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Residue 67 in the DRbeta10101 and DRbeta10103 chains strongly influences antigen presentation and DR-peptide molecular complex conformation. Two closely-related molecules, DR(alpha,beta10101) and DR(alpha,beta10103), whose beta chains only differ by three amino acids at positions 67, 70, and 71, and six intermediate molecules obtained by site-directed mutagenesis were used to ascertain the respective roles of the three polymorphic residues. Substitutions at positions 70 (D-->Q), 71 (E-->R) and 67 (I or L-->F) strongly affected HA 306-318-specific T-cell recognition. The consequences of the substitution of residue 67 by a phenylalanine depended on the modified HLA-DR molecule. Although this substitution completely inhibited peptide-specific DR1-restricted T-cell recognition, its manifestations on the DR103-restricted T-cell response were variable (abolishing proliferation of some cell lines and not others), no matter what the peptide presented was (HA 306-319 or HIV P25 peptides). We also observed that inhibition of the proliferation of an alloreactive anti-DR103 T-cell clone, caused by a substitution at position 70, was completely cancelled by substitution of residue 67 by a phenylalanine. The observations based on functional experiments, thus, suggest that residue 67 plays an important role in determining conformation of the peptide presented to the T cells. Molecular modeling was used to predict changes induced by amino acid substitutions and highly supports functional data. Substitution of residue 67 by a phenylalanine could have repercussions on the structure of HLA-DR molecule/peptide complexes and affect T-cell recognition.
Our Blog Hospitality Technology Features Pizza Ranch Case Study Pizza Ranch is a pizza, fried chicken and salad bar with 186 locations across the Mid-West. The company’s mission is to allows guests to enjoy the “Buffet Your Way” experience and order custom pizzas and non-buffet menu items without having to wait around for it. Those custom orders would be delivered directly to the table. This case study talks about the success Pizza Ranch had when they deployed a table locator system called Table Tracker. Table Tracker replaced the traditional table number and helped speed up food delivery and improve customer service. To read more about the Pizza Ranch’s story, click here.
PXL-2000 The PXL-2000 (also known as Fisher-Price PXL2000, Fisher-Price PixelVision, Sanwa Sanpix1000, KiddieCorder, and Georgia) is a toy black-and-white camcorder produced in 1987 that uses a compact audio cassette as its recording medium. The PXL-2000 was created by a team of inventors led by James Wickstead, who sold the rights to Fisher-Price in 1987 at the American International Toy Fair in Manhattan. Surviving on the market for merely a year, only around 400,000 units were ever produced, resulting in the PXL-2000's eventual present status as a sought-after cult object among many artists and media historians. Design The PXL-2000 consists of a simple aspherical lens, an infrared filter, a CCD image sensor, a custom ASIC (the Sanyo LA 7306M), and an audio cassette mechanism. This is mounted in a plastic housing with a battery compartment and an RF video modulator selectable to either North American television channel 3 or 4. A plastic viewfinder and some control buttons complete the device. A standard audio cassette tape stores both video and sound. The PXL-2000 holds 11 minutes of video by moving the tape at a high speed, nearly 9× normal cassette playback speed. The PXL records at roughly 16.875 in/s (429 mm/s), vs. a standard cassette's speed of 1.875 in/s (47.6 mm/s) on a C90 CrO2 (chromium dioxide) cassette. The higher speed is necessary because video requires a wider bandwidth than standard audio recording. (In magnetic tape recording, the faster the tape speed, the more data can be read/written per second, i.e. higher bandwidth.) The PXL-2000 records the video information on the left audio channel of the cassette, and the audio on the right. In order to reduce the amount of information recorded to fit within the narrow bandwidth of the sped-up audio cassette, it uses an ASIC to generate slower video timings than conventional TVs use. It scans the 120 × 90 pixel CCD 15 times a second, feeding the results through a filtering circuit, and then to a frequency modulation circuit driving the left channel of the cassette head, as well as to an ADC, which created the final image for viewing. For playback and view-through purposes, circuits read image data from either a recorded cassette or the CCD and fill half a digital frame store at the PXL reduced rate, while scanning the other half of the frame store at normal NTSC rates. Since each half of the frame store includes only in its 120 × 90 array, the same as the CCD, the display resolution was deemed to be marginal, and black borders were added around the picture, squashing the framestore image content into the middle of the frame, preserving pixels that would otherwise be lost in overscan. An anti-aliasing low-pass filter is included in the final video output circuit. Marketing and versions When the PXL-2000 was available in retail outlets, it came in two versions, one with just the camera and necessary accessories (power supply, blank tape, etc.), and another which came packaged with a portable black and white television that had a diagonal screen for use as a monitor. There were also extra accessories sold separately, such as a carrying case. The market success of the PXL-2000 was ultimately quite low with its targeted demographic, in part due to its pricing. Initially sold for $179 ($383 in 2017 dollars) and was later reduced to $100 ($214 in 2017 dollars), the PXL-2000 was expensive for a child's toy, yet found lasting minor success with a smaller pool of young video artists as a cheap alternative to more expensive handheld videocameras. Model #3300 PXL-2000 Camcorder PXL-2000 Camcorder Mini-bipod stand Video switch box Video cable One PXL-2000 audio cassette tape Instruction Booklet 6 "AA" Duracell batteries The original retail price of this package was about US$100. Model #3305 PXL-2000 Camcorder Deluxe System PXL-2000 Camcorder Mini-bipod stand Video switch box Video cable One PXL-2000 audio cassette tape Instruction Booklet 4.5" diagonal black and white TV (with AC adapter) 6 "AA" Duracell batteries The original retail price of this package was about US$150. Mechanical issues The PXL-2000 has several weak points. The most common fault is a decayed drive belt, common to most tape mechanisms of the 1980s, and fogged blue filters. The blue filter is a glass optical component that is fitted behind the lens to prevent infrared light from reaching the CCD and producing miscoloured images. They tend to become fogged in stored PXLs, possibly as a result of outgassing from the plastic components of the camera. This issue can be fixed by disassembling the camera, removing the blue filter, and cleaning it with a window cleaning solution like Windex. Many PXL-2000 cameras have also suffered damage from leaking electrolyte from old batteries, but this is usually not serious and can be easily repaired. Cameras left with tapes inserted for long periods of time may also need the tape path to be cleaned and a pinch wheel replacement. Revival The PXL-2000 has seen a revival in popularity since the early-to-mid 1990s among independent graphic designers, experimental/avant-garde, and underground filmmakers, due to its point-and-shoot simplicity and resonance within a deliberately amateur subculture. Since the PXL-2000 both breaks down easily and is past production, its use is aligned with a certain romanticized mortality, unfit for serious mainstream appropriation. Erik Saks writes that: "Each time an artist uses a PXL 2000, the whole form edges closer to extinction." In 1990, Pixelvision enthusist Gerry Fialka organized PXL THIS, the first film festival dedicated to projects shot exclusively on the PXL-2000. The festival continues to occur annually in Los Angeles, California. Recalling the PXL-2000's initial promise of accessibility, Fialka's vision includes accepting submissions indiscriminately, juxtaposing the works of established artists with those of amateurs and children. PXL-2000 cameras are still popular in the filmmaking scene—in fact, some individuals offer modifications for the PXL-2000 to output composite video, to interface to an external camcorder with a composite video in, or a VCR. The cameras themselves are still in demand, fetching prices as high as $500 on auction sites like eBay . Notable uses The PXL-2000 was used by Richard Linklater in his 1991 debut film, Slacker. A (roughly) two-minute performance art sequence within the film is shot entirely in PixelVision. Peggy Ahwesh's Strange Weather (1993) was shot entirely on a PXL-2000. This video, which follows several crack cocaine addicts in Florida, relies heavily on the camera's portability to maintain an intimate presence. Video artist Sadie Benning is among the most critically acclaimed pioneers of the PXL-2000, one of which was given to her by her father James Benning around the age of 15. Benning's early video diary works gained popularity in art circles, earning her a lasting reputation as an innovator, with an important presence in video art. Michael Almereyda used the camera for several of his films. Another Girl Another Planet (1992) and his short Aliens (1993) were shot with it entirely, it was used for point of view shots of the title character in Nadja (1994), and it was used by the title character to make video diaries in Hamlet (2000). The camera has also been used for several music videos, including "Mote" by Sonic Youth and "Black Grease" by the Black Angels. Artist John Humphrey's 2003 video, Pee Wee Goes to Prison is shot on a PXL-2000, employing a cast of dolls and other toys to stage the imaginary trial, incarceration, and eventual pardoning (by newly-elected president Jesse Ventura) of Pee-wee Herman for the sale of Yohimbe. The PXL-2000 was used by the characters Maggie (Anne Hathaway) and Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the 2010 film, Love & Other Drugs, although the black and white "footage" from the camera is shown at full film resolution. In 2018 Toronto Filmmaker Karma Todd Wiseman used a PXL to shoot key scenes with Canadian actress Cora Matheson on Dundas Street East and also used for mobile inside a Dodge Aries K car, the footage was processed with enhanced monochrome B&W FX, The custom PXL cam was fitted with windshield mount suction cups and painted with the red and white paint scheme of the Canadian flag. See also Mattel Vidster VCamNow References External links Fisher-Price PXL2000 in the Total Rewind museum of Vintage Video The original Manual to the PXL2000 High & Low Res .pdf Manuals for Download PXL-2000 Forum with Camera Modification Guides Category:Video storage Category:Camcorders Category:Products introduced in 1987 Category:Fisher-Price
"Hills and water make for a lovely scene mirrored in undulating waves of green." "Wafting in the air are melodies glad and the fragrance of beauties brightly clad." "The Jiangnan scholar, Tang Bohu by name, has no care for either fortune or fame;" "he only delights in poetry and song on his idyllic roamings all day long." "Make way...stand aside..." "Lady Hua is here to offer prayers." "They say her four maids are all beauties." "They say her four maids are all beauties." "Here they come." "It should be them." "Wow, how beautiful!" "Make way...stand aside..." "Stand aside..." "Madam, please take some tea inside." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes ma'am." "You should pray for Buddha's blessing too." "Come inside after you've finished." "Yes ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "Buddha on high, may the moon be ever constant, may flowers ever bloom," "may the beauties among those dressed in green be matched with imperial scholars." "May the moon be full and flowers bloom, may the pretty maid marry a handsome lad." "How dare you take advantage of our sister Autumn Fragrance!" "If our mistress finds out about it, she'll have you beaten for sure!" "Forget it." "Let's go." "I've seen countless lovely women, but never one such as stunning as she!" "Her movements so graceful, her almond eyes so beautiful and cold, so beautiful and cold." "Make way..." "Stand aside..." "Bring the palanquin over here..." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "Spring hills are her smiles, her brow speaks;" "autumn waters make her soul, jade her bones." "Let's go." "This smiling glance as she departs has sucked the scholar's soul away!" "His soul is flown, his soul is flown, the soul of Tang the scholar's flown!" "Chasing her to the river bank he sees the boat carry her away." "If only his own feet could turn into boats!" "Whose hand is it that casts the net?" "Whose back carries a load of leaves?" "Who carries the hoe smilingly?" "Who reads by lamp light until midnight?" "The fisherman it is who casts the net, the woodcutter it is who carries the load;" "the farmer carries the hoe smilingly, the scholar reads by lamplight till midnight." "Boatman, please row over here." "I need to borrow your boat at once." "What?" "My boat's not for borrowing!" "I need it to make my living." "If I lend it to you, what will I live on?" "Brother, I said "borrow" out of politeness." "Rest assured I'll pay for your services." "Please row over here at once." "Very well, I'm coming." "Please hurry up, would you?" "Take it easy." "What's the hurry?" "Wait till the boat pulls up." "There's no point being impatient." "Hop in." "Careful!" "Be careful!" "Look at you." "What's the hurry?" "It's no joke if you fall in." "Sit tight." "Sit tight." "Sorry." "I have urgent business." "I need to catch up with the boat ahead." "That's Lady Hua of Dongting Town, come to Hangzhou to offer prayers." "They're going back to Huqiu now." "Sir." "If not by day, I'll catch up by night." "Sit tight." "All right, all right." "Sir, are you related to the Huas?" "Yes." "You're related by marriage?" "I'm her nephew." "Oh, nephew." "Please hurry up." "Shall I sing for you, sir?" "You can sing?" "Of course." "Listen." "All right, all right." "Sing a bit more when we draw near." "Singing more means more tips!" "Very well." "As long as you sing well." "Thank you sir!" "But you have to sing the words I tell you." "As long as I'm paid, I'll sing anything!" "In which season do flowers bloom?" "Which flower is fragrant without pain?" "In spring the peach blossoms bloom red, a pity the spring breeze scatters them all." "In summer lotuses bloom in the pond, a pity all hollow are their stalks." "In winter the narcissus by hand is raised, a pity its beauty never last long." "Only the Autumn Fragrance of the osmanthus, neither hot nor cold, warms the breeze." "Night and day I think of Autumn Fragrance." "How can I not lose my soul, lose my soul?" "The boy is entreating at the bow, the girl is inside feeling annoyed;" "Autumn Fragrance is top of the household;" "who dares to call her repeatedly?" "Deliberately throwing out a basin of water, she opens the window to take a look -- and so falls into the scholar's trap which lures the goddess from her chamber." "It's the youth who knelt upon her skirt;" "unaware he's soaked through and through." "Feeling sorry, she smiles again." "Sir, it's raining." "It's raining?" "Here they come." "Here they come." "Here they come." "A hard trip, my dear?" "A safe one, by your grace, my lord." "Go inside for a rest." "Yes." "Greetings, mother-in-law." "At ease, at ease." "Where's Autumn Fragrance?" "She's taking care of the luggage at the pier." "Brother, she's still on the pier." "Bring it over." "That's the lot." "Ask them to carry it back." "Yes yes." "Quickly!" "Quickly!" "Miss Autumn Fragrance." "For sprinkling me with fresh dew" "I've come to express my thanks." "Go." "Sir, you can't just leave." "You haven't paid me yet." "How much do I owe you?" "How much?" "The boat fare, the singing, tea money..." "It's five taels exactly." "I was in such a hurry I forgot my purse." "What?" "Don't try to run!" "You'll be paid, don't worry." "I know you'll pay me." "So give me the money." "I've things to do." "Why don't we settle it in the teahouse?" "Sure." "As long as I'm paid, anywhere's fine." "Let's go." "You first." "It's not as if you can run away." "Go pawn this fan." "It should bring you 20 taels." "Sir, by the heavens, don't tease a simple man." "How can a fan be worth 20 taels?" "Don't worry." "Just go pawn it." "I'll be waiting here for you." "I need the change to pay the bill." "All right." "I'll give it a try." "Don't run away!" "If you run, I'll find you." "Fine." "Proprietor, please watch him for me." "If he runs, you'll have to pay me." "Who's there, acting so suspiciously?" "Are you trying to steal something?" "Come out." "What do you want?" "I... want to pawn this fan." "How can you pawn a fan?" "Please take a look first." "If it can't be pawned, just give it back to me." "It's not even ivory." "This fan's worth a lot." "How much do you want for it?" "Tw..." "Two.." "Twenty taels?" "Yes!" "Twenty taels!" "Write it down." "One fan, 20 taels." "It's really worth 20 taels!" "Old sir." "Who did the painting on this fan?" "Don't you know?" "The painting's by Tang Yin." "Tang Yin?" "Who's Tang Yin?" "Tang Bohu, the foremost scholar in Jiangnan." "What?" "He's Tang Bohu?" "Hey, don't you want your money?" "Oh, yes yes." "Bring me more of his paintings!" "No problem!" "He and I are pals!" "The threshold of nobility is hard to cross, meeting the beauty requires planning." "Loitering outside again and again, how does he open the Hua mansion doors?" "Disguising himself as a poor lad, he moans and groans, moans and groans." "Don't be crying here!" "This is the Grand Tutor's mansion." "Go away." "There's no need for that." "I'm going." "I'm going to the next world." "What grieves you so, little brother?" "I left my home to be with relatives, but met up with bandits instead." "My valuables have all been taken;" "how shall I continue my journey?" "I'm now in such dire straits, death is my only way out." "Come back, little brother." "You shouldn't think such dark thoughts." "There's always a way out." "I'm Wang Jun. We'll figure something out." "You seem a decent sort." "Are you educated?" "Yes, I've had a few years' schooling." "Good." "Let's have a talk." "Very well." "Please." "You're too young to think of death." "There's always a way to go on." "We're in need of a pageboy for day duty in the Grand Tutor's study." "Are you up to the job?" "Yes." "Thank you very much." "You need a guarantor." "Do you have one?" "where would one such as I find a guarantor?" "Then what shall we do?" "You need one for the Grand Tutor's mansion." "They won't take you on without a guarantor." "Uncle, you can be my guarantor." "Uncle, please accept my request." "Get up, get up." "T ell him to come in." "Yes, My Lord." "Come in." "His Lordship says yes." "Greetings, My Lord." "Greetings, My Lord." "You're Wang Jon's nephew?" "Yes, My Lord." "You may stand up." "Thank you, My Lord." "I'm taking you on as a pageboy to accompany my two sons in their studies." "You'll be Hua An." "How's 3 years at 50 taels?" "Thank his Lordship." "Thank you, My Lord." "Can you write out your own contract?" "Yes." "Take him out to write it." "Yes, sir." "Then give him 5 taels." "Yes, sir." "Hua Ping, take our new pageboy Hua An... to pay his respect to my Lady later." "How foolish is our scholar, selling himself to the Grand Tutor!" "For the sake of pursuing a beauty, he's forgotten all complications!" "He knows one daughter-in-law's father, and is nephew to another's mother." "If they see Tang Bohu here, how will he explain it all?" "Hua An, I hear my Lord thinks highly of you." "Serve well and you'll be rewarded." "Thank you, My Lady." "Take Hua An to see my daughters-in-law." "Yes, Ma'am." "Haven't I seen him somewhere before?" "Brother Hua An, let's go." "Thank you, My Lady." "In the West Wing, the 2nd Lady ponders:" "Autumn Fragrance told me this morning she met a suitor at Huqiu whose description matches that" "of my cousin Tang Bohu." "My cousin has always been a ladies' man." "Might father-in-law's new pageboy turn out to be him?" "If it's him, it'd be awkward for me." "If it's really him" "I'll unmask him and tell him to go home." "One obstacle after another, about to meet his cousin in the West Wing." "She's not one to be dealt with so easily;" "how will he get through, get through?" "Last year I declined to give her a painting and she must bear me a grudge still;" "if only she wouldn't summon me" "I'll offer prayers and incense!" "Second Lady." "What is it?" "The new page Hua An pays his respects." "Send him in." "2nd Lady, whenever male servants came you never saw them before." "This is an exception." "I want to see what he looks like." "Yes ma'am." "Hua An." "Come upstairs." "Hua An, pay your respects to the 2nd Lady." "Greetings, 2nd Lady." "How ill mannered!" "Kneel down!" "Kneel closer." "Moon, you may go now." "Yes, my Lady." "Hua an, are you a native of Suzhou?" "Yes." "But I'm from the countryside." "I'm not asking where you live." "What's your real name?" "Kang Xuan." "Shiftiness is a common problem." "It's a problem with you too." "Stand up and answer me." "I dare not." "I give you permission." "Thank you, Second Lady." "You're so young." "Why come here to be a servant?" "Second Lady, I beg your indulgence." "You're pathetic, Hua An." "I know what you came here for." "Autumn night, "Fragrance" of lotuses." "It's a virtue to help others in their quest;" "A Grand Tutor's house is no trivial place, with rules that are strict and harsh." "The osmanthus' fragrance is unattainable." "You should know that and retreat." "You cause me to lose face as well by being a slave rather than a scholar." "You always were clever, cousin." "You saw through at once my purpose here, and disclosed in a line of verse that I came for Autumn Fragrance." "I wish you could lend a helping hand." "I beg of you, Second Lady." "Lady, you are so magnanimous, you will forgive where I was wrong." "I'll do a painting for you next year." "If you want 4 panels, I'll do 8!" "Who needs you to paint?" "Who needs 8 panels?" "I only want you to go home." "I don't want you to drag me into trouble." "Don't worry, Second lady." "I won't get you involved." "As long as you don't give me away" "I'll go once I marry Autumn Fragrance." "The First Young Master is a boor," "and the Second Young Master's silly." "They care nothing for books and learning, but laze around the livelong day" "having dreams about Autumn Fragrance." "You think of her and so do I, we think of Autumn Fragrance night and day," "every moment we think of Autumn Fragrance." "Do you know him, brother?" "He's the replacement teacher?" "He's not dressed like a teacher." "He's wearing servants' clothes." "I'll go ask him." "Where are you from?" "I'm from where I'm from." "You're from where you're from?" "What have you come here for?" "I'm here to accompany you two Young Masters." "So you're here to teach us the classics?" "I'm not here to teach you the classics, but if you want me to do so," "I'd be happy to oblige as well." "Brother, come here." "We were fooled." "He's the new pageboy." "How dare you, you rude servant!" "I'm the First Young Master of the house!" "Where are your manners?" "I'll teach you a lesson." "Damned slave!" "You dare hit my brother?" "I'll show you!" "Brother, you hit me instead!" "Sorry!" "Sorry!" "Young Masters, His Lordship bid me come." "My name's Hua An, I'm here to attend you in your morning sessions in the Study." "Hua An, what can you do in the Study?" "I can do a lot." "Really?" "Do tell." "I can play music, I can burn incense," "I can play chess and write literature." "I can also make verse and play the piece "Phoenix Seeking Mate"." "I can paint landscapes and portraits." "I can play various wind instruments." "I can tell fortunes, and lastly," "I can steal the hearts from women." "How multi-talented!" "If you can tell fortunes, can you tell what's my heart's secret?" "Your heart's secret is..." "Tell me." "The First Master has Fragrance in his heart." "Fragrance is on his lips, and in his dreams." "You really are psychic!" "What about me?" "What's in my heart?" "The 2nd Master also thinks of Fragrance." "Right again!" "Who's this Fragrance?" "The one you think of is Autumn Fragrance." "Willows brush the cheek in the spring breeze, butterflies flutter by in pairs;" "the good times and years pass by, and I've yet to meet the perfect man." "I waste my youth in the kitchen, dreaming of the bridal dress." "A pomegranate that no one admires," "I can only sigh and pity myself." "Sister Pomegranate, what's the matter?" "I feel stressed." "Hasn't Hua Ming been to see you today?" "Who cares if he comes or not?" "You don't mean that!" "Pomegranate, I've something to tell you." "His Lordship's hired a new pageboy, Hua An." "He's very handsome and talented!" "Really?" "I'd like to see what he's like." "Where did you see him?" "When he paid his respects to our 2nd Lady." "They talked for ages, and even our 2nd Lady was no match for him." "He must be someone of great learning." "What did they talk about?" "T ell me." "I couldn't understand any of it." "It was all very literary stuff," "I didn't understand a word." "Sister Moon." "Brother Hua Ming." "You're here." "Pomegranate's been thinking of you." "Here's some fabric I bought for you." "Do you like it?" "No." "Look, it has a beautiful pattern." "Greetings, teacher." "I'm sorry to have been ill for a while, but I've read over your compositions." "I see great improvement." "Congratulations!" "I must let your father read them to show him how hard you've worked." "Teacher, it's enough you've read them." "There's no need to bother father just in case he gets angry." "He'll be only happy to see your progress;" "why would he be angry?" "And it'd also show I'm teaching you well." "The Grand Tutor arrives." "Thanks for coming all this way." "Welcome." "Please sit down." "Greetings, father." "Your Excellency!" "How are you?" "Why not take more rest?" "You are too kind, Sir." "I dare not leave off their studies." "It's the autumn season once again." "I expect Sir would feel inspired to drink and verse to the moon." "I'm getting too old for that." "The moon prompts the desire for reunion, in age a person feels sentimental." "It's all to do with age." "One can't help it." "I'm happy to have hired a new pageboy today." "This one." "He's quite gifted." "A pity he's fated for a life of servitude." "Teacher, why not test his literacy?" "Then you'll see if he's talented or not." "It's enough that you've already tested him, Sir." "Go on." "Have a go." "Yes sir." "Listen." "I await your instruction, Teacher." "Now that it's autumn, travelers are easily touched." "The first line of the couplet I set is:" "Hills and rivers welcome travelers' dreams." "The second line is:" "Chopping blocks and pestles sound the autumn." "What do you think, Teacher?" "Exact, literary, and quick!" "Nightingales' speech in the scented garden, sounds of laughter wafts on the breeze;" "in the study, three scholars are distraught at not glimpsing her fragrant shadow." "You're the newly-arrived Hua An?" "I am indeed." "As I am new," "I don't know the way, and took the wrong turn going to the big kitchen for water." "I'm sorry to bother you." "Don't stand on ceremony." "There's water in this small kitchen too." "Come." "Come." "Next time you can get water here." "It's all the same." "Come." "Sit down." "I'll draw water for you." "Sitting down and scrutinizing him, seeing he is so refined," "it seems such a perfect match, an unmissable match made in heaven." "Brother Hua An, sit here a while." "Sister, please draw the water quickly." "I don't want the Teacher to wait." "Sit down, and I'll draw water for you." "Very well." "Thank you, sister." "Don't forget me." "You'll have to come visit." "Certainly." "I'll come visit you." "Hua An, promise me you'll come visit." "Yes." "I'll do so." "Autumn Fragrance, I'm so fortunate to bump into you again here." "Who are you?" "Don't block my way." "Don't you recognize me, sister?" "Sister..." "Sister..." "You're here in the Grand Tutor's Mansion, surely you know the household rules?" "If you persist in blocking my way," "I'll go tell the Lady of the House, and she'll have you given 300 strokes!" "For you, sister, I'd be happy even to die." "What are a few strokes to me?" "But meeting up with you again today," "I must beseech you for a promise." "Who are you?" "Tell me your real name." "Tang Bohu, from Suzhou's Peach Blossom Dock." "If you're Tang Bohu, what are you doing here?" "Sister," "Three smiles at Huqiu locked me in love," "Three locks of love shackling my soul." "One smile when we met at the temple," "One smile when we met at the temple, a second when I was at the boat's bow, a second when I was at the boat's bow, a third smile at the town of Dongting." "a third smile at the town of Dongting." "I sold myself to the Grand Tutor's House, as three locks of love have shackled me, and only the shackler can set me free." "The first smile was unintentional, the second betrayed no love;" "the third smile was at your foolishness, an aimless youth away from his books." "You fancy yourself a lover, but I'm not a girl of easy virtue." "I'm Tang Bohu of Jiangnan, the foremost scholar of the land." "Mistake me not for a wanton man, my love for you is sincere." "If Tang Bohu of Jiangnan would rather be a servant than a scholar, it was not by my purpose or intent to shackle you with locks of love." "Sister, don't shirk responsibility." "Your three smiles came from the soul;" "with the feeling contained in those 3 smiles, how could I not have fallen in love?" "This is the crucial juncture of love." "He professes to be a foremost scholar, but the truth remains to be seen." "I'll play along for the while." "Brother Tang." "Sister." "If you have love to express to me, don't let anyone else know." "Yonder is a firewood store, we can discuss it over there." "Sister!" "Sister!" "Not so loud!" "Someone's coming." "Sister." "Sister." "Teacher, you've worked hard for years to bring my sons to this point." "I've prepared a feast to express my thanks." "It's by heaven's and Your Lordship's grace." "I've done nothing." "Thank you, My Lord." "Please." "My sons." "I've seen your recent progress." "It's all thanks to your teacher." "Not so." "Not so." "Give a toast to your teacher." "Teacher." "Teacher." "It's all down to your own hard work." "You'll be surpassing your teacher." "You have bright futures ahead." "As you've toasted your teacher," "I should give a toast to you in return." "Teacher, you're too modest." "You don't need to toast them." "You two toast the teacher again." "Yes, father." "Teacher." "Thank you, my teacher." "Hua An, Hua Xian." "Yes, My Lord." "Move a seat to the east window." "Yes sir." "Hua Ping, Hua Jie." "Yes, My Lord." "Move a seat to the west window." "Yes sir." "Brother." "Now that your writing's improved," "I want to test it for myself." "If you do well, I'll reward you." "If not, you'll have to copy out the classics." "If I find you've been cheating the teacher," "I'll deal with you as per family rules!" "Father, I haven't finished dinner yet." "You can finish it after you're done writing." "Even half a composition is acceptable." "I wish to see if your writing style matches what you submitted to teacher." "Father, may I write it tomorrow?" "Nonsense!" "Come!" "Beat him!" "Don't be angry, Your Excellency!" "You two mustn't disobey your father." "Don't worry." "You can do it." "One to the east window, one to the west." "Yes sir." "Hua An, come." "Grind the ink." "Hua An, come grind the ink." "Oh!" "Hua An, serve the drinks." "Yes, My Lord." "Teacher." "Your Excellency!" "Let them write." "Let's have a drink." "You're too kind." "Please!" "Teacher, please check my sons' writing." "Excellency!" "It seems from this the other compositions were by another hand!" "Teacher, who do you think it was?" "Obviously their wives." "I doubt it." "My daughter-in-law may be well-educated, but my household rules are strict." "They'd never dare." "That's right." "Tell me now!" "Who was it?" "Come!" "Yes, My Lord." "Beat them!" "Yes, My Lord." "Father, don't beat me." "Hua An did it." "Hua An wrote the compositions for us." "Please forgive me, My Lord." "It was the young masters' own task." "How dare you cheat His Lordship?" "My Lord." "Seeing the young masters waste away over a couple of compositions," "I made bold to do it for them." "Please punish me instead of them." "Very well." "Get up, all of you." "Thank you, My Lord." "My Lord, he admits writing the pieces." "What an insult to your sons!" "Do you believe it, on his word alone?" "You're right." "Hua An." "Here, My Lord." "The Teacher doesn't believe you did it." "Are you up to being tested?" "Indeed I am, My Lord." "Teacher, please." "Big words indeed!" "Listen carefully." "Teacher, teacher..." "Anger wells up within my breast," "I'm willing no longer to stay;" "my leave I shall take from the Grand Tutor, to spend my last years in the country." "The sun and moon rise and set, but my dream of love's yet unfulfilled;" "an entire month has passed me by, but of my love, there's still no trace." "My daily task is to accompany fools, unable am I even to be upset;" "for my love's sake must I bear it;" "when shall my love be requited?" "En garde!" "Brother, look." "You messed up the paper." "What shall we do?" "Don't worry." "Give it to me." "Hua An." "My brother... you..." "Let me add a few strokes and it will become a painting." "Wow, Hua An, you're marvelous!" "What a painter you are!" "This isn't a large pigeon." "This is a small pigeon." "How clever you are." "Can you do portraits?" "If my two young masters desire," "I can do the Two Immortals." "Yes, yes." "Wow, extraordinary!" "Two people!" "Give it to me, I'll keep it." "Brother, it's mine." "I got it first, it's mine." "What are you fighting over?" "It's a painting." "Show it to me." "Who painted it?" "What do you think of it?" "Who painted it?" "Hua An painted it." "What do you think?" "I'll show it to the Lady of the House." "Brother Hua An painted it." "The Lady will definitely like it." "Give back to me." "It's mine." "It's my paper." "Can't I show it to My Lady first?" "Can't I show it to My Lady first?" "You go have some snacks." "My Lady, look." "Hua An painted it." "It's better than even Tang Bohu's." "These Two Immortals are very well done." "Amida Buddha." "They're Han Shan and Shi De." "Mother-in-law, look again carefully." "Why does Han Shan look like my elder son, and Shi De like my younger son?" "Hua An is an ungrateful wretch." "You and father-in-law treat him so well, tasking him to accompany the Young Masters, and he caricatures them in this painting!" "The hawk means one of them is hawkish, and the pigeon means the other's brainless." "He's clearly making fun of your sons." "How dare he?" "I must punish him severely." "Yes." "Winter Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "Tell the slave Hua An to come here." "Yes, My Lady." "Hurry up!" "Yes, Ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "Prepare to beat him as per family rules!" "Yes, Madam." "My Lady." "Hua An is here." "Greetings, My Lady." "Hua An, your hawk and dove painting obviously pokes fun at the young masters!" "My Lady, I had no such intention." "The painting is not yet finished." "I'd meant to include a poem, but just as I wrote the 4 head words" "Winter Fragrance came while I washed hands and insisted on bringing it to you." "I couldn't stop her in time." "My Lady, it's your slave's fault for making you angry." "I see. 2nd daughter-in-law," "I knew he wouldn't be so ungrateful." "Hua An." "Hua An." "Yes." "You said the painting's complimentary." "So what poem were you going to put in?" "If it's laudatory, I'll forgive you." "If not, you'll get a good beating." "Yes, Ma'am." "Please listen:" "The hawk wins honour before the arrow, the pigeon carries the martial word;" "this soaring painting traverses the house, in praise of the two young masters." "Very good." "Mother-in-law..." "Very good, 2nd daughter-in-law." "Hua An." "Yes, My Lady." "You have some wit in turning satire to praise and avoiding punishment with sophistry." "But you must paint the bodhisattva Guanyin as recompense." "Are you willing?" "I am, My Lady." "Mother-in-law, let them arise." "All rise." "Yes, My Lady." "Thank you, My Lady." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Mother-in-law, the portrait needs a pure and chaste person to grind the ink." "Who do you think is purest?" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, Madam." "Go grind ink in the East Hall." "No one must disturb you." "Yes, Ma'am." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Thank you, My Lady." "So ill-mannered!" "You should thank the Lady." "Together we go to the East Hall, the girl of my dreams before me;" "thanks to my cousin's help," "I can now reveal my heart to her." "Thank you, Sister Autumn Fragrance." "That day you locked me in the wood store" "till the sun set in the west," "I started hallucinating;" "you mistook me for a scoundrel." "For you I became a servant;" "how would I be insincere?" "My only wish is to marry you;" "I'd formally send a go-between." "Who are you asking to paint this?" "I'm asking you." "Is that how you address me?" "I'm not a painter by trade." "Brother Hua An, please paint it for me." "I'm not Hua An." "I'm Tang Bohu." "Why don't you call me Brother Tang?" "Are you painting or not?" "The wine's too much." "Sit here." "I'll sit wherever I want." "Sister, sister why are you so wary of me?" "You're a tiger and a wolf, the way you frighten me so;" "If you persist in pestering me," "I'll report you to Her Ladyship." "Sister, don't go." "I'm not leaving." "Just paint." "I ponder as I grind the ink:" "how many would pursue me like that?" "He claims to be Tang Bohu, but I suspect he's a fake." "His poetry and paintings are good, a scholar like him is hard to find;" "If he really is Tang Bohu, it would be a match made in heaven." "Sister, please come here." "What do you think of this painting?" "What is the meaning of this?" "I became a pageboy because of you." "How could you do this?" "Sister, don't worry." "There's a poem here," "The Moon Over the West River." "Every word and line hides my meaning." "Sister, I painted it for you." "Are you all done?" "Yes." "Ah, Brother Hua An!" "It's been days!" "I miss you so much!" "I knew you wouldn't forget me." "You've come to see me today?" "Come, come." "Let's sit inside." "Thank you, sister." "The young masters ordered me here to fetch ginseng for My Lady." "I can't stay." "Lucky for you to bump into me, or you'd have come in vain." "Today's the 15th." "My Lady's gone to prayers." "Only Autumn Fragrance is left behind." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "How bold!" "Don't you know the household rules?" "How dare you come into the inner hall?" "Don't be angry, sister." "The young masters ordered me to get ginseng." "Ginseng?" "Her Ladyship's not back yet." "Come back later." "It's a heaven-sent opportunity!" "We can declare our love for each other." "Please give me something as a token." "Ridiculous!" "I never promised you a token!" "Your three smiles were promise enough." "Sister, please marry me." "If you want me to marry you, first you have to answer a riddle." "What riddle?" "Please tell me." "If you get it, you'll know if I'm willing." "Tell me then." "May we be lovebirds in the sky, and intertwined branches on earth;" "the hands know the will of the heart, the wish for a faithful love." "You guessed wrong." "All knowing in heaven and on earth, the gods cannot be deceived;" "the hands know that the heart is true, the truth cannot be revealed in words." "Oh, so I got it wrong?" "Mmm." "I give you another riddle." "All right." "When My Lord and Lady return, your bottom will get 300 strokes!" "Excellent!" "We think alike, you and I." "Let's elope." "Then let it be at midnight." "We'll seal our love in the rear garden." "You're a real loverboy!" "Oh!" "We'll seal our love in the Peony Pavilion." "You guessed wrong again." "Autumn Fragrance." "First Young Master." "Autumn Fragrance." "Young master, what are you doing here?" "I'll go if you'll give me a kiss." "Young Master, Her Ladyship's not back yet." "I can't possibly do that, I can't!" "If you won't, then I shan't leave." "Autumn Fragrance, don't go!" "Autumn Fragrance, give me a kiss." "First Young Master, tonight at midnight wait for me in the rear garden." "I'll give you a kiss then." "Very well." "You can go." "But give me a kiss now." "At midnight." "Please go." "Promise me you'll be there." "What shall I do?" "Why do they all take advantage of me?" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Second Young Master, what are you doing here?" "Young Master, My Lady's still at prayers." "She'll be back soon." "I know, Autumn Fragrance." "I'm a simple man, I don't have fancy words." "If you'll be mine," "I can abandon it all!" "Money, my wife," "I'll leave it all!" "I'll elope with you!" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Second Young Master, how could you?" "Everything I said is from the heart." "Autumn Fragrance." "Young Master, tonight at midnight we'll meet in the Peony Pavilion." "Very well, Autumn Fragrance." "Go now." "I'll wait for you at the Peony Pavilion." "Sister, Her Ladyship is back." "Your ladyship." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "I want you to make preparations for tonight." "I'm burning incense in the Peony Pavilion." "My Lady." "You've just offered incense." "Why do so again?" "It's cold at night in the garden." "Why not rest and do it another day?" "You forget it's the 15th today?" "The weather's neither hot nor cold." "Perfect for being in the garden." "Winter Fragrance, you help her prepare." "You two shall accompany me tonight." "Yes ma'am," "What shall I do now?" "Strange." "The First Young Master's here." "Autumn Fragrance, you fooled me again." "Careful, Your Ladyship." "Take care." "Can you see the way, ma'am?" "I can't see too clearly." "I'll go bring a lantern." "No need." "Winter Fragrance, take care of My Lady." "I'll go fetch the lantern." "All right." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "Let me go." "Sister Autumn Fragrance, you fooled me again." "Let me go!" "Promise me, Autumn Fragrance, you'll never fool me again." "I'll only agree to marry Tang Bohu!" "Thief!" "Thief!" "Go." "You beasts!" "Your ladyship." "Kneel down, you beasts!" "Kneel down!" "Kneel down!" "You two beasts will be the death of me!" "Don't be angry, mother." "Autumn Fragrance fooled me!" "She's the cause of trouble!" "If you two hadn't tried to seduce her, why would she want to fool you?" "Daughters-in-law, you may go upstairs." "Yes ma'am." "The more I see of these unfilial sons, the angrier I get." "Keep them on a tight leash from now on." "Please don't let father-in-law know, or he'll be furious." "You're right, first daughter-in-law." "Listen, all of you." "No one is to speak of what happened." "Anyone who does will be punished." "Yes ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "You're at fault too, fooling your masters." "I shall have to have you beaten." "Your Ladyship, I..." "All rise." "Greetings, Grand Tutor." "I am Zhu Zhishan." "There's no need for that, Mr Zhu." "I'm retired; don't stand on ceremony." "Please take a seat." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Well." "T o what do I owe the pleasure?" "I've come to visit on two accounts." "First, Tang Bohu's been missing for months." "I can't find him anywhere." "I passed by Dongting Town today, and recalled that you're related to him." "May I ask if you know his whereabouts?" "Tang Bohu's too proud of his talents." "Although I'm related to him, our paths have never crossed." "I wonder though why he's missing?" "My 2nd daughter-in-law never mentioned it." "I'm at a loss myself." "I fear he may have had some accident." "That's why I came to pay my respects, and also to enquire about Tang Bohu." "For the latter purpose, what can you tell me?" "I heard you recently engaged a pageboy who's most gifted at poetry and painting, more so indeed than the likes of myself." "I came to see if this was indeed the case." "I came to see if this was indeed the case." "That's easily done." "Come!" "Yes sir." "Bring Hua An to pay his respects." "Yes, My Lord." "Brother Hua An." "What is your pleasure, My Lord?" "Mr Zhu here has heard of your fame." "Come pay your respects." "It's just as I expected!" "What is it, Mr Zhu?" "Your Excellency!" "Your servant's indeed a cut above the rest." "I compliment you on your choice." "I must beg my leave now." "Why the hurry to go?" "I've prepared a feast to welcome you." "Thank you so much, Excellency, but I have a boat to catch, as I must still look for Tang Bohu." "In that case, let me see you off." "There is no need, sir." "What host would not see off his guest?" "My Lord, allow me to do so for you." "That's right, your servant may do it." "I was just about to request a poem of him." "Hua An." "Yes, My Lord." "See Mr Zhu off on my behalf." "As you wish, My Lord." "Goodbye, Your Excellency!" "Goodbye." "Mr Zhu's returned!" "Mr Tang, Mr Zhu has found him." "Brother Zhu, you knew all along." "You can't hoodwink me." "The boatman told you?" "Tang, I have a cunning plan to help you trick the old man." "Thank you for your help." "How dare he?" "How dare he?" "I welcomed Zhu Zhishan courteously, but he dares to entice my pageboy!" "Does he think that in my household there's no suitable match for you?" "How did you reply to him, Hua An?" "I said, Mr Zhu had a point, but My Lord treats me extremely well." "I could not leave without a farewell." "You replied well." "Mr. Zhu said..." "Don't call him "Mister"!" "Call him by name!" "The rascal!" "Yes, My Lord." "Zhu Zhishan said I was a fool." "If I missed the chance to run away with him," "I'd never have the chance to get back home." "I'd have to be a servant all my life." "Hua An, don't fall for it." "He's just a low-ranking official." "How many maids can he afford?" "How can his household compare with mine?" "I'd thought that you might want a wife." "I'll assemble all the maids in the hall, and you may have your pick." "How's that?" "Your Lordship is too kind to me." "Hua An, from now on you'll be teaching here." "I'll have my sons address you differently." "They'll address you as "Teacher"." "You're too kind, My Lord." "Tell the butler to prepare for the wedding." "Once Hua An makes his choice, he'll marry." "Yes sir." "Fair Jade." "Lotus Fragrance." "Winter Fragrance." "Jade Ring." "Every girl is fair of face, every girl is fine of figure." "But I don't have the good fortune to spend my life with any of them." "Don't forget me, Hua An." "Sister." "You're already spoken for." "Thank you, Brother Hua An." "I wouldn't dare take another's love." "I know who you'll pick." "Sister Pomegranate." "What about me..." "My Lady, Hua An hasn't picked anyone." "Would you bear to let Autumn Fragrance go?" "No." "I can't bear to be parted with her." "Mother-in-law, ask Autumn Fragrance if she's willing or not?" "Mmm." "Autumn Fragrance, what's your desire?" "Slowly pacing her lotus steps, blushing, heart beating wildly, in shyness and glad beauty" "she takes the seal with joy and fear." "My dear." "It's a present the 2nd lady gave me." "Is it a key?" "It's the key to the rear gates." "2nd Lady, you've helped me till the end." "You really are a good cousin to me." "Mr. Tang, you're here." "The boat's ready." "Mr. Zhu, here they come." "Come, come." "Tang, the cunning plan's succeeded!" "All thanks to you, Brother Zhu." "Come aboard." "My dear." "Congratulations to you both." "Glad to be united at last, together they return home." "The fine romance of the three smiles will be passed on for all posterity."
239 P.2d 723 (1952) 56 N.M. 31 FIELD et al. v. TURNER et al. No. 5448. Supreme Court of New Mexico. January 7, 1952. Reese, McCormick & Lusk, and Eugene C. Paine, all of Carlsbad, for appellants. Hervey, Dow & Hinkle, and Charles R. Brice, all of Roswell, for plaintiffs-appellees. James T. Jennings, Roswell, R.H. Wills, J.P. Greve, Tulsa, Okl., for third party defendants-appellee. McGHEE, Justice. The appellants, except Turner, seek the recovery of an undivided one half interest in a half section of land in Lea County which their late father, Elvis W. Bullock, and his wife, while the former was insane, conveyed to H. Field for its full value on June 3, 1936, without the exercise of coercion or undue influence on the part of Field. The father continued to be insane until his death on April 27, 1942. At the time of the above transaction Field also purchased the other half interest from its owner. Field promptly filed his deeds for record and went into actual possession of the land and he in his lifetime, and his heirs since then have continued in the peaceful, actual and adverse possession thereof, timely paying all taxes assessed against it. The Mid-Continent Petroleum Corporation has an oil and gas lease on the tract from the Field heirs, and Turner has an oil and gas lease executed by the sons and daughters of Elvis W. Bullock on fourtenths of the minerals. On May 2, 1950, the Field heirs filed suit to quiet their title to the land as against the Bullock heirs and Turner. On June 15, 1950, such defendants, joined by Don G. McCormick as guardian ad litem for Deward Bullock, son of Elvis W. Bullock, who has been insane since, at least, prior to the death of his father, disaffirmed the deed from their father and mother to Field, tendered back the consideration, less rents and profits, and asked that they be allowed 724 to recover the interest in the land which would have gone to them on the death of their father. The sole questions in this appeal relate to our limitation statutes. The parties agree that the deed of an insane person is voidable and not void, but they disagree as to the applicable statute and when it started running, the appellants contending the ten-year statute, Sec. 27-121, 1941 Compilation (before the 1947 amendment) governs and that it, except as to the insane appellant, started running on the death of the grantor. The guardian ad litem says as his ward was insane at the time of the death of his father, limitations never started running against him. The appellees contend the four-year statute, Sec. 27-104, 1941 Compilation, controls, but if it be determined the ten-year statute applies the claim was barred at the time of the filing of the cross-complaint for the reason limitation began to run at the time of the filing of the deed to Fields for record and his entry into possession of the property, and that the insanity of Deward Bullock cannot be tacked to that of his father so as to suspend the operation of the ten-year statute. These statutes read as follows: "No person or persons, nor their children or heirs, shall have, sue or maintain any action or suit, either in law or equity, for any lands, tenements or hereditaments, against any one having adverse possession of the same continuously in good faith, under color of title, but within ten (10) years next after his, her or their right to commence, have or maintain such suit shall have come, fallen or accrued, and all suits, either in law or equity, for the recovery of any lands, tenements or hereditaments so held, shall be commenced within ten (10) years next after the cause of action therefor has accrued: Provided, that if any person entitled to commence or prosecute such suit or action is or shall be, at the time the cause of action therefor first accrued, imprisoned, of unsound mind, or under the age of twenty-one (21) years, then the time for commencing such action shall in favor of such persons be extended so that they shall have one (1) year after the termination of such disability to commence such action; but no cumulative disability shall prevent the bar of the above limitation, and this proviso shall only apply to those disabilities which existed when the cause of action first accrued and to no other. " Sec. 27-121, N.M.S.A., 1941 Comp. "The following suits or actions may be brought within the time hereinafter limited, respectively, after their causes accrue, and not afterwards, except when otherwise specially provided." Sec. 27-101, N.M.S.A., 1941 Comp. "Those founded upon accounts and unwritten contracts; those brought for injuries to property or for the conversion of personal property or for relief upon the ground of fraud, and all other actions not herein otherwise provided for and specified within four (4) years." Sec. 27-104, N.M.S.A., 1941 Comp. We will first determine whether the appellants are barred under the ten-year statute. It is their contention that an act of disaffirmance of the 1936 deed was a condition precedent to the accrual of a cause of action to recover the land, and that such disaffirmance could not be made by an insane person; that, therefore, limitations did not start running until the death of Elvis W. Bullock in 1942, and that their cross-complaint was timely filed in 1950. The appellants cite the case of Downham v. Holloway, 158 Ind. 626, 64 N.E. 82, in support of their claim that an insane person has no power to affirm or disaffirm a deed, and, consequently, that limitations did not start running until the death of the grantor in 1942. It and the other Indiana cases therein cited fully support the claim, and, if followed, the appellants must prevail. They also rely on the case of Parker v. Betts, 47 Colo. 428, 107 P. 816, where it was held the cause of action did not accrue and limitations did not commence to run until the death of the grantor. Due to a difference in the statutes of Colorado and New Mexico this case cannot be considered as authority here. 725 The cases of Howard v. Carter, 71 Kan. 85, 80 P. 61, and Jenkins v. Jenkins, 94 Kan. 263, 146 P. 414, likewise support the contentions of the appellants, but they are contrary to and are apparently overruled by the later Kansas cases of Bradley v. Hall, 165 Kan. 358, 194 P.2d 943, and Wilson v. Beeler, 151 Kan. 699, 100 P.2d 645. The rights of minors were involved in these late Kansas cases but the same law governs them and insane persons. See also Fletcher v. Holcomb, 142 Kan. 177, 45 P.2d 1053. The appellants also cite Reaves v. Davidson, 129 Ark. 88, 195 S.W. 19, in support of their contention the statute of limitations did not start running until the death of the insane grantor. The Arkansas statute, § 37-226, is identical with ours, except it allows three years after the recovery of sanity or a minor becomes of age for the institution of suit where ours allows only one. This case was contrary to earlier Arkansas cases and it is also contrary to the later case of Nixon v. Norton-Wheeler Stave Co., 207 Ark. 838, 183 S.W. 2d 300, 301, where the Arkansas statute is quoted in full. In both the New Mexico and the Arkansas statutes infants and insane persons are joined in the respective provisos or saving clauses. In construing the statute in the last cited case, that court said: "* * * The construction placed on these statutes by appellants to the effect that they are thereby permitted seven full years after the youngest child attains his or her majority in which to begin their action is contrary to the construction which has been placed on these statutes by many former decisions of this court. Yell v. Lane, 41 Ark. 53; McGaughey et al. v. Brown et al., 46 Ark. 25; Brake v. Sides, 95 Ark. 74, 128 S.W. 572; Reed v. Money, 115 Ark. 1, 170 S.W. 478; Murphy v. Graves, 170 Ark. 180, 279 S.W. 359. These decisions are to the effect that the bar of the statute begins and continues to run against adults and infants alike, except that, in the case of infants whose rights accrue during their minority, such infants have the seven years (part or all of which may run during their minority) and in addition thereto, such length of time as may have transpired between the date of the accrual of the cause of action and the majority of such infant, but in no case shall the period of extension granted because of the accrual of such cause during minority exceed three years. "Thus it is readily apparent that unless this action had been commenced on or before the date appellant W.B. Nixon, Jr., reached the age of twenty-four years such action is barred under the statute quoted." See also Murphy v. Graves, 170 Ark. 180, 279 S.W. 359. The Indiana cases seem to be the only current authorities which support the appellants. Our limitation statutes were originally taken from Iowa, and while we do not find any Iowa cases decided prior to 1852, the time we adopted the ten-year statute of limitation for the recovery of real property, we do find later ones construing their statute giving additional time for minors and insane persons to file actions after the removal of their disabilities. Section 1666 Iowa Code of 1851, I.C.A. § 614.8, which, except for a change which is not material, has continued in force to date, reads: "The times limited for actions herein, except those brought for penalties and forfeitures, shall be extended in favor of minors and insane persons, so that they shall have one year from and after the termination of such disability within which to commence said action." The saving clause at the end of our ten-year statute was evidently prepared from this Iowa statute. In McNeill v. Sigler, 95 Iowa 587, 64 N.W. 604, 605, the plaintiff, administrator of the estate of Lucretia Arnold who died in June, 1891, sought to recover upon a promissory note payable to deceased who had become insane before its maturity. The administrator was appointed on May 8, 1893. Suit was filed on May 10, 1893. Absent the insanity of the payee, action on the note would have been barred January 4, 1892. Another Iowa statute provided if a person entitled to a cause of action die within one year next previous to the expiration of the limitation for minors and insane persons, 726 such limitation shall not apply until one year after such death. The trial court held the action was barred by limitations and on appeal the judgment was affirmed. We quote from the opinion as follows: "The claim of appellant is that inasmuch as Lucretia Arnold became insane before the maturity of the note, and hence before the statute would otherwise have commenced to run, it did not commence until the appointment of the administrator of her estate; the argument being that, as the statute had not commenced to run before she was insane, it would not commence after she was so, and before there was some person legally authorized to sue. * * There is a continued right of action in favor of such a person, and the law regulates the manner of bringing it. If a minor, it must be by a guardian or next friend. Code, § 2565. It may be noticed that there is no such express provisions as to a person not judicially found to be insane, leaving, because of the express provision in the one case, much room for inference as to the other. It is not to be doubted that the same rule applies in this respect to a minor as to an insane person, for the language is precisely the same as to the two. In Murphy v. [Chicago, M. & St. P.] Railway Co., 80 Iowa 26, 45 N.W. 392, the section is construed as to a minor, and that the statute of limitations commences to run during minority. This is the plain meaning of the statute. It attempts to do no more as to persons under such disability than to extend the time for completing the bar, so that, after the disability is removed, the person shall have a reasonable opportunity to act for himself. The statute continues during the entire time of disability, and for one year thereafter." In construing another Iowa statute limiting the time for filing suit where the wife of a grantor had not joined, which statute did not have a savings clause extending the time for minors or insane persons to sue, the court said in Collier v. Smaltz, 149 Iowa 230, 128 N.W. 396, 399: "* * * but it must not be overlooked that an insane person, if not so judicially declared, may maintain an action in court. 22 Cyc. 1222; Mentz [Menz] v. Beebe, 95 Wis. 383, 70 N.W. 468, 60 Am.St.Rep. 120; Speck v. Pullman Palace Car Co., 121 Ill. 33, 12 N.E. [213] 214. And, if so judicially declared, an action may be prosecuted by guardian. Tiffany v. Worthington, 96 Iowa 560, 65 N.W. 817. Though laboring under disability himself, such legislation proceeds on the theory that relatives or others cognizant of his condition will be likely to take such steps for his protection as he would have but for such disability." Our statutes and rules contain adequate provisions for the filing and prosecution of suits on behalf of insane persons by committee, next friend or guardian ad litem. In Re Hoenig's Estate, 230 Iowa 718, 298 N.W. 887, 891, it is stated: "* * * It has been uniformly held that once the statute of limitations begins to run nothing stops it. Not even death or disability will toll the statute unless it be otherwise provided by statute. (Citing cases.) * * * that claim survived her death, and her rights in that claim and cause of action * * * passed and accrued to her administrator." In Turner v. Begley, 239 Ky. 281, 39 S.W.2d 504, 506, it is held that a cause of action accrued to an insane person when a party took possession of his land under a commissioner's deed, and is not dependent on the capacity of the person in whose favor it exists. It is therein stated: "The fact that Leander Begley was insane did not prevent the accrual of his right of action. It was a disability which extended the period of limitation in so far as the fifteen-year statute was involved, but it had no effect upon the accrual of his right of action." The Kentucky statute gave three years after the removal of the disability in which to bring suit. See also Schwarz v. Public Service Transportation Co., 149 A. 814, 8 N.J. Misc. 182; Ziegler v. Bark, 121 Wis. 533, 99 N.W. 224; Smith v. Smith, 106 N.C. 498, 11 S.E. 188; New Domain Oil & Gas Co. v. McKinney, 188 Ky. 183, 221 S.W. 245, on the right of a minor or insane person to maintain suit individually or by next friend or guardian, notwithstanding the disability. 727 It is the claim of the appellant Deward Bullock that even though the claims of the other appellants are barred, he may maintain his action because of his continuous insanity. In other words, he seeks to tack his insanity to that of his father. It is stated in McDonald v. Hovey, 110 U.S. 619, 4 S.Ct. 142, 143, 28 L.Ed. 269; " * * to allow successive disabilities to protract the right to sue would, in many cases, defeat its salutary object, and keep actions alive perhaps for a hundred years or more; that the object of the statute was to put an end to litigation, and to secure peace and repose, which would be greatly interfered with, and often wholly subverted, if its operation were to be suspended by every subsequently-accruing disability." We agree with this statement and hold the son may not tack his insanity to that of his father. Other authorities to the same effect are: Scallon v. Manhattan R. Co., 185 N.Y. 359, 78 N.E. 284, 7 Ann.Cas. 168; Commercial Bank & Trust Co. v. Jordan, 85 Mont. 375, 278 P. 832, 65 A.L.R. 968; Annotation, 65 A.L.R. 975; Martin v. Goodman, 126 Okl. 34, 258 P. 871, 53 A.L.R. 1298; Annotation, 53 A.L.R. 1303. To allow his insanity to toll the statute would destroy that part of the proviso in Sec. 27-121, supra, which reads: "* * * but no cumulative disability shall prevent the bar of the above limitation, and this proviso shall only apply to those disabilities which existed when the cause of action first accrued and to no other." This court is committed to a strict construction of our limitation statutes in Musgrave v. McManus, 24 N.M. 227, 173 P. 196, L.R.A. 1918F, 348, and in view of such rule and our belief in the soundness of the rules announced in the cases cited above which favor the appellees, we hold the claims of the appellant heirs of the grantor in the deed to Field were barred ten years after the delivery of the deed and Field's entry into possession of the property. As Turner's rights depend on the claims of the children of Bullock, he must also lose his appeal. This disposition of the case makes it unnecessary to decide whether the four or ten-year statute of limitations governs the case. The judgment will be affirmed. It is so ordered. LUJAN, C.J., and SADLER, COMPTON, and COORS, JJ., concur.
india Updated: Feb 09, 2020 06:27 IST Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobdeon Saturday called for the introduction of a law to ensure that all settlements arrived at in mediation proceedings are binding, and spoke in favour of compulsory pre-litigation mediation to reduce the backlog of cases in courts and save the time of both the courts and litigants. The CJI was speaking at the third edition of the international conference on Arbitration in the Era of Globalisation, organised by the Indian Council of Arbitration and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. “I think the time is ripe to devise a comprehensive legislation which contains compulsory pre-litigation mediation and a remedy for the biggest drawback in a mediation agreement, that is to say the un-enforceability of an agreement arrived at a mediation, would ensure efficiency and also reduce the time pendency for parties as well as the courts. Maybe if some method could be found for certifying that an agreement has been freely entered into and for making it executable like a degree, mediation could become the most effective ADR (alternative dispute resolution),” he said. Mediation is an alternative method for resolving disputes between persons without resorting to the courts. In mediation proceedings, a mediator who is a neutral third-party facilitates a dialogue between the two sides in a dispute and works with them to help arrive at a settlement. However, there is no law regulating mediation in India, and the agreement arrived at after mediation is non-binding. Disputes are many times taken to the courts even after mediation, resulting in loss of significant time in mediation without any fruitful outcome. The CJI also spoke about the importance of arbitration, calling it the most preferred mode of privately resolving disputes between parties. “Today, arbitration plays an essential role in the global infrastructure of international trade, commerce and investment. As an integral member of the global community and a trading and investment giant, how India engages with international arbitration has important ramifications on international trans-boundary flows of trade, commerce and investments as a whole.” He, however, noted that institutional arbitration has met with limited success in India and a robust bar dedicated to arbitration is critical for the development of institutional arbitration. “..it is clear that for institutional arbitration to expand its footprint in India, it would require concerted support from all stakeholders, in particular members of the legal profession. A robust arbitration bar is critical to the development of institutional arbitration in India as it would ensure availability and accessibility of practitioners with knowledge and experience in the field of arbitration”, the CJI said. Institutional arbitration is when an institution specialising in arbitration takes over the dispute and administers the arbitration proceedings between parties. The problem, Bobde said, was that ADR mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation were seen as secondary options and unless that mindset changes, steps to reform and promote such mechanisms will remain ineffective. The CJI also called for efforts to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration, stating that AI-assisted arbitration holds immense promise for the arbitration community.
Giddy Giddy Diary Diary Post navigation Just two more weeks until the big move! Did some more adulting yesterday to get ready for my shiny new job. Daddy says not to worry but I can’t help but worry. I’ve never been able to not worry. I’ve always had to take care of someone and manage everything. I’m tired of worrying, I’m tired of managing, and I’m just plain tired. Once we get moved and settled in it’ll get better though. There won’t be so much to worry about. I’ll be able to rest. I’ll be in a new environment with people more like me. No more worries about judgement from the locals. No more worries about scraping by. I’ll be working in a more social environment instead of being stuck in a room by myself. I’m not a very social person but it gets old quick, being by myself at work all day. My blog is doing really well though. Thank you to everyone following me and reading my thoughts. I hope they help you feel less alone in your struggles. I’ve gotten quite a few followers in recent days and I’m thankful to be doing something that people care enough about to take a few minutes out of their busy days. Daddy will feel better when we move too. He’ll be able to find good work since jobs in his field are plentiful where we’re going. If it weren’t for my family I’d be stuck in a Wendy’s kitchen or serving at Applebee’s. There really isn’t much else here beyond that. Nothing but piddly minimum wage jobs that can’t pay your bills and get ridiculed for. My family doesn’t like Daddy much right now. They don’t understand that there just isn’t anything here for him. Or me really. They seem to think all our misfortune is his fault but they just don’t understand that there just isn’t anything here. They don’t understand how hard it is to find gainful employment here. They want him to be some big shot making 80 grand a year like my sister’s fiance. Well my sister’s fiance is working himself to death for that salary and he’s absolutely miserable. I don’t want Daddy to be miserable. I don’t want Daddy to work 80 hours a week. I don’t want much and they don’t get that. I don’t want a ton of fancy stuff or a fancy apartment. I want a comfortable, affordable apartment. I want to be able to go to the park and read, to blow twenty or thirty bucks on a new book of snuggle thing. I want a cheap apartment so we can have a ginormous TV to hook our computer up to. I want enough spare time to write and work on our comics. They just don’t get it. I don’t want all the fancy, expensive things they want for me. That’s just not me. I’m a financially low maintenance person. There’s no reason for Daddy to work himself to death at a job he hates. There’s no reason for either of us to do that. But we’ll show them! Daddy will have what he needs to be able to take care of me where we’re going. There will always be stuff to do and we won’t have to drive for an hour or shell out a ton of money to do it. What few things we have and want will be nice. There won’t be so much clutter. We’ll be another step closer to our goals. And we’ll get there on our own.
Digbeth warehouse raid: Akhtar Javeed shot dead Published duration 4 February 2016 image copyright West Midlands Police image caption Akhtar Javeed was found lying in a street in Digbeth and died despite efforts to save him A man has been shot dead in an attempted robbery at a warehouse. Masked men raided the premises at Direct Source 3 Ltd in Digbeth, central Birmingham, at 18:40 GMT on Wednesday. Company director Akhtar Javeed, 56, was found in the road outside his drinks delivery firm's warehouse and pronounced dead in hospital. West Midlands Police believe two men were involved in the raid in Rea Street South and said the warehouse was specifically "targeted". image caption Masked men swooped on Direct Source 3 Ltd, at 66 Rea Street South, on Wednesday evening Other staff are thought to have been on the premises at the time of the raid. A police spokesman said Mr Javeed was lying in the street with a gunshot wound when officers arrived. Ch Supt Andy Parsons said officers were alerted by a 999 call from staff inside the business premises. Police said they did not yet know what type of a firearm was used. Fingertip searches and forensic testing have been taking place at the scene. The force declined to confirm whether anything was taken during the attempted robbery. Detectives also refused to comment on claims Mr Javeed may have followed the raiders out of the building before being gunned down. Norman Khan, 28, a car salesman, said he saw Mr Javeed lying in a pool of blood as paramedics battled to save his life. He said: "All his face was full of blood and there was blood on the floor. There were three guys standing there, I think they knew him." Acting Det Ch Insp Martin Slevin said it happened at a time when people may have been leaving work and could have seen what happened. Nafeesah Abid, director of a nearby accountancy firm, said the mainly industrial area around Rea Street South was not busy shortly before the raid. He said: "My heart goes out to the family. I drove past in my car a few minutes before but I didn't see or hear anything." media caption Digbeth shooting murder Syed Abbas, 30, who lives at an east London property that Mr Javeed owned and lived in during part of the week, said Mr Javeed was "a very nice man" and that news of his death was broken to his wife and children on Wednesday night. He said: "Within 15 minutes of finding out his whole family went to Birmingham. They were crying and very upset." It was understood Mr Javeed's wife, two young children and grown up daughter lived in the two rooms at the front of property in West Ham. "He used to work five days a week in Birmingham and he would come here at the weekend," said Mr Abbas of Pakistan-born Mr Javeed. There has been a spike in gun crime in Birmingham in recent weeks . Police said it was of "great concern". So far this year there have been 41 arrests for gun-related crime and 19 firearms have been seized. This is the third gun death investigated by West Midlands Police since October. Related Topics Birmingham
Search form Timeline The scope of the COST Action MOBILISE is to build up a cooperative, inclusive, bottom-up and responsive network with active involvement of European stakeholders to support research for biodiversity informatics. MOBILISE will facilitate knowledge and technology transfer across stakeholders, bridging the gap between biodiversity and geoscience research and information technology best practices. Within the COST action MOBILISE, a workshop is organised to promote alignment of the DiSSCo-linked projects at the work level. The meeting will take place on the 16th of November at the Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany in Bratislava. Back to school is the motto for a certain group of people linked to DiSSCo. Because the DiSSCo coordination office is very keen to invest in the natural scientific collections community and further develop skills surrounding the management and leadership of RIs, it reserved three places in the Executive Masters class "Management of Research Infrastructures" at the University of Milano. As part of the ICEDIG.eu project (a design refinement project of DiSSCo) a roundtable is organised on Tuesday, 4 December to discuss the challenges and specificities around developing robust and effective partnerships frameworks for RIs, during their preparatory, implementation or operational phase. Building leadership capacity across the DiSSCo consortium is essential for the successful development of DiSSCo. The Executive Masters in Management of Research Infrastructures (EMMRI) at the University of Milano-Bicocca is an opportunity to start building this capacity. Thanks to funding received by NLBIF, DiSSCo is able to participate as a Team to the 12 modules included in the Executive Masters programme for 2018-2020.
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MouseMouse is a most common pointing and selecting device. It is used in graphical user interface. Mouse contains buttons for providing inputs. User can provide inputs by moving the mouse and pressing the button. On the basis of buttons, mouse can bea) Two-buttoned mousseb) Three-buttoned mouseUsually, the left button of the mouse is for normal selection and the right button is used for special function and central button is used for scrolling a document.On the basis of working mechanism and its architecture, mouse can be classified asa) Mechanical mouseb) Opto-mechanical mousec) Optical mouseMechanical mouse contains a rubber ball and a pair of rotating wheels. When the mouse is moved on the table, the ball rotated which results in rotation of the wheels and generates electronic signal.Optical mouse operates using reflection of light. It is easier to use but usually less reliable than mechanical mouse.The opto-mechanical mouse contains both mechanical and electric component. Track ballTrackball is the modification of mechanical mouse. It contains rubber ball on its top. User can move the cursor by rotating the ball with finger. It also contains two buttons on the either sides similar to mouse. It was used in older laptops. Track pad/Touch padTrack pad is the modification of optical mouse, and touch pad is further modification making it touch sensitive. It contains a window with two buttons on the either sides. User can also provide left click option by tapping the window with the finger. It is mainly used in portable devices like laptops, notebook, palmtop, etc. JoystickJoystick is a hand held pointing device which is mainly used for playing games. It is used for controlling objects, their movement, direction and speed of movement. Modern joysticks handle can move in any direction. When the handle is moved, the electronic circuit in the base detects the movement and sends corresponding binary signals to CPU. Light penLight pen is used for creating drawings, designs by directly touching the screen. It is mainly used by designers, architects, engineers, etc. it is used in monitor not having touch screen facility. It is a pen shaped structure containing photo sensitive tip which can capture light emitted from the monitor and mark the position on the monitor. Touch screenTouch screen is none of the common input device at present mainly for portable computers. User can provide inputs by directly touching the screen with the metallic pen (stylus), finger or any pointed object. Touch screen is developed by using either of the following technologies:a) Pressure sensitiveb) Capacitivec) Infrared ScannerScanner digitizes hard copy or printed images which can be used in digital computers. Scanner copies the image and draws a new digital image in its memory similar to hard copy image. OCR (Optical Character Reader)OCR digitizes handwritten or printed text.Printed text will have fewer errors than hand written. It directly converts hand written text into digital text which can be edited. OCR contains predefined format of all the characters. During digitizing process, it creates an image of the character and compares it with stored format to determine the character. MICR It stands for Magnetic Ink Character Reader. MICR is an OCR that can digitize text written or printed by using magnetic ink like iron oxide or barium ferrite. It is used in security systems and for processing cheque in bank. OMRIt stands for Optical Mark Reader. It is used for answer sheet correction in multiple choice questions. With the use of OMR answer sheet correction will be faster and error free. BCR It stands for Bar Code Reader. Bar codes are the magnetic lines used for storing the information about the product like manufacturing date, expiry date, company name, etc. BCR is used to read the information stored in bar codes. Bar codes are also used in security system. Microphone It is an input device for sound. It captures sound wave, converts it into digital format and provides it to the CPU. Common mobile computing devices like PDA, smart phone contains microphone. Digital camera, Web camera Digital camera captures real time images and video and stores it in a digital format. The image captured by digital camera can be directly used in a digital camera. Web camera is a digital camera used in internet. It usually captures low quality images so that it could be transmitted at a faster speed. Card reader It is used to read the information stored in cards like ATM card, Credit card, Smart card, etc. Digitizing tablet It is used to digitize large map or hardcopy images. It is also used to track the movements of living beings and capture them in digital format. Find us on Facebook Also Visit Our Mission We intend to change the current trend of education and help students and teachers simplify teaching learning environment. Support Us Want to help us in the quest of creating the best education portal and get valuable exposure for yourself ? Then mail us or call us in the number provided at the right end of this footer. Did we miss anything? Did we miss your College / School data in this list or is it in wrong category ? Do you want us to add more info. related to your college / school ? Then please feel free to contact us at: [email protected]
BimmerFix Coolant Transfer Pipe Repair System The BimmerFix Coolant Transfer Pipe Repair System is designed for use on the BMW V-8 N62 engine. Select the VEHICLES page, for a list of compatible BMW cars and SUVs. The System is designed as an inexpensive repair method to fix leaking Front Coolant Transfer Pipe Seals, but also included with the BimmerFix Repair System is the BimmerFix Cooling System Sealer & Conditioner, which is added to the coolant as part of the repair, and is designed to seal additional internal coolant leaks in the N62 engine, such as from the Coolant Transfer Pipe O-ring, Engine Valley Pan. In addition, the BimmerFix Cooling System Sealer & Conditioner also addresses coolant leaks in the rear engine coolant passage covers, which can only be accessed by removing the transmission and exhaust system. The Bimmerfix Coolant Pipe Repair System can save thousands of dollars in shop labor, parts and supplies. It also saves on “down-time”, so the car can be drivable in the shortest time possible. This repair can be performed by a middle-level mechanic, and is much simpler and faster than removing the intake manifold and/or the timing chain covers on a complex V-8 BMW engine, as required with other methods. Draining Coolant (BMW N62) Warning: Danger of scalding! Only carry out work on the coolant system after the engine has cooled down! PHOTO #2 Open Radiator Drain Valve. Step 3. Open the Radiator Drain Valve (1), located at the bottom of the radiator on the right hand side. Have a container ready to catch the coolant when you open the Radiator Drain Valve. Step 4. Drain, catch and recycle coolant from radiator . DANGER; Keep antifreeze away from children and pets!!! Step 5. Raise the front of the vehicle approximately 4 inches to insure that any remaining coolant in the engine will drain to the back side of the engine block, and will not interfere with the repair process. Use a with a floor jack and jack stands. The wheels of the vehicle do not need to leave the ground. Check the owners manual for approved lifting places, and proper lifting procedure. Apply emergency brake, put transmission in “Park”, and have tires properly blocked. PHOTO #3 Remove the Engine Cover, Air Intake Duct & Fan Cover Note; Do not lean or rest hands upon the Inner Fan Shroud!!! These instructions do not include the removal of the Inner Fan Shroud, located underneath the Fan Cover in this photo. It is not necessary to remove the Inner Fan Shroud in order to complete this repair. However, it should be noted that this Inner Fan Shroud is very brittle, and can break very easily. Take care not to rest your hands on the Inner Fan Shroud or it will break!!! PHOTO #4 Step 9. Remove the Fan Clutch Caution: The Fan Clutch Has Left-hand threads!!! PHOTO # 5 Step 10. Remove The Drive Belt (BMW N62) Note: If the drive belt is to be subsequently reused: Mark direction of travel and reinstall drive belt in same direction of travel. PHOTO #7 Step 12. Remove Air Conditioner Compressor belt by releasing tension on the lower fan belt tensioner using a Torx wrench. Step 13. Remove lower Crank Case Pulley in order to gain access to all the Water Pump bolts. Note that only the eight Torx bolts attaching the Crank Case Pulley need to removed. The large bolt in the center of the lower Crank Case Pulley will stay in place, and does not need to be loosened or removed. PHOTO #8 Step 14. Remove the Water Pump Release Water Pump bolts and remove Water Pump (1). PHOTO #9 The Water Pump has been removed PHOTO #10 Step 15. Use your Index finger to inspect the Coolant Transfer Pipe for obstructions caused by the faulty Front Seal. PHOTO #11 Step 16. Use a knife to cut-out and remove any obstructions caused by original the Coolant Transfer Pipe Seal. Remove any pieces of the old Seal that may be loose in the Coolant Transfer Pipe after the cutting. However, you should leave as much of the original seal as possible. Do not remove the entire old seal! PHOTO # 12 Step 17. It may be necessary to sand down a small metal bump located on the Timing Chain Cover, called a “casting mark”, in order to insure the new BimmerFix Stint fits into place without any obstructions. Some Timing Chain Covers will need more sanding that others, depending on the size of your particular “casting mark”. PHOTO # 13 Step 18. Use the Sanding Rod to sand down “casting mark” and also sand the inside of the Coolant Transfer Pipe. The surfaces should be “roughed-up” and clean of any coolant residue to insure proper bonding of the Stent and Sealant to the Coolant Transfer Pipe and the Timing Chain Cover. It is a good idea to elevate the front of the vehicle slightly, so that any residual coolant in the Coolant Transfer Pipe, will drain to the back of the engine block, and therefore will not interfere with the sealing process. If you have a large casting mark bump, then a small electric grinder, such as a drill or a Dermal tool, may be used to speed-up the sanding process. PHOTO #14 Step 19. Clean the inside surfaces of the timing chain cover and Coolant Transfer Pipe in preparation for applying the Sealant. A shop vacuum may be used to remove any loose material and antifreeze that may be in the Coolant Transfer Pipe. The Cleaning Rod may be sprayed with brake parts cleaner to insure that the inside of the Timing Chain Cover and the Coolant Transfer Pipe are as clean and dry as possible before applying the BimmerFix Coolant Pipe Sealant. PHOTO #15 Step 20. “Dry-Fit” the Stent into the Timing Chain Cover and Coolant Transfer Pipe. The purpose of “Dry-Fitting” the Stent, is to insure that the Stent slides into place without any obstructions, before the Sealant is applied to the outside of the Stent. PHOTO #16 The Stent should be able to slide in and out freely. DO NOT FORCE THE STENT. If there is resistance, then additional cutting of the Front Seal in Photo 11, or sanding of the “casting mark” in Photo 12 may need to be repeated until the Stent can fit in place and slide in-and-out, without becoming bound-up. PHOTO #17 The Stent should be placed as shown. See the photo below. PHOTO #18 The Stent should be placed 1 1/4 inch inside of the flat water pump mounting surface as in Photo 18. Remove the Stent from the Timing Chain Cover before applying the Sealant. PHOTO #19 Put on the rubber gloves, and get the Stent and tube of Cooling Pipe Sealant ready. PHOTO #20 PHOTO #21 Step 21. Use your Index finger to Force Sealant into any gaps and crevices around the internal Rubber Front Seal of the Coolant Transfer Pipe. Parts of the Rubber Front Seal may have been cut away in Photo #10. Also apply Sealant to the inner walls on the of the Timing Chain Cover and Coolant Transfer Pipe so that the sealant is sticking to the inner walls. PHOTO #22 Step 22. Coat Stent with Sealant as shown. Apply BimmerFix Coolant Pipe Sealant to a sponge brush and liberally coat the inside passage of the Timing Chain Cover and Coolant Transfer Pipe, but do not insert the brush past the “RED” mark on the handle. PHOTO #23 Step 23. Do not insert the brush into the Timing Chain Cover and Coolant Pipe past the “RED” mark on the brush handle, as shown in this photo. PHOTO #24 a & b Coat the Stent with Sealant. The photo to the right shows the Stent completely coated with Sealant on the outside. PHOTO #25 a & b Step 24. Insert the Stent into the Timing Chain Cover and Coolant Transfer Pipe. Rotate and turn the Stent slowly in a clockwise direction. Stop at the 1-1/4 inch mark as shown in Photo #18. PHOTO #26 Use a smart phone to photograph the inside of the Coolant Transfer Pipe. Be sure to look very closely for possible obstructions of the Pipe caused by excess Sealant! PHOTO #27 Here is a photo of blockage of the Coolant Pipe caused by excess Sealant! It is very important that any blockage be removed or it can lead to overheating and engine damage! PHOTO #28 This photo is an example of a blockage that has been cut-out of the Coolant Transfer Pipe. It is important to make sure that any blockage is removed from the Coolant Transfer Pipe because it could cause overheating of the engine and result in engine damage! PHOTO #29 Use a clean sponge brush to remove any excess Sealant immediately after installing the Stent in order to make sure that any blockage has been removed. Insert the sponge brush all the way up to the “BLACK” mark on the handle of the brush during the cleaning process. PHOTO #30 Take additional photos of the Stent and inside of the Cooling Transfer Pipe and continue to clean the Pipe until it is totally free of any possible blockage. Once the Stent is free of any possible blockage, allow the Stent and Sealant to dry for 24-hours before re-assembly and adding antifreeze. PHOTO #31 It is NOT NESSESARY to add the BimmerFix Cooling System Sealer and Conditioner, in order to stop the coolant leak from the Timing Chain Cover. Please read the FAQ’s page on our website. During the re-assembly possess, you can add the BimmerFix Cooling System Sealer & Conditioner directly into the Upper Radiator Hose before attaching the Hose to the Upper Radiator outlet. Do not add the Cooling System Sealer & Conditioner directly to the Coolant Expansion Tank because it may clog one of the smaller coolant tubes attached to the Expansion Tank, if not fully mixed with the antifreeze. This could result in overheating and possible engine damage. It is necessary to drive the vehicle for 200 miles after re-assembly, for the BimmerFix Cooling System Sealer & Conditioner to fully condition and seal the any other possible additional leaks with the engine block! It is not nessasary to remove the Cooling System Sealer after 200 miles.
Four Seasons General Merchandise’s commitment to customers is its number one priority. We offer the option to open a net 30-day (from initial invoice date) credit account to improve your purchasing power. If approved this means: You can buy in larger amounts of merchandise and have 30 days to pay us back! This invitation is extended to both qualified wholesalers and retailers in the United States and other countries throughout the world. You can fill up your store with the exciting merchandise your customers want, in quantities you need, by applying for a line of credit with Four Seasons General Merchandise. Credit Application To apply for a credit line, you must first complete a credit application and submit a minimum order of $1,000.00. Applications are subject to approval. Existing customers who have an excellent history with us and first time customers with good credit status are good candidates for a credit line. Currently our credit application is offered for both international customers (requirements included) as well as domestic customers (U.S. requirements included) in English and Spanish. All these documents are in PDF format. If you do not have the program you can install it when you click on download Adobe Acrobat Reader now. Applying Credit Line as Form of Payment to Existing Orders Existing customers granted credit approval may request to apply their line of credit immediately to any pending orders (provided they are within their issued Four Seasons General Merchandise’s credit limit) before the merchandise is actually shipped. If you are a new customer and your application is approved your credit line may only be applied to your subsequent orders. Payment for Credit Line Credit Line Holders may pay off the remaining balance with the following: money orders, checks (traveler’s, electronic and cashier’s, sorry no personal checks) or wire transfer as payment methods. All credit card payments will have a 3% service charge. To obtain wire information please call the credit department. We also accept cash only from customers who pay in person at our headquarters located in: 2801 E. Vernon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90058
# Copyright (c) 2017, NeroBurner # All rights reserved. include(CMakeParseArguments) # cmake_parse_arguments include(hunter_internal_error) include(hunter_status_debug) function(hunter_parse_cmake_args_for_keyword) set(optional "") set(one KEYWORD OUTPUT) set(multiple CMAKE_ARGS) # Introduce: # * x_CMAKE_ARGS # * x_KEYWORD # * x_OUTPUT cmake_parse_arguments(x "${optional}" "${one}" "${multiple}" "${ARGV}") string(COMPARE NOTEQUAL "${x_UNPARSED_ARGUMENTS}" "" has_unparsed) if(has_unparsed) hunter_internal_error("Unparsed arguments: ${x_UNPARSED_ARGUMENTS}") endif() string(COMPARE EQUAL "${x_KEYWORD}" "" is_empty) if(is_empty) hunter_internal_error("KEYWORD is empty") endif() string(COMPARE EQUAL "${x_OUTPUT}" "" is_empty) if(is_empty) hunter_internal_error("OUTPUT is empty") endif() # get KEYWORD from CMAKE_ARGS set(output) foreach(entry ${x_CMAKE_ARGS}) string(FIND "${entry}" "=" update_var) if(update_var EQUAL -1) # nothing to to else() # Format <name>=<value> # Note that we can have more than one '=' sign, e.g. A=-opt=value1 string(REGEX REPLACE "=.*" "" var_name "${entry}") # 'string(REGEX REPLACE' will replace as much patterns as it found so # it's not possible to replace only one '=' as we need. string(LENGTH "${var_name}" var_name_len) math(EXPR value_begin "${var_name_len} + 1") string(SUBSTRING "${entry}" "${value_begin}" -1 var_value) # Check for submodule-source-dir keyword string(COMPARE EQUAL "${var_name}" "${x_KEYWORD}" is_keyword) if(is_keyword) hunter_status_debug("Found ${var_name} = '${var_value}'") set(output "${var_value}") endif() endif() endforeach() # set OUTPUT variable set("${x_OUTPUT}" "${output}" PARENT_SCOPE) endfunction()
Q: How can I generate all possible states of an n-length binary string? There are tons of questions like this here, I know, but I just read through 6 of them and they mostly pertain to generating all combinations of the character set with any length (a,b,c -> a, ab, abc ...) and / or only of the length of the string or list provided. What I'm trying to figure out how to do is represent all possible binary strings of a given length (encoded in base 2), and after reading all the questions I could find about this, I'm still having trouble figuring out how the function should be designed. My goal is to have a function like: var list = generateStates(3); // -> ['000', '111', '011', '001', '100', '110', '101', ... ] The tricky part is I think I need to do this without recursion, because I want to do this with longer binary strings and the recursion can't be sustained that deep (without exceeding the maximum call stack). A: function generateStates(n){ var states = []; // Convert to decimal var maxDecimal = parseInt("1".repeat(n),2); // For every number between 0->decimal for(var i = 0; i <= maxDecimal; i++){ // Convert to binary, pad with 0, and add to final results states.push(i.toString(2).padStart(n,'0')); } return states; }
Garden Calendar: Water teepees provide early start for tomatoes Tom Groene, who lives northwest of Lawrence with his wife, Gaye, uses a water teepee to help grow tomatoes in cold weather. Water teepees to protect plants from cold temperatures and wind in late April and early May. The first tomato of summer: It’s the one gardeners and foodies long for as days get warmer, gardens flourish with plant growth, and farmers markets pick up steam. Want that first tomato a little earlier? Try using a device called a water teepee to protect plants from cold temperatures and wind in late April and early May. Tom and Gaye Groene, who garden at their home northwest of Lawrence, say they have been using water teepees for the last several years to get earlier tomatoes. “I think we had ripe tomatoes the first part of June last year,” says Gaye, although in a typical year it is mid-June before they start picking the fruit. A water teepee is a clear plastic device with a number of vertical tubes. When the tubes are filled with water, the device sits about 18 inches tall in the shape of a teepee. Sunlight warms the water in the tubes, and the heat radiates to the air in the center of the teepee and the soil below. The Groenes set their water teepees 1-2 weeks before they are ready to transplant tomato plants into the garden. Gaye notes that they only do a few plants this way — to get the early tomatoes. “We make sure it is really time to plant before we put in the rest of our crop,” she adds. In the Lawrence area, the frost-free date is May 2, and many gardeners wait until after that date to avoid risk of cold-temperature injury to their tomato plants. Setting the teepees up is just a matter of filling the tubes and providing some sort of support to keep the teepee from blowing over in the wind. The Groenes have used old tool handles, but an electric fence post or something similar works just as well when inserted into the teepee on the side opposite the prevailing wind. Spacing is a matter of personal preference. Tom has built a trickle irrigation system that will be laid out later in the season, so he and Gaye carefully measure off tomato placement to fit with that system. Gardeners who plan to use stakes or cages for their tomatoes should consider that in placing the teepees. “We also try to get something with a maturity date that is as early as possible,” Gaye notes. This information can be found on the plant label as “days to harvest” and is a count of the days from planting seeds to picking fruit. The Groenes try new things most years based on this information. This year, they are planting “Mr. Stripey,” an heirloom tomato variety with a maturity date that is listed as 56 days, and “Sun Sugar,” a cherry-type tomato with sweet yellow fruit and a maturity date of 62-67 days. To plant the tomatoes, lift the water teepee from the post, plant in the center of the circle, and put the teepee back in place around the plant. Teepees can be removed once danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Tom notes, plants grow out the top of the teepee before this occurs. In those instances, the exposed part of the plant can be damaged, but is usually insignificant. The Groenes also grow onions, lettuce, cucumbers, basil, cilantro, peppers and many other veggies. Recently they have added a few strawberry and blueberry plants. “I want the grandkids to know where these things come from,” Gaye says. Tom says that wildlife is even more of a challenge than Kansas weather. “Part of the problem with being a gardener out here is competing with the deer and woodchucks and squirrels,” he says. — Jennifer Smith is the Horticulture Extension Agent for K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County. Contact her or an Extension Master Gardener with your gardening questions at 843-7058 or [email protected]. " In the Lawrence area, the frost-free date is May 2, and many gardeners wait until after that date to avoid risk of cold-temperature injury to their tomato plants. " According to the Farmer's Almanac that date is actually the 15th of April for us, and many local gardeners wait until after Mother's Day to plant their tomato seedlings. The reason is because tomato roots will not grow in soil temperatures below 50 degrees; They are a tropical fruit. If you have gardening questions do not look to the journal world, instead look to the Douglas County extension office of Master Gardeners.
// // NSShadow+BAKit.m // test // // Created by boai on 2016/10/12. // Copyright © 2016年博爱. All rights reserved. // #import "NSShadow+BAKit.h" @implementation NSShadow (BAKit) - (void)ba_shadowWithColor:(UIColor *)shadowColor shadowOffset:(CGSize)shadowSize shadowBlurRadius:(CGFloat)shadowBlurRadius { self.shadowColor = shadowColor; self.shadowOffset = shadowSize; self.shadowBlurRadius = shadowBlurRadius; } @end
The future of complementary and alternative medicine for cancer. This article explores why cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), why CAM use should be of interest to physicians who treat cancer patients, and how physicians may appropriately support their patients' quest for comfort, quality of life, and healing. We use the term "CAM" to refer to substances and practices that have been available primarily outside of the American medical mainstream, that have sources other than medical doctors and allied health care providers, and that are not commonly recommended by medical doctors as treatments for a given condition. Alternative treatments are those used instead of conventional medicine; complementary treatments are those used in addition to conventional medicine.
A Southern Star When heartbroken Christie Mitchell escapes from the city to remote southern New Zealand she meets the disturbing Blake Ryan. Blake’s relentless pursuit is not enough to overcome Christie’s fear of trusting again, and she realises too late that a far bigger challenge lies ahead, one she must face alone. Only then does Blake realise what he could lose if he doesn’t confront his own secretive past. Excerpt Eventually the bay opened up before Christie, the ocean sparkling in the morning sun, the foam on the waves whipped up in the light breeze. Again, the stark beauty of the area captivated her. She stopped, noticing a small aircraft approaching, wondering where it was going. “My friends,” Blake said shortly. “They’ll land on the beach,” he continued, anticipating her question. “Stay and watch.” Christie shook her head, suddenly uncertain. Blake had been cold, barely polite all morning; she was intensely aware of the raw, unfamiliar environment. Her usual confidence fled as she looked down the spectacular beach, Blake’s presence suddenly unbearably painful. “Up to you,” Blake said, inwardly furious that she had hardly acknowledged him all morning. “After all, you’ve got such a busy day.” Christie’s heart lurched at his cutting tone. “It’s not that,” she said quickly, and then stopped abruptly, realising what she had said. Blake looked down at her, noticing her expressive blue eyes were unguarded, troubled. In a flash of perception he saw there was no malice in them, only confusion. He tried again. “The plane will be landing in a few minutes. Stay and watch it from here if you want to, then you can head off.” Still Christie did not move; Blake watched her, silently admiring her figure, her long legs as she balanced on the sloping sand. And last night he had again noticed her quick mind, her obvious intelligence. He had always prided himself on staying one step ahead, yet with Christie this was a constant challenge. She did not seem at all unnerved by the solo tramp, was obviously well prepared. Apart from her sleeping bag, he thought, a slight smile on his face. Christie shrugged. “I’ll keep going, watch the plane on the way.” Of course you will, Blake thought silently. Because that’s the exact opposite of what I suggested. “See you later then,” he said casually, turning to focus on the approaching plane, watching her walk away out of the corner of his eye. Characters Christie A city girl all her life, Christie Mitchell flees to southern New Zealand in what seems to her friends like a moment of madness. After everything that’s happened it’s understandable that she’s fiercely independent and relies only on herself, despite Blake’s infuriating attempts to take control. Even when the stakes become impossibly high and there is nowhere else to turn, Christie knows she can’t afford to trust someone like Blake, whose only priorities seem to be working in a vineyard and flirting, and not necessarily in that order! Blake Christie saw Blake as if for the first time, noticing with almost detached appreciation his unconscious, natural charisma, the staggering good looks, the dark eyes hinting at… Stop it, she told herself firmly. Tall, dark and handsome – yes, it’s a cliché, but it describes Bake Ryan perfectly! All too aware of the way the opposite sex is irresistibly drawn to him, Blake’s unconscious charm and flippant comments mask a sharp mind and intellect – and a few other issues as well. When Blake meets Christie he realises that his charisma and good looks seem to have little or no effect on her rigid independence…so why is it so hard to stay away when Christie’s life takes an unexpected turn? Setting A Southern Star is a contemporary romance novel set in southern New Zealand –Dunedin, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Stewart Island and the small towns of Central Otago all feature. These beautiful areas are an ideal setting for a New Zealand romance novel, offering remoteness, gorgeous and unique scenery and “New Zealand the way it used to be” for those readers living in the city, anyway! The locations referred to in A Southern Star do exist although the situations, businesses and people referred to in those settings are totally fictitious. The hotel in Dunedin is imaginary – although, as Blake comments, there is “accommodation right along George Street.” The Central Otago settlement of St Bathans, with its incredible Blue Lake, and some of the locations of the Central Otago Rail Trail are also mentioned, but all Central Otago businesses, vineyards and restaurants mentioned in A Southern Star are fictional. Those readers familiar with Stewart Island will realise there has not been accommodation “on the hill” in Oban for many years, since Ferndale House was destroyed by fire. The hotel (and pub) referred to on the island in A Southern Star are also imaginary and their mention does not refer to Ferndale House or any other establishment. Creative licence has also been applied to the location of the hunting hut and Department of Conservation hut regulations!
Induction therapy in cardiac transplantation: when and why? Induction therapy has continued to be a subject of controversy in heart transplantation for more than 20 years. It is an example of a therapy that is logical, and ought to be better than "doing without." However, a careful review of the evidence suggests otherwise. Except for patients where the benefits clearly outweigh the short and long-term risks, the use of induction therapy should be avoided. In immunosuppression, as in life, there is no "free lunch." Clinicians need to be certain they fully understand what they are ordering when asking for induction therapy to be administered to their patients.
Q: How to overcome the slow speed in which browsers update event.target.value Background For Question: In the simplified test code below when a key is pressed the function outputs the value of event.target.value to a div element. The problem is that before event.key is added to event.target.value the browser has already read event.target.value which makes the output in the div 1 character behind. "use strict"; document.querySelector('input').addEventListener('keydown', function(event){ document.querySelector('div').textContent = event.target.value; }); <input type="text"> <div></div> One Possible Solution: One way to overcome this is by adding setTimeout() inside the callback. This works but it seems hacky because it's not possible to know the proper delay on every device at every time. "use strict"; document.querySelector('input').addEventListener('keydown', function(event){ setTimeout(function(){ document.querySelector('div').textContent = event.target.value; }, 10); }); <input type="text"> <div></div> Question: Are there additional techniques to overcome this common problem? I'm only aware of setTimeout(). A: input value is being updated on keyup or input events, not on keydown. So if you need a value in a separate div you can read the event's properties like event.key, event.shiftKey and so on.
// Code generated by smithy-go-codegen DO NOT EDIT. package configservice import ( "context" awsmiddleware "github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/aws/middleware" "github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/aws/retry" "github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/aws/signer/v4" "github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/service/configservice/types" smithy "github.com/awslabs/smithy-go" "github.com/awslabs/smithy-go/middleware" smithyhttp "github.com/awslabs/smithy-go/transport/http" ) // Returns configuration item that is aggregated for your specific resource in a // specific source account and region. func (c Client) GetAggregateResourceConfig(ctx context.Context, params GetAggregateResourceConfigInput, optFns ...func(Options)) (GetAggregateResourceConfigOutput, error) { stack := middleware.NewStack("GetAggregateResourceConfig", smithyhttp.NewStackRequest) options := c.options.Copy() for _, fn := range optFns { fn(&options) } addawsAwsjson11_serdeOpGetAggregateResourceConfigMiddlewares(stack) awsmiddleware.AddRequestInvocationIDMiddleware(stack) smithyhttp.AddContentLengthMiddleware(stack) AddResolveEndpointMiddleware(stack, options) v4.AddComputePayloadSHA256Middleware(stack) retry.AddRetryMiddlewares(stack, options) addHTTPSignerV4Middleware(stack, options) awsmiddleware.AddAttemptClockSkewMiddleware(stack) addClientUserAgent(stack) smithyhttp.AddErrorCloseResponseBodyMiddleware(stack) smithyhttp.AddCloseResponseBodyMiddleware(stack) addOpGetAggregateResourceConfigValidationMiddleware(stack) stack.Initialize.Add(newServiceMetadataMiddleware_opGetAggregateResourceConfig(options.Region), middleware.Before) addRequestIDRetrieverMiddleware(stack) addResponseErrorMiddleware(stack) for _, fn := range options.APIOptions { if err := fn(stack); err != nil { return nil, err } } handler := middleware.DecorateHandler(smithyhttp.NewClientHandler(options.HTTPClient), stack) result, metadata, err := handler.Handle(ctx, params) if err != nil { return nil, &smithy.OperationError{ ServiceID: ServiceID, OperationName: "GetAggregateResourceConfig", Err: err, } } out := result.(GetAggregateResourceConfigOutput) out.ResultMetadata = metadata return out, nil } type GetAggregateResourceConfigInput struct { // The name of the configuration aggregator. ConfigurationAggregatorName string // An object that identifies aggregate resource. ResourceIdentifier types.AggregateResourceIdentifier } type GetAggregateResourceConfigOutput struct { // Returns a ConfigurationItem object. ConfigurationItem types.ConfigurationItem // Metadata pertaining to the operation's result. ResultMetadata middleware.Metadata } func addawsAwsjson11_serdeOpGetAggregateResourceConfigMiddlewares(stack *middleware.Stack) { stack.Serialize.Add(&awsAwsjson11_serializeOpGetAggregateResourceConfig{}, middleware.After) stack.Deserialize.Add(&awsAwsjson11_deserializeOpGetAggregateResourceConfig{}, middleware.After) } func newServiceMetadataMiddleware_opGetAggregateResourceConfig(region string) awsmiddleware.RegisterServiceMetadata { return awsmiddleware.RegisterServiceMetadata{ Region: region, ServiceID: ServiceID, SigningName: "config", OperationName: "GetAggregateResourceConfig", } }
All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Introduction {#sec006} ============ Anaemia is common in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) \[[@pone.0122655.ref001]\]. Approximately 40% of patients receive packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during their ICU stay \[[@pone.0122655.ref002]\]. The goal of blood transfusion is to increase blood oxygen (O~2~)-carrying capacity, thus restoring tissue oxygenation \[[@pone.0122655.ref003]\]. Although potentially life-saving in individual patients, transfusion practice was associated with increased morbidity and/or mortality in different patient populations \[[@pone.0122655.ref004], [@pone.0122655.ref005]\]. Stored packed RBCs may develop alterations over time, collectively referred to as "storage lesions", which compromise their hemorrheological properties and O~2~-delivery capacity \[[@pone.0122655.ref006]\]. These include depletion of adenosine triphosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, membrane phospholipid peroxidation and vesiculation, protein oxidation, loss of deformability and increased osmotic fragility \[[@pone.0122655.ref007]\]. Increasing hemolysis and release of cell-free hemoglobin (fHb) were documented as a function of time during prolonged storage \[[@pone.0122655.ref008]\]. fHb is a potent scavenger of nitric oxide (NO), the most important endogenous vasodilator \[[@pone.0122655.ref009]\], and may therefore be responsible for microvascular perfusion disturbances \[[@pone.0122655.ref010]\]. Endothelial dysfunction and impaired microcirculatory blood flow are leading aspects in the pathophysiology of sepsis \[[@pone.0122655.ref011], [@pone.0122655.ref012]\]. Persistent microvascular alterations are associated with organ failure and death in patients with septic shock \[[@pone.0122655.ref013]\]. Severe deregulation in the NO system is a major cause of sepsis-induced microvascular perfusion failure \[[@pone.0122655.ref011]\]. Interestingly, increased plasma fHb levels are associated with higher mortality in patients with sepsis \[[@pone.0122655.ref014], [@pone.0122655.ref015]\]. A reduction in NO availability induced by the transfusion of stored RBCs may synergize with the underlying endothelial dysfunction and be responsible for tissue hypoperfusion. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether the transfusion of old RBCs increases plasma fHb in septic patients and how this may affect the microvascular response to blood transfusion. Materials and Methods {#sec007} ===================== This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective randomized pilot trial whose primary aim was to evaluate the effects of fresh (\<10 days storage) non-leukodepleted, fresh leukodepleted or old (\>15 days storage) non-leukodepleted RBCs transfusion on the microcirculation in septic patients. A comparison between the first two groups (fresh non-leukodepleted and fresh leukodepleted) was focused on the potential role of leukocyte reduction and reported previously \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\]. Herein, we focus our attention on the role of storage and report the comparison between fresh non-leukodepleted and old non-leukodepleted groups. Data related to the fresh RBC group in this report have been already presented in \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\] as "fresh non-leukodepleted" group. The study protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee of "Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Ospedali Riuniti" of Ancona in Italy (NCT01584999, [www.clinicaltrials.gov](http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)). Written informed consent was obtained from the enrolled patients or their next of kin. Patients {#sec008} -------- Between February 2011 and 2012, adult patients admitted to the 12-bed Intensive Care Unit of the AOU Ospedali Riuniti of Ancona with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock as diagnosed according to standard criteria \[[@pone.0122655.ref017]\] and requiring blood transfusion for Hb levels \<8 g/dL or as indicated by the attending physician (in accordance with the local hospital guidelines) were eligible to participate. Exclusion criteria were: age \<18 years, previous blood transfusions during their ICU stay, previous history of coagulation disorders, cardiogenic or hemorrhagic shock, pregnancy, factors impeding the sublingual microcirculation evaluation (oral surgery, maxillofacial trauma). Sedation and analgesia were provided according to individual needs, as well as the type of fluids infused (crystalloids and colloids) and adrenergic agents (norepinephrine, dobutamine). The goal was to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 65 mmHg as recommended by the international guidelines of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (2008) \[[@pone.0122655.ref018]\]. Fluid infusion and furosemide treatment were titrated according to individual needs, in order to maintain an adequate urine output (\>0.5 mL/kg/h) \[[@pone.0122655.ref018]\]. Interventions {#sec009} ------------- The enrolled patients from the primary study randomly received either fresh non-leukodepleted RBCs (\<10 day storage), fresh leukodepleted RBCs (\<10 day storage) or old non-leukodepleted RBCs (\>15 days storage). Blood product randomisation was performed through sealed envelopes by a physician at the blood bank, who blindly provided the blood bags to the ICU; neither the attending physician nor the investigators nor the patients were aware of the type of RBCs transfused. Herein, we present data from the fresh non-leukodepleted and old non-leukodepleted groups, hereafter referred to as fresh RBC and old RBC groups. Basic haemodynamic and blood gas parameters {#sec010} ------------------------------------------- All measurements were performed in each patient immediately before and 1 hour after the end of all RBC transfusions; these time points were chosen on the basis of those reported in previous studies \[[@pone.0122655.ref019]--[@pone.0122655.ref021]\]. We recorded temperature (T), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Arterial blood samples were withdrawn in order to assess Hb level, whole blood cell counts, blood gases (pH, paO₂, paCO₂, SaO₂, paO₂/FiO₂, HCO₃^-^, base excess \[BE\]) and lactate (Lac) levels. For each participant, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II was obtained at admission and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score \[[@pone.0122655.ref022]\] on the study day. Free haemoglobin measurement {#sec011} ---------------------------- Arterial blood samples were withdrawn before and 1 hour after transfusion and immediately centrifuged; plasma samples were stored at -70°C for subsequent analysis. In addition, samples were withdrawn from each transfused RBC-unit; the supernatant was obtained by centrifugation and stored at -70°C for subsequent analysis. fHb was quantified in each sample through colorimetric assay using the Drabkin's reagent (Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA). Microcirculation measurements with sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging {#sec012} ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sublingual microcirculatory density and flow were monitored using sidestream dark-field (SDF) videomicroscopy (Microscan, Microvision Medical, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) before and 1 hour after transfusion. Details on the SDF imaging technique have been described elsewhere \[[@pone.0122655.ref016], [@pone.0122655.ref023]\]. Videos from 5 different sites (at least 10 sec/site) were recorded at both time points with adequate focus and contrast and every effort was made to avoid movement and pressure artefacts. Poor-quality images were discarded and 3 images for each time point were selected and analysed using a computer software package (Automated Vascular Analysis Software, Microvision Medical BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). According to the consensus report on the performance and evaluation of microcirculation using SDF imaging \[[@pone.0122655.ref024]\], total vessel density (TVD) and perfused vessel density (PVD) were calculated for small vessels (diameter \<20 μm). The De Backer score was calculated as described previously \[[@pone.0122655.ref024]\]. The proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) and the microvascular flow index (MFI), reflecting microcirculatory blood flow velocity, were analysed semi-quantitatively in small vessels, as described elsewhere \[[@pone.0122655.ref025]\]. The flow heterogeneity index (HI) was also calculated as the highest MFI minus the lowest MFI divided by the mean MFI, providing an index of heterogeneous microcirculatory perfusion. In addition, SDF videos were automatically analysed using the GlycoCheck ICU software package (Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands) in order to measure vascular lumen perfused boundary region (PBR). The PBR is considered an index of the dimension of the permeable part of the endothelial glycocalyx which allows the penetration of flowing RBCs \[[@pone.0122655.ref016], [@pone.0122655.ref026], [@pone.0122655.ref027]\]. Erythrocytes usually have limited access into an intact glycocalyx, when this is compromised and starts losing its protective capacity, its permeability increases, allowing circulating cells to approximate the luminal endothelial membrane. As a result, the dimension of the erythrocyte PBR will increase. A detailed description of this methodology can be found elsewhere \[[@pone.0122655.ref028]\]. Peripheral O~2~ and Hb measurements with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) {#sec013} -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before and 1 hour after transfusion, near-infrared reflectance spectrophotometry (InSpectra™ Model 650; Hutchinson Technology Inc., Hutchinson, MN, USA) was used on the thenar emincence to measure peripheral tissue oxygen saturation (StO~2~) and tissue Hb index (THI) \[[@pone.0122655.ref029], [@pone.0122655.ref030]\] at baseline and during a vascular occlusion test (VOT), using a 40% StO2 target for the ischemic phase \[[@pone.0122655.ref016], [@pone.0122655.ref031]\]. StO₂ was continuously recorded during the reperfusion phase until stabilization \[[@pone.0122655.ref032]\]. The StO₂ downslope (%/minute) was calculated from the regression line of the first minute of StO₂ decay after occlusion, providing an index of O₂ consumption rate. The StO₂ upslope (%/minute) was obtained from the regression line of StO₂ increase in the reperfusion phase. The area under the curve (AUC) of the hyperaemic response was also calculated. StO₂ upslope and the area under the curve (AUC) StO₂ reflect microvascular reactivity \[[@pone.0122655.ref032]\]. All the parameters were calculated using a computer software package (Version 3.03 InSpectra Analysis Program; Hutchinson Technology Inc.). Sample size calculation and statistical analysis {#sec014} ------------------------------------------------ The sample size had been originally calculated on the basis of MFI data (primary endpoint) \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\]. The secondary analysis presented herein focused on a different objective (changes in plasma free Hb levels). The power of this analysis was assessed a posteriori. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5 (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA). A Mann Whitney U test was used to evaluate differences between the two groups at baseline and after blood transfusion. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was used for comparative analysis of data sets obtained before and 1 hour after RBC transfusion. A Spearman coefficient was evaluated to study the correlation between variables. In a supplementary analysis, non-normally distributed data were normalized whenever possible through logarithmic or reciprocal transformation and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was performed with Bonferroni post-hoc test in order to compare changes in the parameters of interest between the two groups. Data are presented as median (25^th^-75^th^ percentiles), unless otherwise indicated. Differences were considered significant at p values \<0.05. Results {#sec015} ======= Twenty patients were studied in total (10 patients per group). Patient characteristics are shown in [Table 1](#pone.0122655.t001){ref-type="table"}. Sixteen patients out of 20 received 2 blood units, 3 patients received only 1 RBC-unit (1 patient in the fresh RBC group, 2 in the old RBC group) and 1 patients in the fresh RBC group received 3 blood units. No other blood components were given during the study period. Storage was 4 \[3.5--5\] days in the fresh RBC group and 30 \[[@pone.0122655.ref022]--[@pone.0122655.ref030]\] days in the old RBC group. None of the included patients had a medical history of hemoglobinopathies, erythrocyte membrane defects, enzymatic defects of microangiopathies or any other disease that could induce hemolysis thus influencing plasma fHb levels. 10.1371/journal.pone.0122655.t001 ###### Patient characteristics for the two groups. ![](pone.0122655.t001){#pone.0122655.t001g} Fresh RBCs[^a^](#t001fn003){ref-type="table-fn"} Old RBCs ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Age, years 70 (65--72) 70 (47--79) Sex (male; female) 5; 5 6; 4 SAPS II (on admission) 37 (28--74) 30 (25--40) ICU days before enrollment 9 (8--12) 7 (5--11) SOFA score 8 (5--12) 6 (3--8) Sepsis (n) 2 5 Severe sepsis (n) 3 1 Septic shock (n) 5 4 Source of infection (n) lung 4 5 abdomen 1 1 urinary tract 2 0 miscellaneous 3 4 Adrenergic dose[^b^](#t001fn004){ref-type="table-fn"} Norepinephrine[^b^](#t001fn004){ref-type="table-fn"} 5; 0.047 (0.015--0.370) 4; 0.086 (0.074--0.234) Dobutamine[^b^](#t001fn004){ref-type="table-fn"} 1; 2.074 0 RBCs = red blood cells; SAPS II = Simplified Acute Physiology Score II; ICU = Intensive Care Unit; SOFA = Simplified Organ Failure Assessment. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range) unless stated otherwise. Sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock are reported as independent categories. ^a^These data have been already presented in \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\] as "non-leukodepleted group". ^b^number of patients; dose in μg/kg\min \[median (interquartile range)\]. Hematologic, hemodynamic and gas exchange variables {#sec016} --------------------------------------------------- Hematologic, hemodynamic and gas exchange variables before and 1 hour after transfusion in the two groups are presented in [Table 2](#pone.0122655.t002){ref-type="table"}. Baseline differences were found between the two groups: MAP was higher and lactate levels lower in the old RBC group (p\<0.001 and p\<0.01, respectively). Hb and Hct were elevated after transfusion in both groups (p\<0.01 in all cases). MAP increased after transfusion in the fresh RBCs group (p = 0.04). BE decreased in both groups. Lactate levels differed significantly after transfusion between the two groups (p\<0.01). Results of two-way ANOVA are reported in [S1 Table](#pone.0122655.s003){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. 10.1371/journal.pone.0122655.t002 ###### Hematologic, hemodynamic and gas exchange variables in the two groups (baseline and 1 hour after transfusion). ![](pone.0122655.t002){#pone.0122655.t002g} Fresh RBCs[^a^](#t002fn001){ref-type="table-fn"} Old RBCs before-after changes, between-group comparison --------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- before* after p [^b^](#t002fn002){ref-type="table-fn"} before after p [^b^](#t002fn002){ref-type="table-fn"} p [^c^](#t002fn003){ref-type="table-fn"} Hb (g/dL) 8.4 (7.9--8.8) 10.4 (9.9--11.5) \<0.01 8.6 (8.5--8.8) 10.4 (10.0--10.8) \<0.01 0.47 Hct (%) 26.7 (26.0--28.0) 32.5 (29.9--34.6) \<0.01 27.3 (26.4--28.7) 32.1 (31.0--34.4) \<0.01 0.28 HR (bpm) 72 (59--98) 70 (60--86) 0.20 81 (72--98) 77 (74--94) 0.86 0.34 MAP (mmHg) 70 (67--77) 77 (72--98) 0.04 96 (80--111) [^ddd^](#t002fn005){ref-type="table-fn"} 92 (84--119) 0.91 0.23 Urine output (mL/d) 3145 (2516--3625) 3572 (2385--4266) 0.99 3273 (2466--3933) 3212 (2315--3793) 0.06 0.33 T (°C) 36.8 (35.9--37.3) 36.7 (36.1--37.4) 0.48 36.9 (36.5--37.4) 37.0 (36.8--37.6) 0.16 0.73 WBC (x10\^3/mcL) 11.9 (5.2--17.3) 12.5 (5.1--17.2) 0.99 14.5 (11.9--18.3) 14.4 (11.3--17.2) 0.69 0.66 PLT (x10\^3/mcL) 190 (112--225) 198 (87--216) 0.86 236 (146--268) 270 (167--218) 0.21 0.14 pH 7.48 (7.36--7.54) 7.49 (7.37--7.52) 0.07 7.49 (7.46--7.50) 7.47 (7.45--7.48) 0.07 0.73 PaO2 (mmHg) 123 (103--149) 105 (96--125) 0.06 129 (97--174) 123 (111--135) 0.32 0.88 PaCO2 (mmHg) 42 (36--45) 42 (37--46) 0.94 40 (37--43) 41 (38--43) 0.28 0.88 PaO2/FiO2 230 (206--309) 215 (173--298) 0.36 269 (230--403) 284 (236--353) 0.62 0.73 BE (mEq/L) 5.7 (1.8--10.5) 5.3 (1.3--9.5) 0.03 5.9 (4.3--8.5) 5.6 (2.7--8.0) 0.05 0.76 Lac (mmol/L) 1.2 (0.9--1.7) 1.3 (1.0--1.8) 0.44 0.7 (0.6--1.0) [^dd^](#t002fn004){ref-type="table-fn"} 0.7 (0.7--1) [^dd^](#t002fn004){ref-type="table-fn"} 0.93 0.88 ^a^These data have been already presented in \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\] as "non-leukodepleted group". ^b^pre vs. post, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. ^c^ between-group comparison of delta \[after-before\] values, Mann-Whitney U test. ^dd^p\<0.01 ^ddd^p\<0.001, vs. fresh RBCs group at the same time point, Mann-Whitney U test. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range). RBCs = red blood cells; Hb = haemoglobin; Hct = haematocrit; HR = heart rate; MAP = mean arterial pressure; T = body temperature; WBC = white blood cell count; PLT = platelet count; BE = base excess; Lac = arterial lactate levels. Free hemoglobin {#sec017} --------------- fHb levels in the supernatant of blood units did not differ between fresh and old RBCs (0.103 \[0.073--0.149\] mg/mL in fresh RBC-units, 0.111 \[0.070--0.187\] mg/mL in old RBC-units, p = 0.4). No correlation was found between the age of the transfused RBC-units and fHb levels in the supernatant (r = 0.03 \[95% CI -0.46, 0.49\], p = 0.9; data not shown). Baseline plasma fHb levels did not significantly differ between the two groups (p = 0.07). Plasma fHb was elevated after transfusion only in old RBCs group ([Table 3](#pone.0122655.t003){ref-type="table"}, [Fig 1A](#pone.0122655.g001){ref-type="fig"}). No difference was found in plasma fHb after transfusion between the two groups (p = 0.28). Changes in plasma fHb (delta fHb \[before-after transfusion\]) differed between the two groups (-0.041 \[-0.237, -0.057\] mg/mL in the fresh RBCs group, 0.065 \[0.024--0.161\] mg/mL in the old RBCs group, p = 0.04, [Fig 1B](#pone.0122655.g001){ref-type="fig"}). Two-way ANOVA showed a significant interaction between time and type of RBCs transfused, without revealing however any significant difference between the two groups at each time point ([S1 Table](#pone.0122655.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"} and [S1 Fig](#pone.0122655.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). ![Changes in plasma free haemoglobin after blood transfusion in the two groups.\ (A) Individual changes in plasma free haemoglobin after blood transfusion in the two groups; \\p\<0.01, Wilcoxon matched-pair signed rank test. (B) Delta values (after-before transfusion) of plasma free haemoglobin in the two groups. \p\<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test. Open circles indicate patients in the fresh RBC group, full circles patients in the old RBC group.](pone.0122655.g001){#pone.0122655.g001} 10.1371/journal.pone.0122655.t003 ###### Plasma free haemoglobin, sublingual microvascular parameters and NIRS-derived variables in the two groups (baseline and 1 hour after blood transfusion). ![](pone.0122655.t003){#pone.0122655.t003g} Fresh RBCs[^a^](#t003fn001){ref-type="table-fn"} Old RBCs before-after changes, between-group comparison -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- before* after p [^b^](#t003fn002){ref-type="table-fn"} before after p [^b^](#t003fn002){ref-type="table-fn"} p [^c^](#t003fn003){ref-type="table-fn"} Free Haemoglobin (mg/mL) 0.317 (0.124--0.398) 0.185 (0.122--0.288) 0.37 0.125 (0.098--0.219) 0.238 (0.163--0.369) \<0.01 0.04 MFI \[AU\] 2.75 (2.43--2.87) 2.62 (2.38--3.00) 0.73 2.79 (2.50--3.00) 2.98 (2.69--3.00) 0.55 0.21 De Backer score (1/mm) 11.3 (9.7--11.8) 11.3 (9.3--14.4) 0.16 11.2 (10.5--12.1) 11.8 (10.1--12.1) 0.85 0.39 TVD (mm/mm²) 18.4 (16.6--19.8) 19.6 (15.1--23.3) 0.19 16.8 (13.1--19.7) 17.2 (13.5--19.0) 0.99 0.53 PVD (mm/mm²) 16.2 (14.3--17.7) 17.6 (13.5--21.4) 0.23 15.1 (11.8--17.6) 16.5 (12.0--17.7) 0.23 0.99 PPV (%) 88.5 (83.1--93.1) 90.6 (85.8--96.6) 0.32 90.3 (86.3--96.3) 95.7 (93.3--97.1) 0.11 0.48 HI 0.23 (0.13--0.50) 0.16 (0.00--0.32) 0.31 0.18 (0.00--0.28) 0.02 (0.00--0.28) 0.47 0.82 THI \[AU\] 10.5 (7.8--11.2) 13.4 (10.4--15.8) \<0.01 11.4 (9.7--12.6) 13.0 (9.1--15.9) 0.05 0.08 StO₂ (%) 88 (80--90) 90 (85--93) 0.03 82 (76--87) 84 (75--93) 0.40 0.67 StO₂ down (%/min) (-)9.5 \[(-)11(-)8.5\] (-)9.0 \[(-)10.4(-)7.5\] 0.03 (-)9.6 \[(-)18.4 (-)7.3\] (-)8.8 \[(-)14.5 (-)7.0\] 0.16 0.97 StO₂ up (%/min) 174 (81--220) 191 (133--242) 0.01 159 (96--192) 182 (139--220) 0.32 0.68 AUC StO₂ (%\min) 10.7 (8.4--21) 10.9 (8.2--25.4) 0.99 15.1 (4.6--24.0) 14.3 (5.8--24.1) 0.92 0.97 PBR (μm) 2.69 (2.53--2.94) 2.72 (2.65--2.86) 0.23 2.68 (2.65--2.91) 2.77 (2.58--2.93) 0.84 0.62 ^a^These data have been already presented in part in \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\] as "non-leukodepleted group". ^b^pre vs. post, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. ^c^between-group comparison of delta \[after-before\] values, Mann-Whitney U test. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range). RBCs = red blood cells; MFI = microvascular flow index; TVD = total vessel density; PVD = perfused vessel density; PPV = proportion of perfused vessels; HI = flow heterogeneity index; THI = tissue hemoglobin index; StO2 = tissue oxygen saturation; AUC StO2 = area under the curve of the StO2 (reactive hyperemia following the vascular occlusion test); PBR = perfused boundary region. MFI, TVD, PVD, PPV and HI were calculated in small vessels (diameter \<20 μm). A post-hoc* analysis showed that our study with a sample of 10 patients per group was able to demonstrate the observed change in fHb after blood transfusion with a power \>90% (type II error of 0.06). Microvascular response to fresh or old RBC transfusion {#sec018} ------------------------------------------------------ Sublingual microvascular parameters and NIRS-derived variables before and 1 hour after transfusion in the two groups are presented in [Table 3](#pone.0122655.t003){ref-type="table"}. No difference was found in baseline values between the groups. We could not find any significant change in MFI, PPV, TVD, PVD, De Backer score, HI and PBR after the transfusion of either fresh or old RBCs. The change in PPV after transfusion was inversely related to the baseline PPV value in the whole sample (r = -0.53 \[95% CI -0.79--0.10\], p = 0.02; data not shown). Changes in TVD, PVD and De Backer score were not correlated to their baseline values (r = 0.18 \[95% CI -0.30, 0.59\] p = 0.4, r = 0.03 \[95% CI -0.43, 0.48\] p = 0.9, r = -0.21 \[95% CI -0.61, 0.26\] p = 0.4, respectively). StO~2~, StO~2~ downslope and StO~2~ upslope increased in the fresh RBCs group. THI was elevated after transfusion in both groups. The AUC StO~2~ remained unaltered in both groups. Changes in NIRS-derived variables were not correlated to their baseline values. All SDF- and NIRS-derived parameters did not differ after transfusion between the groups. Two-way ANOVA did not show any significant effect of the type of transfused RBCs on the changes in SDF- or NIRS-derived parameters after blood transfusion ([S1 Table](#pone.0122655.s003){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). No correlation was found between baseline SOFA score and microvascular changes after blood transfusions. The change in MFIs tended to correlate with the baseline MAP (r = 0.47 \[95% CI, 0.01--0.77\], p = 0.04). Free haemoglobin and microcirculation {#sec019} ------------------------------------- The change in fHb (delta fHb \[after-before transfusion\]) was negatively correlated with changes in TVD (r = -0.57 \[95% CI -0.82, -0.16\], p = 0.008), De Backer score (r = -0.63 \[95% CI -0.84, -0.25\], p = 0.003) and THI (r = -0.71 \[95% CI -0.88, -0.39\], p = 0.0003) ([Fig 2](#pone.0122655.g002){ref-type="fig"} and [S2 Fig](#pone.0122655.s002){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The change in PVD and StO~2~ tended to be inversely correlated with the change in fHb (r = -0.40 \[95% CI -0.72, 0.07\], p = 0.08 and r = -0.40 \[95% CI -0.72, 0.06\], p = 0.08, respectively) ([Fig 2B--2E](#pone.0122655.g002){ref-type="fig"} and [S2 Fig](#pone.0122655.s002){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Changes in MFI, PPV, StO2 upslope, StO2 downslope and AUC StO2 were not correlated with the change in fHb. ![Correlation analysis between the change in plasma fHb (X axis) and changes in: (A) total small vessel density, (B) perfused vessel density, (C) De Backer score, (D) tissue haemoglobin index, (E) tissue oxygen saturation (Y axis).](pone.0122655.g002){#pone.0122655.g002} Open circles indicate patients in the fresh RBC group, full circles patients in the old RBC group. Discussion {#sec020} ========== In the present study, the transfusion of old RBCs was associated with an increase in plasma fHb in septic patients. We were not able to demonstrate any improvement in the microcirculation after transfusion in either group, nor did we find any clear difference in the microcirculatory response to the transfusion of fresh versus old RBCs. The change in plasma fHb after transfusion was negatively correlated with changes in sublingual microvascular density and peripheral tissue Hb content. Increasing fHb concentration in the supernatant of packed RBCs has been described as a function of time during blood storage \[[@pone.0122655.ref008], [@pone.0122655.ref033]\], and the transfusion of 2 packed RBC units increased circulating fHb levels in patients with hematologic malignancies \[[@pone.0122655.ref033]\]. In the present study, septic patients who received old blood transfusions showed an increase in plasma fHb, despite the absence of significantly higher fHb levels in the supernatant of old blood units. It is possible that the transfusion of older fragile erythrocytes led to premature intravascular RBC rupture in the recipients. We cannot exclude that the underlying critical illness had influenced our results: spontaneous changes unrelated to blood transfusion might reasonably explain the decrease in fHb observed in 6 patients out of 20. RBC storage lesions can be responsible for the association between the transfusion of older blood and adverse outcomes \[[@pone.0122655.ref034]\]. Old RBCs decreased microvascular oxygenation and flow in rat isovolemic exchange models \[[@pone.0122655.ref035], [@pone.0122655.ref036]\]. Nonetheless, clinical data remain controversial \[[@pone.0122655.ref020], [@pone.0122655.ref037]--[@pone.0122655.ref039]\]. Marik et al. were the first to report a harmful effect of duration of RBC storage on systemic and tissue oxygenation in septic patients \[[@pone.0122655.ref040]\], but this association was not confirmed \[[@pone.0122655.ref041]\]. RBC storage time showed no influence on the sublingual microvascular response to the transfusion of leukodepleted blood in patients with severe sepsis \[[@pone.0122655.ref019]\]. In the present study, the transfusion of non-leukodepleted blood did not apparently affect the sublingual microcirculation and no difference could be seen in the microvascular response to the transfusion of fresh versus old RBCs. Whereas both fresh and old RBC transfusions were able to increase the peripheral tissue Hb content, StO~2~, StO~2~ downslope and StO~2~ upslope increased significantly only in the fresh RBC group. Of note however, the old RBC group showed similar absolute changes: the study may have been underpowered to detect significant differences in these parameters. We found an inverse relationship between the changes in the microcirculation and the change in plasma fHb. Independently of the age of the transfused blood or the baseline microvascular status, an increase in circulating fHb after transfusion was associated with a decrease in the sublingual microvascular density and a lower increase in peripheral tissue Hb content. We can speculate that these effects were mediated by disturbances in NO metabolism: cell-fHb can react with NO much faster than RBC-encapsulated Hb \[[@pone.0122655.ref042]\] and inhibit the NO-mediated vasodilation. Experimental studies showed that the infusion of the supernatant from stored RBCs produces potent vasoconstriction that is correlated with the amount of fHb in the storage medium \[[@pone.0122655.ref008]\]. Blood transfusion increased NO consumption in patients with hematologic malignancies \[[@pone.0122655.ref033]\]. Our results are consistent with these findings. Sepsis-induced deregulation in NO production is associated with impaired microvascular perfusion and reduced O~2~ consumption \[[@pone.0122655.ref011]\]. Although inhibiting NO during sepsis increases blood pressure, it also reduces microvascular blood flow and exacerbates abnormal oxygen transport \[[@pone.0122655.ref043]\]. We found an increase in MAP in the fresh RBC group but not in the old RBC group: this would contradict the previous findings. However, the baseline between-group discrepancy may have confounded the results and prevents to draw any conclusion on this point. Increasing NO-scavenging by fHb due to old RBC transfusion may synergize with the underlying endothelial dysfunction, thus reducing NO bioavailability and producing relative vasoconstriction \[[@pone.0122655.ref044]\]. Notably, we studied stable patients with low baseline microvascular alterations, as indicated by PPV above 70% in all patients and median MFI above 2.6 in both groups \[[@pone.0122655.ref045]\]: the observed interaction might be more pronounced and deleterious in presence of severe underlying microcirculatory dysfunction. Although our results would suggest that there may be a relationship between the changes in plasma fHb and the microvascular response after transfusion, several points remain to be clarified, namely the role of the patient's underlying clinical condition and microcirculatory perfusion, and the potential advantages of pre-storage leukodepletion. The microcirculatory response to blood transfusion is likely to be influenced by the underlying clinical and microvascular condition of the recipient. In our study, the heterogeneity of the studied population, which included patients with different severity of sepsis, may have been a source of variability in the response observed. More importantly, baseline disparities between the two groups (lower MAP and higher lactate levels in the fresh RBC-group) reasonably influenced the results and add to the uncertainty of our data. In fact, a relationship seemed to exist between baseline MAP and the increase in MFI. However, patients who received old RBC transfusions did not show any significant improvement in microvascular convective flow despite higher baseline MAP. Other factors could have played a role. In previous studies, the microvascular response to blood transfusion was negatively correlated with the baseline microcirculatory status rather than the age of the transfused blood units \[[@pone.0122655.ref019], [@pone.0122655.ref020]\]. Accordingly, in the present study the change in PPV was inversely related to its baseline value. Our analysis was focused on a single aspect of packed-RBC storage lesions; other potentially important factors, such as loss of RBC deformability and accumulation of residual leukocyte-derived cytokines within the storage medium, were not considered. Some studies suggest that pre-storage leukodepletion may abrogate the detrimental effects of packed RBC aging \[[@pone.0122655.ref046]\]. The real role of inflammatory mediators from residual leukocytes in the development of storage lesions remains to be clarified. Future studies should investigate whether pre-storage leukodepletion may really preserve the integrity of stored RBCs and prevent the release of fHb. The first limitation of the present study is that it is a secondary analysis of a randomized pilot study with a different primary endpoint. Moreover, we enrolled a small number of patients. However, a post-hoc analysis showed that our study had a power \>90% to detect the observed variation in plasma fHb, which was the main objective of this investigation. The heterogeneity of the studied patient population may have been a source of variability, thus preventing to detect different effects of fresh versus old RBC transfusions. In addition, baseline differences between the two groups reasonably influenced the microvascular response observed and impeded a proper between-group comparison. Another limitation of our analysis is the fact that a large number of statistical tests was performed on a small sample size; it is possible that some of the observed associations were due to chance. Our investigation was designed as a pilot study aimed to detect any possible relationship between the type of transfused blood and changes in plasma fHb and/or microcirculation: therefore, a higher type I error rate was deemed acceptable and a correction for multiple comparisons was not applied as it would have substantially reduced the probability of finding any statistically significant associations \[[@pone.0122655.ref047]\]. A two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test performed after normalization of the data revealed a significant interaction between the type of transfused RBCs and the changes in plasma fHb after transfusion. However, our results are not conclusive and require validation from larger studies. In our previous report \[[@pone.0122655.ref016]\], we explored the impact of blood transfusion on the endothelial glycocalyx. Unfortunately, it was not possible to evaluate the relationship between variations in plasma fHb and markers of glycocalyx disruption (hyaluronan, syndecan-1, heparan sulphate) as these were not measured for the old RBC group due to cost reasons. Since the glycocalyx plays a major role in the shear stress-induced release of NO \[[@pone.0122655.ref048], [@pone.0122655.ref049]\], future studies should be addressed to investigate its impact on NO bioavailability after the transfusion of stored blood. Finally, only non-leukodepleted RBCs were used: this may limit the direct applicability of our results, as most developed countries currently use leukodepleted blood units. Nevertheless, the use of non-leukodepleted RBCs is still the standard practice in Italy, and universal leukoreduction has not been implemented yet in several countries including USA. Conclusions {#sec021} =========== In the present study, the transfusion of old RBCs was associated with an increase in plasma fHb in a small and heterogeneous population of septic patients. The sublingual microcirculation appeared globally unaffected by the transfusion of either fresh or old RBCs. Independently of the type of blood received and the baseline microvascular status, increasing plasma fHb levels after transfusion were associated with decreasing sublingual microcirculatory density and lower increase in peripheral tissue Hb content after transfusion. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Supporting Information {#sec022} ====================== ###### Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures of the primary outcome of interest freeHb. Data were normalized through base-10 logarithm transformation and are expressed as mean and 95% confidence interval. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures showed a significant interaction between time point and type of transfused RBCs. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed no significant differences between the groups at each time point. (TIF) ###### Click here for additional data file. ###### Negative correlations between the change in plasma fHb (X axis) and changes in: (A) total small vessel density, (B) perfused vessel density, (C) De Backer score, (D) tissue haemoglobin index, (F) tissue oxygen saturation (Y axis). Data are expressed as ranks. Open circles indicate patients in the fresh RBC group, full circles patients in the old RBC group. (JPG) ###### Click here for additional data file. ###### Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures. Normality of distribution was checked through the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Non-normally distributed variables (fHb, MFIs, De Backer score, PVD, StO~2~ downslope, AUC StO~2~, HR, PaO~2~/FiO~2~) were normalized whenever possible through logarithmic or reciprocal transformation as appropriate. Data were analyzed through a two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures with Bonferroni post-hoc test. A p value \<0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. The variables Microcirculatory Flow Index and Flow Heterogeneity Index could not be normalized and the parametric statistics was not applied in these cases. (PDF) ###### Click here for additional data file. We thank all the patients for their participation in the study and the medical and nurse staff for their collaboration to the realization of this work. We are grateful to Dr. Hans Vink for his contribution in the analysis of SDF videos. [^1]: Competing Interests:CI is the inventor of sidestream dark field imaging technology and holds shares in MicroVision Medical and was a consultant for this company more than four years ago but has had no further contact with the company since then. He has no other competing interests in this field other than his commitment to promoting the importance of the microcirculation during patient care; and there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. The other authors have no competing interests to declare. [^2]: Conceived and designed the experiments: ED CI AD. Performed the experiments: ED EA CS AC NM SP TP DS RB. Analyzed the data: ED MML AG. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: EA RR PP AD. Wrote the paper: ED CI AD.
Effect of host lattice on antigenicity of glycophorin in membranes. The influence of the host lattice on the antigenicity of glycophorin in membranes was confirmed by complement-dependent immune lysis of liposomes with two rabbit antisera, which were prepared by immunization with either human red blood cells or isolated glycophorin A. The immune lysis by either antiserum depended on the kind of phospholipid in the liposomes. Anti-glycophorin antiserum more strongly recognized glycophorin in egg-lecithin membranes than in dipalmitoyl-lecithin membranes, as did anti-red blood cell antiserum. Cholesterol in the liposomal membranes influenced the antigenicity of glycophorin. The relationship between the state of glycophorin in membranes and recognition by antibody is discussed.
from torchvision import models from PIL import Image import cv2 import torch from torchsummary import summary from torchvision import transforms transform = transforms.Compose([ #[1] # transforms.Resize(256), #[2] # transforms.CenterCrop(224), #[3] transforms.ToTensor(), #[4] transforms.Normalize( #[5] mean=[0.485, 0.456, 0.406], #[6] std=[0.229, 0.224, 0.225] #[7] )]) with open('imagenet_classes.txt') as f: labels = [line.strip() for line in f.readlines()] dir(models) img = Image.open("camel.jpg") img_t = transform(img) batch_t = torch.unsqueeze(img_t, 0) # First, load the model resnet = models.resnet18(pretrained=True) summary(resnet, (3, 224,224)) # Second, put the network in eval mode resnet.eval() # Third, carry out model inference preds = resnet(batch_t) pred, class_idx = torch.max(preds, dim=1) print(labels[class_idx])
A Kerry-based marine expert has called for “a bit of factual perspective” on the debate over “killer gulls” and has warned that the birds face a real food crisis from next year. Retired fisheries officer and Dingle Oceanworld aquarium founder Kevin Flannery said the new EU rules banning discards of fish at sea would have an impact on certain marine birds, and might push more of them inland. Earlier this week, Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O’Donovan called for a cull of urban-based gulls, describing them as “vicious” and accusing them of “invading towns and villages”. Speaking in the Seanad, he noted that British prime minister David Cameron had “come out publicly to record his concern”. Mr Cameron called for a “big conversation” on the birds’ behaviour last week after reported attacks by gulls in Cornwall. Mr Flannery, who received an honorary degree from University College Cork earlier this year, said there had been insufficient scientific research on the likely impact of the EU fish discard ban, which comes into force for all whitefish vessels from next January. Good idea, bad interpretation “But the European Commission in all its wisdom extended it to all fish, and this means that juvenile flatfish and other inedible species that can survive after being caught and discarded, will be brought ashore by law. “Seabirds like gannets and guillemots which dive for food are already under pressure, and the scavengers like herring gulls who depend on fishing boats will be forced to move inland.” Birdwatch Ireland development officer Niall Hatch said Mr Flannery had made a “very good point”, given that herring gulls did not have the fishing skills of terns, guillemots and other marine species. ‘Demonisation’ “Gulls have learned to associate humans with food, due to our own habits with feeding birds and with litter, and there are a few rogues – particularly herring gulls,” he said. “However, herring gulls have actually declined by 90 per cent in the past 10 years, decreasing from 60,000 pairs to about 6,000 due to botulism from rubbish dumps and loss of breeding areas to minkes, rats and to human activity. “So it is a species in crisis that does not need a cull.” Mr Hatch said there were more gulls – mainly lesser black-backed and herring – in cities in wintertime than in summer, but his organisation never received complaints in the winter. Birdwatch Ireland is currently conducting a survey of roof-nesting gulls as part of the Dublin City Urban Birds project with Dublin City Council parks services. Members of the public can submit reports via an online survey at birdwatchireland.ie.
A big thanks to Madison from The Wetherills Say I Dofor taking over the blog today in the next Perks of Being Married to My Spouse post! A lot of people would probably think we were crazy to get married before we finished college. On the surface it may seem like being married and students would be really difficult. There are definitely some challenges, but as my husband gets ready to graduate this Saturday, I've been thinking a lot about how our marriage will shift once he's no longer a student. There are some things I have really loved about his time as a student, even after I had graduated two years ago. If you've been married while your spouse is a student, you may have some fond late night study session memories or memories of quizzing your spouse through a stack of notecards. You might even remember sitting through their awards ceremonies or presentations. There are some definite perks to being married to a student and some memories from our time as students that I will really cherish. Flexible Schedules When I started working full time, I definitely struggled with not having a flexible schedule. Being "chained to my desk" in a sense from 8-5 made running a lot of errands difficult. I was left with only time at night to go to the grocery store, take my car for maintenance, etc. Having a husband who was on a bit of an opposite schedule and who had flexibility in his day made those sorts of errands a lot easier! There were countless times where I had Steven take my car in for me or run to the grocery store to pick something up for dinner. Free Nights While Steven was an older student after doing 6 years of military service before going to college. he still did a traditional college route so his classes were always during the day. This made our evenings very flexible in that we were able to hang out with with friends, go see movies, or even just sit together and work on blog work and homework. Having that time available for whatever we wanted to do was such a nice change from when I was in school and working as a waitress at night. College Breaks Once I got back into the work force, it definitely became challenging to get vacation to go out of town. But what was nice is that Steven was always able to schedule around his classes to go out of town early on a Friday or even skip a class if he needed to. Having to only worry about one person's work schedule and vacation time made it a lot easier to coordinate the trips we needed or wanted to take over the last two years. There were of course some difficulties with being married to a student, like living on a student's budget and only one income, but overall I see so many positives to starting out our marriage both as students and then with one person working and one person as a student. I definitely wouldn't change a thing! It will definitely be a transition as Steven finds a job in the next few months and we transition into him working full time and me being the one with the more flexible schedule as I work from home. But I think the lessons we have learned over the last three years of being students will be ones that help us throughout the rest of our marriage! Amberly & Joe We are always striving to make our marriage a top priority no matter what life brings. Constant communication, intentional quality time, and laughter keep us focused on building our relationship with each other. Join us, and make your marriage the most important relationship in your life. CATEGORIES DISCLOSURE I (Amberly) amy a Provisionally Certified Family Life Educator with a bachelor's degree in Family Studies. I do not provide marriage counseling. A Prioritized Marriage is written for informational purposes only. I am willing to provide suggestions on how you can make your own marriage more of a priority based on your stage in life. For relationships that need more help, I recommend you consult with a licensed professional who is capable of providing advice and counseling specific to your situation. A Prioritized Marriage is a for profit blog. The blog may contain paid advertisements, sponsored posts and giveaways, and affiliate links. All sponsored content will be clearly labeled as such. I only share products and companies that I truly believe will benefit you and strengthen the relationship that you have with your spouse. All opinions are 100% my own. A Prioritized Marriage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Summary Block This is example content. Double-click here and select a page to feature its content. Learn more
Q: Angular 2 Master/Detail nead explanation I am new in Angular 2, this is code from Official website. I understand all of class, import , list, HTML tags. But i don't understand onSelect(hero) metod. ngFor directiv listing id and name. And if we selected list, details are displayed. How the method works? It grabs the data, but in what way it's not clear to me. import { Component } from '@angular/core'; export class Hero { id: number; name: string; } const HEROES: Hero[] = [ { id: 11, name: 'Mr. Nice' }, { id: 12, name: 'Narco' }, { id: 13, name: 'Bombasto' }, { id: 14, name: 'Celeritas' }, { id: 15, name: 'Magneta' }, { id: 16, name: 'RubberMan' }, { id: 17, name: 'Dynama' }, { id: 18, name: 'Dr IQ' }, { id: 19, name: 'Magma' }, { id: 20, name: 'Tornado' } ]; @Component({ selector: 'my-app', template: ` <h1>{{title}}</h1> <h2>My Heroes</h2> <ul class="heroes"> <li ngFor="let hero of heroes" [class.selected]="hero === selectedHero" (click)="onSelect(hero)"> <span class="badge">{{hero.id}}</span> {{hero.name}} </li> </ul> <div ngIf="selectedHero"> <h2>{{selectedHero.name}} details!</h2> <div><label>id: </label>{{selectedHero.id}}</div> <div> <label>name: </label> <input [(ngModel)]="selectedHero.name" placeholder="name"/> </div> </div> `, styles: [` .selected { background-color: #CFD8DC !important; color: white; } .heroes { margin: 0 0 2em 0; list-style-type: none; padding: 0; width: 15em; } .heroes li { cursor: pointer; position: relative; left: 0; background-color: #EEE; margin: .5em; padding: .3em 0; height: 1.6em; border-radius: 4px; } .heroes li.selected:hover { background-color: #BBD8DC !important; color: white; } .heroes li:hover { color: #607D8B; background-color: #DDD; left: .1em; } .heroes .text { position: relative; top: -3px; } .heroes .badge { display: inline-block; font-size: small; color: white; padding: 0.8em 0.7em 0 0.7em; background-color: #607D8B; line-height: 1em; position: relative; left: -1px; top: -4px; height: 1.8em; margin-right: .8em; border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; } `] }) export class AppComponent { title = 'Tour of Heroes'; heroes = HEROES; selectedHero: Hero; onSelect(her: Hero): void { this.selectedHero = her; } } A: In the following loop we're going trough each of the heroes from the HEROES array: <li ngFor="let hero of heroes" [class.selected]="hero === selectedHero" (click)="onSelect(hero)"> <span class="badge">{{hero.id}}</span> {{hero.name}} </li> So each list item will represent a different hero. The id and name are displayed (using {{hero.id}} and {{hero.name}} respectively) but the hero represents the entire object. So because the on click behavior is defind as: (click)="onSelect(hero)" clicking the item will call the onSelect method with the hero that it represents as the parameter. The onSelect method assigns the hero passed into it as parameter to the selectedHero field of the AppComponent. In the html template you can see that the displayed name of the selected hero is defined as {{selectedHero.name}} which means that it takes the name value from the selectedHero field.
Q: Control my network I work on a small company where 4 computers are connected to the Internet through a router. (router is linked to a hub 'switcher I think' and gives all computers internet access). I want to control the internet connection, here's how See the data flow of computers, this mean track all data computers send and receive through the internet Check who is connected and control his bandwidth may be other things, but that's the most important, I'm looking essentially for a third party software that just DO THAT, I don't want a huge software full of 'crap'. Any idea how can I do that? A: You should look into getting untangle (http://www.untangle.com/) and get a dedicated box to run that on. It's FREE, open source, and allows you to do a lot of things to both monitor traffic, and make the internet safer for your company's network. If you just want to monitor traffic, I'd suggest you use Wireshark, although it won't let you control that traffic, it will allow you (if you configure the network properly) to see all data in and out of the network. A: You can use the hardware/software combinations as the above/below stated. I have another recommendation. There is Broadcom-based router replacement firmware called Tomato. It can do QoS and track connection information and even has some beautiful bandwidth graphs with totals, monthly usage, etc. It basically turns a $50 router into a fully managed switch that can cost $1000s. It is installable on a number of routers, I have been using it on a WRT54G router for a while and it works great. It would work great with a small office of 4 PCs. There is a wiki with lots of information.
Factors associated with age at operation for children with congenital heart disease. Previous studies have shown that children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who live in nonurban areas or who do not have private insurance are at risk for delayed referral to a pediatric cardiologist. However, the effect of these factors on the age at which cardiac surgery is performed has not been evaluated. This study is designed to evaluate the factors that influence the age at which definitive surgical repair is performed. Data on hospital discharges for 1995 and 1996 in California were obtained from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Children <18 years who underwent surgical repair for atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), or atrioventricular canal (AVC) were included in the study. Age at surgery was evaluated using type of CHD, gender, race, type of insurance, surgical centers, urban or rural home location, and distance between home and surgical center as independent variables. In 1995-1996, 666 children underwent ASD closure (mean age: 5.1 years; median: 4.0 years), 582 VSD closure (mean age: 2.8; median: 1.1 years), 394 TOF repair (mean age: 1.7; median:.9 years), and 177 AVC repair (mean age: 1.1; median:.6 years). Comparing median and mean age at surgery, we found: AVC<TOF<VSD<ASD (< indicates younger than). A consistent trend for all 4 types of CHD was seen indicating that for median age at operation: private insurance<managed care<Medicaid. Gender or race had no effect on age at operation, although Asians tended to be older at surgery for all 4 types of CHD. There is a significant negative correlation between the case volume of surgical centers and median age at operation for ASD (r = -.37), VSD (r = -.49), TOF (r = -.63), and AVC (r = -.17). In addition, significant positive correlation was found between degree of urbanization of home locations (measured by population density) and median age at operation for ASD (r =.50), VSD (r =.77), and TOF (r =.18). No significant correlation was found between distance to surgical center and age at operation. Many medical and nonmedical variables play important roles in determining age for definitive repair of CHD in children. Type of insurance, a recognized surrogate for access to care, may play an important role. In addition, centers with higher surgical case volume were more likely to operate at a younger age. Finally, children in urban areas tend to be older at the time of surgery for ASD, VSD, and TOF.
Picture from Scotland - Loch Eilt. Loch Eilt, a few miles north of Glenfinnan on the A82, was used in The Prisoner of Azkaban for the scene where Hagrid is skimming stones on the lake. There are three or four of these small wooded islets on Loch Eilt, the only ones in Scotland as far as I know. They escaped the destruction of the native Caledonian Pine forests over 100 years ago because they were too inconvenient for the loggers to get to. Before that, most of the north of Scotland above the central belt was covered in this kind of forest.
UPDATE `gameobject_template` SET `ScriptName`='go_altar_of_the_keepers' WHERE `entry`=130511; UPDATE `gameobject_template` SET `ScriptName`='go_altar_of_archaedas' WHERE `entry`=133234; UPDATE `instance_template` SET `script`='instance_uldaman' WHERE `map`=70; -- Archaedas UPDATE `creature_template` SET `ScriptName`='boss_archaedas' WHERE `entry`=2748; -- Archaedas' minions UPDATE `creature_template` SET `ScriptName`='mob_archaedas_minions' WHERE `entry` IN ('7309', '7077', '7076', '10120'); -- Stone keepers UPDATE `creature_template` SET `ScriptName`='mob_stonekeepers' WHERE `entry`=4857;
Age and MMPI indices of schizophrenia. Assessed the generalizability of empirically derived MMPI criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia with an older sample of hospitalized patients (N = 65). The criterion diagnosis was established through the use of a standarized structured interview and a diagnostic system for schizophrenia based on the use of discriminant function analysis. Results were quite disappointing because only 22% of the sample obtained an MMPI profile that fit the above criteria.
Tim Rooney has been at the helm of the Westchester County Harness track for 37 years, since his family purchased the famed half-mile oval in 1972. Rooney will join his late father Art Rooney, who is enshrined in Canton as the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, as a Hall of Famer. Tim Rooney has overseen a renaissance at Yonkers Raceway in the past several years, as Empire City Casino, the leading “racino” in the state, has boosted the state’s economy and harness racing purses. Though a Pittsburgh native, Rooney has become one of New York’s favorite sons, serving as Grand Marshall for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, entering the Westchester Hall of Fame, and being selected last year as the United States Harness Writers’ “Man of the Half Century.”
Samsung Copies Apple Again With New Galaxy Gear TV Ad [VIDEO] Samsung has been in quite a bit of hot water lately. As well as dropping two Galaxy S4 Gold Edition right after the launch of the Gold iPhone 5s, the company was then found to be severely cooking the books with certain flagship handsets in order to yield favorable results in benchmark tests. Now, it would seem the Korean giant is up to another one of its old tricks – copying Apple – and as you’ll see below, the ad for its Galaxy Gear smartwatch is very much the same as that of the original iPhone. Of course, we don’t necessarily think this has been ripped off without any acknowledgement of the original from Apple all those years ago. This is much more likely Samsung’s way of taking a bit of a pop at its Cupertino rival, as it so often does amid a big product launch. When we first saw the original Galaxy Note 3 ad / puppet show, we did think it strange that Apple hadn’t even been given a mention or reference, but Samsung hasn’t disappointed, swiftly following up with a copycat Galaxy Gear ad. For those that can remember, the original iPhone ad, entitled "Hello," featured many famous faces – animated or otherwise – picking up the phone and uttering their greeting. Samsung’s "A Long Time Coming" clip follows the same prose, but instead sees characters interacting with their smartwatches. From The Jetsons and Fred Flintstone to the Power Rangers, Samsung’s advertisement is pretty thorough, and although it is quite an obvious pop at Apple, there’s little doubt that the Galaxy Gear is attempting to be that same game-changing product as the iPhone. The chances of Samsung’s wrist-worn watch being as influential as the Apple iPhone would seem nil, and with compatibility issues already seeming to be problematic, it would seem that many are already filing it in the overpriced-and-useless folder. Still, as we await the iWatch, which is, as time progresses, becoming more and more of an enigma, perhaps Samsung deserves a little credit for diving in and giving the smartwatch game a decent crack. Still, would certainly be nice if it could come up with its own ads, given the well-documented marketing budget it has: For some perspective, here’s the first iPhone ad: What do you think? You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the Web.
Ephraim Casado allegedly did nothing but throw a bottle from his car on March 27, 2017. According to documents and footage New Times obtained, Miami-Dade County cops responded by repeatedly punching him in the face, grinding his body into the asphalt, and painfully hoisting him into the air by his arms before arresting him on charges of "resisting an officer with violence," criminal mischief, and misdemeanor cannabis possession. After reviewing body-camera footage from the ordeal, prosecutors dropped the case and wrote that the video evidence directly contradicted what the cops claimed had happened. MDPD detectives punched the suspect on video and later lied on their arrest affidavits, prosecutors discovered last August. But State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle's office never charged the officers. "I reviewed the body-worn camera footage and was troubled by what I saw," Assistant State Attorney Natalie Pueschel wrote in an August 9 close-out memorandum clearing Casado of any wrongdoing. "It is my belief that these officers were less-than-truthful about the actual events that occurred during this incident." Despite the clear violations detailed in the memo, MDPD spokesperson Det. Alvaro Zabaleta confirmed that the two officers involved are still active and that the department's internal affairs investigation "revealed no criminal or administrative wrongdoing; therefore, there is no disciplinary action forthcoming." Internal Affairs ruled that Pueschel's account of the events was inaccurate. The memo from Rundle's office details what seems to be a laundry list of policy violations, if not downright violations of the law. Officers claimed that Casado refused to pull over and that when he finally stopped in front of his house, he exited the car "concealing his hands" before "committing a battery upon the detective" outside his home on NW 91st Street in West Little River. But when prosecutors obtained the body-camera footage, the clip clearly contradicted the cops' sworn arrest affidavits. Prosecutors wrote that the footage actually shows Casado exiting his car calmly with his hands in the air and that the cops forced him out of his car at gunpoint before punching him. In the gruesome body-camera footage, which New Times also obtained, the video show Casado exiting his car by sticking his hands directly in the air above his head — and a cop then grabs Casado by the arm and whips him around and pins him onto the trunk of the car. EXPAND Miami-Dade County Police Another video begins by showing a cop pummeling Casado in the face. "You just punched me in the face!" Casado yells. "Fucking right I did," the cop responds. In separate footage from a different officer, Casado is shown slipping out of the officers' grasp, before an officer grabs him by the wrist and pulls him to the ground. Casado briefly rolls on top of the officer before a team of cops handcuffs him. In a different clip, Casado can be heard screaming in pain in the back seat of the police car. Seconds later in the same clip, one of the cops turns to the camera and says to another officer: "Don't say anything. The cameras are rolling." Casado also repeatedly complains that officers put him in handcuffs "without reading [him his] rights." "My head is bleeding and my mouth is bleeding!" Casado shouts in one portion of the footage. "What's your badge number?" "What are you going to do about it?" one officer asks sarcastically in response. Another officer repeatedly refuses to tell Casado's friends and family why he's being detained. Casado then kicks the door of his police car a few times — the officers respond by ripping Casado from the car and placing him face-down on the sun-baked asphalt. He screams in agony as a team of cops pins him to the ground, uses a "hobble" restraint to tie his ankles together, cuffs his arms behind his body, and hoists him into the air by his wrists, yanking his arms backward in a painful position. Prosecutors noted the officers seemed to switch their body cameras on and off during the struggle: Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office Casado filed a lawsuit in federal court last week against MDPD and the officers involved. His lawyer, Igor Hernandez, told New Times yesterday that Casado was stuck living on house arrest for four months while he waited for prosecutors to drop the case. Hernandez said that in addition to getting punched in the face "six or seven times," Casado was also "in the process" of getting a new job but lost his chance because he was stuck at home while the case progressed. "This case should not have been filed, but they proceeded due to all the allegations that the cops made up," Hernandez said. "The physical aspect of this case is one thing, but the loss of liberty too was probably even worse. Plus, this is just not right — cops can’t just be doing this kind of stuff." The county has not yet responded to the lawsuit in court; MDPD does not comment on active lawsuits. Why hasn't Rundle's office charged any of the officers involved with lying in their sworn statements? Her spokesperson, Ed Griffith, said only that the decision not to charge the cops was "addressed in the case file." Rundle's office has been criticized repeatedly for refusing to discipline police officers and state employees for wrongdoing. She has never charged a Miami-area cop for an on-duty killing during her 25 years as the county's top prosecutor. This past April, she quietly cleared an MDPD cop for fatally shooting a Liberty City man despite the fact that her own prosecutors confirmed 27-year-old Anthony Ford was unarmed. This is also not the first time Rundle's prosecutors have declined to take action after mentioning in close-out documents that cops have lied in sworn reports. In 2012, prosecutors wrote that then-City of Miami Police Lt. and Fraternal Order of Police President Javier Ortiz had written sworn documents that were "inconsistent" with video evidence taken at the scene of a police-involved beating. Rundle's office never charged Ortiz with a crime. Earlier this year, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez vetoed the creation of an independent civilian oversight panel that would have investigated complaints against Miami-Dade County Police officers. MDPD Director Juan Perez stood in front of the county commission in February and argued there is "no widespread mistrust of his police department" and, therefore, the panel was "not needed." This piece has been updated to include further details from Casado's arrest report, which was obtained after this story was initially published.
Biomarkers: Parkinson disease with dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Dementia is a common feature in Parkinson disease (PD), the time of onset determining how patients are classified. Those patients where dementia develops prior to parkinsonism or during the first year of disease are designated as having dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In those where dementia develops over a year after the onset of motor signs, the condition is known as Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD). While this seems at first sight to be a definitive way to distinguish these conditions, reality is rather different. The overlap between them is considerable, and there is much uncertainty associated with patients who have both motor symptoms and early cognitive impairment. The diagnosis is still based on medical history and clinical evaluation. It is not even certain that they can be accurately distinguished at autopsy. For this reason, the data concerning these entities have been reviewed, to examine various markers employed or measured in clinical, neuropathological, neuroimaging, and biochemical investigations. The concept of PDD and DLB being separate conditions is comparatively new, and the most promising tools with which to separate them at present are cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning that indicate increased amyloid-beta burden in DLB compared to PDD. However as yet there are no markers that unequivocally distinguish between PDD and DLB.
Share This ATHENS, Ohio -- Males may be more likely than females to play rock music at potentially dangerous volumes, regardless of whether or not they like rock music at all, a new study at Ohio University suggests. Related Articles A study of 250 Ohio University students ages 19 to 22 found that men may be influenced more by external circumstances, such as peer pressure, than they are by their own preferences for music. This pressure may influence their judgments about loudness to the point that they will play music they don't like loudly, said Donald Fucci, professor of speech and hearing at Ohio University and lead author of the study. "For women, it was straightforward -- if they said they didn't like rock music, they didn't like to hear it played loudly," Fucci said. "But the men couldn't seem to follow their own preferences." Studies of hearing loss in young people have suggested an increase in the cases of irreversible sensory hearing loss among people ages 18 to 21. This new study suggests males may experience more hearing damage because they may be succumbing to forces such as peer pressure, Fucci said. "Young adults frequently try to test their limits," he said. "It might be that boys are more likely than girls to do that, although we don't know that for sure." For the study, researchers asked the students to rate their preference for rock music as high, moderate or low. The people who rated their preference as either high or low were asked to listen to the rock song, "Heartbreaker" by Led Zeppelin, played at a range of volumes for a period of 10 seconds. While listening, participants were asked to indicate whether they thought a particular volume was too loud, or if they wanted the music played louder. "We found that even men who said they didn't like rock music rated it the same as those who liked it, which suggests that they may not be responding to their inner feelings about the music as much as women do," Fucci said. "It appears that women are more in tune with their emotions and their needs and are willing to follow those needs, at least in the case of listening to music." The audio industry often has been blamed for causing hearing loss in young people by making powerful equipment for home and car stereo systems, but they just may be meeting the demands of consumers who are influenced by peer pressure and other external factors, Fucci said. "I think the audio industry is giving the kids what they want," he said. "When you have speakers that can vibrate a car, the driver of the car is most likely responding to some sort of external pressure to have that system in the vehicle." The National Institutes of Health estimates 28 million Americans have some level of hearing loss. In at least 10 million of those cases, the loss is caused by exposure to loud sounds. Any prolonged exposure to noise above 70 to 90 decibels -- the equivalent of someone yelling loudly -- can cause permanent hearing damage. "Clearly there is a message we need to get to kids at an early age," Fucci said. "Telling kids, whether they are males or females, not to listen to music they enjoy is counterproductive. We somehow need to teach them to listen to all types of music at safe levels." The study, published in a recent issue of Perceptual and Motor Skills, was co-authored by Linda Petrosino, professor of hearing and speech at Bowling Green State University, and Brooke Hallowell, assistant professor of hearing and speech, Lisa Andra and Corry Wilcox, former graduate students in hearing and speech, all at Ohio University. More From ScienceDaily More Mind & Brain News Featured Research Mar. 3, 2015 — The literary great Marcel Proust wore ear-stoppers because he was unable to filter out irrelevant noise -- and lined his bedroom with cork to attenuate sound. 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Nearly a third of those ... full story Jan. 20, 2011 — What makes music beautiful? The best compositions transcend culture and time -- but what is the commonality which underscores their appeal? New research suggests that the brain simplifies complex ... full story Dec. 7, 2010 — Most people feel chills and shivers in response to music that thrills them, but some people feel these chills often and others feel them hardly at all. People who are particularly open to new ... full story ScienceDaily features breaking news and videos about the latest discoveries in health, technology, the environment, and more -- from major news services and leading universities, scientific journals, and research organizations.
Closed reduction of laterally displaced fracture/dislocation of the mandibular condylar process in a child. This is a unique case of isolated lateral fracture/dislocation of the condylar process in a 3-year-old child injured on an escalator. Immediate closed reduction under general anesthesia successfully restored condylar height and premorbid dental occlusion. Maxillomandibular fixation was not used because mandibular mobilization was encouraged. Clinical follow-up confirmed maintenance of normal dental occlusion and temporomandibular joint function.
Movement as Investment for Health: integrated evaluation in participatory physical activity promotion among women in difficult life situations. Movement as Investment for Health (Bewegung als Investition in Gesundheit or BIG) was a multidimensional research study in participatory physical activity promotion among socially disadvantaged women in a deprived neighbourhood in Erlangen, Germany. It aimed at making full use of health-promoting effects of movement and developing integrated evaluation through approaches from different disciplines. We defined the target population through national health survey data, and determined important intervention and evaluation dimensions through meta-analyses. A co-operative planning group of women, researchers, policy-makers, and local experts made decisions on the most appropriate procedures. Integrated evaluation in participatory approaches is promising. It calls for context-specific evaluation, requires adaptation of existing approaches or even development of its own evidence base.
Nokia Stock Outlook North America is still an important market for any smartphone vendor. Nokia’s comeback as a smartphone brand should not only be limited to China. HMD Global will probably leverage Nokia Networks’ close relationship with U.S. wireless carriers to help boost distribution of its Android phones. Carrier backing is always important toward the success of any new smartphone. Nokia’s stock has positive short-term and long-term algorithmic forecasts. Now is the best time to go long on NOK while it still trades below $6. Nokia (NOK) Android phones will soon be available in the US. HMD Global, the firm with the exclusive rights to build and sell Nokia-branded phones and tablets, confirmed last March 22 that yes, Nokia Android phones will be available in America. The official confirmation from HMD Global should accelerate Nokia’s big comeback effort as a global consumer electronics brand. Nokia gets a cut from every HMD Global Nokia-branded products that gets shipped out. A retail push in a developed country like the United States will therefore add to Nokia’s chance to earn more licensing fees from HMD Global. (Source: Nokia Mobile Twitter Page) HMD Global actually plans to release the Nokia 6, Nokia 5, and Nokia 3 almost simultaneously in 120 markets/countries this Q2 2017. I hope HMD Global focuses first on developed countries like the US. Going forward, it is quite possible that HMD Global could easily sell 3-to-8 million Android phones in the U.S. annually. The US Is A Safer Place To Make A Comeback Attempt As per the estimate of Statista, the US remains the second-biggest market for smartphones. Yes, China is the biggest market for phones to date. However, Nokia will have a hard time competing with sub-$100 Android phones available in China. The bigger average household income in the US means phone buyers there aren’t as price sensitive like Chinese citizens. I bet that HMD Global will most likely sell more Nokia Android Phones in North America that it will in China. (Source: Statista) Furthermore, Nokia Networks has long-term business relationships with America’s leading wireless carriers. HMD Global’s US will probably benefit from getting the backing of Nokia Networks’ LTE rollout customers like Verizon (VZ) and T-Mobile (TMUS). Nokia has economic incentives to go and persuade Verizon and T-Mobile to add HMD Global Nokia Android phones to their postpaid/pre-paid phone plans. Carrier support will go a long way toward better consumer awareness over Nokia-branded mobile devices. Verizon and/or T-Mobile could offer the $240 Nokia 6 for free to whoever sign-up for a two-year service contract. The all-metal Nokia 6 has been torture-tested successfully. It is indeed a premium handset that will surely appeal to discerning Americans look for an alternative to the $500++ high-end Android phones of Motorola, Google (GOOG), and Samsung (SSNLF). Americans, with their higher disposable income, will likely favor the proven build quality of a Nokia Android phone over an Alcatel handset made by TCL Communications or Huawei. Furthermore, Amazon (AMZN) could eventually add the Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 to its discounted phone offers to its more than 66 million Prime members. The Nokia brand power is certainly more recognizable than Blu or Alcatel in America. An Prime subscriber would probably be tempted to buy a Nokia 5 if Amazon offers it with a decent discount of $70-to-$100 discount. High-End Android Phones Are Also Coming Soon Nokia’s comeback strategy also includes the release of higher-end Android phones. Taking aim at all available market opportunities (from entry-level to high-end) for Android phones is a necessary strategy for HMD Global. The success of Nokia Android phones will be handicapped if it gets stuck in affordable handsets. Margins are better in high-end Android phones. The Nokia 7 and Nokia 8 are already in the works. Leaked design features reveal the Nokia 7 and Nokia 8 features a dual-camera Carl Zeiss configuration. A top-of-the-line Nokia 9 from HMD Global could offer stiff competition to the Galaxy S8 and Pixel Plus. A dual-camera setup with Carl Zeiss lens hints that the Nokia 7 and Nokia 8 will likely retail for more than $350. The more higher-priced Nokia Android phones that get shipped out, the more licensing fees will Nokia receive from HMD Global. Conclusion A well-crafted marketing plan for Nokia Android phones in America could help HMD Global sell 20-to-40 million Android phones every year starting 2018. The economic benefit to Nokia from HMD Global shipping out 30 million Android phones this year is small. My guesstimate is that Nokia likely charges an average of $10 per handset for every HMD Global ships out. On the other hand, Nokia’s stock could shoot up higher than $6.50 if IDC reports next year that Nokia is again among the top 5 smartphone vendors. In an emotion-driven stock market, many retail and institutional investors are often enamored with companies that make a successful comeback. Nokia making a successful return as a best-selling phone brand could inspire nostalgic investors to again be infatuated with NOK. Hedge fund managers also appear to have a positive outlook for Nokia. As per TipRanks data, NOK is getting higher buy actions from Hedge fund managers since Q3 2016. (Source: TipRanks) I Know First also endorses a Buy rating for NOK. The short-term and long-term algorithmic forecasts for NOK are all positive. I Know First Algorithm Heatmap Explanation The sign of the signal tells in which direction the asset price is expected to go (positive = to go up = Long, negative = to drop = Short position), the signal strength is related to the magnitude of the expected return and is used for ranking purposes of the investment opportunities. Predictability is the actual fitness function being optimized every day, and can be simplified explained as the correlation based quality measure of the signal. This is a unique indicator of the I Know First algorithm. This allows users to separate and focus on the most predictable assets according to the algorithm. Ranging between -1 and 1, one should focus on predictability levels significantly above in order to fill confident about/trust the signal. I Know First-Daily Market Forecast, does not provide personal investment or financial advice to individuals, or act as personal financial, legal, or institutional investment advisors, or individually advocate the purchase or sale of any security or investment or the use of any particular financial strategy. All investing, stock forecasts and investment strategies include the risk of loss for some or even all of your capital. Before pursuing any financial strategies discussed on this website, you should always consult with a licensed financial advisor.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially labeled obesity as a disease in hopes that it will help change the way the medical community tackles the complex issue. As it stands, insurance companies generally exclude obesity treatment, which can limit how physicians manage obesity-related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. While the AMA’s decision has no legal authority, some hope that medical therapies and procedures such as the lap-band or gastric bypass surgeries will now be included in insurance coverage. Proponents of the decision contend that treatment for clinically obese patients is not as simple as eating less and exercising more. Physical mechanisms and damage to signaling pathways can make it extremely difficult for people to lose weight. Improving reimbursement for obesity drugs, surgery, and counseling may significantly impact patient outcomes. Those opposing the decision, including the AMA’s own Council on Science and Public Health, consider the measure to define obesity, the body mass index (BMI), too simplistic and flawed. They argue people with a BMI above the level defining obesity may be perfectly healthy, while others may have dangerous levels of body fat and metabolic problems. Others are concerned that the lack of specific symptoms associated with obesity classify it as more of a risk factor for other conditions than a disease in its own right. Physician’s Weekly wants to know…Will the AMA’s decision influence how you view and manage obesity among your patients? Do you think it will impact insurance...
Gyrate rhombicosidodecahedron In geometry, the gyrate rhombicosidodecahedron is one of the Johnson solids (J72). It is also a canonical polyhedron. Related polyhedron It can be constructed as a rhombicosidodecahedron with one pentagonal cupola rotated through 36 degrees. They have the same faces around each vertex, but vertex configurations along the rotation become a different order, 3.4.4.5. Alternative Johnson solids, constructed by rotating different cupolae of a rhombicosidodecahedron, are: the parabigyrate rhombicosidodecahedron (J73) where two opposing cupolae are rotated, the metabigyrate rhombicosidodecahedron (J74) where two non-opposing cupolae are rotated and the trigyrate rhombicosidodecahedron (J75) where three cupolae are rotated. External links Category:Johnson solids
CALIFORNIAN: Inland Valley Symphony doubles up in February The Inland Valley Symphony will not only double the chances of seeing one of its classical music performances this month with two shows, but has invited two talented soloists to join it. The 55-member Inland Valley symphony, led by Maestro Anthony Parnther, has been a community fixture for almost two decades, now entering its 17th year. To kick off the 2012 season, the symphony will be presenting two concerts in February. The piece, based on Shakespeare's romantic tragedy of the same name, is an "overture-fantasy" that combines three individual strands to musically narrate the classic story of two warring families, young love, and ultimate tragedy. In addition to the Overture, played by the full orchestra, this Saturday's concert will include appearances by two special guests. Oboe soloist Meg Cassell, a graduate of Yale University Schoolof Music, has played oboe professionally since 1980. She has notonly performed with several ensembles in the Los Angeles and SanDiego areas, she held the position of principal oboe with the HoferSymphoniker in Germany for 12 years. For Saturday's concert, Cassell will present Concerto for Oboe by Strauss. In addition, the show will include a performance by pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, an Inland Valley Symphony regular guest, who will present Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1. McCullough looks forward to every appearance with the symphony. "It's been nice for me because I've gotten to play some great repertoire with them, and they seem to have a great responsive audience," McCullough said during a recent interview. "They're a really wonderful group to perform with." A student in Toronto, McCullough will be sticking around the Inland Empire for an additional week as the Inland Valley Symphony presents a very special recital with him on Feb. 26. He will be joined by special guest Parnther on bassoon. For the recital, McCullough chose a body of work that was particularly dear to his heart: Beethoven's final three sonatas. "This is a program I've been wanting to play for a really long time," McCullough said. "They are probably the greatest piano works ever written. I felt like I had to do this program at some point, because I felt it was something that would stick with me for the rest of my life. So this is technically my first attempt at doing this program." The last of his piano compositions, the sonatas were written by Beethoven from the summer of 1821 to the spring of 1822 without stopping ---- a fact that particularly fascinates McCullough. "It's really hard to describe exactly what it is about them that's so overwhelming, but it really is just a perfect balance of so many musical qualities," he said. "He wrote them all in sort of one fast streak, so it's almost like one giant piece, the three of them. You have to listen to them to understand why they're so wonderful." After experiencing his recital, McCullough hopes the audience will take away the same thoughts and emotions he feels Beethoven was trying to convey. "When Beethoven was writing these sonatas, he was really into Asian philosophy and this sense of all things in the universe sort of being connected together somehow, and I think he really attempted to portray that with these three pieces," McCullough said. "When they are played well, you feel like you are part of something very large and all-encompassing, and that's what I'm trying to do. If I'm successful, I think people will feel like they're all part of something bigger."
I haven’t done a full detailed beauty review in a while and so I thought I would break that draught with a post about a new brand I have discovered called Thesis. “Since 2009, Thesis has been run by a family of happy vegetarians dedicated to the development of truly organic and natural skin care products at accessible price points. Our… I did a post back in October including my top tips on taking flat lays and it got a really great response, however, I’d say my style has evolved quite a bit since then when it comes to taking flat lays so I thought I would do an updated/ part two to that post. Now I am by no means… I’m sticking to my promise and I’m back at you with another round up of 5 new cruelty-free brands I have discovered and been testing out lately. I’m so passionate about the changes I’ve made by going fully cruelty-free and I want to show people that there are so many great brands out there that don’t test on animals. You can… This post will no doubt be sat in my drafts for weeks possibly months before I decide to share it, and that’s if I ever do. It might not seem like a major thing to talk about, we all eat, we eat multiple times everyday in-fact, so why does the idea of me pressing publish on a post about my… I love discovering new cruelty-free brands. I’m seeing more and more leaping bunny logos on the back of the cosmetics that line the shelves, which fills me with excitement. Whilst in the isles of boots last week I noticed how many new cruelty-free brands there were that I’d never heard of and I’m a beauty junky so I’m sure they’ve…
2012-10-16-JacquelineSeldon.JPG Jacqueline Seldon,a quadriplegic accused of running a drug and gun ring in Syracuse, makes a court appearance last year. (Ellen M. Blalock \| [email protected]) Syracuse, NY -- Jacqueline Seldon sat for five hours in her car where a masked gunman had just stolen $1,400 from an undercover detective. The robbery occurred during a botched gun deal she is accused of planning. Two Syracuse police officers spotted her parked Chrysler 300 on the South Side of Syracuse on Aug. 28 at 10:20 p.m. They ordered her to unlock her doors and get out. Seldon, 36, didn't move. She was paralyzed, not only by fear, but by a spinal cord injury that rendered her a quadriplegic. A baton blasted through her back window. She screamed as the officers dragged her onto the ground, where her head met with the shards of glass from the broken window. Blood poured from a cut above her left eye, and she was taken away in an ambulance. After her head was stitched up, the former Oneida High School cheerleader and mother of a 15-year-old was questioned, arrested and charged with first-degree robbery. The woman who couldn't open a car door would later be pegged by prosecutors as the "ringleader" of a five-person drug-and-gun trafficking operation in the city. Seldon, who is scheduled to appear in court today, had been the target of a months-long undercover investigation cut short by the robbery. Growing up Jacqueline Seldon in her youth Jacqueline Marji was born in Yonkers on Aug. 25, 1976. Her parents, who immigrated to the United States from Jordan, worked hard to provide for their four children, Seldon said. Her mother, Basimah, worked in a makeup factory and her father, Munib, at Stewart Stamping Company. Seldon's mother said the neighborhood in Yonkers was rough. She recalled her daughter cutting class as early as the second grade. The family moved to Oneida when Seldon was a teen. She was a good student, said her younger sister, Jennifer Jackson, but had a poor choice of friends. The family thought she'd make a good lawyer because she was a combination of argumentative and persuasive, said Jackson. Seldon made the cheerleading squad at Oneida High School, but dropped out before graduation, according to her mother. Jackson, who is a former heroin addict and current drug and alcohol counselor, said her sister began using drugs in her teens, and often lies about her past when meeting new people. A young Jacqueline Seldon Seldon claimed in an interview to have attended Syracuse University for a year, and said she also earned an associate's degree in accounting from the University of Phoenix. The registrar's office at Syracuse University didn't have a record of her attendance. Neither did the University of Phoenix. Seldon started smoking joints laced with crack cocaine, known as "woo," in the 80s, said Jackson. Soon she was hooked on crack cocaine, said Jackson, and became "a slave to her addiction." Early crimes Seldon gave birth to a son in 1998 -- the same year she was also placed on five years' probation after pleading guilty in Onondaga County Court to fourth-degree grand larceny. She admitted to stealing a woman's credit cards to purchase a $600 gold necklace and warranty at a Kay jewelry store, clothes and shoes from The Finish Line, jewelry from The Piercing Pagoda, shoes from Karaz shoes, clothing from Kaufman's, jewelry from JCPenney, and toys from Toys R Us. Her co-defendant in that case wrote a letter to Judge Kevin Mulroy blaming Seldon for the crime. "I did not, did not participate with Jackie she used me," Robert Mitchell wrote. "I hope she pays for what she's done." In 2000, Seldon was sent to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Westchester County after violating probation by testing positive for marijuana. She was sentenced to one-to-three years by Judge Jeffrey Merrill. "I'll be honest with you," Merrill said to her during sentencing. "I've known you long enough. You've been given numbers of chances over the years and you dusted every one of them off." Marriage and tragedy After Seldon got out of prison, she went back to the courthouse to marry her now-estranged husband, Christopher Seldon. She didn't tell her family, and her parents didn't approve of the wedding, said Jackson. Seldon said that although she is still technically married, she has been on her own since becoming handicapped. Seldon was riding back to Syracuse from LaGuardia airport on Jan. 25, 2003, she said. She fell asleep in the backseat while the driver, who was high on marijuana, headed home. Jacqueline Seldon, pictured with her brother, Chris. Seldon said the driver, who she didn't name, hit a parked van on the side of the road. The car spiraled into oncoming traffic and was t-boned. Seldon said she must have lost consciousness, and was trapped under the driver's seat when she came to. She lifted her head to call for help, and her exposed neck bone snapped her spinal cord. She hasn't moved her legs since. She has severely limited use of her arms. After the accident, Seldon said she didn't have much will to live. "I was very angry, bitter," she said. "I wanted to kill myself, tried to kill myself." Jackson said she believes her sister suffers from clinical depression and, possibly, bi-polar disorder. For years after her accident, Seldon rarely left her bed. She needed help to brush her teeth and hair, to dress, to eat, to use the bathroom. Her mother, who now lives in a housing facility in Oneida for the elderly and disabled, said she tried unsuccessfully to care for her. She said her daughter, despite being bed-ridden, found ways to buy drugs. When she would try to move Seldon to keep her from developing bed sores, she often found welts on her daughter's legs from the pill bottles she would attempt to conceal underneath her, Basimah Marji said. Jackson said the family stopped providing care for Seldon because she refused treatment for her addiction. "We had to detach with love," she said. At the time of her arrest, Seldon was living in an apartment on Murray Street in Syracuse. She was cared for by a co-defendant in her case, whom she didn't charge for rent. Reputed gun and drug dealer An undercover detective first met Seldon in July 2012. Seldon only knew him as a "white, hippie dude" who went by the name "Matt." The detective allegedly bought ecstasy from Seldon four times last summer. For these transactions to happen, a friend would help Seldon into her car, drive her to the meeting place, handle whatever goods were being sold, count the money and put it into Seldon's pocket, according to police reports. Prosecutor Mike Ferrante said Seldon's ability to text helped her accomplish various drug and gun sales. In late July, "Matt" allegedly told Seldon he wanted to buy a few guns. Seldon is accused of selling one handgun to the detective on July 26 and two more on Aug. 1 in Syracuse. According to Ferrante, the investigation into Seldon's alleged dealings grew out of an earlier gun-trafficking investigation that resulted in the 2011 conviction of Syracuse resident Shawndell Everson, whom Seldon once referred to as her "brother." Everson was sentenced in March 2011 to serve 143 years in state prison for his role in an operation authorities said was responsible for importing more than 50 guns a year to Syracuse. Authorities said many of those guns were coming from Cleveland, Ohio. Seldon was never charged in connection with Everson's dealings. "Is it true, in one of the news reports, they said I had something to do with Shawndell Everson?" she asked in March. "That's (expletive). Shawndell Everson's case died with Shawndell Everson. "I'm not this gun and drug dealer everyone says I am," she added later. "Come on. Look at me." Yet on Aug. 28, the undercover detective, who was wearing a wire, allegedly planned to meet with Seldon at the dead end of McAllister Avenue to purchase another handgun. The detective's supervisor wrote in a report that, like other times when the detective had dealt with Seldon, her driver left the car while she discussed the terms of the sale. Several other officers in the special investigations unit were running surveillance nearby. They reported hearing "excitement" over the wire around 5:30 p.m. and moved into action. A man in a mask, armed with a silver revolver, had approached the car and robbed the detective of $1,400 in marked bills, according to police reports. One officer hiding in the tree line saw the alleged gunman, later identified as Imperial Davis, run into a house at 220 McKinley. There, Davis was apprehended and a mask, gun and bag of "Lorazepam" pills were recovered. Immediately following the robbery, Seldon's "driver" hopped back in the car, drove down McKinley Avenue and parked. He fled the scene and left Seldon in the passenger seat. Seldon has been indicted on charges of first-degree robbery, four counts each of fifth-degree criminal sale and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm and single counts of attempted third-degree criminal sale of a firearm and attempted second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She has been offered a slightly reduced 20-year prison sentence if she waives her right to a trial and pleads guilty to the top count of the indictment, Ferrante said. After multiple court appearances and months in jail, Seldon said she wished she had found a way to escape from police before her arrest. She had $600 in her pocket, she said, and her caretaker had offered to throw her in the back of her jeep to get her away from the scene. "I sat there for hours," she said. "I wasn't running, but I didn't know they were going to almost kill me...How did they not know I was a quadriplegic?" Prison life Seldon, who faces up to 25 years in prison on the robbery charge alone, spoke about her past, her present and what little hope she has for the future in an interview at Bedford Hills. Seldon had her hair pulled back with a hot pink Scrunchy when she spoke from the medical unit of the prison in March. She wore a sweatshirt that swallowed her small upper body, and a catheter swirled out from under the blanket covering her legs. Seldon said her lawyer, Tom Marris, advised her before her interview not to speak about the specifics of her case. She explained her activities on the street in general terms. "OK, let's say you're selling a ring, a diamond ring," she said. "And you want $400 for it, and I know someone who will buy it, so I tell them you'll sell it for $500. That way I can keep a hundred. I want a percentage ... But I'm not the one out there selling it. "I know I made a mistake, but I don't think I deserve twenty years in jail," she said. "I don't think I need to be painted as a kingpin or a mastermind of some sort. I don't know how else to say it." Seldon doesn't think she'll ever walk again if convicted and levied with a heavy prison sentence. Though a doctor told her after she began wiggling her toes that she had a chance with intensive therapy, she said that won't happen in prison. "That's not going to happen here," she said. "You know that as well as I do." Seldon said she tries to distract herself from her situation with romance novels. She fantasizes about leg braces and a jet pack that could free her from her chair. As soon as she puts a book down, though, she said her mind begins replaying the day of her arrest and subsequent dealings in court. "I dream, honestly, every night, of the DA having a heart," she said. "I really do. You don't know how many times I replay the scenes in my head. He says, 'we'll give you a chance,' and I'm able to go home, to walk again, to have a life back. "It's just a fairy tale dream," she said. "But it keeps me going." For now, Seldon stays in the bed in her cell until noon. At 1 p.m., a jailer wheels her into the common room and she catches half an hour of General Hospital or whatever is playing on one of two channels available in the prison's day room. She is wheeled back in for roll call and is sometimes fetched again and brought to the common room in the evening, she said. "I'm going to die in here," she said repeatedly during the interview, struggling to lift her hands high enough to wipe the tears from her eyes. No one in Seldon's family has visited her since she was transported to Bedford Hills in August. Seldon said she wants to write to her son but doesn't know his address. Jackson said she hopes some form of drug treatment will be made available to her sister no matter the outcome of her current court case. She uses her sister's story with her patients to show the costs of addiction. She said she wants Seldon to find some kind of peace, and maybe one day, help others with her story. "Maybe that's how she could find her freedom," she said. Seldon has written letters to her brother, Chris Marji, and to Jackson, asking them to help her find another lawyer to sue the police department for brutality stemming from her arrest. In her letters, she says she is finished with "the game" for good. She'll give whoever helps her 10 percent of her settlement, she writes. Her letters have gone unanswered.
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The invention relates to interior lighting systems for passenger transport vehicles, such as aircraft, road vehicles, ships or rail cars. In particular, it relates to an LED reading light for such passenger transport vehicles. In some passenger transport vehicles, such as air planes, LED reading lights have started to become common place and have started to replace conventional halogen lights. These LED reading lights are exemplarily used as seat lights or reading lights or other interior lights in the passenger cabin. Many passenger transport vehicles have very long life cycles, at least as compared to the life cycles of LED reading lights. Also, changes to the standardisation of components for such passenger transport vehicles, such as changes to the standardized power supply system throughout the passenger cabin in an air plane, tend to be lengthy and cumbersome processes. Much of the technology used in passenger transport vehicles is frozen for long periods of time. This is both due to the keeping of the remaining components in a passenger transport vehicle when replacing certain components and due to industry standards that are constant for long times. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an LED reading light having improved cost efficiency and being able to be used in passenger transport vehicles without changing their power supply systems. Further, it would be beneficial to provide a method of replacing existing LED reading lights, for example when they are used for a long time or broken, with more cost efficient LED reading lights, while keeping the wiring of the power supply systems.
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Top 10 Trends in Brazil Biofuels for 2014 After the inter-harvest season, what’s up in the Big South? Brazil’s on the move on a number of fronts — sales, diversification of products and feedstocks, and even in engine development. Let’s look at the Top 10 Trends. 1. Feedstock Diversification If you thought it was all cane, cane, cane, think again. There’s a lot of movement on sorghum, and castor beans — and even some on corn. Sorghum: The biggest news of late was from NexSteppe, which reported this week that it sold more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of its Palo Alto high biomass sorghums for biopower in Brazil this past growing season. This makes it the market share leader in the fast-growing market for bioenergy sorghums in Brazil, with 65 percent market share. Yields vary by location, but NexSteppe CEO Anna Rath told the Digest that “50-60 wet tons or ~25 dry tons per hectare is a conservative expectation under “ordinary” conditions.” NexSteppe’s Palo Alto high biomass sorghums can be used alongside bagasse and other sources of biomass to provide a source of renewable power. Unlike wind and solar, biopower is baseload power, meaning it is available 24/7. In addition to production of electricity for the grid, biopower can therefore also be used as onsite industrial power. This is common practice in Brazil for everything from sugar and ethanol production to grain drying to food processing. As a result of the significant drought this year, Brazil is experiencing a shortage of hydropower, its main energy source. Because of their heat and drought tolerance, Palo Alto hybrids performed well even under this year’s extreme conditions. Standing at up to 20 feet tall after only four months of growth, NexSteppe’s Palo Alto high biomass sorghum hybrids provide a high-yielding, low-cost, high quality biomass feedstock for biopower. Designed to have low moisture levels at maturity, Palo Alto high biomass sorghums offer reduced harvest and transport costs and greater energy production. Market growth expectations for NexSteppe in Brazil? “As for next season,” Rath told the Digest, “all I can tell you at this point is that we’ve had multiple customers indicate interest in increasing their areas 8-10 fold from what was planted this year. Under the renewed agreement, Syngenta and Ceres will continue to collaborate on field evaluations with mills. Syngenta will evaluate its portfolio of crop protection products alongside Ceres hybrids, while Ceres will provide both seed and research support. Both companies will coordinate outreach to ethanol mills and develop industry training programs. Syngenta indicated that it plans to move forward with its evaluations aimed at registering additional crop protection products for sorghum. Curiously, U.S. ethanol giant POET is investigating its options in the Deep South. In February, it was reported that POET representatives met with the government of Mato Grosso do Sul last Friday where local officials pointed towards a $350 million corn-based ethanol project. The facility would produce 50 million liters of ethanol per year from 350,000 metric tons of corn. Under the terms of the agreement, Evofuel will provide SLC with seeds of its proprietary castor bean varieties and SLC will be responsible for growing the crop on its farms in northeast Brazil. The resulting castor bean grain will be sold to local oil producers to address the industry need for castor oil. The agreement provides for the allocation between SLC and Evofuel of revenues from sales of castor bean grain. Last month, the Commerzbank, Inter-American Development Bank and Banco Pine S.A. closed a $115 million syndicated A/B loan to expand access to financing for environmentally sustainable projects in Brazil. The Green Line Finance Partnership entails a $75 million A loan from the IDB and $40 million B loan from Commerzbank. With the demand for energy for both domestic and industrial purposes expected to expand 60 percent by 2021, Brazil’s energy matrix will likely shift toward a higher concentration of renewable energies, most notably energy from sugar cane derivatives and other renewables such as wind energy, small hydroelectric plants and biomass. The Green Line Finance Partnership with Banco Pine will increase access to adequate financing for transactions, particularly in renewable energy sectors that promote environmentally sustainable initiatives and reduce the impact on climate change in Brazil. Viewing Page 1 of 2 2 Comments Excellent article on Biofuel trends in Brazil. In the present debate Food Vs Fuel, people are looking for alternatives. In Mexico Agave and Opuntia are promoted in a big way for Biofuel/biogas and subsequent power generation. The main drawback for wider application of Biofuels is input. There was a big movement for biofuel from Jatropha in India but in reality not much has been achieved. Agave(Americana),Sisal Agave is a multiple use plant which has 10% fermentable sugars and rich in cellulose. The fibre is used in rope making and also for weaving clothes in Philippines under the trade name DIP-DRY. In Brazil a paper factory runs on sisal as input. A Steroid HECOGENIN is extracted from this plant leaves. Since on putrification,it produces methane gas, it can be cut and used as input in biogas plants. Also in Kenya and Lesotho dried pieces of Agave are mixed with concrete since it has fibres which act as binding. Here is an excellent analysis on Agave as a biofuel: Agave shows potential as biofuel feedstock, Checkbiotech, By Anna Austin, February 11, 2010: 'Mounting interest in agave as a biofuel feedstock could jump-start the Mexican biofuels industry, according to agave expert Arturo Valez Jimenez. Agave thrives in Mexico and is traditionally used to produce liquors such as tequila. It has a rosette of thick fleshy leaves, each of which usually end in a sharp point with a spiny margin. Commonly mistaken for cacti, the agave plant is actually closely related to the lily and amaryllis families. The plants use water and soil more efficiently than any other plant or tree in the world, Arturo said. 'This is a scientific factthey don't require watering or fertilizing and they can absorb carbon dioxide during the night,' he said. The plants annually produce up to 500 metric tons of biomass per hectare, he added. Agave fibers contain 65 percent to 78 percent cellulose, according to Jimenez. 'With new technology, it is possible to breakdown over 90 percent of the cellulose and hemicellulose structures, which will increase ethanol and other liquid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass drastically,' he said. 'Mascoma is assessing such technology.' Another plant of great use is OPUNTIA for biogas production. The cultivation of nopal((OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA), a type of cactus, is one of the most important in Mexico. According to Rodrigo Morales, Chilean engineer, Wayland biomass, installed on Mexican soil, 'allows you to generate inexhaustible clean energy.' Through the production of biogas, it can serve as a raw material more efficiently, by example and by comparison with jatropha. Wayland Morales, head of Elqui Global Energy argues that 'an acre of cactus produces 43 200 m3 of biogas or the equivalent in energy terms to 25,000 liters of diesel.' With the same land planted with jatropha, he says, it will produce 3,000 liters of biodiesel. Another of the peculiarities of the nopal is biogas which is the same molecule of natural gas, but its production does not require machines or devices of high complexity. Also, unlike natural gas, contains primarily methane (75%), carbon dioxide (24%) and other minor gases (1%), 'so it has advantages from the technical point of view since it has the same capacity heat but is cleaner, 'he says, and as sum datum its calorific value is 7,000 kcal/m3. Biogas power generators from KW to MW size are available from China and Vietnam. Agave and Opuntia can be grown on a massive scale in wastelands in developing countries. The cultivation of nopal((OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA), a type of cactus, is one of the most important in Mexico. According to Rodrigo Morales, Chilean engineer, Wayland biomass, installed on Mexican soil, “allows you to generate inexhaustible clean energy.” Through the production of biogas, it can serve as a raw material more efficiently, by example and by comparison with jatropha. Wayland Morales, head of Elqui Global Energy argues that “an acre of cactus produces 43 200 m3 of biogas or the equivalent in energy terms to 25,000 liters of diesel.” With the same land planted with jatropha, he says, it will produce 3,000 liters of biodiesel. Another of the peculiarities of the nopal is biogas which is the same molecule of natural gas, but its production does not require machines or devices of high complexity. Also, unlike natural gas, contains primarily methane (75%), carbon dioxide (24%) and other minor gases (1%), “so it has advantages from the technical point of view since it has the same capacity heat but is cleaner, “he says, and as sum datum its calorific value is 7,000 kcal/m3. Javier Snchez et al in their extensive study on Opuntia as potential input for bioethanol concluded: “Prickly pear is a widely-known crop in the SE of Spain, where it is currently used for forage, fodder and fruit. Now it is being considered as a potential crop for bioethanol production from its whole biomass. In order to estimate the potential bioethanol production in the province of Almeria (SE-Spain) and the optimal location of bioethanol processing plants, a GIS analysis involving a predictive yield model of prickly pear biomass was undertaken following specific restriction criteria. According to this analysis, the total potential bioethanol production in Almeria would be up to 502,927.8 t dm•year–1 from 100,616 ha maximum that could be cultivated with prickly pear, with a calculated yield ranging between 4.2 and 9.4 t dm•ha–1•year–1. An exclusive suitability analysis and a preferable suitability analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process were performed in order to estimate the optimal location of the subsequent processing plants within Almeria’s road network by a discrete location-allocation model.”(Javier Snchez , Francisco Snchez , Mara Dolores Curt & Jess Fernndez (2012) Assessment of the bioethanol potential of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) biomass obtained from regular crops in the province of Almeria (SE Spain), Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, 60:3, 301-318). Agave is a CAM Plant. Crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis, is a carbon fixation pathway that evolved in some plants as an adaptation to arid conditions in a plant using full CAM, the stomata in the leaves remains shut during the day to reduce evapotranspiration, but open at night to collect carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 is stored as the four-carbon acidmalate, and then used during photosynthesis during the day. The pre-collected CO2 is concentrated around the enzyme RuBisCO, increasing photosynthetic efficiency. Agave and Opuntia are the best CAM Plants. Agave Competitive Advantages * Thrives on dry land/marginal land. Most efficient use of soil, water and light * Massive production. Year-around harvesting * Very high yields with very low or no inputs * Very high quality biomass and sugars * Very low cost of production. Not a commodity, so prices are not volatile * Very versatile: biofuels, byproducts, chemicals * World-wide geographical distribution * Enhanced varieties are ready. Another care-free growth plant is OPUNTIA. Biogas from Opuntia A source of renewable gas and fertilizer Structure of the proposed process 1st step: Production of Biomass (Opuntia) 2nd step: Process of the Biomass into Biogas through Anaerobic Fermentation 3rd step: Process of the Digested Material into Fertilizer The potential of Opuntia Biomass for energy production in semi-arid areas 100 to 400 tons of biomass/ha/year 1 ton Opuntia biomass = 50-60 m3 of biogas = 300-360 kWh of gas 30 000 to 140 000 kWh per ha 150 to 400ha necessary for 1MW electrical capacity High efficiency in water & fertilizer use Reduced risk for farmers of crop failure due to high drought tolerance. No competition with food crops on arable land as it can grow on degraded land. Study on renewable biogas energy production from cladodes of Opuntia ficus indica by Elias Jigar, Hameed Sulaiman and Araya Asfaw and Abraham Bairu (ISABB Journal of Food and Agriculture Science Vol. 1(3), pp. 44-48, December 2011) revealed: Cladodes, which are a plate like section of Opuntia ficus indica, were characterized for their physical properties, total solids (TS) and volatile solides (VS) and they were assessed in five combinations with or without cow dung for their suitability to biogas production in 2.8 L triplicate batch digesters. The highest total biogas yields were obtained from T5 (75% Cow dung: 25% Cladodes combination) as 14.183 L followed by T1 (cow dung alone) as 13.670 L (0 .022 m3/kg) and the lowest was from T2 (Cladodes alone) as 6.176 L. The percentage of methane gas obtained from the experiment for treatments T1, T2, T3 (50% cow dung: 50% cladodes), T4 (25% cow dung: 75% Cladodes) and T5 were 66.33, 53.16, 63.84, 52.1 and 69% respectively. Among all treatments, T5 was found to produce high methane percent of the biogas. The cactus is a hardy plant that tolerates poor soil nutrient and water shortages , but can also be grown in good soils and irrigation system. The nopal is of important ecological role , as it helps to stop the degradation of deforested land , help to conserve soil moisture and prevent erosion. It also allows converting unproductive land into productive , given its resistance to extreme conditions . In many poor areas of poverty or extreme weather countries and nopal has acclimated and alleviates suffering and shortages faced by farmers. In Mexico nopales production reaches 600,000 tons. Meanwhile, the prickly pear , there are 5000 hectares cultivated and 3 million hectares of wild exploitation of it. There is an extensive culinary cactus , which is consumed in many forms in Mexico : pickled , salted, boiled , roasted , stewed , with eggs, in soups, with beans, jams, juices , etc . It is estimated that the annual intake per capita in Mexico is 6.4 Kg Moreover , today it is also used in shampoos, hand and body cream , soaps , ointments, various cosmetics , has also been investigated for commercial use for the development of biofuel, bioplastics production of vinyl paints , enamels and waterproofing . Nopal slobber (obtained by soaking in water) as a fixative for whitewashing walls are also used . Diego Rivera coated with slime nopal some of his murals for conservation. Inedible species of cactus are used to produce rubber , latex , mucilage , waterproofing and anticorroisivas substances , and as biomaterial useful for removing lead from water, for its acoustic qualities woody stem tissue of mature cactus is used in Japan to develop electronic musical equipment speakers . NUTRITIONAL CONTENT NOPAL Nopal contains calcium , iron, aluminum , magnesium, potassium , silica , sodium and manganese. It also contains vitamin A, B1 , B2 and C. It is rich in fiber, which is composed of complex polysaccharides . It is also rich in amino acids, contains 17 of the 22 amino acids. NUTRITIONAL CONTENT 100 GR . FRESH NOPAL . WATER 91.33 % 1.33 % PROTEIN CARBOHYDRATES 4.2 % SOLUBLE FIBER 1.02 % SOLUBLE FIBER 2.13 % FAT 0.08 % VITAMIN C 2.58 MG VITAMIN A 3.76 MG CALCIUM 97.87 PHOSPHORUS 9.37 IRON 0.34 POTASSIUM 94.88 SODIUM 4.81 ZINC 0.25 From Biogas, Power generation can be done at local level itself. Another Option is to utilize Water Hyacinth which has become a menace for Biogas and subsequent power generation. In Indonesia Fine Furniture is made from Water Hyacinth. Agave and Opuntia can be cultivated on a massive scale in developing countries likeBrazil, India and in Africa and Latin America in waste lands. Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India Renewable Energy Specialist E-mail: [email protected] Only Wastes should be, or need to be used for fuels. We MUST not lock ourselves into fuels that compete for food, clothing and lumber, we are setting ourselves up for disaster. Waste to fuels allows use to use the land for food, clothing, and lumber, then eventually when we through it out, use it for energy. What a deal! Slight nit pick with this article: Baseload isn't what you think. Baseload means it has to run all the time near full capacity or it break and loses money, that's basically coal and nuclear. That is NOT what we need. Demand varies and is unpredictable, and solar and wind vary somewhat less and it's predicable. We need dispatachable electricity, not baseload. Call it on demand electricity, but don't call it baseload. Baseload is a limitation of old inflexible power plants, not a feature. Add Your Comments Editor & publisher of Biofuels Digest, the most widely-read biofuels daily and newsletter. The Digest covers producer news, research, policy, policymakers, conferences, fleets and financial news. 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ISIS claims to have captured trove of U.S. military gear August 7, 2016 6:24 PM 7 0 ISIS fighters in Afghanistan claimed to have recently seized a trove of sensitive U.S. military equipment – including communications gear, a rocket launcher and the ID card of a U.S. soldier –but it remains unclear how the items came into the terror group’s possession. There was no immediate information on when the pictures, posted to social media on Saturday, were taken, though the U.S. soldier’s ID expires in 2017, a possible sign the photos are relatively fresh. There was also no information on how the extremists captured the gear.
<?php /** */ class OAuthConsumerInformationTable extends Doctrine_Table { public function findByKeyString($key) { return $this->createQuery() ->where('key_string = ?', $key) ->fetchOne(); } public function getListPager($memberId = null, $page = 1, $size = 20) { $pager = new sfDoctrinePager('OAuthConsumerInformation', $size); if ($memberId) { $subquery = Doctrine::getTable('OAuthMemberToken')->createQuery('t') ->select('t.oauth_consumer_id') ->where('t.member_id = ?') ->andWhere('t.type = ?'); $q = $this->createQuery()->andWhere('member_id = ?', $memberId) ->orWhere('id IN ('.$subquery->getDql().')', array($memberId, 'access')); $pager->setQuery($q); } $pager->setPage($page); $pager->init(); return $pager; } }
Q: Oracle date time I have four fields: Start_Date = 16-Jun-10 Start_Time = 14:37 End_Date = 16-Jun-10 End_Time = 14:38 I need to calculate the difference from start to end. I tried using the to_date(Start_date \|\| Start_Time) but keep getting this error message: ORA-01830: date format picture ends before converting entire input string 01830.00000 - "date format picture ends before converting entire input string" Thank you for your help. David A: to_date(Start_date\|\|start_time,'DD-MON-YYHH24:MI')
Q: CGContextSaveGState error i am working on iphone app, at once it started showing me error, with no exception, i am really afraid of this error, can any one tell me why this is happening? <Error>: CGContextSaveGState: invalid context 0x0. This is a serious error. This application, or a library it uses, is using an invalid context and is thereby contributing to an overall degradation of system stability and reliability. This notice is a courtesy: please fix this problem. It will become a fatal error in an upcoming update. A: Issue exists in iOS 7. It´s a known issue on which Apple is working on. Should be fixed in the next beta release.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display control apparatus, a display control method, and a program. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a device having an imaging function for imaging a still image and/or moving image such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera including a “Handycam”, which trademark right is given to the applicant of the subject application, and a mobile telephone having a digital camera function is being widespread used. The frequency the user performs imaging increases and the number of imaged images also increases by providing the imaging function to the portable device such as the mobile telephone. The storage medium of the recording medium for storing the imaged images is also increasing, where great number of images can be recorded in one recording medium. The device having such imaging function can record the imaged image in the removable recording medium such as a Memory Stick. The images recorded in the recording medium can be reproduced and the like in other devices different from the device that imaged the image by recording the images in the removable recording medium. A technique for improving the efficiency in the process of searching and displaying a list of images recorded in the recording medium is being developed. The technique of storing a data base in which an image and information related to the image are corresponded in the recording medium to improve the efficiency in the process desired in the similarly search of images, displaying of list of images satisfying a predetermined condition and the like using a database is described Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-206918.
function [varargout] = likT(hyp, y, mu, s2, inf, i) % likT - Student's t likelihood function for regression. % The expression for the likelihood is % likT(t) = Z * ( 1 + (t-y)^2/(nusn^2) ).^(-(nu+1)/2), % where Z = gamma((nu+1)/2) / (gamma(nu/2)sqrt(nupi)sn) % and y is the mean (for nu>1) and nusn^2/(nu-2) is the variance (for nu>2). % % The hyperparameters are: % % hyp = [ log(nu-1) % log(sn) ] % % Note that the parametrisation guarantees nu>1, thus the mean always exists. % % Several modes are provided, for computing likelihoods, derivatives and moments % respectively, see likFunctions.m for the details. In general, care is taken % to avoid numerical issues when the arguments are extreme. % % Copyright (c) by Carl Edward Rasmussen and Hannes Nickisch, 2016-10-01. % % See also LIKFUNCTIONS.M. if nargin<3, varargout = {'2'}; return; end % report number of hyperparameters if ~exist('psi'), mypsi = @digamma; else mypsi = @psi; end % no psi in Octave numin = 1; % minimum value of nu nu = exp(hyp(1))+numin; sn2 = exp(2hyp(2)); % extract hyperparameters lZ = gammaln(nu/2+1/2) - gammaln(nu/2) - log(nupisn2)/2; if nargin<5 % prediction mode if inf is not present if numel(y)==0, y = zeros(size(mu)); end s2zero = 1; if nargin>3&&numel(s2)>0&&norm(s2)>eps, s2zero = 0; end % s2==0 ? if s2zero % log probability evaluation lp = lZ - (nu+1)log( 1+(y-mu).^2./(nu.sn2) )/2; s2 = 0; else % prediction lp = likT(hyp, y, mu, s2, 'infEP'); end ymu = {}; ys2 = {}; if nargout>1 ymu = mu; % first y moment; for nu<=1 this is the mode if nargout>2 if nu<=2 ys2 = Inf(size(mu)); % variance does not always exist else ys2 = (s2 + nusn2/(nu-2)).ones(size(mu)); % second y moment end end end varargout = {lp,ymu,ys2}; else switch inf case 'infLaplace' r = y-mu; r2 = r.r; if nargin<6 % no derivative mode dlp = {}; d2lp = {}; d3lp = {}; lp = lZ - (nu+1)log( 1+r2./(nu.sn2) )/2; if nargout>1 a = r2+nusn2; dlp = (nu+1)r./a; % dlp, derivative of log likelihood if nargout>2 % d2lp, 2nd derivative of log likelihood d2lp = (nu+1)(r2-nusn2)./a.^2; if nargout>3 % d3lp, 3rd derivative of log likelihood d3lp = (nu+1)2r.(r2-3nusn2)./a.^3; end end end varargout = {lp,dlp,d2lp,d3lp}; else % derivative mode a = r2+nusn2; a2 = a.a; a3 = a2.a; if i==1 % derivative w.r.t. nu lp_dhyp = nu( mypsi(nu/2+1/2)-mypsi(nu/2) )/2 - 1/2 ... -nulog(1+r2/(nusn2))/2 +(nu/2+1/2)r2./(nusn2+r2); lp_dhyp = (1-numin/nu)lp_dhyp; % correct for lower bound on nu dlp_dhyp = nur.( a - sn2(nu+1) )./a2; dlp_dhyp = (1-numin/nu)dlp_dhyp; % correct for lower bound on nu d2lp_dhyp = nu( r2.(r2-3sn2(1+nu)) + nusn2^2 )./a3; d2lp_dhyp = (1-numin/nu)d2lp_dhyp; % correct for lower bound on nu else % derivative w.r.t. sn lp_dhyp = (nu+1)r2./a - 1; dlp_dhyp = -(nu+1)2nusn2r./a2; d2lp_dhyp = (nu+1)2nusn2(a-4r2)./a3; end varargout = {lp_dhyp,dlp_dhyp,d2lp_dhyp}; end case 'infEP' if nargout>1 error('infEP not supported since likT is not log-concave') end n = max([length(y),length(mu),length(s2)]); on = ones(n,1); y = y(:).on; mu = mu(:).on; sig = sqrt(s2(:)).on; % vectors only % since we are not aware of an analytical expression of the integral, % we use Gaussian-Hermite quadrature N = 20; [t,w] = gauher(N); oN = ones(1,N); lZ = likT(hyp, yoN, sigt'+muoN, []); lZ = log_expA_x(lZ,w); % log( exp(lZ)w ) varargout = {lZ}; case 'infVB' % variational lower site bound % t(s) \propto (1+(s-y)^2/(nus2))^(-nu/2+1/2) % the bound has the form: (b+z/ga)f - f.^2/(2ga) - h(ga)/2 n = numel(s2); b = zeros(n,1); y = y.ones(n,1); z = y; varargout = {b,z}; end end % computes y = log( exp(A)x ) in a numerically safe way by subtracting the % maximal value in each row to avoid cancelation after taking the exp function y = log_expA_x(A,x) N = size(A,2); maxA = max(A,[],2); % number of columns, max over columns y = log(exp(A-maxAones(1,N))x) + maxA; % exp(A) = exp(A-max(A))exp(max(A))
Vijila Chirappad Vijila Chirappad is an Indian Dalit poet who writes in Malayalam. Life and work Born in Kozhikode, Kerala, Chirappad's poems speak of the experience of living life as a Dalit woman. Her poetry explores how the double burden of gender and caste shapes the lives and struggles of Dalit women in Kerala in distinct ways than women of dominant castes. Her work also discusses how, despite its communist history, casteism pervades everyday life in Kerala. Chirappad's work includes three collections of poetry in Malayalam: Adukala Illathaa Veedu (A Home without a Kitchen, 2006), Amma Oru Kalpanika Kavitha Alla (Mother is not a Poetic Figment of our Imagination, 2009), and Pakarthi Ezhuthu (Copied Notes, 2015). Her poems "A Place for Me", "Can't Grow My Nails" and "The Autobiography of a Bitch" have also been included in the 2012 Oxford India Anthology of Malayalam Dalit Writing. Chirappad has participated in the Kerala Literature festival and also in the prestigious Hay Festival of Literature and Arts as part of an event on Dalit Poetry in Malayalam. References Category:Dalit writers Category:Indian women poets Category:Malayalam poets Category:Writers from Kozhikode
Q: remove string from text file keep float I'm looking to remove lines with strings or empty lines in a text file. It looks like this. As you can see the header repeat it self throught the file. The numbers of lines with data vary from each block. I need it to import as an array in numpy. At first I had comma for decimal point at least I was able to change that. I tried this but it doesn't work at all: from types import StringType z = open('D:\Desktop\cycle 1-20 20-50 kPa (dot).dat', 'r') for line in z.readlines(): for x in z: if type(z.readline(x)) is StringType: print line z.close() Example of data: bla bla cyclical stuff Time: 81.095947 Sec 2012-08-02 17:05:42 stored : 1 cycle stores for : 62 seg-cycle Points : 4223 Servo_Hyd count Temps Servo_Air pressure Servo_Hyd load Servo_Hyd LVDT1 Servo_Hyd LVDT2 Servo_Hyd LVDT3 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 1 60.102783 0.020013755 89.109558 0.3552089 0.4015148 -0.33822596 1 60.107666 0.020006953 89.025749 0.35519764 0.4015218 -0.33821729 1 60.112549 0.02000189 88.886292 0.3551946 0.4015184 -0.33822691 1 60.117432 0.020007374 89.559196 0.35519707 0.40151948 -0.33823174 1 60.122314 0.019991774 89.741402 0.35519552 0.40151322 -0.33822927 1 60.127197 0.020003742 89.748924 0.35520011 0.40150556 -0.33822462 bla bla cyclical stuff Time: 81.095947 Sec 2012-08-02 17:05:42 stored : 1 cycle stores for : 62 seg-cycle Points : 4223 Servo_Hyd count Temps Servo_Air pressure Servo_Hyd load Servo_Hyd LVDT1 Servo_Hyd LVDT2 Servo_Hyd LVDT3 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 name1 1 60.102783 0.020013755 89.109558 0.3552089 0.4015148 -0.33822596 1 60.107666 0.020006953 89.025749 0.35519764 0.4015218 -0.33821729 1 60.112549 0.02000189 88.886292 0.3551946 0.4015184 -0.33822691 1 60.117432 0.020007374 89.559196 0.35519707 0.40151948 -0.33823174 1 60.122314 0.019991774 89.741402 0.35519552 0.40151322 -0.33822927 1 60.127197 0.020003742 89.748924 0.35520011 0.40150556 -0.33822462 A: Python will read all file elements as strings initially unless you cast them, so your method won't work. Your best bet is probably to use a regular expression to filter out lines with non-data characters in them. f = open("datafile") for line in f: #Catch everything that has a non-number/space in it if re.search("[^-0-9.\s]",line): continue # Catch empty lines if len(line.strip()) == 0: continue # Keep the rest print(line) f.close()
Previous posts that may or may not discuss smores and/or zombies: I also like s'mores, but not zombies Click this if you think s'mores are delicious and care to receive some emails regarding their deliciousness from time to time. You may also occasionally receive emails explaining why zombies are scary. Please click if you're okay with that. Conversations with Mbrotha: V is for Vampirism Well, maybe not so much a fear. More of an intense and growing concern that the entire world will turn into zombies at some point during my lifetime. On a normal day, I’d say this concern consumes roughly forty percent of my thoughts at any given moment. On a day that I feel like a giant booger? On those days my only thoughts are zombies. Which results in the following types of conversations: Setting: The boudoir Who: Me and Mbrotha When: Sometime in the last week or so, I was sick and time was hazy. Somehow Mbrotha and I were talking about how we’re both sick and one of us (me) suggested that we probably had the zombie virus and we were both 100% likely to turn into zombies overnight and wake up fully zombified. At this point, the conversation was all laugh-y, laugh-y, joke-y, joke-y. Haha, we’re going to turn into zombies. Oh, hope you don’t eat me, teehee! Mm, your brain smells tasty, hoho! Mbrotha: I’m not going to turn into a zombie, pumpkin, don’t worry. Go to sleep, good night, I love you. Me: Okay, phew. Night, love you too. ::another five minutes:: Me: No, seriously, babe, I’m really very concerned you will turn into a zombie overnight. Mbrotha: Honey, I’m not going to turn into a zombie. Go to sleep. Me: Okay. ::five minutes:: Me: Babe? Mbrotha: I’m not a zombie. Me: Not yet. Mbrotha: Nor will I become one. Me: Listen, hon, I don’t think you fully understand my concern. Mbrotha: I do, now go to sleep. ::five minutes:: Me: Hon, I’ve really thought about it, and I’m quite convinced you’re about to turn into a zombie. Mbrotha: I’m not, I assure you. Me: You’re sick. Mbrotha: I have a cold. Me: Or the beginnings of the zombie virus cleverly disguised as the common rhinovirus. Mbrotha: I’m pretty certain it’s a cold. Me: Really? Because I’m not convinced. Mbrotha: Okay, go to sleep. ::five minutes:: Me: No, you are clearly becoming a zombie and because of that I already have my escape route planned. Mbrotha: It’s a cold. Me: No, listen. I’m really freaked out here. Mbrotha: I know, honey, but I’m fine, it’s just a cold. Me: Okay, fine. But look, in the morning, if you are no longer a human but a member of the living undead, I fully plan to bash you in the head with the iron and since you’re now undead I’ll have to bash you several times. Then I plan to run down the hallway and call my mom. But I can’t because now the whole world is full of zombies including my mom, so I can’t call her which means I have to deal with you on my own. Mbrotha: Naturally. Me: Right. And you’ve chased me down the hall but you get distracted by the smell of the dogs and I can’t let you just eat them now can I? So I have to clobber you repeatedly until I manage to knock you unconscious. Then I’ll have to work quickly and tie you up. Mbrotha: Smart. Me: I’m going to put you in the bathroom okay? I’ve thought about it and it’s really the safest place for you. I don’t want other zombies to get to you and I figure they won’t be able to crawl through the window because it’s small and I plan to barricade it and the door with pieces of wood from the garage. Plus I’ll put you in the tub and I’ll draw the curtain so if another zombie makes it inside, they won’t think to look inside of the tub. Zombies aren’t that bright, you know? Mbrotha: Why would another zombie try to get to me? I’m already a zombie. Me: How the fuck am I supposed to know? It’s Zombiepocalypse! Times are crazy! Every zombie for themselves! Or something. Mbrotha: Okay. Well, you don’t have to worry about that because I’m not going to become a zombie. Me: I sure hope not! Mbrotha: Go to sleep. ::five minutes later:: Me: Look, if you’re so intent upon becoming one of the undead, I’d much prefer you contract the vampire virus. One Comment to “Conversations with Mbrotha: V is for Vampirism” So wait Sis let me get this straight? So if and when mbrothah turns into a zombiein the zombie madness. You will still keep him? Even though you bashed his head in 38 times with an iron and hit him some more after? Whoa now that. That shitt right there that right there is love! !!
Q: Which mRNAs enter P-bodies? Processing bodies (P-bodies) are distinct foci within the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell consisting of many enzymes involved in mRNA turnover (ref). They play a fundamental role in RNA silencing/interference, particularly as an antiviral response, since they are the key site for siRNA-bound RISCs (small interfering RNA-bound RNA-induced silencing complexes) to degrade mRNA with an exogenous origin. Some mRNAs entering P-bodies then leave and re-initiate translation, and the switching mechanism for this is currently poorly understood. However, I'm not clear on whether all mRNAs pass through P-bodies at some point, when not actively involved in translation. Is there is a separate step by which mRNAs of exogenous origin are specifically (or more rapidly) recruited to P-bodies - and, if this happens, how are they specifically targeted for this uptake? It seems rather odd if RNAi has evolved to give viruses two independent targets for evasion, but if the only requirement for recruitment to a P-body (and potentially degraded via RNAi) is to not be currently involved in translation, wouldn't that select for viral proteins to be more highly translated (and therefore postpone movement to the P-body)? I don't really understand why mRNA processing doesn't simply occur in the cytoplasm. The paper cited above says "The available evidence indicates that P bodies are sites where mRNAs that are not being translated accumulate, the information carried by associated proteins and regulatory RNAs is integrated, and their fate — either translation, silencing or decay — is decided", but this is from 2007 and I'm aware RNAi is a very fast-moving field. A: I don't really understand why mRNA processing doesn't simply occur in the cytoplasm. To be clear, P-bodies are in the cytoplasm (ie they are not separated by a membrane). There is also dynamic exchange of components between the ribonucleoprotein complex and free cytoplasmic pool (1): Most P-body components are distributed diffusely throughout the cytoplasm as well as being localized in P bodies. Quantitative information regarding the fractionation of these proteins between the cytoplasm and P bodies is still lacking, but given the volume of P bodies relative to that of the cytoplasm, the diffuse cytoplasmic fraction could be significantly larger, although the concentration of mRNA-decay factors might be much higher in P bodies. Also, P-body components dynamically exchange with the cytoplasmic pool, which indicates that decay enzymes and co-activators are not confined to P bodies. So, it is probable that mRNA decay also occurs, and might even be initiated, in the diffuse cytoplasm, and that P bodies arise by association of mRNA-decay intermediates induced by interactions between decay enzymes and cofactors. The concentration of mRNA-decay intermediates and mRNA-decay enzymes in P bodies would be expected to increase the speed of degradation and, in turn, reduce any potential competition between these RNA fragments and normal mRNAs for limiting cellular proteins involved in mRNA regulation. I'm not clear on whether all mRNAs pass through P-bodies at some point, when not actively involved in translation. mRNA can also be degraded by exosomes (1): In eukaryotic cells, degradation of bulk mRNA occurs by two alternative pathways, both of which are preceded by removal of the poly(A) tail by deadenylases. Following this first rate-limiting step, mRNAs can undergo 3'→5' exonucleolytic decay, which is catalysed by the exosome... Alternatively, after deadenylation, the cap structure is removed by the decapping enzyme DCP2, rendering the mRNA susceptible to 5'→3' digestion by XRN1 [a P-body associated protein]. Also see (2), and this image therein: If the only requirement for recruitment to a P-body (and potentially degraded via RNAi) is to not be currently involved in translation, wouldn't that select for viral proteins to be more highly translated? That is, in fact, not the requirement (3) Recruitment of mRNA to PBs is not an occurrence of non-translation, rather requires active silencing via miRNA or RNAi mechanisms. They reference another paper (4): Recent studies with mammalian cells have shown that P-body integrity is not required for ARE-mediated mRNA decay or silencing mediated by fully or partially complementary exogenous, transfected small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In this study, we investigated the requirement for P-body integrity in NMD, mRNA decay, and silencing mediated by miRNAs and long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). We show that these pathways are unaffected in cells lacking detectable, wild-type P bodies. However, although P bodies are not required for silencing, active silencing pathways are required for P-body formation in Drosophila melanogaster cells, indicating that P bodies are not the cause but a consequence of silencing. Is there is a separate step by which mRNAs of exogenous origin are specifically (or more rapidly) recruited to P-bodies - and, if this happens, how are they specifically targeted for this uptake? The RISC complex can be involved in initial recognition and cleavage of viral RNA and the resulting fragments are subsequently degraded by the exosome or P-body associated proteins. RNAi associated components have been observed to be localised with P-bodies (1): Endonucleolytic cleavage of siRNA or plant miRNA targets is catalysed by the C-terminal PIWI domain of Argonaute proteins... Following this endonucleolytic cleavage, the resulting mRNA fragments are handed over to the general mRNA-decay machinery. In D. melanogaster, 5' and 3' mRNA fragments that are generated by Argonaute-mediated endonucleolytic cleavage are degraded by the exosome... and by XRN1, respectively. You can also consider the R-gene viral defence mechanism in plants which induces P-body formation and suppression of translation in an RNAi independent manner (5): Plant NB-LRR proteins [R-genes] confer resistance to multiple pathogens, including viruses. Although the recognition of viruses by NB-LRR proteins is highly specific, previous studies have suggested that NB-LRR activation results in a response that targets all viruses in the infected cell... NB-LRR signaling does not result in the degradation of viral transcripts, but rather prevents them from associating with ribosomes and translating their genetic material. This indicates that defense against viruses involves the repression of viral RNA translation... As a consequence..., NB-LRR responses induce a dramatic increase in the biogenesis of RNA processing bodies (PBs). We demonstrate that other pathways that induce translational repression, such as UV irradiation and RNAi, also induce PBs. However, by investigating the phosphorylation status of eIF2α and by using suppressors of RNAi we show that the mechanisms leading to PB induction by NB-LRR signaling are different from these stimuli, thus defining a distinct type of translational control and anti-viral mechanism in plants. There are many articles discussing how viruses subvert and/or repurpose P-body mediated decay if you want some further reading (3), (6), (7).
Decrypting the ICO A new generation will take financial services into the future. In the "Next Voices" blog a rotating group of bloggers of the younger generation will share what they are learning and doing. Proposals from guest bloggers are also invited. Please email [email protected] You’ve heard the hype about initial coin offerings (ICOs). You think there could be opportunity to win big with this new vehicle. You think it might also be a scam. Even your office crypto-nerd hasn’t figured them out. But it is clear that whatever part of the financial value chain you are a part of, ICOs will be relevant to you sooner than you think. The building block(chain)s There are many articles and YouTube videos that do a good job of explaining what exactly Bitcoin and the blockchain are and the mechanics behind them. You can go down a rabbit hole for an entire Sunday afternoon if you like. If you’re new to the topic, I like this quick overview by The Guardian. Bitcoin (and by extension, blockchain technology) has been around since 2008 and has gained traction as a global, unregulated currency that can simply be used as a store of value, as well as to purchase goods on e-commerce websites like Reddit, Expedia, Overstock, OkCupid, Subway, and Foodler. (Bitcoin is trading at $6,843.90 as of the moment of writing this post; and Ethereum at $335.50) Some benefits of Bitcoin and other currencies based on distributed ledgers (the concept behind blockchain tech) include: cheaper global transactions; low risk of money laundering; and growing market demand. The major risks that are often cited about cryptocurrency are that it is very volatile; prone to scammers and hackers; and could be a bubble. When I spent a summer working at the U.S. Treasury Department a little more than a year ago, a senior regulator told me that he had no intention of writing public policy on Bitcoin because he didn’t expect the blockchain to become a major form of currency anytime soon. Ha. Want more banking news and analysis? Get banking news, insights and solutions delivered to your inbox each week. Anatomy of an ICO Since that conversation, start-ups in the blockchain space have been creating digital tokens or currencies and selling them to the public to raise capital. Similar to crowdfunding and IPOs (initial public offerings), ICOs or crowdsales raise funds for a project or enterprise through the issuance of virtual tokens in exchange for crypto or fiat currency. The goal of buyers is to make a return on the higher value of the tokens upon project completion or to use the tokens to access a product or platform—possibly both. ICOs typically involve three steps: 1.Project plan. A company creates a project plan in the form of a white paper, which includes a summary of the project, fundraising threshold and cap, timeline, and breakdown of uses of capital raised. Typically, the project is a discrete digital-currency-oriented project under a larger parent company. 2.Marketing the ICO. Then, the company begins its digital campaign to get project enthusiasts and supporters to buy virtual tokens with fiat or virtual currency through a digital wallet. These campaigns can simply be listed on sites like CoinDesk and ICO Countdown, or entire PR campaigns with press releases and celebrity endorsements to generate buzz. 3.Token issuance. Finally, if the minimum funds required by the company are raised, the company issues the token sale, and gets to work on the project through automatically executing “smart contracts.” Smart contracts can be thought of as highly restrictive and sophisticated “if/then” statements—they’re not actually enforceable by law. Indeed, they are meant to be self-executing. Backers can also trade tokens on secondary markets. Alternatively, if not enough tokens are sold, the funds are returned to investors. Initial Coin Offerings take off This summer, ICOs skyrocketed in popularity. According to CoinDesk’s ICO Tracker, the ICO trend began in 2014 with slow but steady growth in both volume and amount of money raised. In 2016, the ill-fated DAO ICO raised over $150 million worth of tokens, which kicked off a much higher rate of ICO issuances. Most recently, we have seen a summer of six-fold ICO growth, with the three biggest ICOs ever issued launched since June 2017. (Filecoin at $262 million in September, Tezos at $232 million in July, and Bancor at $153 million in June. These deals are not without controversy, the Tezos raise, for example, spawning a class-action securities lawsuit earlier this month.) The cumulative U.S. dollars raised through ICOs now totals over $3.3 trillion. ICOs have become so popular that companies like TokenHub and ICO Box are now providing turnkey solutions for issuing ICOs in as little as two weeks. Regulators get involved Along with a wild number of ICOs this summer, we saw a number of regulators cracking down on them. In the U.S., the SEC ruled in July that the DAO ICO referenced earlier was actually a security sale, but it did not take any enforcement action. The commission also issued a bulletin to investors on ICOs. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission determined that it will classify cryptographic assets as commodities. Additionally, in late September the SEC filed charges for fraud against two ICOs, marketed as “REcoin” and “DRC” that did not actually have any underlying blockchain. In addition, the SEC has said that it may use a 70-year-old methodology, the “Howey Test” to determine whether ICOs are issuing securities tokens (regulated as securities) or utility tokens (unregulated…for now). Regulators also say that other laws around commodities, broker-dealer relationships, taxation, currency transmission, and know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering rules may also apply to ICOs. They are not specific about these applications, but warn those interested in participating in token sales that the government cannot help in cases of ICO hacking and contract enforcement. Meanwhile, China and South Korea have banned ICOs, and Japan is considering doing the same. Places like Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and Lithuania, are conducting investigations and issuing guidance on ICOs, all with different principles on how they will regulate token sales. So who’s got it right? Deciding whether ICOs are good or evil is indeed a conundrum. Various public figures have weighed in. Blackrock CEO Larry Fink is a “big believer” in cryptocurrency. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon thinks cryptocurrency is a “fraud” and “novelty” but thinks that the blockchain will persist. Wikipedia CEO Jimmy Wales thinks that ICOs are an “absolute scam.” Meanwhile, according to one report, UNICEF is considering issuing its own ICO to raise money for its humanitarian efforts across the globe. Perhaps we don’t have to decide good and evil in such extreme terms. As entrepreneurs are looking at ICOs as a vehicle to raise capital in a constantly changing regulatory landscape these ICO issuers must self-regulate, at least for the time-being. At the recent StartEngine ICO 2.0 Summit, the first regulated ICO conference, ICO companies spoke about using robust KYC and “geofencing” processes to eliminate anyone trying to participate in their token sales from banned jurisdictions. They talked about employing lawyers from many different regions to make sure they are complying with local laws. They even talked about which government regulators are best suited to crack down on complaints against bad ICO behavior. In the last year, we have seen a “Cambrian explosion” of ICOs. The chips are still falling, but in the meantime, entrepreneurs, regulators, banks, fintech companies, economists, game theorists, and historians need to come together to better understand the risks and opportunities of ICOs. A “regulated ICO” is inevitable and may actually result in a more vibrant, accessible, and healthy ICO marketplace. Amrita Vir, a regular contributor to the blog Next Voices, works at Cignifi, Inc., an alternative data analytics startup that uses telecom data in emerging markets for financial inclusion. She has studied at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, pursuing a career in financial inclusion at the intersection of innovation and regulation. Vir was also research assistant to Jo Ann Barefoot, senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government and a member of the Banking Exchange Editorial Advisory Board.
Q: Is it Possible to have Dynamic - On-The-Fly DeploymentItems? I want to write tests to check the existance (and other stuff) of certain files that will be shipped with our project. This is what I have right now: [DeploymentItem("1.pdf")] [DeploymentItem("2.pdf")] public class DoFilesExist { List<string> _Files; public DoFilesExist() { _Files = new List<string>(); _Files.Add("1.pdf"); _Files.Add("2.pdf"); } delegate void fileTest(string fileName); void Map(fileTest test) { foreach (string file in _Files) { test(file); } } [TestMethod] public void TestExists() { Map( x => Assert.IsTrue(File.Exists(x), x + " doesn't exist") ); } } As you can see, when I want to add another file to test, I have to add to the [DeploymentItem] and the _Files List Is there a way to Dynamically Change the DeploymentItems? Or to grab from them during run time. I will probably end up having over 30 files here, and I do not want two lists. Thanks in advance! A: It looks like you're mainly testing whether [DeploymentItem] works... after all - it isn't [DeploymentItem] that defines your actual deployment. Personally, this is something I despise about MSTest; .NET projects already have a way to define deployment data - the project! By introducing a second method, it introduces both duplication and risk. One of the reasons I use NUnit instead of MSTest, even though I have a VSTS license </rant>. Re the question; you could use reflection to look at the DeploymentItem markers, but I'm really not sure what this is testing, other than the test framework itself...
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NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews the Seahawks as they head to Dallas looking for some payback– Wilson has been downright awful at dealing with the blitz in 2015. There’s a failure on his part to recognize the blitz and react to it either with a quicker release, checking into a hot read pass, or checking into a run. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, critiques the Seahawks victory over the 49ers on Thursday night– Despite the win, this was not a good night for Russell Wilson. His two interceptions were both in the “really bad” category as far as his decision making is concerned. Both times his receivers were covered by two or more defenders. There was no need to force either of those throws and keep the 49ers hopes alive. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews the Seahawks Thursday Night matchup against the 49ers– It’s likely that neither of these situations have the Seahawks players that are involved legally at fault for anything criminal at this point. Still, they were there, it happened, it’s on the news and it needs to not happen anymore. All these things serve as a distraction and take away the focus the team needs now, more than ever. NWSB Writer, and Seattle Seahawks insider, Brian Scott, previews the Seahawks hosting the Panthers on Sunday– No more meltdowns—that’s the easy way to write up what the Seahawks need to do better defensively. After leading 24-7 in the fourth quarter last week, the defense got soft and allowed the Bengals to tie the game, then win it in overtime. That just can’t happen. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, reacts to the Seahawks stunning loss to the Bengals– A dominant defense. Smart, big plays on offense. Defensive touchdowns. It all added up to type of Seattle Seahawks game we are used to seeing from this team with one exception. They forgot that they are supposed to play four quarters, not three. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, reviews the Seahawks questionable win over the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football– The fact is, every team gets breaks on calls and bad breaks on others. The officials, both replacement and regular, are human and make mistakes. They miss calls and I, for one, don’t want to review every play of every game. I would argue that bad calls are actually good for the game as they create discussion, controversy, and give guys like me stuff to write about. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews NFL Week 5 for the Seattle Seahawks– On deck for the Hawks is a trip to Cincinnati to face the undefeated Bengals. This is not going to be an easy game for Seattle, especially with their inconsistent play thus far and the fact that the Bengals will likely be looking at this game as a game that can legitimize their place as an NFC power in the conference. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews the Seahawks MNF matchup against the Lions– One thing I do like so far about the Kris Richard version of Carroll’s defense is that he seems to be willing to dial up blitzes a bit more often than his predecessors, Bradley and Quinn. That’s good news too because I feel the Seahawks will have to do that often to get Stafford out of his element and to take some of the pressure off of the Seahawks secondary trying to cover Megatron and Tate. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, reviews the Seahawks victory in their home opener against the Chicago Bears– The second half in all aspects of the game was fantastic but none more so than the first 12 seconds of the half where rookie Tyler Lockett ripped off a 105 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. 105 yards is a new Seahawks team record surpassing the previous high of 101 yard by Leon Washington. Lockett has been brilliant returning punts and kicks this year and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews the Hawks home opener against the Bears– The tardy one, Kam Chancellor, finally reported this week. It’s still somewhat of a question as to whether or not he plays against the Bears this week. Reports say he’s in great physical shape but gym shape is not game shape. Only games get you there and Kam missed all of the pre-season that is designed to get guys into game shape. NWSB Writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, examines the Seahawks 0-2 start and latest loss to the Packers– I have had enough of Michael Bennett and this offsides stuff. Three times in this one Bennett jumped offsides, Aaron Rodgers saw it, went deep, and burned the Seahawks for big plays and scores. NWSB writer and Seattle Seahawks Insider, Brian Scott, previews the Seahawks in Week 2– Next for the Hawks it’s the Green Bay Packers, on the frozen tundra, no less. To call this game a tough match up early on for Seattle is a bit of an understatement. The Seahawks are going to have their hands full. Here’s a few of the things I’ll be watching closely for as the Seahawks try to take it to the Pack Sunday night.
The recently announced draft EU/Mercosur trade deal has been described as “the ultimate hypocrisy and betrayal of farmers and the wider rural economy”, by a Midlands North-West MEP. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said the deal is “trading off farmers and the wider public goods they deliver for the benefit of the auto industry and ‘big pharma'”. “We continually berate farmers for not doing enough for the environment and expect them to adhere to stringent environmental measures. After they have bent over backwards to satisfy our demands, producing food of the highest quality and caring for the landscape, we sign off on a deal that will undermine their very livelihood. “There is a cost implication in complying with higher standards and it is grossly unfair to ask our farmers to compete in a completely skewed playing field. “The deal makes a mockery of our commitment on climate mitigation.” Continuing, Flanagan added: “We pontificate at both EU and national level on the need to increase our forest cover and reduce our carbon footprint; then we push through a deal that will lead to increased deforestation, importing food that is transported halfway around the world resulting in a much higher carbon footprint that what we already have. “The hand wringing and lamenting by some at national level is disingenuous and a little late in the day,” said Flanagan. Concluding, Flanagan said that he would be “examining all our options on this with a view to blocking its progress” until substantial amendments are made in the drafting of the final legal text.
Protein-protein docking by shape-complementarity and property matching. We present a computational approach to protein-protein docking based on surface shape complementarity ("ProBinder"). Within this docking approach, we implemented a new surface decomposition method that considers local shape features on the protein surface. This new surface shape decomposition results in a deterministic representation of curvature features on the protein surface, such as "knobs," "holes," and "flats" together with their point normals. For the actual docking procedure, we used geometric hashing, which allows for the rapid, translation-, and rotation-free comparison of point coordinates. Candidate solutions were scored based on knowledge-based potentials and steric criteria. The potentials included electrostatic complementarity, desolvation energy, amino acid contact preferences, and a van-der-Waals potential. We applied ProBinder to a diverse test set of 68 bound and 30 unbound test cases compiled from the Dockground database. Sixty-four percent of the protein-protein test complexes were ranked with an root mean square deviation (RMSD) < 5 A to the target solution among the top 10 predictions for the bound data set. In 82% of the unbound samples, docking poses were ranked within the top ten solutions with an RMSD < 10 A to the target solution.
<?php /* phpVirtualBox admin password recovery. Rename recovery.php-disabled to recovery.php, navigate to it in your web browser and follow the instructions presented. / # Turn off PHP errors error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_STRICT & ~E_WARNING); //Set no caching header("Expires: Mon, 26 Jul 1997 05:00:00 GMT"); header("Last-Modified: " . gmdate("D, d M Y H:i:s") . " GMT"); header("Cache-Control: no-store, no-cache, must-revalidate, post-check=0, pre-check=0"); header("Pragma: no-cache"); require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/endpoints/lib/config.php'); require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/endpoints/lib/utils.php'); require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/endpoints/lib/vboxconnector.php'); / * Clean request / $vboxRequest = clean_request(); / Check for recovery */ if($vboxRequest['recover']) { try { // Use main / auth server $vbox = new vboxconnector(true); $vbox->skipSessionCheck = true; $vbox->connect(); $vbox->vbox->setExtraData('phpvb/users/admin/pass', hash('sha512', 'admin')); $vbox->vbox->setExtraData('phpvb/users/admin/admin', '1'); echo("Admin account updated. Please rename this file to <b>recovery.php-disabled</b>. phpVirtualBox will refuse to run if this has not been done."); } catch (Exception $e) { echo("<pre>"); print_r($e); echo("</pre>"); } return; } ?> <html> <head> <title>Admin Account Recovery</title> </head> <body> <h3>Admin Account Recovery</h3> <p>This form will add the default user <b>admin</b> with a default password of <b>admin</b>. If the user <b>admin</b> already exists, its password will be changed to <b>admin</b>.</p> <p>Click the Recover button to add / update this user.</p> <form method='POST'> <p> <input type='hidden' name='recover' value='1' /> <input type='submit' value='Recover' /> </p> </form> </body> </html>
“Crown land belongs to the government, not to f*cking natives” (RCMP, some in full camouflage and wielding assault rifles, moved in on Mi’kmaq led anti-fracking blockade early Thursday morning. Photo via @maryposa74) RCMP move in to enforce injunction against Mi’kmaq-led anti-fracking blockade APTN National News REXTON, NB–Heavily armed RCMP officers, some clad in full camouflage and wielding assault weapons, moved in early Thursday morning to enforce an injunction against a Mi’kmaq barricade that has trapped exploration vehicles belonging to a Houston-based firm conducting shale gas exploration in New Brunswick. The officers were initially met by members of the Mi’kmaq Warrior Society which has anchored the barricades for over two weeks. There were also reports that officers fired rubber bullets in the woods around the barricade. Tensions were high on both sides as the raid unfolded. “Crown land belongs to the government, not to fucking natives,” APTN’s Ossie Michelin heard one of the camouflaged officers involved in the raid shout to protestors. “Go back where the fuck you came from,” shouted one of the activists at the scene. An RCMP spokeswoman said the operation was ongoing. The spokeswoman said there were no military elements is involved in the operation. “Bring the fucking dog, see what happens, you want another officer to go down?” one warrior is heard shouting off camera. “It’s a camera, it’s a camera get your guns off me,” says Patles, who filmed the event. “Get your guns off me, this is a phone.” It’s unclear if the RCMP arrested Patles. Officers did arrest some of the activist at the site as residents from the Mi’kmaq community of Elsipogtog, which has been at the heart of the anti-fracking movement, swarmed to the area in support. Drumming, cursing, crying and barking dogs echoed through an air tinged with the small of tear gas and sage as the tense scene unfolded. Three schools were also in lock down in the area as a precaution. The blockade against SWN Resources Canada sits just off Route 135 and sits about 80 kilometres north of Moncton and 15 km northeast of Elsipogtog. The blockade was the latest salvo in a battle against SWN’s shale gas exploration that raged throughout this past summer and led to dozens of arrests. Until recently, the blockade shut down a section the highway completely. The warriors opened up one lane for traffic last week. Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Anglophone residents in the area believe the discovery of shale gas will lead to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and they fear the extraction method poses a threat to the area’s water and environment. SWN received an extension to the injunction gains the blockade which had set to expire on Oct. 12. Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock had been in talks with New Brunswick Premier David Alward in hopes of finding a peaceful end to the blockade. admin2 Then it also doesn’t belong to the person who was quoted and that’s the ironic part that this individual won’t see also. JayAre420 Stay strong! I know you wont give up! Danette Williams It’s crown land. CROWN. Queen. England who signed that little document guaranteeing First Nations their land. And theirs? TO THE DEPTH OF A PLOW. So it’s not really crown land either! Gary Hagell You. Have. My support. You. Stand strong for all of us. You are the guardians of the mother Jeremy Omand You post a video link to someone’s personal Facebook account? Not very professional. Host the video on your site like a real media organization please. Chev Oh right because “real” media organizations don’t use personal video’s to portray news at all! : Flock of Burgers It’s called raw news. It happens all the time. If journalists or reports are not present, and raw footage is available, it’s just as good and often better. Why? You’re getting the real footage from the front lines and not the material that simply makes it past the cutting board. sammysunshine This just in: Reliable media organizations all over the WORLD, use viewer made videos to show the real story. Let us remember that being critical of how organizations present media takes away from the real issues at hand. The poisoning of our water should be top of mind, nothing else. Brian Begay I AM A NAVAJO FROM NEW MEXICO USA SUPPORTING YOUR PROTEST! Richard Rehsler Okay, first of all, the crown land belongs to all of us and the government is just an entity created to oversee our affairs. This government was probably fraudulently elected by only 24% os eligible voters so I don’t see where they have a whole lot of authority over all of us. Secondly, the First Nations people were here before the rest of us colonists and have MORE say as to what might happen on crown land. Then there is the heavy-handed para-military tactics used by police against unarmed citizens. This is (to me) a shameful and despicable act with thug-like use of force that has become common for our once well-respected RCMP. Are we wondering why they have lost our respect? Are there not anti-bullying laws in place. They should be charged with bullying these people. They should be servants of the citizens of Canada, not of the corporatocracy that seems to believe that it is in control.. If any of these officers were my son, I would be ashamed. Very ashamed. Matt Saracen “Secondly, the First Nations people were here before the rest of us colonists and have MORE say as to what might happen on crown land.” Ummm. I was born here. I’m not a colonist. My parents were born here. My grandparents were born here. Colonists? What are you going on about? You do realize that it’s 2013, right? twyla This is so ridiculous like seriously… I don’t even know what to say… this world is getting crazier every day God bless you people only the strong survive samantha seems harper and his oil/gas buddies will do almost anything to get their fracking and pipelines rammed through our environment. the rcmp used the same heinous tactics on the tahltan first nations who are fighting against a coal mine going in on their territory in which the nass, Skeena and Stikine rivers flow. these are all important salmon streams which run to the coast. thank heavens SOMEONE is fighting for our environment! harper and his corpulent cronies just don’t listen to facts. they have gutted the environmental guidelines in order to support pipelines and fracking. The report, Fracking by the Numbers, looks at the increasing use of the controversial method to extract shale gas from rocks deep beneath the ground. It says the “analysis shows that damage from fracking is widespread and occurs on a scale unimagined just a few years ago.” The report adds, “One of the serious threats fracking poses to drinking water is the millions of gallons of toxic wastewater it generates”. It says that the risks include spills of fracking fluid, migrations of chemical fluids and contaminants leaking into groundwater. In 2012, the total wastewater from fracking amounted to 280 billion gallons, which the Guardian claims is enough to flood the whole of Washington DC in a 22ft deep toxic lagoon. I would be fighting too! reverb256 In Harperland, it’s very easy for the cops to frame the people. They do it all the time. sammysunshine Praying for safety for all at #Elsipogtog. The RCMP came in with the intent of being provocative and of course, when some squad cars are set afire, that is all the regular media viewers will see. The drumming, singing, and polite queries have gone unanswered for months. The straight media has chosen to ignore all of that and once again, people are being put down for trying to passionately protect the water of all. The violence is underlined and that is the worst part. Praying that an end is put to SWN, once and for all.
--- abstract: 'We report the discovery of topological magnetism in the candidate magnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlGe. Using neutron scattering we find this system to host several incommensurate, square-coordinated multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic phases below $T_{\rm{N}}$. The topological properties of a phase stable at intermediate magnetic fields parallel to the $c$-axis are suggested by observation of a topological Hall effect. Our findings highlight CeAlGe as an exceptional system for exploiting the interplay between the nontrivial topologies of the magnetization in real space and Weyl nodes in momentum space.' author: - Pascal Puphal - Vladimir Pomjakushin - Naoya Kanazawa - Victor Ukleev - 'Dariusz J. Gawryluk' - Junzhang Ma - Muntaser Naamneh - 'Nicholas C. Plumb' - Lukas Keller - Robert Cubitt - Ekaterina Pomjakushina - 'Jonathan S. White' bibliography: - 'cealge.bib' title: Topological magnetic phase in the candidate Weyl semimetal CeAlGe --- [^1] The recent experimental discoveries of topological Weyl semimetals with discrete band touching points near a small Fermi surface (Weyl nodes) [@Xu(2015); @Lv(2015); @Xu2(2015); @Hasan(2015); @Hasan(2017)], augments the viral interest in topological electronic phases of matter [@Bin2017; @Arm2018]. In this context, magnetic Weyl semimetals are special since they promise topological states that are easily tunable using low external magnetic fields. In ferromagnetic (FM) Weyl semimetals the magnetization ($M$) can modify the pattern of Weyl nodes into a symmetry-breaking configuration that generates a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE) [@Liu2018; @Chang(2018); @Kim2018]. In magnetic insulators, Weyl magnon states can emerge [[@Moo16; @Li16; @Li17; @Yao2018; @Bao2018]]{} that generate anomalous heat transport. In each case, the topological origin of anomalous transport augments an anticipation that Weyl systems may find use for topological electronics [@Tok(2017)]. Topologically nontrivial magnetization textures in real-space are also known to generate experimental signatures in transport such as the so-called topological Hall effect (THE). A THE can emerge if the underlying noncoplanar magnetization texture is described by a finite topological number $Q=(1/4\pi)\int\vec{n}\cdot\left(\partial\vec{n}/\partial x\times \partial\vec{n}/\partial y\right)dxdy$ in the continuous limit. Here unit vector $\vec{n}$ describes the direction of the local magnetization. Several magnets are known to host topological skyrmion ($Q$=-1) [@Muh2009; @Sek12; @Kez15; @Tok15], biskyrmion ($Q$=-2) [@Yu14; @Wang2016; @Li2019], antiskyrmion ($Q$=+1) [@Nay17], and meron-antimeron ($Q=\pm$1/2) [@Yu18] magnetic textures. For those with $\|Q\|$ described by integer $\mathbb{Z}\geq1$ on a macroscopic scale, the THE is indeed observed in favourable cases [@Neu09; @Kan11; @Sch12; @Wang2016; @Kan17]. Natural questions concern if novel functions can emerge due to a coexistence of topological magnetism with Weyl nodes. For example, the large spin-orbit coupling in Weyl semimetals can promote spin transfer torques, in turn enabling an energy efficient manipulation of topological magnetism by electric currents [@Tak16; @Kur2019]. Up to now the account of magnetic Weyl semimetals has focussed mainly on systems with commensurate collinear order [@Liu2018; @Chang(2018); @Kim2018]; expansion into the realm of semimetals with incommensurate (IC) noncoplanar magnetism is of considerable interest, yet has remained hitherto unexplored. Recently the polar tetragonal magnet CeAlGe ($I$4$_{1}$md spacegroup, $C_{4v}$ symmetry \[Figure \[Fig\_1\](a)\]) was predicted to be an easy-plane FM type-II Weyl semimetal [@Chang(2018)]. In contrast to FM order however, bulk measurements show magnetic Ce atoms instead undergo an antiferromagnetic (AFM)-like transition below $T_{\rm{N}}$ $\sim$4.4K, with an estimated in-plane AFM interaction of $\sim$-42K, and an out-of-plane FM interaction of $\sim$10K [@Puphal(2019)]. From the magnetic field- ($\mu_{0}H$) dependent bulk magnetization $M$ the easy-plane anisotropy is confirmed \[Figure \[Fig\_1\](b)\], but unexpected low field anomalies imply richer magnetism than simple FM order [@Puphal(2019)]. In addition, $C_{nv}$ polar magnets are known in theory [@Bog89] to allow Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMIs) that stabilize Néel-type skyrmion phases [@Kez15; @Kur2017; @Bor17]. Thus the candidate Weyl semimetal CeAlGe is also a promising host of topological magnetism. ![(a) $I$4$_{1}$md crystal structure of CeAlGe (b) $M$ vs. $\mu_{0}H$ at 2 K after ZFC (c) Magnetic NPD difference profile taken between $T=1.7$K and 10K, at $\mu_{0}H$=0 (black). Red shows the Rietveld refinement of the data using the multi-$\vec{k}$ model (see text for details). Blue shows the difference between the data and refinement. Green markers indicate scattering angles for possible IC magnetic peaks. (d) View along the $z$-($c$-)axis of the normalized (i.e. $\vec{n}=\vec{M}/\|\vec{M}\|$, where $\vec{M}$ is the local Ce moment) multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic structure. $x$- and $y$-axes are in units of $a$-axis lattice parameter. The length of arrows denote the size of in-plane $\vec{n}$. The colorbar shows the value of $\vec{n}_{z}$. Black quadrants highlight regions with $Q=$+1/2 or -1/2.[]{data-label="Fig_1"}](Fig_1_main_revised.eps){width="1\columnwidth"} In this Letter, we apply neutron scattering and electrical transport measurements to reveal CeAlGe as a host of IC multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic phases, including a topological one at intermediate $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ containing pairs of $Q$=+1/2 antimerons. We discuss the implication for the existence of such IC magnetic phases in Weyl semimetals suggesting they may act as a novel platform for new functions. Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) was done on annealed polycrystalline CeAlGe samples using the DMC and HRPT instruments at PSI. Full experimental details are given in Ref. . At HRPT, we tracked the $T$-dependent crystal structure during zero field-cooling (ZFC), and find CeAlGe to retain its room $T$ polar $I4_{1}$md crystal structure down to 1.5K [@Sup]. Figure \[Fig\_1\](c) shows the difference between NPD data acquired at DMC below (1.5 K) and above (10 K) $T_{\rm{N}}$. A Le Bail refinement of the data [@Sup] shows all magnetic peaks can be indexed by $\vec{G}+\vec{k}$. Here $\vec{G}$ is a reciprocal lattice vector, and $\vec{k}=(a,0,0)$ is an IC magnetic propagation vector with $a$=0.066(1) in reciprocal lattice units (r.l.u.). With support from single crystal data presented later, CeAlGe is found to have a purely IC magnetic ground state. To determine the IC magnetic structure in CeAlGe we used the Fullprof suite [@Rodriguez-Carvajal1993] to perform a detailed Rietveld refinement of the NPD difference pattern against several symmetry-allowed models [@Sup]. The symmetry analysis shows that the magnetic structure model of highest symmetry is based on the full propagation star of $\vec{k}$ which consists of four arms $\vec{k_{1}}$=$\pm(a,0,0)$ and $\vec{k_{2}}$=$\pm(0,a,0)$. This corresponds to a multi-$\vec{k}$ model described by the maximal symmetry superspace group $I4_{1}$md1’(a00)000s(0a0)0s0s [@Campbell2006; @Aroyo2006], and has just four refinable magnetic mode amplitude parameters [@Sup]. Figure \[Fig\_1\](c) shows the refinement ($\chi^{2}$=2.48) of the NPD difference pattern using the multi-$\vec{k}$ model [@Sup], with the reconstructed magnetic order presented in Figure 4 of Ref. . For clarity, in Figure \[Fig\_1\](d) we show the reconstructed magnetic order with normalized moments, $\vec{n}=\vec{M}/\|\vec{M}\|$. The magnetic structure modulates only within the tetragonal plane and, as discussed later, is characterized by quadrants for which $Q$ is modulo half-integer, with $Q$=0 on a macroscopic scale. In the Supplement [@Sup], we also consider data refinements against models generated by a standard representation analysis without magnetic group symmetry arguments. In this approach just a single arm of $\vec{k}$ is considered, necessarily leading to models of lower symmetry than the multi-$\vec{k}$ model. Here the 4$a$ Ce atom splits into two orbits Ce$_{1}$ and Ce$_{2}$, with their moments being symmetry-independent. The best refinement is achieved by a six parameter model that describes $a$-$c$ cycloids on each Ce orbit, with $\chi^{2}=2.48$ the same as for the multi-$\vec{k}$ model. Thus while strictly unable to rule out that a multidomain, single-$\vec{k}$ cycloidal order forms the ground state in zero field, we prioritize the multi-$\vec{k}$ model due to both its higher symmetry and fewer refinement parameters. ![SANS patterns from single crystal CeAlGe at 1.7 K and (a) $\mu_{0}H$=0, (b) $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$=1 T. Note the logarithmic intensity scale. The $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$-dependence of (c) IC peak wavevectors $\|q\|$ and (d) peak integrated intensities at 1.7 K. Each datapoint is an average taken over equivalent wavevectors. (e)-(f) show similar data as for (c)-(d) but for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$a$ at 1.9 K.[]{data-label="Fig_2"}](Fig_2_revised.eps){width="1\columnwidth"} Next we consider $\mu_{0}H$-dependent studies on stoichiometric floating zone grown single crystal CeAlGe [@Puphal(2019); @Mis2]. Figure \[Fig\_2\] shows data obtained by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) at SANS-I, PSI, and D33 at the ILL [@Sup], which probes directly the IC magnetic modulations near $q$=0 [@Mis1]. After ZFC to 1.7 K, the SANS pattern shown in Figure \[Fig\_2\](a) displays the four IC Bragg peaks expected from all arms of $\vec{k}$. Within uncertainty, all peaks display absolute wavevectors of $\|q\|$=0.107(1) Å$^{-1}$, corresponding to $\vec{k}=(a,0,0)$, where $a$=0.071(1) r.l.u., this being slightly larger than for the powder. As exemplified by data obtained at 1 T shown in Figure \[Fig\_2\](b), with increasing $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ SANS intensity emerges at second-order scattering vectors termed $\vec{k_{1}}+\vec{k_{2}}$. The observation of second-order peaks generally implies the field to induce anharmonicity in the magnetic order, and is a hallmark of topological multi-$\vec{k}$ phases [@Ada10; @Oka17]. Figures \[Fig\_2\](c) and (d) respectively show the $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$-dependences of the absolute sizes of the first- and second-order peak wavevectors, and the associated peak integrated intensities. The very different $\mu_{0}H$-dependences of the first-and second-order peak intensities, and the absence of second-order peak intensity at $\mu_{0}H$=0 when the first-order peak intensity is largest, together provide convincing evidence that the second-order signal is intrinsic, and not due to multiple scattering. Importantly, both the first-and second-order peak intensities vary only smoothly with $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$, showing no discontinuous changes. This suggests that the inherent symmetry of the modes describing the IC texture is the same at finite $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ as determined for $\mu_{0}H$=0. ![(a) $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$-dependence of the Hall resistivity ${\rho_{yx}}$ at various $T$s. (b) Example of the appearance of the topological Hall resistivity ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ as a deviation from the fitted conventional Hall contributions ${\rho_{yx}}={\mu_{\mathrm{0}}}{R_{\mathrm{0}}}H +{R_{\mathrm{A}}}{\rho_{xx}}^2 M$ at $T=2$ K. (c) Comparison between the estimated ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ and the field-derivative of $M$. A stepwise ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ appears for $H_1<\mu_{0}H<H_2$, suggesting the formation of topological magnetic order.[]{data-label="Fig_3"}](Fig_3_main.eps){width="1\columnwidth"} For $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$a$, Figures \[Fig\_2\](e)-(f) show that just a single-$\vec{k}$ IC order described by $\vec{k_{1}}$ prevails above 0.18 T - see also Ref. . The perpendicular alignment of $\vec{k_{1}}$ to $\mu_{0}H$ is consistent with cycloidal order [@Kur2017; @Whi18], suggesting the DMI to be crucial in determining the magnetic textures in this $C_{4v}$ system. A complete suppression of IC order at lower $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$a$ compared with $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ is consistent with the easy-plane anisotropy of CeAlGe [@Puphal(2019); @Hodovanets(2018)]. Next we turn to Hall effect data for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ \[Figure \[Fig\_3\](a)\]. An additional contribution to the Hall effect, the THE, arises as a hallmark of the formation of noncoplanar spin textures. We attribute the topological Hall resistivity ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ to be a deviation from the conventional Hall signals, which are the $H$-linear normal Hall effect (NHE) and $M$-linear AHE [@Kan11]. Namely, we employ the following relation ${\rho_{yx}}={\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{N}}}+{\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{A}}}+{\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}={\mu_{\mathrm{0}}}{R_{\mathrm{0}}}H +{R_{\mathrm{A}}}{\rho_{xx}}^2 M +{\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}},$ where ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{N}}}$ and ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{A}}}$ are normal and anomalous Hall resistivity; ${R_{\mathrm{0}}}$ and ${R_{\mathrm{A}}}{\rho_{xx}}^2$ are their coefficients, respectively. Since ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ is absent when spins are fully polarized under high magnetic fields ($\mu_{0}H>\mu_{0}{H_{\mathrm{c}}}$), we determine ${R_{\mathrm{0}}}$ and ${R_{\mathrm{A}}}$ as the intercept and the slope of the curve ${\rho_{yx}}/H$ vs ${\rho_{xx}}^2 M/H$. As shown Figure \[Fig\_3\](b), above $\mu_{0}{H_{\mathrm{c}}}$ ${\rho_{yx}}$ is well reproduced by the fitting curve ${\rho_{yx}}={\mu_{\mathrm{0}}}{R_{\mathrm{0}}}H +{R_{\mathrm{A}}}{\rho_{xx}}^2 M$. From the difference between the fit and the data, a finite ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ is identified for the intermediate $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$-region \[Figure \[Fig\_3\](c)\]. This finite ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ provides compelling evidence that the IC multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetism observed by SANS has topological properties described by integer $Q$. In contrast, analysis of further Hall data collected for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$a$ shows that for this field direction ${\rho_{yx}}$ can be described completely in terms of the NHE and AHE [@Sup]. The absence of any THE-like Hall signal suggests none of the various magnetic phases for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$a$ have topological properties described by integer $Q$. ![CeAlGe magnetic phase diagram for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$. Black symbols are determined from SANS data [@Sup], and red symbols from peaks in d$M$/d$H$ denoted as $H_{1}$ and $H_{2}$ in Figure \[Fig\_3\](c). ${\rho_{yx}^{\mathrm{T}}}$ data are included as a colormap. Solid lines are guides for the eye.[]{data-label="Fig_4"}](Fig_4_revised.eps){width="1\columnwidth"} Figure \[Fig\_4\] shows the CeAlGe magnetic phase diagram for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$. Phase lines constructed from both neutron data [@Sup] and peaks in the field-derivative of bulk $M$-$\mu_{0}H$ isotherms \[Figure \[Fig\_3\](c)\] separate a single-$\vec{k}$/multi-$\vec{k}$ phase for $0<\mu_{0}H<H_{1}$, the intermediate field topological multi-$\vec{k}$ phase for $H_{1}<\mu_{0}H<H_{2}$, and a higher field phase for $H_{2}<\mu_{0}H<H_{c}$. Here $H_{c}$ denotes the saturation field. A finite THE is also observed in the highest field phase \[Figure \[Fig\_3\](c)\], suggesting this phase also to host topological properties that merit further investigation. We now discuss the topological number $Q$ of the lower field IC magnetic phases for $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$. Usually $Q$ is evaluated in the continuous limit using a coarse grain description of the magnetization texture [@Muh2009; @Nag13]. Instead, here we evaluate $Q$ numerically according to complete magnetic structures on the discrete lattice - see Ref. for the details. For the refined multi-$\vec{k}$ model at $\mu_{0}H$=0 \[Figure \[Fig\_1\](d)\], we identify quadrants that are periodic in the tetragonal plane wherein the magnetic order can be characterized by exactly $Q$=+0.50(1) or -0.50(1). If instead the magnetism is a single-$\vec{k}$ cycloid, $Q$=0 within the same quadrants. In either case $Q$=0 on a macroscopic scale, consistent with no low field THE. For the topological phase at intermediate $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$, a direct determination of the magnetic order requires further studies. Here real-space imaging studies could be helpful. To obtain a candidate magnetic structure model, we use the deduction from SANS that the IC magnetic mode symmetry in finite field is the same as determined for $\mu_{0}H$=0, and add a $\mu_{0}H$-linear induced magnetization $m_{f}$ along $c$ to affect the canting of the refined multi-$\vec{k}$ order in zero field [@Sup]. From this simulation we find that $\sum Q_{i}$ changes sharply between 0 and +1 at $m_{f}$=0.08 $\mu_{\rm{B}}$/Ce, with the anticipated spin texture at intermediate $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$ visualized in Figure \[Fig\_5\]. The change to integer $\sum Q_{i}$ which can explain the finite THE, originates from the sign reversal of $Q$ for the quadrant $Q_{3}$ which itself arises due to a reversal of moment components antialigned with $\mu_{0}H$. ![View along the $z$-($c$-)axis of the anticipated topological multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic structure at intermediate $\mu_{0}H$$\parallel$$c$. The magnetic order is presented with normalized Ce moments $\vec{n}=\vec{M}/\|\vec{M}\|$, similarly as for Figure \[Fig\_1\](d).[]{data-label="Fig_5"}](Fig_5_main.eps){width="1\columnwidth"} In the context of topological spin textures, half-integer $Q$ values describe meron ($Q$=-1/2) and antimeron ($Q$=+1/2) textures [@Lin15; @Yu18]. Unlike skyrmions where the spin texture wraps a sphere and $\|Q\|$=$1$, merons and antimerons are described generally by a magnetization aligned up or down along $z$ in a core region, that gradually aligns in-plane towards the edge. Following the classification scheme given in Refs. , the spin textures in the top-right ($Q_{2}$) and bottom-left ($Q_{3}$) quadrants shown in Figure \[Fig\_5\] are consistent with being core-up antimerons with opposite helicity. The remaining quadrants ($Q_{1}$ and $Q_{4}$) in Figure \[Fig\_5\] are different to (anti)merons, since they contain moments both aligned and antialigned with $z$. For these quadrants the net $Q$ always cancels and they can not contribute to the THE. In finite $\mu_{0}H$, symmetry analysis no longer restricts the phase between the IC magnetic modes of the multi-$\vec{k}$ order as it does for $\mu_{0}H$=0, even if though the SANS data imply the inherent mode symmetry remains unchanged. Thus other candidate models for a topological square-coordinated (i.e. double-$\vec{k}$) spin texture can be suggested from theories for easy-plane magnets [@Yi09; @Lin15; @Oza16], including meron-antimeron lattices. This contrasts with triple-$\vec{k}$ Néel-type $\|Q\|=1$ hexagonal skyrmion lattice phases discovered up to now in bulk polar magnets such as $C_{3v}$ lacunar spinels [@Kez15; @Bor17], and $C_{4v}$ VOSe$_{2}$O$_{5}$ [@Kur2017]. In addition, the aforementioned Néel-type skyrmion magnets are all magnetoelectric insulators with dominant FM interactions. This makes CeAlGe a hitherto unique polar magnet that hosts topological magnetism with a leading AFM interaction, and seemingly without a triple-$\vec{k}$ phase. The description of the distinct magnetic phase diagram of CeAlGe invites a detailed theoretical analysis. Finally we consider the relevance of the complex IC magnetic orders discovered here with respect to the Weyl physics expected in CeAlGe. In magnetic Weyl semimetals, the onset of simple FM order shifts Weyl node separations in $\textbf{k}$-space into a well-defined, time-reversal symmetry breaking configuration [@Chang(2018)]. For spatially modulated IC magnetism, the shifts in node separation can become non-uniform and vary with position in $\textbf{k}$-space. Theory shows that a position-space dependence of Weyl node separations can generate additional gauge fields of Weyl fermions [@Gru16; @Pik16]. In turn, these gauge fields may couple to the electronic degrees of freedom with observable consequences at both the microscopic level, by modification of the electronic spectrum, and at the macroscopic level, through generation of a locally enhanced longitudinal conductivity [@Gru16; @Pik16]. Our findings thus promote CeAlGe as a potential host of novel functions arising from the direct interplay between Weyl nodes and IC magnetism. In summary, we identified the polar magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate CeAlGe to host several incommensurate multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic phases. This includes a topological phase suggested to host antimeron pairs, and which is hitherto unique amongst polar magnets and magnetic Weyl semimetals. While it remains to confirm that Weyl nodes play a key role in the low energy physics of CeAlGe, the discovery of diverse multi-$\vec{k}$ magnetic phases makes this system exceptionally promising for exploring gauge fields of Weyl fermions, and more generally the relationships between magnetically-sensitive, topologically nontrivial features in real- and reciprocal-spaces. V.P. thanks V. Markushin for helpful discussions. J.S.W. acknowledges discussions with A.G. Grushin and T. Neupert. Funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) R’Equip Grant Nos. 206021163997 and 206021139082, SNSF projects Nos. 200021159678, and 200021188707, and the SNSF Sinergia network “NanoSkyrmionics” (Grant No. CRSII5171003) is gratefully acknlowedged. This work is based on experiments performed at the Swiss spallation neutron source (SINQ) and the Swiss Light Source (SLS), located at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland, and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble, France. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 701647. [^1]: On leave from Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotnikow 32/46, PL-02-668 Warsaw, Poland
Domestic oil production has increased by more than 60 percent since 2013, to over 12 million barrels a day, making the United States the biggest producer of oil and natural gas in the world and slashing imports. That growth has also reduced the clout and profits of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia, enabling President Trump to impose sanctions on Iran and Venezuela without risking higher gasoline prices or shortages. Rising tensions with Iran after attacks on two oil tankers and a United States surveillance drone have lifted oil prices, but there has been little impact on the supply outlook so far. Oil executives say the United States is set to become an even bigger factor because a further five million or so barrels of daily crude oil production are on the way in the next few years. Russia would have to drill deep into the Arctic to keep up, a prohibitively expensive proposition, and experts don’t think Saudi Arabia can increase production significantly. But the share price of Exxon Mobil, the largest American oil company, is barely above where it was a decade ago. In years past, investors might have celebrated Occidental Petroleum’s proposed acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, which has some of the most lucrative oil fields in the country. Instead, Occidental’s shares have fallen by about 10 percent since that deal in early May. In the last four years, roughly 175 oil and gas companies in the United States and Canada with debts totaling about $100 billion have filed for bankruptcy protection. Many borrowed heavily when oil and gas prices were far higher, only to collectively overproduce and undercut their commodity prices. At least six companies have gone bankrupt this year, and Weatherford International, the fourth-leading oil services company, which owes investors $7.7 billion, is expected to file for bankruptcy protection on Monday.
Q: How to control index returned by pandas groupby with rolling summary function I have data with a MultiIndex, like this: import itertools idx1 = list('XYZ') idx2 = range(3) idx = pd.MultiIndex.from_tuples(list(itertools.product(idx1,idx2))) df = pd.DataFrame(np.random.rand(9,4), columns=list('ABCD'), index=idx) A B C D first second X 0 0.808432 0.708881 0.411515 0.704168 1 0.322688 0.093869 0.651238 0.146480 2 0.800746 0.156890 0.131700 0.220423 Y 0 0.102290 0.129895 0.939147 0.510555 1 0.462014 0.749873 0.585867 0.357788 2 0.794327 0.141203 0.414841 0.923480 Z 0 0.557513 0.768428 0.487475 0.824503 1 0.258303 0.115791 0.102588 0.062753 2 0.934960 0.700371 0.319663 0.642070 Here is the result for summing by group over the first index level: In[]: df.groupby(level=0).sum() Out[]: A B C D first X 1.931866 0.959640 1.194453 1.071071 Y 1.358631 1.020971 1.939855 1.791824 Z 1.750776 1.584590 0.909725 1.529326 Seems reasonable -- I summed over the first level of the index, so the 2nd level is gone. But if instead I use the rolling method: df.groupby(level=0).rolling(2).sum() I get A B C D first first second X X 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 1.131120 0.802750 1.062753 0.850648 2 1.123434 0.250759 0.782938 0.366903 Y Y 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 0.564303 0.879768 1.525014 0.868343 2 1.256341 0.891075 1.000708 1.281269 Z Z 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 0.815816 0.884219 0.590062 0.887256 2 1.193263 0.816162 0.422251 0.704823 where for some reason pandas has decided to return a 3-level index, repeating the first level. Why is this happening? Is there a better way to write my code so it doesn't do this? Also, since the first label is repeated, calling reset_index() on the result gives ValueError: cannot insert first, already exists so I can't see how to drop the repeated index. Any tips? A: Use group_keys=False: In [43]: df.groupby(level=0, group_keys=False).rolling(2).sum() Out[43]: A B C D X 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 1.244257 1.430957 0.798310 0.779261 2 0.632238 1.512251 1.473498 0.395945 Y 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 1.241747 0.865178 0.550665 1.070216 2 1.629892 1.328947 1.046749 1.167371 Z 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 0.406606 0.945525 0.936090 1.301093 2 0.701282 0.975851 0.586523 0.698980 In contrast to: In [44]: df.groupby(level=0, group_keys=True).rolling(2).sum() Out[44]: A B C D X X 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 1.244257 1.430957 0.798310 0.779261 2 0.632238 1.512251 1.473498 0.395945 Y Y 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 1.241747 0.865178 0.550665 1.070216 2 1.629892 1.328947 1.046749 1.167371 Z Z 0 NaN NaN NaN NaN 1 0.406606 0.945525 0.936090 1.301093 2 0.701282 0.975851 0.586523 0.698980 By the way, if you do find yourself stuck with an MultiIndex level that you wish to drop, you can use the MultiIndex.droplevel method: result = df.groupby(level=0, group_keys=True).rolling(2).sum() result.index = result.index.droplevel(level=0)
New York City may be fast paced, but some of its buses are not. On Tuesday, transit advocates urged officials to speed up MTA buses by bringing the typical frustrating New Yorker morning commute, experienced by transit riders across all boroughs, to the steps of City Hall. Activists from Riders Alliance, New York Public Interest Research Group Straphangers Campaign, TransitCenter and Tri-State Transportation Campaign, along with MTA bus riders and elected officials gathered at City Hall on Tuesday to act out a scene showcasing the struggles they face when trying to get to work or school on time via city buses. In front of City Hall, a mock-up foam-board bus was blocked from moving forward along its route by Little Tykes cars. Riders waited impatiently at a bus stop ahead, reliving the reality for many who are kept waiting for their MTA buses every day. “Each day, over a million New Yorkers are subjected to excruciatingly slow bus speeds, endless delays, and meandering routes that don’t get them where they need to go, when they need to go,” Comptroller Scott Stringer said in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve a modern transit network – and that includes our bus system.” Transit activists argue that MTA bus riders have to endure some of the worst commutes in New York City, and this has real damage, limiting their access to jobs as well as their time home with family. The failing MTA bus system also predominantly affects those who are lower income, people of color (who make up 75 percent of city bus riders) and immigrants (who make up 55 percent of riders), activists say. MTA buses need improvement to make NYC Fair: Activists After depicting their dreadful commutes because of slow or unreliable buses, the actors then rolled out a red carpet, symbolizing a red-painted bus-only traffic lane. With that, the foam-board bus was able to bypass traffic and get the New Yorkers to where they needed to go. This, the activists said, is what the city needs to do to improve bus service and thus the lives and millions of New Yorkers. The transit advocates and elected officials presented their proposal for MTA bus improvements, called “Fast Bus, Fair City.” The plan calls for 100 new miles of bus lanes in the next five years, increased enforcement against vehicles that block bus lanes, “green light" transit signal priority for buses at some intersections and countdown clocks and bus shelters at all bus stops. They also called on the mayor to make MTA buses faster by setting a target of an average bus speed of 11 mph — up from 6.7 mph in 2017. “Our city’s buses provide a vital transit link to low-income communities where subway service is often scarce,” said Jaqi Cohen, Campaign Coordinator for the Straphangers Campaign, in a statement. “Yet citywide, the quality of bus service continues on a downward spiral, forcing many low-income New Yorkers to endure longer and more excruciating commutes. If New York is to truly become a fair and equitable city, Mayor de Blasio must step forward as a champion for bus riders everywhere and commit to adopting the 'Fast Bus, Fair City' plan."
Friends Around the World, Join Us! Wednesday, September 2, 2015 On the last week of July, we were invited to clebrate a graduation of a friend's daughter. She graduated with flying colors and it was an ooportunity to inspire the kids. They are a Filipino-American family just like us so it was nice meeting new Filipinos from other places. I love the idea of putting up photos since babyhood. You can see the progression and growth that an individual has. I am so glad that the kids had a blast. Our daughter usually cling to us but our son is never shy in talking or playing with other kids. He can talk just about to everybody. After we talked to peeops inside the venue, we went outside and just had fun with family. My husband was making me laugh whuuke he was taking the photos and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Our son makes funnyposes when photo is being taken so that adds another leverl of fun for us. He even encourage them to do the same, lol. Times like this makes me so happy of my choices in life. It gives me great satisfaction that we are raising our children in the right direction. I hope that God will continue to bless and guide us to be good parents to our children. It was a fun experoence for us. Congratulations Jen and good luck on your college life ahead. We share the proud feeling that your parents have and thank you for inspiring our kids to do good in school. One type of refrigerator used in restaurants is a worktop refrigerator that can be used to store food near kitchen counters and stoves. Most of these refrigerators offer workspace surfaces that can be used to streamline the process of cooking meals. Here are four useful tips that could help you select a worktop refrigerator for your restaurant's kitchen intelligently. Compare Your Worktop Options Most of the worktops that are included in worktop refrigerators offer many options that are easy to customize. Some of these options include: Stainless steel surfaces. Variable lengths and widths that can help you create a high functioning workspace easily. Worktop refrigerators have dimensions which vary considerably. Comparing these dimensions can help you choose a worktop refrigerator that fits into your restaurant's kitchen design. An easy way to compare a worktop refrigerator's dimensions is to compare the following measurements: The refrigerator's length and width. The refrigerator's height. The refrigerator's food storage capacity. You should be able to find information about these dimensions because most refrigerator manufacturers list these dimensions in their product descriptions. Compare the Number of Storage Drawers Most high-quality worktop refrigerators have up to six storage drawers that can be used to store cutlery, cutting boards, flatware and other kitchen items. Most of these storage drawers have large holding capacities that can make storing your restaurant's most important kitchen items simple. Consider Your Pan Storage Options One of the most important benefits of owning a worktop refrigerator is its ability to store large pans without cluttering up the rest of your restaurant's kitchen. Most high-quality worktop refrigerators can easily store up to six large pans without causing unwanted clutter. As a result, it is easy to choose a worktop refrigerator that offers the storage capacity needed to store all of your kitchen's pans without creating unwanted clutter. As you may have noticed, choosing a worktop refrigerator intelligently requires searching for refrigerators that offer the dimensions, worktops and storage options that offer the best value for your restaurant. Be sure to use the advice mentioned here to choose a worktop refrigerator that offers the best value for your restaurant.
A rock climbing wall ladder and a standard ladder. A challenging monkey bars for backyard fun The Monticello cedar wood swing set has all the features of more expensive outdoor swing sets at a terrific value. It has a raised play fort with a wooden roof, and end gables. A raised sun porch is the perfect platform for first checking out the yard from above and then launching down the 8′ Super Safe Speedy Slide. Two ladders, a standard and an open rock wall, let kids climb at their own pace, their own way. A set of monkey bars let them fly high. There’s also a wooden swing set with two belt swings and trapeze swing for even more fun. Below there’s a snack stand covered by a stylish pergola, built-in toy box, and even room for a sand box. The Monticello will last for years and will be the envy of your neighborhood. Upper deck height: 4
Sleepy village depicted in Hardy novels in shock after 23-year-old arrested on suspicion of murdering pensioner The quiet village depicted in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbevilles has been thrown into turmoil after a 23-year-old resident was arrested on suspicion of murdering a pensioner. Police launched a manhunt after the pensioner, named locally as former BBC radio presenter Winton Cooper, was found dead by a neighbour in the tiny village of Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset. They arrested the 23-year-old man shortly after. Neighbours said both men live in the village and were well known in the area. Manhunt: Winton Cooper, left, and Michael Cooke, two of Radio Sheffield's most popular presenters of yesteryear. Mr Cooper was found dead dead by a neighbour in the tiny village of Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset 'Police are being really tight lipped about it, the house has been cordoned off and everyone's really shocked,' said one local. 'We're calling it Midsomer Marnhull - things like this do not happen here. Armed officers, police dogs and a police helicopter swarmed over the village to conduct an extensive search of the area after the grim discovery. Pub landlord Gino Gibbs said armed police locked down houses before storming into a village pub - The Blackmoor Vale. 'Last night we had no idea what was happening and suddenly we saw about 19 police cars speed into the village. 'All these officers with guns ran into the pub and just locked the doors and told everyone they couldn't leave. 'And on the streets police were screaming at people to just get back into their homes. It was terrifying. Mr Gibbs, who manages a different pub to the one involved, added: 'This is a sleepy village and no-one had any idea what was happening.' Police cordoned off the house where the man was discovered, on the picturesque cul-de-sac Ham Meadow in the village, which was immortalised as Marlot in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the Durbervilles. They said that although the dead man, believed to be aged in his 60s, had not yet been formally identified, his family had been told about the death. Detectives were waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to find out the cause of the man's death. Neighbours said they were shocked to hear of the death. 'It's very worrying, we've seen the police cars this morning but nobody really knows what's going on,' one elderly resident said. 'It's terrible to think that something like this can happen in your street. This is such a small village and it's such a safe place to live. 'A lot of the people who live here are older people who will be very frightened by it all.' Ex-BBC radio Winton Cooper covered the Hillsborough disaster during his time on Radio Sheffield. One of the most popular presenters at the station, he worked alongside former footballer Emlyn Hughes in the commentary box and hosted a weekly show. On April 15, 1989 Mr Cooper was broadcasting at the ill-fated FA Cup semi-final tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough. Speaking in 2009, his former boss at BBC Radio Sheffield Robert Jackson said that Mr Cooper was covering the match from the press box, but did not know the extent of the tragedy that was unfolding. 'People were being laid out on the ground but he assumed they were injured because no-one was covering them with blankets at that stage.'
Get Your Free Consultation Today Enter Name Enter Email Enter Phone Number Enter Zipcode Enter Optional Message The most cost effective service for 24-hour care Live-In Specialists When Options For Senior America started providing services in 1989, our focus was on live-in services. Options founders were in need of live-in care for their loved ones and the concept of live-in care in the late eighties was rare. They did not find it easily. One of the reasons Options was founded was to provide this well needed service and fill a vacuum in the home care market. As a matter of fact the first service we ever provided was a live-in service for a family who stayed with us for a number of years. When Options developed the live-in service, very few agencies provided this service. Throughout the years, Options truly became the live-in specialist in the arena of home health care. We quickly acquired the reputation at different hospitals in different States that, "if you need live-in care, call Options." Today live-in home care has become an increasingly popular solution for individuals who need care. Patients remain comfortably in their own homes, maintaining a level of independence while retaining their dignity and quality of life. Why Live in Care? There are many instances where home health care is required, but why choose a live-in caregiver where you have to house and feed the aide? Here are some of the advantages of live-in care compared to hourly care: Constant Personal Care No matter how much or how little your loved one requires care, there is nothing more reassuring to know that they have a care provider on a continuous basis. With OPTIONS live-in program the caregiver is always there, providing constant care seven days a week, with no disruption to the client’s routine. Whenever the care giver needs time off, OPTIONS will provide an equally qualified and experienced substitute to ensure uninterrupted care. Constant Companionship An OPTIONS live-in care provider offers unsurpassed care and companionship. Because of the continuity of care provided, your loved one can develop a trusting relationship with his or her caregiver. Similarly, our caregiver will also get to know your loved one, including his or her daily activities and preferences, and thus develop a unique relationship with them. The Most Cost-Effective Service Whether you are paying for live-in care out-of-pocket or you have a long term care insurance policy, OPTIONS live-in program is the most cost-effective program in the industry. It provides around-the-clock-care while costing less than half the hourly rate of providing care 24/7, and significantly less expensive than institutionalized care. Family Peace of Mind The most comforting thing for family members is to know that their loved one has a reliable live-in, qualified, and caring aide. Options staff are on-call 24/7 (available directly to our clients and not through an answering service) to assist with any emergency that may arise for their loved ones. Long Distance Care Throughout the years, OPTIONS has developed a skill of providing around-the-clock services for adults who live alone when their family members live in another city. Our Live-in program is a prime example of the effectiveness of providing care in these circumstances. You may go to Long Distance Care for more information on this service. Options Support OPTIONS live-in program provides a full care alternative to your loved. The care provider is fully in charge of the well being, safety, and personal hygiene of your loved one and his/her environment. Some of the tasks that our live-in care providers do include: To support our live-in program and provide choices and continuous care for our live-in clients, OPTIONS has developed the largest roster of live-in care providers in the States where we operate. While doing so, Options has developed one of the most thorough and stringent screening processes in the industry where each care provider must go through a very rigorous, multi step screening program before they become eligible for employment with OPTIONS. This is one of the reasons and benefits that makes Options the leader in live-in care.Assistance in Personal care such as Bathing, dressing and grooming Meal Preparation and Cooking Light housekeeping Laundry and change of bed linens Companionship and range of motion exercise Medical appointments Assistance with ambulating and transfer from bed to wheelchair Medication reminders Status reporting to family If you believe you can take advantage of our signature live-in program, give us a call at 1.800.267.8466 to speak with one of our home care specialists today. "I wish I would have found you 10 years ago!!" Holly K. Daughter-in-law of our care recipient - Bel Air, MD "Jeanne (Options Branch Manager) is the most caring, responsive person. Her voice on the other end of the phone gave me the confidence that, with her help, I could work through a difficult situation with my Mom." Amy T. Daughter of our care recipient - Centreville, VA "Options has always been responsive to questions or needs in a timely manner." Beverly S. Spouse of our care recipient - Walkersville, MD "I like [Options] availability outside of office hours." Marya Z. Daughter of our care recipient - Baltimore, MD "Options was very responsive to my father’s needs. Their staff is very well organized and knowledgeable. They went above and beyond to help us." Gail R. Daughter of our care recipient - Seven Hills, OH "Chelsea (Options caregiver) has been very good. She and my wife get along great!" Joseph M. Spouse of our care recipient - Aberdeen, MD "Anthony (Options caregiver) is an outstanding match. Debra and Donna (Options branch staff) are always accessible, and we are extremely happy with Options." Barbara H. Case Manager for our care recipient - Atlanta, GA "Donna (Options Care Manager) and Chuck (Options Branch Manager) are always available to help us at anytime. 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Limited and mixed DNA samples are often encountered in forensic cases and pose both technical and interpretation challenges. The highly polymorphic hypervariable regions I/II (HVI/II) of the mitochondrial genome are often successfully used to analyze limited and/or degraded DNA samples ([@R1]). However, there are some limitations to the current standard approaches used for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis when mixtures are encountered. In a five year retrospective study of mtDNA analysis of 691 casework hair samples, a mixture of mtDNA sequences attributed to a secondary source was observed in 8.7% of the hairs and sequence heteroplasmy was observed in 11.7% of the cases ([@R2]). While approaches that use capillary electrophoresis technologies for Sanger sequencing of mtDNA polymorphic regions allow for detection of mixtures, they do not allow for resolving individual sequences in a mixture ([@R3]-[@R10]). Mitochondrial DNA markers are ideal targets for detecting mixtures since, with few exceptions, a single sequence per contributor is the expected result due to its haploid nature. However, unlike short tandem repeats (STRs), peak areas or heights in sequence electropherograms are not necessarily indicative of the amount of DNA contributed to a mixture ([@R9],[@R11],[@R12]). As a result, peak height ratios for two bases cannot be used to determine the relative proportions of components of a mixture for mtDNA Sanger sequencing analysis. For this reason, Sanger sequencing does not allow for determining the individual mtDNA sequence haplotypes of mixed samples. Therefore, when mixed base calls are encountered during mtDNA Sanger sequence analysis of forensic specimens, most forensic laboratories choose not to interpret the result and categorize mtDNA mixture results as inconclusive for reporting purposes ([@R13]). Furthermore, Sanger sequencing cannot detect minor components present at less than 10% in a DNA mixture ([@R9],[@R12]). The 454 genome sequencing technology is a scalable, clonal, and highly parallel pyrosequencing system that can be used for de novo sequencing of small whole genomes or direct sequencing of DNA products generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The technology uses emulsion PCR (emPCR) to amplify a single DNA sequence to 10 million identical copies. The "clonal sequencing" aspect of the technology enables separation of individual components of a mixture as well as analysis of highly degraded DNA. The clonal sequencing approach used with the 454 GS technology and other next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies provides a digital readout of the number of reads or individual sequences allowing for a quantitative determination of the components in a mixture ([@R14]). Recently, the potential value of using NGS technologies for forensic applications has been demonstrated ([@R15]-[@R18]). This article aims to describe a highly sensitive NGS method that uses PCR for targeted enrichment of the HVI/HVII regions of mtDNA for resolving simple and complex mixtures as well as detecting low levels of heteroplasmy. Materials and methods ===================== The study was conducted between September 2012 and January 2014 at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Genetics Department, and was approved by the Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Institutional Review Board. 454 library preparation: HVI/HVII PCR targeted enrichment --------------------------------------------------------- The highly polymorphic HVI and HVII regions of the mitochondrial genome were enriched from genomic DNA samples using a duplex PCR. Mitochondrial DNA HVI/HVII duplex primer sequences described previously in Gabriel et al ([@R19]) were modified to incorporate the 454 sequencing primer, library key, and unique multiplex identifier (MID) sequence necessary for subsequent emPCR, pyrosequencing, and sample identification during the data analysis. Each sample was amplified using a unique MID-tagged 454 HVI/HVII fusion primer set. A set of HVI/HVII fusion primer sequences with MID tag 1 are shown in the [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}. Unique 10 base MID tags are used as sample identifiers in order to pool and sequence multiple samples in a single 454 sequencing run with each sample being "tagged" or "barcoded" with a different MID tag. The eight sets of MID tags used for the fusion primer sets are provided in Supplementary Table 1 [(web Supplementary Table 1)](#S6){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. The eight sets of MID-tagged fusion primers were designed to be used in a combinatorial approach to generate 64 different combinations of forward and reverse MID-tagged HVI/HVII PCR products (Supplementary Figure 1 [(Supplementary Figure 1)](#S7){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). This combinatorial approach was utilized in order to reduce the number of PCR primers required. ![Hypervariable region I/II (HVI/II) I forward and reverse fusion primers. A total of four primers comprised of a duplex primer set targeting HVI and HVII. Each primer consists of the 454 Adaptor Sequence (bold), Library Key Sequence (italics), multiplex identifier (MID)-tag sequence (gray), and the forward or reverse HVI/HVII locus specific primer sequence ([@R19]). The numbering used for the primer names corresponds to the revised Cambridge reference sequence (rCRS) ([@R20]). The MID sequences (gray) are tagged with published MID sequences 1 through 8 to create eight sets of primers per targeted region (Supplementary Figure 1 [(Supplementary Figure 1)](#S7){ref-type="supplementary-material"}).](CroatMedJ_56_0208-F1){#F1} Each sample was amplified in a 50 µL PCR reaction containing 1.2X GeneAmp^®^ PCR Buffer II without MgCl2 (Life Technologies, Foster City, CA, USA), 2.4 mM MgCl~2~, 0.2 mM each dNTP (Roche Life Sciences, Indianapolis, IN, USA), 0.25 U/µL EagleTaq DNA Polymerase (Roche Custom Biotech, Indianapolis, IN, USA), and 0.3 µM each primer. Both HVI (15975-16501) and HVII (15-410) regions were amplified in a single tube using a set of MID-tagged fusion primers. All reactions were performed in GeneAmp^®^ PCR Systems 9600 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA, USA) using the following cycling conditions: a 14-minute 94°C activation cycle; 34 cycles of amplification at 94°C for 15 seconds, 65°C for 30 seconds, and 72°C for 30 seconds; and a final 10-minute 72°C extension cycle. PCR products were analyzed on 1.5% agarose gels in 1X Tris-Acetate-EDTA electrophoresis buffer (TAE) stained with 0.5 µg/mL ethidium bromide to confirm successful amplification of the target regions and to assess primer dimer and PCR specificity. 454 library preparation: PCR product quantification and small fragment removal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Each PCR product was quantified using Quant-iT PicoGreen^®^ dsDNA Assay kit (Life Technologies) to determine the DNA amount in copy number for sample normalization and subsequent library pooling. An approximately equal copy number of each amplified sample was combined into a single library pool. Small fragment DNA or primer dimers were removed from the pooled library using Agencourt AMPure XP (Beckman Coulter Inc., Pasadena, CA, USA) with 1:1 AMPure to DNA sample volumetric ratio. The Agilent DNA 1000 kit (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) was used following manufacturer's protocol in order to compare the library pool before and after AMPure purification to confirm the removal of primer dimers. The concentration of the purified library pool was estimated using Quant-iT PicoGreen^®^ dsDNA kit (Life Technologies) or Library Quantification Kit - 454 FLX (Kapa Biosystems, Wilmington, MA, USA) to estimate the DNA copy number of the library pool. 454 emulsion PCR and NGS using the GS Jr ---------------------------------------- The quantified and purified library pool was then diluted with modified TE-4 (10 mM Tris, 0.1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) to the concentration of 4 × 10^5^ molecules/uL in order to add a total of 10 uL to achieve a 0.4:1 DNA to bead ratio in emPCR. The optimal DNA to bead ratio was determined to be 0.4:1 based on the number of high quality pass filter reads. Targeting the optimal DNA:bead ratio is critical to avoid the incorporation of more than one molecule of DNA per bead or insufficient bead recovery. The finalized library pool was amplified using the GS Junior Titanium emPCR Kit (Lib-A) (Roche Life Sciences) following the manufacturer's protocol. All successfully prepared libraries were sequenced on the 454 GS Junior System (454 Life Sciences, Branfod, CT, USA). Amplicon Variant Analyzer (AVA) was used to analyze the 454 sequence data and identify SNP variants compared to the revised Cambridge sequence (rCRS) ([@R20]). Sample preparation and experimental designs: sensitivity -------------------------------------------------------- Sensitivity and concordance studies. A sensitivity study was conducted to determine the limits of the assay as follows. The mtDNA copy number and nDNA concentration of a control DNA sample K562 High Molecular Weight, (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) was quantified using a mt:nu qPCR assay and serially diluted ([@R21]). Thirteen dilutions varying in starting mtDNA copy number (1 000 000 to 1 mtDNA copy) and nDNA input amount (1 ng to 0.001 pg) were amplified ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). The 13 libraries were then normalized for amplicon copy number estimated using the Qubit^®^ dsDNA HS Assay Kit (Life Technologies), combined into a single library pool, and sequenced using the 454 GS Jr. To determine the accuracy of the assay, 454 HVI/HVII sequence data were generated and analyzed from previously collected blood derived DNA samples from four population groups (45 African American, 43 Caucasian, 40 Hispanic, and 45 Japanese) ([@R22]). Sanger sequencing results were available for comparison to the 454 NGS data ([@R23]). ###### Number of sequence reads obtained from varying DNA input amounts DNA amount mtDNA copy number Number of 454 reads ------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 1 ng \~ 1 000 000 56 116 172 189 110 299 500 pg 500000 43 103 146 174 94 268 100 pg 100000 61 122 183 161 97 258 50 pg 50000 63 145 208 177 105 282 10 pg 10000 56 88 144 130 105 235 5 pg 5000 91 156 247 138 121 259 1 pg 1000 56 130 186 104 78 182 0.5 pg 500 80 131 211 195 115 310 0.1 pg 100 19 37 56 66 45 111 0.05 pg 50 24 48 72 59 52 111 0.01 pg 10 0 5 5 5 0 5 0.005 pg 5 0 4 4 4 0 4 0.001 pg 1 3 0 3 6 4 10 Contrived and biological mixture studies. Mixture studies (two and three person mixtures) were conducted to determine the sensitivity of the assay for detecting and resolving the minor sequences in a mixed specimen. Two Coriell Cell line DNA samples (Coriell Institute, Camden, NJ, USA), differing at 10 base positions (7 in HVII and 3 in HVI) determined previously using Sanger sequencing were mixed together at various ratios based on the mtDNA copy number. The mtDNA copy number was determined using a mt:nu qPCR assay described by Timken et al ([@R21]). The two DNA samples were mixed at the following ratios and were then amplified using the 454 HVI/HVII NGS PCR assay and sequenced using the 454 GS Jr: 100:0, 99.9:0.1, 99.75:0.25, 99.5:0.5, 99:1, 97.5:2.5, 95:5, 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 10:90, 5:95, 2.5, 97.5, 1:99, 0.5:99.5, 0.25:99.75, 0.1:99.9, and 0:100. A complex mixture sample was prepared by combining DNA based on the mtDNA copy number of three individuals and the HVI/HVII amplicon library was prepared following the above described method and sequenced using the 454 GS Jr. instrument. To study the effect of cycle number on generation of jumping PCR hybrids with the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay, a 50:50 mixture of two Coriell Cell line DNA samples (Coriell Institute), was amplified at varying cycle numbers ranging from 34 to 24 cycles in 2 cycle increments. DNA from a buccal swab, blood, and five hairs from a monozygotic twin pair previously identified as heteroplasmic in at least one tissue was analyzed using the HVI/HVII NGS assay. DNA libraries were prepared by amplifying \~ 100 pg DNA from each sample and sequenced using the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay ([@R24],[@R25]). The HV+ 5plex and 10plex typing results for these samples were available for comparison (unpublished data). Results ======= Sensitivity and reproducibility of the assay -------------------------------------------- A sensitivity study was conducted to determine the minimum starting DNA amount of the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay as well as to explore the stochastic effects in the PCR amplification step of the assay. The HVI/HVII 454 sequencing assay was shown to be highly sensitive for limited input of genomic DNA. Amplification and sequencing was successful for samples with DNA amounts as low as \~ 1 pg genomic DNA or 100-500 mtDNA copies ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). DNA amounts ranging from 0.5 pg-1 ng resulted in an average of 261 combined reads, ranging from 182-310 reads ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). The number of reads decreased 2-fold with samples amplified with 0.1 pg and 0.05 pg of input DNA relative to higher input amounts. Also, DNA starting amounts lower than 0.05 pg resulted in an extremely low number of reads, often unidirectional ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). Based on these results, the assay sensitivity was determined to be 0.5 pg or \~ 500 copies. However, the limit of starting DNA amount of the assay could potentially be lowered to 0.1 pg or 0.05 pg by elimination of the dilution process after the amplification of the low copy number samples along with increasing the amount of PCR product added for the sequencing for those specific samples. This sensitivity study demonstrated that NGS results can be obtained from lower amounts of DNA than previously reported or recommended by the manufacturer (pg amounts compared to ng or µg amounts). Also, the assay was very specific and did not produce any fragment reads outside of the targeted HVI/HVII regions or short fragments (primer dimer) ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). Only reads corresponding to the sizes of the HVI and HVII amplicons were observed. ![Distribution of reads for 454 HVI/HVII NGS Assay. The read length distribution of a 454 hypervariable region I/II (HVI/HVII) sequencing run reported by GS Run Browser software (454 Life Sciences, Bradford, CT, USA). The shorter peak of 450 bp corresponds to the HVII library amplicons (415 bp HVII region) and the 475 bp product to amplified HVI libraries (444 bp HVI region). The absence of any peak below 430 bp indicates the effective removal of primer dimers.](CroatMedJ_56_0208-F2){#F2} Concordance study on population samples --------------------------------------- The sequence data of population samples produced from the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay were concordant with Sanger sequencing results for the HVI and HVII regions outside of homopolymer C stretch regions (positions 16180-16195 and 286-315, respectively). The sequences generated by the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay showed concordance with the Sanger sequencing results at all base substitution positions (point mutations) when a 10% threshold was applied to the data analyzed using the 454 AVA software. A 10% threshold was applied to account for the lower sensitivity of Sanger sequencing for minor base detection (10%-15%) compared to 454 sequencing (1%-3%). Minor base differences were observed at some base positions at levels below the 10% threshold with 454 sequencing. These minor base differences observed at very low frequency (\<1%) can be attributed to PCR or sequencing error or heteroplasmy; further analysis is needed in order to distinguish true signal from noise. As expected, 454 pyro-sequencing errors were observed as insertion/deletions (IN/DEL) above the 10% threshold within the sequence surrounding the two homopolymer C stretches in the HVI/HVII regions, which resulted in sequence alignment errors using the AVA software. Typically, these IN/DEL sequencing errors were observed in only a single direction and/or the base calls for a given position were imbalanced. Specifically, pyro-sequencing errors and/or length heteroplasmy in the HVI region spanning base positions 16180-16195 (5′-AAAACCCCCTCCCCAT-3′) resulted in alignment issues using the AVA software. An A/C mutation at position 16183 and any C/T transition observed between base positions 16184 to 16193 of this region was reported as a combination of IN/DEL of A/C or C/T, with imbalanced frequencies between read directions. The SNPs in the homopolymer region were detected, but were not reported correctly due to alignment issues from homopolymer pyro-sequencing errors or potentially length heteroplasmy using the 454 AVA software. Additionally, pyro-sequencing errors and/or length heteroplasmy within the homopolymer region surrounding the C-stretch in the HVII region spanning positions 286- 315 (5′-AAAAAATTTCCACCAAACCCCCCCTCCCCC-3′) were observed. Within this region, an A deletion was sometimes reported at base position 291, and position 295 was reported as a mixture of C/T followed by C deletion both with directionally imbalanced frequencies using 454 AVA software. These observations can be partially explained as a sequence alignment issue for the specific regions with homopolymers within the HVI/HVII sequences using the 454 sequencing platform as it is well established that pyro-sequencing has a relatively high error rate in homopolymer regions ([@R26]). Quantitative analysis of mixture sequences and PCR artifacts ------------------------------------------------------------ We conducted a two person mixture study to determine the sensitivity of the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay for detecting minor components in a mixture. 454 HVI/HVII sequencing results are presented in [Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"} for a subset of the mixture ratios. The minor and major sequences were detected using 454 NGS sequencing at all mixed based positions for samples mixed at a 2.5% ratio and above. For the 1% mixture ratio with COR110 as the minor sequence, the minor base was detected for all mixed based positions except position 150 in the HVII region with a 370 read depth. For the 1% mixture ratio with COR073 as the minor sequence, the minor bases at all mixed base positions were not detected in HVII but were in HVI. However, only 274 reads were obtained for the HVII region (average 1.7 reads per base for the minor sequence) compared to 516 reads for HVI region (average 3.0 reads per base for the minor sequence) for this sample. The minor contributor sequence in a 1% mixture would not be expected to be reliably detected with such low read coverage of 1-3 reads for the minor contributor sequence with a low depth of coverage (250-500). To reliably detect the minor sequence in a 1% mixture, greater than 1000 read coverage would be needed. An approximately 20%-40% difference from the expected mixture ratio was observed in each experimental mixture sample, with the number of reads for one sample in the mixture (COR110) consistently being under-represented. Based on these results, the mt:nu qPCR most likely overestimated the mtDNA copy number of C110 and thus the actual mixture ratio could have been skewed from the expected mixture ratio. These results show that NGS is a highly sensitive method for detecting minor components in a mixture (2.5% compared to 10%-15% for Sanger sequencing) and quantitative as a digital read-out can be reported by counting the number of sequence reads corresponding to the individual components. ###### Minor base frequency in two person mixture Hypervariable region II Hypervariable region I --------- ------------------------- ------------------------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ----- ------ ------- ------- ----- 25 17.1 17.1 18.1 18.1 17.31 17.31 17.31 387 20.5 21.51 22.35 595 10 7.44 6.15 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 309 9.16 8.42 8.42 546 5 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.31 1.8 389 4.9 5.92 4.69 490 2.5 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 418 2.51 2.51 2.51 479 1 0.54 0 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 370 0.59 0.59 0.59 505 Complex mixtures and jumping PCR -------------------------------- A complex mixture study (≥3 contributors) was conducted to test the 454 HVI/HVII assay's capability to detect and resolve multiple sequences in a mixed sample. 454 HVII NGS results for a three person mixture are presented in [Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}. Using the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay, we were able to detect and resolve each of the three contributor sequences in a complex mixture. The three contributors' distinct sequences were resolved from a mixture sample, and showed concordance with the Sanger sequencing results at all base substitution positions excluding the homopolymer C-stretch region in HVII ([Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). Further, evidence of jumping PCR (in vitro crossover artifact) was observed in each of the complex mixtures as chimeric or hybrid sequences were present at low levels ([Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). A total of six hybrid HVII sequences were observed ranging from 0.4 to 2% for the three person complex mixture sample. ![Hypervariable region II (HVII) region sequencing results obtained from a mixture sample composed of three contributors. Three samples differing at multiple base positions were combined (67.8%, 21.7%, and 10.5%) based on mtDNA copy number prior to HVI/HVII amplification. The frequency of the observed sequence reads for the 454 HVII amplicon is reported as determined using the Amplicon Variant Analyzer Software (454 Life Sciences, Bradford, CT, USA). Reads for the HVI and HVII amplicon corresponding to each of the three contributors were observed (results for HVII presented). Further, 6 chimeric sequences were detected, each occurring at low frequency (\<2%).](CroatMedJ_56_0208-F3){#F3} Jumping PCR, a phenomenon where a single strand of DNA partially extended on one template can act as a primer on the other template to generate an amplicon with chimeric sequences, can occur during late PCR cycles when the number of amplicon copies is very high and the concentration of primers and enzyme is low ([@R27]). As expected, an increase in the number and the frequency of chimeric sequences resulting from jumping PCR events was observed with each increase in cycle number from 24 to 34 cycles ([Figure 4](#F4){ref-type="fig"}). The 50:50 mixed sample amplified with 34 cycles resulted in 10 different chimeric sequences with a total frequency of 15.41%. At 24 cycles, one chimeric sequence was detected with a frequency of 0.62% ([Figure 4](#F4){ref-type="fig"}). Chimeric sequences generated from jumping PCR events in mixed samples could be problematic for the forensic application of NGS if they are observed at a high frequency and are not properly recognized. Further improvements to NGS software to include filters to flag or remove jumping PCR chimeras should be considered to aid with mixture analysis. ![Characterization and reduction of jumping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) artifacts observed in 454 sequencing data. Two different samples (A and B) differing at 15 positions in the hypervariable region II (HVII) were mixed at equimolar mtDNA copies prior to HVI/HVII PCR and amplified at varying cycle numbers -- 24,26,28,30,32,34. HVII sequence results obtained using the 454 GS Jr from a sample amplified with 34 cycles and 24 cycles are presented. The number of chimeric sequences (10 sequences) with 34 cycles of amplification decreased to one chimeric sequence when the amplification cycle number was reduced to 24 cycles. Additionally, the observed frequency of chimeric sequences decreased dramatically from 13.18% to 0.62% when the cycle number was reduced.](CroatMedJ_56_0208-F4){#F4} Biological mixture sequence application: heteroplasmy ----------------------------------------------------- To further determine the detection limits of the 454 HVI/HVII NGS assay, a heteroplasmy study was conducted. HV+ HaploArray (HaploID Genetics, Alameda, CA, USA) and 454 HVI/HVII NGS results from five hairs, blood, and buccal samples from one twin pair with heteroplasmy at position 16093 are presented in [Figure 5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}. HV+ HaploArray analysis detected a mixture of bases (T/C) at position 16093 for hair samples 1,3,4, and 5, observed as two positive probe signals for 16093 (1/2). While relative proportions of the T/C bases can be estimated by the intensity of the probe signal, an observed frequency for each base can be determined for the NGS analysis ([Figure 5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}). The 454 NGS analysis was also more sensitive for the detection of heteroplasmy. NGS detected a mixture of T/C at position 16093 for hair sample 2, blood, and buccal DNA, whereas HV+ HaploArray analysis detected only a C at 16093 (observed as a positive 16093 2 probe signal). The observed frequency of the T base at position 16093 in hair sample 2, buccal, and blood (4.9%, 7.0%, and 3.6%, respectively) was also below the detection limits of Sanger sequencing (typically 10%-15%). ![Comparison of methods for detection and quantification of heteroplasmy. Panel A shows the HV+ 5 plex immobilized sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe typing data and Panel B shows the percent reads observed by 454 NGS for each base (T or C) at the heteroplasmic position 16093 for five hair samples, a buccal, and a blood sample from one individual heteroplasmic at a hot spot position 16093 in the hypervariable region I (HVI) region. A single signal corresponding to a C at position 16093 was observed for the blood, buccal, and one of the five hair samples (Hair 2) using the HV+ 5 plex probe panel; heteroplasmy was detected at position 16093 in all samples using the more sensitive 454 NGS technology (average of 750 read depth per sample).](CroatMedJ_56_0208-F5){#F5} Discussion ========== We developed a duplex PCR assay targeting the mtDNA (HVI/HVII) using eight sets of 454 MID-tagged fusion primers in a combinatorial approach for deep sequencing 64 samples in parallel on a 454 GS Jr. Compared with Sanger sequencing of the same samples, the sequence concordance was 100% outside of the homopolymeric regions in HVI and HVII using a 10% cut-off for the 454 sequencing data. Sequencing errors appearing as IN/DEL mutations in homopolymer regions were observed. This issue is a well known feature of NGS based on pyrosequencing ([@R28]). Recent publications using the 454 GS Junior and the Ion Torrent PGM instrument, which detects the release of protons rather than pyrophosphate, as in the 454 system, also reported difficulties in sequencing the homopolymeric regions of mtDNA HVI/II ([@R29],[@R30]). Since an imbalance in the frequency of the IN/DEL errors was observed between the forward and reverse reads, filters can be applied using software tools, such as NextGene software (SoftGenetics, State College, PA, USA), to identify these sequencing errors in the bioinformatic analysis. Our assay was shown to be highly sensitive for sequencing limited DNA amounts ( \~ 100 mtDNA copies) and detecting mixtures with low level variants ( \~ 1%) as well as "complex" mixtures (≥3 contributors) not possible to analyze by Sanger sequencing. The minor base was reliably detected at each of the mixed base positions and the observed frequencies were similar to the expected frequencies using 454 sequencing with \~ 600-1000 reads per amplicon. Further, we characterized jumping PCR and resulting hybrid artifact sequences that can arise in amplification of mixed samples and noted that the frequency of the phenomenon was template amount- and cycle-dependent. This effect, which occurs at late cycles of PCR, can be decreased by simply lowering the amplification cycle number. In addition, such chimeric PCR artifacts can be potentially filtered through bioinformatics tools. The clonal nature of NGS provides a powerful and quantitative means of deconvoluting mixtures, a particularly challenging category of forensics specimens. Multiple contributors to a mixture can be detected by analyzing the different clonal sequence reads identified in the sequence analysis and their contribution quantified by simply counting the number of sequence reads. This digital analysis is much more precise than estimating peak height or area for STR markers or analyzing Sanger electropherograms for mtDNA sequences. For chromosomal markers, one must make assumptions about which alleles in a mixture "go together" as a genotype. Many statistical approaches to mixture analysis consider all possible genotype combinations and, in some cases, different numbers of contributors. Mitochondrial DNA, on the other hand, is a particularly useful marker for deconvoluting mixtures because, potential heteroplasmy aside, each distinct mtDNA sequence corresponds to (at least) one contributor. Statistical analyses can capture and incorporate the probability that one mtDNA sequence could correspond to more than one contributor. Sequencing the entire mtDNA genome rather than the HVI/II regions reported here will provide additional valuable discrimination power and several groups have recently reported NGS analyses using long range PCR ([@R29]-[@R31]). Recently, we have developed a hybrid capture method of whole mtDNA genome sequencing ([@R32]). However, software analyses of whole mtDNA genome sequences from mixed samples remain a challenge. In general, NGS analysis of mtDNA, whether of whole genome or only HVI/II, represents the most robust approach to estimating the number of contributors to a mixture and resolving the mixed DNA sequences. The authors would like to acknowledge Saloni Pasta, PhD and Christina Parodi for their technical support in the preliminary stage of the study. They would also like to thank Amy Yam, MD for her work on the heteroplasmy study using Sanger Sequencing and HV+ HaploArray methods prior to this study. Funding This project was supported by Award No. 2010-DN-BX-K141, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice to CC. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. Ethical approval received from the Children's Hospital & Research Center Institutional Review Board. Declaration of authorship All authors participated in writing and review of the manuscript. CDC designed the study and led the interpretation of the results. HK acquired data and participated in analysis and interpretation of the data. Competing interests All authors have completed the Unified Competing Interest form at [www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf](http://www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf) (available on request from the corresponding author) and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous 3 years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. Additional Material =================== ###### Supplementary Table 1 ###### Supplementary Figure 1
The Cuban government banned the import of convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) as of November 16, as announced this Thursday by the General Customs of the Republic. The measure appears in Resolution No. 276 of the Central Bank of Cuba, published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 21 of this year, which states that “the export and import of the means of payment called the convertible peso of legal tender, in any denomination, is banned.” This resolution, signed by Irma Margarita Martínez, minister-president of the National Bank of Cuba (BNC), was released on October 16 and its entry into force is scheduled for 30 days later. It also reaffirms the ban on the export of the CUC―something that was already legally established on the island―and stipulates that people can export and import at their departure from and entry into Cuba “amounts not exceeding 2,000 Cuban pesos (CUP) in cash, in any denomination, or other payment instruments or credits used in international banking practice.” https://twitter.com/Aduana_de_Cuba/status/1187421247698812933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187421247698812933&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Foncubanews.com%2Fcuba%2Fgobierno-cubano-prohibe-importacion-de-pesos-convertibles-cuc%2F The new resolution repeals Decree No. 18 of March 1, 2012, which already prohibited the export of the CUC, but did not mention the import of that currency. In the case of the CUP, it only established cash. The regulations specify that those who do not comply with its stipulations will be “administratively sanctioned by the General Customs of the Republic, according to the applicable legislation, without prejudice to the civil and criminal actions that may take place.” The resolution does not specify the nature of the sanctions, but the Customs’ Twitter post states that the CUCs that are imported or exported by people will be confiscated when discovered at the border. The convertible peso (CUC) is one of the two currencies in force on the island, together with the so-called Cuban peso (CUP). Officially it is equivalent to the dollar―although this currency is subject to a tax on the island―and its official exchange rate is 25 CUP in the case of its purchase from the government and 24 when sold to the same. The import ban occurs in the context of the new economic measures announced by the island’s government, which recover the use of the USD and other foreign currencies―through debit cards associated with bank accounts―for the purchase and import of certain products in Cuba. After its announcement on October 15, the value of the CUC has been devalued against the dollar, despite the fact that the official exchange rate has remained unchanged.
I, you, me, and autism: an experimental study. The nature of autistic individuals' abnormalities in the use of personal pronouns has been a topic of considerable speculation but little systematic investigation. We tested groups of CA- and verbal MA-matched autistic and nonautistic mentally retarded children and young adults on a series of tasks that involved the comprehension and use of the personal pronouns "I," "you," and "me." All subjects were able to comprehend these pronouns within the test situations, and there were few instances of pronoun reversal. However, autistic subjects were significantly less likely to employ the pronoun "me" in a visual perspective-taking task (when instead they tended to say: 'I can see the . . .'), and lower ability subjects were more likely to use their own proper names rather than personal pronouns in certain photograph-naming tasks. There were also circumstances in which autistic subjects were less likely than controls to employ the pronoun "you" to refer to the experimenter. A high proportion of these autistic subjects were reported to have current difficulties with personal pronouns in their everyday life, and we discuss some alternative interpretations of the results.
Tailoring of antibacterial Ag nanostructures on TiO2 nanotube layers by magnetron sputtering. To reduce the incidence of postsurgical bacterial infection that may cause implantation failure at the implant-bone interface, surface treatment of titanium implants with antibiotic materials such as silver (Ag) has been proposed. The purpose of this work was to create TiO2 nanotubes using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), followed by formation of an antibacterial Ag nanostructure coating on the TiO2 nanotube layer using a magnetron sputtering system. PEO was performed on commercially pure Ti sheets. The Ag nanostructure was added onto the resulting TiO2 nanotube using magnetron sputtering at varying deposition rates. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the surface, and Ag content on the TiO2 nanotube layer was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Scanning probe microscopy for surface roughness and contact angle measurement were used to indirectly confirm enhanced TiO2 nanotube hydrophilicity. Antibacterial activity of Ag ions in solution was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and antibacterial testing against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In vitro, TiO2 nanotubes coated with sputtered Ag resulted in significantly reduced S. aureus. Cell viability assays showed no toxicity for the lowest sputtering time group in the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. These results suggest that a multinanostructured layer with a biocompatible TiO2 nanotube and antimicrobial Ag coating is a promising biomaterial that can be tailored with magnetron sputtering for optimal performance.
After the 'Introduction' this article is divided into sections. 'History and Purpose' describes how the qualifications originated and what they aim to do. 'Subjects and Structure' compares the subjects and levels offered, how the courses are structured, retake opportunities etc. 'Universities and UCAS' describes how the qualifications compare for university entrance and how each ties into the UCAS tariff system. The final section 'Availability and Alternatives' summarises how widely available these courses are, and mentions other university entrance routes. Click on + to expand the section you want to look at. Introduction "Examinations make good servants but poor masters" (T.H.Huxley, 1860) Despite much change over the past 60 years, A levels continue to be trusted by universities both as a means of selecting capable students and as a foundation of knowledge and skills for starting a degree. University courses are themselves infinitely more diverse and flexible than they were in the past and A level has evolved into a less prescriptive and more flexible exam. Nevertheless, it remains "advanced" in the depth and scope of understanding required. It is an academic exam in the way that, for example, GCSEs are not. The system is also well-understood by employers. The IB Diploma was designed over 40 years ago as a school-leaving certificate with full international transferability and for many years now it has fulfilled that objective, including in the UK. It also offers breadth and depth in its syllabus, providing high-achieving generalists in particular with a challenging and rewarding programme of study. It is less suitable for academically weaker students. Cambridge Pre-U Diploma is very much "the new kid on the block", but by all accounts so far it is fulfilling its primary role as a set of exams capable of stretching the top academic students. According to Dr Stephen Spurr, Head of Westminster School, which came top in the August 2011 Times independent league tables, it has opened up new learning opportunities for students. He stated that the Pre-U "was proving its worth" as a discriminator for top universities. However he also said that his school retains A levels in maths and science, although they have found that Pre-U is much more interesting, particularly in the humanities subjects (Daily Telegraph article 27 August 2011). What is clear is that this is not a course designed or appropriate for academically weaker students. History and purpose The three qualifications have evolved over differing periods of time from quite distinct origins and principles, but they are all regarded as meaningful and important indicators of academic achievement for university admission purposes. A level Advanced-level exams replaced the Higher School Certificate in 1951, and with various modifications over the years have remained the main qualification for university-bound school leavers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Traditionally a highly exclusive and rigid assessment mode aimed at the top 20% of the ability range, the evolution of A level from a two-year linear course with an exam at the end to a modular course (in which each subject is divided into several separately-examined parts) took place gradually between the late 80s and 2000. By the year 2000 there were strong educational reasons - not least the inefficiency of linear courses which up to 30% of students were failing to complete or pass - to standardise the exam and to offer greater breadth to students through modules. Ever since their introduction, A levels have been associated with entry to higher education and this remains their most widely-used application. But over time they have also acquired a broader significance as a precursor to employment and as one strand in a qualifications framework which is designed to recognise the full range of advanced achievement of which young people are capable, from purely academic and theoretical learning through to the skills and knowledge associated with specific jobs. This trend was embodied in the Curriculum 2000 reforms which increased the flexibility of, and broadened the range of subjects and types of learning within, the A- level strand, for instance by establishing A levels in vocational subjects. For the past thirty years the publication of A-level results has seen an annual debate about whether the exam has become easier, and whether this is a good thing. Here's an example from the Guardian newspaper IB Not to be confused with the national 'BAC' exams in France, the International Baccalaureate was created at the International School of Geneva in 1968, with assistance from several other international schools. IB started life as a single programme for internationally mobile students preparing for university. It has now grown into three programmes for students aged 3 to 19, with the Diploma as the final two-year section for university aspirants. Although the first IB schools were predominantly private international schools, today over half of all IB schools are state-funded. The IB mission statement sums up its aims and ethos: "The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right." Pre-U The Cambridge Pre-U Diploma is a new post-16 qualification, first taught in 2008 in 50 UK schools and first examined in 2010. It was introduced by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) as a response to concerns by many of the highly academic independent schools that A levels failed to differentiate at the top end of grading. A large proportion of their candidates were achieving A grades and it was felt that their highest achievers were not receiving proper recognition for their abilities. It is designed to report achievement in a way that helps universities in their selection of candidates (See section on UCAS below). Pre-U courses have a linear structure, which is similar to that of the old, pre-modular A-level system, with potential benefits over 'modular' courses of coherence and progression, the chance to reclaim teaching and learning time at the end of the first year, and to decide the order, pace and depth of teaching and learning most appropriate for students. The stated aim of the Pre-U qualification is to prepare learners with the skills and knowledge they need to make a success of their subsequent studies at university. It encourages the development of well-informed, open and independent-minded individuals. It promotes understanding through subject specialisation, with a depth and rigour appropriate to progression to higher education, and helps learners to acquire the skills of critical thinking, creativity, team working, independent learning and effective communication. It also endeavours to recognise a wide range of individual talents and interests. Subjects and structure Although all three types of course are designed to be taught over two years, the current A-level programme is based on a modular structure, while IB and Pre-U systems are 'linear', culminating in terminal exams. The IB is a more integrated course than the other qualifications, encompassing breadth and depth of study, but A levels and Pre-U offer more subject flexibility, no compulsory subjects and a greater opportunity for specialisation. For weaker students failing to complete the second year of an A-level course, AS levels are still a useful and recognised qualification. A level Designed and usually taken over two years though it can be taken as a one-year A-level course too (widely offered by CIFE colleges) With over 70 subjects available, A level offers a greater range than IB and Pre-U. No subjects are compulsory. Subjects can be combined to play to a student’s strengths, yielding either variety or specialisation. A-level subjects are divided into modules (most consist of 4) each separately examined. The first two modules of a course form a stand-alone qualification called an AS level. The final two are often called 'A2', though there is no stand-alone A2 qualification. Update 2016: by 2018 A levels will have changed back to a linear examination, in which all components must be taken at once, at the end of the course There's no upper or lower limit to the number of A levels a student may take, but typically students do three A levels Subjects can be taken individually rather than as part of an over-arching qualification. An optional extended project can also be undertaken, which is a piece of research on a topic of the student's own choice. It is equivalent to half an A level and gives an opportunity to develop as an independent learner and explore an academic passion. Most A-level modules are assessed by exams, though there are a significant number assessed entirely or partly by coursework. Typically students take the two AS module exams at the end of the first year, the two A2 module exams at the end of the second. Individual modules within a subject can be taken on their own (for example, to retake an A level) though with some time limits and restrictions. Update 2016. See 'The new A-level and GCSE exams' for details of the change back to end-of-course exams. A levels can be taken alongside Pre-U subjects, and students who have done IB or pre-U can transfer to A-level courses if they want more retake options. IB Designed as a two-year course, and assessed by exams at the end of the programme, plus some coursework assessed in school. To be awarded the IB Diploma a student must complete the programme and receive at least 24 points in exams and other assessments (see later section for IB marks) The IB is designed as a broad and over-arching programme. Students are required to take six subject-courses and to cover three 'core requirements' which broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding. While IB offers a reasonable range of subjects, choice is restricted because the six subject-courses must include: English (in the UK), a foreign language, a humanities subject ('Individuals and Societies'), a science, maths, an arts subject or an elective (which can be a second language, humanities or science). It is thus not possible to take an all-science or all-arts programme in the IB. Students rarely study single IB subjects on their own, and if they need to retake individual subjects, may find it easier to transfer to the equivalent A-level subject. Subject-courses may be taken at 'Standard' or 'Higher' level, according to a student's interests and strengths. Three subjects are taken at 'Standard' level, three at 'Higher'. The 'core requirements' of IB comprise: an extended (4,000-word) essay, a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying; the Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology) course, designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical); a "Creativity, action, service" element which requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom (150 hours). Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately. Pre-U A two-year course, assessed by exams at the end of the two years. Syllabuses can be taken separately and are graded individually, but all the exams are taken at the end of the course rather than as individual modules. Students must take at least three 'principal subjects' from a range of 27 for the full Diploma (see below). There is no restriction on choice of subjects. It is also possible to take up to two A-level subjects as part of the pre-U. '...where it is possible to establish a clear equivalence, a student may substitute up to two qualifications, e.g. A Levels, for two of the three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects within the Diploma.' Although pre-U syllabuses share a lot of material with A-level ones, they are by no means identical! Attempting to cover pre-U and A level in the same class is not straightforward. Pre-U offers some 'Short' courses in subjects such as maths, though these do not reduce the requirement for three 'principal subjects'. For the full Pre-U Diploma students must also complete an Independent Research Project and compile a Global Perspectives Portfolio, each of which is worth exactly half of a principal subject; thus their aggregate forms the equivalent of another principal subject. All three programmes prepare students for university and are widely accepted by universities. Because they are most familiar with A levels, universities tend to express their requirements in terms of UCAS points which give a score for each A-level exam result. Grading systems for IB and pre-U are significantly different, but each is 'translated' into UCAS points. University offers are usually specified in terms of a total number of UCAS points to be gained, and may well also specify minimum results in particular subjects. A level Recognised by all UK universities, and the A-level exam is also an internationally recognised qualification. (For example, if applying to university in Canada or USA a student will almost always receive credit for A-level qualifications). Grades translate into UCAS points: an A* is worth 140, an A 120 and so on. Offers from universities can be made either in points or by grade. Depending on the course applied for, a minimum grade may be required in a specific subject. Recently instituted a top A* grade to counter criticism that too many students got A grades. 8.2% of all A-level exams taken in summer 2011 were awarded an A* (and 19.8% got an A) IB Recognised by almost all universities both in the UK and internationally. Subjects are scored on points, with a 7 being the highest grade. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points overall, and the highest total that a Diploma Programme student can be awarded is 45 points (7 for each of the six subject-courses, and a maximum of 3 for the 'core requirement'). Only 7% of students have ever received a 7 in any IB subject annually, making it more exclusive than an A* at A level. Pre-U Students receive a separate grade for each subject. Grades are divided into three categories, Distinction, Merit and Pass, each of which is further sub-divided into three levels. The nine levels thus range from D1 (Distinction 1) at the top to Pass 3 (P3)at the bottom. The grades are benchmarked to A-level standards, with grade D2 (Distinction 2) equal to A* at A-level and D1 available at a higher level than is achievable at A-level. No data available yet on non-UK universities, but this is unlikely to pose a problem since grades translate into UCAS points which are widely understood abroad. Availability and alternatives A level Despite recent criticism in the media, A levels remain the school-leaving qualification of choice by an extremely high margin for most schools and sixth-form students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are available in the vast majority of UK schools and sixth-form colleges. They are also available in some international schools abroad. In the summer 2011 exam session there were over 860,000 subject entries in England, Wales and Northen Ireland. IB Is offered by 216 British schools, of which almost two-thirds are state-funded. It is widely available in international schools abroad, in 140 countries. Worldwide there are 120,000 IB Diploma graduates each year. Pre-U At the time of writing (October 2011) it is taught in 148 state and independent schools in the UK (45% state, 55% independent). Subject entries in 2011 were 34% up on 2010. Pre-U is not yet available abroad. What other options are there? Although this article focuses on UK university-facing qualifications there are a number of other options. Students who have taken 'vocational' qualifications (qualifications aimed primarily at preparation for a particular job) may use those qualifications to apply for university. The practicalities of doing so are complex: universities need to be sure that candidates are equipped with the right study skills and knowledge. People who want to return to study after some years working, or who want to top up a vocational qualification can do so via an 'Access' course. These are offered at a range of state colleges, often as part-time options. Arrangements for assessment and acceptance by universities depend on the college offering the course. For more information look at the Access to Higher Education site. Overseas students who have completed school in their own country potentially have several routes into a UK university. Some overseas qualifications are accepted as equivalent to A level as an entry qualification to UK universities, though there may also be an additional language requirement. If higher qualifications are required, overseas students may either take a one-year 'university foundation' course, or take A levels in one year. The CIFE advice article 'A levels or international foundation' goes into more detail. Visit the UCAS website for more about overseas qualifications
Q: Handling AsyncCallback? I have a class which checks for action of users, validate the data and call AsyncCallBack to determine whether it's a valid entry or not. I have used the same logic in two places one when user clicks "OK" and other one is "Enter". Code works fine by calling AsyncCallBack in one scenario. My question is what would be the best way to debug ? know why it's not entering/calling AsyncCallBack. try { testService.validateForm( type, form, number, new AsyncCallback() { @SuppressWarnings( "synthetic-access" ) public void onFailure( Throwable caught ) { System.out.println( " HELLO FAILURE " ); } @SuppressWarnings( "synthetic-access" ) public void onSuccess( Object result ) { System.out.println( " HELLO SUCCESS " ); } } ); } catch ( GenericException e ) { // --e.printStackTrace(); } System.out.println( " ----- Done -------" ); } I have used similar data in both cases A: Unless you're running in DevMode, you won't see your System.out's. Use GWT.log, as it will print to your DevMode console, and be stripped out automatically from the compiled javascript. I would recommend debugging and putting break points on the server-side validateForm method, as well as breakpoints in both onSuccess and onFailure. Also - make sure you're actually calling the method, so a breakpoint at testService.validateForm, too.
Q: Difference between InstrumentationTestCase and AndroidTestCase I've been looking at this answer: https://stackoverflow.com/a/2055455/281460 and it does a great job of explaining the different test classes available for unit/integration testing in Android. One thing it does not explain, though, is the difference between InstrumentationTestCase and the other test case classes, specifically AndroidTestCase. Could someone shed some light on this? A: From the docs: InstrumentationTestCase A test case that has access to Instrumentation. AndroidTestCase Extend this if you need to access Resources or other things that depend on Activity Context. AndroidTestCase is pretty well summarized via that link you posted. InstrumentationTestCase is higher up the class hierarchy from ActivityInstrumentationTestCase2. It's heavier weight than a plain AndroidTestCase, but it only exposes an Instrumentation object and no Activity, limiting its usefulness. In reality, you'll probably never need this class, because it doesn't offer much (if any) performance advantage over ActivityInstrumentationTestCase2, which offers access to an Instrumentation object itself. In any case, if you want to know what you can do with an Instrumentation object, check out this or this.
Q: C++ Pointer Issues when passing to a function Solution Below For almost a year, I thought I completely understood pointers, and now it's failing. I will post the entire file if it is even needed. // Test Structure and Function struct You { int x; int y; string str; }; bool Show(You* showValue); // Should (delete) in whatever way possible and update its address to the "You* update" you sent void Update(You* update, int n) { // Create a new "You" You* youTwo = new You(); youTwo->x = 55; youTwo->y = 43; youTwo->str = "Twin"; // Update? update = youTwo; return; }; bool Show(You* showValue) { cout << "Show:" << endl; cout << showValue->x << '\t'; cout << showValue->y << '\t'; cout << showValue->str << '\t'; cout << endl << endl; }; int main(int argc, char** argv) { // Original You You* currentYou = new You(); currentYou->x = 1; currentYou->y = 2; currentYou->str = "You"; // Update the current you to a new you Show(currentYou); // works Update(currentYou, 5); // no compile errors Show(currentYou); // shows initial values instead of the updated return 0; }; The Update function is where the issue is. My intentions is to delete (or get rid) of the original. Replacing it with a new You() and be done with it. A: You pass the pointer to You by value to void Update(You,int). Thus update = youTwo; this has no effect on currentYou. Change Update to void Update(You& update, in n) { //... and read up on references. Btw, you have a memory leak. You update the pointer, but you never deallocate the old currentYou nor the new currentYou. You should use "smart pointers" (explicitly shared_ptr<You>) to clean up everything behind you, without having to call delete every time yourself. A: #include <iostream> #include <string> using namespace std; // Test Structure and Function struct You { int x; int y; string str; }; bool Show(You* showValue); // Should (delete) in whatever way possible and update its address to the "You* update" you sent void Update(You& update, int n) { // Clean Up delete update; // Create a new "You" You youTwo = new You(); youTwo->x = 55; youTwo->y = 43; youTwo->str = "Twin"; // Update address update = youTwo; return; }; bool Show(You* showValue) { cout << "Show:" << endl; cout << showValue->x << '\t'; cout << showValue->y << '\t'; cout << showValue->str << '\t'; cout << endl << endl; }; int main(int argc, char** argv) { // Original You You* currentYou = new You(); currentYou->x = 1; currentYou->y = 2; currentYou->str = "You"; // Update the current you to a new you Show(currentYou); Update(currentYou, 5); Show(currentYou); delete currentYou; return 0; }; The memory leak is fixed (the delete's were added,) and the pointer is a pointer-ref now. Works perfect.
inputs: - type: synthetics/http id: unique-http-id name: my-http schedule: '/5 * * * * *' host: "http://localhost:80/service/status" timeout: 16s wait: 1s data_stream.namespace: default output: elasticsearch: hosts: - 127.0.0.1:9200 - 127.0.0.1:9300 username: elastic password: changeme api_key: TiNAGG4BaaMdaH1tRfuU:KnR6yE41RrSowb0kQ0HWoA ca_sha256: 7HIpactkIAq2Y49orFOOQKurWxmmSFZhBCoQYcRhJ3Y=
1 Attachment More answers anonymous 6 years ago helppppppppppppppppppppp anonymous 6 years ago I'm not sure the formula but you can conclude that to find the surface area of the triangle you do (9 x 12 x .5)= area of one triangle.. since you have 4 triangles you multiply that by 4 to get 216. Now you need to add the surface area of the sides.. You have 2 sides that are 30 x 15 so you multiply (30 x 15 x 2) and you have one side that is 24 x 30 so you do (30 x 24). So to get your total surface area: (9 x 12 x .5 x 4) + (30 x 15 x 2) + (30 x 24) = total surface area.
ANAHEIM — Coach Randy Carlyle teamed Corey Perry with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell when the Ducks returned to the ice Thursday after their bye week. Carlyle couldn’t say what he expected from Perry when he’s likely to make his season debut Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Carlyle said he hoped the return of Perry to the lineup after a four-month layoff following right knee surgery would inject some much-needed life into his struggling teammates. After all, The Ducks have averaged a meager 2.29 goals per game, ranking 30th in the 31-team NHL. Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) and Rakell is tied for third with 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists). Getzlaf, in particular, has struggled during a stretch in which the Ducks have won only twice in 16 games. He has one goal and five points. “I don’t look it as him as an individual,” Carlyle said of his expectations for Perry. “I think we’re looking more along the lines of Rakell, Getzlaf and Perry. What are they going to be able to bring? That’s what I’m looking at. So, I capture it in a different perspective than one individual. “How much of a positive impact can he have helping that group? Because the group has been starving for offense. We need offense from them. The combination of the three of them has a unique skill-set that has developed and has provided offense before.” Perry resumed practicing with the Ducks before the All-Star break and the bye week that followed, and it was clear Thursday he was skating at something resembling full speed. He participated in all of the drills with his teammates after their nine-day break. “He looks rejuvenated,” Carlyle said. “He looks anxious and enthusiastic. He’s worked extremely hard with our medical staff and our strength and conditioning (staff). He’s worked with Larry Barron, our skating coach, and I guarantee he’d rather play than do all that stuff. Any player would.” Carlyle said Perry “looks fine” in his skating and appeared stronger in his upper body. “You can’t help but think that’s going to help him,” Carlyle said. MEDICAL UPDATES Patrick Eaves (fractured rib) and Jakob Silfverberg (hamstring) also skated with their teammates and Carlyle said they could play against the Jets. Ryan Kesler (hip) skated briefly with Perry and Barron before the start of practice and then exited the ice. “What you saw in practice, all those players are available,” Carlyle said. “Another re-start, a number of new faces, some old familiar faces we’ve had before are now healthy to come back in the lineup. We’re looking forward to having some settled lines going forward.” Rakell, Getzlaf and Perry formed the top line; Devin Shore, Adam Henrique and Silfverberg skated together on the second line; Nick Ritchie, Derek Grant and Daniel Sprong made up the third line; and Brian Gibbons, Carter Rowney and Adam Cracknell comprised the fourth line. Eaves was the fourth member of the fourth line, rotating in and out for various drills. MILLER IMPROVES Ryan Miller couldn’t say with any degree of certainty when he might be sound enough to resume his role as backup to All-Star goaltender John Gibson. Miller has been sidelined by a sprained knee since Dec. 9 and remains on injured reserve. “Although I’m really, really happy that I’m in a position where I can play goalie again, I don’t think I’m an NHL goalie yet,” Miller said after joining his teammates for some but not all of their practice. “My knee is not NHL, but the rest of me is. It’ll get there.” ROSTER MOVES The Ducks recalled defenseman Jaycob Megna from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL and reassigned defenseman Jake Dotchin to their minor league team.
{-# LANGUAGE FlexibleContexts #-} {-# LANGUAGE GeneralizedNewtypeDeriving #-} {-# LANGUAGE LambdaCase #-} {-# LANGUAGE OverloadedStrings #-} -- Module : Gen.Types.Help -- Copyright : (c) 2013-2018 Brendan Hay -- License : This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of -- the Mozilla Public License, v. 2.0. -- A copy of the MPL can be found in the LICENSE file or -- you can obtain it at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/. -- Maintainer : Brendan Hay <[email protected]> -- Stability : provisional -- Portability : non-portable (GHC extensions) module Gen.Types.Help ( Help (..) ) where import Data.Aeson import Data.Monoid ((<>)) import Data.Semigroup (Semigroup) import Data.String import Data.Text (Text) import Text.XML (Node (..)) import qualified Data.ByteString.Lazy as LBS import qualified Data.Char as Char import qualified Data.Map.Strict as Map import qualified Data.Text as Text import qualified Data.Text.Encoding as Text import qualified Text.HTML.DOM as DOM import qualified Text.XML as XML newtype Help = Help Text deriving (Eq, Semigroup, Monoid) -- \| Empty Show instance to avoid verbose debugging output. instance Show Help where show = const mempty instance IsString Help where fromString = Help . fromString instance FromJSON Help where parseJSON = withText "help" $ pure . Help . wrap "--" . convertHaddock instance ToJSON Help where toJSON (Help h) = toJSON h convertHaddock :: Text -> Text convertHaddock = go . XML.documentRoot . DOM.parseLBS . LBS.fromStrict . Text.encodeUtf8 where go x = case name x of "html" -> nodes x "p" -> nodes x <> "\n\n" "ul" -> nodes x <> "\n\n" "ol" -> nodes x <> "\n\n" "dl" -> nodes x <> "\n\n" "li" -> list (nodes x) "dt" -> list (nodes x) "dd" -> list (nodes x) "br" -> "\n" <> nodes x "i" -> emphasis (nodes x) "u" -> emphasis (nodes x) "important" -> "/Important:/ " <> nodes x "title" -> title (nodes x) "fullname" -> title (nodes x) "caution" -> title (nodes x) "h1" -> title (nodes x) "h2" -> title (nodes x) "h3" -> title (nodes x) "h4" -> title (nodes x) "h5" -> title (nodes x) "b" -> bold (nodes x) "strong" -> bold (nodes x) "a" \| Just link <- attribute "href" x -> "<" <> link <> " " <> nodes x <> "> " \| otherwise -> code (nodes x) "code" \| null (XML.elementNodes x) -> mempty \| otherwise -> mono (nodes x) "pre" \| null (XML.elementNodes x) -> mempty \| otherwise -> mono (nodes x) "note" -> mempty "div" -> nodes x "literal" -> mono (nodes x) y -> "<" <> y <> ">" <> nodes x title x = bold x <> "\n" bold x = "__" <> x <> "__ " emphasis x = "/" <> escape x <> "/ " code x = "'" <> x <> "' " mono x = "@" <> x <> "@ " list x = " * " <> x escape = Text.concatMap f where f '/' = "\\/" f c = Text.singleton c nodes = foldMap f . XML.elementNodes where f = \case NodeElement e -> go e NodeContent t \| Text.null x -> mempty \| Text.head x == '$' -> "> " <> Text.tail x \| Text.head x == '>' -> x \| otherwise -> Text.dropWhile Char.isSeparator t where x = Text.stripStart t _ -> mempty attribute key x = Map.lookup (XML.Name key Nothing Nothing) (XML.elementAttributes x) name = XML.nameLocalName . XML.elementName wrap :: Text -> Text -> Text wrap sep = go . Text.lines where go [] = mempty go (x:[]) = x go (x:xs) = x <> start <> foldMap prefix xs prefix x \| Text.null x = start \| otherwise = start <> " " <> x start = "\n" <> sep
6 x Green Apple Scented Wax Tart Melts Price: £4.92 Product Description Wax Tart Melts to Put In Your Oil Warmer Green Apple Fragrance; the aroma of a juicy green apple! Fragrance of Each Wax Tart Melt Lasts Approximately 4-8 Hours Pack Contains 6 Wax Tart Melts. All of our wax tart melts are freshly made in our North Wales workshop and are individually wrapped to preserve freshness. Each wax tart melt is approximately 21 grams in weight. Place in a wax warmer and light an unscented tea light below. As the wax melts it releases its scent, for up to 4-8 hours Pack Contains 6 Wax Tart Melts. All of our wax tart melts are freshly made in our North Wales workshop and are individually wrapped to preserve freshness. Each wax tart melt is approximately 21 grams in weight. Place in a wax warmer and light an unscented tea light below. As the wax melts it releases its scent, for up to 4-8 hours
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The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World 'Is it the world that's busy, or my mind?' The world moves fast, but that doesn't mean we have to. In this timely guide to mindfulness, Haemin Sunim, a Buddhist monk born in Korea and educated in the United States, offers advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with rest and relationships. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century In the 20th century, European democracies collapsed into fascism, Nazism and communism. These were movements in which a leader or a party claimed to give voice to the people, promised to protect them from global existential threats, and rejected reason in favour of myth. European history shows us that societies can break, democracies can fall, ethics can collapse, and ordinary people can find themselves in unimaginable circumstances. History can familiarise, and it can warn. Make Your Bed: Small things that can change your life...and maybe the world 'What starts here changes the world' was the university slogan that inspired William H. McRaven to take charge of the small things that could change his life...and even the world. Here McRaven shares the 10 life-changing principles he learned during his 37 years as a Navy SEAL. These 10 philosophies helped him to overcome challenges not only in his career but also throughout his life. What's more anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves, and the world, for the better.... The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity What will your 100-year life look like? Does the thought of working for 60 or 70 years fill you with dread? Or can you see the potential for a more stimulating future as a result of having so much extra time? Many of us have been raised on the traditional notion of a three-stage approach to our working lives: education, followed by work and then retirement. But this well-established pathway is already beginning to collapse. Despite the association of peregrines with the wild outer reaches of the British Isles, The Peregrine is set on the flat marshes of the Essex coast, where J. A. Baker spent a long winter looking at and writing about the visitors from the uplands - peregrines that spend the winter hunting the huge flocks of pigeons and waders that share the desolate landscape with them. Such luminaries as Ted Hughes and Andrew Motion have cited this as one of the most important books in 20th century nature writing. The Power of Meaning: Crafting a life that matters There is a myth in our culture that to find meaning, you have to travel to a distant monastery or wade through dusty volumes to figure out life's great secret. The truth is there are untapped sources of meaning all around us: right here, right now. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology; on insights from George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, the Buddha and other great minds, Emily Esfahani Smith identifies four pillars upon which meaning rests: belonging, purpose, storytelling and transcendence. The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control In The Marshmallow Test, Mischel explains how self-control can be mastered and applied to challenges in everyday life - from weight control to quitting smoking, overcoming heartbreak, making major decisions, and planning for retirement. With profound implications for the choices we make in parenting, education, public policy and self-care, The Marshmallow Test will change the way you think about who we are and what we can be. Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise Anders Ericsson has spent 30 years studying the special ones - the geniuses, sports stars and musical prodigies. And his remarkable finding, revealed in Peak, is that their special abilities are acquired through training. The innate 'gift' of talent is a myth. Exceptional individuals are born with just one unique ability, shared by us all - the ability to develop our brains and bodies through our own efforts. The Road to Character In The Road to Character, David Brooks, best-selling author of The Social Animal and New York Times columnist, explains why selflessness leads to greater success. We all possess two natures. One focuses on external success: wealth, fame, status and a great career. The other aims for internal goodness, driven by a spiritual urge not only to do good but to be good - honest, loving and steadfast. The inner self doesn't seek happiness superficially defined; it seeks emotional commitments without counting the cost and a deeper moral joy. Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Struggling with anxiety about your daily tasks? Or do you want to stop worrying about life? The truth is we all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle. The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more "space" in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness. The Storm of War One of the best selling History titles of 2009. Examining the Second World War on every front, Andrew Roberts asks whether, with a different decision-making process and a different strategy, Hitler’s Axis might even have won. Were those German generals who blamed everything on Hitler after the war correct, or were they merely scapegoating their former Führer once he was safely beyond defending himself? Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days In the autumn of 1988, Michael Palin set out from the Reform Club with an ambitious plan: to circumnavigate the world, following the route taken by Jules Verne's fictional hero Phileas Fogg 115 years earlier. The rules were simple. He had to make the journey in 80 days using only forms of transport that would have been available to Fogg. Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We LIve and Work The authors of the best-selling Bold and The Rise of Superman explore altered states of consciousness and how they can ignite passion, fuel creativity, and accelerate problem solving, in this groundbreaking book in the vein of Daniel Pink's Drive and Charles Duhigg's Smarter Faster Better. Run for Your Life: Mindful Running for a Happy Life Anyone who has ever gone for a run, a jog or even a walk knows that uplifting, happy feeling they get at the end of their journey. Some call it the runner's high; others put it down to endorphins. Here William Pullen teaches us focus that incredible energy to experience our emotions in motion. In Run for Your Life, Pullen argues that we need a radical new approach to mindfulness - an approach which originates in the body itself. PostCapitalism: A Guide to Our Future From Paul Mason, the award-winning Channel 4 presenter, PostCapitalism is a guide to our era of seismic economic change and how we can build a more equal society. Over the past two centuries or so, capitalism has undergone continual change - economic cycles that lurch from boom to bust - and has always emerged transformed and strengthened. Surveying this turbulent history, Paul Mason wonders whether today we are on the brink of a change so big, so profound, that this time capitalism itself has reached its limits. The Running Hare: The Secret Life of Farmland Traditional ploughland is disappearing. Seven cornfield flowers have become extinct in the last 20 years. Once abundant, the corn bunting and the lapwing are on the Red List. The corncrake is all but extinct in England. And the hare is running for its life. Written in exquisite prose, The Running Hare tells the story of the wild animals and plants that live in and under our ploughland, from the labouring microbes to the patrolling kestrel above the corn, from the linnet pecking at seeds to the seven-spot ladybird. Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics Richard H. Thaler has spent his career studying the radical notion that the central agents in the economy are humans - predictable, error-prone individuals. Misbehaving is his arresting, frequently hilarious account of the struggle to bring an academic discipline back down to earth - and change the way we think about economics, ourselves, and our world. Down and Out in Paris and London An autobiographical study, Down and Out in Paris and London follows Orwell as he tramps around both Paris and London. Pawning his belongings to buy food, unemployment, drinking heavily and jostling for a place in homeless hostels are but a few of the experiences related with candour and insight in this unabridged exclusive audiobook. Orwell was arguably one of the first 'gonzo' journalists. Fluent in 3 Months Meet the man who makes the mission of learning any language possible! Language hacker Benny Lewis shows how anyone anywhere can learn any language without leaving their home, using a simple toolkit and by harnessing the power of the Internet. Benny definitely wasn't born with the ‘language gene'. After graduating in electronic engineering in his native Ireland he spent six months in Spain struggling to learn Spanish. This frustrating experience fuelled his determination to take a different approach to learning foreign languages. Revolting!: How the Establishment are Undermining Democracy and What They're Afraid Of A short, sharp intervention in the crucial debate about the future of democracy, which has been brought to a head by events from Brexit to the Trump phenomenon. In response to the emerging 'I'm a democrat, but...' consensus, this audiobook will argue for a forthright defence of democracy against its enemies and critics, old and new. As part of that argument, it will aim to show that the problem has not been too much democracy but too little. Overcome Anxiety: A Self Help Toolkit for Anxiety Relief and Panic Attacks Overcome Anxiety is an effective, practical, science-based, self-help book that will help ease anxiety, panic, worry and stress, and bring peace, calm, and courage to people who suffer from anxiety and stress - based on the successful Overcome Anxiety workshops of Dr. Matt Lewis. Ancient Wonderings: Journeys into Prehistoric Britain Take a journey into our ancient past. Explore a long-lost landscape and gradually discover the minds, beliefs and cultural practices of those souls who lived on these lands thousands of years before you. Travelling the length and breadth of Britain, James Canton pursues his obsession with the physical traces of the ancient world: stone circles, flint arrowheads, sacred stones, gold, and a lost Roman road. The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time Depression can feel like a downward spiral, pulling you down into a vortex of sadness, fatigue, and apathy. Based in the latest research in neuroscience, this audiobook offers dozens of little things you can do every day to rewire your brain and create an upward spiral towardsa happier, healthier life. Entrepreneur Revolution: How to Develop Your Enterpreneurial Mindset and Start a Business That Works The world is embarking on a new age: the age of the entrepreneur, the agile small business owner, the flexible innovator. The days of the industrial age are over. It’s time to break free from the industrial revolution mind-set, quit working so hard, follow your dream and make a fortune along the way. The slow dinosaurs of the industrial age are being outpaced by fast-moving start-ups, ambitious small businesses, and technological innovators. Entrepreneur Revolution is a master-class in gaining an entrepreneurial mind-set, showing you how to change the way you think, the way you network, and the way you make a living. Publisher's Summary Solitude is a rapidly vanishing experience. Our society now embraces sharing like never before: time alone is being forced out of our lives by the constant pings of smartphones and prods of social media. But what if being alone still has something to offer us - something we have forgotten but that we still desperately need? In Solitude, award-winning author Michael Harris examines why being alone matters now more than ever before. He reflects on the paradoxical feeling of isolation that emerges from being constantly connected - and on how learning the beauty of solitude can help us escape it. After all, it is when we are alone that we realise the greatest truths about ourselves. Being alone - really alone - could be the only antidote to the frenzy of our digital age. Rich with stories about the transformative power of solitude, and drawing on the research of the world's leading neuroscientists and behavioural psychologists, Solitude offers a timely and profound exploration of how to be alone - and why it matters for us all. What the Critics Say "A timely, eloquent provocation to daydream and wander." (Nathan Filer, author of The Shock of the Fall) "I came away from this book a better human being. Michael Harris's take on existence is calm, unique, and makes one's soul feel good." (Douglas Coupland)
o for n. 5 Suppose 8p - 4p = g - 13, -g - 14 = 5p. Solve 0 = -3y + g + 11 for y. 4 Let l = 7 - 4. Suppose 2x = 4 + 4. Let o(d) = -d + 4. Let q be o(x). Solve -lr - 5 + 2 = q for r. -1 Let n(c) = c*3 - 6c2 - c + 3. Let l be n(6). Let v(i) = -i3 - 4i2 - 5i - 2. Let y be v(l). Solve -5o = -yo - 3 for o. 3 Suppose 0 = -2k - 2k + 12. Solve 4 - k = p for p. 1 Suppose -4m + 8 = -3m - 4a, -3a = 6. Solve mb + 3b + 3 = 0 for b. -1 Let x be (-6)/2 + (-1 - (3 + -9)). Solve -2v - x = 2 for v. -2 Let a be (-27)/(-6)16/12. Let w(p) = p3 - p2 + 1. Let q be w(-1). Let z = q + a. Solve 0 = -zt + 3 - 8 for t. -1 Let r(d) = -2d + 1. Let i be r(-4). Let o = i - 6. Suppose -u + 0 + 2 = 0. Solve ob = ub for b. 0 Suppose 2g + 12 = -g. Let d be 7 + (1 - g/(-2)). Let t(s) = -s + 8. Let q be t(d). Solve i - 6 = -q for i. 4 Suppose m = 2m. Suppose 35 = 5x + n - 6, 0 = 5x + 3n - 43. Suppose 3v - 2o = 6, -o = v - 4o - 2. Solve -vk = -mk + x for k. -4 Suppose -2q = q - 24. Solve -i = -3i - q for i. -4 Suppose 5a - 116 - 9 = 0. Solve 6t = t - a for t. -5 Let q = -104 - -115. Solve 0 = 4x - 1 - q for x. 3 Suppose -3b - 3d = -2b - 17, -16 = -4b + d. Let u(m) = m + m - m + 0. Let a be u(b). Solve 9 = an - 1 for n. 2 Let i be 2 + 5/(-10)6 - -3. Solve -id - 3d = 5 for d. -1 Let b(k) be the third derivative of -k5/60 + k4/3 - 7k3/6 + k2. Let p = -13 + 20. Let a be b(p). Solve 2v = -av for v. 0 Suppose -6x = -x - 70. Suppose -3k = -x + 2. Suppose 3y + 4 = ky. Solve 7 + 13 = yj for j. 5 Let o(x) = -x3 - x2 + 3x + 2. Let z be o(-3). Let h be 2/z + 80/44. Solve 0a = ha for a. 0 Let p(k) = 2k + 2k - 4k + k + 2. Let c be p(0). Solve -1 = u - c for u. 1 Let v(d) = 5d*2 - 6d. Let h(o) = o*2 - o. Let s(b) = -4h(b) + v(b). Let a be s(3). Let u be 10/a - 6/(-9). Solve -ut = -0t for t. 0 Suppose 3x - 5t = 0, -t = 3x - 5t. Solve x = -g - g - 8 for g. -4 Let x(c) = c*3 - 8c2. Let q be 20/5 + 2 + 2. Let l be x(q). Solve -i + l = -2 for i. 2 Let u(a) = a2 - a + 6. Let f be (-16)/(-56) + 4/(-14). Let p be u(f). Solve 2s + s = -p for s. -2 Let c(k) = k + 14. Let x be c(-8). Solve 0 = -2z + xz for z. 0 Suppose 0 = 3x + 18 + 15. Let k = x + 15. Solve g + 6 = kg for g. 2 Suppose -3b - 60 = -7b. Solve -4l + 9l + b = 0 for l. -3 Suppose 2k + 6 = -k. Let x = k + 2. Solve 4l - 13 - 7 = x for l. 5 Let v = -6 - 0. Let b = v + 6. Suppose b = -0w + 4w. Solve w = z + z for z. 0 Let z = -22 + 23. Solve 3s - 2s = -z for s. -1 Let m be ((-6)/4)/(3/(-40)). Let u be (109/135)/(4/18). Solve -ul + m = 5 for l. 5 Suppose 0h - 2h - 12 = 0. Let t = h + 3. Let s be -1(t/(-3) - 2). Solve 2 - s = n for n. 1 Suppose 40 = 7n + 3n. Solve -3c + n = -5 for c. 3 Let v = -1 + 7. Solve vt - 15 = 3t for t. 5 Let l be 10(-3)/6 + 3. Let w be (0 + -2 - l)/3. Solve w = 3y - 0y for y. 0 Let a(v) = v3 - v2 - 2v + 12. Let c = 17 + -17. Let l be a(c). Solve 3p = l - 0 for p. 4 Let z = 70 + -46. Suppose 6r = 10r - z. Solve -r = -y - 1 for y. 5 Let a = -40 + 41. Solve 3d - 2 - a = 0 for d. 1 Let o be (5/2)/((-75)/(-180)). Solve 4u - o = 6u for u. -3 Suppose -2y - 10 = 3y. Let s = y - -7. Solve -20 = sj - j for j. -5 Let o be (3 - 2) + 12. Let r(m) = 6 - 4m - om + 4m*2 - 5m*2. Let h be r(-7). Solve -2c = -0c - h for c. 3 Suppose 2 = m - 3l - 1, -2 = 2l. Suppose -s + 1 + 2 = m. Solve 6 = so - 9 for o. 5 Let z(s) = -12s - 1. Suppose 5f + 7k - 3k - 15 = 0, 0 = 4f - 5k + 29. Let w be z(f). Suppose 0 = -2i - i + 3. Solve 3l = -w - i for l. -4 Let d be 1/(-5) - 260/(-50). Solve -du + 6 = -4 for u. 2 Let s be 0/((-6)/(0 + -2)). Suppose -5d + 2d - 6 = s, d = -3v + 10. Solve 2y + v = -2y for y. -1 Let p(s) = s*3 - 8s*2 + 7s + 9. Let i be p(7). Let n = i - 21. Let h be 2/(-4) - 6/n. Solve 0 = -ho + 3o + 15 for o. -5 Let a(i) = -i + 30. Let g be a(15). Solve 0 = -p + 6p - g for p. 3 Let d be -7 + 4 - (2 + -7). Suppose -du = u. Let s be ((-3)/(-2))/((-6)/(-16)). Solve -sa + u = 4 for a. -1 Let p = -66 - -66. Solve p = -2w - 2w - 12 for w. -3 Let h = 1 + -6. Let w be h + -1 + 4 - -2. Let o be 0/(-1 + 0 - -2). Solve -4m + 20 + w = o for m. 5 Let n(a) = a*2 + 1. Let y(r) = -2r. Let m be y(1). Let w be n(m). Solve 0i = -i + w for i. 5 Suppose 0 = -15c + 16c - 9. Solve 3 + c = 3v for v. 4 Suppose -p = 2p - 39. Suppose 0 = 4y - p + 1. Solve s - 2s + y = 0 for s. 3 Let a = 2 + 2. Let n = 402 + -382. Solve -az = z - n for z. 4 Suppose 3t = -2a - 2, -5t + 4a + 26 = -0a. Let m = t - 2. Solve m = -4l - 2 - 2 for l. -1 Let j be (27/15 + 0)5. Solve 4k = k - j for k. -3 Let r(u) = -2 + 1 + u - 2u2 + 3u*2 + 2u. Let b be r(-4). Suppose 2 = t - ba, 0 = 4t + 3a - 36 - 2. Solve t + 1 = 3w for w. 3 Suppose -2w + 8 = 2w. Solve -wf - 3 = 3 for f. -3 Suppose -3q = 3o - 6, -5q = -o - 0q + 2. Solve 5v + o = 7 for v. 1 Suppose 4k - 180 = -k - 5a, -5 = a. Let t = k + -28. Solve 5 = 4y + t for y. -2 Let k be 5 + 1/1 + -2. Suppose -q + kq = 6. Solve -11 = qn - 1 for n. -5 Suppose 2o = o - 2. Let h be (-8)/(-4)(-1)/o. Solve -3p - h = 14 for p. -5 Let v = 12 - -13. Solve v = -4l + 5 for l. -5 Let l(a) = -a. Suppose 16 = 3j + j. Let z(k) = -2k + 5. Let x be z(j). Let b be l(x). Solve -2i = i + b for i. -1 Let s = 23 - 17. Solve 2j = -j - s for j. -2 Let g = -6 + 6. Solve g = -0m + 5m - 20 for m. 4 Suppose -9 - 4 = -4a - 3b, -5a + b + 21 = 0. Solve 1 + a = -5c for c. -1 Let k be 9/3 + -2 - -4. Suppose -5c + 55 + k = 0. Solve c = 5a - 2a for a. 4 Let r(i) = -3i - 3i*2 - 1 - 2 - 3i + 2i2. Let c be r(-4). Solve s + c - 1 = 0 for s. -4 Suppose 0 = -4j - 5s + 45, -4s = 2j + s - 15. Solve -4h - j = -h for h. -5 Let s(m) = -2m + 1. Let o be s(-2). Suppose -b + 4d = -7 + 25, -4b = -od + 28. Let q be (15/(-20))/(b/8). Solve -qp = -p for p. 0 Let c be (21/(-15))/((-2)/10). Let w = -7 + c. Solve w = u - 3u - 4 for u. -2 Let v(n) = n*3 + 4n*2 - 6n + 4. Let q be v(-5). Let a = -5 + 10. Suppose 2 - a = -u. Solve -us - q + 3 = 0 for s. -2 Let g(d) = 3d*2 - d - 2. Let l be g(2). Suppose 3f + 30 = 3b, -b - b = 5f + l. Solve 2a + a = -b for a. -2 Suppose -g + 4x = -10, 4g - 2 - 38 = 3x. Solve g = 3i - 5 for i. 5 Let f(o) = 8o*3 + 2o*2 - 1. Let j be f(1). Let n be -4 + -1 + 2 - -3. Suppose -3u + j = 4p, -5p - 5u + 2u + 9 = n. Solve pr + 6 = 2r for r. 3 Let f(s) = -s*3 - 12s*2 - 12s - 11. Let u be f(-11). Solve -m - m = u for m. 0 Suppose w = -4 + 9. Suppose 3n - w = 2n. Solve -2r + r = n for r. -5 Suppose 2 + 2 = 2o - d, 2d = -3o + 6. Solve 7y = oy + 5 for y. 1 Suppose 2a = 3a - 22. Let r = a - 20. Solve -ry - y + 15 = 0 for y. 5 Let z be ((-18)/(-15))/(6/20). Solve -2 = zq - 6 for q. 1 Let h(d) = 2d - 2. Let c be h(2). Suppose cv + 2v = 20. Solve -vx + 9 = -1 for x. 2 Suppose 0 = 11u - u - 30. Solve -j + 4j + u = 0 for j. -1 Suppose 4c - 19 + 7 = 0. Solve cj + j = 0 for j. 0 Let b(n) = -2n2 + 3n - 1. Let c be b(2). Let t be (c + 4)/1 - 1. Solve t = 3p - 1 + 4 for p. -1 Let c(u) = -u2 + 14u + 3. Let i be c(14). Suppose -m + im - 5l = 17, -22 = -4m - 2l. Solve -6 = -4p + m for p. 3 Suppose 0 = -4a - 2x - 2, 4a - 2x - 3 = -3x. Solve -4r + 14 = -a for r. 4 Let t(l) = -l2 - 7l - 6. Let y be t(-6). Suppose 7 = 5r - 8, -4o - 5r + 31 = y. Solve -1 = ov - 9 for v. 2 Suppose -2y + 10 = -0y. Solve 0 = -f + y - 0 for f. 5 Suppose 3i - 2i = -3. Suppose 3x = 5q + 25 + 12, 5x - 45 = 5q. Let n = i - q. Solve 5m - n + 7 = 0 for m. -1 Suppose z + z - 24 = 0. Let n = -8 + z. Solve -v - n = v for v. -2 Let b = 32 - 17. Suppose -4 = w, 0d = 2d - 5w - 30. Suppose -d = x - b. Solve -3f = -f - x for f. 5 Let l(y) = y2 - 7y - 1. Let x be l(7). Let j be ((-6)/(-8))/(x/(-12)). Let m be (-31)/(-3)0. Solve j = 3d - m for d. 3 Suppose 0 = l - 2d - 14, d - 34 = -4l - 2d. Solve -l = 5s - 0s for s. -2 Suppose -84 = -29k + 351. Let z = -2 - -5. Solve 0 = zu - 0u - k for u. 5 Let s = 17 - 10. Let l = -3 + s. Solve -lu + 0 = -8 for u. 2 Suppose 2d + 0d - 60 = 0. Suppose 2z - 5z = -d. Solve w + z = -w for w. -5 Suppose 0h - 5 = -5h. Solve h = s - 1 for s. 2 Let b be (-6)/(-2
Tableau Software has released monthly subscription prices for its data visualization products, following through on a plan first disclosed last year to pivot its pricing focus from perpetual licenses to subscriptions. Here are Tableau’s new monthly prices: Tableau Desktop Personal, $35; Tableau Desktop Professional, $70 ; Tableau Server, $35; and Tableau Online, $42. Under the old model, a license, with annual maintenance, cost $999 for Desktop Personal and $1,999 for Desktop Professional. Server starts at $10,000 for 10 people, and Online is $500 per user per year. A Tableau spokesman said the licensing model will not go away entirely as the company wants to be able to accommodate however companies prefer to use the product. Last year, Tableau CEO Adam Selipsky outlined plans to focus on a subscription model for the business moving forward. The company is dealing with greater demand for its data visualization products from customers that already use them. Big companies want to get more of their employees to use Tableau products, and subscriptions could make that easier, he said. Here’s how Selipsky described the move to subscriptions on an earnings call last year: “Subscription licensing is a simpler model that’s more aligned with customer value, and it will benefit our customers. It will make it easier for businesses to get started with Tableau by lowering the initial investment required. It will provide more flexibility to scale Tableau widely, and it will reduce risk for customers.” Tableau believes subscription models will become even more common in the next few years. The company cited a 2015 study from Gartner, saying that by 2020, 80 percent of software providers will change their business model from perpetual licenses to subscriptions, regardless of whether the software resides on-premises or in the cloud. Subscriptions, with lower upfront costs, could open up Tableau to a greater variety of customers. Tableau said it has more than 54,000 customer accounts worldwide. But Selipsky said last year the company has more work to do in building greater diversity among its customers. “There are many places where we have not succeeded,” Selipsky said. “There are many organizations in enterprise as well as mid-market, public sector, nonprofit and startups, that probably can’t even yet spell Tableau, and those are all opportunities for us.”
Born-Again Baseball Star Hamilton 'Embarrassed', 'Hurt' by Relapse Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton may have pulled out from the depths of alcoholism and drug abuse through his relationship with Christ, but he’s not completely out of the woods, as evidenced by a one-night relapse made public recently after the posting of several incriminating photos. “Things happen. To be honest with you, I should have seen signs leading up to making a bad decision like this,” Hamilton told reporters, referring to the incident in January that was captured on film. “I hate that this happened,” he added. “But, it is what it is. You deal with it. And I realize that, obviously, I'm not perfect and that it's an on-going struggle, battle that is very real. A lot of people don't understand how real it is.” Though Hamilton today is one of the Rangers’ top players, the one-time No. 1 draft pick had for four years had been going “down a path toward destruction,” starting in 2001, when he took his first drink and snorted cocaine for the first time. Hamilton’s drug addiction eventually led to eight trips to rehab, 26 tattoos, a heartbroken family, and three years away from baseball. It wasn’t until 2005 – when a paltry 180-pound Hamilton covered with tattoos of demons without eyes showed up on his grandmother's doorstep – that Hamilton was challenged to surrender to God, began reading the Bible, and gave up drugs and alcohol. Since then, Hamilton’s life and baseball career have been taking off. Last year Hamilton made headlines when he belted a record-breaking 28 home runs in the first round of the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby. “It kind of humbles me to continue to every day have people come up to me and say what an influence I've been as far as staying clean and sober,” he said Saturday. “That continues to be a big deal with me. Any time I can hear that, it helps reinforce that I'm doing a good deed as far as continuing to be honest about what's going on.” And that’s one of the things that make January’s incident so disheartening. “Obviously, it's one of those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol,” he told reporters. According to Hamilton, the relapse occurred when he “wasn’t mentally fit” nor “spiritually fit" to go into the restaurant-bar he chose to eat at that night. After deciding that he could have one drink, Hamilton went on to have another. “And then two snowballs into 10 or 12,” Hamilton said. What happened after that, Hamilton can’t recall completely (remembering "vaguely in and out, bits and pieces"), but the roughly dozen photos posted in Deadspin.com revealed the major leaguer in a number of compromising poses with at least three different women – none of which were his wife. “Obviously, I did something very wrong,” Hamilton confessed Saturday. “That hurts me very deeply, too, but the biggest one is Katie. The question gets asked, 'What if I saw something like that with her?' Obviously, it stirs up a lot of thoughts. It's tough.” As she had done during the time of his addiction, Hamilton’s wife forgave him for what he had done after he told her what had happened. “Katie and I have a strong relationship,” Hamilton said. “She told me she forgives me, and she meant it.” Hamilton told reporters that as soon as the incident took place, he called his wife, his support team, the Rangers, and even the Major League Baseball organization. “I was absolutely open and honest about it,” the 23-year-old North Carolina native stated. Though Hamilton said repeatedly that he’s embarrassed about his conduct, he said he doesn’t feel like he’s a hypocrite. “I feel like I'm human, and, honestly, it is what it is,” he said, noting later that a high percentage of people who have gone through an addiction will encounter a relapse. According to Relapse Prevention, studies have shown that 54 percent of all alcohol and other drug abuse patients can be expected to relapse, and that 61 percent of that number will have multiple periods of relapse. “I got away from the one thing that keeps me straightened out and moving in the right direction, and that was that relationship with the Lord,” said Hamilton Saturday. But Hamilton hopes that the incident will be “something that works for good and help people realize that if you are trying to recover, if you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. You can get back on track right where you were.” “It's just a point of realizing that it is a mistake and not getting down or depressed or dwelling on it. It is very real, and, I'm praying that this experience can help a lot of folks,” he added. According to Hamilton, all year round, he never goes three days without being tested – usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And though the MLB hasn’t banned Hamilton from consuming alcohol, the organization has recommended that he avoid consumption. “[A]nd obviously for a good reason,” Hamilton added Saturday. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, meanwhile, said Hamilton will not be taking a leave of absence over January's relapse nor for future incidents as doing so "would be counterproductive." "We knew that going in when we acquired Josh. We know the risks of dealing with someone with substance abuse problems," he said. "Ultimately, he's a grown man and he has to make his own decisions. Nobody's here to baby-sit him, but we should help him make the right decisions and help him get through this." The Rangers are currently 3 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West with less than two months remaining in the season. The Cincinnati Reds had traded Hamilton to the Rangers on Dec. 21, 2007, for two other players.
Jeff Bezos' mom, Jackie, was a teenager when she had him in January 1964. She had recently married Cuban immigrant Mike Bezos, who adopted Jeff. Jeff didn't learn that Mike wasn't his real father until he was 10 but says he was more fazed about learning he needed to get glasses than he was about the news. When Bezos was 4, his mother told his biological father, who was a circus performer at one point, to stay out of their lives. When Brad Stone interviewed his father for his book "The Everything Store," the man had no idea who his son had become. Bezos showed signs of brilliance from an early age. When he was a toddler, he took apart his crib with a screwdriver because he wanted to sleep in a real bed. From ages 4 to 16, Bezos spent summers on his grandparents' ranch in Texas, doing farm work like repairing windmills and castrating bulls. His grandfather, Preston Gise, was a huge inspiration for Bezos and helped kindle his passion for intellectual pursuits. At a commencement address in 2010, Bezos said Gise taught him that "it's harder to be kind than clever." Bezos fell in love with reruns of the original "Star Trek" and became a fan of the later versions too. Early on, he thought about calling Amazon MakeItSo.com in reference to a line from Captain Jean-Luc Picard. In school, Bezos told teachers "the future of mankind is not on this planet." As a kid, he wanted to be a space entrepreneur. Now he owns a space-exploration company called Blue Origin. After spending a miserable summer working at McDonald's as a teen, Bezos started the Dream Institute, a 10-day summer camp for kids, with his girlfriend. They charged $600 a kid but managed to sign up six students. The "Lord of the Rings" series made the required reading list. After he quit Fitel, Bezos almost launched a news-by-fax service startup with Halsey Minor, who would later found CNET. Instead, he got a job at the hedge fund D.E. Shaw. He became a senior vice president after only four years. Meanwhile, Bezos took ballroom dancing classes as part of a scheme to increase his "women flow." Just as Wall Streeters have a process for increasing their "deal flow," Bezos thought about meeting girls analytically. He eventually married MacKenzie Tuttle, a D.E. Shaw research associate, in 1993. She's now a novelist. In 1994, Bezos read that the web had grown 2,300% in one year. This number astounded him, and he decided he needed to find some way to take advantage of its rapid growth. He made a list of 20 possible product categories to sell online and decided that books were the best option. Bezos decided to leave D.E. Shaw even though he had a great job. "When you are in the thick of things, you can get confused by small stuff," he said later. "I knew when I was eighty that I would never, for example, think about why I walked away from my 1994 Wall Street bonus right in the middle of the year at the worst possible time. That kind of thing just isn't something you worry about when you're eighty years old. At the same time, I knew that I might sincerely regret not having participated in this thing called the Internet that I thought was going to be a revolutionizing event. When I thought about it that way … it was incredibly easy to make the decision." 16/ His boss at the firm, David E. Shaw, tried to persuade Bezos to stay. But Bezos was already determined to start his own company, and felt he'd rather try and fail at a startup than never try at all. And so Amazon was born. MacKenzie and Jeff flew to Texas to borrow a car from his father, and then they drove to Seattle. Bezos was making revenue projections in the passenger seat the whole way, though the couple did stop to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Bezos started Amazon.com in a garage with a potbellied stove. He held most of his meetings at the neighborhood Barnes & Noble. In the early days, a bell would ring in the office every time someone made a purchase, and everyone would gather around to see whether anyone knew the customer. It took only a few weeks before it was ringing so often the they had to make it stop. In the first month of its launch, Amazon had already sold books to people in all 50 states and in 45 different countries, and it continued to grow. Amazon went public in 1997. When the dot-com crash came, analysts called the company "Amazon.bomb." But it weathered the storm and ended up becoming one of the few startups that didn't get wiped out by the dot-com bust. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis 22/ Amazon shares have continued to go up since the crash (until the recent market correction). It has now gone beyond selling books to selling almost everything you could imagine, including appliances, clothing, and even cloud computing services. Yahoo finance 23/ Jeff Bezos was a demanding boss and could explode at employees. Rumor has it he hired a leadership coach to help him tone it down. Reuters 24/ Bezos is known for banning Powerpoint presentations at Amazon. Instead he requires his staff to turn in six-page papers on their proposals to encourage critical thinking over simplistic bullet points. He's also known for creating a frugal company culture that doesn't offer perks like free food and massages. Karyne Levy/Business Insider 26/ In 1998, Bezos also became an early investor in Google. He invested $250,000, which was about 3.3 million shares when the company went public in 2004 — that would be worth about $2.2 billion today. (He hasn't revealed whether he kept any of his stock after the initial public offering). Bezos has also donated $42 million and part of his land in Texas to the construction of The Clock Of The Long Now, an underground clock designed to work for 10,000 years. In August 2013, Bezos bought The Washington Post for $250 million. The Washington Post is growing very fast. It was reported in October that it beat The New York Times in unique visitors for the first time. In November, it recorded 71.6 million uniques, almost a three times growth from two years ago, when Bezos bought the company. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 32/ His space company Blue Origin made history last year when it became one of the first commercial companies to successfully launch a reusable rocket. Amazon continues to expand its hardware ambitions. It launched its own TV streaming box as well as a smartphone in recent years. The Fire Phone was a major flop, but Bezos isn't slowing down his hardware initiatives. In an interview with Business Insider last year, he said, "If you look at our device portfolio broadly, our hardware team is doing a great job ... Fire TV, Fire TV Stick — we're having trouble building enough. With the phone, I just ask you to stay tuned." In fact, Amazon has a lot of other businesses, too. Its fastest-growing business isn't in e-commerce — it's Amazon Web Services, its cloud computing service, which generated almost $8 billion in revenue last year. Thomson Reuters 40/ And don't expect Bezos to stop experimenting with new ideas anytime soon. "What really matters is, companies that don't continue to experiment, companies that don't embrace failure, they eventually get in a desperate position where the only thing they can do is a Hail Mary bet at the very end of their corporate existence," Bezos said in an interview with Business Insider.
Shire of Cleveland The Shire of Cleveland is a former local government area in the south-east of Queensland, Australia, centred on the town of Cleveland beside Moreton Bay. History On 11 November 1879, the Tingalpa Division was created as one of 74 divisions within Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879. However, the residents of Cleveland sought to be independent of the division and on 29 May 1885, Cleveland Division was proclaimed as being separated from Tingalpa Division. With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Cleveland Division became the Shire of Cleveland on 31 March 1903. Amalgamations in 1948 On 9 December 1948, as part of a major reorganisation of local government in South East Queensland, an Order in Council replacing ten former local government areas between the City of Brisbane and the New South Wales border with only four. The former ten were: Beaudesert Beenleigh Cleveland Coolangatta Coomera Nerang Southport Tamborine Tingalpa Waterford The four resulting local government areas were: the new Redland Shire, an amalgamation of Cleveland and the northern part of Tingalpa (which later became Redland City) the new Shire of Albert, a merger of Beenleigh, Coomera, Nerang (except for the Burleigh Heads area), the southern part of Tingalpa and the eastern part of Waterford an enlarged Shire of Beaudesert, an amalgamation of Beaudesert and Tamborine with the western part of Waterford Town of South Coast, an amalgamation of the Towns of Southport and Coolangatta with the Burleigh Heads part of Nerang (which later became City of Gold Coast) The Order came into effect on 10 June 1949, when the first elections were held. Chairmen 1895: W. Ross 1907: V.R.E. Drury 1927: George John Walter References External links Category:Former local government areas of Queensland Category:1949 disestablishments in Australia
The effect of polycarbophil gel (Replens) on bacterial vaginosis: a pilot study. To determine if use of intravaginal polycarbophil gel (Replens) for 1 month will: (1) lower vaginal pH; (2) improve signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Seventeen women with BV self-administered polycarbophil gel every third day for 4 weeks in an open-label, prospective pilot study. Primary outcome measures included vaginal pH, presence of amines and Nugent scores. At week 4, there was improvement in Nugent scores, vaginal odor and clue cell count (p<0.05). Eleven women converted from amine positive to negative (73+/-20%). There was no significant change in vaginal pH. Polycarbophil gel is associated with improved signs of BV, although not vaginal pH.
--- abstract: \| Several relations are obtained among the Riemann zeta and Hurwitz zeta functions, as well as their products. A particular case of these relations give rise to a simple re-derivation if the important results of [@katsurada1996explicit]. Also, a relation derived here provides the starting point of a novel approach which in a series of companion papers yields a formal proof of the Lindelöf hypothesis. Some of the above relations motivate the need for analysing the large $\alpha$ behaviour of the modified Hurwitz zeta function $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$, $s\in \mathbf{C}$, $\alpha\in \mathbf{R}$, whihc is also presented here. MSC Classification: 11M35; 11L07. author: - \| A.C.L Ashton[^1], A.S Fokas[^2]\ \ Department of Applied Mathematics\ and Theoretical Physics,\ University of Cambridge,\ Cambridge, CB3 0WA, UK.\ \ Viterbi School of Engineering,\ University of Southern California,\ Los Angeles, California,\ 90089-2560, USA. title: 'Relations among the Riemann zeta and Hurwitz zeta functions, as well as their products' --- Introduction ============ Let $$s=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t, \quad \sigma \in \mathbf{R}, \quad t \in \mathbf{R}.$$ The Riemann zeta function $\zeta(s)$ and the modified Hurwitz zeta function $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ are defined, respectively, by $$\zeta(s) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{n^s}, \quad \sigma>1,$$ $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{1}{(n+\alpha)^s}, \quad \sigma>1, \quad \alpha \geq 1, \label{th2.1}$$ and by analytic continuation for $s\in \mathbf{C}$, $s\neq 1$. The modified Hurwitz zeta function is simply related to the Hurwitz zeta function, $\zeta(s,\alpha)$: $$\zeta(s,\alpha) = \frac{1}{\alpha^s} + \zeta_1(s,\alpha), \quad s\in \mathbf{C}, \alpha>0.$$ In this paper we present certain relations between $\zeta(s)$ and $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ as well as between products of these functions. In more detail, the following results are presented in sections 2–6: In §2 it is shown that the modified Hurwitz zeta function satisfies the identity $$\begin{gathered} \|\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\|^2 = \zeta_1(2\sigma,\alpha) + \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \int_{(c)} \left( \frac{\Gamma(s+z)}{\Gamma(s)} + \frac{\Gamma(\bar{s}+z)}{\Gamma(\bar{s})} \right) \Gamma(-z) \zeta(-z) \zeta_1(2\sigma+z,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}z \\ \sigma>1, \quad t>0, \quad \max(-\sigma,1-2\sigma) < c < 1, \label{f1.5}\end{gathered}$$ where $\Gamma(s)$, $s\in \mathbf{C}$, denotes the Gamma function and $(c)$ denotes the vertical line in the complex $z$-plane on which ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}(z)=c$. It is shown in [@fokas2016] that yields a singular integral equation for $\|\zeta(s)\|^2$, $0<\sigma<1$, $t>0$, and this equation provides the starting point for the proof of the analogue of Lindelöf’s hypothesis for a function which differs from the Riemann zeta function only in the occurrence of the $\log n$ term. We recall that Lindelöf’s hypothesis concerns the growth of $\zeta(s)$ as $t\rightarrow \infty$ along the critical line $\sigma=1/2$ and states that $\zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t) = \mathcal{O}(t^\epsilon)$ for every positive $\epsilon$. The Riemann hypothesis implies Lindelöf’s hypothesis and conversely, Lindelöf’s hypothesis implies that very few zeros could disobey Riemann’s hypothesis [@gelbartmiller2003]. Significant progress has been made by developing ingenuous ways of estimating exponential sums $\sum_n e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}f(n)}$ using generalisations of the Vinogradov method [@vinogradov1935new]. Until recently the best result in this direction had been obtained by Huxley [@huxley2005exponential], where it is proved that $\zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t) = \mathcal{O} \left( t^{32/205 + \epsilon}\right)$. A short time ago Bourgain announced a further improvement [@bourgain2014decoupling] where the exponent $32/205$ was reduced to $53/342$. In §3 it is shown that there exists the following asymptotic relation between the Riemann zeta function and the modified Hurwtiz zeta function: $$\zeta(s) = \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \zeta_1(1-s,\alpha)\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O}(t^{-\sigma/2} \log t), \quad 0<\sigma<1, \quad t\rightarrow \infty, \label{f1.6}$$ where $B_N(\alpha)$ is defined by $$B_N(\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}, \quad \alpha>0.$$ and $N=\sqrt{t/2\pi}$. A direct consequence of is the following theorem: Let $I_k(t)$ denote the $2k$-th power mean of the modified Hurwitz zeta function, namely $$I_k(t) = \int_0^1 \| \zeta_1(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t, \alpha)\|^{2k}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \quad k \in \mathbf{N}.$$ Then $$\|\zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t)\| \lesssim t^{1/4k} I_k(t)^{1/2k}, \qquad k\in \mathbf{N} \label{Fok5}$$ in which the implicit constant is independent of $k$. This result immediately implies that Lindelöf’s hypothesis is true provided that for each $\epsilon>0$ $I_k(t) \lesssim_{k,\epsilon} t^{\epsilon}$ for each $k\in \mathbf{N}$. In connection with we recall that an equivalent formulation of the Lindelöf hypothesis involves estimating the $2k$-th power mean of the Riemann-zeta function $$J_k(T) = \frac{1}{T} \int_0^T \left\| \zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t) \right\|^{2k}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}t. \label{zetameans}$$ It can be shown [@titchmarsh1986theory Th. 13.2] that the Lindelöf hypothesis holds true if and only if $J_k(T) = \mathcal{O}\left( T^\epsilon\right)$ for each $\epsilon>0$ and for each $k\in \mathbf{N}$. In §4 the following identities are presented: $$\int_0^1 \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha)\zeta_1(u_2,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u_1+u_2-1} + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_1} \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_2} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha)\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \label{f1.11}$$ $$\begin{gathered} \int_0^1 \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha)\zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u_1+u_2+u_3-1} + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_1} \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_2} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_3} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_1-u_2} \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_2-u_3} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha)\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_3-u_1} \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \label{f1.12}\end{gathered}$$ and $$\begin{gathered} \int_0^1 \prod_{i=1}^4 \zeta_1(u_i,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u_1+u_2+u_3+u_4-1} + \sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-(u_1+u_2+u_3)}\zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ +\sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-(u_1+u_2)} \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_1} \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \label{f1.13}\end{gathered}$$ where ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}\{u_i\}_{i=1}^4 <1$. The above formulae can be generalised in a straightforward way. As a direct application of we present in §4 a new derivation of the following exact identity in [@katsurada1996explicit]: $$\begin{gathered} \int_0^1 \zeta_1(u,\alpha) \zeta_1(v,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u+v-1} + \Gamma(u+v-1) \zeta(u+v-1) \left[ \frac{\Gamma(1-u)}{\Gamma(u)} + \frac{\Gamma(1-v)}{\Gamma(v)} \right] \\ + \frac{\zeta(u)-1}{v-1} + \frac{\zeta(v)-1}{u-1} + \frac{u}{v-1} \int_0^1 \alpha^{1-v}\zeta_1(\alpha,u+1)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \frac{v}{u-1} \int_0^1 \alpha^{1-u} \zeta_1(\alpha,v+1)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{I1} \end{gathered}$$ This immediately yields the estimate $$I_1(t) = \log \left( \frac{t}{2\pi}\right) + \gamma + \mathcal{O} \left( \frac{1}{t^2}\right), \quad t\rightarrow \infty. \label{(1.5)}$$ It is shown in [@fokaskalim2016] that plays a crucial role for the derivation of an interesting identity between certain double exponential sums. Indeed, it is well known that if $0\leq \alpha < 1$, then the large $t$-asymptotics of $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ is dominated by the sum $S_1$, defined by $$S_1(\sigma,t,\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq n < t/2\pi} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha} m^{s-1}, \quad 0<\sigma<1, t>0. \label{f1.16}$$ However, if $1\leq \alpha <\infty$, the large $t$-asymptotics of $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ is dominated by the sum $S_1$ defined in , as well as by a different sum, $S_2'(\sigma,t,\alpha)$ [@fokasfern2016]. Thus, the large $t$-asymptotics of equation provides a relation between two double sums generated from $S_1$ and $S_2'$, and the explicit formulae obtained from the large $t$-asymptotics of the linear and quadratic terms. Similarly, equation yields novel relations between cubic exponential sums. Before using equations and for the case that ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}\{u_i\}_{i=1}^4<1$, it is necessary to regularize the terms involving $\alpha \rightarrow \infty$; this regularisation is discussed in §4. Finally, in §5, by considering the Fourier series of the product $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\zeta_1(v,\alpha)$ with complex numbers $u,v$ satisfying ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u>0, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>0$, by using certain elementary estimates for the resulting coefficients, and by employing theorem 1 together with Parseval’s identity, we obtain the following asymptotic result. For each $\eta>0$ we have $$\|\zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t)\|^4 \lesssim_\eta t^{1/2} \sum_{\|n\|\leq t/\pi} \left\| \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-1/2+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} \zeta_1(\alpha,\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha\right\|^2.$$ In particular, if the sum is $\mathcal{O}_\epsilon(t^{\epsilon})$ for each $\epsilon>0$ then $\|\zeta(\tfrac{1}{2}+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t)\| = \mathcal{O}_\epsilon (t^{1/8+\epsilon})$. An identity involving the Hurwitz function ========================================== In order to derive we let $$\alpha \geq 0, \quad u\in \mathbf{C}, \quad v \in \mathbf{C}, \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u>1, \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1. \label{th1.1}$$ The definition of the modified Hurwitz zeta function, namely equation , implies $$\zeta_1(u,\alpha) \zeta_1(v,\alpha) = \zeta_1(u+v,\alpha) + f(u,v,\alpha) + f(v,u,\alpha) \label{th1.2}$$ where $$f(u,v,\alpha) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty\sum_{m=1}^\infty (n+\alpha)^{-v} (n+m+\alpha)^{-u}.$$ Assuming that $$\|\arg(-w)\|<\pi, \quad -{\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}a < b < 0,$$ we observe the Mellin-Barnes type integral identity $$\Gamma(a)(1-w)^{-a} = \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \int_{(b)} \Gamma(z+a) \Gamma(-z) (-w)^z\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}z. \label{th1.4}$$ Letting in equation $$w=- \frac{m}{n+\alpha}, \quad a=u,$$ we find $$\Gamma(u) (n+\alpha)^u (m+n+\alpha)^{-u} = \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \int_{(c)} \Gamma(u+z) \Gamma(-z) m^z (n+\alpha)^{-z}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}z.$$ Thus, $$(n+\alpha)^{-v} (n+m+\alpha)^{-u} = \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \int_{(c)} \frac{\Gamma(u+z)}{\Gamma(u)} \Gamma(-z) m^z (n+\alpha)^{-u-v-z}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}z.$$ Summing over $m$ and $n$ we obtain $$f(u,v,\alpha) = \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \int_{(c)} \frac{\Gamma(u+z)}{\Gamma(u)} \Gamma(-z) \zeta(-z) \zeta_1(u+v+z,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}z. \label{th1.5}$$ Substituting into and then letting $u=s$, $v=\bar{s}$ in the resulting expression, we find . An asymptotic relation between the Riemann and Hurwitz functions ================================================================ The approximate functional equation for the Riemann zeta function provides the starting point for the estimation of the $\zeta(s)$ along the critical line. In this section we derive a weak analogue of this equation. Throughout we will set $N=\sqrt{t/2\pi}$ and refer to the sum $$B_N(\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha} \equiv \frac{e^{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}\pi (N+1)\alpha} \sin (N\pi \alpha)}{\sin (\pi \alpha)}.$$ This function is similar to the classical Dirichlet kernel that arises in Fourier analysis. As such, we have the following well-known estimates. \[dirichletest\] $\\|B_N \\|_{p} = \mathcal{O}(\log N)$ if $p=1$ and $\\|B_N\\|_{p} = \mathcal{O} (N^{1-1/p})$ for $p>1$. Our first result expresses the approximate functional equation for $\zeta(s)$ as an integral equation involving the Hurwitz zeta function $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$. The proof of Theorem 1 will follow directly from this result. \[foklemma1\] Let $s=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ and $B_N$ as previously defined. Then we have $$\begin{aligned} \zeta(s) &= \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha)\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \zeta_1(1-s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \nonumber \\ &\quad- \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha - \chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{s-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \nonumber \\ &\quad + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right), \label{weakapprox}\end{aligned}$$ when $0<\sigma<1$. Furthermore. $$\zeta(s) = \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha)\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \zeta_1(1-s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right), \quad t\rightarrow \infty, \label{weakapprox2}$$ where $\chi(s) = 2^{s-1} \pi^s \sin(\pi s/2) \Gamma(1-s)$ with $\Gamma(s)$ denoting the Gamma function and $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ denoting the modified Hurwitz zeta function. Let us first establish . The identity in will be a consequence of this. First we recall the approximate functional equations for $\zeta(s)$ and $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ (see [@rane1983hurwitz] and references therein) $$\zeta(\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t) = \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} n^{-s} + \chi(s) \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} n^{s-1} + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{-\sigma/2}\right), \label{fok1}$$ and $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s} + \chi(s) \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha} n^{s-1} + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{-\sigma/2}\right), \label{fok2}$$ uniformly in $0<\alpha<1$. The following identity is valid $$\sum_{1\leq n \leq N} n^z = \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \left( \sum_{1\leq m \leq N} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m\alpha} m^z \right) {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \quad z\in \mathbf{C}. \label{fok3}$$ Indeed the left hand side of can be rewritten in the form $$\begin{aligned} \sum_{1\leq m,n\leq N} \delta_{mn} m^z &= \sum_{1\leq m,n\leq N} m^z \int_0^1 e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}(n-m)\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ &= \int_0^1 \left( \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha} \right) \left( \sum_{1\leq m\leq N} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m\alpha} m^z\right) {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \end{aligned}$$ which is the right hand side of . Using $z=s-1$ and employing we find $$\chi(s) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} n^{s-1} = \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \left[ \zeta_1(s,\alpha) - \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s} \right]{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_0^1 \left[ \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2}\right) B_N(\alpha) \right]{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{fok4}$$ We note that $$\left\|\int_0^1 \left[ \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2}\right) B_N(\alpha) \right] {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim t^{-\sigma/2} \int_0^1 \|B_N(\alpha)\|\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O} (t^{-\sigma/2}\log t).$$ Equation implies $$\sum_{1\leq n\leq N} n^z = \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \left( \sum_{1\leq m\leq N} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m\alpha} m^z \right) {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \quad u\in\mathbf{C}. \label{fok5}$$ Replacing $s$ by $1-s$ in and taking the complex conjugate of the resulting equation we find $$\zeta_1(1-s,\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{s-1} + \chi(1-s) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha} n^{-s} + \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-(1-\sigma)/2} \right). \label{fok6}$$ Using with $z=-s$ and employing we find $$\sum_{1\leq n\leq N} n^{-s} = \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \left[ \chi(s) \zeta_1(1-s,\alpha) - \chi(s) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{s-1} \right]{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-(1-\sigma)/2} \log t\right). \label{fok7}$$ Here we have used $\chi(s) = \mathcal{O}\left( t^{1/2-\sigma} \right)$ and a similar estimate as before $$\left\| \chi(s) \int_0^1 \mathcal{O}\left(t^{-(1-\sigma)/2}\right) B_N(-\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim t^{-\sigma/2} \int_0^1 \|B_N(-\alpha)\|\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O}\left(t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right).$$ Using equations and in we arrive at the result in the lemma. \[foklemma3\] With $B_N(\alpha)$ defined as before we have $$\int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}}{2\pi N^s} \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} \frac{1}{\frac{t}{2\pi N} - n} + \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} \frac{1}{ \frac{t}{2\pi} -n } + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{-(1+\sigma)/2} \right).$$ Using the periodicity of $B_N(\alpha)$ on $\mathbf{R}/\mathbf{Z}$ we find $$\begin{aligned} \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n \leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha &= \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} \int_n^{n+1} B_N(\alpha) \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \nonumber \\ &= \int_1^N B_N(\alpha) \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_{N}^{N+1} B_N(\alpha) \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{fok11}\end{aligned}$$ We next estimate the first integral on the right hand side of , which we denote by $I_N(s)$: $$I_N(s) = \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} \int_1^N e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t \log \alpha} \alpha^{-\sigma}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \qquad 0<\sigma < 1. \label{fok12}$$ The integral in the above sum does not have any stationary points. Indeed, candidates for stationary points are the points $\alpha^$ where $$\alpha^ = \frac{t}{2\pi n} > \frac{N^2}{n}$$ thus, since $1\leq n \leq N$, $\alpha^$ is outside the range of integration. Hence the above integral can be estimated using integration by parts: $$\begin{aligned} \int_1^N e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t \log \alpha} \alpha^{-\sigma}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha &= {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}\int_1^N \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha} \left( e^{2\pi {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t \log \alpha} \right) \frac{\alpha^{1-\sigma}}{t-2\pi n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \nonumber \\ &= -\frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}} \left( \frac{N^{-s}}{\frac{t}{2\pi N} - n} - \frac{1}{\frac{t}{2\pi} -n} \right) + E_n(s), \label{fok13}\end{aligned}$$ where $$E_n(s) = \int_1^N \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha} \left( e^{2\pi {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t \log \alpha} \right) \left[ \frac{(1-\sigma) \alpha^{1-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi n\alpha)^2} + \frac{2\pi n \alpha^{2-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi n \alpha)^3} \right] {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ There error term $E_n(s)$ can be evaluated using the second mean value theorem for integrals. For instance, for some $\xi \in (1,N)$ we have $$\begin{aligned} \left\| {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}E_n(s) \right\| &= \left\| \left[\frac{(1-\sigma) N^{1-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi nN)^2} + \frac{2\pi n N^{2-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi n N)^3}\right] {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}\int_\xi^N \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha} \left( e^{2\pi {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t \log \alpha} \right){\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \\ &= \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{ N^{1-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi nN)^2} \right) + \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{ n N^{2-\sigma}}{(t-2\pi n N)^3} \right),\end{aligned}$$ and similarly for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Im}\,}}E_n(s)$. It is now straightforward to show $$\sum_{1\leq n \leq N} E_n(s) = \mathcal{O} \left(t^{-(1+\sigma)/2}\right). \label{est1}$$ We also have the elementary estimate $$\left\| \int_{N}^{N+1} B_N(\alpha) \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim t^{-\sigma/2} \int_0^1 \|B_N(\alpha)\|\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O}\left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right).$$ This combined with and gives the desired result. The leading order terms in the above expansion are $\mathcal{O}\left( t^{-\sigma/2}\log t\right)$, thus they can be absorbed into the error term. Indeed, using Lemma \[foklemma3\] it is now straightforward to see that $$\int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right).$$ Using similar arguments we also find $$\chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \sum_{1\leq n\leq N} (n+\alpha)^{s-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right).$$ Combining this observation with the result of Lemma \[foklemma1\] we conclude that $$\zeta(s) = \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha)\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \chi(s) \int_0^1 B_N(-\alpha) \zeta_1(1-s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O} \left( t^{-\sigma/2} \log t\right), \quad t\rightarrow \infty$$ for $0<\sigma<1$. The proof to Theorem 1 now follows from Lemmas \[foklemma1\]–\[foklemma3\] with $s=1/2$ and the application of Hölder’s inequality with exponents $$p=2k, \quad q= \frac{2k}{2k-1}.$$ In particular, using the estimates in Lemma \[dirichletest\] we have $$\begin{aligned} \left\| \int_0^1 B_N(\alpha) \zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| &\leq \left( \int_0^1 \|B_N(\alpha)\|^{2k/(2k-1)}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right)^{1-1/2k} \left( \int_0^1 \|\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\|^{2k}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right)^{1/2k} \\ &\lesssim N^{1/2k} I_k(t)^{1/2k} \\ &\lesssim t^{1/4k} I_k(t)^{1/2k}.\end{aligned}$$ This gives rise to the result in Theorem 1. Relations among products of the Hurwitz zeta functions ====================================================== Quadratic formula ----------------- \[lemma4\] Let $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)$, $u \in \mathbf{C}$, $\alpha >0$, denote the modified Hurwitz function, i.e., $$\zeta_1(u,\alpha)= \sum^\infty_{m=1} \frac{1}{(m+\alpha)^u}, \quad \alpha > 0 \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u>1.\label{(2.1)}$$ Then, for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u>1, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1,$ $$\int^1_0 \zeta_1(v,\alpha) \zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u+v-1} + \int^\infty_1 \alpha^{-v}\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int^\infty_1 \alpha^{-u}\zeta_1(v,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \\ \label{(2.2)}$$ Let $q_0(v,u)$ denote the LHS of equation . Using the integral representation of the modified Hurwitz function, namely $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \frac{1}{\Gamma(s)} \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{e^{-\alpha\rho}\rho^{s-1}}{e^\rho -1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho, \quad \alpha >0, \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}s>1, \label{(2.3)}$$ we find $$q_0(v,u) = \frac{1}{\Gamma(u)\Gamma(v)} \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1 \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2\, \frac{\rho^{v-1}_1 \rho^{u-1}_2}{\rho_1+\rho_2} \frac{1-e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}}{(e^{\rho_1}-1)(e^{\rho_2}-1)}.$$ Inserting in this equation the identity $$\frac{1-e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}}{(e^{\rho_1}-1)(e^{\rho_2}-1)} = e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}\left[1 + \frac{1}{e^{\rho_2}-1} + \frac{1}{e^{\rho_1}-1}\right], $$ we find $$q_0(v,u) =J_0(v,u) + I_0(v,u) + I_0(u,v), \label{(2.5)}$$ where $$J_0(v,u) = \frac{1}{\Gamma(u)\Gamma(v)} \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1 \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2\, \frac{\rho^{v-1}_1\rho^{u-1}_2e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}}{\rho_1+\rho_2}, \label{(2.6)}$$ and $$I_0(v,u) = \frac{1}{\Gamma(u)\Gamma(v)} \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1 \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2\, \frac{\rho^{v-1}_1\rho^{u-1}_2e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}}{(\rho_1+\rho_2)(e^{\rho_2}-1)}. \label{(2.7)}$$ We will next show that $$J_0(v,u) = \frac{1}{u+v-1}. \label{(2.8)}$$ Indeed, using the integral representations of $\Gamma(u)$ and $\Gamma(v)$, we find $$\Gamma(u)\Gamma(v)=\int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1 \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2\, \rho_1^{u-1}\rho_2^{v-1} e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2)}. \label{(2.9)}$$ Replacing in the RHS of $\rho_1$ and $\rho_2$ by $ \alpha x_1$ and $\alpha x_2$, multiplying the resulting expression by $\alpha^{-(u+v)}$, and integrating with respect to $\alpha$ from $\alpha=1$ to $\alpha=\infty$, we find $$\frac{\Gamma(u)\Gamma(v)}{u+v-1} =\int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_1 \int^{\infty}_{0} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_2\,\frac{ x_1^{u-1}x_2^{v-1} e^{-(x_1+x_2)}}{x_1+x_2},$$ which gives . Finally, we will show that $$I_0(v,u) = \int^\infty_1 \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{(2.10)}$$ Indeed, using the integral representations of $\Gamma(v)$ and of $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)$ we find $$\Gamma(v)\zeta_1(u,\alpha) = \int^{\infty}_{0} e^{-\rho} \rho^{v-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho \times \frac{1}{\Gamma(u)} \int^{\infty}_{0} \ \rho^{u-1}_2 \frac{e^{-\alpha\rho_2}}{e^{\rho_2}-1}\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2. \label{(2.11)}$$ Replacing in the RHS of the above equation $\rho$ by $\alpha\rho_1$, multiplying the resulting equation by $\alpha^{-v}/\Gamma(v)$, and then integrating with respect to $\alpha$ from $\alpha=1$ to $\alpha=\infty$, we find . Inserting in equation the expressions for $J_0(v,u)$, for $I_0(v,u)$ and for $ I_0(u,v)$ from equations and , we find . Eq. can be derived following the approach used in Lemmas \[lemma4\] and \[lemma5\], and thus it is omitted. Quadruple formula ----------------- \[lemma5\] Let $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ be defined as in . Then for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u_i>1$, $i=1,2,3,4$, the following identity is valid: $$\begin{gathered} \int_0^1 \prod_{i=1}^4 \zeta_1(u_i,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{u_1+u_2+u_3+u_4-1} + \sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-(u_1+u_2+u_3)}\zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ +\sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-(u_1+u_2)} \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \sum_{\mathrm{perms}} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_1} \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_4,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha ,\label{quad} \end{gathered}$$ where the sums run over permutations of $(1,2,3,4)$ so that the first and third sums contain $4$ terms whilst the second sum contains $6$ terms. Employing the representation for each Hurwitz function and integrating over $(0,1)$ we find that the left hand side of , which we denote by $Q(u_1,u_2,u_3,u_4)$, is given by $$Q = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{\prod_{i=1}^4 \rho_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i}{\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4} \frac{1- e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}}{\prod_{i=1}^4 R_i} \label{Q}$$ where the functions $\{R_i\}$ are defined by $$R_i = e^{\rho_i}-1 , \quad i=1,2,3,4.$$ The following identity is valid: $$\begin{gathered} \frac{1 - e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}}{\prod_{i=1}^4 R_i} = e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)} \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + \frac{1}{R_4} \right. \\ \left. +\frac{1}{R_1R_2} + \frac{1}{R_2R_3} + \frac{1}{R_3R_4} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_3} + \frac{1}{R_2 R_4} +\frac{1}{R_1R_4} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_2 R_3} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_2 R_4} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_3 R_4} + \frac{1}{R_2 R_3R_4}\right].\end{gathered}$$ Using this in we find $$\begin{gathered} Q = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{\prod_{i=1}^4 \rho_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i}{\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4} e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)} \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + \frac{1}{R_4} \right. \\ \left. +\frac{1}{R_1R_2} + \frac{1}{R_2R_3} + \frac{1}{R_3R_4} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_3} + \frac{1}{R_2 R_4} +\frac{1}{R_1R_4}+ \frac{1}{R_1 R_2 R_3} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_2 R_4} + \frac{1}{R_1 R_3 R_4} + \frac{1}{R_2 R_3R_4}\right]. \label{mess}\end{gathered}$$ In order to simplify the right hand side of we first note the definition of the Gamma function, namely the equation $$\Gamma(u) = \int_0^\infty r^{u-1} e^{-r}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}r, \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u >0, \label{Gamma}$$ implies that $$\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i) = \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \prod_{i=1}^4 \left( x_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_i\right) e^{-x_1-x_2-x_3-x_4}.$$ Using in the right hand side of this equation the transformations $$x_i = \alpha \rho_i, \quad i=1,2,3,4, \label{trans}$$ dividing by the product of the four Gamma functions, and multiplying the resulting expression by $\alpha^{-u_1-u_2-u_3-u_4}$, we find the identity $$\alpha^{-u_1-u_2-u_3-u_4} = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \prod_{i=1}^4 \left( \rho_i^{u_i-1} \, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i \right) e^{-\alpha(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}.$$ Integrating this equation over $(1,\infty)$ with respect to $\alpha$ we obtain $$\frac{1}{u_1+u_2+u_3+u_4-1} = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{ \prod_{i=1}^4 \left( \rho_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i\right)}{\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4} e^{-\rho_1-\rho_2-\rho_3-\rho_4}. \label{frac}$$ Employing for $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)$ and $\Gamma(u)$ equations and respectively we find $$\zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \Gamma(u_2) \Gamma(u_3) \Gamma(u_4) = \frac{1}{\Gamma(u_1)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_2\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_3\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_4\, \frac{\rho_1^{u_1-1}}{R_1} x_2^{u_2-1} x_3^{u_3-1} x_4^{u_4-1} e^{-\alpha \rho_1 - (x_2+x_3+x_4)}.$$ Using in the right hand side of this equation the transformations but restricted only to $i=2,3,4$, dividing by $\Gamma(u_2) \Gamma(u_3) \Gamma(u_4)$, multiplying by $\alpha^{-(u_2+u_3+u_4)}$ and integrating with respect to $\alpha$ over $(1,\infty)$ we obtain $$\int_1^\infty \alpha^{-(u_2+u_3+u_4)} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{ \prod_{i=1}^4 \left( \rho_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i\right) e^{-(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}}{R_1 (\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}.$$ Similarly equations and imply $$\begin{aligned} &\zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \Gamma(u_3) \Gamma(u_4)\\ =& \frac{1}{\Gamma(u_1)\Gamma(u_2)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_1\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_2\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_3\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x_4\, \rho_1^{u_1-1} \rho_2^{u_2-1} \frac{ x_3^{u_3-1} x_4^{u_4-1} e^{-\alpha(\rho_1+\rho_2)-(x_3+x_4)}}{R_1R_2}.\end{aligned}$$ Using in the right hand side of this equation the transformations but only for $i=3,4$, dividing by $\Gamma(u_3)\Gamma(u_4)$, multiplying by $\alpha^{-u_3-u_4}$ and integrating the resulting expression with respect to $\alpha$ over $(1,\infty)$, we obtain $$\int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_3-u_4} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 }\int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{ \prod_{i=1}^4 \left( \rho_i^{u_i-1} \, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i\right) e^{-\rho_1-\rho_2-\rho_3-\rho_4}}{R_1 R_2 (\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}.$$ A similar procedure yields the identity $$\int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u_4} \zeta_1(u_1,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_2,\alpha) \zeta_1(u_3,\alpha)\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{\prod_{i=1}^4 \Gamma(u_i)} \int_{(0,\infty)^4} \frac{ \left( \prod_{i=1}^4 \rho_i^{u_i-1}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\rho_i\right) e^{-\rho_1-\rho_2-\rho_3-\rho_4}}{R_1R_2R_3(\rho_1+\rho_2+\rho_3+\rho_4)}. \label{endeq}$$ Employing in equation equations – and appropriate permutations of $(1,2,3,4)$ we find equation . A new derivation of the results of [@katsurada1996explicit] ----------------------------------------------------------- Here we rederive some of the results from [@katsurada1996explicit]. The identity in is a consequence of equation and of the following exact formula. Let $\zeta_1(u,\alpha), u \in \mathbf{C}$, $\alpha >0$, denote the modified Hurwitz function, and let $\zeta(u), u\in \mathbf{C}$, denote Riemann’s zeta function. Then $$\int^{\infty}_{0} \ \alpha^{-v}\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{\Gamma(1-v)}{\Gamma(u)} \Gamma(u+v-1) \zeta(u+v-1) \label{(2.12)}$$ and $$\int^1_0 \ \alpha^{-v}\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha =\frac{ \zeta(u)-1}{1-v} +\frac{ u}{1-v} \int^1_0 \alpha^{1-v} \zeta_1(u+1,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \quad {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v<2, \quad u\in \mathbf{C}. \label{(2.13)}$$ In order to derive we first assume that ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u>1$, so that we can use the sum representation of $J_1(u,\alpha)$. Furthermore, we assume that ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v<1$, so that the relevant integral converges at $\alpha=0$. Then, $$\int^{\infty}_{0} \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \sum^\infty_{m=1} \int^{\infty}_{0} \alpha^{-v} (m+\alpha)^{-u}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \sum^\infty_{m=1} m^{1-(u+v)} \int^{\infty}_{0} \beta^{-v} (1+\beta)^{-u}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\beta,$$ where we have used the change of variables $\alpha =\beta m$ in the second equation. Then, the definition of Riemann’s zeta function, together with the identity $$\int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{\beta^{-v}}{(1+\beta)^u}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\beta = \frac{\Gamma(1-v)\Gamma(u+v-1)}{\Gamma(u)}, \label{(2.14)}$$ imply equation . In order to derive equation we use integration by parts: $$\int^1_0 \alpha^{-v}\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \left. \frac{\alpha^{1-v}}{1-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha)\right\|^1_0 - \frac{1}{1-v} \int^1_0 \alpha^{1-v} \frac{\partial}{\partial\alpha} \zeta_1(u,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ Thus, follows. Splitting the first integral in the RHS of and then using equations and , as well as using the analogous equations where $u$ and $v$ are interchanged, we find equation . In order to derive equation we let $\sigma = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{\varepsilon}{2}$ in the LHS of , and employ the identities $$\Gamma(\varepsilon) = \frac{1}{\varepsilon} - \gamma + O(\varepsilon), \quad \varepsilon \rightarrow 0, \label{(2.15)}$$ $$\frac{\Gamma'\left( \frac{1}{2} + it\right)}{ \Gamma\left( \frac{1}{2} + it\right)} = \ln t + \frac{i\pi}{2} + O \left( \frac{1}{t^2}\right), \quad t \rightarrow \infty, \label{(2.16)}$$ as well as the identity $$\zeta(\varepsilon) = -\frac{1}{2} \left[ 1 + \varepsilon\ln(2\pi) + O(\varepsilon^2)\right], \quad \varepsilon \rightarrow 0. \label{(2.17)}$$ By proving a simple estimate for the integrals in the RHS of , it is shown in [@katsurada1996explicit] that these integrals do [not]{} contribute to the leading asymptotics of the LHS of equation . Actually, it is straightforward to show that if $$v=\sigma_1-it, \quad u = \sigma_2+it, \quad \sigma_1<2, \quad \sigma_1 >0,$$ then $$\int^1_0 \alpha^{1-v} \zeta_1(u+1,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \frac{1}{it} \sum^\infty_{m=1} \frac{1}{m(m+1)^u} + O\left( \frac{1}{t^2}\right), \quad t\rightarrow\infty. \label{(2.19)}$$ Indeed, $$\int^1_0 \alpha^{1-v} \zeta_1(u+1,\alpha) = \sum^\infty_{m=1} \int^1_0 \alpha^{1-\sigma_1} (m+\alpha)^{-1-\sigma_2}e^{it[\ln \alpha - \ln (\alpha+m)]}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{(2.20)}$$ Noting that $$\frac{d}{d\alpha} [\ln \alpha - \ln(\alpha+m)] \neq 0, \quad m \geq 1, \quad 0<\alpha <1,$$ it follows that integrals in the RHS of do not possess any stationary points. Then, straightforward integration by parts yields . A relation between quadratic products of Hurwitz zeta functions and their Fourier series ======================================================================================== Theorem 2 will be proved by examining the Fourier series for the function $$\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\zeta_1(v,\alpha)$$ for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v >0$. Following Rane [@rane1997approx] we first construct the Fourier series for $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$. Let $\sigma\in (0,1)$. Then the Fourier series $$\frac{1}{s-1} + \sum_{n\neq 0} a_n(s) e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}, \qquad a_n(s) = \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-s} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha$$ converges pointwise to $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ for each $\alpha\in(0,1)$. Since $\zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ is a smooth function of $\alpha$ (for fixed $s$) its Fourier series converges pointwise for $\alpha\in (0,1)$. The Fourier coefficients are defined by $$a_n(s) = \int_0^1 e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\zeta_1(s,\alpha)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ Note that the Fourier series for $\zeta(\alpha,s) =\alpha^{-s} + \zeta_1(s,\alpha)$ is well known, and has Fourier coefficients $\Gamma(1-s) (2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n)^{s-1}$. Hence $$a_n(s) = \Gamma(1-s) (2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n)^{s-1} - \int_0^1 \alpha^{-s} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ Using Euler’s integral representation of the Gamma function we arrive at the desired result. Since $a_n(s)$ is expressible in terms of the incomplete Gamma function, we conclude that it has an analytic extension to all complex $s\neq 1$. Note that for $\sigma>1$ we have $$\frac{1}{s-1} = \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha,$$ so we may write $$a_0(s) = \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-s}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha,$$ for $\sigma>1$, and by analytic continuation elsewhere. Now we write $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \sum_n a_n(s) e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}, \qquad \sigma>0$$ where the $a_n(s)$ are defined accordingly. Let ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1$ and define the functions $$q_n(u,v) = a_n(u+v) + \int_1^\infty \zeta_1(u,\alpha) \alpha^{-v}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha+ \int_1^\infty \zeta_1(v,\alpha) \alpha^{-u}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \quad n \in \mathbf{Z}.$$ Then the Fourier series $\sum_n q_n(u,v) e^{2\pi {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}$ converges pointwise to $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\zeta_1(v,\alpha)$ for $\alpha \in (0,1)$. Since the Fourier coefficients for $\zeta_1(u,\alpha)$ are $a_n(u)$ the Fourier coefficients of the product $\zeta_1(u,\alpha) \zeta_1(v,\alpha)$ are given by the convolution $$q_n(u,v) = \sum_m a_m(u) a_{n-m}(v).$$ For ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v >1$ we have $$\sum_m a_m(u) a_{n-m}(v) = \sum_m \int_1^\infty {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \int_1^\infty {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\beta\, \alpha^{-u} \beta^{-v} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m(\alpha-\beta)} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \beta},$$ the double integral being absolutely convergent. Now recall the distributional result $$\sum_m e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m(\alpha-\beta)} = \sum_m \delta(\beta-\alpha - m).$$ Using this in the above we find $$\begin{gathered} q_n(u,v) = \sum_{m\geq 1} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u} (m+\alpha)^{-v}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ + \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-u-v} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \sum_{m\geq 1} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-v} (m+\alpha)^{-u}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \label{convhalf} \end{gathered}$$ Since ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1$ the integrands of the first and third terms can be dominated by the integrable functions $\alpha^{-{\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u}$ and $\alpha^{-{\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v}$ respectively, allowing us to pass the sum inside the integral, $$q_n(u,v) = a_n(u+v) + \int_1^\infty \zeta_1(u,\alpha) \alpha^{-v}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha+ \int_1^\infty \zeta_1(v,\alpha) \alpha^{-u}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ We note that both the integrals are absolutely convergent for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1$. To establish the main result in this section we must first perform an analytic continuation of the functions $q_n(u,v)$ valid for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>0$. To this end, we recall the following result [@rane1997approx]: $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \frac{\alpha^{1-s}}{s-1} - \frac{\alpha^{-s}}{2} + \lim_{N\rightarrow \infty}\sum_{0<\|m\|<N} \left( \int_\alpha^\infty x^{-s} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x\right) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m \alpha}, \label{Raneeq}$$ where $s=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ and $\sigma>0$. This result can be derived using the Euler-Maclaurin formula. We will need the following lemma to control the final term. \[intbyparts\] Let $s=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ with $\sigma>0$. Then if $\alpha\geq \eta > t/2\pi$ we have $$\left\|\lim_{N\rightarrow \infty}\sum_{0<\|m\|<N}\left( \int_\alpha^\infty x^{-s} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x\right) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m \alpha}\right\| \lesssim_\eta t \alpha^{-\sigma-1}.$$ For $\alpha$ in the stated range we can integrate by parts using $$\begin{aligned} \int_\alpha^\infty x^{-s} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\,{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x &= \int_{\alpha}^\infty \frac{x^{-\sigma}}{ {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}( 2\pi m - t/x)} \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x} \left( x^{-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x} \right)\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x \\ &= - \frac{\alpha^{-s} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m \alpha}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}(2\pi m - t/x)} +{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}\int_\alpha^\infty \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x} \left( \frac{x^{-\sigma}}{2\pi m-t/x}\right) x^{-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x.\end{aligned}$$ We can estimate the sum arising from the first term $$\left\| \sum_{0<\|m\|<N} \frac{\alpha^{-s}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}(2\pi m - t/\alpha)}\right\| = \alpha^{-\sigma} \sum_{0<m<N} \frac{2t/\alpha}{(4\pi^2 m^2 - t^2/\alpha^2)} \lesssim_\eta t \alpha^{-\sigma-1}.$$ Computing the derivative and applying integration by parts again, the second term becomes $$\int_{\alpha}^\infty \frac{ x^{-\sigma-1}( 2\pi\sigma m + (1-\sigma)t/x))}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}(2\pi m - t/x)^3} \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x}\left( x^{-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\right) {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x.$$ An application of the second mean value theorem for integrals on the real and imaginary parts of this term show it to be $\mathcal{O}_\eta(\alpha^{-\sigma-1} m^{-2}) + \mathcal{O}_\eta(t \alpha^{-\sigma-2} m^{-3} )$. In particular $$\left\| \sum_{0<\|m\|<N}\int_\alpha^\infty \frac{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}}{{\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x} \left( \frac{x^{-\sigma}}{2\pi m-t/x}\right) x^{-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x \right\| \lesssim_\eta \alpha^{-\sigma-1} \quad \textrm{for $\alpha\geq \eta > t/2\pi$}$$ so we have established our estimate. Now we return to the analytic continuation of $q_n(u,v)$ for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>0$. The previous lemma establishes that $$\left\|\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2}\right\| \leq_\eta t \alpha^{-{\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u - {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v -1} , \quad \textrm{for $\alpha\geq \eta> t/2\pi$}. \label{est}$$ In particular, the left hand side is an absolutely integrable function of $\alpha$ on $(1,\infty)$ provided that ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>0$. This suggests the splitting $$\begin{gathered} \int_1^\infty \zeta_1(u,\alpha) \alpha^{-v}e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \equiv \int_1^\infty \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ + \frac{a_n (u+v-1)}{u-1} - \frac{a_n(u+v)}{2},\end{gathered}$$ which is valid for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>1$. This gives rise to the representation $$\begin{gathered} q_n(u,v) = \left[ \frac{1}{u-1} + \frac{1}{v-1} \right]a_n(u+v-1) + \int_1^\infty \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\+ \int_1^\infty \left(\alpha^{-u} \zeta_1(v,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{v-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha, \end{gathered}$$ which provides an analytic continuation of $q_n(u,v)$ for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}u, {\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}v>0$. Using $\partial_\alpha \zeta_1(s,\alpha) = -s \zeta_1(\alpha,s+1)$ in we see that $$\frac{\partial \zeta_1}{\partial \alpha} (\alpha,u) = - \alpha^{-s} + \frac{s \alpha^{-s-1}}{2} - \lim_{N\rightarrow \infty}\sum_{0<\|m\|<N} \left( s\int_\alpha^\infty x^{-s-1} e^{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m x}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x\right) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}m \alpha}.$$ Using the previous lemma, this then implies that for $\alpha\geq \eta > t/2\pi$ $$\left\| \frac{\partial}{\partial \alpha} \left( \zeta_1(s,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-s}}{s-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-s}}{2} \right) \right\| \lesssim_\eta t^2 \alpha^{-\sigma - 2}. \label{derivestimate}$$ If $u=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ and $v=\sigma-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ then for each $\eta>0$ $$\left\|\int_{t/2\pi+\eta}^\infty \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha\right\| \lesssim_\eta \frac{t^{1-2\sigma}}{n}$$ where the implied constant is independent of $t$. Integrating by parts we find the above integral can be rewritten as $$\begin{gathered} \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n}\left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\Big\|_{\alpha = t/2\pi + \eta} \\ + \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} \int_{t/2\pi+\eta}^\infty \frac{\partial}{\partial \alpha} \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \end{gathered}$$ The first term can be estimated using , giving $$\left\| \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n}\left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\bigg\|_{\alpha = t/2\pi + \eta} \right\| \lesssim_\eta \frac{t^{-2\sigma }}{n}.$$ And the second term can be estimated using $$\left\|\frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} \int_{t/2\pi+\eta}^\infty \frac{\partial}{\partial \alpha} \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim_\eta \frac{t^2}{n} \int_{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-2\sigma-2}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha.$$ Performing the final integration shows that this term is $\mathcal{O}_\eta( t^{1-2\sigma}/n)$. The previous Lemma gives the following $$\begin{gathered} q_n(u,v) = \left[ \frac{1}{u-1} + \frac{1}{v-1} \right]a_n(u+v-1) + \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \left(\alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{u-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\+ \int_1^{t/2\pi + \eta} \left(\alpha^{-u} \zeta_1(v,\alpha) - \frac{\alpha^{1-u-v}}{v-1} + \frac{\alpha^{-u-v}}{2} \right)e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O}_\eta \left(\frac{t^{1-2\sigma}}{n}\right), \end{gathered}$$ valid for $u=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t, v=\sigma-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ and $\sigma>0$. We note that for $n\neq 0$ a simple integration by parts argument provides an analytic continuation for $a_n(s)$ into ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}s >-1$, i.e. $$\begin{aligned} a_n(s) &= \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-s} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ &= \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} - \frac{s}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-s-1} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha. \end{aligned}$$ In particular $$a_n(2\sigma-1) = \frac{1}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} - \frac{(2\sigma-1)}{2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n} \int_1^\infty \alpha^{-2\sigma} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O} \left( \frac{1}{n}\right).$$ Using integration by parts, we also have $$\frac{1}{u-1} \int_1^{t/2\pi + \eta} \alpha^{1-u-v} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha = \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{t^{1-2\sigma}}{n} \right), \quad \int_1^{t/2\pi + \eta} \alpha^{-u-v} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha} = \mathcal{O} \left( \frac{1}{n}\right).$$ So for $0<\sigma \leq 1/2$ and $(u,v)=(\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t,\sigma-{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t)$ we have $$q_n(u,v) = \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \mathcal{O}_\eta \left( \frac{t^{1-2\sigma}}{n}\right).$$ Finally we show that terms with $\|n\|>t/2\pi$ are easily controllable. For this we once again use the approximate functional equation for the Hurwitz zeta function in the form $$\zeta_1(s,\alpha) = \sum_{1\leq m \leq N} (\alpha+m)^{-s} + \frac{(N+\alpha)^{1-s}}{s-1} - \frac{1}{2} (N+\alpha)^{-s} - s\int_N^\infty (\alpha + x)^{-s-1} (x-[x]-\tfrac{1}{2})\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}x$$ which holds for $N>1$. This follows directly from the Euler-Maclaurin formula when ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}s>1$ and then by analytic continuation for ${\ensuremath{\mathsf{Re}\,}}s>0$. We will require the following lemma For $y>1$, $\sigma_1, \sigma_2>0$ and $\|n\|>t/2\pi$ we have $$\left\|\int_1^{t/2\pi + \eta} \alpha^{-\sigma_1 +{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} (\alpha + y)^{-\sigma_2 - {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha\right\| \lesssim \frac{y^{-\sigma_2}}{\|n- t/2\pi\|},$$ $$\left\|\int_1^{t/2\pi + \eta} \alpha^{-\sigma_1 -{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} (\alpha + y)^{-\sigma_2 + {\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t} e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha\right\| \lesssim \frac{y^{-\sigma_2}}{\|n + t/2\pi\|} .$$ The proof is essentially the same as that used for Lemma \[intbyparts\]. The oscillatory term doesn’t have stationary points if $\|n\|>t/2\pi$ so integrating by parts yields the desired estimate. Applying this lemma and using the approximate functional equation we find that for $\|n\|>t/2\pi$ the following estimate is valid $$\begin{gathered} \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \\ = \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{N^{\sigma}}{\|n-t/2\pi\|}\right) + \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{N^{1-\sigma}}{t\|n-t/2\pi\|}\right) + \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{N^{-\sigma}}{\|n-t/2\pi\|}\right) + \mathcal{O}\left( \frac{tN^{-\sigma}}{\|n-t/2\pi\|}\right).\end{gathered}$$ By choosing $N= \mathcal{O}(t^{1/2\sigma})$ we find $$\left\|\int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-v} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim \frac{ t^{1/2}}{\|n-t/2\pi\|}.$$ Similarly $$\left\| \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-u} \zeta_1(v,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n\alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\| \lesssim \frac{ t^{1/2}}{\|n-t/2\pi\|}.$$ In particular, for $u=\sigma+{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}t$ and $v=\bar u$ $$\sum_{n>t/\pi} \|q_n(u,v)\|^2 \lesssim_\eta \sum_{\|n\|>t/\pi} \left[ \frac{t}{\|n-t/2\pi\|^2} + \frac{t}{\|n+t/2\pi\|^2} + \frac{t^{2-4\sigma}}{n^2} \right] = \mathcal{O}\left( t^{2-4\sigma}\right).$$ For $\sigma \geq \tfrac{1}{2}$ this term is bounded. Now by Parseval’s theorem $$\begin{aligned} \int_0^1 \|\zeta_1(u,\alpha)\|^4\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha &= \sum_n \|q_n(u,\bar u)\|^2 \\ &\lesssim_\eta \sum_{\|n\|\leq t/\pi} \left\| \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-\bar{u}} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha + \frac{t^{1-2\sigma}}{n}\right\|^2 + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{2-4\sigma}\right) \\ &\lesssim_\eta \sum_{\|n\|\leq t/\pi} \left\| \int_1^{t/2\pi+\eta} \alpha^{-\bar{u}} \zeta_1(u,\alpha) e^{-2\pi{\ensuremath{\mathrm{i}}}n \alpha}\, {\ensuremath{\mathrm{d}}}\alpha \right\|^2 + \mathcal{O}\left( t^{2-4\sigma}\right)\end{aligned}$$ Taking $\sigma=\tfrac{1}{2}$ and using this in Theorem 1 gives rise to the estimate in Theorem 2. ### Acknowledgements {#acknowledgements .unnumbered} The second author acknowledges support from EPSRC via a Senior Fellowship award. [10]{} <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">J. Andersson,</span> 1992. 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Monday, August 9, 2010 When I Say I'm a Christian When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not shouting "I am saved"I'm whispering "I get lost!""That is why I chose this way." When I say..."I am a Christian"I don't speak of this with pride.I'm confessing that I stumbleand need someone to be my guide. When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not trying to be strong.I'm professing that I'm weakand pray for strength to carry on. When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not bragging of success.I'm admitting I have failedand cannot ever pay the debt. When I say..."I am a Christian"I'm not claiming to be perfect,my flaws are too visiblebut God believes I'm worth it. When I say..."I am a Christian"I still feel the sting of painI have my share of heartacheswhich is why I seek His name. When I say..."I am a Christian"I do not wish to judge.I have no authority.I only know I'm loved. -Author Carol Wimmer - Copyright 1988 __________________________ ________________________ So, I've been cleaning my room since I got back from Glenville. Before I put everything back in my room, I had to clean out a lot of junk. I was going through old files, old boxes, and other old dusty things, and I came across this poem. The first time I read it was about 3-4 years ago. I loved it. I wrote about it then, somewhere, but I don't know where. If you're reading this, you obviously want to know what I mean when I say, "I am a Christian." I'm going to tell you. I'm going to lay it all out plainly, get ready, I'm going to use bold words and italics! ;) God made everything. (people, dinosaurs, e.coli, roses, black bears, etc.)God gave the first two humans free reign of their beautiful garden, but told them that they could not eat the tree of knowledge of good and evil's fruit. But they screwed up.Because they sinned, God cursed men and women. Adam never had to work before, but now he and his decendents had to do physical labor. Women were going to experience pain in childbirth, and now everything was corrupt. From that point on, bad things happened.I am a sinner. I am born with a sinful nature, just like I'm born with a nature to try to make people laugh. It's inborn, and that's why its so hard to change it. That’s why I still sin.God is Holy. Being Holy means to be set apart. You can't contaminate Holy.Sinners cannot be with a Holy God unless they've been identified with Jesus Christ.God wants us to be with Him. So He did something so shocking that most people consider it a fairy-tale. God sacrificed His son, Jesus. S-A-C-R-I-F-I-C-E.Once I finally realized what that meant, I asked Jesus to forgive me.When Jesus Christ forgave my sin He covered me in His righteousness. He took off my dirty clothes and wrapped me in His own robe. Now when God sees me, he sees His Son.I am going to HEAVEN!! That is so good.Just like the poem says, I still mess up. I still fall down. Trust me, I fall down. I get so discouraged. I'm a Christian so that I can call on my Savior to help me get back up when I make mistakes.God only asks that I admit my mistakes and ask Him to forgive me again, and let Him help me.God gives me the Holy Spirit to help me realize when I’ve made mistakes and when I need to ask forgiveness. If you’re a Christian, and you’ve sinned, and you feel that terrible burdening guilt in your heart, I believe that is the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart strings, trying to get your attention.I don't have all the right answers. I don't have a perfect life, and I certainly don't claim to be better than anyone else. But as a Christian, I can climb onto God's shoulders and let Him carry me through the issues of life.When I call myself a Christian, I'm expected to live like one. So, when I make promises to God--I keep them.I go to church because I want to be there! Not because I'm supposed to be there. I go to church to be around other Christians, to get uplifted and encouraged. I go because God wants so desperately to have a relationship with me.Since He wants a relationship with me, I talk to Him. I read my Bible to hear what He has to say in response to my questions or in response to the fits that I throw. (This is a side note: A lot of times I pray when I go driving. I talk out-loud and I probably look like a crazy woman)You can't have a relationship with your mom if you don't know who she is. You can't have a relationship with your boyfriend if you don't spend time with him.Army wives write letters to their soldiers, and they earnestly await a reply. She can not wait to hear what the love of her life has to say to her. And she's not going to throw that letter away. She's going to read it over and over again. She'll analyze it, and cry over it. That's intimacy when you can't be close to each other physically.God wants me to be that close to His heart. He wants me to want to be that close to His heart.He wants everyone else to be close to His heart, too, so He has commanded me to tell other people about what He did for me. I'm supposed to introduce people to Jesus, after I make the introduction He can take it from there. He doesn't need my help.Being a Christian isn't about being better than you. I never claimed to be better than anyone. If anything, I have an inferiority complex. I'm letting Him work with me on that.God wants me to be happy, but sometimes life isn't always happy. People always tell me that a God that loves everyone wouldn't let bad things happen. Bad things happen because we are a cursed world. We are a cursed world because of the mistake that Adam and Eve made. God doesn't make bad things happen to people, but he does let them happen. The purpose of the bad things is always to make us appreciate the good things, and maybe by appreciating the good things, we'll grow closer to Him. God doesn't let India starve because He's a cruel God. India starves because of the curse. God doesn't sit back and watch, and laugh. He does not turn His back. This is hard to understand, and that's where my faith comes into play. I do not understand it, but I trust in it, and I believe it.We have a sinful nature. God has a holy nature. It is the way He is. He cannot associate with sin because He is so Holy. Oil and water is the best way I can describe it.He can't associate with us until we ask forgiveness, and He anxiously waits for us to turn to Him and ask Him to pull us out of the mess we're in.Bad things still happen because of the curse, and God won't undo that. I don't like that, but I still believe God is Holy and Perfect. I don't want people to die and go to Hell. That's why I need to tell people about Jesus. The argument about predestination is a tricky one. God doesn't choose who goes to Hell, but He knows who is going to. That is what I believe. I believe that God gives us a will to do what we want. Some people will hear about Jesus, reject him, and go to Hell. Some people will never hear about Jesus, and they will also go to Hell. I don't like that much at all! But who am I to tell God what to do?? I believe that the curse has damned everyone to Hell, but God still gives us a chance to get out of that mess. I believe that He is so HOLY and we are so UNWORTHY, that we should be flat on our faces thanking Him for the opportunity that he has given US! We are fortunate.People are still going to ask me "why does God let people go to Hell" and I'll hold to what I've always said. We are cursed.If there is anything that is underpreached in the world, it is God's Holiness, and the Curse.We'll never understand it.You can ask me whatever you want. I can't tell you why God's mind is made up in a certain way, though. I can only tell you what I know about the Bible. I don't know the mind of God. I've gotten a little off topic, but I don't care. This is Christianity. The good, the bad, and the ugly.If you've read this and its ruffled your feathers a little, I can certainly see why, BUT.... if you don't think its true, then why does it bother you? If you think its all a hoax let it all alone and don't worry about it. But God says that the gospel will offend a lot of people. Its not what we want to hear. If you think I'm an idiot for being so bold. Fine. I don't care. I think that if it bothers you that much, you should ask yourself why it bothers you so much.I know I'm going to have some angry people.... I have no idea who this is going to offend, but its bound to bother someone. I'm back on topic a little. When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not saying I am every other Christian in the world. A lot of Christians are intolerant an unaccepting, but I try to live my life so that I’m not put into that category. God wants everyone, so I don't target specific people. When I say "I am a Christian", I'm not saying it for the rest of the Christian population. I'm saying it for myself. I am going to serve God as best I can, and I'm not going to worry about everyone else.When I say I'm a Christian, I'm putting myself in a situation where everyone expects more of me. People who don't believe in God want to see Christians mess up. But as a human I am not perfect, and I will make mistakes. I'm going to try really hard not to, but I will.When I say I’m a Christian, I’d better know what I’m talking about. But if I don’t have an answer, it’s because I haven’t memorized the Bible. I know a lot of verses, but I’m not always ready for a pop quiz. This is a learning thing for me. I learn something everyday.I try not to make mistakes because it paints an Ugly picture of God.God is love.God is beautiful. He is everything that is right and pure. I love God. When I say I'm a Christian, I just want everyone to know what that means. And if you have any questions about something I said, ask. When I say I am a Christian, I feel so blessed to be called a child of God. I am so very happy to be going to Heaven. I’m so thankful for all of my Christian friends, I’m so glad you’re going there with me. It wouldn’t be right without you.
1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a fluorine-based gas is employed to etch contact holes followed by treatment of the etched contact holes with a nitrogen-containing plasma as a means of preventing the formation of reaction products from the etching procedure. 2. Description of the Prior Art Semiconductor devices have a laminated structure, such as that shown in FIG. 20. Specifically, the semiconductor device is formed as a laminated structure, in which an SiO.sub.2 primary insulation layer 2, an aluminum-copper alloy conduction layer 3, and an SiO.sub.2 secondary insulation layer 4 are adhered in that sequence to a semiconductor wafer or substrate 1 of monocrystalline silicon. The conduction layer 3 is connected to an N.sup.+ region 1a of the P-type substrate 1 via thru-holes 2a, which are formed in the primary insulation layer 2. Thru-holes 4a are formed in the secondary insulation layer 4; the conduction layer 3 is connected to a bonding-pad conduction layer 5, which is attached to the secondary insulation layer 4, and extends through the thru-holes 4a into engagement with the conduction layer 3. A silicon nitride or silicon nitride/silicon dioxide protection layer 37 is attached to the bonding-pad conduction layer 5. A bonding pad 5a is provided at a location facing an opening 37a in the protection layer 37, which is formed by a standard photolithographic procedure. Thus, the bonding pad 5 a is electrically connected to the N.sup.+ region 1a of the substrate 1 through the conduction layer 3. Although there are other elements that are connected to the bonding pad by bonding wire, these other elements are not shown in FIG. 20. The thru-holes 4a in the secondary insulation layer 4 are typically formed by dry etching through plasma etching with a fluorine-based gas such as C.sub.2 F.sub.6 /CHF.sub.3 or CF.sub.4. However, when plasma etching is carried out using a fluorine-based gas, exposure to air after the etching procedure is believed to generate, in several seconds, AlF.sub.m (OH).sub.3-m 56 in a location facing the thru-hole 4a on the surface of the conduction layer 3. Thus, there is an increase in contact resistance between the conduction layer 3 and the bonding-pad conduction layer 5 formed afterward. Thus, following the formation of the contact holes 4a, it is necessary to form the bonding-pad conduction layer 5 immediately, which is extremely problematic in terms of procedure control. The aforementioned AlF.sub.m (OH).sub.3-m is believed to form on the aluminum-copper alloy conduction layer 3 by a reaction between water in the air and residual fluorine. This reaction product is problematic in that it is difficult to distinguish it from the reaction products generated during other dry etching processes that involve chlorine-based gas. Below, the product generated on the surface of the aluminum alloy conduction layer in air after the fluorine-based gas plasma etching treatment (believed to be AlF.sub.m (OH).sub.3-m) will be referred to simply as "product." It is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method for making a semiconductor device wherein it is possible to control the generation of substances in the air, which are generated immediately following contact hole formation and which are a cause of increased contact resistance in the area of the contact hole. In this way, it will be possible, after the formation of the contact hole, to form, with sufficient freedom with respect to time, a conductive component connected through the contact hole, while preventing an increase in electrical resistance.

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