played for the Tigers from 2013-17 and she also played soccer in college.
"I was determined to join the NWHL after seeing and hearing first-hand from one of my best friends and teammates at Princeton, Kelsey Koelzer, on the culture and pioneering success of the NWHL and specifically, the Riveters," the 23-year-old said in the press release announcing her signing. "For the past year, I missed the game of hockey and being on a team. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to play for the Riveters and support the growth of women's professional hockey.
Fiona McKenna with Princeton University. (Photo Credit: Beverly Schaefer)
McKenna is the third member of the Rivs with connections to the women's hockey team in Princeton along with Koelzer and Kelly Nash, who is currently an assistant coach for the Ivy League school. She developed her game in the Chicago Mission Hockey Club program for six seasons where she was teammates with current Riveters goaltender and fellow Illinois native Katie Fitzgerald.
"My playing style revolves around strong skating and I like to focus on working as hard as I can each and every shift on the forecheck and the backcheck," said McKenna who had 28 points (11g-17a) at Princeton. "I hope to contribute to the reigning Isobel Cup champions in whatever role and in whatever way the team needs."
McKenna is the third rookie of the 16 players that have signed with the Riveters for next season thus far, joining Audra Richards (University of Maine) and Chelsea Ziadie (Harvard University).
Dan Rice
Dan Rice is in his 9th year of reporting for THW & has covered NJ Devils<|fim_middle|> the NWHL (nwhl.zone) website since 2016.
Categories Metropolitan Riveters, NWHL Tags Fiona McKenna, Kelly Nash, Kelsey Koelzer, Top Story | home games for 15+ years at various websites. He began his journey working for legendary broadcaster/writer Stan Fischler from 2002-04 & completed an internship at the ECHL; he also has been writing features for | 52 |
We are a family run<|fim_middle|> Plymouth. | business. Be part of the family.
The Wolf Rock Boat Company was established in 2007 by the McCarthy Family. We are RIB boat specialists who are proud to have built a loyal client base of both new and returning customers by consistently striving to provide friendly, expert advice and guidance to help you choose the right RIB and outboard engine for your needs.
Our in-house team of experienced, fully-trained Marine Engineers are on hand to offer a complete service of ongoing maintenance and repair for your RIB or boat and engine which mean we have the capability to support you throughout the entire life-cycle of ownership and ensure trouble free cruising. Located at South Hams Business Park near Kingsbridge in the beautiful boating location of the South Hams in Devon, we are perfectly placed to provide services to the nearby nautical areas of Salcombe, Dartmouth & | 173 |
If you've been following our story for a while, you know that we started focusing on intensive and alternative therapies about two years ago, when Solly was two and a half. As a result, Solly hasn't magically started walking yet, but he has made measurable gains. It might not seem like much to the regular Joe, but those who are closest<|fim_middle|> order to stay upright while taking steps. He's still getting the hang of it and it's going to take quite a bit of work before he's running around in it all on his own. His PT has to remind him to hold on with his hands, help him walk straight, and give some support to the walker since Solly is still working out how to balance his body.
But, it's progress. It's an inchstone and we're going to keep working at it. Considering walking independently with a walker is a big time stretch goal and something I wasn't sure we'd be able to start working on any time soon, we are celebrating this one big time. | to Solly have noticed how much progress he's made. As we started noticing new developments, I started noting them in my head as "inchstones", a term I've borrowed from Moms of special needs kiddos to celebrate when a gain isn't quite a milestone, but is moving in the direction of one.
We hit some inchstones last year when Solly started giving kisses (oh, my, this was one of my favorite inchstones!), when he made so many gains in feeding, and when he started taking independent steps in a gait trainer, and we even hit a milestone when he started transitioning from laying down to sitting up all on his own.
It seems that Solly is off to another great start this year. Solly hit another inchstone just this week when he started taking some really good assisted steps in a Kaye walker, a walking aide that is a transition between a gait trainer and a regular walker. Because this walker has much less support than a gait trainer, it requires a lot more coordination to use: Solly has to hold on with both hands in | 220 |
Many of the questions you may need answered are below, however please feel free to call us on 01908 611 400 or email us for any further information.
The Wine Bar is only open Wednesday to Saturday evenings, from 6pm – 11pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. We are also open on the first Monday of every month when we host our monthly Comedy Night.
Traditional pub<|fim_middle|> occasions like Valentines we may have live music or a disco. Subscribe to our Facebook page to stay informed.
Yes there are two public carparks close by (one to the rear of the building off Silver Street – our restaurant can be accessed via a walkway from the carpark to St John Street and one across the road called St Johns Terrace. In addition street parking is also available in St John Street. Our postcode is MK16 8HJ.
Need a Venue for an Event? | / bar food. See menu in addition we offer regular special for example Pie Night on Wednesdays and Fish 'n Chips on a Friday.
Is the Wine Bar wheel-chair accessible?
The courtyard and ground floor is accessible for wheelchairs although please do note that floor space is limited in the bar area. The first floor is only accessible by stairs. There is a disabled toilet. Please do feel free to call ahead so we can make your visit as hassle free as possible.
No need to book simply pop in.
Is The Wine Bar available for private hire?
Yes, we can host small weddings, special occasions (40th birthdays, anniversaries), christenings and informal corporate functions in The Wine Bar which is ideally placed in central Newport Pagnell just off junction 14 of the M1 between Northampton and Milton Keynes. We can organise cakes, decorations, music etc. For more information click here and to check availability and prices please call us on 01908 611400.
What types of events are most suited to The Wine Bar?
Informal drinks parties and get-togethers with the food being served buffet or canapé style. We have hosted engagement parties, works Christmas get togethers, anniversaries, family reunions and even small wedding receptions.
To a point as it is a small narrow venue spread over 2 floor, also does depend on the format of your event we can fit up to 50 people standing / buffet style or 30-40 seated. The chef can create set menus specifically tailored to your requirements.
Do you do outside eating area?
Yes we have a few tables with umbrellas in the courtyard area that you can use when the weather is nice.
Yes, we have vegetarian options on the menu.
Do you have live music at The Wine Bar?
Not regularly although on special | 385 |
Scandinavian bumblebees survive<|fim_middle|> in an area surrounded by flowers is the secret to the bumblebee queen's success.
Sexual rebellion and murder among the bees
Provided by ScienceNordic
This story is republished courtesy of ScienceNordic, the trusted source for English-language science news from the Nordic countries. Read the original story here.
Citation: Scandinavian bumblebees survive by incubating their eggs (2018, June 11) retrieved 19 July 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2018-06-scandinavian-bumblebees-survive-incubating-eggs.html
New target for treating pancreatic cancer identified
Bumblebee house warming -- It takes a village
By attacking queen bumblebee, pesticide threatens colony: study
Bumblebees learn the sweet smell of foraging success
Smells like bees' spirit
Honey bee teenagers speed up the ageing process of their elders | by incubating their eggs
by Nick Halvorsen, Aarhus University, ScienceNordic
Our research shows that a well-insulated nest is crucial for the queen and subsequently, her large family, to retain heat and stay warm. Credit: Shutterstock
It is a sure sign that spring is in the air: The sight of a bumblebee queen buzzing around spring flowers on a sunny day. But sometimes, when she is flying around, she is actually not looking for flowers, but on the hunt for a good place to build a nest.
The bumblebee queen is looking for a dark hole in the ground. When she finds one that smells of mice, she knows she has succeeded.
She mates in autumn and spends the winter in a safe place, for instance an abandoned mouse hole, a woodpile, a compost heap, or thick grass. In spring, she establishes her own family in an abandoned mouse nest.
More time for incubation leads to more bees
Mouse holes are well-insulated and especially appealing for bees looking to establish a new colony. Mice collect grass, hair, and moss to insulate their nests, which bumblebees could not do themselves.
Our research shows that a well-insulated nest is crucial for the queen and subsequently, her large family, to retain heat and stay warm.
There should also be nectar close by in spring, so that the queen does not have to leave the eggs for long periods. The longer she spends incubating eggs the more adult bees hatch.
Flight muscles can boost nest temperature by 15 degrees
When the queen finds a suitable mouse nest, she builds some wax cells, which she fills with honey, and then lays her first four to five eggs in a small lump of wax.
Bumblebee eggs and larvae develop much faster at warmer temperatures. So in the early Scandinavian spring, where the soil is cold, the queen needs to take drastic action.
The queen sits on top of the wax lump with the eggs and vibrates, using her flight muscles to generate heat. By doing this she can increase the temperature by 15 degrees centigrade.
Time spent incubating young is crucial
It requires energy to keep warm, and this energy comes from the nectar that the bumblebee queen has laboriously collected and stored in the honey cells.
If she hasn't collected enough, she must head out to collect more. But when she leaves, the temperature around the eggs drops dramatically and their development stalls until she returns.
If the nest is surrounded by a garden full of flowers, then it is not so bad, as she can quickly return to her nest to care for her young. But finding enough nectar can take much longer in a field with few flowers.
In the laboratories at Aarhus University, we placed tiny thermometers in the wax lump that contained the eggs. And the results are clear: Eggs hatch quicker when the queen devotes more time to incubating her eggs.
Workers help heat the colony
The first worker bees hatch in May. All of them are females and they make the queen's job much easier.
Initially, she works completely alone. She collects the nectar herself and incubates the eggs. But the workers help share the work load. Not only do they help collect food and incubate the eggs, but they also help to warm up the colony.
Our measurements show that bumblebees can heat the colony to a temperature of 32 degrees centigrade, even when it is just 10 degrees outside.
The nest starts to break down in mid-summer, and our studies show that the final family size is bigger and contains more new drones and queens, when the bumblebees have more time to incubate eggs in spring.
When the queen spends more time looking for nectar instead of incubating eggs during the spring, it takes longer for the first workers to develop and hatch, resulting in a smaller colony later on.
Flowering plants are also important
We have also used an ecological simulation model to describe how the colony develops during the course of a season.
We saw that availability of nearby flowering plants was crucial for the colony to grow big enough to secure the following generation.
The model scenarios include numerous combinations of good and bad flowering conditions and various amounts of insulation, as well as a scenario at constant optimal egg temperature and a scenario with no incubation, in which a colony was never established.
The queen's success depends on incubation
By summer, the colony has ideally grown to a couple of hundred members. The family now has masses of workers to collect nectar and pollen, and to maintain the optimal temperature.
The family takes care of creating the optimal conditions and the queen can now focus on producing offspring, including male worker bees and new queens that will continue the family next summer.
In July and August, the newly hatched males and new queens leave the nest. They fly out and mate in order to continue the lineage. The males die afterwards and the queens head out to find a good hideout to wait until next spring.
And the old queen: Her mission is now complete. Upon her death the colony dissolves and the remaining bumblebee workers die.
We have developed a simulation model that shows the size of the white-tailed bumblebee colony by mid-summer, and the output from this model indicates how many males and new queens the colony will produce.
When we compare the results of our temperature measurements with our models, we see that the ability of the queen to pass her genes on depends on the time she devotes to incubating eggs in early spring. And this determines the cumulated number of bumblebees that we can enjoy next summer.
We can help her along by growing lots of flowers in the garden, along roadsides, in fields and along boundaries, so that the bees can incubate eggs as much as possible and do not have to spend such a long time away from the nest.
Bumblebees need insulation
Back to the mouse nest. Why is it so important for the queen bumblebee to find one?
It is simply because she needs to stay warm. We insulate our own homes to stay warm when it's cold outside. We use cavity wall insulation, double-glazing, and a thick layer of insulation under the roof.
Insulation is particularly important for the lone queen to ensure that the heat she produces does not simply dissipate into the soil but remains in the nest.
Good insulation enables more queens to lay eggs, incubate them, and consequently produce more workers
Our model shows that bumblebees simply cannot survive in Scandinavia without incubation and warming of the nest, which also determines the ultimate size of the colony.
A well-insulated nest situated | 1,366 |
New Scientist: 50-year forecasts
As part of their 50th anniversary, New
As part of their 50th anniversary, New Scientist published 50-year forecasts from over 70 scientists.
A couple highlights (mostly cut-and-pasted shamelessly from the above link):
Francis Collins: Genetic advances will allow entire generations of us to live happily into our hundreds
Edward O. Wilson: The biggest leap in biogeography and conservation biology will be the near<|fim_middle|> which should be fun
Piet Hut: The discovery of life elsewhere in the universe would be the most significant breakthrough, not only for astrophysics, but also for biology, philosophy and culture
Categories Accelerating Change
Tags advancementsfutures
Wikipedia big with experts?
What happened to Thinking Machines? | -complete mapping of global biodiversity at the species level
J. Richard Gott: Establishing a self-supporting colony on Mars would change world history – it wouldn't even be "world" history any more
Michael Gazzaniga: The next 50 years will focus on the social mind, the fact that humans are social animals and that most of the time we think about relationships
Niles Eldredge: The most significant breakthroughs will come in the form of retro-fitting existing advances in molecular and biology to a more integrated synthesis of evolutionary theory
Igor Aleksander: A scientific understanding of consciousness will come from a recognition of the brain as an informational machine
David Deutsch: On the experimental side, the construction of a working, general-purpose quantum computer is what this emminent physicist hopes for
Ray Kurzweil: By 2029 we will create computers that pass the Turing test, with formidable results
Christof Koch: Machine-brain interfaces will be realised by 2056
Gregory Chaitin: By 2056, weird astronomical observations may have led to radical new fundamental physics, and people will be tampering with the human genome, | 243 |
Art / Models / Uncategorized
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – A Memoir by Seth Nayes
Posted on October 4, 2014 by littlealicecom Leave a comment
Teaser of the WanderLOST Film
Seth: I cannot express the gratefulness of the entire experience of TALA2014. For not only be able to make it, because of Little Alice and Bryan Thompson submitting their tickets to me. But for making it out alive.
Designs by Rachel Frank
The death of her eyes, was the first thing she lost, later.. her mind. Yet, this does not happen until she is well into the bowels of her days inside the Asylum. Her wander was lost… All she wanted to do.. Was wander
Seth: The trip starting with a reunion with the talented photographer Miranda Steingarber and my gypsy soulmate, Samantha Novak. My TALA caravan- "TALAVAN" had begun. We all had not seen each other in years. We have all grown as artists together and during the years away from each other and like most of the trip, it was quite surreal. Many laughs and stories followed.
Lobotomy by the Trans-Allegheny Asylum nurses and guides
Her untimely beginning to a new chapter in her mind, came only after a fight, you see, she would escape the lobotomy only once. This was what began a new way for her to wander, within her mind. Now, how would she get it all back? Lucky for her, they missed a memory. The one that would lead her to her escape.
Seth: We all knew and realized we wouldn't make it to the hotel until an hour before the shoot even started. Upon arrival, both Miranda and Samantha tried to take a nap. I, however, stayed up and tried to inform the rest of the TALAVAN crew about my plans for the different sets, and contributions from designers. The crew included caravan veterans, and new faces.
Twig Noir, my dear friend. Model and designer.
Brett Stoddart, the whole reason we discovered such a place. Photographer.
Acid Grave. Model.
Erica McKinney. Model.
Elizabeth Noir. Model
Gena Appleby. Photographer.
Erin Watson. Photographer.
Scott Detweiler. Photographer.
Matt Moog. Photographer.
Aaron Fisher. Photographer.
Debra Tope. Who had a scare and left swiftly the next morning.
Zippy Vance. Assistant.
Thomas Quinn. Assistant.
TL Lara. Assistant.
Together, our band of merry artists walked through the tattered halls of the aslyum seeking both inspiration and adventure.
Gena Appleby Photography 2014
Fashion Designer: Silversärk Clothier
After the nail was driven deep. Everything was decayed around her. She could see the future of this complex..The future that stood outside the window, was even closer.
Seth: After an hour had passed at the hotel, I awoke my group. I had utilized the hour to take a refreshing bath and prepare myself for the long day ahead. Without sleep I was in a precarious position. Not only would my external senses be heightened and working on overdrive, but my internal senses would be buried along with the souls to this devil's playground. A dangerous concoction indeed. We arrived to what was a familiar place to me, but completely undiscovered to my lovely partners in crime. Both Miranda and Samantha are intuitive sensitive souls.<|fim_middle|> rest of our lives. We took in our last prepossessing moments of the morning, then it was time to work. The first set I shot was with Scott Detweiler. I was styled by one of my best friends, Rachel Frank. Complete with a bone headdress. It was certainly something to be remembered. Debra Tope stood near by. This was when I started feeling not only the lack of sleep and travel, but an unwelcoming, torturous feeling. I shook it off and tried to focus on shooting. But I could tell Debra was feeling the same. I have a statement by Debra, which I will release later in the story, but first, lets get to the second set. This was the first set published by Freque Magazine, and was photographed by Gena Appleby. I was blindfolded with white lace in the Women's Ward, wearing designs by Silversark. I was screaming on the inside for those lost souls on the outside. I thought of those who were inducted into this place for all the wrong reasons. Blind to their own "mistakes," if you even want to call them that. The greed of this city has never truly been forgotten. The poor women that were ensnared by this enterprise for having natural health problems that are common in all women. It sickens me.
Pray for their soul and a safe journey to finally escape the bars of the asylum.
Photographer: Miranda Steingraber
Seth: The rest of the day consisted of more beautiful art made by multiple artists. Most are unreleased, but first I'd like to get to one of our photographers leaving in the middle of the night, Debra Tope. I asked her if she was comfortable making a statement. So here it is.
"No problem. I'm sensitive to spiritual energies and dealt with a lot of stuff at OSR {Ohio State Reformatory} but the vibe I felt at TALA was so overwhelmingly oppressive that by noon I didn't even want to go in the building again. I managed to do Acid's {Grave} shoot in the afternoon but that night I lay there and I'm like 'I can't do this' so I packed up my stuff and left with a note to a couple people apologizing. What I felt was decades of sadness, evil, torture and this weird medicinal odor. My mom underwent electric shock treatment, and later committed suicide. The anniversary of her death was in May, so that could have also been a factor." My heart goes out to you Debra.
"Did you pray for your legs to work?" She asks
For more details on a Smudging Ceremony: http://www.asunam.com/smudge_ceremony.html
Seth: We thought it was best if we smudged. When we returned to the hotel, Samantha saw and heard images as she came back up to the room after forgetting the sage in the car. We were most certainly not alone. I became nauseous after she smudged me. As the rest of the group talked about how the experience made them feel, I tried to wash my face. When I looked into my reflection, it was as if the reflection of myself within the irises of my eyes was the only thing that was real. I felt an overwhelming heaviness and my hold body. I felt hot. I lay upon the wet towel, trying to collect comfort. I wasn't able to move or make a sound. Almost like an anxiety attack. My body was just shutting down. I finally threw myself to the bathroom floor, foolishly hoping to either vomit, or teleport to my bed. Samantha helped me off the floor, after finally seeing me lurched over the toilet. She peered inside me, only to find something lurking there, possibly from OSR the previous year. It felt as if she lifted a darkness from my heart. The world became dark until the sun had finally risen over our second day at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum…
There is a strong possibility that Seth carried a demon spirit from OSR 2013. He did not take the prison, and its visitors, seriously. He played hide and seek with the demons while Little Alice took the brunt of the misbehavior.
WARNING: This video contains graphic and disturbing material. (Video #5 in the playlist)
"Or did you pray that I would forever be trapped as a doll?"
Dress by Silversärk Clothier
Seth: The next day had the abrupt absence of our friend, and the way the asylum had already ravaged us. It was looming over us. It was rise and shine for the caravan. We had to keep moving and hope that everything was going to be okay. But I couldn't help but be elated to get the opportunity to go back a second day. I made sure to cover almost every inch of the building. I shot with my travel buddies, Miranda and Samantha a lot that day. Together, we created some of my favorite photos to date. The staff of the asylum are always amazing, whom I shot with on the lobotomy table. One of the nurse/tour guides was holding the actual lobotomy stake inches from my face. They told me of a patient that was convinced she was the Queen of England. As they rolled me down the hall, tours were going on. I screamed at the innocent tour goers. "You should go to England and have some tea! It's right down the hall! They'd love to have you!"
Now after the lobotomy shoot, I collaborated with Twig Noir and a few photographers. I remember she was in the middle of a shoot and still helped me. Class act right here, ladies and gentlemen. I ran down to get her something for my accessory, when I saw a bird flying near the ceiling, down the hallway and into a room. I noticed the window that it got through and tried to get him to fly back through it. He ended up flying into a room, and getting stuck behind a cage window. I didn't know what to do. After a staff member saw my video of me apologizing to the poor bird on instagram (which has videos of my adventures throughout the asylum), they came to the room and released the bird. Setting it free! Oh what a relief.
eaching up for the power to climb down the stairs and out. She could barely walk at first on her own. Then. She remembered how everything worked.
Seth: The end of the shoot was almost here. Before we left the asylum, we had moved a bed for our final set. Our assistant was drawn into the room and Samantha had to lay on the bed. We performed a sort of sandman concept. Sprinkling gold onto her, wrapped in tulle and vines, covered in white flour. Sprinkling dreams into the ground. The last piece of glitter dropped to floor as my veins shivered from being wet and covered in flour in the basement of the main building. Samantha rose from the bed leaving a snow angel behind.
Destroy the walls that everyone built to hold you back, trapped. But you cannot help everyone, some forever remain, blinded by the predecessors of power.
Gena Appleby Photography
Seth: The immense amount of things that went into an intricate order on our travel home was the most intense part of this trip. Like a spider had trapped us in her web, but instead of eating us alive, taught us how to build a web of our own. As fast as her legs spun the magic home made of silk, was the journey throughout the asylum and back home. This is where things became a complete circle. What set whatever decided to come with…free. Said by Samantha Marie herself: "The drive from Weston to Chicago would be one of the rockiest rides any of us had ever experienced."
We left Tuesday morning, tired as all hell, with a long day of driving in front of us. Since none of us had obligations until Wednesday, we figured we could make the drive a little more fun by stopping a few places along the way to shoot.
The first place we stopped at was a beautiful park in West Virginia alongside a riverbend. By this time we recalculated our time route since it was so off coming in, that we agreed we didn't have as much time as we had planned to get home with enough time for a good night's sleep before we all resumed our working lives the next morning. Having been in dark and dormant rooms and hallways the last two days, the park was especially beautiful to us. We did a little 'gypsy romance in nature' shoot before headed back on the road.
From the ceiling down, everything begins to rain. Falling apart, as your mind remains innocent. With one thing on it. Happiness, beauty, money and that white flag of yours.
Wear it all. All at the same time. It's time to have a ball.
Seth: I, for one, had no particular desire to return home at all, as my life back home was in a heaped up mess when I took off for TALA. I had successfully forgotten about life outside of TALA for a few days, but reality was dawning hard when we packed up the car and began to head back. All three of us in the car could feel the pent-up exhausted energy and we rattled on for a while recounting the events and experiences we had all had during our time apart at TALA. One thing that we agreed on was that the feeling of dark energy still lingered there with us in the car. Something did not feel right.
Miranda was itching to stop at a pharmacy to buy some sandals. We decided to stop. Getting out of the car to stretch did not give us much peace, as that was the beginning of a whole new set of weird circumstances that would haunt us on the way home.
It's almost time to dance from beneath your blanket of white.
Samantha: By the time that Miranda and I picked up Seth in Chicago it was around 7pm. The shoot at Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum began with a check in time of 7:30am the following morning. We knew we'd be cutting it close with our late start due to work schedules, but still estimated we'd arrive in West Virginia around 2-3am which would give us at least a few hours to sleep. Well, that didn't happen. We ended up driving into the sunrise and at 7am arrived at the hotel. The alarms were set for 8, and we had one hour to sleep before the first day of our two-day shooting adventure at one of the most remarkable building structures in the world.
Into the rain of gold. Light the fire from beneath your feet, until they bleed.
Samantha: I could write an entire book about what the next three days had in store for us, and another on the experience of TALA herself as a historical landmark and of the energies that lived within. But to tell the story of how we ended up in Chicago contemplating about the effect the trip had on our lives personally, I will begin with where it all went wrong.
You lie and hope one last time that everything will be bare.
Samantha: Yes, it is to be expected to have some technology malfunctions at locations like abandoned insane asylums given all of the ghostly energies roaming about, but it was getting to the point of being obnoxiously ridiculous in our case. We were filming the final scene in Seth Nayes' short film "Wanderlost Asylum" in a room that was failing to cooperate with us. It was during the last time block of the day and we were hustling to stick to a strict time frame when Seth's camera stopped working and refused to record the scene we were trying to capture (which was in a room that had been used for solitary confinement). I waited in the corner of the room already in character as our photographer, Miranda Steingraber, and Seth were out in the hallway setting up the scene. The presences in that room felt suffocating. It was hard for me to tell how many there were, but it felt like people were standing all around me, hissing and cursing. After each take, the video would refuse to save. We were running out of time and becoming flustered with frustration. It was time to whip out some of the sage that I had brought for cases such as this when a little cleansing was needed. I smudged the room we were in and we tried one last time to film the scene. This time, it saved. Later, after we were out of the Asylum and back at the hotel was when the other failed attempts started to show up on the camera.
And would grow from beneath the ground and have every inch of sun touch your skin, while leaving the shadows. All you have to do is let go.
Samantha: We rushed to our next location in a different part of the building for our last set. From here out there was a string of strange occurrences that could have been either accounted for by lack of sleep, or something much more tricky. A dark closet called our assistant too close after pulling an old bed frame from the room next to it. She claimed to feel something rush out at her upon opening the door. Ultimately we were rushed to finish our set by lingering waves of dark energy that felt like mimicry which was felt by all of our crew members.
You L00k behind you to see your former innocence, blinded by what you've been told.
Samantha: The GPS brought us to incorrect locations once we were in the car. When back at the hotel, things continued to go awry. As everyone tumbled into the hotel room eager to unwind, I went back out to the car to get the sage so I could cleanse the room and all of us of any energy that was possibly brought back from the asylum. While back in the elevator, I had an image sweep across in my mind's eye of the entity that had been watching us during our final set. It looked like a janitor with a broom, but with a mouth of razor sharp teeth that smiled eerily at us while we were shooting. Then I heard physical voices in the elevator which sounded like my travel-mates. The only way I could explain this was that they were waiting for me outside the elevator? Our room was all the way down the hall, so surely that had to be it. When the elevator opened, there was no one there.
As the flowers finally bloom from your eyes. You see everything ahead, and how beautiful it is that you've have discovered everything that once had blinded you. They tried to take it from you. But it was yours all along.
Sometimes, it's right behind our eyes.
Samantha: As someone who does energy work and has experienced my own fair share of pesky entities, I knew there was one fucking with us. The drive from Weston to Chicago would be one of the rockiest rides any of us had ever experienced.
We left Tuesday morning tired as all hell with a long day of driving in front of us. Since none of us had obligations until Wednesday, we figured we could make the drive a little more fun by stopping a few places along the way to shoot.
The playground of your flag has been released, you can finally see it, cant you not?
Samantha: The first place we stopped at was a beautiful park in West Virginia alongside a riverbend. By this time we recalculated our time route since it was so off coming in, that we agreed we didn't have as much time as we had planned to get home with enough time for a good night's sleep before we all resumed our working lives the next morning. Having been in dark and dormant rooms and hallways the last two days, the park was especially beautiful to us. We did a little 'gypsy romance in nature' shoot before headed back on the road.
A snicker crawls from her nose. Then the echo of laughter sounds from down the stairs.
Samantha: A little ways down the road was a big sign that said "BATES." I remarked on this to Seth. "Oh great, and here we stop in a town with its own Bates Motel." He laughed and stayed outside to have a cigarette as the girls went inside. Inside, I am mindlessly drawn to the wall of magazines while I wait for Miranda, in particular an issue that was titled "End of the World". I tried to clear my head, but all of the magazines I had scanned had negative and scary titles to them. While waiting at the checkout, a man and his young daughter came into the store laughing. The man had said to the girl, "What was THAT?" It wasn't until after they walked down the aisle and I saw them gesture to the doors that they were referring to Seth outside in his cute little daisy dukes, fishnet stockings and messy hair. This irritated me further.
top toying with me and just tell me what you want to say!
SHHHHHHH.. Hush.
Samantha: Back outside, Seth was anxious to tell us about the woman that had randomly come up to the side of the pharmacy and began vomiting on the building. "What the hell is going on?" we all wondered, having a feeling that something strange was happening. We still needed to make it back home and we were still states away. We start the car, the gas light is on. We didn't realize that the gas gauge had gotten that low, so immediately we tried to find a gas station. We drove for a few miles before we found one.
Hey blind you once again. To toy with more, they leave the door open. Curious. What will she try next?
Samantha: Across the street from the gas station was an open grassy lot with two dozen giant white vases, at least 8 feet tall that were painted and arranged in a circle. While Miranda was pumping gas, Seth and I walked across the busy street to go and look at the vases. There was no sign explaining what they were or why they were there. The first one I was drawn to had the story of Noah and the end of the world on it. Beautiful, but strange and mysterious this random art placement was. We were admiring all of the work when Miranda joined us with unpleasant news. The gas pump had put $1 and some change into the car when it stopped and she went inside to talk to the gas station attendant. Although there was another car at another pump, the attendant told Miranda they were out of gas.
Samantha: We didn't believe this was truly the case, it seemed more like a juvenile prank that was being played on the gypsies that were passing through town with their wild clothing and all of the random props that filled up their trunk space. What could we do? We needed to find another gas station quick before we were in a situation where we ran out of gas in a city far from home after we'd already been spending our time at an abandoned asylum. But first, we made Miranda look around at all of the beautiful vases that were around us. Seth noticed that coincidentally there were three cinder blocks in different places between the vases in the circle. It seemed like the best idea to take a moment to ground ourselves while we were outside and before we tried to move on to our next destination. So each of us stood on a block, and we did just that.
Samantha: I can imagine how we must have looked like to the townspeople that were at the nearby mechanic, gas station and in their cars coming to the fourway stop right by the grassy lot that we were standing in, seeing three outsiders dressed in clothing that was far from the regular Tuesday attire in that small town in Ohio, standing completely still with their eyes closed in conjunction with the circle of art vases. By the time we were turning to cross the street and back to the car, everyone in the town was staring at us.
Samantha: I mean the mechanics had stopped what they were doing, the people at the gas station (that was supposedly out of gas at said point) people in the cars going by, all staring at us. Seth looks at me and says, "It's like 'they're here!'" I felt like the people at the end of the Langoliers saying "its the new people". We did make it to another gas station that was cool with serving us before we had run out of gas entirely.
Photographer: Miranda Steingraber — with Samantha Marie.
Take her mind, because she's already lost it.
Designer: Silversärk Clothier
Samantha: On the road again, something still lingered in the air and things didn't feel right. We were part of the mid-week semi truck traffic on the highway. In front of us, a semi began to drift into the other lane, causing the other truck to swerve and kick rocks up onto our windshield. I don't think I can forget Miranda's gasp, it sounded like my mom's the night we crashed our van. The trucks got back in line and we continued to keep breathing. This was not the kind of scare we were prepared for at this time.
Lobotomized
Samantha: This happened again a second time, with the semi's near collision on the highway in front of us. After the third time, all hell broke loose in the car. There was no way we could continue on the road in the state we were in with premonitions of semi's colliding in front of us. It was feeling way too real-life Final Destination for all of us, and then a rabbit ran across the road and Seth told us to follow it and pull over.
Samantha: Like with the vases in Ohio we thought it was best to stop for a while, an hour even if we had to, to get our shit together. And with all of the random and weird events that had already happened, it was the third time that day we were distracted from everything by something oddly beautiful. The turn we took following the rabbit was into a big arboretum.
Mister Sandman… haunt my dreams… Bum Bum Bum. Isn't she the cutest that you've ever seen?
Sleeping model: Samantha Marie
Samantha: The story of the arboretum is another book like Alice in Wonderland all in itself. For the sake of this blog, I will say that a separate blog will be written for anyone interested in hearing the story in its entirety, as I'm sure this is becoming quite long.
(~TUNE IN NEXT TIME, FOR THAT IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE STORY~)
Photographer: Brett Stoddart
Styling: Twig Noir
Samantha: After finally becoming comfortable in the feeling that we were grounded enough to continue, an hour later, yet still warily, we were en route once again. Before we saw the collision, I remember Seth commenting on an orange construction sign that had the number 3 on it. It was a small comment, but with it lingered the same feeling that we'd gotten all day since we left Weston. That something was wrong, something bad was going to happen, all at the same time we were being sidetracked to extremely beautiful locations like something was routing for us at the same time.
Samantha: There were two cars on the side of the road and a semi truck on the other, a collision of some kind had taken place. We all had similar remarks to make once we passed the accident site. Given the amount of time that we had stopped at the arboretum and how far down the road the collision was, it easily felt like had we not pulled over at the time that we had to follow that damn rabbit, one of those cars that the semi collided with could very well have been us.
Photographer: Erin Watson
Samantha: After this moment, the rest of the ride into Chicago went much more smoothly. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from the car. For the first time since driving in, we put the music on, rocked out and laughed.
Samantha: It was right before midnight on Tuesday when I sat in a chair at a small kitchen table next to my good friend and recent travel-mate for the previous four days, Seth Nayes, when we both looked at each other with pure exhaustion in our faces and I said, "To be honest, I didn't think we would make it back to Chicago alive." Seth looked back at me and agreed. "Neither did I." Although we laughed at the way the statement sounded, it was no lie. Our trip to TALA this year was nothing short of wonderful. And wonder for me consists of a lot of beautiful things and a lot of fearful and scary things. Our experience had a lot of both.
Come back soon..
Samantha: Life somehow seemed different by the time we got back to Chicago and were sitting in his kitchen. So much had happened in such a small amount of time, it was hard to get thinking straight again. The whole trip definitely served as a turning point in all of our lives. And we all had work in the morning."
Thank you Little Alice, for making it all possible.
Follow Samantha Marie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novasm06?fref=ts
Follow Seth Nayes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSOdfJj6hqq-iQ0BRm9pY2w
Follow Seth Nayes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seth-Nayes-Fan-Page/138945639493346
Follow Miranda Steingraber on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miranda.steingraber?fref=ts
Follow Twig Noir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twig.noir?fref=ts
Follow Acid Grave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acid.grave?fref=ts
Follow Brett Stoddart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photography.by.tidy?fref=ts
Follow Scott Detweiler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.detweiler?fref=ts
Follow Silversark on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silversarkwi
Follow Rachel Frank on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.frank.10?fref=ts
Follow Erica McKinney on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.drunkgypsy?fref=ts
Follow Elizabeth Noir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.noir.7?sk=wall
Follow Gena Appleby on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenaApplebyPhotography
Follow Erin Watson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinewatson?fref=ts
Follow Matt Moog on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.moog?fref=ts
Follow Little Alice on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRHNvaeW0WCmUIz-hHbSEQ
Read about the TALA 2013 caravan trip: http://cloudorchidmagazine.com/2013/05/14/trans-allegheny-lunatic-asylum-2013/
Read about the OSR 2013 caravan trip: http://cloudorchidmagazine.com/2013/05/13/the-ohio-state-reformatory-2013/
Tags: 2014, abandon, abandoned, allegheny, appleby, asylum, decay, Design, designer, designs, despair, envy, exploration, Fashion, frank, gena, ghost, halloween, haunted, haunting, horror, insane, insanity, lunatic, madame, marie, memoir, miranda, nayes, paranormal, photo, photographer, Photography, rachel, samantha, seth, silversark, steingraber, trans, urban, virginia, west. Bookmark the permalink.
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Next post Timothy Westbrook – Paleontology of a Woman → | They could feel the torture and anguish radiating from those still trapped inside the asylum. The lost souls, surprisingly, welcomed me back with open arms at first. But the more into the bowels of the building I traveled, the more things started to reveal themselves as less than cordial.
Photographer my gypsy soul mate Samantha Marie
Styling: Miranda Steingraber
For soon, she would become one with the earth. Far into the woods of her mind she would travel, even farther into beauty that grew, deep beneath the ground.
(On our way back we decided to talk to the mother.
Seth: I am proud to say that I collaborated with almost everyone on this trip. I also somehow managed to leave time for exploration in my jam packed schedule. I wanted to film and capture things by myself in addition to the photo shoots. I'm working on my first directed and produced short film from the entire journey actually entitled "WanderLOST Asylum." I'm still in the process of filming it, but the majority of the movie will be shots from the asylum itself. I hope to release the film sometime next year, hopefully before the snow seeps into the dirt.
Dancing alone eternally in the asylum was her newest soul. Because of those who thought they had the power of god, with a nail that drilled further than the final nail in your coffin.
Seth: During the first few moments of exploring, Sam and I wandered about, soaking in the dilapidated sites before our first shoot of the day. Little did we know that things we discovered on this trip would carry with us for the | 331 |
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Last-Minute Option Bulls Eye Battered Priceline Group Inc (PCLN)
Priceline Group Inc (PCLN) is leading travel stocks lower after the surprise "Brexit" result
Kirra Fedyszyn
PCLN
Travel stock Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) is joining a number of sector peers in falling sharply today, in the wake of the "Brexit" referendum results. At last check, PCLN has shed 9.1% to trade at $1,264.34, dropping into negative year-to-date territory.<|fim_middle|>ffer's Market Recap to get all the day's big stock movers, must-know technical levels, and top economic stories straight to your inbox. | Options traders don't seem to be giving in to fear, however, as many are picking up last-minute bullish bets.
PCLN calls are changing hands at four time their typical intraday rate, with more than 19,000 contracts on the tape so far. In fact, call and total options volume are on pace to finish the day in the top percentile of their respective annual ranges.
The most popular options so far today are the stock's weekly 6/24 1,310- and 1,300-strike calls, where it appears some traders are purchasing new positions. Buyers of these weekly calls are betting the shares will bounce back above the respective strike prices by tonight's close, when the series expires.
Heading into today's session, near-term options buyers have been getting a bargain, with PCLN's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 22% parked in the low 5th percentile of its 12-month range. But it looks like that may be changing today, as the stock's 30-day at-the-money implied volatility has spiked 36.5% higher to 29%.
A preference for calls has been the norm in PCLN's options pits lately. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 1.25 is higher than roughly two-thirds of the all readings taken in the last 52 weeks.
Outside of the options pits, skepticism remains. Whether pessimism picks up going forward remains to be seen, but a couple of key trendlines could come into play. On the one hand, Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) has fallen well below a recent foothold at its 40-day moving average; on the other, its 160-day trendline may be re-emerging as support.
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Kespry Announces Midsouth Aggregates, a Division of CRH, Transforms Mine Planning and Inventory Management with Kespry Drone-Based Aerial Intelligence Platform
Leading aggregates material provider streamlines<|fim_middle|>ries/mining-aggregates/ | mining operations with Kespry, making it more accurate, cost-effective and productive
MENLO PARK, Calif. – December 10, 2019 – Kespry, the leading drone-based aerial intelligence solution provider, today announced Midsouth Aggregates, part of North America's largest aggregate materials producer CRH, is using the Kespry drone-based aerial intelligence platform for inventory management and mine planning. With granite and limestone reserves located throughout Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, Midsouth Aggregates produces a variety of aggregate products destined for the concrete, asphalt, block, and precast industries, as well as base course material, fill products and general construction aggregates. The company also supplies concrete and asphalt sand, general construction sand and gravel. Some of its key clients include the Alabama Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Aviation Authority.
"Kespry's drones and software really sped up inventory management," said Jerry Adkins, Senior Production Manager, Midsouth Aggregates. "Kespry gave us a consistent measuring tool, whereas in the past we'd use other vendors who would do LIDAR and ground surveys. They would come on site, do the flights and it would usually take a couple of weeks to get the data. Then we'd have a different vendor come in later in the year using a different method for measuring. With Kespry, we brought it all in house and inventory management became something we could do monthly with more consistency and control. Now, we get real-time status of our sales yards and pits. We can calculate forecasted blast tonnages in Kespry and verify this with a flight of the muck pile once the shot is on the ground. This gives us an accurate read on our daily production. Kespry is the best innovation I've encountered in my 19-year career. It really makes our lives easier. I would recommend it to anyone. Everyone I've introduced it to has been blown away."
Midsouth Aggregates also uses Kespry for comprehensive short-term and long-term mine planning, including granular analysis of pits across its operations.
"Kespry gives us the ability to look at our pits in 2D and 3D," said Adkins. "The volumetric tools allow us to do short-term and long-term mine planning. As a mining engineer, I found that very useful. Kespry is very user-friendly so we've been able to train our plant managers to do the same type of planning. In the past, we'd have a mine planner doing that for us. So, that's improved the overall outlook of how they manage their pits."
"We're incredibly pleased to see how Kespry has helped Midsouth Aggregates optimize its inventory management and mine planning processes," said George Mathew, CEO, Kespry. "The Kespry aerial intelligence platform is purpose-built to seamlessly integrate with the complex workflows of companies like Midsouth Aggregates so they can rapidly benefit from real-time reporting and analytics. Accurately-calibrated production is critical to Midsouth Aggregates' success and Kespry consistently ensures its output is on track, mirroring its customers' requirements and expectations."
Kespry Cloud, which enables companies to access inventory management and mine planning data 24×7 on any device, has also played a major role in creating internal visibility and transparency at Midsouth Aggregates.
"The Kespry Cloud has been awesome," said Adkins. "I can look at all of our locations in one place and get fast access to all the data. It's a really great communication tool as well. We use it in meetings with upstream management, contractors and our hourly employees to show them mine plans and real-time photos."
To learn more, visit: www.kespry.com/aerial-intelligence/indust | 815 |
Gravemarking to honor Revolutionary War soldier
ZANESVILLE – A gravemarking ceremony to honor a Revolutionary War soldier on the 18<|fim_middle|> is descended from a son from Melick's second marriage.
Melick enlisted in the war effort in Pennsylvania and is credited with Patriotic Service, Sergeant, Private and Wagoneer, which means he transported provisions to the Army, according to DAR research.
Maple Hill Regent Janet Deaton will play host to the ceremony. The ceremony will include music by Muskingum DAR members Renee Shaw and Mary Graham. Others assisting will be the Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution color guard, as well as a troop of local Boy Scouts.
ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Twitter: @KL_Snyder
Read or Share this story: http://ohne.ws/RwcHCv | 0th anniversary of his death is s...
Gravemarking to honor Revolutionary War soldier ZANESVILLE – A gravemarking ceremony to honor a Revolutionary War soldier on the 180th anniversary of his death is s... Check out this story on zanesvilletimesrecorder.com: http://ohne.ws/RwcHCv
Kate Snyder Published 8:03 p.m. ET May 8, 2014
ZANESVILLE – A gravemarking ceremony to honor a Revolutionary War soldier on the 180th anniversary of his death is scheduled to take place Saturday at Mount Perry Presbyterian Church.
Janice McMillan, a descendant of the soldier, John Melick, helped to organize the event in conjunction with her local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as the Maple Hill Chapter of the DAR, which is located in Huntsville, Alabama.
The gravemarking will take place at 10 a.m.
Marking graves of Revolutionary War soldiers is a tradition for DAR chapters, McMillan said. Graves are marked of patriots who served, or provided aid, to the American Revolution war effort. Those patriots and the intent to mark their graves must be submitted to the National Society of DAR for approval. It can take a long time between researching the genealogy of patriots and approval for gravemarking, McMillan said.
"This has been a year in the process," she said.
Graves are marked with a plaque honoring the patriot's service to the revolution, McMillan said.
"It's important because it recognizes the service," she said.
Melick was born in 1753 in New Germantown, New Jersey, according to research compiled by members of the Muskingum County DAR. He married his first wife in 1778 and they had three children: Mary, William and Jane. McMillan is a descendent of William. Another member of the local DAR chapter, Karen Kopchak, also is descended from William, McMillan said.
Lisa Philippart, the descendent from the Maple Hill chapter who helped organize the event, | 443 |
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