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Real Estate Investing Podcast
F2F 151: A Morning Ritual That Will Generate MASSIVE Success in 2018
Welcome to episode #151 of the Flip2Freedom podcast! This is going to be an amazing year because THIS IS THE YEAR that you make changes. This is the year that you begin to experience success like you never have before because you are going to start implementing morning routines which are proven to help generate massive success.
In this episode I am sharing everything I do EVERY morning. All my morning rituals. From the books that have helped me stay motivated, changed my mentality to the apps I use to get my day started and help me focus. I KNOW this episode will help you guys out and if you implement some of these ideas and strategies you WILL see results and changes in your life. All the books and apps I reference are linked below so be sure to check them out.
Sean on Facebook…
Search Flip2Freedom
Sean on Youtube…
Sean on Periscope…
Flip2Freedomis a one of a kind website that will show you how to escape the 9-to-5 and live a lifestyle most people only dream of.
This site will become your hub for interacting with like mindedpeople on the same quest for freedom.
Flip2Freedom Academyis an exclusive cutting edge, online coaching program that is affordable, interactive and is specifically designed to give you the tools and education to quit your job in 19 weeks or less.
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Fame Game Fabricates Fancy Electro-Funk Concoction
For a good Electro Funk Daddy Superstar Break, a quirky beat-boxing chef throws together a satisfying ingredient list of ripped noises. After creating an awesome break, he recommends nixing the fish (a popular addition) and sticking the mixture in an oven to bake for three years at 700 degrees.
Awesome work and a tasty listen. Take a look at the wannabes who've already jumped on board. We recommend you not skip the Elvis impersonator who beat-boxes on the john. Definitely pimp-throne worthy, yeah?
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George Keller (academic)
George Keller (1928–2007) was an American scholar of higher education, Professor of Higher-Education Studies at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, from which he retired in 1994.
He is best known for his book Academic strategy : the management revolution in American higher education, held in over 1195 libraries, and which has been cited over 200 times since its publication in 1983. At the time of his death he has completed a book Higher Education and the New Society, to be published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2008. He was also the editor of Planning for Higher Education, the journal of the Society for College and University Planning.
Bibliography
Keller, George, ed. The Best of "Planning for higher education." Ann Arbor, MI : Society for College and University Planning, c1997.
Keller, George, Academic strategy : the management revolution in American higher education : Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983.
Review, Higher Education Volume 13, Number 2 / April, 1984
Keller, George, O'Brien, Dennis, and Rudolph,Susanne Hoeber . Changes in the context for creating knowledge New York, N.Y. : American Council of Learned Societies, 1994. OCoLC 31593898
Keller, George, Prologue to prominence : a half century at Roanoke College, 1951-2003 Minneapolis, MN : Lutheran University Press, c2005.
Keller, George. Transforming a college : the story of a little-known college's strategic climb to national distinction Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004. (about Elon University)
Review, The Review of Higher Education - Volume 28, Number 4, Summer 2005, pp. 637–638
References
External links
Biography at Florida department of education
Category:1928 births
Category:2007 deaths
Category:University of Pennsylvania faculty
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Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Heavier Group 14 Enolates.
Recently heavier Group 14 enolates showed their importance and applicability in a broad range of chemical transformations. They were found to be key intermediates during the synthesis of photoinitiators, as well as during the formation of complex silicon frameworks. This Minireview presents general strategies towards the synthesis of heavier Group 14 enolates (HG 14 enolates). Structural properties, as well as their spectroscopic behavior are outlined. This study may aid future development in this research area.
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Q:
echo the table and html code
Soo im trying to get the data of mysql base in tables, but its giving me errors
function content_temp()
{
if(isset($_GET['action']))
{
if($_GET['action'] == 'bans')
{
echo " <table class='MYTABLE'>
<div class="positiontable">
<tr CLASS='MYTABLE'>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>User</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>Time</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>IP</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=180>Reason</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>Admin</th>
</tr>
</div>
</table> ";
echo " <tr CLASS='MYTABLE'>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$name</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$time</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$ip</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=180>$reason</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$admin</td>
</tr>";
}
}
}
( ! ) Parse error: syntax error, unexpected 'positiontable' (T_STRING), expecting ',' or ';' in C:\wamp\www\ucp\welcome.php on line 88
and this is css
CAPTION.MYTABLE
{
background-color:#33b061;
color:33b061;
border-width:1px;
}
TABLE.MYTABLE
{
font-family:calibri;
font-size:12pt;
color:#000;
background-color:#000000;
width:650px;
border-color:black;
border-width:0.4px;
opacity: 0.6; }
TH.MYTABLE
{
font-size:12pt;
color:white;
background-color:#33b061; }
TR.MYTABLE
{ }
TD.MYTABLE
{
font-size:12pt;
background-color:#FFFFFF
color:white;
text-align:center; }
.positiontable
{
padding: 180px;
position: fixed;
}
and is there any way if it works that it only shows idk 10-15 fields and than it's scrollable, and yea, the table is going under mainarea, i cant select, copy or paste
echo '
<div id="wrapper">
<div id="toolbar" align="center">
<div style="display: inline-block;">
',toolbar_temp(),'
</div>
<div id="upperimage">
<div id="mainarea">' ,content_temp(), '</div>
</div>
</div>';
?>
#mainarea {
background-color: #1a1a1a;
padding: 800px 100px 0px;
border-top: 1px solid #000;
border-left: 1px solid #000;
border-right: 1px solid #000;
border-bottom: 1px solid #000;
margin-top: 100px;
box-shadow: 0px 0px 14px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
opacity: 0.6;
width: 700px;
filter: alpha(opacity=60); /* For IE8 and earlier */
}
A:
you are using double quotes in div class which is creating problem ...so you need to use your class like this...
<div class="positiontable"> or <div class='positiontable'>.
Try This..
function content_temp()
{
if(isset($_GET['action']))
{
if($_GET['action'] == 'bans')
{
echo " <table class='MYTABLE'>
<div class='positiontable'>
<tr CLASS='MYTABLE'>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>User</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>Time</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>IP</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=180>Reason</th>
<th CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>Admin</th>
</tr>
</div>
</table> ";
echo " <tr CLASS='MYTABLE'>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$name</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$time</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$ip</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=180>$reason</td>
<td CLASS='MYTABLE' height=40 width=80>$admin</td>
</tr>";
}
}
}
|
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 13, 2012: NCsoft ®, the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today confirms its Western expansion plans for Blade & Soul, the wildly successful Asian martial arts fantasy MMO developed by Team Bloodlust, an in-house studio based in NCsoft’s headquarters in Seoul. Blade & Soul has already captured the hearts of millions, consistently ranking one of the top games in PC cafés across South Korea since its launch eleven weeks ago, and plans to reach the same level of success and popularity in Western markets.
Blade & Soul brings MMO and RPG gaming communities an online world rich in Asian martial arts, a theme that has traditionally been limited to fighting games. Once Blade & Soul launches in the West, players will have the ability to experience the flowing nature of action martial arts that they have come to love, but will experience it in a modern format blended together with deep story lines and an epic online world populated by millions.
Bringing to life the fantasy style and signature character movement made popular by the classic martial arts adventure films House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Blade & Soul allows players to embrace the essence of historic martial arts combat, set in a beautiful world inspired by the stunning art of renowned artist Hyung-Tae Kim, Team Bloodlust’s Blade & Soul lead artist. Kim’s strong international manga following and his unique style of blending Japanese anime and Korean art will expand Blade & Soul’s appeal to a broad audience.
Exact release timing for Blade & Soul has not been confirmed, but NCsoft is already aggressively tailoring the title for Western players, working closely with Team Bloodlust to ensure the rich Asian martial arts theme stays intact.
For more information on Blade & Soul, visit the official website at www.bladeandsoul.com.
About Blade & Soul
Blade & Soul®, developed by NCsoft®‘s Team Bloodlust, tells the story of players’ quest for vengeance and redemption against a backdrop of Asian fantasy, set in a beautifully crafted online world drawn from the work of renowned artist Hyung-Tae Kim. Blade & Soul prominently features martial arts inspired combat and Qing Gong “light body” movement, as depicted in classic Asian martial arts adventure films. For more information on Blade & Soul, visit www.bladeandsoul.com.
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Currently, a widely used form of shaving preparation is the type referred to as a post-foaming shave gel. These post-foaming shave gels are now well-known and have been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,995,521 (Bluard), U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,581 (Monson), U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,489 (Sisbarro), U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,111 (Su), U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,503 (Anderson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,495 (Patterson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,643 (Osipow), U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,556 (Bamet), U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,211 (George), U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,859 (Hartmann), U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,343 (Szymczak) and WO 02/47636 (Lasota). Such compositions generally take the form of an oil-in-water emulsion in which the post-foaming agent, generally a volatile (i.e., low boiling point) aliphatic hydrocarbon, is solubilized in the oil phase, and the water phase comprises a water-dispersible soap or interrupted soap component. The product is generally packaged in an aerosol container with a barrier, such as a piston or collapsible bag, to separate the post-foaming gel from the propellant required for expulsion of the product. The product is dispensed as a clear, translucent or opaque gel that is substantially free from foaming until it is spread over the skin, at which time it produces a foam lather generated by the volatilization of the volatile hydrocarbon foaming agent.
Users of wet-shave razors generally appreciate a feeling of warmth against their skin during shaving. The warmth feels good, and also causes the user's skin to hydrate and beard to soften, resulting in a more comfortable shave.
Various attempts have been made to provide a warm feeling during shaving. For example, shaving foams have been formulated to react exothermically upon release from the shaving canister, so that the foam imparts warmth to the skin, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,341,418, 3,772,203, 3,819,524, 3,866,800, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,118. However, up to now no self-heating shaving gels have been commercialized even though shaving gels are highly preferred over shaving foams. Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide a post-foaming shave gel product that is self-heating.
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578 F.2d 980
Cecil WOOD, Jr., Appellee,v.Superintendent Robert F. ZAHRADNICK, Appellant.
No. 77-1627.
United States Court of Appeals,Fourth Circuit.
Argued Nov. 8, 1977.Decided July 18, 1978.
Jim L. Chin, Asst. Atty. Gen., Richmond, Va. (Anthony F. Troy, Atty. Gen., Richmond, Va., on brief), for appellant.
John D. Grad, Alexandria, Va. (Gregory E. Stambaugh, Philip Hirschkop & Associates, Ltd., Alexandria, Va., on brief), for appellee.
Before HAYNSWORTH, Chief Judge, WINTER, Circuit Judge, and FIELD, Senior Circuit Judge.
HAYNSWORTH, Chief Judge:
1
The Commonwealth of Virginia has appealed from an order of the district court granting a writ of habeas corpus to a prisoner convicted of rape and related offenses, upon whom a death sentence was imposed, later reduced to life imprisonment. See Wood v. Commonwealth, 213 Va. 346, 192 S.E.2d 808 (1973). The district court found that Wood's lawyer's performance was so inadequate as to amount to a deprivation of his rights under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. Wood v. Zahradnick, 430 F.Supp. 107 (E.D.Va.1977). We affirm.
2
The facts are adequately disclosed in the opinion of the district judge, and, since we adopt his reasoning in major part, there is need for only a summary statement of them here.
3
In the dead of night, Wood, then twenty-seven years old, broke into a home occupied by two women many years older than he. He forcibly raped one of them, severely beat both of them, temporarily abducted both and left in their automobile after having taken their money and a television set. He made no attempt to flee when arrested a few hours later while driving the stolen automobile and still in possession of the stolen money and television set.
4
Other circumstances lend particularly bizarre qualities to the incident. The sixty-seven year old woman he raped had known him since his childhood. He customarily addressed her as "Miss Annie." Though well known to the woman, he made no attempt to conceal his identity. Moreover, earlier that evening he had twice had sexual relations with his girlfriend, leaving her house to commit a violent sex act which was as senseless as it was brutal.
5
The next day his lawyer interviewed him, and was told that Wood had no recollection of his having broken into the house or any subsequent event of the night before. He said, however, that earlier in the evening he had had several bags of heroin and had drunk a large amount of moonshine whiskey. The lawyer's interview notes recorded the fact that even then Wood's mind seemed not completely clear, that Wood was not always responsive and required the lawyer to repeat himself. The note also recorded that Wood was showing withdrawal symptoms and was asking for Darvon.
6
Except for the one interview with his client, the lawyer, since deceased, apparently made no pretrial preparation. He did not seek a mental examination of his client and he went to trial upon a plea of not guilty, offering in defense only the testimony of his client, during which Wood said that he was addicted to heroin and had been using that and drinking a large quantity of whiskey on the night in question and that he remembered none of the events to which the prosecutrix and the arresting policemen testified. Of course, he was found guilty, for the concurrence of the testimony of the women, their physical condition and Wood's possession of their automobile and other goods at the time of the arrest left no room for doubt that he committed the acts with which he was charged.
7
Had the lawyer sought a psychiatric evaluation of Wood, as provided by law in Virginia, there is a possibility that he could have developed an insanity defense. In a subsequent post-conviction hearing, two psychiatrists testified that some people are subject to alcoholic pathological intoxication in which they become quite psychotic and quite unable to distinguish right from wrong. One subject to such uncommon effects from the consumption of alcohol will remain so, and the Commonwealth insisted at oral argument that even now psychiatric evaluation with the administration of alcohol can probably result in a determination whether or not Wood was psychotic at the time the acts were committed, assuming the truth of his testimony about his consumption of alcohol.
8
Wood has a low I.Q., and there is nothing to suggest that he is insane in the legal sense or was at the time the crimes were committed, except for the suggestion of the possibility of a psychosis induced by alcohol. In a later letter to substitute counsel, the defense lawyer said that he had not sought a psychiatric examination of Wood because Wood was not insane, and the lawyer did not believe that he was temporarily insane when he committed the acts for which he was convicted. The lawyer, however, was not entitled to rely upon his unsubstantiated belief about the defendant's mental condition at the time of the rape. What Wood had done was so senseless that any lawyer should have sought available expert assistance to explore the possibility that Wood was suffering with a transitory psychosis. Though he had no other defense and the trial was certain to result in a conviction unless an insanity defense prevailed, the lawyer did nothing to explore the one avenue which offered a ray of promise.
9
For these reasons, more fully explicated by the district judge, we conclude that Wood's representation was so below the standard of reasonable competence that it amounted to a deprivation of Wood's Sixth Amendment right to counsel Marzullo v. Maryland, 561 F.2d 540 (4th Cir. 1977).
10
In Marzullo we held that a defendant has a Sixth Amendment right to reasonably competent counsel during trial. We hold today that the right to reasonably competent counsel attaches at the moment a lawyer is appointed to defend a client charged with a crime. U. S. v. DeCoster, 159 U.S.App.D.C. 326, 487 F.2d 1197 (1973). That right imposes a correlative duty on defense counsel to undertake reasonable steps to investigate all open avenues of defense. The circumstances have clearly suggested that an exploration of his mental condition was such an avenue. The lawyer's failure deprived his client of his right to effective assistance of counsel.
11
There is a possibility, however, that Virginia may be able to show that the lawyer's failure to seek psychiatric evaluation of Wood was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. That would be established if psychiatric examination now may result in a competent determination that Wood is not now and was not then subject to a psychotic reaction to alcohol. For that purpose, the case will be remanded to the district court with instructions to procure a psychiatric examination of Wood. If that examination results in an acceptable determination that Wood was not psychotic as a result of his consumption of whiskey, issuance of the writ should be denied. Otherwise, issuance of the writ will stand affirmed.
12
AFFIRMED AND REMANDED.
|
Jerry Cao is a UX content strategist at UXPin — the wireframing and prototyping app. To learn more about how to create visually digestible interfaces, download the free e-book Web UI Design for the Human Eye: Colors, Space, Contrast.
Admit it, at some point in your life, you were impressed by an optical illusion.
It’s fascinating how our eyes play tricks on us, and it’s even more fascinating that we tend to side with our sight over our common sense. But optical illusions are often the result of the science of sight — the science of Gestalt.
Source: Gestalt Art
The Gestalt principles are the theories that analyze the gray areas of how our sight works. These principles explain how people perceive visual objects, and how variations in arrangement, perspective, size, etc. can alter this perception.
In this piece, we’ll take a quick look at the concepts behind Gestalt and only the most applicable principles for day-to-day UI design.
Pillars of Gestalt for Design
Despite how it may seem, the Gestalt principles are not the life work of some guy named “Gestalt.” Gestalt is actually the German word for shape or form, and lent its name to an early 20th century psychology movement, where the Gestalt principles originated.
Source: Gestalt Principles Composition
As the legend goes, in 1910, psychologist Max Wertheimer watched the way the lights of a railroad crossing flickered on and off (like lights “encircling” a movie theater marquee). It created the illusion that the lights were moving in a circle, even though they were merely alternating with good timing. This division between how we perceive visual stimuli versus what we see fueled the Gestalt movement for the next couple decades.
Wertheimer, along with his colleagues, developed theories on sight perception that, more than half a decade later, are foundational to web design. The theories expound on Aristotle’s simplistic but classic axiom, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” as applied to visuals. The Gestalt principles tend to revolve around a handful of similar concepts. While relating to all sight perception, these ideas are especially applicable to web UI design.
Let’s take a look below at the four properties behind Gestalt.
Emergence
When trying to identify an object, we (humans) first attempt to identify the object’s outline, and then match it to outlines we already know. It’s only after this outline pattern identification that we start to notice the details of an object, the parts as separate from the whole.
The above picture is often cited when explaining Gestalt principles. In it, the viewer identifies the dalmatian all at once, instead of something like, “there’s a dalmatian leg, there’s a dalmatian head. Put them together, and…”
Application to Web Design: Shapes and contours should take precedence over lesser details (no matter how creative they are or how stunning they look). It doesn’t matter how fascinating a clickable button looks if your users don’t know it’s a button. Like we described in Interaction Design Best Practices, these “signifiers” help suggest the function (known as affordances).
2. Reification
Because visual stimuli is so inconsistent, our brains are wired to “fill in the gaps” when information is missing. This allows us to comprehend visuals even when they’re vague or limited.
Source: Gestalt (Principles and Laws)
Each of the above examples is a bit of a trick. In reality, they are all ambiguous and incomplete shapes, but our brains can still make sense of them. For example, in Figure A, our brain tells us that the three incomplete circles are connected by a white triangle.
Application to Web Design: In addition to horseshoes and hand-grenades, “close” also counts in web design. As long as you have enough information to communicate an object, the user can fill in the rest. This means you’re allowed to be creative with your use of white space, treating it as another design tool instead of an empty canvas.
We’ll explain this further below when discussing Closure.
3. Multistability
If an object has more than one interpretation, the mind will alternate between the different interpretations since it can’t see both simultaneously. The longer a viewer focuses on one interpretation over the other, the more dominant that interpretation becomes.
Source: Two Faces or a Vase
This is the basis for many popular optical illusions, like the one above. Viewers can interpret it as an old woman or a young woman, but not both at the same time.
Application to Web Design: Avoid multiple interpretations, if possible. Double-check that your designs can only be seen the way you want them to be seen, strengthening your influence over how the UI affects the UX. Usability tests can help identify these problems, even if you get a fresh pair of eyes on a design from whoever’s sitting next to you.
4. Invariance
Like Reification, invariance is another tactic our brains use to comprehend visuals despite glaring inconsistencies. Invariance shows that we recognize outlines and patterns of objects despite differences in perspective, rotation, scale, or even slight deformations.
Source: Gestalt (Principles and Laws)
In the above examples, we can distinguish the objects in A as different than the objects in B, even though they’re similar. However, we also can understand that the objects in A are the same as the objects in C and D, even though they’re distorted.
Application to Web Design: Invariance may not have as direct an impact on web design as the other tenements of Gestalt; however, it is often applied to CAPTCHA tests, as invariance is one advantage humans seem to still have over robots.
Our 5 Most Useful Gestalt Principles
In 1954, decades after Wertheimer first paused to stare at train lights, Rudolf Arnheim compiled and boiled down the Gestalt principles into the book Art and Visual Perception: A Psychology of the Creative Eye. As designer Carolann Bonner suggests, there are five principles that are most helpful on a daily basis:
Similarity Figure-Ground Relationship Grouping Closure Continuation
We’ll describe them in detail below:
Similarity
Objects that look similar are perceived as similar.
This has huge implications on web design, a field that values communicating information in the quickest and easiest terms possible. By creating two elements with a similar visual thread, you can explain each’s purpose in a way that feels intuitive.
The similarities don’t have to be glaring. As shown in the above example from design agency Green Chameleon, the navigation icons all look different. However, the similarities in color, size, spacing, and placement of icons all suggest that each icon represents the same level of navigation (top-level).
Upon hover, an interaction is triggered that slides out the text to explain each site section further. This interaction pattern works especially well for vertical navigations since it saves space but doesn’t sacrifice functionality (provided the icon metaphors make sense).
These relate to patterns and consistency, topics discussed in Interaction Design Best Practices. A clever designer will use similarity to convey meaning, saving time in explanation and smoothening the experience.
2. The Figure-Ground Relationship
Elements are perceived as either figures (distinct elements of focus) or grounds (the background on which the figures lie). Steven Bradley lists the three types of figure-grounds relationships, which are each represented in his graphic below:
Source: Gestalt Design Principles
Stable — (left) it’s clear the circle is the figure and the grey space is ground
Reversible — (center) each column has equal claim to figure or ground, creating tension that can be used in dynamic design
Ambiguous — (right) while it’s still unclear which is figure and which is ground, there’s a lot more room for interpretation left to the viewer
Source: Moddeals
In the above example, Moddeals shows a common pattern that exploits the figure-ground relationship. When the newsletter ad appears, the rest of the page goes darker, pushing in into the background. Additionally, the user can still scroll the page, however the newsletter ad remains in a fixed position, cementing it as the figure set apart from the ground.
On a much subtler note, the site for the German film Tannbach takes a more layered approach to figure/ground.
To emphasize the human relationship in the film, the designer makes the two people sharp against a blurred rustic background. Through the use of color and typography, the actual interface becomes the “primary figure” with the couple becoming the “secondary figure”. As a result, the user visually connects with the couple but still understands how to navigate the site.
It’s a fairly clever implementation of a simple Gestalt principle and shows that you don’t need to interpret the meaning as just “make a menu pop out against a blurry background.”
3. Grouping
Items that are dissimilar can still be grouped together to appear similar. The Gestalt principles suggest at least 2 ways to utilize grouping to show relatedness:
Enclosure — Enclosing dissimilar objects together within a perceptible boundary will unify them in the viewer’s mind.
Enclosing dissimilar objects together within a perceptible boundary will unify them in the viewer’s mind. Proximity — Objects grouped closely together will be perceived as similar, especially if separated from other groups by even more space. This also ties into the time and spatial elements of Hick’s Law, which we described in Interaction Design Best Practices.
The above Facebook example applies the principles of enclosure and proximity.
The entire post — title, photo, description, comments, etc. — are all enclosed within the same box, set apart from the grayer background, which utilizes both enclosure and the figure-ground relationship. Within the post, options like “Like,” “Comment,” and “Share,” are all located in close proximity, suggesting that all are ways to personally interact with the post (not to mention their related size, font, and color utilize the principle of similarity).
By putting the controls next to the relevant item, the designer spares the user from the hassle of researching, memorizing, and diving into complex user paths. This also relates to the point about making clicks easy because you want to minimize the path between the user and the goal. The simplification of the system allows basic common sense to triumph over lengthy and involved explanations.
4. Closure
Based on the principles of Reification that we talked about earlier, closure is the principle that humans will provide their own closure to incomplete objects by filling in the gaps themselves. This can be used to a designer’s advantage, firstly by affording them some leeway with partial designs, and secondly by encouraging minimalist styles that communicate elegance.
Take a look at the grid layout from Abduzeedo below. Even though there’s no clear borders on each piece of content, the alignment helps our eyes complete the “grid” created by each of the three images. As such, we see three columns of text instead of one large chunk.
Closure also applies to interactions, creating meaning by filling in gaps within actions.
As designer Carolann Bonner explains, Urban Outfitters uses closure to skip a few steps, making the “Add to Bag” interaction very smooth. Click on her GIF to follow along as we describe the steps after clicking “Add to Bag”:
The button text “Add to Bag” becomes “Added!” The number of items next to the shopping bag in the navigation updates accordingly. A small modal slides down from the shopping bag to visually confirm the item was added.
As a result, we understand when an item is added to our shopping cart without any implicit action. We don’t need to visit the shopping cart page to verify, or drag and drop any items (which increases friction). By skipping the right steps, the interface provides enough feedback while keeping the interaction weightless.
For more information, Andy Rutledge wrote an excellent piece on applying closure to web UI design.
5. Continuation
Related to closure, the principle of continuation states that a user’s eye creates momentum as it moves from object to object, giving lines a special power in layout design.
In the above visual aid, viewers perceive a straight line and a curved line — not a bent black line and a bent red line. This makes the power of continuation greater than that of colors, itself a powerful visual tool for showing similarity.
What this means is that users perceive items on a line or curve to be similar to each other.
This has the most obvious effect on site navigation, since items on the same horizontal plane appear to have the same level of hierarchy.
In the below navigation example from CreativeBloq, you can see that all navigation items on the first line represent types of content. All navigation items on the second line represent categories of content. The site doesn’t need to call out this difference since it’s communicated through the principle of continuation.
To learn more about Gestalt principles, check out this helpful tutorial from Tuts+.
Takeaway
Understanding Gestalt principles gives you greater control over your visual hierarchy, helps create more harmonious designs, and increases the likelihood that your message is communicated to your audience. Combining the general principles — emergence, reification, multistability, and invariance — as well as the finer principles — similarity, closure, the figure-ground relationship, etc. — will open up an entirely new level of visual design for your web interface.
To learn more about how to create visually digestible interfaces, download the free e-book Web UI Design for the Human Eye: Colors, Space, Contrast. Visual case studies are included from 33 companies including Tumblr, Etsy, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Medium, Intercom, and Bose.
Read Next: How to change user habits with interaction design
Read next: Nintendo partners with DeNA to develop mobile games
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Description
Covers the natural history of Hula Valley, the Mount Hermon, the Golan heights and the Jordan river. Dioramas, audiovisual presentations are multilingual. A fascinating exhibition of the finds of 28 seasons of excavation at nearby Tel Dan.
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Co-Chains; The Game Changing Blockchain Ecosystem
More than 11 years after Bitcoin’s inception, blockchain’s use in business is still largely theoretical, as the mysterious technology continues to grow and validate the hype surrounding its application. As more individuals seek to leverage this innovation, developers in the space are coming up with new solutions and business applications that are more industry specific and orientated. To capitalize swiftly on this new opportunity, businesses of all types are identifying the benefits of Blockchain; greater transparency, privacy, enhanced security, increased efficiency and speed of transactions, and reduced costs. Various entities such as corporations, governments and the general public have all shown preference towards certain types of blockchain ecosystems, systems and infrastructures.
The main value proposition of Blockchain technology is to establish a creditworthy ecosystem among independent participants in a non-trustable distributed environment. Blockchains can run both as permissioned or permissionless networks depending on the purpose of a given platform. The latter allows interested participants to join and contribute to a network without any approval; permissioned platforms on the other hand operate as private blockchains. It therefore means that one would have to be approved by the central authority within that ecosystem for them to participate in such a network.
Whilst permissioned models have become popular in the world of traditional finance and business, permissionless networks such as Bitcoin & Ethereum have gained the attention of mainstream media – as the result of being open for all to join. Despite their fully decentralized nature, data sensitive institutions like banks are looking for private networks to minimize exposure that public networks fail to provide. This led to the demand of various types of blockchain (Public, Private & Hybrid), where each blockchain business model is tailored & optimized for a unique purpose, essentially developed around a unique philosophy.
However, the emergence of hybrid platforms and most recently the Co-chain architecture by Algorand are several ground-breaking innovations in blockchain that go on to extend and provide extra functionality as the result of running an independent blockchain with its own set of rules, consensus mechanism and architecture.
The Co-Chain Architecture in Blockchain Ecosystems
The Co-chain blockchain infrastructure will allow entities seeking to define the attributes of the blockchain they prefer, this lets participants build & design their idealistic ledger to be integrated within Algorand’s Hybrid blockchain ecosystems. According to Algorand’s founder, Silvio Micali, this cutting-edge tech enjoys the benefits of both private and public ecosystems hence dubbed ‘Co-Chain’. Based on the global nature of business today, Co-Chains present real value in private network expansions as more enterprises and corporations embrace distributed ledgers.
A Co-Chain like Algorand’s allows developers to build ecosystems that are completely independent of the public chain. Ideally, Co-Chains deployed within this network run on their own independent Algorand consensus mechanism and set of validators. These Co-Chains can further interact within the Algorand network based on their interoperability with the main-chain. Last but not least, Co-chains can inherently acquire the underlying tools and features as is the case with Algorand’s permissionless layer. This basically allows Co-Chains to leverage existing resources such as smart contracts and Atomic transfers embedded in Algorand’s Layer-1.
Co-chains Competitive Edge
Blockchain Technology keeps on rapidly evolving that some of the earlier developments & designs are phased out before project owners get to launch their product. Looking back, the most fundamental standard in blockchain development was to embrace full decentralization. This however has changed over time as stakeholders discovered more practical solutions for this nascent technology apart from merely facilitating payment. Today, Algorand’s Co-Chain architecture and hybrid platforms are the new wave of order for enterprises that seek digital expansions while maintaining their data integrity and security.
Co-chains present value in business interoperability which was a major shortcoming in earlier blockchain versions. Algorand for instance, allows its clients to use the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus to build Co-Chains that can interact with other businesses running on the platform’s public chain. In addition, the network participants have access to deployment features such as smart contracts. These tools can be customized to further enhance Co-chain communication for enterprise growth.
It is also easier for businesses to maintain autonomy in Co-chain infrastructures hence better security. Last year, the value of data surpassed that of gold and therefore not surprising for entities to remain cautious on how they share internal or sensitive information. With co-chains, this risk level is lowered as enterprises have control over what data can be shared with the underlying public network.
Another significant value proposition by Co-chains is the scaling attribute; this has been quite a challenge in the uptake of blockchain networks. Most platforms have ended up being slower as numbers within the network increased. Co-chains might change this narrative especially with blockchain’s like Algorand’s whose earlier layout also considered growing the ecosystem. The best part about this innovation is that enterprises will still be able to maintain or increase throughput even as the network grows; this where private blockchain features come into play.
Co-chains Prospective Market
This market remains largely untapped and Algorand stands a good chance to set the pace with its Enterprise-friendly Co-chain architecture platform. That said, it can only be active if the current innovators in this space constantly improve their products to address specific use cases. As mentioned earlier, this tech is slowly becoming a a preferred means for businesses to leverage blockchain for expansion. Other than that, existing public and private blockchain users are strongly considering partial decentralization in order to experience the best of both worlds.
Algorand’s prior existence places this project at an advantageous market entry point with its Co-chain deployment. Over ten projects are currently leveraging the Algorand blockchain to build DLT services. Some notable mentions include Tether, The Marshall Islands, Republic, Shyft Network, IDEX and Securitize.
Co-chains Economic Value & Sustainability
In today’s blockchain world, projects are no longer valued based on speculative solutions but the current proposition. Co-chains are yet to be largely implemented to determine whether they indeed make a sustainable economic case. However, this infrastructure’s fundamentals highlight the possibility of cost-friendly blockchain networks for business growth compared to private or public platforms. Co-chains also present a sustainable case given their scaling features and privacy to maintain a high throughput. This efficiency claims will soon be put to test with Algorand’s Co-chain deployment as the industry moves to next level blockchain solutions.
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Dalhousie University increased its security today after a medical student was charged with uttering threats against two people with connections to the Dalhousie community.
Stephen Tynes, 30, was charged with two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and one count of engaging in threatening conduct.
He was released from custody under conditions and has been suspended from the university.
He must live under supervision, he must not come within 25 kilometres of Dalhousie's Carleton campus — except under supervision — and he must not possess firearms.
The school's security has increased its presence at the Sir Charles Tupper medical building and is asking anyone who observes suspicious activity around campus to report it immediately.
Police said the situation was not related to the Taylor Samson murder investigation.
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Thanks Kevin
The 24 has been on my wrist almost every day since Barry sent it to me, just love this strap deal that comes with a Panerai watch. Newer Rolex watches are amazing but with the ceramic bezel you lose that beautiful blue dial of Rolex watches from the past, have to match that blue to the boring color of the bezel these days!
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Radiological manifestations of neonatal renal vein thrombosis on follow-up examinations.
Renal atrophy involving all or part of one or both kidneys was found in 10 children with renal vein thrombosis who had been given conservative treatment. This appearance is nonspecific and can be found in any condition which disturbs the renal parenchyma. However, in a significant number of patients calcification produced a pathognomonic radiological pattern. Awareness of these late radiological manifestations may help in recognizing those cases in which renal vein thrombosis went unnoticed in the neonatal period and the patient is now found to have a perplexing radiological appearance.
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The sex ratios of monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
Fellman and Eriksson (2010) cited my suggestion that the sex ratio (proportion male) of monozygotic (MZ) twins is lower than that of dizygotic (DZ) twins (James 1975). Here I offer elaborations on and potential explanations for this.
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Q:
How should I configure a TFS team project based on my real world realities?
We have a project that will be developed in multiple phases over the next 12- 18 months. It's an agile-esque project in a waterfall environment, it that matters.
My initial thought was to create one team project named 'Project X'. Under Project X could be multiple solution folders but the main development would be in a folder called Main. Branching would be done as appropriate.
The other solution folders under the Project X team project would be for some of the tools we need to build for this project that are independ of the main app, which is a web app. For example, we needed to build an app for processing data and sending it to a web service but it never interacted or merged in any way with the main web app.
The advantages I see to this approach are a) all the code for the project is kept under a single team project and b) all the work items, bugs, wishlist items, are accessible from all the other projects.
Does this approach make sense? Any ideas to improve this? I haven't created the team project yet.
A:
I will simply comment on the advantages you listed to help you understand why this approach isn't ideal.
The advantages I see to this approach
are a) all the code for the project is
kept under a single team project and
Both your tools and your web application are for "This project." That right there is a key indicator that you should use one Team Project inside of TFS. You gain nothing by having two separate Team Projects. In fact, you may make it more difficult to manage.
Consider if you have a requirement that has work one both a tool and the main application to complete. In your scenario, there would be no way to track work history associated to one requirement because you are using two Team Projects. There are many more reasons, you have to manage permissions in two places, have two sets of mappings etc etc.
I would highly recommend you opt to use one Team Project. You, and your entire team, will thank me later.
b) all the work items, bugs, wishlist
items, are accessible from all the
other projects
If you have two Team Projects, you cannot access WIs etc across the projects. In fact, you will have the exact opposite- you will have to create the WIs in both projects if the work crossed over between the two.
You should have one Team Project. A folder for the tools and a folder for the web application. From there you can take it further having it branched off- a branch for development and a branch for main is a good start. Inside each, have the tools and web application so the versions stay in sync.
Here is a good place to start reading before setting up your project: Microsoft Team Foundation Server Branching Guidance.
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Red Sox squeak by Jays, keep pace
Red Sox squeak by Jays, keep pace
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By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |
TORONTO -- It was just a little chopper to shortstop, a fielder's choice in the scorebook. But it was a beautiful thing to witness for the Red Sox at a time where they were desperate for a run -- and a win.
With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, Jason Varitek hit that bouncer to shortstop, and Jason Bay easily came across with the go-ahead run, which proved to be the difference for the Red Sox in Friday night's 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays.
"I was trying not to roll it over," said Varitek. "I hit it, a nice and soft ground ball, to the right place. Sometimes you get the fortune of the ball going in the right place."
In what was a tense contest throughout, the Red Sox found a way, keeping them just 1 1/2 games behind the Rays in the American League East.
And with the Twins losing to those Rays, Boston's magic number for clinching a playoff berth is down to two games.
The Red Sox could conceivably clinch on Saturday, but they would need to win, and have the Yankees -- and then either the Twins or White Sox -- lose.
"I'm probably the most excited guy here, because I was in last place a month and a half ago," said right-hander Paul Byrd, who kept the Sox in this one by allowing three runs over six innings. "The thing I like about this team so much, and I've said this before, they won it last year and you come over here and these guys are so hungry. They play so hard."
That grit showed in this one, for sure.
The bullpen was stingy, finishing this one with three shutout innings -- a combination of Javy Lopez, Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima and closer Jonathan Papelbon. For Delcarmen, it was his first win since Aug. 31, 2006. He went 122 appearances between victories.
Meanwhile, Papelbon put himself in an adverse situation, rushing on an Adam Lind grounder to start the ninth and then sailing his throw well out of the reach of first baseman Kevin Youkilis. With Lind on second and nobody out, Papelbon never blinked, getting Scott Rolen on a liner, inducing Greg Zaun into a grounder to second and then striking out Travis Snider to end it.
It was a confidence booster for Papelbon, who struggled in a couple of outings last week.
The drama-filled ninth was a fitting way for a tense game to end.
"I was nervous," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "That was fun. That was a fun part of the game to be a part of. A lot [more enjoyable] when you win. I thought Pap threw the ball really well, because he had to. He created a runner on second. Once that guy got to second, he really [dug] down and made some good pitches."
Down, 2-0, the Red Sox managed to get to the always-nasty A.J. Burnett for a crucial rally in the fifth.
Varitek started it with an opposite-field double to left. Jacoby Ellsbury then reached on a bunt single, but was picked off first.
With two outs, Youkilis -- who was given the benefit of the doubt on a close call on a check swing that could have been strike three -- hammered an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to a run.
The big hit of the inning came from Sean Casey, who belted a two-run double off the wall in right to give the Sox a 3-2 lead. Casey is now 15-for-29 against Burnett lifetime.
"He has above-average stuff on all his pitches," said Casey. "He's one of those guys. If you can get him in trouble, you've got to take advantage of it. If you don't, he has the stuff to just shut the door. He left the door open a little bit for us right there, and Youk came up with a nice hit and I was able to get that two-run double and that was the difference for us."
But back came Toronto against Byrd in the bottom of the fifth. After a one-out single by Joe Inglett, Marco Scutaro smashed an RBI double, tying it at 3.
"I gave up two runs, but our offense did a great job and they scored three, and then I come right back out and give up a run," said Byrd. "I was pretty frustrated with that. The team eased my pain later and scored a run so it makes for better sleep for me because we won the game. Overall, I've got to find a way to be satisfied with keeping our team in the game."
And he was also satisfied with making a technical adjustment that he credits to a Red Sox fan website -- Sons of Sam Horn.
"I feel like I did OK, thanks to the Sons of Sam Horn website, the Boston fans writing me letters, letting me know that I'm tipping my pitches," said Byrd. "It's hard to pitch up here. You do one little thing wrong and it seems like everybody knows about it, because of the great TV coverage and scouting is so advanced now. I did have to work on that and talked to [pitching coach] John Farrell and switched things up, and I think it helped."
What type of adjustment did Byrd make?
"I was patting the glove a little bit on fastballs and some other things I was doing," Byrd said. "I was tipping them in some different ways."
A rare mental mistake by David Ortiz cost the Red Sox a chance at a rally in the seventh. With one out and Ortiz on first, Youkilis hit a routine fly ball to left. Ortiz must have thought there were two outs because he ran all the way to second before realizing his mistake. Snider's throw to first was in time for an inning-ending double play.
"He was about ready to shoot himself," Francona said. "He caught it just a little bit too late. You don't see that happen too often -- hopefully."
The move proved not to be costly, thanks to the rally in the eighth off lefty Brian Tallet, which was started by an infield hit by Bay. Tallet then walked Mark Kotsay and Jed Lowrie, giving Varitek a chance to get the eventual game-winner home.
"It was pretty, I thought," said Francona. "Good enough."
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Previously in A-Force: “She-Hulk rallied A-Force, protectors of Arcadia, to investigate the monster attack that caused Doom to exile America Chavez. The team traced the disturbance to a portal, which quickly collapsed. She-Hulk used a second portal to travel to another domain and investigate the cause, but by crossing Doom’s borders and breaking the law, she brought the wrath of the Thors down upon Arcadia. In the ensuing battle, Medusa gave her life to buy A-Force time to find the traitor who opened the portal. With Thors raining down from the sky to place Arcadia under martial law, the members of A-Force had no choice but to escape into the starry pocket universe contained inside Nico’s mysterious new friend…”
BETRAYAL MOST FOUL…
The heroes of Arcadia, under the leadership of Baroness She-Hulk have been able to protect their island home from all comers, until strange portals started opening, leading to Miss America’s exile to The Shield. From the very first, it seemed that something was off, and now that the Thors have come to take control of the island, we find that they have been tipped off…
…by Lady Loki. While it’s not unexpected to see a Loki betraying, it’s the emotional responses that make it worth the wait: Nico Minoru is devastated to think her fellow magic-user has double-crossed them, while She-Hulk is disappointed in herself and Dazzler is ready to take out her frustrations on the Asgardian. There’s also a very well-written sequence wherein Loki remarks upon what a shame it is that Medusa died, even remarking how much she had in common with the fallen Inhuman queen. The issue ends with a satisfying confrontation (read: the ol’ fighty-fighty) which in turn causes another betrayal and leaves She-Hulk and her team to defend their home one final time.
…THOUGH NOT FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE
Truth be told, the idea that Loki was a turncoat seems obvious in retrospect, but the real meat of the story is in the character interactions, especially when Nico’s mysterious new friend (whom I still think is some aspect of Captain Universe, simply from her celestial motifs) explains the lessons she has learned from each of the heroes. From the art side of things, this is a truly amazing issue to read, with wonderful facial expressions and body language throughout, and some explosive action sequences (one of which involves She-Hulk, Nico, Dazzler, Captain Marvel and friend literally busting through a wall to bring the pain to turncoat Loki.) Molina, Yeung and Wong also show visual inventiveness on every page, from a Thor-Nightcrawler to Loki’s throne-room scene, wherein she is surrounded by several Thors and looks both regal and evil at once. Though I’m not over my Secret-Wars-fatigue, this issue is an example of how to use the massive crossover schmageggi to strengthen and deepen these characters…
THE BOTTOM LINE: EVERYONE IN FINE FORM
I love the cast of characters in play here, I really like the writing and dialogue, and the art is unusual but beautiful throughout, leaving us with a solid overall product, and once again making me happy that this book will be continuing after the Secret Wars finally die down. A-Force #4 is another winner, and has one of my favorite Dazzler moments in history (you’ll know it when you read it), leaving us with a very impressive 4 out of 5 stars overall. Now, if only we could get this team in a movie or a cartoon or something, that would be wonderful (and perhaps help to deal with Marvel’s increasing lack of movie diversity?)
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The Author
Matthew Peterson
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture!
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>>> Flow 1 (client to server)
00000000 16 03 01 00 95 01 00 00 91 03 03 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
00000010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
00000020 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 2c cc a8 |.............,..|
00000030 cc a9 c0 2f c0 2b c0 30 c0 2c c0 27 c0 13 c0 23 |.../.+.0.,.'...#|
00000040 c0 09 c0 14 c0 0a 00 9c 00 9d 00 3c 00 2f 00 35 |...........<./.5|
00000050 c0 12 00 0a 00 05 c0 11 c0 07 01 00 00 3c 00 05 |.............<..|
00000060 00 05 01 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 0a 00 08 00 1d 00 |................|
00000070 17 00 18 00 19 00 0b 00 02 01 00 00 0d 00 12 00 |................|
00000080 10 04 01 04 03 05 01 05 03 06 01 06 03 02 01 02 |................|
00000090 03 ff 01 00 01 00 00 12 00 00 |..........|
>>> Flow 2 (server to client)
00000000 16 03 03 00 59 02 00 00 55 03 03 c7 69 06 a9 64 |....Y...U...i..d|
00000010 53 1a 6c 7b 39 f3 2e e3 01 5e ef e0 ac 69 a6 2e |S.l{9....^...i..|
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00000030 3f c3 a8 d0 e7 22 60 8a 0b c2 68 14 69 c5 8a 9c |?...."`...h.i...|
00000040 35 b2 ba 8a d2 9b a4 e0 13 d8 fc bb c0 23 00 00 |5............#..|
00000050 0d ff 01 00 01 00 00 0b 00 04 03 00 01 02 16 03 |................|
00000060 03 02 0e 0b 00 02 0a 00 02 07 00 02 04 30 82 02 |.............0..|
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000000c0 65 74 20 57 69 64 67 69 74 73 20 50 74 79 20 4c |et Widgits Pty L|
000000d0 74 64 30 1e 17 0d 31 32 31 31 32 32 31 35 30 36 |td0...1211221506|
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00000110 2d 53 74 61 74 65 31 21 30 1f 06 03 55 04 0a 13 |-State1!0...U...|
00000120 18 49 6e 74 65 72 6e 65 74 20 57 69 64 67 69 74 |.Internet Widgit|
00000130 73 20 50 74 79 20 4c 74 64 30 81 9b 30 10 06 07 |s Pty Ltd0..0...|
00000140 2a 86 48 ce 3d 02 01 06 05 2b 81 04 00 23 03 81 |*.H.=....+...#..|
00000150 86 00 04 00 c4 a1 ed be 98 f9 0b 48 73 36 7e c3 |...........Hs6~.|
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000001b0 de 76 64 3f 1a 5c 7f e9 12 0e 58 58 b6 5f 70 dd |.vd?.\....XX._p.|
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00000220 ec 47 2d 7c ac da 4e 97 0e 15 a0 6f d0 02 42 01 |.G-|..N....o..B.|
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>>> Flow 3 (client to server)
00000000 16 03 03 00 25 10 00 00 21 20 2f e5 7d a3 47 cd |....%...! /.}.G.|
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>>> Flow 4 (server to client)
00000000 14 03 03 00 01 01 16 03 03 00 50 99 8b 66 fc b2 |..........P..f..|
00000010 0c 18 de 47 7b 72 a2 9b 47 64 58 45 00 70 b6 d3 |...G{r..GdXE.p..|
00000020 33 62 c2 c6 41 da 5d 08 37 16 5c 24 50 06 e0 e6 |3b..A.].7.\$P...|
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00000050 da e0 85 99 30 20 7d ee 04 fe ca |....0 }....|
>>> Flow 5 (client to server)
00000000 17 03 03 00 40 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |....@...........|
00000010 00 00 00 00 00 cb cb 98 55 3f 17 18 42 7b 52 0c |........U?..B{R.|
00000020 6f 6c 50 87 b1 af ef 25 ac a5 24 4a d2 bc 39 33 |olP....%..$J..93|
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00000040 89 7c 28 f3 d4 15 03 03 00 40 00 00 00 00 00 00 |.|(......@......|
00000050 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 6b c5 03 a6 9b 87 |..........k.....|
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00000080 40 ba 19 d9 d4 8a e3 95 ef 16 |@.........|
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// RUN: pmlc-opt -tile-compute-bounds -cse -split-input-file %s | FileCheck %s
!fp32 = type !eltwise.fp32
#map0 = (i, j, k) -> (j, k)
#map1 = (i, j, k) -> (j, i)
#map2 = (i, j, k) -> (i, k)
func @dot(%arg0: tensor<1x784x!eltwise.fp32>, %arg1: tensor<784x512x!eltwise.fp32>) -> tensor<1x512x!eltwise.fp32> {
%c0 = "eltwise.sconst"() {value = 0.0 : f64} : () -> !fp32
%0 = tile.affine_const 512
%1 = tile.affine_const 1
%2 = tile.cion add, mul, %c0, %arg0, %arg1 {sink=#map0, srcs=[#map1, #map2]} :
!fp32, tensor<1x784x!eltwise.fp32>, tensor<784x512x!eltwise.fp32> -> tensor<1x512x!eltwise.fp32>
return %2 : tensor<1x512x!eltwise.fp32>
}
// CHECK: #map0 = (d0, d1, d2) -> (d1, d2)
// CHECK: #map1 = (d0, d1, d2) -> (d1, d0)
// CHECK: #map2 = (d0, d1, d2) -> (d0, d2)
// CHECK-LABEL: func @dot
// CHECK: tile.cion
// CHECK-SAME: lower_bounds = [0 : index, 0 : index, 0 : index]
// CHECK-SAME: sink = #map0
// CHECK-SAME: srcs = [#map1, #map2]
// CHECK-SAME: upper_bounds = [783 : index, 0 : index, 511 : index]
// -----
|
The city of Pontiac will soon be home to what is being called the nation's longest enclosed pedestrian bridge.
Fast-growing mortgage firm United Shore Financial Services announced Thursday that it has obtained city approval to construct the 1,000-foot-long, 26-foot-wide bridge across South Boulevard. The $20 million bridge will connect the firm's existing headquarters to its recently acquired 900,000-square-foot expansion building.
In comparison, the "Skywalk" pedestrian bridge that connects the two halves of Somerset Collection is about 700 feet long.
Visible construction of the United Shore's bridge is expected to be underway by May for a planned October opening. The bridge will be heated and air-conditioned, and will feature moving walkways.
The firm says it was informed of the length record by the bridge's architectural firm, which it declined to identify.
More:Pontiac-based United Shore could steal No. 1 ranking from Quicken Loans
More:United Shore has record-breaking year, gives away Cadillacs to 13 employees
United Shore says it has 5,300 employees and plans to add hundreds more this year. Some employees have begun working in the firm's new building. To move between the two buildings, they either cross the road on foot or take a shuttle bus.
Mat Ishbia, United Shore's president and CEO, said total capacity in the two-building, 1.5 million-square-foot headquarters is about 12,000 people. The firm is on pace to have as many as 7,000 employees by year's end.
“The reason why we’re building it is we want the one-building feel," Ishbia said. "We want our team to feel like one roof, one community."
In contrast to many large employers, United Shore declined to accept any local or state development incentives when opening its Pontiac headquarters in 2018. The firm says it wants the city, including schools, to get the full economic benefit of United Shore's presence.
Ishbia said United Shore also didn't seek incentives for the bridge project.
"The city of Pontiac, Oakland County and the state of Michigan all know we aren’t interested in taking any handouts," he said. “We did not ask for anything, and if they offered, we would not take anything.”
"
ContactJC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @jcreindl. Read more on business and sign up for our business newsletter.
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By lashing out at BCCI for holding IPL matches in drought-hit Maharashtra, high court has shown it cares
Entire tankers full of water are currently being pressed into service to ensure cricket grounds in Maharashtra are in a position to host Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. But all the tankers in the state still can't quench the parched throats of Marathwada.
Groundsmen water the pitch at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. PTI
And though the water, which came from local sources in urban areas, can't be sent to rural Marathwada, the BCCI could well afford to send several tankers of water to the region's drought-hit districts.
A cartoon in The Hindu eloquently explains the issue. It shows a family from the rural countryside, perhaps Marathwada, looking out for a tap. Any tap would do, even one with just a trickle of water flowing down. Meanwhile, a pair of suited-up gentlemen collect what appears to be cash flowing out of a tap. The pitch is the IPL, the taps are the stumps. The context is trying to draw a direct link between villagers dying of thirst and simultaneous wastage of water.
By the cricket board's admission, about 40-60 litres of water would be used up for watering the pitches and the grounds, three of which are in Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court has expressed its displeasure with the BCCI for this wanton wastage of precious water, even though the BCCI contended that the water it uses for watering the grounds aren't potable or drinking water. This argument is untenable. When drought its you, it means total and absolute unavailability of water, even non-potable water. The non-potable water can also be of great use at drought-affected areas.
The crisis has not overtaken state capital Mumbai yet, but water has become scarce. Neighbouring Thane district has begun feeling the pinch, an understatement considering there are 60-hour spells of continuous water cuts here.
The other argument is that pitches have already been made and only require maintenance, which is also silly, because, despite being aware of the looming crisis, the grass has been laid in the stadium.
The way bodies like BCCI look at issues like drought in Maharashtra is an indication of the disregard they have for citizens’ concerns. It is like refusing your maid a canister of water to take home even as you luxuriate under the shower. During Wednesday's hearing at the high court, expressions like criminal waste of water were used, and at one point, the bench even suggested shifting matches to venues outside Maharashtra. Where, hopefully, water was available in plenty.
Both IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla and BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur indicated that shifting the matches outside the state would not be an easy task. This response indicates that they have no contingency plan in place, which means they had not thought of the water issue at all.
This disconnect between the victims of acute, perhaps even unprecedented, water scarcities across an entire region, and those who have access to water in abundance, is disquieting. The latter category would not understand what it is like to not have water at the turn of a tap. People in Marathwada are actually migrating, hospitals in Latur are not performing surgeries, and even water that comes in through tankers could be of questionable quality.
While the Bombay High Court was asking tough questions, the Supreme Court was hearing petitions on why the Centre didn't activate the drought manual of its own authorship. These should come as music to the ears of the drought-stricken villagers. However, they should be aware, being frequent victims of the vagaries of nature, that whatever governments do, relief will not be immediate.
The only relief would be when monsoon brings good, timely rains and fills up rivers from bank to bank and each and every reservoir, including the village ponds. They await that, but the questions that the court asked should make them aware that even if not the government, the courts are aware of their plight.
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WELCOME
Welcome sur wohnung-haus-villa.ch. In a few mouse clicks you have access to a large choice of real estate objects, such as apartments, detached houses, semidetached houses, terraced houses, chalets, new projects and much more.
Glide hereto with your mouse over your selected picture. Then click on that picture and you will be able to examine all the details of the chosen real estate object.
Of course you can filter your choice after a region or a district, all Swiss cantons are listed. In another choice you find the geographic position: " alps, lakeside, rural, village… ". The typology which fits to you, like " apartment, house, chalet, loft, new project " or you choose after price range.
We wish you a lot of success on the voyage of discovery of your dream object. We hope that this web page will provide you a lot of enjoyment in the investigation of the different objects.
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// Copyright (c) 2017-2020 The Merit Foundation
// Copyright (c) 2011-2015 The Bitcoin Core developers
// Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
// file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
#ifndef MERIT_QT_TRAFFICGRAPHWIDGET_H
#define MERIT_QT_TRAFFICGRAPHWIDGET_H
#include <QWidget>
#include <QQueue>
class ClientModel;
QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
class QPaintEvent;
class QTimer;
QT_END_NAMESPACE
class TrafficGraphWidget : public QWidget
{
Q_OBJECT
public:
explicit TrafficGraphWidget(QWidget *parent = 0);
void setClientModel(ClientModel *model);
int getGraphRangeMins() const;
protected:
void paintEvent(QPaintEvent *);
public Q_SLOTS:
void updateRates();
void setGraphRangeMins(int mins);
void clear();
private:
void paintPath(QPainterPath &path, QQueue<float> &samples);
QTimer *timer;
float fMax;
int nMins;
QQueue<float> vSamplesIn;
QQueue<float> vSamplesOut;
quint64 nLastBytesIn;
quint64 nLastBytesOut;
ClientModel *clientModel;
};
#endif // MERIT_QT_TRAFFICGRAPHWIDGET_H
|
Image: Jyrki Lyytikkä / Yle
Finnish police have interviewed the 17-year-old who rose to notoriety at Christmas when he told British media he had been part of a group that brought down the Playstation and Xbox networks. They have not arrested or detained him, contrary to reports in the Washington Post.
The ‘Lizard Squad’ collective, which says it was behind the attacks, had tweeted that the Finland-based hacker had been detained.
Chief Inspector Tero Muurman of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) told Yle that reports “Ryan” had been detained were wide of the mark. He had been interviewed at the start of the week, but then released.
On Wednesday Muurman had said that the investigation was in its early stages, but that “Ryan” was suspected of aggravated data crimes, but denied involvement. Finnish police are continuing their probe and co-operating closely with the FBI, according to Muurman.
As the crimes would have been committed in Finland, Finnish police have the authority to investigate any suspects themselves.
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Q:
Differenect ear from maven and eclipse
I have a maven project. Then I use mvn package, I get a ear file. I manually deploy it in WAS and it's worked.
But then I use Eclipse:
Export -> EAR file and manually deploy it's not work
Add project to WAS Server through Eclipse -> it's not work
What is the problem?
A:
Project Properties>Deployment Assembly, check if Maven Dependencies are present
It should look like:
If not present, add them via Add button.
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Glucose-regulated protein 78 mediates the therapeutic efficacy of 17-DMAG in colon cancer cells.
Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is expressed as part of the molecular response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mediates protein folding within the cell. GRP78 is also an important biomarker of cancer progression and the therapeutic response of patients with different cancer types. However, the role of GRP78 in the cytotoxic effect of 17-DMAG in colon cancer cells remains unclear. GRP78 expression was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA). The anticancer effects of 17-DMAG were assessed by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, a flow cytometric cell-cycle analysis, and an Annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) apoptotic assay. We found that HT-29 cells expressed a lower level of GRP78 compared with DLD-1 cells. The MTT assay revealed that HT-29 cells were more sensitive to 17-DMAG treatment than DLD-1 cells. GRP78 knock down (GRP78KD) cells demonstrated an increased sensitivity to 17-DMAG treatment compared with the scrambled control cells. Based on the cell-cycle analysis and Annexin V-PI apoptotic assay, apoptosis dramatically increased in GRP78KD cells compared with scrambled control DLD-1 cells after these cells were treated with 17-DMAG. Finally, we observed a decrease in the level of Bcl-2 and an increase in the levels of Bad and Bax in GRP78KD cells treated with 17-DMAG. These results are consistent with an increased sensitivity to 17-DMAG after knock down of GRP78. The level of GRP78 expression may determine the therapeutic efficacy of 17-DMAG against colon cancer cells.
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Social Security Administration (Agency) and American Federation of Government Employees, Local 836 (Union)
[ v60
p476 ]
60 FLRA No. 94
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
(Agency)
and
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
LOCAL 836
(Union)
0-AR-3818
_____
DECISION
December 13, 2004
_____
Before the Authority: Dale Cabaniss, Chairman, and
Carol Waller Pope and Tony Armendariz, Members
I. Statement of the Case
This matter is before the Authority on exceptions to an award of Arbitrator John R. Baker filed by the Agency under § 7122(a) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the Statute) and part 2425 of the Authority's Regulations. The Union did not file an opposition to the Agency's exceptions.
The Arbitrator found that the grievant, a Union official who was participating in a grievance hearing in Pueblo, Colorado, on behalf of the Union, was entitled to additional per diem and compensation when she returned to her work location in Boston several calendar days after the date on her travel authorization.
For the reasons that follow, we set aside the portion of the award directing the Agency to provide the grievant such additional per diem and compensation.
II. Background and Arbitrator's Award
The grievant, a Union officer, was authorized by the Agency to travel from Boston, Massachusetts to Pueblo, Colorado to act as a technical advisor for the Union and testify as a witness on behalf of the Union at a grievance hearing scheduled from Wednesday, February 12, 2003, to Friday, February 14, 2003.
Initially, the grievant was told by the Agency that if the hearing lasted too late for her to return on Friday, the travel order would be amended to authorize travel on Saturday, February 15. Shortly thereafter, the grievant received an e-mail changing the travel authorization return date to Tuesday, February 18 (Monday, February 17 was a Federal holiday). As a result, the grievant made arrangements to travel back to Boston on February 18.
On February 10, the grievant received an e-mail from the Agency advising her that her last return day of travel authorization was changed from Tuesday, February 18 to Saturday, February 15. Having already made her travel arrangements, the grievant kept her plan to return on Tuesday, February 18. A snowstorm prevented travel on that date. The grievant traveled back to Boston on Wednesday, February 19, and returned to the office that day.
The Arbitrator framed the issue as follows:
Is the [g]rievant entitled to compensation for the period between February 12 and February 19, 2003 and if so, in
what amount?
Award at 4.
The Arbitrator determined that Article 8, Section 1(C) of the parties' collective bargaining agreement allows an employee to travel on the workday before or after an event when the event would be outside regular duty hours.
Article 8, Section 1(C) states:
To the maximum extent practicable, time spent in travel status away from an employee's official duty station
will be scheduled by the Agency within normal working hours of the traveling employee(s). To this end, the
Agency agrees to:
2. allow an employee to travel on workdays preceding and after an event when travel on the day of an event
would be outside the traveling employee's regular duty hours.
Id. at 2.
The Arbitrator found that "[t]he [g]rievance hearing did not conclude until late Friday afternoon and the [g]rievant and [the Union representative conducting the hearing] completed preparing photocopies to send to the Arbitrator at 6:00pm, clearly outside normal duty hours." Id. at 6. Further, the Arbitrator found that the grievant was unable to travel on Tuesday, February 18 because of a winter storm. As such, the Arbitrator found that "[t]he [g]rievant is entitled to per diem for [ v60
p477 ] Saturday, Sunday and Monday, February 15, 16, 17, 2003 and should be paid [eight] hours for the travel time on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 as a continuation of travel authorization due to circumstances beyond her control." Id. at 6. In addition, the Arbitrator found that the grievant was entitled to reimbursement for three-quarters per diem for Wednesday, February 19, "other allowable expenses for the days set forth above[,]" and "straight time pay for the period between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm on February 14, 2003." Id. at 7.
III. Positions of the Parties
A. Agency's Exceptions
The Agency argues that the award is contrary to management's rights to direct employees and assign work under section 7106(a)(2) of the Statute. Noting the analytical framework set forth in United States Dep't of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 53 FLRA 146 (1997) ("BEP"), the Agency argues that by requiring it to allow an employee to travel on workdays before or after an event without exception, the Arbitrator's interpretation and application of Article 8, Section 1(C) "does not allow the Agency to assign particular duties while the employee is traveling." Exceptions at 6.
As to prong I of BEP, the Agency asserts that Article 8, Section 1(C) was "not intended to ameliorate the adverse effects of management's right to assign overtime, but explicitly dictates to management when an employee will travel to and from his/her home [or] office and when management may assign work to the employee." Id. at 7. Further, the Agency asserts that the provision excessively interferes with management's right to assign work by "prohibiting the Agency from requiring an employee to travel on any non-workday[.]" Id. at 8.
The Agency also argues that after 6:00 pm on Friday, February 14, the time the grievant spent away from her duty station did not constitute hours of work under 5 U.S.C. § 5542(b)(2).
Finally, the Agency claims that under 5 U.S.C. § 5702(a)(1), the grievant is not entitled to per diem, because she was not t
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ROLLAND TWP, MI -- A 68-year-old man told a 911 dispatcher he shot his wife and indicated she was still alive, then he killed himself, police officials say. The dispatcher heard a gunshot over the phone and then the line went dead.
The call was made just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, said Isabella County Sheriff Mike Main. Within minutes, members of a law enforcement tactical team approached the couple's home at 10803 Brinton Road.
Through a window, they saw Brad Hatt dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, Main said. They entered the residence and found his wife, 66-year-old Janice Hatt, shot multiple times but still alive in a bedroom, the sheriff said.
Janice Hatt was airlifted from the shooting scene to a Grand Rapids-area hospital. Main said she was last listed in critical condition and was under an induced coma.
"What we're getting was it's pretty touch and go," for Janice Hatt, he said.
The Hatts lived by themselves at their residence in southwestern Isabella County. Nothing there, so far, has pointed investigators to a motive, Main said.
"We're kind of at a blank here," the sheriff said.
The next steps, Main said, is to interview family and friends and analyze the couple's computers and phones to determine what might have sparked the violent acts.
"I think whatever happened transpired pretty quickly," he said.
Main said the suspected weapon was a semi-automatic handgun. Neither Hatt has a criminal history, and police have never responded to the home for domestic issues, the sheriff said.
The Hatt residence is listed online as the location of The Gardens at Rocky Meadows. The business bills itself as an 80-acre estate available for wedding and party rentals, according to the website.
The Michigan State Police Crime Lab was aided the sheriff's office in collecting and analyzing evidence from the scene.
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Discrepancies in phylogeographical patterns of two European anglerfishes (Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius).
In order to investigate the relative importance of historical processes and life-history traits in shaping the present-day genetic structure of European anglerfishes, 382 Lophius piscatorius and 134 Lophius budegassa were sequenced on the 5' end of the mitochondrial control region. Both species showed a limited genetic structure and some evidence of a demographic expansion that probably occurred not at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, but earlier in the Pleistocene. The main discrepancy between the two anglerfishes concerned the genetic structure between Atlantic and Mediterranean populations, with weak but significant differentiation observed only in L. budegassa. This genetic structure was congruent with the existence of a phylogeographical break previously reported in several marine species across the Almeria-Oran front. The contrast observed between both anglerfishes was supposed to be induced by a possible more ancient (re)colonisation of the Mediterranean Sea by L. budegassa. Finally, the limited genetic structure and lack of isolation by distance observed in both species suggested high larval dispersal capacities that probably overwhelm the influence of the bathymetric distribution range on migrations of adults and juveniles.
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Leprocaulon
Leprocaulon is a genus of lichen. Members of the genus Leprocaulon are commonly called mealy lichens.
References
Category:Lichens
Category:Lecanoromycetes genera
|
Antiulcer activity of N-phthaloyl GABA--a new GABA mimetic agent.
N-phthaloyl GABA (P. GABA) inhibited gastric ulceration induced by 3 hr restraint stress at 4 degrees C (CRS) in albino rats. Antiulcer activity of P. GABA was compared with sodium valproate and cimetidine. P. GABA, sodium valproate and cimetidine showed a dose dependent reduction of gastric ulceration. Pretreatment with GABA antagonists-bicuculline methiodide (0.5 mg/kg, im) or 3 mercaptopropionic acid (2 mg/kg, im) reversed the antiulcerogenic activity of both the drugs (P. GABA and sodium valproate). GABA antagonists as such did not induce gastric ulceration in normal rats.
|
Q:
Store a date in MySQL database using zend library
I am passing a date from a web page in the format 10/10/1970 to a MYSQL database using the ZEND library:
$zendDate = new Zend_Date($theValue, "dd/mm/yyyy");
$theValue = "'" . $zendDate->toString("yyyy-mm-dd") . "'";
but it is not working. The date is stored as 0000-00-00.
What is wrong with my code? Thank you for your help.
Donato
A:
Check http://framework.zend.com/manual/1.12/en/zend.date.constants.html
The constant mm is for minutes, not months. Use MM for months.
|
The broad concept of supplementing a standard or traditional climate control system for a motor vehicle is old in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,570 discloses a heating and air-conditioning system for motor vehicles incorporating a supplemental electric heating element that is activated when the climate controls are positioned for maximum heating output.
This document relates to a new and improved supplemental heating subsystem and supplemental heating method incorporating a controller in the form of a computing device that provides for more effective and efficient supplemental heating for the motor vehicle.
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Management of the N0 neck during salvage laryngectomy.
Radiotherapy is effective treatment for laryngeal carcinoma. Early-stage laryngeal carcinoma has a low incidence of cervical metastasis. Patients initially clinically N0 usually remain N0 when they fail at the primary site. The incidence of subclinical metastasis in these patients is not well described. Watchful waiting or elective neck dissections are advocated. Examine the incidence of subclinical metastatic disease in patients undergoing elective neck dissections with salvage laryngectomy. Prospective study (1991-1996) of patients who failed radiotherapy and underwent salvage laryngectomy with elective neck dissection. Thirty-four patients underwent salvage laryngectomy with neck dissection (30 bilateral, 4 unilateral). All were clinically N0 at initial presentation and remained N0 at recurrence. Pathologic study of the neck dissection specimens was undertaken. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (mean, 4 y). The male-to-female ratio was 4.5:1, with a mean age of 62 years (range, 38 to 75 y). Metastatic disease was present in 6 patients (17%); 4 of 14 (28%) supraglottic, and 2 of 20 (10%) glottic. Presence of disease in the neck according to stage at recurrence was as follows: T2, 2 of 12; T3, 3 of 14; and T4, 2 of 8. Neck disease was ipsilateral in 4 and contralateral in 2 patients (both supraglottic primaries). Subclinical cervical metastasis may be present in N0 laryngeal carcinoma patients who have recurrence following radiotherapy. Morbidity of a lateral neck dissection is minimal, with excellent control of the neck being possible. Supraglottic and advanced glottic (T3-T4) patients may benefit the most.
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647 F.Supp. 1546 (1986)
Louis J. D'AMICO, Regional Director for the Fifth Region of the National Labor Relations Board, Petitioner,
v.
The A.G. BOONE COMPANY, Respondent.
Civ. A. No. 86-0499-R.
United States District Court, W.D. Virginia, Roanoke Division.
November 20, 1986.
James P. Lewis, NLRB, Reg. 5, Baltimore, Md.
*1547 Lloyd C. Caudle, Caudle & Spears, Charlotte, N.C., Glenn, Flippin, Feldman & Darby, Roanoke, Va., for respondent.
OPINION
TURK, Chief Judge.
The petitioner, the Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board, has moved under section 10(j) of the Labor-Management Relations Act ("the Act") for an injunction ordering the A.G. Boone Company to reopen its Montvale, Virginia trucking terminal pending the final disposition of unfair labor practice complaints against Boone that are currently before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") of the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB or "The Board"). The court finds that the petitioner has reasonable cause to believe that Boone has violated the act. It also finds, however, that the injunction sought would be neither just nor proper because it could not restore the status quo, would have little remedial effect, and would not serve the public interest. For these reasons, further explained herein, the court denies petitioner's motion for an injunction.
BACKGROUND
This case involves the A.G. Boone Company's (Boone) Montvale, Virginia trucking terminal where 19 people formerly were employed. Boone closed the terminal on June 17, 1986. The petitioner charges that the closure was discriminatorily motivated by anti-union animus and therefore violated sections 8(a)(1), and (3) and (5) of the Act. 29 U.S.C. § 158 (1982). Boone disagrees and contends that only changed economic circumstances motivated the decision to close; a legitimate business action with unfortunate but unavoidable labor consequences.
Boone is a contract carrier trucking business. Unlike a common carrier, a contract carrier does not ship goods for any customer but only for specific customers with whom it is under contract. Boone's primary customer in Virginia is the Kroger company. Kroger, incidentally, owns its own trucking fleet and is in the position of being both Boone's competitor as well as its customer. The work that Kroger ships out to contract carriers like Boone is that freight which it chooses not to haul in its own trucks.
Earlier this year Boone was confronted with two concurrent developments that eventually resulted in the current controversy. One was the organization of its employees by Local Union No. 171 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffers, Warehousemen and Helpers of America ("the Union"). The other was a series of business decisions by Kroger Company that seriously reduced the volume of business at the Montvale terminal.
A. The Union and the NLRB
On April 13, 1986 Boone's Montvale employees held an election and chose the Union as their representative. On April 28, the NLRB certified the Union as the official collective bargaining agent for the Montvale employees.
Between May and August, the Union filed allegations with the NLRB that Boone engaged in unfair labor practices in violation of sections 8(a)(1), (3), and (5) of the Act. The allegations were that Boone threatened employees before the election that it would close the terminal or reallocate certain work if the Montvale workers elected the Union; that Boone's subsequent loss of trucking runs and eventual shutdown occurred in retaliation for the employees choice to organize; and that Boone effectuated its Montvale shutdown while refusing the Union's request to bargain about the loss of jobs that a shutdown or transfer of operations would create.
Based on these allegations, the NLRB General Counsel brought charges against Boone before the Board. The ALJ heard testimony and received exhibits on these charges at a hearing on October 8, 1986. A decision is still pending. At the hearing, Boone denied the Union's allegations. In its defense, Boone offered evidence of the economic changes it faced around the same *1548 time as the Union drive and of the business decisions with which it responded.
B. The Flower-Run Experiment
In early 1986 Boone and Kroger engaged in an experimental venture for shipping flowers via the Montvale terminal. After a six week trial period, it became clear that Boone could not effectively ship flowers. Kroger therefore terminated the flower runs. Kroger's decision reduced the number of runs available to Boone's Montvale truckers.
C. The Milk Runs
Before April, 1986 Boone's Montvale drivers handled milk runs from Kroger's dairy in Lynchburg to destinations in Savannah, Georgia. Boone then entered a contract with A & P to haul goods from Charlotte, to Greensboro, North Carolina. Boone discovered that it could save $200.00 per trip by adding the Lynchburg-Savannah run to the new Charlotte-Greensboro run, thereby eliminating Montvale drivers from the Lynchburg-Savannah route. On April 21-22 Boone moved its three Lynchburg-Savannah runs from Montvale to its Charlotte terminal. As a result the Montvale terminal lost 2,700 of its weekly trucking miles.
D. The Kroger Bakery Runs
The largest source of business for the Montvale terminal was Kroger's bakery in Roanoke, Virginia. In 1983, Kroger renegotiated its bakery contract with Boone and Boone was faced with a 20% reduction in its rates. The rate reduction turned the Montvale Facility into an economically marginal operation. On June 13, 1986 Kroger announced that it was closing the Roanoke bakery. The bakery shutdown cost the Montvale terminal 4,400 miles per week. In response, Boone laid off five employees, two of whom returned on July 6. Following the bakery closing the already depleted Lynchburg dairy shipments remained as the only source of business for the Montvale terminal.
E. The Shutdown
On July 24 Boone announced to its employees that it would soon replace the Montvale terminal with a smaller garage in Madison Heights, Virginia. Whereas the Montvale terminal was 37 miles from the Lynchburg dairy, the Madison Heights operation was a short drive. Furthermore, the reduced load no longer justified the crew of mechanics and supervisors needed to support the full service terminal in Montvale. A garage in Madison Heights for fewer trucks and geographically convenient to Lynchburg would be more cost effective and would mean at least a $100,000.00 per year economic benefit to Boone.
On August 17th the still active Montvale employees struck to protest the layoffs and the proposed shutdown, events they interpreted as unfair labor practices. The next day, Boone opened the Madison Heights terminal and finally shutdown the Montvale terminal.
The Regional Director now asks the court to issue an injunction under section 10(j) of the Act ordering Boone to reopen the Montvale terminal until the ALJ issues an opinion in the pending unfair labor practice case. He insists that the injunction is necessary to prevent Boone from disposing of the Montvale terminal. Such a disposal, the petitioner contends, would render ineffective any restorative remedy that the NLRB might prescribe in the event it finds that Boone did violate the Act.
DISCUSSION
I. Injunctions Under Section 10(j)
Section 10(j) of the Act gives District Courts the discretion to grant injunctive relief upon the Board's petition in pending unfair labor practice cases. 29 U.S.C. § 160(j) (1982) Congress enacted section 10(j) to ensure that employers facing unfair labor practice charges will maintain the status quo while the Board conducts the often lengthy administrative proceedings. S.Rep. No. 105, 80th Cong. 1st Sess. 27 (1947), I Legislative History of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, at *1549 433 (1948), cited in, 2 The Developing Labor Law, 1638-39 (C. Morris, ed. 1983). To decide whether a section 10(j) injunction is appropriate in a particular case, courts apply a two step analysis. First, they determine whether there is "reasonable cause to believe that the alleged violations have occurred." Levine v. C & W Mining Co., Inc., 610 F.2d 432, 435 (6th Cir.1979); Fuchs v. Hood Industries, Inc., 590 F.2d 395, 397 (1st Cir.1979). They then apply the statutory standard, which is to determine whether an injunction in the case would be "just and proper." 29 U.S.C. § 160(j) (1982); Eisenberg v. Lenape Products, Inc., 781 F.2d 999, 1004 (3rd Cir.1986).
A. Reasonable Cause
The burden requiring the NLRB to justify an injunction with "reasonable cause" is not statutory and has developed in the courts. 2 The Developing Labor Law, supra, at 1639 n. 34. Under this standard, a district court may grant the requested relief when the evidence viewed in a light most favorable to the petitioner could reasonably support a finding that the respondent violated the Act. Id. at 2704; Seeler v. Trading Post, Inc., 517 F.2d 33, 37 (2d Cir.1975). This standard is relatively lenient and requires considerably less than a showing that the petitioner will eventually prevail on the merits. Danielson v. Joint Bd. of Coat, Suit, & Allied Garment Workers Union, 494 F.2d 1230, 1245 (2d Cir.1974) (applying same standard in case for injunction under section 10(l)).
B. Just and Proper
Whether an injunction is just and proper can depend on three variables: whether it will preserve or restore the status quo, McLeod v. General Electric Co., 366 F.2d 847, 850 (2d Cir.1966), set aside on other grounds, 385 U.S. 533, 535, 87 S.Ct. 637, 639, 17 L.Ed.2d 588 (1967), whether it will serve the public interest, Eisenberg v. Hartz Mountain Corp., 519 F.2d 138, 143 (3rd Cir.1975), and whether it will further the basic remedial purpose of the Act. Squillacote v. Meat & Allied Food Workers, Local 248, 534 F.2d 735, 744 (7th Cir. 1976).
II. The Regional Director Has Demonstrated Reasonable Cause
A. Claims Under Section 8(a)(1) and 8(a)(3)
Under section 8(a)(1) an employer may not interfere, coerce, or restrain employees in their right to organize. 29 U.S.C. § 158(a)(1). Similarly, section 8(a)(3) proscribes an employer's discriminating with respect to tenure of employment for the purpose of discouraging membership in a labor organization. 29 U.S.C. § 158(a)(3) (1982). The petitioner charges it has reasonable cause to believe that Boone violated section 8(a)(1) by threatening its drivers that electing a union would necessarily lead to a loss of jobs and possibly a shutdown. It further charges that it has reasonable cause to believe that Boone violated section 8(a)(3) by closing the Montvale terminal on June 17. The court agrees.
Testimony by Boone drivers at the administrative law hearing raises the possibility that Boone's agents or representatives did tell certain drivers that a Union election could jeopardize their jobs. Although the Administrative Law Judge alone is responsible to decide conclusively whether these statements actually were threats in violation of section 8(a)(1), his ultimate conclusion is irrelevant to the present "reasonable cause" determination. See Danielson supra at 1245. The court's role is only to gauge whether the testimony could support the Regional Director's reasonable opinion that Boone violated section 8(a)(1). Giving the Board the benefit of the doubt, the court finds that in the unstable economic atmosphere of the Boone terminal in April and after, certain of the alleged statements by Boone representatives could reasonably be construed as violations of section 8(a)(1).
Similarly, the court concludes that the Board has reasonable cause to believe that Boone violated Section 8(a)(3) when it closed the Montvale terminal. When employees *1550 lose their jobs during and immediately following a hotly contested labor dispute, it is reasonable for them to conclude that they were fired in retaliation for their labor activities. The court feels that evidence of the extrinsic economic circumstances in this case independent business decisions of the Kroger company may eviscerate the Board's claim. It is, however, the task of the Administrative Law Judge to weigh the sufficiency and relative strength of each party's evidence. The court's only role here is to determine whether the Regional Director has reasonable cause to believe his allegations. Given the circumstantial coincidence of the Union election and subsequent shutdown, the court concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe that Boone's shutdown violated section 8(a)(3).
B. The Section 8(a)(5) claim
Section 8(a)(5) makes it an unfair labor practice for an employer to refuse to bargain collectively with its employees. Relying on this section, the Regional Director charges that it was an unfair labor practice for Boone to refuse to bargain about the transfer from Montvale to Madison Heights. The court, however, disagrees that Boone's refusal to negotiate about the closing justifies a reasonable belief that section 8(a)(5) was violated.
An employer's duty to bargain is limited to matters of "wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment." 29 U.S.C. §§ 158(d), 159(a) (1982). Economic decisions that do not effect these labor issues are clearly beyond the scope of collective bargaining. Fiberboard Paper Products Corp. v. NLRB, 379 U.S. 203, 223, 85 S.Ct. 398, 409-10, 13 L.Ed.2d 233 (1964) (Stewart, J., concurring). Other business decisions, like the terminal closing at issue here, involve both economic issues and employment issues. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court has held that "an employer's need to operate freely in deciding to shut down part of the business for purely economic reasons outweighs the incremental benefit that might be gained through the Unions' participation in making that decision." First National Maintenance Corp. v. NLRB, 452 U.S. 666, 686, 101 S.Ct. 2573, 2584, 69 L.Ed.2d 318 (1981). Despite the adverse and unfortunate labor consequences a plant closing may produce, an employer is not statutorily obligated to discuss that closing with its employees' representative. Id.
Thus, Boone was under no statutory duty to negotiate with its employees about the Montvale to Madison Heights transfer. Its refusal to do so, therefore, cannot support a finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that Boone violated section 8(a)(5).
III. An Injunction in this case is not "Just and Proper"
In light of the finding that the Regional Director has reasonable cause to believe that Boone has violated the Act, the court now tries to determine whether a section 10(j) injunction would be "just and proper." On this point, the petition for an injunction must fail.
An injunction will be just and proper when it is necessary to preserve or restore the status quo, McLeod supra, 366 F.2d at 850, when it will serve the public interest in maintaining the integrity of the collective bargaining system, Hartz Mountain, supra, 519 F.2d at 143, and when it will serve the remedial purposes of the Act. Squillacote, supra, 534 F.2d at 744. An injunction in this case will accomplish none of these purposes.
There is no doubt that it was Boone's decision alone to ultimately destroy the status quo by closing the Montvale terminal and by moving to Madison Heights. Most of the economic changes that prompted the closing, however, were Kroger's business decisions the cancellation of the floral runs, and most importantly, the bakery closing. As to the other business change that preceded the closing, even the NLRB implicitly concedes that Boone's reallocation *1551 of the milk runs was a legitimate business strategy.
An injunction in this case would hardly restore Montvale's status as a viable business venture. It would force Boone to reopen the Montvale terminal but could do nothing further to restore the levels of business and employment that existed before April. An effective injunction would require the court to turn the clock back to before Kroger made the independent decisions that sharply curtailed the volume of work at the Montvale terminal. It is impossible for the court to do so.
For similar reasons, it can hardly be said that an injunction in this case would serve the remedial purposes of the Act. The court cannot find any remedial effect in an injunction that would reopen the workplace but would be unable to recreate jobs that disappeared as a result of extrinsic economic changes.
The court can further envisage no argument that could demonstrate how the toothless injunction urged by the Regional Director could serve the public interest. Since the Montvale to Madison Heights move, the level of service to the public has remained constant. Boone has maintained the same Lynchburg milk runs that it serviced before the move. If anything, a court mandated return to Montvale would disserve the public by reinstating the less cost effective system of shipping Lynchburg milk in Montvale trucks stationed 37 miles away.
CONCLUSION
Although the Regional Director has demonstrated reasonable cause to believe that Boone has violated at least two sections of the National Labor Relations Act, the court cannot find that it would be just and proper to enjoin Boone to reopen its Montvale terminal. The Regional Director's petition for an injunction under section 10(j) of the Act therefore will be denied.
An order consistent with this opinion will be entered on this day.
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Bigg Boss 11 House Pics: Latest Images of Bigg Boss 11 Revealed
Hey Guys, Are you a fan of Bigg Boss 11? Do you want to get a sneak peek of Bigg Boss 11 house Pics? Are you looking for Bigg Boss 11 House Images? Do you wish to have a look at the house of Bigg Boss 2017?
If yes, Then Congrats because you are at the right place as here I will tell your a few things about Bigg Boss House and show latest images of Bigg Boss 11 House.
Bigg Boss is one of the Biggest Reality Tv Show of India and over the period of last 10 years, it popularity has increased. In season 10 of Bigg Boss, the show was very popular and everyone wanted to have a look at Bigg Boss house.
So I though why not show you some pictures of House of Bigg Boss season 11. I hope you would like these images fore sure.
Bigg Boss House Pics/Images
Let me tell you a few things about Bigg Boss house first. Bigg Boss House is made every year with a New theme and then Contestants come to live here. Contestants have to do various task in Bigg Boss house itself and win them.
Complete house of Bigg Boss 2017 is under full surveillance of Cameras and thus we see whats happening in the house.
Bigg Boss House is very well maintained and has all the amenities like:
2 Bedrooms
2 Toilets
Kitchen
Dinning Room
Swimming Pool
Garden Area
Gym Area
Discussion Room
Common Area
Secret Room
So, Overall Bigg Boss 11 house has everything that is required by people to live a home. You can do anything anytime you want.
However, Their is another Stage outside the Bigg Boss house where Salman Khan hosts the Show.
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PG-13 - JC/AL Romance - 1/1 - Archived Apr 12, 2003
What if everything, you never knew, you always wanted was slipping from your grasp? Will Carter and Abby have the strength to face their fears and find love?
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The invention pertains to novel substituted benzodioxoles, benzofurans, dihydrobenzofurans, benzodioxanes and related derivatives having drug and bio-affecting properties and to their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations and use. In particular, the invention concerns benzodioxoles, benzofurans, dihydrobenzofurans and related derivatives bearing substituted amino methyl cyclopropyl groups. These compounds possess melatonergic properties that should make them useful in treating certain medical disorders.
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone which is synthesized and secreted primarily by the pineal gland. Melatonin levels show a cyclical, circadian pattern with highest levels occurring during the dark period of a circadian light-dark cycle. Melatonin is involved in the transduction of photoperiodic information and appears to modulate a variety of neural and endocrine functions in vertebrates, including the regulation of reproduction, body weight and metabolism in photoperiodic mammals, the control of circadian rhythms and the modulation of retinal physiology. ##STR1##
Recent evidence demonstrates that melatonin exerts its biological effects through specific receptors. Use of the biologically active, radiolabelled agonist .sup.125 I!-2-iodomelatonin has led to the identification of high affinity melatonin receptors in the CNS of a variety of species. The sequences of two cloned human melatonin receptors have been reported Reppert, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 92, p. 8734-8738, (1995) and Reppert, et al., Neuron 13, p. 1177-1185, (1994)!. In mammalian brain, autoradiographic studies have localized the distribution of melatonin receptors to a few specific structures. Although there are significant differences in melatonin receptor distribution even between closely related species, in general the highest binding site density occurs in discreet nuclei of the hypothalamus. In humans, specific .sup.125 I!-2-iodomelatonin binding within the hypothalamus is completely localized to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, strongly suggesting the melatonin receptors are located within the human biological clock.
Exogenous melatonin administration has been found to synchronize circadian rhythms in rats (Cassone, et al., J. Biol. Rhythms, 1:219-229, 1986). In humans, administration of melatonin has been used to treat jet-lag related sleep disturbances, considered to be caused by desynchronization of circadian rhythms (Arendt, et al., Br. Med. J. 292:1170, 1986). Further, the use of a single dose of melatonin to induce sleep in humans has been claimed by Wurtman in International Patent Application WO 94/07487, published on Apr. 14, 1994.
Thus, melatonin agonists should be particularly useful for the treatment of sleep disorders and other chronobiological disorders. Melatonin agonists would also be useful for the further study of melatonin receptor interactions as well as in the treatment of conditions affected by melatonin activity, such as depression, jet-lag, work-shift syndrome, sleep disorders, glaucoma, reproduction, cancer, premenstrual syndrome, immune disorders, inflammatory articular diseases and neuroendocrine disorders.
Aside from simple indole derivatives of melatonin itself, various bicyclic structures have been prepared and their use as melatonin ligands disclosed. In general these bicyclic amide structures can be represented as: ##STR2## wherein Z is an aryl or heteroaryl system attached by a two carbon bridge to the amide group. Some specific examples follow.
Yous, et al. in European Patent Application EP-527,687A, published on Feb. 17, 1993, disclose as melatonin ligands arylethylamines i, ##STR3## wherein Ar' is, inter alia, a substituted or unsubstituted benzob!thiophen-3-yl, benzimidazol-1-yl, benzob!furan-3-yl, 1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl, 1, 2-benzisothiazol-3-yl, or indazol-3-yl radical; R.sub.1 is, inter alia, an alkyl or cycloalkyl group; and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl.
Yous, et al. in European Patent Application EP-506,539A, published on Sep. 30, 1992, claim ligands ii, ##STR4## wherein A is oxygen or sulfur; X is a methylene group or a bond; and R is H or lower alkyl when p is 1 and B is defined by the radical iii, ##STR5## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sub.2 is, inter alia, hydrogen, lower alkyl or cycloalkyl. Alternatively, R is defined by the radical iii when p is 0 or 1 and B is lower alkoxy.
Several naphthalene derivatives have also been disclosed as melatonin ligands.
Andrieux, et al. in European Patent Application EP-447,285A, published on Sep. 18, 1991, claim amidoalkylnaphthalenes iv, ##STR6## wherein R is lower alkyl; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and R.sub.2 is, inter alia, hydrogen, lower alkyl, or cycloalkyl.
Yous, et al. in European Patent Application EP-562,956A, published on Sep. 29, 1993, disclose amide and urea naphthalene derivatives v, ##STR7## in which R is hydrogen or OR.sub.4 wherein R.sub.4 is, inter alia, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or COOR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkyl; X is NH or a bond; and R.sub.3 is, inter alia, alkyl, alkenyl, or cycloalkyl.
Lesieur, et al. in European Patent Application EP-530,087A, published on Mar. 3, 1993, disclose naphthylethylureas and naphthylethylthioureas vi, ##STR8## in which R is hydrogen or OR.sub.3 wherein R.sub.3 is, inter alia, hydrogen, lower alkyl, or cycloalkyl; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; X is oxygen or sulfur; and R.sub.2 is, inter alia, lower alkyl or cycloalkyl.
Langlois, et al., in Australian Patent Application AU-A-48729/93 disclose arylalkyl(thio)amides vii as melatonergic ligands, ##STR9## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, halogen, or lower alkyl; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are identical or different groups including, inter alia, hydrogen, halogen, or lower alkyl or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, together with the benzene ring which carries them, form a ring-system E.sub.3 chosen from, inter alia, naphthalene, on the understanding that the portion of the ring-system E.sub.3 formed by R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the two carbon atoms of the benzene ring which carry them is unhydrogenated or partially hydrogenated; R.sub.5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and R.sub.6 is, ##STR10## wherein X is sulfur or oxygen and R.sub.7 is, inter alia, lower alkyl or alkenyl. Compound viii is included as a specific example, ##STR11##
Horn and Dubocovich in European Patent Application EP-420,064A, published on Apr. 3, 1991, disclose 2-amidotetralins ix as melatonin ligands, ##STR12## wherein R.sub.1 is, inter alia, hydrogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxyl; R.sub.2 is, inter alia, hydrogen, halogen, or lower alkoxyl; R.sub.3 is, inter alia, hydrogen, or lower alkyl; R.sub.4 is, inter alia, lower alkyl, haloalkyl or cycloalkyl; and R.sub.5 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, oxo, aryl, lower alkyl or alkylaryl.
Copinga et al, in J. Med. Chem., 36, p. 2891-2898 (1993), discusses amidomethoxytetralins of structure x and their melatonergic properties. ##STR13## In structure x, R.sub.1 is H or OCH.sub.3 and R.sub.2 is alkyl, haloalkyl, phenylalkyl or phenyl.
Lesieur et al, in EP-708,099A, published Apr. 24, 1996, disclose compounds of structure xi, which are useful for the treatment of diseases caused by a melatonin imbalance. ##STR14## wherein ------ is a single or double bond; R.sub.1 =Me or MeNH; and X-Y =--CH(Me)--CH.sub.2 --, CH.sub.2 CH(OH)--or (CH.sub.2).sub.3 --.
North et al., in International Application WO 95/29173, published Nov. 2, 1995, disclose naphthalene derivatives of structure xii: ##STR15## wherein R.sub.1 is a group of the formula CR.sub.3 R.sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.p NR.sub.5 COR.sub.6 ; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, OR.sub.7 or CO.sub.2 R.sub.7 ; and may be the same or different substituent when q is 2; R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.6 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl; R.sub.7 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; n is zero, 1 or 2; p is an integer of 1, 2, 3 or 4; q is 1 or 2; and the dotted lines indicate the absence or presence of an additional bond. The North et al. compounds are taught to treat chronobiological disorders.
In International Application WO 95/17405, published on Jun. 29, 1995, North et al., disclose compounds of structure xiii and teach their use in the treatment of conditions related to the melatonin system. ##STR16## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.2 is a group of formula --CR.sub.3 R.sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.p NR.sub.5 COR.sub.6 ; R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sub.6 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl; n is an integer of 2, 3 or 4; and p is an integer of 1, 2, 3 or 4.
The foregoing disclosures do not teach or suggest the novel melatonergic benzodioxole, benzofuran or dihydrobenzofurans of the present invention. The novel compounds of the present invention display melatonergic agonist activity.
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Heat the oil in a large wok over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne (to taste) and sauté for another 2 minutes. If the mixture begins to stick to the bottom of the pan, deglaze by adding a few tablespoons of water and use a spatula to loosen the browned bits.
Add the eggplant, tomatoes, salt, and sugar, and toss until the eggplant is well coated with the onion-spice mixture. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until the eggplant is soft but not mushy, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flame resistance polymer composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flame resistant polymer composition having excellent flame resistance; free from production of toxic gas such as halogen gas and the like when burnt; free from environmental pollutant substances such as phosphorus, lead, and the like; exhibiting superior well-balanced characteristics such as molding processability, tensile strength, pliability (anti-whitening on folding), flexing resistance, flexibility, and the like; and useful for variety of applications such as electric wire coating materials for interconnect wiring in equipment or harnesses for vehicles, industrial materials for insulating tapes, and the like.
2. Description of the Background Art
Owing to excellent physical and chemical properties, polyolefin-based polymers (resins) are fabricated into films, sheets, pipes, containers, electric wires, cables and the like by means of various methods such as extrusion molding, injection molding, and the like, and are used as household utensils and industrial materials. Because these polyolefin resins are easily flammable, various methods for making the resins flame resistant have been disclosed. In a most common method known in the art, a halogen-containing organic flame retardant is used together with polyolefin resins. Although the use of a small amount of such a flame retardant exhibits an excellent flame resistant effect, the flame retardant has a problem of generating corrosive and toxic gas when burnt.
More recently, a flame resistant propylene resin composition comprising no halogen-containing organic flame retardant has been disclosed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 263851/1990). However, because this composition contains a phosphorus flame retardant which exhibits hygroscopic properties, the composition requires a measure for preventing bleed-out. Although a certain effect of bleed-out prevention can be attained by the addition of an olefinic rubber and a silane coupling agent, the resulting composition is not necessarily satisfactory from the viewpoint of characteristics such as pliability, flexibility, and the like, as well as from the viewpoint of environmental harmonization.
Another example is a flame resistant polypropylene composition comprising propylene homopolymer, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)ether of tetrabromobisphenol S, and antimony trioxide (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 183337/1981). However, because bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)ether of tetrabromobisphenol S which is used in this composition as a flame retardant is a suspected environmental hormone, the composition is not necessarily satisfactory from the viewpoint of environmental harmonization. In addition, although the composition exhibits improved impact strength due to the use of an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, the flexibility which is required for wiring and fabrication when the composition is used as an electric wire coating material is not necessarily satisfactory.
Furthermore, a method of using a hydrated inorganic metal compound such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide as a non-pollutant and environmentally harmonious flame retardant has been disclosed (for instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 279736/1998). However, a large amount of such a hydrated inorganic metal compound must be added to a flame resistance composition to ensure adequately high flame resistance. This not only results in decrease in the mechanical properties, particularly tensile strength, but also impairs molding processability.
The present invention has been achieved in view of this situation and has an objective of providing a flame resistant polymer composition having excellent flame resistance; free from production of toxic gas such as halogen gas and the like when burnt; free from environmental pollutant substances such as phosphorus, lead, and the like; exhibiting superior well-balanced characteristics such as molding processability, tensile strength, pliability (anti-whitening on folding), flexing resistance, flexibility, and the like; and useful for variety of applications such as electric wire coating materials for interconnect wiring in equipment or harnesses for vehicles, industrial materials for insulating tapes, and the like.
As a result of extensive studies, the present inventors have found that a flame resistant polymer composition generating no toxic gas when burnt, being free from environmentally pollutant substances, and satisfying all of the above characteristics can be obtained by a resin composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a mixture which comprises a polyolefin-based polymer and a specific hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer and/or a random copolymer of ethylene and xcex1-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms, and (B) 5 parts by weight or more of an inorganic flame retardant. This finding has led to the completion of the present invention. Specifically, the following flame resistance polymer compositions are provided according to the present invention.
(1) A flame resistant polymer composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of a mixture which comprises 1-99 wt % of (a-1) an olefin polymer and 1-99 wt % of (a-2) a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer in which 80% or more of double bonds of the conjugated diene are saturated or (a-3) a random copolymer of ethylene and xcex1-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms, or both (a-2) and (a-3); and (B) 5 parts by weight or more of an inorganic flame retardant.
(2) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (1) above, wherein the olefin polymer (a-1) is a mixture of a non-modified polyolefin and a modified polyolefin containing a functional group.
(3) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (2) above, wherein the content of the modified polyolefin in the mixture is 5-150 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the non-modified polyolefin.
(4) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (2) above, wherein the functional group in the modified polyolefin is at least one group selected from the group consisting of an acid anhydride group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, isocyanate group, and epoxy group.
(5) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (1) above, wherein the content of side chain vinyl bond of the conjugated diene portion before hydrogenation in the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) in component (A) is 55 wt % or more.
(6) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (1) above, wherein the random copolymer of ethylene and xcex1-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms (a-3) in component (A) is a random copolymer of ethylene and 1-butene or a random copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene, or both.
(7) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (1) above, wherein the inorganic flame retardant (B) comprises magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide, or both.
(8) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (2) above, wherein the surface of the inorganic flame retardant (B) is treated with a silane coupling agent.
(9) The flame resistant polymer composition described in (7) above, wherein the surface of the inorganic flame retardant (B) is treated with a silane coupling agent.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more readily apparent from the following description.
The flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention will now be described in more detail by way of embodiments.
The flame resistant polymer composition of the present invention comprises (A) 100 parts by weight of a mixture which comprises 1-99 wt % of (a-1) a polyolefin-based polymer and 1-99 wt % of (a-2) a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer in which 80% or more of double bonds of the conjugated diene are saturated or (a-3) a random copolymer of ethylene and xcex1-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms, or both (a-2) and (a-3) (hereinafter may be called xe2x80x9cMixture (A)xe2x80x9d), and (B) 5 parts by weight or more of an inorganic flame retardant (hereinafter may be called xe2x80x9cinorganic flame retardant (B)xe2x80x9d).
Each components for the composition will now be described in more detail.
1. Mixture (A)
The mixture (A) used in the present invention comprises 1-99 wt % of (a-1) a polyolefin-based polymer (hereinafter may be called xe2x80x9cpolyolefin-based polymer (a-1)xe2x80x9d) and 1-99 wt % of (a-2) a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer in which 80% or more of double bonds of the conjugated diene portion are saturated (hereinafter may be called xe2x80x9chydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2)xe2x80x9d) and/or (a-3) a random copolymer of ethylene and xcex1-olefin having 3-10 carbon atoms (hereinafter may be called xe2x80x9cethylene and xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3)xe2x80x9d).
(1) Polyolefin-based Polymer (a-1)
The polyolefin-based polymer (a-1) used in the present invention is a crystalline polyolefin resin (polymer) which can be obtained by the polymerization of one or more types of monoolefins by either the high pressure polymerization method or low pressure polymerization method. Particularly preferable polyolefin resins are polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene-1. The polyolefin resin may be either a homopolymer or a copolymer which is produced by the copolymerization of a main monomer and other monomers shown below.
Given as examples of copolymerizable monomers are linear xcex1-olefins such as ethylene (excluding the case where the main polymer is polyethylene), propylene (excluding the case where the main polymer is polypropylene), butene-1 (excluding the case where the main polymer is polybutene-1), pentene-1, hexene-1, heptene-1, and octene-1; branched xcex1-olefins such as 4-methyl pentene-1,2-methylpropene-1, 3-methylpentene-1,5-methylhexene-1,4-methylhexene-1, and 4,4-dimethylpentene-1; and other monomers copolymerizable with these xcex1-olefins. The amount of these copolymerizable monomers is preferably 20 wt % or less, and more preferably 10 wt % or less. There is no specific limitations to the manner of copolymerization. Random polymerization, block polymerization, graft polymerization, or a mixed-type of these manners of polymerization may be acceptable.
Propylene-ethylene copolymer, propylene-butene-1 copolymer, butene-1-ethylene copolymer, propylene-ethylene-butene-1 copolymer, and the like can be given as preferable copolymers used as the polyolefin-based polymer (a-1). These polyolefin-based polymers may be used either individually or in combinations of two or more.
Either a non-modified polyolefin-based polymer or a modified polyolefin-based polymer which is modified with at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an acid anhydride group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, isocyanate group, and epoxy group, or a mixture of the non-modified polyolefin-based polymer and modified polyolefin-based polymer can be used as the polyolefin-based polymer (a-1). When a mixture is used, a mixture containing 5-150 parts by weight of a modified polyolefin-based polymer for 100 parts by weight of a non-modified polyolefin-based polymer is preferable. If less than 5 parts by weight, the effect on improvement in the mechanical strength may be insufficient; if more than 150 parts by weight, tensile elongation may be impaired.
The amount of polyolefin-based polymer (a-1) added to the mixture (A) is 1-99 wt %, and preferably 20-80 wt %. If less than 1 wt %, the mechanical strength and heat resistance decreases; if more than 99 wt %, tensile elongation and flexibility is impaired.
(2) Hydrogenated Conjugated Diene Polymer (a-2)
Given as examples of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) used in the present invention are hydrogenated products of diene polymers such as a homopolymer of a conjugated diene, a random copolymer of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, a block copolymer which consists of polymer blocks of an aromatic vinyl compound and polymer blocks of a conjugated diene compound, a block copolymer which consists of polymer blocks of an aromatic vinyl compound and random copolymer blocks of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, a block copolymer which consists of polymer blocks of a conjugated diene compound and copolymer blocks of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, a block copolymer which consists of polymer blocks of a conjugated diene compound and a taper-shaped blocks consisting of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene compound in which the aromatic vinyl compound gradually increases, a block copolymer which consists of random copolymer blocks of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound and a taper-shaped blocks consisting of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene compound in which the aromatic vinyl compound gradually increases, a block copolymer which consists of polybutadiene blocks containing 30 wt % or less side chain vinyl bonds and polymer blocks of a conjugated diene compound containing 30 wt % or more side chain vinyl bonds, and the like. The above polymers before hydrogenation may be hereinafter called xe2x80x9cunhydrogenated polymersxe2x80x9d.
Although there is no limitations to the amount of side chain vinyl bonds in the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) before hydrogenation, which is the ratio of 1,2-vinyl bonds and 3,4-vinyl bonds in the conjugated diene portion of the unhydrogenated polymer, such an amount is preferably 55 wt % or more. If less than 55 wt %, the effect on improvement in the whitening on folding may be insufficient.
The hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) may be modified by a functional group. Specifically, a diene polymer may be modified with at least one group selected from the group consisting of an acid anhydride group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, isocyanate group, and epoxy group.
The ratio of a conjugated diene compound and an aromatic vinyl compound which form the unhydrogenated polymer is preferably 95:5-40:60, and more preferably 93:7-50:50.
Given as examples of conjugated diene compounds used for the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) are 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, 4,5-diethyl-1,3-octadiene, 3-butyl-1,3-octadiene, chloroprene, and the like. Among these, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, and 1,3-pentadiene, particularly 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, are preferable to obtain hydrogenated conjugated diene polymers which are industrially usable and have excellent properties. As aromatic vinyl compounds, styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, divinylbenzene, N,N-dimethyl-p-aminoethylstyrene, N,N-diethyl-p-aminoethyl styrene, vinyl pyridine, and the like can be given. Among these, styrene and xcex1-methylstyrene are preferred.
The above unhydrogenated polymer may be a polymer of which the polymer molecular chain is extended or branched via a coupling residue by using a coupling agent.
Given as examples of coupling agents are diethyl adipic acid, divinylbenzene, methyldichlorosilane, silicon tetrachloride, butyltrichlosilicate, tetrachlorostannate, butyltrichlorostannate, dimethylchlorosilicate, tetrachlorogermanium, 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,4-chloromethylbenzene, bis(trichlorosilyl)ethane, epoxidated linseed oil, tolylenediisocyanate, 1,2,4-benzenetriisocyanate, and the like.
A hydrogenated product of two or more unhydrogenated polymers may also be used as a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2). In addition, a blend of two or more hydrogenated conjugated diene polymers can also be used.
Such a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) is a hydrogenation product of a polymer of which the major polymerizable component is a conjugated diene compound, and 80% or more, preferably 90% or more double bonds in the conjugated diene portion has been saturated. If the proportion of the hydrogenation is less than 80%, weather resistance and the like are impaired.
A preferable number average molecular weight of the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) is in the range from 10,000 to 700,000, and more preferably from 50,000 to 600,000. If less than 10,000, the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer is easily blocked when pelletized and the product obtained by blending with the polyolefin-based polymer (a-1) may have lowered mechanical strength. If more than 700,000, flowability, processability, and appearance of molded products may be inferior.
Such a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) can be obtained by the methods disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 72512/1991 (page 4, upper right column, line 13 to page 6, lower left column, line 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 271325/1993 (page 3, left column, line 42 to page 7, right column, line 19), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 271327/1993 (page 3, left column, line 36 to page 7, right column, line 31).
The amount of hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) added to the mixture (A) is 1-99 wt %, and preferably 20-80 wt %. If less than 1 wt %, tensile elongation and flexibility will be impaired; and if more than 99 wt %, mechanical strength and heat resistance decrease. When use in combination with ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) which is hereinafter discussed, the total amount of the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) and ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) is 1-99 wt %, and preferably 20-80 wt %.
(3) Ethylene-xcex1-olefin Random Copolymer (a-3)
The ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) used in the present invention has an ethylene content preferably in the range of 35-85 wt %, and more preferably 40-85 wt %. If less than 35 wt %, tensile characteristics of the resultant flame resistance polymer composition may be lowered; if more than 85 wt %, flexing resistance may be impaired. In addition, the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) has a melting point peak measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) of preferably 100xc2x0 C. or less, and more preferably 95xc2x0 C. or less. If higher than 100xc2x0 C., the flexing resistance of the flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention may be impaired.
The xcex1-olefin component in the copolymer has carbon atom in the range from 3 to 10. The carbon atom number is more preferably from 4 to 10 to ensure excellent tensile strength and tensile elongation.
The ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) may be a modified ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer which contain a functional group. At least one group selected from the group consisting of an acid anhydride group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, isocyanate group, and epoxy group can be used as such a functional group. The modified ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer can be manufactured using the same method as used for manufacturing the modified polyolefin-based polymer.
Propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-hexadodecene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and the like can be given as xcex1-olefins which form the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3). Of these, 1-butene and 1-octene are preferable.
A random copolymer of ethylene and 1-butene and a random copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene can be given as preferable examples of the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3).
If required, the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) may be a copolymer with other polymerizable monomers insofar as the characteristics of the flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention are not adversely affected.
The following compounds can be given as examples of such other polymerizable monomers: vinyl compounds such as styrene, vinyl cyclopentene, vinyl cyclohexane, and vinyl norbornene; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate; unsaturated organic acids or their anhydrides such as (meth)acrylic acid and maleic anhydride; and non-conjugated polyenes such as 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 2-methyl-1,5-hexadiene, 6-methyl-1,5-heptadiene, 7-methyl-1,6-octadiene, dicyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, dicyclooctadiene, methylenenorbornene, 5-vinylnorbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-isopropyldene-2-norbornene, 6-chloromethyl-5-iso-propenyl-2-norbornene, 2,3-diisopropyldene-5-norbornene, 2-ethylidene-3-isopropyldene-5-norbornene, 2-propenyl-2,2-norbornadiene, and the like.
The ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) may contain recurring units derived from such other polymerizable monomers in the amount of 10 mol % or less, preferably 5 mol % or less, and more preferably 3 mol % or less, of the total recurring units.
The ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) may be a single ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer or may be a mixture of two or more ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymers.
A melt flow rate (MRF) at a temperature of 230xc2x0 C. and a load of 2.16 kg of the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) is preferably from 0.01 to 100 g/10 minutes, and more preferably from 0.05 to 50 g/10 minutes. If the MFR is more than 100 g/10 minutes, Mechanical strength of the resulting flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention may be impaired; if less than 0.05 g/10 minutes, flowability, processability, and appearance of molded products may be inferior.
The amount of the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) added to the mixture (A) is 1-99 wt %, and preferably 20-80 wt %. If less than 1 wt %, tensile elongation and flexibility will be impaired; and if more than 99 wt %, mechanical strength and heat resistance decrease. When used in combination with a hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2), the total amount of the hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer (a-2) and the ethylene-xcex1-olefin random copolymer (a-3) in the mixture (A) is 1-99 wt %, and preferably 20-80 wt %.
2. Inorganic Flame Retardant (B)
Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zirconium hydroxide, basic magnesium carbonate, dolomite, hydrotalcite, calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, hydrated tin oxidize, hydrated inorganic metal compound such as borax, red phosphorus, and the like can be given as examples of inorganic flame retardant (B). Among these, magnesium hydroxide, an aluminum hydroxide are desirable. These inorganic flame retardants (B) may be used either individually or in combination of two or more.
The surface of the inorganic flame retardant (B) used in the present invention may be treated with a fatty acid such as stearic acid, oleic acid, or palmitic acid, or a metal salt thereof; paraffin, wax, polyethylene wax, or a modified product thereof, an organometallic compound such as an organic borate or organic titanate; or a silane coupling agent. When the polyolefin-based polymer is a mixture of a non-modified polyolefin and a modified polyolefin containing a functional group, the use of an inorganic flame retardant (B) of which the surface is treated with a silane coupling agent is particularly preferred due to outstanding improvement in the tensile strength of the resulting composition.
As required, an ammonium polyphosphate-type flame retardant, a phosphate-type flame retardant, a silicone compound, quartz, and the like may be used to increase the flame resisting effect of the inorganic flame retardant (B). In addition, a flame retardant adjuvant such as water glass, frit, and the like, as well as silicon nitride staple fiber and the like which can prevent drip may be added.
The amount of inorganic flame retardant (B) used in the composition of the present invention is 5 parts by weight or more, preferably 25 parts by weight or more, and more preferably 50 parts by weight or more, for 100 parts by weight or the mixture (A). If less than 5 parts by weight, no composition exhibiting sufficient flame resistance can be obtained. Although there are no specific upper limits to the amount of inorganic flame retardant (B), 500 parts by weight can be given for example.
As required, the flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention may be cross-linked by a conventional method such as sulfur cross-linking, peroxide cross-linking, metal ion cross-linking, silane cross-linking, resin cross-linking, and the like.
3. Preparation of Flame Resistance Polymer Composition
Conventionally known methods can be used for preparing the flame resistance polymer composition of the present invention without any specific limitations. Examples of such methods include a method of melt-kneading mixtures using a known mixer such as an extruder, Banbury blender, kneading machine, roller, or any combinations of these, a method of dry-blending using an injection molding machine, and the like.
All components for the composition of the present invention may be mixed at one time, or a pre-mixture of any optional components may be prepared first, followed by the addition of remaining components.
The composition of the present invention may be fabricated into practically useful products by conventionally known methods such as extrusion molding, injection molding, two-color injection molding, sandwich molding, hollow mold, compression molding, vacuum forming, rotational molding, powder slash molding, vapor-foam molding, laminate molding, calender molding, blow molding, and the like. As required, the product may be processed by means of foaming, powdering, orientation, adhesion, printing, coating, plating, and the like.
Various optional additives may be added to the composition of the present invention as required. Included in such optional additives are stabilizers such as aging preventives, heat stabilizers, weather resistant agents, metal inactivators, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, and copper inhibitors; antiseptics and antifungal agents; dispersants; plasticizers; foaming agents; foaming adjuvants; coloring agents such as titanium oxide and carbon black; metal powders such as ferrite powder; glass fibers; inorganic fibers such as metal fibers; organic fibers such as carbon fibers and alamide fibers; inorganic whiskers such as composite fibers and potassium titanate whiskers; inorganic fillers such as glass beads, glass balloons, glass flakes, asbestos, mica, calcium carbonate, talc, silica, calcium silicate, hydrotalcite, kaolin, diatom earth, graphite, pumice, ebo powder, cotton flock, cork powder, barium sulfate, fluororesin, polymer beads, and mixtures of these; organic fillers such as polyolefin wax, cellulosic powder, and rubber powder; and low molecular weight polymers.
|
from .test_wrapper import *
from keras.datasets import cifar10
from keras.models import load_model
from hlib.frontend import relay_parser
import sys
sys.trackbacklimit = 0
batch = 1
(x_train, y_train), (x_test, y_test) = cifar10.load_data()
x = x_test[0:9984, 0:32, 0:32, 0:3] / 255
x_train_keras = np.reshape(x, (-1, batch, 32, 32, 3))
x = np.transpose(x_train_keras, [0, 1, 4, 2, 3])
x = np.reshape(x, (-1, batch, 3, 32, 32))
y = y_test[0:9984].reshape(-1, batch)
test = 1
if(test == 0):
test_wrapper("cifar10.h5", "relay", "keras", "cifar10",
x, y, (batch, 10), {'input_1': (batch, 3, 32, 32)}, batch_size=32)
elif(test == 1):
keras_model = load_model('cifar10.h5')
correct = 0
total = 0
for i in range(y.shape[0]):
x_p = keras_model.predict(x_train_keras[i])
if(np.argmax(x_p, axis=1) == y[i]):
correct += 1
total += 1
print("accuracy:", correct / (total * 1.0))
|
The Resource The Monroe Doctrine : national or international? : the problem and its solution, by William I. Hull
The Monroe Doctrine : national or international? : the problem and its solution, by William I. Hull
Resource Information
The item The Monroe Doctrine : national or international? : the problem and its solution, by William I. Hull represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Biddle Law Library.
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Movie Review: Legend
Hardy was in some stuff I enjoyed before I knew who he was. Black Hawk Down. Band of Brothers. RocknRolla.
Then I started to notice him and like him. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Dark Knight Rises. Inception.
Then I fell in love with the dude. Inception. Bronson. Mad Max Fury Road.Peaky (fucking) Blinders. The trailer for the new Dicaprio movie The Revenant.
This movie has 2 Tom Hardy’s. He plays twins. There are two of him. Two hours of movie time but probably something like 3 and a half ours of Tom Hardy time.
–
There are much better mobster movies, I can’t really think of any of the top of my head right now.
If I told you that there was a gangster movie with a pair of twins in 60s England you would probably have an idea of what you’d think the movie would be, right? What you would probably guess is the rise of these gangsters and then maybe someone falls in love and then they fall. Right!? Yeah that’s pretty much it. They’ve done it before. So did they accomplish telling the story well? Meh.
I really wish I could think of the name of a better mobster movie. The Good Father?
Legend was okay. I enjoyed it but it was sort of slow and boring at times. I wasn’t really bored because I had Tom Hardy to entertain me but it wasn’t fantastic. There was occasional awkward use of narrator. In movies you can show me things, you don’t have to tell me. The use of music was sort of weird. It wanted to steer me to feel things but wasn’t super effective. It stood out a lot. Good use of music generally doesn’t stand out, it should feel natural. Also it just felt too long. It’s a bit over 2 hours and they could and should have done some cutting.
God Fellows?
Another thing of note: Some people talk in movies.
“Yeah, she taking pills.” was a comment that one “person” said out loud in a movie theater.
Bitch, the people on the screen can’t hear you. Also, other people in the audience with you CAN hear you. Did you know that? Are you doing it for you? What’s up? Why the fuck can’t you contain yourself? What’s wrong with you?
TLDR: 3/5. I liked this movie despite of itself. In better hands this would have been a better movie but I still enjoyed it. When this is on Netflix instant check it out. Fun to watch Tom Hardy be a mobster but it could have been better.
|
Introduction {#Sec1}
============
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a poorly understood chronic immune-mediated liver disease represented by widespread fibrotic strictures of the intra- and the extra-hepatic biliary tree. PSC is a devastating disease that lacks effective treatment and validated animal models. To date, several risk loci have been identified for PSC, with the large majority of them involving genes encoding molecules that serve essential functions in immune-related pathways^[@CR1]^.
The *CD28* locus is a newly recognized risk factor in PSC development^[@CR2],\ [@CR3]^; different genetic variants within the *CD28/CTLA4* locus have been also associated with rheumatoid arthritis^[@CR4]^, celiac disease^[@CR5]^, alopecia areata^[@CR6]^ and more recently with multiple sclerosis^[@CR7]^ (an overview of the different SNPs and their location in relation to PSC risk variant is shown in Fig. [1](#Fig1){ref-type="fig"}). Because the CD28 protein is an important co-stimulatory molecule involved in the survival, clonal expansion, IL-2 production and metabolic activity of T cells^[@CR8]^, it is predicted that such variants of CD28 will have functional impact on immune activation. From studies in several inflammatory diseases, including PSC, it is evident that the CD28 pathway has relevance to disease biology^[@CR3]^ ~.~ However, thus far, the biological implications of such variants are not clear, limiting translation of genetic discoveries through to biologic impact.Figure 1Location of rs7426056 single nucleotide polymorphism on *CD28* locus. Rs7426056 SNP is located between *CD28* and *CTLA4* genes; approximately 3.5 kb downstream the CD28 3′UTR and approximately 120 kb upstream *CTLA4* gene. Several risk variants in the *CD28/CTLA4* locus have been associated with other autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases. Exons are indicated in black. (**B**) Table shows the linkage disequilibrium of rs7426056 with the other SNPs in *CD28* and *CTLA4* genes. PSC: primary sclerosing cholangitis, RA: rheumatoid arthritis, MS: multiple sclerosis, AA: alopecia areata, CEL: celiac disease.
The genetic variant "rs7426056" in the *CD28* gene locus associated with PSC (minor allele A) is sufficiently common (0.229 in controls) to facilitate investigation in human lymphocytes^[@CR1]^. Therefore, to probe our hypothesis that there are functional differences related to CD28 expression and function based on genetic background, we studied healthy subjects genotyped for this CD28 risk variant, evaluating: (a) basal CD28 expression and (b) phenotype and function of activated CD4^+^ T cells.
Results {#Sec2}
=======
CD28 mRNA expression is genotype dependent {#Sec3}
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The gender and age of all subjects was equal between groups \[GG: 45 (range: 32--53 years), AA: 47.5 (range: 37--57 years), and AG: 45.5 (range: 33--53). *CD28* mRNA expression was significantly lower in AA (2^−ΔCt^ = 0.003) compared to GG (0.01, *p* \< 0.001) and AG (0.009, *p* \< 0.001) subjects when studying total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (see Methods) (Fig. [2A](#Fig2){ref-type="fig"}). However, we did not detect a statistically significant difference in peripheral blood CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cell frequencies between the different genotypes (Fig. [2C,D](#Fig2){ref-type="fig"}). Studying CD28 cell surface MFI also revealed no statistically significant difference across genotypes \[GG: median = 101 (range: 72--148), AA: 87 (63--154), AG: 99 (71--146)\] (Fig. [2E](#Fig2){ref-type="fig"}). A positive correlation between frequency of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells and CMV positivity was observed (Supplementary Figure [1A](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"}), as previously described^[@CR9]^. After exclusion of CMV seropositive donors from the analysis, however, AA carriers still showed reduced CD28 mRNA expression (0.0029 median value) compared to GG (0.0098) and AG (0.0088) (Fig. [1B](#Fig1){ref-type="fig"}). Grubbs test analysis or Box plot revealed the presence of one extreme outlier in the AA group (value of 2^−ΔCt^ of 0.03) and its removal from the statistical analysis showed that the CD28 mRNA expression levels in AA were significantly lower compared to GG (p = 0.02) and AG (p = 0.03). CD28 is expressed by both CD4 and CD8 T cells; mRNA expression was studied in total PBMCs thus the *CD28* expression levels should be also attributed to CD8^+^ T cells. In CD8^+^ T cells no statistically significant differences in frequency of CD28^−^ T cells was detected between the different genotypes (Supplementary Figure [1B](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"}). Exclusion of CMV seropositive donors when studying CD28 protein expression and specifically the frequency of CD28^−^ T cells in the CD4 and CD8 population results in similar frequencies across genotypes \[% of CD28^−^ T cells in CD4 in GG: median = 0.279 (range 0.08--0.37), AA: 0.272 (0.15--1.13), AG: 0.294 (0.06--1.2)\] \[% of CD28^−^ T cells in CD8 in GG: median = 21.1 (range 3.83--69.4), AA: 15.75 (8.63--54), AG: 18 (12.6--47.2)\] (Supplementary Figure [1C,D](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"}). These data show that CMV seropositive donors have higher frequencies of CD28^−^ T cells. However, it is noteworthy that in GG individuals only 3/13 (23%) were CMV seropositive, whereas in AA and AG 5/13 (38%) and 4/13 (31%), respectively, were CMV seropositive. Collectively, our data suggest that an interplay between viral infection and genotype might be important for CD28 expression.Figure 2AA subjects show reduced CD28 mRNA expression but similar frequencies of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells with GG and AG. (**A**) RNA from freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was extracted, transcribed into cDNA and tested for CD28 mRNA expression in healthy individuals homozygous (AA) or heterozygous (AG) for the PSC risk variant and homozygous for the protective allele (GG) (n = 14 per group). Data are expressed as 2^−ΔCt^ relative to beta actin. Lines indicate median values. \*\**p* = 0.002 *and \*\*p* = 0.003 with Mann Whitney U test after exclusion of the outlier detected in the AA group by Grubbs test. (**B**) *CD28* mRNA expression in total PBMCs in CMV seronegative donors. Data are expressed as 2^−ΔCt^ relative to beta actin. AA and AG healthy individuals homozygotes and heterozygotes for the PSC risk variant and GG homozygotes for the protective allele. Lines indicate median values. \**p* = 0.02 *and \*p* = 0.03 with Mann Whitney U test after exclusion of the outlier detected in the AA group by Grubbs test. (**C**) Representative flow cytometry plots showing the gating strategy to define CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells in PBMCs. CD3^+^CD4^+^ cells were selected after duplet exclusion and CD28 expression was studied in the CD4^+^ population. (**D**) Data show the proportion of CD4^+^ T cells that have lost CD28 expression. Line indicates median with interquartile range. (**E**) CD28 median fluorescence intensity (MFI) across genotypes. Line indicates median value.
The *CD28* risk variant alone is not sufficient to explain CD28 loss {#Sec4}
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We have recently reported that CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells accumulate in livers of patients with PSC, where they localize close to the bile ducts and can induce the death and activation of the latter^[@CR3]^. High levels of TNFα were detected in the liver of PSC patients and we showed that TNFα could downregulate the expression of CD28 on PSC T cells *in vitro* ^[@CR3]^ ~.~ CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells serve as a surrogate marker of inflammation in several autoimmune and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases^[@CR10]--[@CR12]^, therefore we assessed whether there are biologic differences across the genotypes in the context of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cell expansion after TNFα stimulation.
After 21 days TNFα enhanced the expansion of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells across all genotypes. This effect was not significantly different at day 14 for AA and AG genotypes, in keeping with a delayed response to TNFα-mediated loss of CD28 expression in at risk subjects (Fig. [3A](#Fig3){ref-type="fig"}). Even in untreated conditions where only two cycles of TCR stimulation were applied in the absence of TNFα, in cells with the GG genotype there was a greater expansion of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells at day 14 compared to AA and AG (Fig. [3A](#Fig3){ref-type="fig"}).Figure 3Individuals with AA and AG genotypes are less susceptible to TNFα-mediated loss of CD28 expression. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated with aCD3/aCD28 beads (two cycles of activation) in the presence or absence of TNFα and in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ for 14 and 21 days. (**A** and **B**) Data show the proportion of CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells that lost CD28 expression in the presence (TNFα) and absence of TNFα (Untreated) and in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ after 14 and 21 days. (**C**) Data show the proportion of CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells that lost CD28 expression in the presence of TNFα and in the simultaneous presence of TNFα and 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ after 14 and 21 days in culture. Healthy individuals homozygous (AA) (n = 14) or heterozygous (AG) (n = 14) for the PSC risk SNP "rs7426056" in the CD28 locus and n = 14 homozygous for the protective allele (GG). Data show mean with SEM. \*p \< 0.05, \*\*p \< 0.01, \*\*\*p \< 0.001 with Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.
Carriers of the wild type allele (GG) are more susceptible to the pro-inflammatory effects of TNFα but also responsive to the protective effect of vitamin D {#Sec5}
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We have previously reported that active vitamin D (1,25(OH)~2~D~3~) can overcome the effect of TNFα upon loss of CD28 expression^[@CR3]^, therefore we studied whether there are genotype-associated differences in the ability of T cells to respond to 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ vitamin D. In GG, 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ significantly reduced the frequency of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells in the presence of TNFα at both day 14 and day 21 (5- and 4.3- fold, respectively, *p* \< 0.001). In AA and AG, this effect was significant only at day 21 (2.5-fold mean suppression in both cases, *p* \< 0.001, *p* \< 0.01) (Fig. [3B and C](#Fig3){ref-type="fig"}), possibly because at day 14 there was not a significant induction of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cells by TNFα. Collectively, our data indicate that carriers of the wild type allele (GG) are more susceptible to the pro-inflammatory effects of TNFα but also remain responsive to the protective effect of vitamin D.
T cells from the different genotypes are equally responsive to 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ {#Sec6}
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We employed a system with fixed CHO-CD80 cells to stimulate CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells and study the ability of the latter to respond (by cytokine production, up-regulation of activation markers and proliferation) as this system has been well characterised in former published studies performed by our collaborators^[@CR13],\ [@CR14]^. These studies demonstrate the necessity of the CHO-CD80 co-stimulatory signal for T cell proliferation, even in the presence of anti-CD3, and its stronger ability to promote T cell proliferation compared to CD86, consistent with the greater affinity of CD80 for CD28 compared to CD86. Former studies have also shown the ability of the ligand binding domain of CTLA-4 (CTLA-4-Ig) to block the fixed CD80 signal provided by fixed CHO-CD80 cells, preventing T cell proliferation^[@CR14]^.
T cell activation and CD28 signaling promote T cell proliferation, therefore we assessed whether the T cells from subjects with the risk variant show impaired proliferation capacity. Our data show that T cells from all genotypes were equally able to proliferate as indicated by the similar percentage of undivided cells \[GG: median = 28.1% (range: 9.03--55.1), AA: median = 25.8% (range: 9.69--59.6), AG: median = 27.2% (range: 9.28--53.9)\]. Treatment with vitamin D did not alter this frequency, which was again similar across genotypes \[GG: median = 28.45% (range: 9.44--58.3), AA: median = 23.15% (range: 10.9--59.1), AG: median = 27.8% (range: 13.2--53.2)\] (Fig. [4A](#Fig4){ref-type="fig"}). Evaluation of the proliferation index, which shows the average number of divisions for those cells that went into division, showed similar values across genotypes in the presence and absence of vitamin D (Fig. [4B](#Fig4){ref-type="fig"}). To account for cells that never divided we further calculated the division index, a measure of the average number of divisions that a cell in the original population has undergone. This was likewise similar across genotypes in the presence and absence of vitamin D (Fig. [4C](#Fig4){ref-type="fig"}).Figure 4GG, AA and AG individuals show similar levels of proliferation. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated *in vitro* with aCD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ for 5 days. Data show (**A**) the percentage of undivided cells, (**B**) the proliferation index and (**C**) the division index across genotypes in the presence (VitD+) and absence (VitD−) of vitamin D.
T cell activation and CD28 signaling also promote the expression of Foxp3, CD25 and CTLA-4 molecules^[@CR15]^, therefore we assessed whether the T cells from subjects with the risk variant are functionally defective in their CD28 signaling. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were stimulated for 5 days with anti-CD3 (aCD3) in the presence of CD80 expressed on CHO cells and the expression of the aforementioned markers was assessed by flow cytometry. No significant differences were detected between genotypes (Fig. [5](#Fig5){ref-type="fig"}). 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ vitamin D has predominantly an immunosuppressive effect on the adaptive immune response promoting the development of regulatory T cells^[@CR16],\ [@CR17]^. We therefore further assessed the ability of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ vitamin D to induce a regulatory phenotype on CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells after 5 days *in vitro* activation by aCD3 and CHO-CD80. All groups (AA, AG, GG) upregulated CTLA-4 and Foxp3 expression (Fig. [5](#Fig5){ref-type="fig"}) upon vitamin D stimulation. In untreated conditions (without vitamin D) cells from GG, AA and AG individuals showed similar induction of CD25 as indicated by the % of CD25 expressing cells \[GG: 66% ± 14, AA: 64% ± 14 and AG: 62% ± 19 (mean value ± SD)\] and CD25 MFI \[GG:151 ± 114, AA: 195 ± 152, AG: 157 ± 131 (mean value ± SD)\]. Stimulation with vitamin D did not alter the % of CD25 expressing cells but resulted in significant induction of CD25 MFI in GG (from 151 to 229 mean value) (\**p* = 0.018) and AA (from 195 to 251 mean value) (\**p* = 0.016), thus causing a 1.5 and 1.3 fold induction, respectively. In AG, vitamin D induced a lower CD25 expression (from 157 to 191 mean value) (Fig. [5](#Fig5){ref-type="fig"}). It is known that CD25 expression is upregulated by TCR stimulation and CD28, as well as by vitamin D via CD28 signaling^[@CR14]^. In our experiments vitamin D induced CD28 expression and IL-2 cytokine secretion at similar levels across genotypes (Supplementary Figures [2](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"} and [3](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"}). It is also well known that high CD25 expression defines T regulatory cells, thus higher CD25 expression could possibly mean higher frequency of T regulatory cells. Our data however on Treg frequencies based on CD25 expression as well as Foxp3 and CTLA-4 expression revealed an induction of regulatory cells after vitamin D stimulation with no significant differences across genotypes (Fig. [6](#Fig6){ref-type="fig"}). CD25 is considered an activation marker, thus the higher expression on T cells from GG and AA may mean a more activated phenotype.Figure 5AA, AG and GG individuals express similar levels of CD25, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 molecules. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated *in vitro* with aCD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ for 5 days. (**A**) Representative flow cytometry plots showing proliferating T cells expressing CD25, Foxp3 and CTLA-4. (**B**) Percentage of proliferating cells that express CD25, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 under no vitamin D treatment conditions (VitD−). (**C--E**) Data show the percentage of proliferating cells that express CD25, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 and their respective median fluorescence intensity values for GG, AA and AG genotypes of the PSC CD28 risk allele locus. Representative overlay histograms showing the expression of each marker in the presence and absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~. \*p \< 0.05, \*\*p \< 0.01, \*\*\*p \< 0.001 using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Figure 6GG, AA and AG individuals show similar frequencies of Tregs. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated *in vitro* with aCD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ for 5 days. (**A**) Representative flow cytometry plots showing expression of Foxp3 and CTLA4 on CD25^+^ cells across genotypes in the presence (VitD+) and absence (VitD−) of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~. Values in cross symbols represent the mean frequency (%) of Foxp3^hi^ CTLA4^+^ and Foxp3^int^ CTLA4^+^ plus/minus standard deviation across genotypes in all samples (n = 14 per group). (**B**) Frequency of Foxp3^hi^ CTLA4^+^ in CD25^+^ cells in the presence and absence of vitamin D. (**C,D**) Foxp3 and CTLA4 median fluorescence intensity (MFI) on Foxp3^hi^ CTLA4^+^ cells.
Treg cell induction was further assessed based on the co-expression of CD25, Foxp3 and CTLA-4. Tregs were therefore defined as CD25^+^ Foxp3^hi^ CTLA4^+^. Our data show a similar frequency of Tregs across genotypes in basal conditions (VitD−) \[GG: median = 11% range (4.2--21.7), AA: median = 11% range (3.7--29.0), AG: median = 9% (range: 5.6--23.6); values show the proportion of CD25^+^ cells expressing Foxp3 and CTLA4\]. The presence of vitamin D (VitD+) significantly increased the proportion of Foxp3^hi^ CTLA4^+^ cells in the CD25^+^ population in each group \[GG: median = 25% (range: 5.0--43.8), AA: median = 25% (range: 7.7--43.7), AG: median = 20% (range: 6.7--46.2)\] (Fig. [6A,B](#Fig6){ref-type="fig"}). No significant differences were detected in the proportion of induced Tregs in the presence of vitamin D across genotypes (Fig. [6A,B](#Fig6){ref-type="fig"}). The median fluorescence intensity of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 molecules was similar across genotypes in the presence and absence of vitamin D (Fig. [6C,D](#Fig6){ref-type="fig"}).
All groups (AA, AG, GG) downregulated OX40 and PD-1, with no significant differences across the groups being detected. The expression of ICOS activation marker on CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells after *in vitro* stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line was similar across genotypes albeit slightly lower in GG and AG compared to AA individuals \[MFI in GG: 78 ± 35, AA: 94 ± 33 and AG: 76 ± 24 (mean value ± SD)\]. In GG donors stimulation with 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ induced ICOS MFI \[from 78 ± 35 to 96 ± 48 (mean value ± SD) by 1.2 fold (*p* = 0.042)\]. In AA there was no change in ICOS MFI after stimulation with vitamin D and in AG there was only minimal ICOS induction (Fig. [7](#Fig7){ref-type="fig"}). The significant upregulation of ICOS MFI on T cells from GG donors after vitamin D stimulation is possibly because there was lower ICOS expression in untreated conditions as a starting point thus the difference in its expression was seen more robust after vitamin D stimulation. It is known that ICOS expression requires TCR activation and CD28 co-stimulation. We and others have shown that vitamin D can increase the median fluorescence of CD28 on CD4^+^ T cells^[@CR3],\ [@CR18]^, and our current data show an induction of CD28 MFI after vitamin D stimulation at similar levels across genotypes (Supplementary Figure [3](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"})\], thus the differential level of ICOS MFI on CD4^+^ T cells across genotypes seems not to be attributed to effects of vitamin D and CD28 expression. Notably, vitamin D receptor (VDR) binding regions have been detected closer to CD28 and CTLA-4 genes (one close to the promoter region of CD28, two in between CD28 and CTLA-4, and one in the CTLA-4 gene itself). In either side of ICOS gene there have been detected some VDR binding sites but they are more distant, therefore CD28 and CTLA-4 are more likely targets of direct regulation by vitamin D than is ICOS^[@CR19]^. ICOS plays an important role in the development and effector functions of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells^[@CR20]^, thus the higher expression of ICOS on GG donors may suggest differential effects on immune cell activation after its stimulation. Therefore, these data further verify the immunoregulatory role of vitamin D and the equal responsiveness of T cells across different genotypes to 1,25(OH)~2~D~3.~ Figure 7AA, AG and GG individuals express similar levels of ICOS, OX40 and PD-1 molecules after T cell activation. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated *in vitro* with aCD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ for 5 days. (**A**) Representative flow cytometry plots showing proliferating T cells expressing ICOS, OX40 and PD-1. (**B**) Percentage of proliferating cells that express ICOS, OX40 and PD-1 under no vitamin D treatment conditions (VitD−). (**C--E**) Data show the percentage of proliferating cells that express ICOS, OX40 and PD-1 and their respective median fluorescence intensity values for GG, AA and AG genotypes of the PSC CD28 risk allele locus. Representative overlay histograms showing the expression of each marker in the presence and absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~. \*p \< 0.05, \*\*\*p \< 0.001, \*\*\*\*p \< 0.0001 using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.
The level and type of co-stimulation that T cells receive plays an important role in determining their differentiation and cytokine production^[@CR21]^. Therefore, we also assessed the effect of CD28 genotype upon CD4^+^ T cell cytokine production. Genotype had no effect upon cytokine production in the absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ and T cells from all three genotypes were able to respond to 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ as indicated by the increased ratio of anti-inflammatory IL-10 versus the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ, IL-17, IL-9, IL-21 and IL-22 (Fig. [8](#Fig8){ref-type="fig"}, Supplementary Figure [2](#MOESM1){ref-type="media"}). Therefore, these data also indicate an equivalent ability of each CD28 genotype to transmit the co-stimulation signal to respond to 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~.Figure 8AA, AG and GG individuals respond to vitamin D and produce regulatory cytokines. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were activated *in vitro* with aCD3 antibody and CHO-CD80 cell line in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~. At day 3, cell-free supernatant was collected and tested for the presence of secreted cytokines. Data show the ratio of IL-10 versus pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ, IL-17, IL-2, IL-9, IL-21 and IL-22. \*\*p \< 0.01, \*\*\*p \< 0.001 using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.
Discussion {#Sec7}
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Studies on the biological significance of identified genetic susceptible loci are limited. Many polymorphisms linked to human autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases have been identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), however the functional relevance of most of these genetic variations remain undefined. Here we explored the association of the confirmed PSC disease risk allele rs7426056 in the *CD28* locus with expression of CD28 and T cell function and responsiveness to variable stimuli in healthy individuals. We confirm that: (i) basally there is genotype dependent effect on gene expression in carriers of the susceptible CD28 variant; (ii) an interplay between viral infection and genotype might be also important for CD28 expression; (iii) signaling of CD28 is not different across the genotypes and neither is their response to vitamin D; and (iv) there is a genotype effect on response to TNFα inflammatory stimuli, which can be overcome by vitamin D.
The rs7426056 CD28 genetic variant is located 3.5 kb downstream of the *CD28* 3′UTR and approximately 120 kb upstream of *CTLA4*. It is in almost complete linkage disequilibrium (r^2^ = 0.99) (<https://caprica.genetics.kcl.ac.uk/~ilori/ld_calculator.php>) with the genetic variant rs1980422, also within the CD28 locus, that has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis locus^[@CR4]^. The large majority of disease-associated SNPs are located in between genes and such non-coding SNPs may lead to decreased or enhanced production of the transcript and/or its translation into protein by affecting enhancers, microRNAs, or through long-range transcription regulation^[@CR22]^. Our data show an altered gene expression in carriers of the susceptible CD28 variant, however no differences in protein levels were detected, at least on CD4^+^ T cells that were studied. A significant correlation between another CD28 variant (rs6435203), which is in close linkage disequilibrium with the studied rs7426056 and *CD28* mRNA expression has been also reported^[@CR7]^. The triggers of expansion of CD28^−^ T cells are unclear; continuous antigenic stimulation^[@CR23]^ and *in vitro* replicative senescence^[@CR24]^ have been reported to influence CD28 expression. An association between *HLA-DRA* and loss of CD28 expression on memory CD8^+^ T cells has been reported in healthy subjects^[@CR25]^ therefore a combination of genetic and environmental factors may further contribute to loss of CD28 expression. In addition, our data show that the signaling of CD28 and specifically the ability of CD4^+^ T cells to respond to vitamin D is not different across genotypes as indicated by the induction of a regulatory phenotype and an increased anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory cytokine ratio in vitamin D treated samples.
Identifying the functional significance of GWAS-identified disease-associated variants is now a major but important challenge as it will allow enhanced understanding of disease pathologies from which novel preventative and therapeutic strategies can be developed. Overall, our study into the functional significance of the PSC-associated CD28 variant, rs7426056, has identified a possible inhibitory effect of the SNP upon CD28 mRNA expression, although CD28 protein *ex vivo* remained unchanged in CD4^+^ T cells and we observed a protective effect of the variant upon CD28 loss under inflammatory conditions. To note, our system used a mixed CD4 population consisting of both naïve and memory cells thus unable to distinguish between polarization of naïve cells and reactivation of memory cells. However, a mixture of CD4 populations is expected to be present *in vivo*, thus we believe our approach was a more realistic approach. The mixture of naïve and memory cells was similar across genotypes, thus this should not interfere with the validity of findings.
The functional effect of this CD28 SNP in PSC pathology therefore remains slightly unclear. It is likely that rs7426056, is not an independent regulator of CD28-mediated T cell responses but becomes significant in PSC when inherited with other PSC-associated gene variants. Our study does not suggest an interaction of rs7426056 with the environmental variant vitamin D but other PSC-associated environmental risk factors could affect its biological effect. One interesting regulator of immune responses that is gaining much attention as a regulator of immune responses, is metabolism. Notably, CD28 co-stimulation has been shown to enhance the expression of glucose transporters, glucose uptake, and glycolysis in human T cells in a PI3K dependent manner^[@CR26]^. Whether rs7426056 affects T cell metabolism is therefore of future interest.
An alternative explanation for the association of rs7426056 with PSC is its co-inheritance with a functional disease variant by linkage disequilibrium. Indeed, it is very likely that many GWAS-identified disease variants are essentially tags for a limited number of functional disease-causing variants. Studies to identify the roles of GWAS variants should therefore focus initially on those in or surrounding genes for which a functional involvement of the encoded factor has already been demonstrated. However, as our study suggests, multiple genetic and environmental factors could affect the functional manifestation of the mutation and its involvement in disease. Understanding the potential role of genetic association signals in disease biology will therefore require complex and carefully controlled studies. To date, genome wide association studies in PSC have identified 23 susceptibility loci and this is mirrored by even more risk loci for other autoimmune diseases. Therefore, in this context, whilst of course ultimately one wishes to study gene effects in patients (and more specifically in target tissues and target cell types, controlled for risk, stage and disease treatment), it is scientifically logical to start evaluating a gene risk locus in healthy controls: this allows investigators to attempt to model the impact of the genetic variation more closely, without all the confounding effects of multiple other disease risk gene effects, the consequences of disease and its progression, as well as the impact of therapies.
A methodological constraint of our study and one that makes the task of analyzing healthy individuals in which a single variant of interest is being studied, is the power calculation analysis. Initial power calculation analysis based on our previous findings^[@CR3]^ revealed that to detect a difference of 50% between the control and vitamin D treated groups a sample size of 14 patients per group would be sufficient to detect a difference of this size with alpha = 0.05 and power of 80%. Based on the sample size we have used (n = 14 per group of healthy individuals) one-way ANOVA comparing the logged values of CD4^+^CD28^−^ T cell frequencies showed a 6.7-fold minimal detectable difference between the groups at 80% power and 5% alpha. Our sample size was limited however by substantial ethical and logistic practicalities (i.e. need for same day shipping of blood in working hours, day of the week the bleeding should take place on, availability and willingness of subjects to take part, and season of the year \[acquisition and processing of 42 samples in total lasted 5 months\]) and therefore it is acknowledged that our study power could in the ideal world have been augmented, and future much larger studies overcoming the logistics of working with fresh samples from large numbers of healthy volunteers should account for this. Our main genotype difference is between GG vs AG/AA, at around 2.5-fold (geometric mean: 0.35 vs 0.88/0.81), and for this to be statistically significant confirmed finding, a much larger number of healthy individuals (approaching 200 in total across genotypes) would be needed, something we could not overcome in this study.
To conclude, our study is one of the very few that attempts to address the biological significance of CD28 genetic variant in the pathology of an immune-mediated liver disease of unknown etiology. Understanding the effects of the different genotypes on gene expression, susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli and environmental factors has started to be the focus of several research attempts. Therefore, hopefully extension of such studies as ours will lead to better understanding of how genetic risk loci associated with disease impact meaningful biologic pathways.
Methods {#Sec8}
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Study population {#Sec9}
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Peripheral blood from healthy individuals with known risk (AA and AG) and control genotypes (GG) (n = 14 per group) was collected via the Cambridge NIHR BioResource. All samples were obtained with Local Research and Ethics Committee approval and informed patient consent. All experimental protocols were approved by NHS Health Research Authority and NRES Committee West Midlands - South Birmingham (REC 2003/242) and all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.
Table [1](#Tab1){ref-type="table"} illustrates the characteristics (sex and age) of all individuals included in the study. All data were assessed blinded to genotype.Table 1Characteristics of all individuals included in the study.Donor IDSexAge (years)Category\# 01F49AA\# 02F51AG\# 03F43GG\# 04F33AG\# 05F32GG\# 06F39AA\# 07F48AA\# 08F47AG\# 09F48GG\# 10M47GG\# 11M45AG\# 12M50AA\# 13M51AA\# 14M49AG\# 15M52GG\# 16F47AG\# 17F41GG\# 18F47AA\# 19F52GG\# 20F47AA\# 21F48AG\# 22F53AG\# 23F43GG\# 24F51AA\# 25F52AG\# 26F52AA\# 27F47GG\# 28F48GG\# 29F43AG\# 30F45AA\# 31F35GG\# 32F34AG\# 33F37AA\# 34M50AA\# 35M53GG\# 36M46AG\# 37F51GG\# 38F57AA\# 39F48AG\# 40M42AA\# 41M50GG\# 42M41AG
Cell Isolation {#Sec10}
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Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation using Lympholyte (Cedarlane Laboratories, Burlington, Canada) for 20 min at 800 g. CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were purified from PBMCs using a custom made negative selection antibody cocktail (StemCell Technologies), according to manufacturer's instructions.
Cell Culture {#Sec11}
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Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing CD80, were cultured in DMEM (Life Technologies, Paisley, UK) supplemented with 10% v/v FBS (Life Technologies), 1% penicillin, streptomycin (Life Technologies) and incubated at 37 °C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO~2~.
CD4^+^ CD25^−^ T cell *in vitro* stimulation {#Sec12}
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CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells, enriched (on average) to \>94% were cultured in RPMI1640 media supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin-glutamine (PSG) and 10% foetal calf serum (FCS) (Life Technologies). For some studies as described, T cells were stimulated with aCD3/aCD28 Dynabeads (1 μl/well (\~1:10 bead:cell); Life Technologies), IL-2 (50U/ml; Peprotech) in the presence/absence of TNFα (10ng/ml; Peprotech) with or without vitamin D (1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ 10 nM); ENZO Life Sciences). At 4-days, beads were removed using a magnet and cells were split to 0.5 × 10^6^ cells/ml. At day 6 cells were re-activated with aCD3/aCD28 beads for another cycle of activation for 4 days. At day 10 beads were removed, cultures were assessed and maintained at 0.5--1 × 10^6^ cells/ml. After that, cultures were assessed every 4 days and maintained at 0.5--1 × 10^6^ cells/ml. Cytokines and 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ were also re-supplemented at the time of cell culture assessment. The concentration of IL-2 was increased to 100U/ml after 1 week. Cells were cultured for up to 21 days. CD28 expression was assessed at days 14 and 21 using flow cytometry.
For separate experiments, CD4^+^CD25^−^ T cells were labelled with cell trace violet (Life Technologies) per manufacturer's instructions. CHO-CD80 cells were trypsinized and fixed with 0.025% glutaraldehyde for 3 mins at room temperature followed by quenching with media containing FCS. Fixed cells were washed and finally resuspended in RPMI 1640 + 10% FCS + 1% PSG. Cell trace violet-labelled T cells (0.5 × 10^6^ cells/ml) were co-cultured with CHO-CD80 (at 5:1 ratio) with anti-CD3 (OKT3, at 0.5 μg/ml), with or without 10 nM 1,25(OH)~2~D~3~ (ENZO Life Sciences) in 96-U plates for 5 days. Cell free supernatant was collected at day 3 for assessment of cytokine expression.
Luminex cytokine analysis {#Sec13}
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Cell free supernatant from T cell-CHO-CD80 day 3 co-cultures was collected and assessed for cytokine expression using the human Th1/Th2/Th17/Th22/Treg Procartaplex Multiplex Immunoassay (eBiosciences catalog number EPX180-12165-901), according to manufacturer's instructions. The cytokines measured were: GM-CSF, IFNγ, IL-1, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-27, IL-9.
Flow Cytometry {#Sec14}
--------------
Flow cytometric analysis was performed on peripheral blood T cells using a Cyan flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter, Bucks, UK), and analysed using FlowJo (version 9). CD28 expression on unstimulated PBMCs (at day of isolation) was studied by surface staining. Cultured cells were collected (at days 14 and 21) and stained with live/dead marker (Zombie, Biolegend) for 20 minutes at room temperature, followed by washes and surface staining with CD3-FITC (clone HIT3a), CD4-APC (clone RPA-T4) and CD28-PE (clone 28.2) (all from BD Biosciences). After 5-days T cell -- CHO-CD80 co-culture, cells were stained with: CD4-PerCP-Cy5.5 (clone RPA-T4, BD Biosciences), CD28-PeCY7 (clone 28.2, Biolegend), ICOS-FITC (clone REA192, Miltenyi Biotec), OX40-PE (clone ACT35, BD Biosciences) and PD-1-APC (clone MIH4, BD Biosciences).
For intracellular and nuclear protein detection cells were stained for live/dead marker prior to fixation and permeabilization using the Foxp3/transcription factor staining buffer set according to manufacturer's instructions. After fixation and permeabilization cells were stained with: CD4-PerCP-Cy5.5 (clone RPA-T4, BD Biosciences), CD28-PeCY7 (clone 28.2, Biolegend), CD25-BB515 (clone 2A3, BD Biosciences), CTLA-4 (clone BNI3, BD Pharmingen) and Foxp3-APC (clone PCH101, eBioscience). Analysis of activation markers (CD25, PD-1, ICOS, CTLA-4, OX40) and transcription factors (Foxp3) was focused on activated/proliferating cells as inclusion of non-activated cells would have skewed the results.
Analysis of CMV positivity in plasma samples {#Sec15}
--------------------------------------------
Plasma samples were used to determine CMV IgG titres. A CMV IgG ELISA assay developed at the University of Birmingham by Professor Paul Moss's group was used. A sample from a known CMV seropositive donor (positive control) and a known CMV seronegative donor (negative control) for which multiple aliquots were frozen was run with every single plate in order to document assay precision and reproducibility. All samples were run in duplicate in CMV lysate coated wells, as well as mock lysate coated wells, and the average absorbance value seen in the mock lysate coated wells (background non-specific binding) was subtracted from the average absorbance value in the CMV lysate coated plate.
Quantification of mRNA expression levels by RT-PCR {#Sec16}
--------------------------------------------------
Total RNA was extracted from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the RNeasy mini kit (Qiagen, UK) according to manufacturer's instructions. The eluted RNA concentration was measured using a NanoDrop Spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). 50 μg of extracted RNA was transcribed into cDNA using iScript cDNA synthesis kit (BioRad, Hercules, CA). Quantitative analysis of CD28 mRNA expression was performed using Taqman Fluorogenic 5′ nuclease assays using gene-specific 5′FAM labelled probes (Hs01007422_m1, Life Technologies) run on ABI 7900 sequencer with beta-actin used as endogenous control (Hs01060665_g1, Life Technologies). Values are represented as the difference in Ct values normalized to β-actin for each sample as per the following formula: Relative RNA expression = 2^−ΔCt^ where ΔCt = Ct of CD28 -- Ct of β-actin^[@CR27]^.
Statistical Analyses {#Sec17}
--------------------
Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism. Data not normally distributed were evaluated using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Values of *P* \< 0.05 were considered significant.
Data Availability {#Sec18}
-----------------
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and its Supplementary Information files).
Electronic supplementary material
=================================
{#Sec19}
Supplementary Information
**Electronic supplementary material**
**Supplementary information** accompanies this paper at doi:10.1038/s41598-017-07967-2
**Publisher\'s note:** Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
We are grateful to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure who funded this project and to Cambridge NIHR BioResource for accessing blood samples from healthy individuals with/without the risk allele. We are thankful to all the individuals who donated their blood for this research. Finally, we are thankful to James Hodson for his support on power calculation and statistical analysis. EL and GMH have received support from the Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit and FP7 Career Integration Grant Award entitled: "Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Translating Genetic Discovery into Patient Benefit". This paper presents independent research supported by the NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit based at the University of Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham. The views expected are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
E.L., L.J., B.S., D.S., G.M.H. contributed to study design; E.L., L.J., D.C. performed experiments; E.L., L.J., D.C., M.F.S. performed data analysis; E.L., L.J., D.C., M.F.S., G.M.H. interpreted the data, E.L. drafted the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript and approved the final version.
Competing Interests {#FPar1}
===================
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
|
GCS is a vibrant, private/Christian co-educational school in Charlottetown (PEI), offering a dynamic 21st Century liberal arts curriculum from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.
At GCS, we do more than teach subjects to our students. We are developing high capacity leaders, thinkers, and innovators for the future. Our learning environment is authentic and engaging, with a school culture that fosters mastery of learning, meaningful relationships, and global service.
GCS COMMUNITY
Ean Lizama is a Kindergarten student at Grace Christian School. Ean is a very enthusiastic student and enjoys playing with his classmates. During Open Chapel in the spring,
Read More
SAHAND
Sahand is a Grade 7 Grace Christian School student from Iran. He is part of the Jr. Boys Basketball Team and enjoys swimming. Sahand also enjoys the daily opportunities he has to enrich his learning using a variety of technological tools and resources.
Read More
CHRISTIAN
Christian is a Grade 8 Grace Christian School student who was born in Kigali, Rwanda. He is part of the Jr. Boys Basketball Team, and enjoys the various aspects of student life at GCS.
Read More
HANNAH M.
Hannah M is a dedicated student with a big heart and passion for learning. Hannah’s favourite subject at GCS is Christian Ethics. When she’s not in the classroom, she can be found playing basketball, volleyball and bass guitar, or ...
Read More
ENRIQUE R.
Enrique is driven by his sense of wonderment to ask questions, seek answers, define problems and discover solutions that are firmly rooted in Biblical truth while applying the concepts of science, technology
Misty Bouter received her B.Ed. From the University of Prince Edward Island and is currently teaching Grade 3/4, all elementary and Kindergarten art classes, and Kindergarten music at Grace Christian School.
Read More
MRS. PAM THOMPSON
I love math. I love the challenge of a thought-provoking question. I love the orderly, logical process involved in finding a solution. Most of all, I love the way God chooses to reveal Himself through the beauty of math.
Read More
MR. NEIL THOMPSON
Mr. Thompson is passionate about collaborative and cooperative learning models in twenty-first century education. He has developed a Canadian History workbook curriculum covering two years of classroom instruction.
Read More
MRS. NATALIE MACNEILL
Mrs. Natalie MacNeill received her B.Ed. from the University of Prince Edward Island and is currently teaching Grade 5/6 and all elementary sciences at Grace Christian School.
Read More
JASON BIECH
Principal Jason Biech has been serving the GCS community eighteen years, with this being his twelfth year as principal. He has strongly influenced the staff and students of GCS with his passions for mission-centered learning and global citizenship.
“Our daughters, Rachel and Susie, began attending Grace in the fall of 2014. We chose Grace because it is a Christian school and because of its high academic standards. We believe that the quality of education at Grace, with its focus on both academics and character building ...
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PAQUET FAMILY
I would like to highlight how GCS is forging ahead in science and technology. At GCS, technology plays an integral role in shaping the learning environment.
Jonah MacMillan, who was a Grace Christian School student from 2003 – 2016, has a passion for sports which was fostered during his time at GCS. Throughout his 13 years attending the school, Jonah took part in various school sports such as ...
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ABBEY
Abbey Thomson is a GCS alumni that has a talent and passion for art. Her interest in art began with Bible journaling and simple canvases.
Read More
RACHEL
Rachel is a curious and dedicated student with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to give back to her community. From a young age, Rachel has been drawn to Canadian history, and has more recently discovered a passion for law and political science through her grade 10 and 11 classes.
JOIN US IN PLANTING A SEED
& GROWING A FUTURE!
Your investment in our Plant a Seed Campaign is an investment in the next generation of learners. It is an exciting opportunity for you to join with us at a pivotal time- to not only celebrate past successes, but also to partner with us in building an exciting future where students are provided with modern spaces to collaborate and innovate.
|
# $NetBSD: Makefile,v 1.16 2017/06/05 14:24:11 ryoon Exp $
DISTNAME= Math-Prime-Util-0.65
PKGNAME= p5-${DISTNAME}
PKGREVISION= 1
CATEGORIES= math perl5
MASTER_SITES= ${MASTER_SITE_PERL_CPAN:=Math/}
MAINTAINER= [email protected]
HOMEPAGE= http://search.cpan.org/dist/Math-Prime-Util/
COMMENT= Perl5 utilities related to prime numbers
LICENSE= ${PERL5_LICENSE}
SUBST_CLASSES+= perl
SUBST_STAGE.perl= post-patch
SUBST_MESSAGE.perl= Fixing path to perl
SUBST_FILES.perl+= bin/factor.pl bin/primes.pl
SUBST_SED.perl= -e "s|/usr/bin/env perl|${PERL5}|"
USE_LANGUAGES+= c
DEPENDS+= p5-Bytes-Random-Secure>=0.23:../../security/p5-Bytes-Random-Secure
PERL5_PACKLIST= auto/Math/Prime/Util/.packlist
.include "../../lang/perl5/module.mk"
.include "../../mk/bsd.pkg.mk"
|
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In a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup sugar with the flour and milk. Whisk in the melted butter.
Rinse the blackberries and pat them dry. Pour the batter into the baking dish. Sprinkle the blackberries evenly over the top of the batter. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar over the blackberries. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 1 hour. When 10 minutes of the cooking time remains, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over the top. Top with whipped cream or ice cream . . . or both!
|
<?php
namespace Eva\Mvc\Router\Http;
use \Traversable,
Zend\Mvc\Router\Http,
Zend\Mvc\Router\RouteMatch,
Zend\Stdlib\ArrayUtils,
Zend\Stdlib\RequestInterface as Request,
Zend\Mvc\Router\Exception;
class ModuleRoute implements \Zend\Mvc\Router\Http\RouteInterface
{
protected $moduleNames = array();
protected $protectedNamespaces = array();
public function setModuleNames(array $moduleNames)
{
$this->moduleNames = $moduleNames;
}
public function getModuleNames()
{
if($this->moduleNames){
return $this->moduleNames;
}
$moduleLoaded = \Eva\Api::_()->getModuleLoaded();
if($moduleLoaded){
return $moduleLoaded;
}
if($appConfig && isset($appConfig['modules'])){
return $appConfig['modules'];
}
return array();
}
public function setProtectedNamespaces(array $protectedNamespaces = array())
{
$this->protectedNamespaces = $protectedNamespaces;
}
public function getProtectedNamespaces()
{
if($this->protectedNamespaces){
return $this->protectedNamespaces;
}
$appConfig = \Eva\Api::_()->getAppConfig();
if($appConfig && isset($appConfig['protected_module_namespace'])){
return $appConfig['protected_module_namespace'];
}
return array();
}
public function __construct($route, array $moduleNames = array(), array $protectedNamespaces = array())
{
$this->route = $route;
$this->moduleNames = $moduleNames;
$this->protectedNamespaces = $protectedNamespaces;
}
public static function factory($options = array())
{
if ($options instanceof Traversable) {
$options = ArrayUtils::iteratorToArray($options);
} elseif (!is_array($options)) {
throw new Exception\InvalidArgumentException(__METHOD__ . ' expects an array or Traversable set of options');
}
return new static(array(), array());
}
public function match(Request $request, $pathOffset = null)
{
if (!method_exists($request, 'getUri')) {
return null;
}
//p($request);
$uri = $request->getUri();
$path = $uri->getPath();
//Remove last /
$pathTrim = trim(strtolower($path), '/');
$pathArray = explode('/', $pathTrim);
$pathMaxLevel = count($pathArray);
$loadedModules = $this->getModuleNames();
if(!$loadedModules) {
return null;
}
$checkInList = function($name, $array) {
if(!$array) {
return false;
}
$name = ucfirst($name);
return in_array($name, $array);
};
$protectedModuleNamespace = $this->getProtectedNamespaces();
$moduleName = 'core';
$moduleNamespace = '';
$controllerName = $moduleName;
$actionName = 'index';
$id = '';
//Check prefix
if($pathArray[0] && true === $checkInList($pathArray[0], $protectedModuleNamespace)){
$moduleNamespace = array_shift($pathArray);
$pathMaxLevel = count($pathArray);
if($pathMaxLevel === 0){
$pathArray = array('');
}
}
//Path is exactly / or /admin
if(!$pathArray[0]){
$moduleNamespace = $moduleNamespace ? $moduleNamespace : $moduleName;
}
//Level 1 :Path is / or /module
if($pathArray[0]) {
//Level 1 :Path is /123
if(is_numeric($pathArray[0])){
$moduleNamespace = $moduleNamespace ? $moduleNamespace : $moduleName;
$actionName = 'get';
$id = $pathArray[0];
$controllerName = $moduleName;
goto complete;
} else {
$moduleName = $pathArray[0];
if(strpos($moduleName, '-') === false){
$moduleNamespace = $moduleNamespace ? $moduleNamespace : $moduleName;
} else {
$moduleNameArray = explode('-', $moduleName);
$moduleName = $moduleNameArray[0];
$moduleNamespace = $moduleNamespace ? $moduleNamespace : $moduleNameArray[1];
}
}
}
$controllerName = $moduleName;
//Module not loaded
if(false === $checkInList($moduleName, $loadedModules)){
return null;
}
//Level 2 : Path is /module/123 or /module/abc
if($pathMaxLevel >= 2){
if(true === is_numeric($pathArray[1])){
$actionName = 'get';
$id = $pathArray[1];
} else {
$controllerName = $pathArray[1];
}
}
//Level 3 : Path is /module/abc/def or /module/abc/123 or /module/123/abc
if($pathMaxLevel >= 3 && false === is_numeric($pathArray[1])){
if(true === is_numeric($pathArray[2])){
$actionName = 'get';
$id = $pathArray[2];
} else {
$actionName = $pathArray[2];
$id = $actionName;
}
if(isset($pathArray[3]) && false === is_numeric($pathArray[2])) {
$id = $pathArray[3];
}
}
complete:
if($moduleName === $moduleNamespace) {
$controller = ucfirst($moduleName) . '\\Controller\\' . ucfirst($controllerName) . 'Controller';
} else {
$controller = ucfirst($moduleName) . '\\' . ucfirst($moduleNamespace) . '\\Controller\\' . ucfirst($controllerName) . 'Controller';
}
/*
p($pathArray);
p(array(
'module' => $moduleName,
'moduleNamespace' => $moduleNamespace,
'controller' => $controller,
'controllerName' => $controllerName,
'action' => $actionName,
'id' => $id,
));
exit;
*/
if(!$moduleName || !$moduleNamespace || !$controllerName || !$actionName){
return null;
}
return new RouteMatch(array(
'module' => $moduleName,
'moduleNamespace' => $moduleNamespace,
'controller' => $controller,
'controllerName' => $controllerName,
'action' => $actionName,
'id' => $id,
), strlen($path));
}
public function assemble(array $params = array(), array $options = array())
{
return $this->route;
}
public function getAssembledParams()
{
return array();
}
}
|
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motor suitable for various types of brushless motors for use in industries, home appliances and vehicles, and in particular, to an electric motor suitable for driving compressors for vehicles and suitable for use as servomotors for vehicles.
2. Related Art
Recently, electric motors using permanent magnets as magnetic poles tend to suffer from cogging torque due to the enhancement of magnetic performances.
In this regard, a technique of contriving the shape of magnetic poles is put into practice to reduce cogging torque. However, such a technique raises problems of involving a high-precision press technique and producing a lot of scraps.
A patent document JP-A-2011-050216 discloses a technique of reducing cogging torque and torque ripple by using a specific arrangement of the magnetic poles of a rotor with respect to the teeth of a stator. According to this technique, one magnetic pole is composed of two permanent magnets arranged in a V-shape. The two permanent magnets forming one magnetic pole are arranged in a range which is defined by the center lines of the respective second teeth leftward and rightward of the tooth confronting the center of the magnetic pole.
However, the technique disclosed in JP-A-2011-050216 has a main purpose of reducing torque ripple and thus exerts only a low effect of reducing cogging torque. Further, the technique is only applicable to a type of motors in which one magnetic pole is composed of two permanent magnets (V-shaped arrangement).
|
Cowboy out of respect, California to the core. California Cowboy makes clothing that urges you to "Put your phone away and start a conversation." Their High Water and High Sierra aloha and apres ski shirts even have a waterproof zippered pocket to keep it safe and dry, and a built-in beer koozie to loosen you up when you do.
Named as a salute to the cowboys of the California Gold Rush, California Cowboy endeavors to infuse some of the adventurous spirit of the 1850s into button-ups, T-Shirts, and hoodies otherwise designed to maximize your chill. Step 1 of that process is to produce all of the apparel in Santa Ana, CA, where even the cotton threads of their High Water and High Sierra shirts live in a perpetual Friday night happy hour.
The High Water is California Cowboy's aloha-style button-up. Short sleeves, a slim fit, and svelte features make it the perfect wingman to warm weather. Features include:
Terry Cloth Lining. True, this does add some thickness and weigh to the High Water, but California Cowboy thinks of it as a sewn-in towel to absorb extra moisture after a swim, splash, or sweat. The lining is breathable and, they say, 25% more absorbent than standard cotton.
Dry Pocket. Like I said, when you tuck away your phone, it will be safe behind a hydrophobic zipper and waterproof fabric.
Koozie Pocket. All California Cowboy High Waters come with a koozie and shiny gold plate bottle opener, both of which you can slip, along with your beer, into a double needle reinforce pocket on the shirt.
California Cowboy's other signature shirt, the High Sierra, steps in when the when the temperatures drop and the slopes open. They call it an "apres ski" shirt, but all that really means is the High Sierra is the button-up you'll grab when the hard work is over and the kickin' back is about to begin. Like the High Water, it has waterproof and reinforced bottle pockets, and comes with a California Cowboy koozie and bottle opener. The High Sierra also has:
A luxury flannel construction, with fabric from Japan and Portugal.
Custom-developed cotton modal thermal lining to keep you warm when you don't get the prime spot by the fire.
Sunglass and hidden glove loops.
Also included in the California Cowboy apparel line are Dogtown Wash T-Shirts and fleeces, and beef-buttery (but 100% bovine-free) Wagyu fleece crewnecks and hoodies.
No Bigfoot were harmed...or spotted...in the making of this line of all-over printed Bigfoot hoodies and shirts. The 3D appearance of the hairy, nippley fashion is also an optical illusion - Aloha Zing says the sustainable...
Why you gotta taunt me, Corgi Butt Leggings? Like I don't want to pet, pat, and smack my wife's ass often enough as it is. Especially now that we're sheltering up in place, so it's within about 50' of me 24/7. Adding...
Version 3 of Vollebak's 100 Year Hoodie is like the Anti-Captain Planet of outerwear. It repels wind, rain, snow, and now, fire. Earth is still missing though. Maybe they'll build version 4 to emit a force field against...
Like a good neighbor, stay over there. You can get it as a social distancing T-shirt. A social distancing coffee mug. A social distancing doormat. And that's not all, because it's official: the COVID-19 merch is here!...
If the acute fear of being assassinated on the golf course has kept you from swinging your 9-iron too many times to count, welcome to the start of the rest of your life. Breezy, bulletproof, and cleared for the country...
Money can squeeze the fat in, and now money can carve the muscle out. Which means there are exactly 0 reasons left for me to exercise. What? Avoiding heart disease and diabetes? Psshhh! Preventable, life-threatening afflictions...
Now don't take NSFW the wrong way. The JerkShirt was indeed created primarily for the office (and secondarily for the dinner table). But I would caution against watching the video, illuminating as it may be, within eye-...
Up T-shirts award "dream posture" to both men and women with an integrated, flexible, extra-thin film woven into their fabrics at trigger points (shoulders, upper back) shown to encourage long spines, open chests, and...
The intent of Facebook's 10-Year Challenge might be to compare the you of 2009 with the you of 2019 - or, more insidiously, to help the company train their facial recognition technology - but the intent of my 10-Year...
I tried to crop out the part of the Yay Cleavage T-Shirt photo that shows the boobily blessed lady wearing it is pregnant, but I think you can still kind of tell. Sorry. I guess the V-neck may technically be intended...
You might think cinematic masterpieces such as Rocky, Star Wars, Back to the Future, and The Karate Kid are too densely packed with plot and profundity to encapsulate in just one sentence, but Mike Joyce's Stereotype...
|
The winner
Frozen’s stupendous $1.27bn worldwide take was bound to prompt an escalation for the Disney Princess brand – the one female-focused component of its bulging franchise slate – and Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella adaptation is the next instalment. Close in style and tone to the 1950 animation (whose $85m US gross would be worth $824.2m today), it’s opened almost neck-and-neck ($67.9m) with Frozen ($67.4m) and Maleficent ($69.4m), though behind Alice in Wonderland ($116.1m). Perfectly sound, considering it lacks the star casting of the latter two – and surely a promise of a firm $200m+ US base for the film’s international run.
The film team review Cinderella Guardian
But how far can Joseph Campbell fairytale archetypes and laudatory reviews take Cinderella at the global box-office ball? Having relative newcomer Lily James in the lead role, rather than someone of Angelina Jolie’s firepower as with Maleficent, feels like a stumbling block: Cinderella’s overseas unveiling ($63.7m) is, unsurprisingly, 62% of Maleficent’s ($100.6m), but over 31 territories to Maleficent’s 43. In bigger markets such as Mexico, Russia and Italy, it has opened lower than the Jolie film, but a swath of No 1s across Asia – including a $25m bow in China, ahead of Maleficent’s $22m – show potential. The new film’s slower-burning release pattern and a fine-boned traditionalism, very aligned with the mainstream, might allow it to eventually match Jolie’s $758.4m box-office devilry. Anything further would require the kind of fairy-godmother-style intervention presumably responsible for Japan’s ridiculous ($249m) box-office contribution to Frozen – which pushed it, like Alice in Wonderland, into the realm of the $1bn mega-hit. But Cinderella isn’t looking too shabby in their company at the moment. A live-action Beauty and the Beast, with Emma Watson as Belle, the Frozen sequel, and Moana!, about a feisty Polynesian girl-explorer, will be the next princesses marching out for Disney.
The grey dollar
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – video review Guardian
The Exotic Marigold Hotel, with the sequel already having clocked up $46.7m from just 18 territories in three weeks, looks to have poured firm franchise foundations. Another dollop of Indian vibrancy, and an Expendables-style cadre of becardiganed acting talent – Smith, Dench, Imrie, Nighy, Wilton, plus Gere – mean that number two, with nearly two-thirds of its international footprint still to come, is holding steady for something in the vicinity of the first’s unexpected $136.8m worldwide take. We really shouldn’t be surprised: the spending power of the baby-boomer demographic has been obvious for some time, and the film industry is finally producing the material to match.
Rolling out initially in developed markets where the population skews more to upper-age ranges, Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has opened slightly short of its predecessor in Australia (Marigold 1: $3.6m; Marigold 2: $3.1m) and New Zealand (M1: 555K; M2: 496K). But Fox Searchlight’s franchise has grown here in the UK (M1: $3.5m; M2: $5.8m), where it’s now on a sprightly total of $17.6m; and more importantly, it looks to be doing the same in the US, with a passable 34% drop this frame on another improved (M1: $6.3m; M2: $8.5m) debut. Marigold’s heart may be in India, but the franchise’s future is really in the US; it may be the first conscious attempt at a seniors-centric film brand, but there are enough standalone successes catering to the age group over the last decade to suggest that the first outing’s $46.4m US take is small fry if the material connects right. Nancy Meyer’s starry autumnal dramedies Something’s Gotta Give ($124m domestic) and It’s Complicated ($112m), as well as the more action-orientated Wild Hogs ($168m) and Space Cowboys ($90m), all did exactly that, albeit with the help of the piledriver studio backing that the Brit-originated Marigold Hotel may not have received. That could change if the sequel posts improved figures in America; a big ask in emerging markets, judging by weak openings in the likes of Russia ($192K).
The pipes are calling
Run All Night – video review Guardian
Taken 3: $39.2m; Non-Stop: $28m; A Walk Among the Tombstones: $12.7m; Run All Night: $11m. All the evidence you need is there, re: US opening weekends, that Liam Neeson’s run as a late-life action man is coming to a natural conclusion. Nor does Run All Night – Neeson’s second collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra after last year’s $222.8m-grosser Non-Stop – hint that it can counterbalance the trend overseas: Neeson’s numbers in the UK (Non-Stop: $4.4m; Run All Night: $1.3m), France ($3.4m; $1.1m) and the UAE (941K; 731K) have all fallen. The problem is obvious: a couple too many outings in too short a space of time as his trademark weary righteous-avenger, the Charles Bronson it’s OK to like. Neeson’s recent star persona has been rooted in a certain grizzled authenticity, but simply dropping Danny Boy over scenes of macho repartee in the trailer, as Run All Night does, speaks of a certain low-hanging fruit approach. The film doesn’t seem conceived with the same kind of global appeal as the Taken franchise, and a smash-and-grab release schedule – the US and UK creating an early March splash for a busy overseas weekend with most major territories a month later – reflects that. The trend of tooling up seasoned dramatic leads as action stars looks set to continue regardless, with the release of Sean Penn’s The Gunman coming this Friday on both sides of the Atlantic. As for Neeson, there’s always the Third Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Spy hard
Kingsman: The Secret Service – video review Guardian
A last glance from this column at Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, which has exceeded all expectations to run up a $277.3m total. That makes it the year’s third highest-grossing film so far. It’s a fantastic result, not only confirming that the tropes with Bondian lineage remain worth tapping (which bodes well for Paul Feig’s Spies, currently getting rave reviews at SXSW), but also that the spirit of knowing genre deconstruction is now understood at a global level, in a similar way to how The Grand Budapest Hotel showed that Wes Anderson’s “quirk” had finally been assimilated into the mainstream. At any rate, Kingsman has grossed some impressive figures in unlikely locales, such as South Korea’s $36.3m, its top territory outside the US. Sterling stuff.
The rest of the world
Chinese new year stragglers From Vegas to Macau 2 and Wolf Totem, in 12th and 13th on the global chart, have now accrued $150m and $106m respectively – making them that country’s ninth and 25th highest grossing ever. Other than them, serial-killer thriller The Deal – starring Memories of Murder’s Kim Sang-kyung and cut from typical Korean revenge cloth – halted Kingsman’s No 1 run there, taking $3.9m and 15th place globally.
The future
It’s been quiet on the young-adult front since last September’s The Maze Runner, but youth-victimisation season begins again in 2015 with the 60-country day-and-date drop for Insurgent – sequel to last year’s Divergent. Shailene Woodley and Theo James return as non-conformist Matrix rejects Triss and Four, as well as Ansel Elgort, Woodley’s co-star in 2014’s other YA breakout The Fault in Our Stars. China, as with Cinderella, gets a simultaneous release with the US. Speaking of Cinders, she expands into a handful more territories, including South Korea and India. And Luc Besson sidekick Pierre Morel tries to do for Sean Penn what he did for Liam Neeson in Taken: The Gunman, as mentioned above, drops the star of Milk and Mystic River deep into the Republic of Asskickistan. What Meryl Streep is to “sexy blonde chicks”, The Gunman is to the average action flick, says its star – not renowned for mincing his words. Judge for yourself as it opens in around 20 countries, including the US, UK and parts of Scandinavia and the Middle East.
Top 10 global box office, 13-15 March
1. (New) Cinderella, $131.5m from 32 territories – 48.4% international; 51.6% US
2. Kingsman: The Secret Service, $19.9m from 57 territories. $277.3m cum – 61.3% int; 38.7% US
3. Chappie, $19.4m from 69 territories. $56.7m cum – 58.9% int; 41.1% US
4. Focus, $19.3m from 62 territories. $101.7m cum – 56.7% int; 43.3% US
5. (New) Run All Night, $17.6m from 20 territories – 37.5% int; 62.5% US
6. Big Hero 6, $17.2m from 24 territories. $632.8m cum – 65% int; 35% US
7. Fifty Shades of Grey, $11.2m from 61 territories. $546.5m cum – 70.5% int; 29.5% US
8. American Sniper, $10.9m from 58 territories. $517.2m cum – 34% int; 66% US
9. Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, $9.8m from 18 territories. $47m cum – 61.5% int; 38.5% US
10. Jupiter Ascending, $9.2m from 38 territories. $171.2m cum – 73.1% int; 26.9% US
• Thanks to Rentrak. Some of this week’s figures are based on estimates; all historical figures unadjusted, unless otherwise stated.
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Fish Oil- Barlean's Organic Oils Our signature formula is ideal for people who are seeking the absolute highest quality fish oil at the best value. Fresh Catch Fish Oil is a pristine source of ultra-purified pharmaceutical grade fish oil providing naturally occurring levels of EPA and DHA for your vibrant health and energy. Fresh Catch includes all of the quality attributes found in the entire Fresh Catch line of quality fi... [Read More]
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Flax Oil for Animals- Barlean's Organic Oils Barlean's Flax Oil For Animals is a rich source of vegetable-based Omega-3, which has been discovered to be essential to the health of animals and humans.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are purposely avoided in the production of commercial pet and animal foods as they may go rancid, limiting the shelf life of these products. The result is a deficiency of these vital nutrients in these foods and ultimate... [Read More]
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Kid's Omega Swirl- Barlean's Organic Oils Kid's Omega Swirl is an Omega-3 Sensation with the taste and texture of a fruit smoothie! It's the most delicious way to provide your children with the benefits of vital and essential Omega-3s. Kids love the smoothie texture and yummy lemonade flavor; parents love happy, healthy and bright children.
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Lignan Omega Twin- Barlean's Organic Oils Barlean's Lignan Omega Twin provides the same complete Omega 3-6-9 essential fatty acid nutrition as the basic Omega Twin formula, but with lignan flaxseed particulate retained in the oil for its unique nutritive value.
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Lignan Omega Twin Softgels- Barlean's Organic Oils Barlean's Lignan Omega Twin provides the same complete Omega 3-6-9 essential fatty acid nutrition as the basic Omega Twin formula, but with lignan flaxseed particulate retained in the oil for its unique nutritive value.
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Olive Leaf Complex- Barlean's Organic Oils Medicinal use of olive leaves dates back to ancient Egypt and is referenced by Hippocrates and now in modern medical texts. Olive leaves contain powerful antioxidants and natural plant actives that are highly anti-microbial. Olive leaf is widely used around the world as a health tonic and all-purpose powerful antioxidant, to promote general health. Barlean's olive leaves are fresh-picked at sunris... [Read More]
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Olive Leaf Complex Softgels- Barlean's Organic Oils Medicinal use of olive leaves dates back to ancient Egypt and is referenced by Hippocrates and now in modern medical texts. Olive leaves contain powerful antioxidants and natural plant actives that are highly anti-microbial. Olive leaf is widely used around the world as a health tonic and all-purpose powerful antioxidant, to promote general health. Barlean's olive leaves are fresh-picked at sunris... [Read More]
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Monday, November 11, 2013
#Review - Fab food and loadsa fun at the V & A Food Market ...
I recently won R150 Voucher for the V & A Food Market and I was so excited about being able to visit , explore and taste some of the awesome fare this past weekend.
I took a friend along and the two of us first proceeded to survey and scope the entire market before deciding on our food and drink preferences. Here is a collage of just some of the fabulous stands and their tempting treats ...
You really can go overboard here given the time and the finances ...
Highlights
I finally got to taste Bubble Tea that everyone has been talking about and it was fun. I choose Ooolong tea , with Milky Vanilla and Chocolate Bubbles ...yummmm. I will be back to try and a fruity tea with mumsy in tow ..soon very soon!
Challenges
Not all the vendors were aware of the V & A Food Market vouchers , this was quite awkward and strange when trying to make payment with the vouchers.
If you purchase only one item at a stand and there is change due ( ie. a R50 voucher and you buy one Bubble Tea @ R29.00) you actually loose the change or balance ( in this instance R21.00) , no guys seriously then please make either R10 or R20 value vouchers.
I had a great time and would definitely recommend it as a worthwhile visit.
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About me
Hi, I'm Heather a 40 something blogger who loves to dabble in a little of this, a little of that and a generous sprinkling of life! Follow my explorations of food, fashion, beauty, travel, books and lifestyle.
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Google Maps is great for visiting places you’ve never been, driving directions, or searching for strange and usual sightings. We’ve compiled ten of the strangest for your viewing enjoyment after the break.
10. Some Drunk Dude
When you’ve had 10 too many beers, and thought the lawn was just a larger, greener version of your bed, the Google Street View car is probably the last thing you want driving by. That’s exactly what happened to this drunk Australian dude.
[Source]
9. House on Fire
You know the local fire department needs to start hiring, when the Google Street View team shows up before they do. This particular house is located on Eagle Point Drive in Sherwood, Arkansas.
[Source]
8. Earthquake
Capturing an earthquake in-progress will take more than just a camera-equipped car, so Google turned to their satellites for this amazing image. To check it out yourself, use these coordinates: 16 54’09.12″N 99 58’16.07″W.
[Source]
7. Firefox
Most crop circles look like random shapes, this logo is recognizable to nearly all internet users: Firefox. It may have been just a weekend project for bored geeks, but it’s a conversation piece that will be remembered for much longer.
[Source]
6. Band Promotion
Musicians looking to market themselves should look no further than Google Maps. More specifically, be on the lookout for the Street View car, like the one-man, Canada-based Fear Salesman band.
[Source]
5. I’ve Fallen and Haven’t Gotten Up Yet
When trying to impress the Google employees driving a Street View car, be sure to watch where you’re going, otherwise your fall may end up for the world to see. Yes, from beginning to end.
[Source]
4. Spider-Man in Plain Clothes
No, the audition for Spider-Man 4 doesn’t involve trying to break and enter a home in plain clothes. On the bright side, this person will have something for both the cops and potential casting directors to see.
[Source]
3. How Dare You Not Open
In case of misplaced keys, don’t try kicking the door in when it doesn’t respond to “open sesame”. Hey, at least the anonymous lady is world famous now.
[Source]
2. Role Playing
Know role players looking to make it big? Here are two that were caught staging a 17th century sword fight, complete with costumes and weapons.
[Source]
1. My Imaginary Friend
It’s probably not the smartest idea to be riding your own bike while stealing another simultaneously, as the “imaginary friend” joke can only go so far, especially with law enforcement officials.
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Working As A Methadone Program Counselor
Posted onJanuary 3, 2014|Comments Off on Working As A Methadone Program Counselor
Working as a methadone program counselor is both a fulfilling and challenging professional job position. Personal fulfillment comes from forming a therapeutic relationship with people in recovery and enjoying the opportunity to see them move upward and onward in rebuilding a quality life. Fulfillment also comes from one’s role within an organization or agency and being able to contribute meaningfully to that methadone program’s expansion and continual improvement.
The challenging aspects of working as a methadone counselor stem from several areas. The first is caseload size. Most methadone programs require that counselors serve sizable caseloads which results in counselors striving to meet the many varied needs of patients while having numerous other demands made on their time.
Closely related to serving patients is the extensive documentation requirements that must be met when a counselor provides any type of direct counseling service or case management assistance to an active patient. In today’s healthcare environment, documenting one’s professional activities is an extensive drain on time, energy, and productivity. This is particularly true with state and federally supported programs that draw on public funding to run the methadone program. Good computer skills are generally a must have.
Effective methadone counselors become time management experts and develop a high level ability to work quickly under pressure, to shift priorities, and to multitask while maintaining an appropriate focus on their professional development.
Quality methadone counselors also bring to their work a dedication to patient welfare and a spirit of enthusiasm, hope, and positivity to co-workers and the patients that are relying upon them for guidance and support.
Methadone.US provides an extensive employment section that lists numerous methadone treatment jobs across the country. Those interested in working in the opioid treatment field can browse our job section for recent methadone program openings. This includes nursing positions, physician positions, counselor openings as well as support positions like receptionist and billing or finance specialist.
Working as a methadone counselor offers many rewards. Appropriate supervision and professional development are very important when undertaking any counseling position. Knowledge, skill, and experience must be actively developed, and are ideally supported by any reputable methadone treatment employer.
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Sublocade is a newly released medication alternative for treating opioid addiction. It is a product of Indivior, the pharmaceutical company responsible for Suboxone. Sublocade is a once monthly injection of time-released buprenorphine typically provided to patients who have been receiving buprenorphine for at least (7) days and who are stable on their medication. The injection […]
In 2017, Ohio increased its number of buprenorphine-approved prescribers by 266. This was the result of a $2.3 million dollar Federal grant that provided state-wide training to doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as reported by Cleveland.com. Historically, Ohio had numerous communities that were underserved with 19 counties having no buprenorphine providers at the beginning […]
Featured Treatment Providers
Education on Basic Topics
Methadone.US is an information center on methadone treatment, methadone clinics, and general opioid replacement therapies. This site profiles solutions for those suffering with opiate abuse or dependency, and aims to educate the public on the value of medication-assisted treatment. Buprenorphine.US is a companion site that features thousands of local physicians approved to write prescriptions for buprenorphine and popular drugs containing buprenorphine such as Suboxone.
The contents of Methadone.US are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional or medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Users of this site are encouraged to contact your professional healthcare provider for medical assistance regarding addictive disorders, general health problems, mental health problems, and any & all health-related questions. Any information you find here or on other websites linked to from Methadone.US should be verified with your professional healthcare provider. Users who are experiencing a medical emergency should call your doctor or 911 immediately. Methadone.US is not affiliated with the pharmaceutical company Reckitt-Benckiser (the manufacturer of Suboxone).
Methadone.US does not guarantee the accuracy of information contained on this site or on sites linked to from this site. Reliance on any information appearing here is solely at your own risk. The users of this site shall indemnify and hold Methadone.US, its parent company, employees, agents, and sponsors harmless from and against any and all damages, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or related to use of information, services, or products mentioned at this website. Methadone.US makes no guarantee, whatsoever, regarding clinics or advertisers listed on this site, and bears no responsibility whatsoever for information, claims, or results associated with methadone clinics, advertisers, or other service providers listed on this site. All users are encouraged to perform their own independent examination & review of any website or service listed on Methadone.US.
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Nov 21, 2012
Review: Argania Range
Moisture Repair Shampoo 250ml* $19.99
Moisture Repair Conditioner 250ml $19.99
Pure Moroccan Argan Oil 20ml* $24.99
Moroccan Argan Hair Treatment Oil 5ml* $5.99
A while back I purchased the Argania Moisture Repair Conditioner with one of my $20 Farmers Club reward vouchers as I was on the hunt for an Argan oil based conditioner without the million dollar price tag. Let me tell you, for $20 you get a lot of bang for your buck. I've just finished up my bottle now and I've been using it for months. I emailed Argania to tell them how much I loved their conditioner and if they would be interested in me reviewing the entire range.
I was kindly sent the other three products in the range (one little travel size hair oil comes free with a full size pure oil, more on that later) to try so I could get the full Argania experience.
The products are formulated without a ton of chemicals (parabens, SLS and propylene glycol) and you can read the ingredients list in under 30secs! What they do contain is the much talked about organic Moroccan Argan oil. This oil du jour is packed full of vitamin e, antioxidants and essential fatty acids and does all manner of things such as repairing, restoring and moisturising. The oil is extracted from the kernals that grow on the Argan tree that is endemic to Morocco and it is sustainably harvested.
This duo is responsible for the shiny hair that I've been rocking lately. The Moisture Repair Shampoo gives your hair that 'squeaky clean' feeling when you wash with it, something that I personally like. Because it's formulated without all those nasties, your hair doesn't get coated in chemicals which normally make it 'feel' nice. Due to the fact that your hair isn't coated in chemicals with this shampoo, the Moisture Repair Conditioner actually has a chance to penetrate fully into the hair shaft. The Moisture Repair Shampoo does contain Argan oil, Macadamia oil and Jojoba oil, which are all revered for their nourishing qualities. I like that these oils are in this shampoo because I don't believe that nourishment should only come from your conditioner. I think it's important to treat your hair right through your whole routine which is why I love this entire range.
The Moisture Repair Conditioner is extremely softening and nourishing and contains Sweet Almond oil, Argan oil, Manuka honey, Keratin and proteins. It smells like a vanilla cupcake and is creamy but not thick. I still think the conditioner is my favourite product in the range and now that it's finished I really need to get my hands on another one because my other conditioners are just not doing the job.
Look how shiny it leaves my hair.
I use a 20c-50c coin amount of shampoo in the shower first thing after I've soaked my hair. I give it a good scrub, being careful not to pull my hair up onto my head (I heard that this can cause split ends and it's best not to do it). It doesn't lather up a whole lot and this is due to that lack of chemicals (that's a good thing, shampoo doesn't need to lather up to work well). Once it's rinsed out I use a 20c coin amount of conditioner and work it through the length of my hair. I don't use a lot on my scalp area because I have quite fine hair and need a little help in the volume department. This conditioner doesn't weigh my hair down but I still don't like to put a whole lot of product there. I leave the conditioner in for the rest of my shower and rinse it out 5-10mins later when I'm ready to get out. I've always done this (like, since I was 10) and it really makes a difference. Why would you apply it and then rinse it off straight away? It hasn't had any time to absorb!
When I get out of the shower I gently towel-dry my hair and let it air for about 5 mins. Then I apply a 5c coin amount of the Argan Hair Treatment oil, starting at my ends and then working up with whatever product is left. It's quite a quick-absorbing product, you definitely won't feel like you've got oil in your hair all day. What you will get is shine and softness! I swear this product makes all the difference. I'm going to let you in on a little secret, I haven't trimmed my hair since June. I don't have obvious amounts of split ends, I know that it needs a little trim to look a little healthier but these products have severely lengthened my necessary time between haircuts.
If I feel like my skin needs a little pick-me-up then I'll apply a couple of drops of the Pure Argan oil treatment to my face. This product is the only Argania product that is suitable for the face. It's 100% pure certified organic Argan oil and is amazing as a treatment for the skin. It has all the beneficial vitamins and antioxidants that I listed above and is fantastic at anti-ageing. It smoothes, nourishes and gets rid of any dry bits on my face. It's not oily and it absorbs quickly. If you've been using Rosehip oil and are looking for a change then give this one a try, for a similar price. I've actually used this as a little cuticle treatment at night before bed and on occasion as a concentrated dose for the ends of my hair. Multi-use wins in my book! Argania have included a free 5ml travel size of the Hair Treatment in the box with the Pure Argan oil which is perfect if you're going away and don't want to take the larger bottle (full size 100ml $34.99). This little size lasted me a long time, because you're only using a tiny amount each time. It's time for me to invest in the larger size!
A bit of a long review this time but I had a lot to cover! Do you guys love Moroccan Argan oil as much as I do?
23 comments:
Which do you think is better for hair? Coconut Oil or Argan Oil, right. Its hard to chose because they are both beneficial in different ways.
I use TIANA Argan Fresh Coconut TLC which is an intensive hair treatment with both cold pressed coconut oil and cold pressed argan oil. It works amazingly. It repairs damaged hair and split ends and it also gives you that salon finish to your hair. Try it out. I hope you like it.
I've never actually used a Coconut Oil on my hair before but I do know that it is quite beneficial. I've always just used the Argan blends. My boyfriends sister has used Macadamia Oil before and she loved it! I've had a look at that product you recommend and it looks great, but I'm not sure if I can get it in New Zealand? Thanks for stopping by xxx
Ive just been reading your blog, its fabulous! I tried this argania hair oil a few weeks ago, it made my hair really soft and shiny, but my scalp got really itchy for some reason, so I gave it to my sister. I didnt know it could be used on you face though! I used Moroccan oil before that so will go back to it once I can afford it, its pretty expensive but a 100ml bottle lasts me nearly a year :)
Thank you so much! Glad you like my blog :) Were you using the hair treatment or the pure Argan oil? You can use the pure oil on your face but not the hair treatment. I'd also steer clear of putting any oils near your scalp unless it's really dry. I normally use it from my mid-lengths down to my ends as I find it's too rich for my roots. Hope this helps! x
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Pioneering community health advocate honored
Lucy Candib’s dedication to public service recognized at Faculty Luncheon
By Ellie Castano
UMass Medical School Communications
March 28, 2011
Lucy Candib, MD, is a family physician, a medical educator, a community health pioneer and a feminist. Her dedication to all of these roles was evident at the Faculty Luncheon on March 16, where she was honored for her designation as one of this year’s UMass President’s Public Service Award recipients.
Noting that she is the first voluntary faculty member to receive this award, Dr. Candib, professor of family medicine & community health, thanked the institution for its vision in honoring her. She also recognized her staff, some of whom she brought to lunch with her, who make it possible for her to do her work at the federally funded Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW), where she has practiced since she began her residency there in 1974.
Among Candib’s pioneering achievements is being one of the first practitioners in Worcester to introduce group medical visits in chronic care management, which have been conducted at FHCW for English- and Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes since 2001.
Lucy Candib, MD, (front, second from right) with members of her staff from the Queen Street Family Health Center of Worcester, where she has practiced community medicine for nearly 40 years.
The President’s Public Service Award is one of many honors Candib has received for her work. Among them is the 2006 A. Jane Fitzpatrick Community Service Award from the Worcester District Medical Society. She has published several books, including Medicine and the Family: A Feminist Perspective, and was one of 300 American women physicians featured in the National Library of Medicine’s “Changing the Face of Medicine” project in 2005.
In addition to thanking UMass for the honor, Candib took a moment to remind people that despite the progress that has been made in increasing access to health services, there is still a long way to go and there are still hard things that need to be talked about. “We still have uninsured patients, patients who can’t afford their medication because they lack documentation. We need more resources,” she said, adding, “People who are defined as other? Those are my people.”
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Kourosh Ziabari, an Iranian journalist: Seeking the truth amidst the spates of untrustworthiness...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The outlandish computation of King Abdullah
Kourosh Ziabari - Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz told French Defense Minister Herve Morin in a controversial statement less than two months ago said that Iran does not deserve to exist.
His comments came just a few days after Israelis forces raided the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31 and killed nine Turkish peace activists who were heading towards the besieged Gaza Strip along with 663 people from 37 countries to break the two-year blockade of the starving enclave.
The debatable remarks by Abdullah, however, did not come as a surprise since his Kingdom had previously announced on June 12 that it would allow Israel to use its airspace for launching a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Saudi Arabia, which is progressively moving towards establishing some clandestine connections with Tel Aviv in violation of the conventional agreement between Arab states to refuse to recognize Israel, has already set out an Iranophobia project which international observers consider to be in line with the large-scale policies of the White House on Iran.
It was first revealed in 2006 that Saudi Arabia had taken steps to come closer to Israel furtively. In a September 25, 2006 report, the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had a meeting with Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Jordan to discuss Iran-related issues. Bandar has served as the Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council since October 2005. Prince Bandar has been a close friend of the Bush family and held the post of Saudi Ambassador in Washington for 22 years. George W. Bush had given him the notorious nickname "Bandar Bush". In his 2004 book "House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties", the American journalist and author Craig Unger alluded to the relationship between the members of Saudi royal family, including Prince Bandar, and the Bush extended political family. Continues here
About Me
Born in 1991, freelance journalist and writer. the author of book "7+1" and a contributing writer for magazines of Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, UK and the US.
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A weighing device such as a scale detects a product of mass and gravity as force when the direction of gravitational acceleration is a constant, and detects weight, based on the mass of a standard weight, while assuming the same gravity of the standard weight is applied to a weighing object. Therefore, for performing accurate weighing, horizontal leveling for gravity vector alignment is performed when the scale is installed.
Generally, horizontal leveling of a scale is performed by a height adjustment of an adjustor foot (hereinafter, referred to as a foot piece) installed on a bottom surface of a lower case of a scale case 200 that is housing of a weight sensor. As shown in FIG. 11, the foot piece 100 is simply formed of a foot portion 300 that is in contact with an installation surface of the weighing device and has a male screw of its shaft. By rotating an operating portion 400 that extends radially from the shaft by fingers, the foot portion 300 is housed in or projected from a female screw formed on the case 200, and the height adjustment is performed (refer also to Patent Document 1).
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ping -c 1 p1
ping -c 1 p2
ping -c 1 p3
ping -c 1 p4
ping -c 1 controller
|
Distinguishing shyness and sociability in adults: An event-related electrocortical-neuroendocrine study.
Shyness and sociability are orthogonal personality dimensions, but little is known about how the two traits are instantiated in the brain and body. Using a 3-stimulus auditory oddball task, we examined whether shyness and sociability were distinguishable on P300 event-related potentials (ERPs) in processing task-relevant, novel, and standard auditory tones in 48 young adults. ERP amplitudes were measured at four midline scalp sites (Fz, FCz, Cz, Pz). We found that shyness, but not sociability, was related to reduced frontal novelty P300 amplitudes and to high emotionality. We also found that low baseline salivary cortisol levels mediated the relation between: (a) high shyness and reduced frontal P300 amplitudes to novel tones, and (b) high shyness and high scores of emotionality. We speculate that low baseline cortisol may serve as a putative mechanism influencing central attentional states of avoidance to threat and novelty and emotional arousal in adults who are shy.
|
Defects in electrical connections between circuit elements can lead to a reduction in electrical conductivity between the circuit elements. Defects can also lead to the formation of undesired conductive pathways between electrical circuit elements. To restore proper functioning to circuit elements, it may be necessary to repair such defects.
|
This project is designed to provide information on the ranges and distributions of the electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of alpha motoneurons and of the interrelated mechanical, histochemical and morphological properties of the muscle fibers innervated by them (i.e., the muscle unit). The motor unit populations in normal animals are compared with those in animals after various conditioning treatments. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES: Burke, R.E. and Tsairis, P.: Histochemical and phyysiological profile of a skeletofusimotor beta unit in cat soleus muscle. Brain Res. In press, 1977. Burke, R.E., Strick, P.L., Kanda, K., Kim, C.C. and Walmsley, B.: Anatomy of the medial gastrocnemius and soleus motor nuclei in the cat spinal cord. J. Neurophysiol. 40: 667-680, 1977.
|
Geek Trivia: In what year is the current Gregorian leap year system expected to 'fail?'
A recurring margin of error is building in the leap year system that suggests it will fail -- as in, the vernal equinox will be more than a day removed from March 21 -- at a particular date in the future.
One of the more intriguing aspects of astronomy is that it teaches us a year is not actually a year. More specifically, a calendar year (365 days) is not equivalent to an astronomical year (roughly 365.25 days), which is why we must (triple word score alert) intercalate an additional day into the calendar every four years to make up the difference. Thus, for those of us who observe the modern Gregorian calendar, the quadrennial appearance of February 29 will go down in just six days.
Except that, strictly speaking, February 29 isn't a quadrennial event. A Gregorian leap year is observed every four years except in century years. Thus, the year 1900 was not a leap year. However, every fourth century year is a leap year, so the year 2000 included a February 29. Why all the conditional intercalation? Because an astronomical year isn't precisely 365.25 days — it's closer to 365.2425 days, or 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 12 seconds. The intercalated adjustments are made to ensure that the vernal equinox stays on or about March 21 of every year.
Yet for all these allowances, the modern Gregorian calendar is still inaccurate, as the astronomical year isn't precisely 365.2425 days long. A recurring margin of error is building in the leap year system that suggests it will fail — as in, the vernal equinox will be more than a day removed from March 21 — at a particular date in the future.
About Jay Garmon
Jay Garmon has a vast and terrifying knowledge of all things obscure, obtuse, and irrelevant. One day, he hopes to write science fiction, but for now he'll settle for something stranger — amusing and abusing IT pros. Read his full profile. You can a...
Full Bio
Jay Garmon has a vast and terrifying knowledge of all things obscure, obtuse, and irrelevant. One day, he hopes to write science fiction, but for now he'll settle for something stranger — amusing and abusing IT pros. Read his full profile. You can also follow him on his personal blog.
|
#import "TGRTCCVPixelBuffer.h"
@implementation TGRTCCVPixelBuffer
@end
|
/**
*
*/
/**
* Title: package-info
* Description: Http服务测试
* Version:1.0.0
* @author pancm
* @date 2017年10月26日
*/
package com.pancm.netty.server;
|
Joan Rivers' Doc Snapped a Selfie While She Was Under Anesthesia: Report
Joan Rivers' personal doctor took a selfie while the comedian was under anesthesia and performed an unplanned biopsy on her after a New York City clinic medical director finished his scheduled endoscopy on the 81-year-old, a source told CNN this week.
Yorkville Endoscopy has denied that a biopsy of Rivers' vocal cords was performed at the clinic but declined to release any further information because of federal privacy laws. Yorkville also told CNN that the doctor who performed the original endoscopy, Dr. Lawrence Cohen, was no longer serving as medical director there or doing medical procedures.
Joan Rivers' personal doctor took a selfie while the comedian was under anesthesia and performed an unplanned biopsy on her after a New York City clinic medical director finished his scheduled endoscopy on the 81-year-old, a source told CNN this week.
|
(**************************************************************************)
(* *)
(* This file is part of WP plug-in of Frama-C. *)
(* *)
(* Copyright (C) 2007-2015 *)
(* CEA (Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies *)
(* alternatives) *)
(* *)
(* you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU *)
(* Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software *)
(* Foundation, version 2.1. *)
(* *)
(* It is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, *)
(* but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of *)
(* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the *)
(* GNU Lesser General Public License for more details. *)
(* *)
(* See the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 *)
(* for more details (enclosed in the file licenses/LGPLv2.1). *)
(* *)
(**************************************************************************)
{
type token =
| Id of string
| Key of string
| Proof of string
| Word
| Eof
let fill buffer lexbuf =
Buffer.add_string buffer (Lexing.lexeme lexbuf)
open Lexing
let newline lexbuf =
lexbuf.lex_curr_p <-
{ lexbuf.lex_curr_p with pos_lnum = succ lexbuf.lex_curr_p.pos_lnum }
}
let space = [' ' '\t' '\r']
rule token = parse
space+ { token lexbuf }
| '\n' { newline lexbuf ; token lexbuf }
| "Proof." space* '\n'
{
newline lexbuf ;
let buffer = Buffer.create 512 in
proof buffer 0 lexbuf ;
Proof (Buffer.contents buffer)
}
| "Proof." space*
{
let buffer = Buffer.create 512 in
proof buffer 0 lexbuf ;
Proof (Buffer.contents buffer)
}
| [ 'a'-'z' 'A'-'Z' '0'-'9' '_' '-' '*' ]+
{
Id (Lexing.lexeme lexbuf)
}
| [ '.' ':' ',' ';' ] { Key(Lexing.lexeme lexbuf) }
| "(*" { comment 0 lexbuf }
| eof { Eof }
| _ { Word }
and comment n = parse
"*)" { if n > 0 then comment (pred n) lexbuf else token lexbuf }
| "(*" { comment (succ n) lexbuf }
| eof { failwith "Non-terminated comment" }
| '\n' { newline lexbuf ; comment n lexbuf }
| _ { comment n lexbuf }
and proof buffer n = parse
( "Qed." | "Save." )
{
if n > 0 then proof buffer (pred n) lexbuf
}
| "(*@" { skip 0 lexbuf ; proof buffer n lexbuf }
| "(*" { fill buffer lexbuf ; proof buffer (succ n) lexbuf }
| "*)" { fill buffer lexbuf ;
if n>0 then proof buffer (pred n) lexbuf
else failwith "Non-terminated comment (inside proof)" }
| eof { failwith "Non-terminated proof" }
| '\n' { fill buffer lexbuf ; newline lexbuf ; proof buffer n lexbuf }
| _ { fill buffer lexbuf ; proof buffer n lexbuf }
and skip n = parse
| "(*" { skip (succ n) lexbuf }
| "*)" { if n>0 then skip (pred n) lexbuf }
| eof { () }
| "\n" { newline lexbuf ; skip n lexbuf }
| _ { skip n lexbuf }
{
let filter key =
let lexbuf = Lexing.from_string key in
match token lexbuf with
| Id a -> Some a
| _ -> None
type input = {
src : string ;
inc : in_channel ;
lexbuf : Lexing.lexbuf ;
mutable token : token ;
mutable tik : int ;
}
let open_file f =
let inc = open_in f in
let lex = Lexing.from_channel inc in
let tok = token lex in
{ src=f ; tik=0 ; inc=inc ; lexbuf=lex ; token=tok }
let pp_token lexbuf fmt = function
| Id x -> Format.fprintf fmt "ident '%s'" x
| Key k -> Format.fprintf fmt "'%s'" k
| Proof _ -> Format.fprintf fmt "Proof...Qed"
| Eof -> Format.fprintf fmt "end-of-file"
| Word -> Format.fprintf fmt "start of '%s'" (Lexing.lexeme lexbuf)
let skip input =
if input.token <> Eof then
( input.tik <- 0 ; input.token <- token input.lexbuf )
let token input =
input.tik <- succ input.tik ;
if input.tik > 1000 then failwith "Blocked" ;
input.token
let close input = close_in input.inc
let error input text =
let buffer = Buffer.create 80 in
let fmt = Format.formatter_of_buffer buffer in
let line = (Lexing.lexeme_start_p input.lexbuf).Lexing.pos_lnum in
Format.fprintf fmt "%s:%d: " input.src line ;
Format.kfprintf
(fun fmt ->
Format.fprintf fmt "(at %a)" (pp_token input.lexbuf) input.token ;
Format.pp_print_flush fmt () ;
failwith (Buffer.contents buffer)
) fmt text
let key input k =
match input.token with
| (Key a) | (Id a) when a=k -> skip input ; true
| _ -> false
let eat input k =
if not (key input k) then error input "Missing '%s'" k
let ident input =
match input.token with
| Id a -> skip input ; a
| _ -> error input "Missing identifier"
let rec idents input =
match input.token with
| Id a ->
skip input ;
if key input "," then a :: idents input else [a]
| Word ->
skip input ;
if key input "," then idents input else []
| _ -> []
}
|
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and located along 10 miles of pristine beach on a barrier island less than 30 miles southwest of Charleston. It opened in May 1976 and consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts.
The resort is anchored by The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond 255-room luxury hotel and spa. To provide ultimate lodging flexibility for families and groups, the resort also manages nearly 500 private villas and luxury homes ranging from one- to eight-bedroom.
Golf Courses
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is home to five championship golf courses, most notably The Ocean Course, added in 1991.
The Ocean Course
The Ocean Course is the most famous course at Kiawah Island, and was designed by Pete and Alice Dye. The course was designed so that players have a view of the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, but also to expose golfers to the often-strong winds in the area. The Ocean Course has been consistently named as one of the best courses in the world by several publications such as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as well as being named a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by Audubon International. , the Ocean Course was rated 25th in Golf Digest'''s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America.
The Ocean Course is a par 72 course and from the championship tees, it stretches to with a slope rating of 153 and a course rating of 79.7, the highest in the country, according to the United States Golf Association. Because of its large slopes, numerous bunkers, and challenging Bermuda grass, it was named the toughest course in America in 2010 by Golf Digest.
The Ocean Course has hosted major golf tournaments including the Ryder Cup in 1991, the World Cup in 1997 and 2003, and the PGA Championship in 2012. It also hosted the PGA Club Professional Championship in 2005 and the Senior PGA Championship in 2007. It will also host the PGA Championship in 2021.
The Ocean Course was featured in the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance. In October 2008, the Ocean Course became the first course to be available to play in the online video game that was developed by World Golf Tour. Helicopters equipped with cameras and GPS tracking devices were used to photograph and record the entire course to produce a geographically accurate simulation.
Turtle Point
The Turtle Point course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and has also received accolades from Golf Digest magazine. Turtle Point has hosted regional tournaments such as the Carolina Amateur.
The Turtle Point course is a par 72 course. From the tournament tees, it measures and has a slope rating of 74.2/141.
Osprey Point
The Osprey Point course at Kiawah Island was designed by Tom Fazio and is recognized as one of the "50 Best Golf Courses for Women" by Golf for Women magazine.
The Osprey point course is a par 72 course. It measures from the tournament tees, and it has a slope rating of 73.3/135.
Oak Point
Designed by Clyde Johnston, the Oak Point course was purchased by the Kiawah Island Resort in 1997. He designed the course on former plantation lands that grew tomato and indigo.
Oak Point plays to a par of 72, and it measures from the tournament tees with a slope rating of 72.4/137.
Cougar Point
The Cougar Point golf course was originally named Marsh Point, and Gary Player redesigned it in 1996. It is a par 72 course, and from the tournament tees it measures . It has a slope rating of 74.0/138.
Tournaments held
Of the five golf courses at the Kiawah Island resort, only the Turtle Point course and the Ocean Course have held notable tournaments.
The Ocean Course first became well known in its first year when it hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup. The United States golf team defeated the Europe golf team 14½ – 13½. The windy Ocean Course made for difficult playing conditions, and the United States team only won when Bernhard Langer of Germany missed a six-foot (1.8 m) par-saving putt that would have defeated Hale Irwin, tied the overall score at 14-all, and retained the cup for Europe.
In 1996, the Ocean Course hosted a match on Shell's Wonderful World of Golf between Annika Sörenstam and Dottie Pepper.
The Ocean Course hosted the World Cup of Golf twice – in 1997 and in 2003. In 1997, Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley won the team title, with Colin Montgomerie winning the individual title. When the World Cup returned in 2003, Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini won the team competition.
The PGA Club Professional Championship was played at the Ocean Course in 2005. Mike Small, the golf coach at the University of Illinois, won the event with a score of 289.
Most recently, the Senior PGA Championship was held at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course in May 2007. Denis Watson won his first golf tournament in twenty-three years, beating Eduardo Romero by two strokes.
The PGA Championship was played at the Ocean Course in 2012 with Rory McIlroy winning by a record eight strokes.
Note that the 2009 U.S. Mid-Amateur, although being played in Kiawah Island, was not'' held at this resort—it was instead hosted by The Kiawah Island Club, a private golf club on the island.
The PGA Championship will be played at the Ocean Course in 2021.
Scorecard
Activities
Tennis
For 11 of the past 13 years, TennisResortsOnline.com has ranked the resort number-one in the world. Within steps of The Sanctuary, the Roy Barth Tennis Center features 22 courts, and is home to the Barth-Hawtin Tennis Academy for highly competitive junior players.
Recreation
The resort offers acclaimed recreation opportunities with outdoors and nature programs suited to all ages, interests and activity levels. Kamp Kiawah offers a range of age-appropriate opportunities from arts-and-crafts to an immersive junior naturalist program.
Dining
With more than a dozen distinctive restaurants ranging from refined white tablecloth multi-course culinary experiences to poolside cantinas, Kiawah Island chefs take full advantage of the ingredients provided by neighboring farms and fisheries.
Expansion
Beginning spring 2018, Kiawah Island Golf Resort launched a three-year development that includes a new clubhouse at Cougar Point Golf Course, a non-denominational chapel at The Sanctuary, the West Beach Village Conference Center, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, offering more than 23,000 square feet of pre-event and state-of-the-art meeting space, a new villa check-in facility in West Beach, four two-story, four-bedroom vacation cottages just steps from The Ocean Course Clubhouse with commanding views of this iconic golf course, and a complete renovation of Night Heron Park to double the existing program space of the Nature Center as well as a new activities pavilion, art center, fitness center and dining outlet.
References
External links
Unofficial Kiawah Island Visitors Guide: www.VisitKiawah.com
Category:Buildings and structures in Charleston County, South Carolina
Category:Golf clubs and courses designed by Pete Dye
Category:Golf clubs and courses in South Carolina
Category:Resorts in South Carolina
Category:Tourist attractions in Charleston County, South Carolina
Category:Ryder Cup venues
|
###############################################################################
# Copyright (c) 2015 IBM Corporation and others.
# All rights reserved. This program and the accompanying materials
# are made available under the terms of the Eclipse Public License v1.0
# which accompanies this distribution, and is available at
# http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-v10.html
#
# Contributors:
# IBM Corporation - initial API and implementation
###############################################################################
#
#CMVCPATHNAME com.ibm.ws.app.manager/resources/OSGI-INF/l10n/metatype.properties
#ISMESSAGEFILE FALSE
#NLS_ENCODING=UNICODE
#NLS_MESSAGEFORMAT_NONE
ejbapp.name=EJB alkalmaz\u00e1s
ejbapp.desc=Megadja az EJB alkalmaz\u00e1s tulajdons\u00e1gait.
|
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates to laser diode fabrication apparatuses, and in particular, to apparatuses for fabricating patterns using a laser diode and methods for fabricating patterns.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fabrication of large-sized and flexible display panels use conventional processes such as lithography, laser processing, inkjet printing, and thermal print head printing, for mass production in applications of micro patterns, for example, micro phase retardation films (retarders).
Conventional lithography is beneficial due to the fact that it's well-developed. The requirement that a predetermined mask must be used to define a width of a retardation on a micro retarder. High power (about 100 Watt (W)) CO2 laser processing is advantageous due to the fact that it can be practically used. A pattern fabricated by high power CO2 laser processing is created by several laser-scanning lines such that fine traces are left between the laser-scanning lines. As for inkjet printing, inkjet printing is beneficial due to low production costs. Inkjet droplets, however, are difficult to apply on some materials.
The micro phase retardation plate of a conventional phase retarder structure includes two regions with different phase retardations. Alternative regions with different phase retardation can be formed by a CO2 laser heating treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,679, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a fabrication method for patterning phase retardation using a CO2 laser heating. Patterns with different phase retardation characteristics are formed by laser scanning line by line. Several laser-scanning lines are composed on a patterned region.
|
The upcoming Call of Duty World War 2 could be headed to the Switch, according several rumors. First off is the apparent addition of an option to link a Nintendo account to Call of Duty’s online system.
The option to link a Nintendo account was removed for the previous game in the series, but has been added as shown in the image below:
That’s not all: another source (a Tweet which has since been removed) said that Activision has contracted a subsidiary studio to handle the Switch port of the upcoming WW2 shooter.
And that studio is apparently Beenox in Canada, who recently handled the remaster of the original Modern Warfare game, and who previously did ports of Black Ops 3 to Xbox 360 and PS3.
Recently, the studio Tweeted a picture with members of the Canadian Army, suggesting that they are working on some sort of war game.
And let’s not forget the fine print that was displayed in the reveal trailer of the game, as pointed out by a Twitter user:
Right now this is just a rumor, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Activision pulled the trigger and took a chance on the Switch with its biggest franchise.
Hopefully we’ll have some news about this at E3 next month.
Here’s Beenox’s tweet with the Canadian Army:
|
Search smh:
Search in:
Oil jumps to 11-week highs
Oil prices rose to 11-week highs on Wednesday as part of a cross-market rally after the US Congress approved a deal to avert tax hikes and spending cuts that threatened economic growth.
US lawmakers on Tuesday approved a deal to prevent huge mandated tax increases and spending cuts that investors worried would have pushed the largest oil consumer into recession.
The uncertainty and political brinkmanship had rattled consumers, businesses and financial markets for weeks. Concerns a deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" would not be reached was the latest economic threat to weigh on oil markets, which were pressured throughout last year by the euro zone crisis and tepid fuel demand.
The agreement prompted a broad global market rally, boosting investor appetite for riskier assets and pressuring the dollar and safe-haven government bonds.
International benchmark Brent crude traded up to $US112.90 a barrel -- highs not seen since Oct. 19 -- before paring gains as traders assessed possible new headwinds for the US economy.
"There was the fiscal cliff euphoria, but the markets are a little overdone and people realize you still have the debt ceiling battle, social security taxes going up and dealing with spending sequestration and budget cuts," said Mark Waggoner, president at Excel Futures.
Brent February crude traded up $US1.36 to settle at $US112.47 a barrel, off the earlier highs but above the 100-day moving average of $US111.29. After two straight sessions of gains, the Brent's 14-day moving average hit $US109.80 a barrel, and was close to pushing above the 200-day moving average of $US109.82.
US February crude gained $US1.30 to settle at $US93.12 a barrel, pushing above the 200-day moving average of $US91.90 but off earlier highs of $US93.87.
Trading volumes showed signs of rebounding after dropping off during the late December holiday period, with Brent volumes slightly above the 30-day moving average, while US crude volumes were down 11 per cent below that level.
US RBOB gasoline futures traded up 1.3 per cent, boosted by news Monroe Energy LLC had taken the gasoline-making fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC) offline for 10 to 14 days at its 185,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Trainer, Pennsylvania, over the weekend to address issues with the slurry circuit.
The market was also awaiting weekly US oil inventory data, delayed by the New Year's holiday, for signals on direction. Reports from the American Petroleum Institute and the US Energy Information Administration, due out on Thursday and Friday, respectively, were expected to show builds in refined product stockpiles and a draw in crude inventories, according to a Reuters poll of analysts.
Price support
Further support for oil came from positive economic data from the United States and China, the two largest consuming nations. US manufacturing ended 2012 on an upswing, with factories returning to growth in December after contracting the previous month, the Institute for Supply Management said.
China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index held steady in December at 50.6, adding to evidence its economy picked up in the fourth quarter of 2012 after gross domestic product growth slowed for seven straight quarters.
Traders were watching tensions in the Middle East for signs of threats to production in the vital area. Iran is carrying out naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping route through which 40 per cent of the world's sea-borne oil exports pass.
Iran has threatened to block Hormuz if the country comes under military attack over its disputed nuclear program. The United States has said it would not tolerate any obstruction of commercial traffic through the strait.
The civil conflict in Syria, sectarian strife in OPEC-member Iraq and the ongoing tensions between Israel and its neighbours should remain potential flashpoints in the energy-rich region.
|
{
"category" : "MagLev-Tools",
"classinstvars" : [
],
"classvars" : [
],
"commentStamp" : "",
"instvars" : [
],
"name" : "RubyDynamicVariable",
"pools" : [
],
"super" : "Notification",
"type" : "normal" }
|
Q:
Excel Split out Array for Different Colours
I had help with this code below, that works like a dream, it finds words from all 5 search textboxes and highlights them in red and adds a count to one of the columns. However i want to do the same but for box 1 word is in red and box 2 the word it finds it highlights in green and box 3 in orange etc etc. Is it possible to split out from the array which text box goes to which section of code, then could I change the second full set of loops to look for the word n the second textbox and make the word green?
I hope that makes sense?
Worksheets("Questions").Activate
Dim sPos As Long, sLen As Long
Dim SRrng As Range, cell2 As Range
Dim mywords As Variant
Dim i As Integer
Set SRrng = ActiveSheet.Range("B2:E4000")
mywords = Array(UsrFormSearch.TxtSearch1.Value, UsrFormSearch.TxtSearch2.Value,
UsrFormSearch.TxtSearch3.Value, UsrFormSearch.TxtSearch4.Value, UsrFormSearch.TxtSearch5.Value)
Dim m As Byte
Dim c As Range
Dim firstAddress As String
Dim CountArray() As Variant
ReDim CountArray(1 To SRrng.Rows.Count, 1 To 1)
For m = 0 To UBound(mywords)
With ActiveSheet.Range("B2:E4000")
Set c = .Find(mywords(m), LookIn:=xlValues)
If Not c Is Nothing Then
firstAddress = c.Address
Do
For i = 1 To Len(c.Value)
sPos = InStr(i, c.Value, mywords(m))
sLen = Len(mywords(m))
If (sPos <> 0) Then
c.Characters(Start:=sPos, Length:=sLen).Font.Color = RGB(255, 0, 0)
c.Characters(Start:=sPos, Length:=sLen).Font.Bold = True
i = sPos + Len(mywords(m)) - 1
CountArray(c.Row - SRrng.Cells(1, 1).Row + 1, 1) = CountArray(c.Row - SRrng.Cells(1,
1).Row + 1, 1) + 1
End If
Next i
Set c = .FindNext(c)
If firstAddress = c.Address Then Exit Do
Loop While Not c Is Nothing
End If
End With
Next m
SRrng.Cells(1, 1).Offset(0, SRrng.Columns.Count).Resize(UBound(CountArray, 1), 1).Value2 = CountArray
A:
Something like this would work. Just add in a second array of your RGB values which you can reference during each loop cycle.
Sub TestColor()
Worksheets("Questions").Activate
Dim sPos As Long, sLen As Long
Dim SRrng As Range, cell2 As Range
Dim mywords As Variant, myColors As Variant
Dim i As Integer
Set SRrng = ActiveSheet.Range("B2:E4000")
With UsrFormSearch ' Think the .Value is superfluous - add back in if issues arise
mywords = Array(.TxtSearch1, .TxtSearch2, .TxtSearch3, .TxtSearch4, .TxtSearch5)
End With
myColors = Array(RGB(255, 0, 0), RGB(0, 255, 0), RGB(255, 255, 0), RGB(255, 0, 255), RGB(0, 0, 255))
Dim m As Byte
Dim c As Range
Dim firstAddress As String
Dim CountArray() As Variant
ReDim CountArray(1 To SRrng.Rows.Count, 1 To 1)
For m = 0 To UBound(mywords)
With ActiveSheet.Range("B2:E4000")
Set c = .Find(mywords(m), LookIn:=xlValues)
If Not c Is Nothing Then
firstAddress = c.Address
Do
For i = 1 To Len(c.Value)
sPos = InStr(i, c.Value, mywords(m))
sLen = Len(mywords(m))
If (sPos <> 0) Then
c.Characters(Start:=sPos, Length:=sLen).Font.Color = myColors(m)
c.Characters(Start:=sPos, Length:=sLen).Font.Bold = True
i = sPos + Len(mywords(m)) - 1
CountArray(c.Row - SRrng.Cells(1, 1).Row + 1, 1) = CountArray(c.Row - SRrng.Cells(1, 1).Row + 1, 1) + 1
End If
Next i
Set c = .FindNext(c)
If firstAddress = c.Address Then Exit Do
Loop While Not c Is Nothing
End If
End With
Next m
SRrng.Cells(1, 1).Offset(0, SRrng.Columns.Count).Resize(UBound(CountArray, 1), 1).Value2 = CountArray
End Sub
|
The Four Fundamentals of a Successful Data Architecture
Submitted by Tim on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 18:18
There are lots of people who call themselves Data Architects, and they have produced even more Data Architectures. Every data system, in fact, has a data architecture – whether by design, or by chance. Not all of these data systems, unfortunately, have good Data Architectures. The question is, how do you tell the difference between a good architecture, and a not so good one?
Here are my top four indicators.
1) Data Model(s)
These are the blueprints of your Data Architecture. Your data models guide and shape everything else. Data Models come it three flavours: Conceptual, Logical, and Physical. A good Data Architecture includes all three.
Conceptual
The conceptual model is the 10,000 foot view of your data. It captures the main data entities, ideally from a business perspective, and records how they are related to each other.
I'm going to be a bit controversial here (for a Data Architect anyway), and state that this is the most important model in any data architecture. It is, unfortunately, also the most frequently skipped.
Why is this the most important model? Because this is the only model that depicts the data the way the business uses it. This is truly the foundation; the blueprint. Without a conceptual model, the rest of your data models (if there are any) are necessarily created in reactive mode.
Logical
This is where details get added in. Tables, attributes, and the fiddly structures that allow the data to be validated, and later pulled back out of the database intact. This model is very similar to the physical model, except that it is kept at a level where it has no dependencies on any technical solution.
Physical
Where the rubber hits the road! This is were everything that was built before is tuned for the specific technical solution: hardware, DBMS, file system, whatever.
2) Meta Data
Meta data is something that is enjoying a bit of a renaissance right now, but it is still not taken as seriously as it should be. Meta data is all the extra data that enables the rest of the Data Architecture, and ultimately the data system, to be understood by someone who wasn't there when it was all built. Meta data also helps the data team keep the Data Architecture on track.
There are three main classifications of Meta Data according to the National Information Standards Organization (NISO). Yes, there are other classification systems, but this one is my favourite because it really helps differentiate between data, and meta data.
Structural
Any meta data that is tied to the structure of the data. The data containers, if you will: data types; field sizes; table, file, and field descriptions. This is the stuff that most people think of when they think of meta data. This classification also includes data lineage, or the meta data that tells you where a particular piece of data came from (particularly important for any type of BI system).
Descriptive
This is the meta data that often gets mislabeled as data, because in modern systems it lives with the data. The units that go with a measurement, for example.
Administrative
Finally we have the meta data that helps us manage the data. Audit information like the userid of the person that created a record, and the time it was last updated, and security data that tells the system who can access the system, or even specific parts of it.
3) Standards
Standards are something that often develop organically, like data, as their need becomes apparent. The problem with this approach is that it almost always leaves parts of the data system grandfathered. That is, using the previous unstandardized approaches. You can never fully get away from this, but a good Data Architecture can, and will, put standards in place to deal with the majority of these issues by ensuring they never happen.
Data standards also make a system far easier to understand, and maintain. No matter how good your data model and meta data are, bad or no standards will still result in a messy, and difficult to maintain data system.
There are two main types of standards that a good Data Architecture will define:
Naming standards
These standards relate, as you would expect, to the way that files, tables, fields, and so on are named. Good naming standards will make navigating a model, and understanding its components much simpler.
Design standards
Design standards deal with standard approaches for dealing with repeated situations (such as hierarchies, and code tables). Once a person learns how one part of the data system works, other parts are recognized much more quickly, resulting in fewer mistakes.
4) The ability to evolve
No data architecture exists in a vacuum. The business changes, and it’s data needs change. A good Data Architecture will anticipate some of these changes, but a great Data Architecture will recognize that change is inevitable, and actually plan for it.
How do you plan for a change you don't know about? Firstly, by recognizing when assumptions about the data have affected the structure, and having a plan in place to deal with a change to that structure. The following are some questions that should be answered by your Data Architecture:
How do you change a structure without compromising the data contained in it? Add to it? Split it? Merge it with another structure?
How do you deal with historic data for elements that are new to the Data Architecture?
What happens if the source of the data changes?
How do you retire a data element, or a whole structure?
How do you handle a change in a validation rule?
How do you handle a change in a relationship between two data entities?
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Combined point mutation in KRAS or EGFR genes and EML4-ALK translocation in lung cancer patients.
A total of three cases with novel constellations regarding mutation patterns in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are reported. The mutation patterns that are observed are novel and unexpected. First, a combined simultaneous KRAS mutation and EML4-ALK translocation, both in the main tumor and a bone metastasis, were observed, these mutations are assumed to mutually exclude each other. A further two cases include a father and a daughter, both of whom are suffering from NSCLC with different EGFR mutation patterns. A common cause was assumed; however, could not be deduced to mutations in the KRAS, BRAF and EGFR genes. The aforementioned cases are important, as it must be taken into account that mutations previously assumed to be exclusive can occur in combination, may influence the clinical outcome and may require different therapy compared with single mutated tumors. It has to be discussed whether diagnostic algorithms need to be adapted. The cases of father and daughter show that further unknown factors can influence development of NSCLC.
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Modulus Ratings of a Rod
When purchasing a rod, it seems that most manufacturers try to sell there product based on modulus ratings. Modulus is a term used to describe the stiffness to weight ratio. An elastic modulus is the mathematical description of an object or substance’s tendency to be deformed elastically (non-permanently) when a force is applied to it. Therefore when a blank increases in modulus ratings, it is also increasing its ability to store & release the energy it stores when flexed via a cast or fish. The higher the (true) modulus of a rod is, the lighter and more sensitive it will be. With an increase in modulus, cost increases and resilience decreases.
While this seems logical to use as a selling point to sell more rods, as some do with their IM6 modulus rating, IM7, IM8…etc. as far as I know, there isn’t an industry standard to define modulus rating in graphite, but rather based more on a range depending on the manufacture formula. Therefore one rod may be rated the same as another, but could be less expensive because it is a lower modulus blank. Just because a rod is expensive and has a high modulus doesn’t ensure that the blank design is the right one for the application you are looking for. Many blanks are designed for a specific fishing technique, where others are a standard blank with the intended application/technique of the rod not factored in, i.e. technique or species taken into account. Other factors to consider in blank design are length, diameter, taper, wall thickness and material along with how the material is placed on the mandrel to create the blank. All factors above will determine the rods action, taper, weight, and strength.
While all of this can be somewhat confusing, it’s best not to get caught up in all of the modulus hype and just use a rod that is designed for the intended technique. When properly done, the angler can expect to hook up with more fish by being able to feel the strike faster as in jig fishing or in some instances slower, such as using crankbaits, which allows the fish to inhale the bait.
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Q:
Explain the process of solving this nested squareroot problem
I am in class 10 and this is an olympiad question so I am having a problem doing this. The innermost one I have evaluated to be $\sqrt{15}- \sqrt2$. But the rest I don't know how to do.
$\sqrt { 2 + \sqrt { 3 } - \sqrt { 4 + \sqrt { 5 } + \sqrt { 17 - 4 \sqrt { 15 } } } }$
A:
Well actually, the inner most evaluates to $(\sqrt{12}-\sqrt{5})$ and not what you said. You can solve such questions as:-
$$a^2+b^2=17$$
$$2ab=4\sqrt{15}$$
Solve these equations to get the desired result (Also, note that b is negative, but you can change these signs later knowing that there's $-2ab$ over there). It'll then evaluate to:-
$$\sqrt{2+\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{4+\sqrt{5}+\sqrt{12}-\sqrt{5}}}$$
$$=\sqrt{2+\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{4+2\sqrt{3}}}$$
$$=\sqrt{2+\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{3}-1}$$
$$=1.$$
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Sherlock Hemlock is a Muppet spoof of Sherlock Holmes, as seen on Sesame Street.
Contents show]
Sherlock is the self-appointed "World's Greatest Detective," dressed in the iconographic Holmes deerstalker cap and Inverness cape, and usually brandishing a large magnifying glass. He prides himself on his powers of observation and does succeed in deciphering small clues, but he seldom arrives at a correct, final solution without assistance. When he does find a clue, he often shouts, "Egad!" He speaks with a British accent and his earliest appearances were often signaled by "detective music" (as Ernie called it), a series of dramatic stings on a piano.
Sherlock first appeared in Episode 0131, the Season 2 premiere, looking for the missing half of Ernie's chicken salad sandwich. Clues revealed that Sherlock himself ate half of the sandwich (he likes chicken salad, doesn't like bread crusts, and one of his buttons was found in Ernie's lunchbox).
Hemlock also appeared in the recurring Caveman Days sketches with Ernie as "The Royal Smart Person."
Though generally one of the less musical Muppets, Hemlock sang "X Marks the Spot!," a dire warning of what the letter/symbol X may signify, first heard on The Muppet Alphabet Album and then on the series itself.
Beginning in Season 20, Sherlock Hemlock starred in all of the Mysterious Theater segments, and by this time he was given a sidekick of sorts: a faithful dog named Watson, who joined his master in the segments and occasional street appearances. Most notably, in a season 22 episode, Sherlock and Watson try to find Maria's sock on a laundry day in her basement, accompanied by the Mysterious Theater theme and host Vincent Twice.
In 1996, Sherlock Hemlock and Watson starred as playable characters in the computer game Search and Learn Adventures. Sherlock also appeared in the 1998 computer game Elmo's Reading Basics and the 2001 game Elmo's World: Shoes, Bugs & Farms!.
Sherlock's last major appearance occurred in Episode 3424, where the letter X wanted to quit the alphabet. After this, he was only seen in old sketches until the early 2000s. Then, in 2010 for the show's 40th season, Sherlock reappeared on Sesame Street in a brief speaking cameo at Hooper's Store in Episode 4206. He also made a background cameo in The Furchester Hotel episode, "Mystery Weekend."
In 2018, Sherlock appeared during Caroll Spinney's retirement party in the skit where Caroll Spinney meets his wife, puppeteered by Martin P. Robinson. In 2019, Sherlock Hemlock made his first speaking appearance since Nelson's passing in Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration, performed here by Matt Vogel. He appears in The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo as an audience member.
According to Sesame Street Unpaved, Nelson's performance is based on Basil Rathbone's famous portrayal of Holmes in the 1939 movie The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and its early 1940s sequels. However, the voice, particularly in the early sketches, is modeled after the clipped diction of another British movie star, Ronald Colman.
Street Scenes
In addition to primarily appearing in sketches, from time to time Sherlock has appeared in street scenes.
Sketches
For more sketches, see Mysterious Theater
Filmography
Album appearances
Book appearances
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The cover of Secret Wars #8 features a very subtle Superman cameo.
First, let's take a look at the cover, crafted by Alex Ross, in its entirety.
Then, if we zoom in to the area where Spider-Man appears in the bottom-left corner, as spotted by CBR , and look closely just below the web-slinging hero's right leg, we see Superman's boot.
This is actually an homage to the cover of Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man: The Battle of the Century crossover comic, which released back in 1976 and was designed by Carmine Infantino and Ross Andru.
What might this mean for the upcoming Marvel Comics' graphic novel? We'll just have to wait until Secret Wars #8's November release to find out.
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Alex Osborn is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter
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Wednesday, 29 January 2014
GOVT WASTES US$100m MEANT FOR POOR
The Swaziland
Government has wasted more than US$100 million that was meant to help poor
people in rural areas, a new auditor-general’s report has revealed.
The money was
supposed to be used for projects to alleviate poverty under the Rural
Development Fund (RDF), which is administered by the Swazi Ministry for
Tinkhundla.
Instead, the
money was squandered on useless goods that were left idle and unused.
Media in
Swaziland reported that an Auditor-General’s report said as a result more than E1
billion (US$100 million) has been wasted since the RDF was set up in 1999.
Muziwandile
Dlamini from the office of the Auditor-General revealed that some
constituencies made orders for items that ended up not being utilised. Dlamini said
audits conducted in some constituencies had revealed the problem and now more
constituencies would be audited.
The Swazi
Observer newspaper reported Dlamini
saying in some cases, items were ordered and not delivered while in other times
the wrong items were delivered and then ended up not being utilised by the
constituencies.
Dlamini said
this was a clear indication that some constituencies initiated projects that
were not required, but they did so just for the sake of doing something.
Dlamini added failure
to coordinate and plan for their projects was often the cause for collapse of
the projects initiated by tinkhundla.
Tinkhundla is
the political system used in Swaziland that bans all political parties from
contesting elections and places power in the hands of King Mswati III, who
rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.
Seven in ten of
the King’s 1.3 million subjects live in abject poverty, earning less than US$2
per day. The King is reported have a personal fortune estimated at US$200
million. He has 13 palaces, one for each of his wives, a private jet airplane
and fleets of Mercedes Benz and BMW cars.
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Parental experiences and perceptions of infant complementary feeding: a qualitative evidence synthesis.
Interventions to prevent childhood obesity increasingly focus on infant feeding, but demonstrate inconsistent effects. A comprehensive qualitative evidence synthesis is essential to better understand feeding behaviours and inform intervention development. The aim of this study is to synthesize evidence on perceptions and experiences of infant feeding and complementary feeding recommendations. Databases CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, SocIndex and Maternity and Infant Care were searched from inception to May 2017. Eligible studies examined parents' experiences of complementary feeding of children (<2 years). Data were synthesized using thematic synthesis. Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria for review. Four key themes emerged. 'Guidelines and advice' highlights variety and inconsistencies between sources of complementary feeding information. 'Stage of weaning' describes infant feeding as a process involving different stages. 'Knowing and trying' outlines parents' engagement in feeding approaches based on instinct, prior experience or trial and error. 'Daily life' highlights problematic cost and time constraints for parents. Parents predominantly understand and want to engage in healthy feeding processes. Consideration of infant feeding as a process that changes over time is necessary to support parents. Provision of clear, consistent information and guidance from trusted sources on when, what and how to feed is also essential.
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Introduction {#Sec1}
============
*Escherichia coli* (*E. coli*) consists of both commensal (ComEC) and diarrhoeagenic (DEC) types. DEC not only indicate the presence of intestinal pathogens or parasites but also constitute a human health risk in themselves (Grabow et al. [@CR9]; Kaper et al. [@CR17]). At present, seven groups of pathogenic *E.coli* have been identified, of which five were selected for this study based on their importance for surface-water pathogenicity. The DEC types have been classified into the following: entero-pathogenic *E. coli* (EPEC), entero-toxigenic *E. coli* (ETEC), entero-haemorrhagic *E. coli* (EHEC), entero-aggregative *E. coli* (EAEC) and entero-invasive *E. coli* (EIEC) (Ashbolt [@CR2]; Kaper et al. [@CR17]). There are media available for the detection of specific EHEC 0157:H7 but traditional culture methods for *E. coli* were not designed for the detection of DEC (Iijima et al. [@CR16]) but rather ComEC. Further conformational steps are thus required after culturing to distinguish the DEC from the ComEC which increases cost and time in producing the results. Diarrhoeagenic bacteria such as *Campylobacter jejuni*, *Salmonella enterica* serovar, *Shigella* spp., and *Vibrio* spp., can be readily isolated using selective plating media, with the exception of STEC 0157. Serotyping is the predominant means of differentiating pathogenic strains of *E. coli,* and phenotypic assays based on virulence characteristics can also identify DEC. Genotypic assays targeting virulence genes, especially polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are becoming standard procedure (Iijima et al. [@CR16]).
Diagnosis is currently recommended for cases of persistent diarrhoea, children with severe diarrhoea unresponsive to treatment and immunodeficient patients with moderate to severe diarrhoea, and in epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis (Vidal et al. [@CR32]). Methods in molecular biology have progressed and offer significant increases in speed and specificity in identifying micro-organisms according to their specific genetic makeup encoded in the genomic DNA (Horokova et al. [@CR14]). Technologies such as microarrays and PCR are used to explore the global virulence pattern of strains (Wu et al. [@CR34]). However, for developing countries microarray is an expensive method which laboratories cannot afford for routine analysis. M-PCR is a rapid and cost-effective method for screening and identifying DEC. The targets selected for each category were: EHEC (*stx1*, *stx2* and *eaeA*); Atypical EPEC (*eaeA*) and Typical EPEC (*bfp*); ETEC (*st* and *lt*); EIEC (*ial*); EAEC (*eagg*); Commensal *E. coli* (*mdh*); *E. coli* toxin (*astA*) and, for the external control, *gapdh*.
The major obstacle to using PCR for the detection and identification of pathogenic organisms from clinical or environmental water samples is the presence of substances that are inhibitory to PCR such as humic substances (Shieh et al. [@CR28]; Wilson [@CR33]). In order to monitor PCR inhibition sufficient laboratory controls are required in the m-PCR. The majority of published studies report the addition of 16s rRNA gene as the internal control to monitor for false negative results in m-PCR (Sabat et al. [@CR27]; Grape et al. [@CR10]). However, these are not sufficient to monitor false negative results for *E. coli* specifically, since 16s rRNA is amplified from the *E. coli* DNA. It would not be possible to determine whether a lack of PCR amplification of 16s rRNA is as a result of PCR inhibition in the sample or is because there is no *E. coli* in the sample. As reported by Hartman et al. ([@CR12]), the high level of PCR sensitivity creates an elevated risk of false positive and negative results.
Methodology {#Sec2}
===========
The aim of this study was to develop a single-step multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) that distinguishes selected *E. coli* patho-types. Internal controls were included to monitor inhibition in each sample thereby indicating false positive or false negative results.
Growth and maintenance of bacterial strains {#Sec3}
-------------------------------------------
Thirty-eight bacterial strains, which included commensal and pathogenic *E. coli* strains, *Shigella* spp., *Salmonella* spp., *Vibrio* spp. \[obtained from National Health laboratory services (NHLS); (Table [1](#Tab1){ref-type="table"})\] and other strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family such as *Klebsiella* spp., *Aeromonas* spp., *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Bacillus subtilis*, *Bacillus cereus*, *Enterococcus* spp. and *Morganella morganni* (obtained from undergraduate practical laboratory) were cultured on Plate Count Agar (PCA) (Oxoid, UK) and incubated under aerobic conditions at 37 °C for 16 h. Single colonies were enriched in nutrient broth (Oxoid, UK) and incubated under aerobic conditions at 37 °C for 16 h. The commensal *E. coli* strain was used as the positive control. *Klebsiella pneumoniae* (KLEPN 01) and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (PSEAE 01) were used as the negative controls for the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Trays^®^/2000. Table 1Bacterial strains used in molecular characterisationBacterial strainReference nrGenes present*Escherichia coli* (Commensal)^a^ATCC 25922*mdh*Enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC)ESCCO 21^b^*mdh, stx1*, *stx2* and *eaeA*Enteroinvasive (EIEC)ESCCOS ATCC 43893^b^*mdh* and *ial*Enterotoxigenic (ETEC)ESCCO 22^b^*mdh, lt* and *st*Enteropathogenic (EPEC)S-ESCCO 16 Pl^b^*mdh, eaeA, bfp*Enteroaggregative (EAEC)ESCCO 14^b^*mdh* and *eagg*^a^Environmental isolate confirmed by API 20E (OMNIMED^®^) and PCR as commensal *E. coli*^b^Strains purchased from National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS)
M-PCR testing on enriched environmental water samples and isolates {#Sec4}
------------------------------------------------------------------
Once the m-PCR was developed it was tested on clinical, environmental isolates and environmental water samples.
Microbial analysis {#Sec5}
------------------
### Clinical isolates {#Sec6}
239 clinical isolates were obtained from Ampath Laboratory (Pretoria). Single colonies which were confirmed *E. coli* positive by Ampath Laboratory were enriched as described above (growth and maintenance).
### Environmental isolates {#Sec7}
171 environmental water samples (container water, toilet seats, borehole, stream, river) were collected in 1 l sampling bottles and stored at 4 °C on route to the laboratory. The water samples (100 ml) were filtered onto 0.45 μm gridded nitro-cellulose membranes (NC) (Merck, Germany) using the standard membrane filtration technique, placed onto *E. coli*/Coliform Chromogenic Media (Oxoid, UK) and incubated under aerobic conditions at 37 °C for 16 h (Standard Methods [@CR30]). Single colonies that appear purple on the selective *E. coli* media were enriched as described above in growth and maintenance.
### Environmental water samples {#Sec8}
291 water samples (Waste water: upstream, downstream and final effluent) were collected in 1 l sampling bottles and stored at 4 °C on route to the laboratory. The water samples were immediately analysed upon arrival at the laboratory for bacterial quality using the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Tray^®^/2000 system (IDDEX). Enumeration of *E. coli* from water was done using 100 ml water according to the manufacturer's instructions. The Quanti-Trays^®^ were incubated for 18 h at 35 °C. After incubation, the Quanti-Trays^®^/2000 were examined under long wave (366 nm) ultraviolet light, and wells that turned both yellow and fluoresced were counted as *E. coli* positive (IDDEX).
DNA extraction {#Sec9}
--------------
### Clinical and environmental isolates {#Sec10}
2 ml of the enriched single colony was centrifuged for 2 min at 13,000×*g* to pellet the cells and the supernatant was discarded. DNA was extracted from the collected bacterial cells using the silica/guanidium thiocyanate method reported by Boom et al. ([@CR37]) as well as adaptations of spin columns reported on by Borodina et al. ([@CR38]). The adjustments included the addition of 250 µl 100 % ethanol to the lysis buffer to enhance the binding of DNA to the Celite. The Celite containing the bound DNA was loaded onto a DNA binding membrane (Borodina et al. [@CR38]) in the spin columns. DNA was eluted with 100 µl Qiagen elution buffer (Southern Cross Biotechnology^®^) \[Omar et al. ([@CR24])\]. The extracted DNA was used as a template in all PCR reactions.
### Colilert^®^ Quanti-Trays^®^/2000 system {#Sec11}
A total of 2 ml of the media was removed from up to ten positive *E. coli* wells of the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Trays^®^/2000 using sterile 1 ml Neomedic disposable syringes with mounted needle (Kendon Medical Supplies) and aliquoted into 2 ml sterile Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were centrifuged for 2 min at 13,000×*g* to pellet the cells and the supernatant discarded. DNA was extracted from the collected bacterial cells as explained above and as reported by Omar et al. ([@CR24]). The extracted DNA was used as a template in all PCR reactions.
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) {#Sec12}
-------------------------------------------
All m-PCR reactions were performed in a Biorad Mycycler™ thermal cycler in a total reaction volume of 20 μl. A hotstart multiplex PCR kit (Qiagen^®^) was used for the m-PCR protocol. Each reaction consisted of 1X Qiagen^®^ PCR multiplex mix (containing HotstartTaq^®^ DNA polymerase, multiplex PCR buffer and dNTP mix); 2 μl of the primer mixture \[0.1 μM of *mdh* and *lt* primers \[Forward (F) and reverse (R)\], 0.2 μM of *ial*, *eagg* primers, *astA* primers, *bfp* primers and *gapdh* primers (F and R), 0.3 μM of *eaeA* and *stx2* primers (F and R), 0.5 μm of *stx1* and *st* primers \[F and R (Table [2](#Tab2){ref-type="table"})\]; 2 μl of sample DNA, 1 μl of *gapdh* cDNA and 5 μl PCR grade water. The reactions were subjected to an initial activation step at 95 °C for 15 min, followed by 35 cycles consisting of denaturing at 94 °C for 45 s, annealing at 55 °C for 45 s, extension at 68 °C for 2 min and final elongation at 72 °C for 5 min. Table 2Primers used in the m-PCR reactionPathogenPrimerSequence(5′-3′)Size (bp)Conc. (µM)Reference*E. colimdh (F)*GGT ATG GAT CGT TCC GAC CT3040.1Tarr et al. ([@CR31])*mdh (R)*GGC AGA ATG GTA ACA CCA GAG TEIEC*ial (F)*GGT ATG ATG ATG ATG AGT CCA6500.2López-Saucedo et al. ([@CR20])*ial (R)*GGA GGC CAA CAA TTA TTT CCEHEC/Atypical EPEC*eaeA (F)*CTG AAC GGC GAT TAC GCG AA9170.3Aranda et al. ([@CR1])*eaeA (R)*CCA GAC GAT ACG ATC CAGTypical EPEC*bfpA (F)*AAT GGT GCT TGC GCT TGC TGC4100.3Aranda et al. ([@CR1])*bfpM (R)*TAT TAA CAC CGT AGC CTT TCG CTG AAG TAC CTFrom this studyEAEC*eagg (F)*AGA CTC TGG CGA AAG ACT GTA TC1940.2Pass et al. ([@CR25])*eagg (R)*ATG GCT GTC TGT AAT AGA TGA GAA CEHEC*stx1 (F)*ACA CTG GAT GAT CTC AGT GG6140.5Moses et al. ([@CR22])*stx1 (R)*CTG AAT CCC CCT CCA TTA TG*stx2 (F)*CCA TGA CAA CGG ACA GCA GTT7790.3Moses et al. ([@CR22])*stx2 (R)*CCT GTC AAC TGA GCA CTT TGETEC*lt (F)*GGC GAC AGA TTA TAC CGT GC3600.1Pass et al. ([@CR25])*lt (R)*CGG TCT CTA TAT TCC CTG TT*st (F)*TTT CCC CTC TTT TAG TCA GTC AAC TG1600.5Pass et al. ([@CR25])*st (R)*GGC AGG ATT ACA ACA AAG TTC ACA*E. coli* toxin*astA (F)*GCC ATC AAC ACA GTA TAT CC1060.3Kimata et al. ([@CR19])*astA (R)*GAG TGA CGG CTT TGT AGT CExternal control*gapdh (F)*GAG TCA ACG GAT TTG GTC GT2380.3Mbene et al. ([@CR21])*gapdh (R)*TTG ATT TTG GAG GGA TCT CGNB: *F* forward primer, *R* reverse primer
DNA was visualised using a 2.5 % (w/v) agarose gel in TAE buffer (40 mmol l^−1^ Tris acetate; 2 mmol l^−1^ EDTA, pH 8.3) with 0.5 μg ml^−1^ ethidium bromide. Electrophoresis was done for 1--2 h in electric field strength of 8 V cm^−1^ gel and the DNA visualized with UV light (Syngene, UK). This procedure was followed for all the experiments except where stated differently. The relative sizes of the DNA fragments were estimated by comparing their electrophoretic mobility with that of the standards run with the samples on each gel, either a 1 kB or 100 bp markers (Fermentas, US).
Specificity of the m-PCR {#Sec13}
------------------------
The specificity of the m-PCR was assessed by testing 38 bacterial strains which included commensal and pathogenic *E. coli* strains, *Shigella* spp., *Salmonella* spp. and serovar, *Vibrio* spp. and other strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family such as *Klebsiella* spp., *Aeromonas* spp., *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Bacillus subtilis*, *Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus* spp. and *Morganella morgannii* (Table [3](#Tab3){ref-type="table"}). Table 3Specificity of the m-PCRBacterial strainSourceGenes*mdheaeAbfpstx1stx2ialltgapdhsteaggastA*Commensal *E. coli*NHLS+−−−−−+−−−Enterohaemorrhagic *E. coli*NHLS++−++−−+−−−Enteropathogenic *E. coli*NHLS+++−−−−+−−+Enteroaggregative *E. coli*NHLS+−−−−−−+−+−Enterotoxigenic *E. coli*NHLS+−−−−−+++−−Enteroinvasive *E. coli*NHLS+−−−−+−+−−−*Shigella dysenteriae* serovar type 1NHLS+−−−−+−+−−−*Shigella dysenteriae* serovar type 2NHLS+−−−−+−+−−−*Shigella boydii* serovar BNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Shigella flexneri*NHLS+−−−−−−+−−−*Shigella sonnei*NHLS++−−−+−+−−−*Vibrio cholerae* non-O1NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio cholerae* O1NTCC−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio cholerae* O1NTCC−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio parahaemolyticus*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio parahaemolyticus*NCTC−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio cholerae* O139NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio cholerae* OgawaNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio mimicus*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio fluvialis*NCTC−−−−−−−+−−−*Vibrio furnissii*ATCC−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Typhi salty O1NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Typhimurium saltm O1NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Typhimurium saltm O2NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Typhi salty O2NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar ParatyphiNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Paratyphi ANHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar Paratyphi CNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella* GallinarumNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Salmonella enterica* serovar EnteritidisNHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Pseudomonas aeruginosa*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Klebsiella pneumonia*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Bacillus subtilis*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Bacillus cereus*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Aeromonas veronii*ATCC−−−−−−−+−−−*Enterococcus faecium*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Enterococcus faecalis*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−*Morganella morgannii*NHLS−−−−−−−+−−−
Results and discussion {#Sec14}
======================
The main challenge of designing a multiplex PCR is the possibility of primer dimers and non-specific results which is a risk for false positive and negative results. Therefore, it is necessary to design and include primers with close annealing temperatures and to begin the program with a hotstart as reported by Vidal et al. ([@CR32]). The effect of the wide temperature range is overcome by the addition of Q-solution that is supplied by the manufacturer and that can be included with the enzyme. A wide variety of temperatures were tested before the final version of the multiplex PCR was optimized and tested. The results confirm that the single m-PCR was successfully compiled to detect all of the targeted genes in a single reaction even though primers with different melting temperatures ranging from 50 to 73 °C were used (Fig. [1](#Fig1){ref-type="fig"}). The PCR amplicons were confirmed as the correct target gene by sequencing (data not shown) showing the specific amplification of the genes in a mixture of DEC. Fig. 1Agarose gel of the PCR products obtained for the *E. coli* multiplex PCR (*lane* *2*). No template control (NTC) in (*lane 2*). The molecular weight marker is shown in (*lane 1*)
Specificity of the m-PCR {#Sec15}
------------------------
The specificity of the m-PCR was tested on 38 laboratory bacterial strains. Specificity was stated by Aldrich and Griffith ([@CR36]) as 'the ability of the assay to detect a unique event to the exclusion of all other events'; that is, to what extent can the assay detect a specific pathobiologic effect that will exclude all other similar pathobiologic effects. Positive PCR results were only obtained for the *E. coli* and *Shigella* strains (Table [3](#Tab3){ref-type="table"}). However, the *mdh* gene was not detected for *Shigella boydii* serotype B. Boerlin et al. ([@CR3]) state that *Shigella* is similar to EIEC and the *stx1* is almost identical to the shiga toxin of *Shigella dysenteriae* in amino acid sequence and cannot be distinguished from serologically, yet *ial* and *eaeA* were detected for *Shigella sonnei*. No positive PCR results were obtained for the DNA from the other bacterial strains tested. Specific genes were detected for each patho-type as indicated in Table [1](#Tab1){ref-type="table"}; there was no cross reactivity of genes between patho-types. No false positives and no PCR inhibition were obtained due to the external control *gapdh* gene that was detected in 100 % (38/38) of the samples.
Application {#Sec16}
-----------
A total of 701 samples were analysed, samples composed of 239 clinical isolates, 171 environmental water isolates and 291 samples from the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Tray^®^/2000 (Fig. [2](#Fig2){ref-type="fig"}); these samples were obtained from various provinces in South Africa. Isolates and water samples were subjected to the protocols described in the methodology, with 100 % (171/171) of environmental water isolates, 85 % (202/239) of the clinical isolates and 100 % (291/291) of the water samples testing positive for the *mdh* house-keeping gene (Fig. [2](#Fig2){ref-type="fig"}). For the 15 % (37/239) of clinical isolates in which the *mdh* gene was not detected, it is possible that these do not contain the malate dehydrogenase but the malic acid dehydrogenase gene, which is also a housekeeping enzyme of the citric acid cycle (Hsu and Tsen [@CR15]). When the study was initiated Tarr et al. ([@CR31]) article was used, who included the malate dehydrogenase gene and indicated in their tests positive results for all the *E. coli* strains tested. Based on this the *mdh* gene was used as a control to confirm the microbiology results in case no pathogenic genes tested for were detected. It is only later that for a separate study the malic acid dehydrogenase gene was tested (also referred to as *mdh* by Hsu and Tsen [@CR15]) that not all the *E. coli* strains present in the samples tested positive. The reason could be that the original work by the authors were done on strains that could not be present in South Africa or that we have strains that have different genetic characteristics. No false positives and no PCR inhibition were indicated in the m-PCR as the external control gene (*gapdh*) was detected in 100 % (701/701) of the samples. A supposedly negative test result for an infectious agent can influence therapeutic decisions, such as withholding antibiotic and antiviral drugs (Cone et al. [@CR6]; Hartman et al. [@CR12]). Therefore, the additions of the internal and external controls are important to ensure that there are no PCR inhibitors in the reaction as well as to validate the accuracy of the PCR in distinguishing false negative from true negative PCR results. Fig. 2Agarose gel of the PCR products obtained from samples (*lane 4*--*11*, *13*--*18*). No template control (NTC) in (*lane 2*). The molecular weight marker is shown in (*lane 1* and *12*). The positive reference control is shown in (*lane* *3*)
### Environmental water isolates {#Sec17}
Of the *E. coli* positive environmental water isolates (171) tested, *eagg* gene (EAEC), *ial* gene (EIEC), *st* and *lt* genes (ETEC), *stx1* gene and *stx2* gene, *eaeA* gene (EHEC, Atypical-EPEC) tested positive (see Table [4](#Tab4){ref-type="table"} for the percentages of each gene). Positive gene combinations detected for *eaeA* and *stx1* 2.3, 0.6 % combination of *eaeA*, *stx1* and *stx2* (EHEC). Literature states that *stx1* and/or *stx2* can be detected individually or in combination due to being phage-encoded (Müller et al. [@CR23]; Contreras et al. [@CR7]; Feng et al. [@CR8]). To discriminate between typical and atypical EPEC, 29.8 % tested positive for the *eaeA* and *bfp* gene (Typical-EPEC), 3.5 % *bfp* gene (Typical-EPEC) and 27 % *eaeA* gene (Atypical EPEC). For the *astA* gene (*E. coli* toxin) 25 % was detected without the combination of the virulence genes. The distribution of the *astA* toxin gene combined with the virulence genes is indicated in Table [6](#Tab6){ref-type="table"}. Interesting results was 2.3 % combination of *eaeA* and *ial* as well as combination of *eaeA* and *eagg* 8.7 % (Table [5](#Tab5){ref-type="table"}). Literature reports gene coding of *eaeA* with EHEC and EPEC (Presterl et al. [@CR26]; Müller et al. [@CR23]; Aranda et al. [@CR1]; Moses et al. [@CR22]) but not with *eagg* and *ial*. Published reports have described *eaeA* as the bacterial outer membrane protein intimin, which is essential in organizing host cytoskeletal rearrangements and generating the pedestal-like structure in which the bacteria reside. Intimin is required for full bacterial virulence and its expression is regulated by the *per* regulon. The *per* regulon comprises four reading frames (*perA*, *B*, *C* and *D*), and maximal expression requires all four gene products, however, expression of *perC* alone can induce intimin expression (Kenny et al. [@CR18]). The question is has intimin been expressed from EAEC and EIEC? Or as Chen and Dubnau ([@CR5]) reported that DNA can be transferred from one organism to another via conjugation. They also reported DNA can be actively secreted by viable organisms. Hacker and Kaper ([@CR11]) reported that free DNA released from dead bacteria can be taken up by bacteria in the environment via natural transformation and may carry pathogenicity islands (PAIs). The majority of PAIs are located on the chromosome, but can also be part of bacterial plasmids and phages. More research has to be conducted to determine these gene-coding combinations. Table 4PCR results obtained from the single isolates of the clinical and environmental isolates and water samples from the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Tray^®^/2000Table 5Gene combinations from clinical and environmental isolatesPatho-typeGene combinationsClinical isolates (n)Environmental isolates (n)ReferencesAtypical EPEC*eaeA*3246Aranda et al. ([@CR1]);\
Botkin et al. ([@CR4])EHEC*eaeA* + *stx1*04Müller et al. ([@CR23]); Contreras et al. ([@CR7]); Feng et al. ([@CR8])*eaeA* + *stx2*10*eaeA* + *stx1* +*stx2*01*stx1*01*stx2*01Typical EPEC*eaeA* + *bfp*251Kaper et al. ([@CR17]);*bfb*26Botkin et al. ([@CR4])ETEC*lt* + *st*03Presterl et al. ([@CR26])*lt*86*st*63*lt* + *eagg*10*eaeA* + *ial*04*eaeA* + *eagg*015
### Clinical isolates {#Sec18}
Of the clinical isolates (239) tested, *eagg* (EAEC), *lt* and *st* (ETEC), *eaeA* and *stx2* (EHEC, Atypical-EPEC) tested positive (Table [4](#Tab4){ref-type="table"}). Positive gene combinations were detected for 0.8 % *eaeA* and *bfp* (Typical-EPEC), 0.8 % *bfp* (Typical-EPEC) and 13.4 % *eaeA* gene (Atypical EPEC), 17 % *astA* (*E. coli* toxin). The significance of differentiating between typical and atypical EPEC is that atypical EPEC are more frequently isolated from diarrhoea cases than typical EPEC. However, while typical EPEC dominates in developing countries, atypical EPEC has also been shown to cause large outbreaks involving both children and adults (Kaper et al. [@CR17]). For the *astA* gene (*E. coli* toxin) 78 % was detected without the combination of the virulence genes. The distribution of the *astA* toxin gene combined with the virulence genes is indicated in Table [6](#Tab6){ref-type="table"}. This result is very important: Hidaka et al. ([@CR13]) reported that a 1996 outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was caused by *E. coli* 0166:H15 which possessed no enteropathogenicity-associated genes other than the *astA* gene. The *astA* gene was first identified in EAEC as a structural gene that encodes a distinct low-molecular-weight putative enterotoxin (Yatsuyanagi et al. [@CR35]). Reports from Soto et al. ([@CR29]) indicate that the enteroaggregative heat stable toxin 1 (EAST-1) is encoded by the *astA* gene. This toxin is thought to play a role in EAEC pathogenicity. The toxin binds to the receptor and activates guanylate cyclise, which stimulates production of cyclic GMP (cGMP). High levels of cGMP in the cell inhibit the Na/Cl co-transport system, reduce the absorption of electrolytes and water from the intestine at villus tips and result in an elevated secretion of Cl^−^ and water in crypt cells. The role of this toxin in the development of diarrhoea has yet to be defined (Soto et al. [@CR29]). However, recently the *astA* gene has been detected not only in EAEC but also in EPEC, atypical EPEC, ETEC and EIEC strains (Yatsuyanagi et al. [@CR35]). As discussed above, an interesting gene-coding combination was detected in the clinical isolates, 0.4 % *lt* and *eagg* genes. Table 6Distribution of the *astA* toxin gene combined with the virulence genes for isolates, environmental isolates and water samples
### Environmental water samples {#Sec19}
Of the *E. coli* positive environmental water samples from the Colilert^®^ Quanti-Tray^®^/2000 (291) tested, presence of *eagg* gene (EAEC), *ial* gene (EIEC), *lt* gene and *st* gene (ETEC) tested positive (Table [4](#Tab4){ref-type="table"}). Positive gene combination detected for 0.3 % of *eaeA* and *stx1*, 5.8 % combination of *eaeA* and *stx2* (EHEC), 3.1 % combination of *eaeA*, *stx1* and *stx2* (EHEC). To discriminate between typical and atypical EPEC 24.1 % tested positive for the *eaeA* and *bfp* gene (Typical-EPEC) and 1.4 % *bfp* gene (Typical-EPEC) 17 % *eaeA* gene (Atypical EPEC). For the *astA* gene (*E. coli* toxin) 40 % was detected without the combination of the virulence genes and the distribution of the *astA* toxin gene combined with the virulence genes are indicated in Table [6](#Tab6){ref-type="table"}.
Conclusion {#Sec20}
==========
Both internal controls for m-PCR were used to monitor PCR inhibition that might occur due to the nature of the samples. The PCR was designed so that the *gapdh* gene would only be amplified in samples where no other PCR products were amplified. All the genes tested for could be detected using m-PCR with no non-specific amplification of genes. Atypical and typical EPEC could be successfully distinguished using single m-PCR reaction. The *astA* toxin gene was detected in both DEC and ComEC samples. Important gene combinations were detected. The m-PCR offers the user a fast and effective method to perform a simultaneous amplification not only for the detection of virulence genes from all categories of diarrhoeagenic *E. coli* (ETEC, typical or atypical EPEC, EIEC, EAEC, EHEC) but also commensal *E. coli* and internal controls to monitor for PCR inhibition. The m-PCR is easy to perform, sensitive, requires minimal specialized equipment or training, and provides same-day results necessary for rapid action in the case of diarrhoeal outbreaks.
Funding obtained from the University of Johannesburg and National Research Foundation (South Africa) to complete this study. Ampath Laboratories (Pretoria) for providing the clinical isolates. The authors would like to acknowledge the publication workshop arranged by the South African Young Water Professionals during which this manuscript was prepared. We would also like to convey our appreciation to the Department of Science and Technology, Water Institute of Southern Africa and the University of Johannesburg for covering the costs of the workshop.
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I am planning to become pregnant in the next year
Click image to enlarge
You have decided that it is time to add to your family. But wait just a second – or a couple of months. To give yourself the best chance for a healthy pregnancy, and healthy baby, here are some important things you need to do first.
1. Schedule a preconception health visit with your ob-gyn or certified nurse midwife at least three months before you become pregnant.
This visit gives you the chance to sit down with your health care provider and talk about your plan to get pregnant. Before you go, be ready to talk about your:
Reproductive History: Includes any past pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths, or abortions. Tell you doctor is your periods are regular, your past and current birth control use, past Pap test results, any sexually transmitted diseases or any other infections you have had in the past.
Medical History: Any health conditions, like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure that can harm a pregnancy. It is best to work with your doctor to get any health problems under control before you get pregnant.
Mental Health History: Talk to you doctor or midwife about any history of metal health conditions, both past and current. Poor mental health, that is not well controlled with medication, before pregnancy may increase the risk of postpartum mental illness, substance abuse, and less care during pregnancy. Always talk to you doctor before going off any medication.
Current Medications: Tell your doctor or midwife about all the medications you are on, including prescription, over-the-counter, any any vitamins or herbal supplements you take. Some medications can increase your risk of miscarriage or having a baby with birth defects. Your doctor or midwife can help you review your medications so you can stay healthy and keep your baby healthy. It is never a good idea to stop taking a prescription medication without talking to your doctor or midwife first.
Home and Workplace Environment: Tell your doctor or midwife if you or your partner works or lives around possible hazards – such as cat feces, x-rays, and lead or solvents. Some of these things can affect your ability to get pregnant or maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Screenings and Exams: Your doctor or midwife will check your weight and blood pressure. You may also want to get a Pap test and pelvic exam done if you have not gotten one in the last year. Finally, make sure all your immunizations are up to date and get any you may be missing.
2. Take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid everyday
Found in most multivitamins, as well as in fortified foods like cereal, bread, and pasta, folic acid is a B-vitamin that is needed for proper cell growth. To get enough folic acid, women should take a daily multivitamin and eat a healthy diet that includes folic acid rich foods like leafy greens, and whole wheat grains.
Folic acid is very important for the health of your baby. Studies have shown that, if taken every day for at least one month before getting pregnant and during the first trimester of pregnancy, folic acid can reduce the number of birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects. New research also suggests that folic acid might reduce the risk of other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and some heart defects.
3. Give up drinking, smoking, and illegal drug use.
Smoking, abusing alcohol, and/or using illegal drugs by either your or your partner could harm your pregnancy and your baby. If either you or your partner is using any of these substances, ask for help in quitting before getting pregnant.
4. Get you your healthy weight.
You will want to try and reach your healthy weight, based on BMI, before getting pregnant. Being overweight or obese can make it harder to get pregnant and increase your risk of experiencing problems. Being underweight may raise your risk of delivering a low-birth weight baby.
5. Develop or maintain healthy eating and exercise habits.
Get in the habit of healthy eating and regular exercise before you get pregnant. These habits will help you stay healthy all through your pregnancy and life.
6. See your dentist.
It is a good idea to schedule a teeth cleaning, especially if it has been a while since your last trip to the dentist. Some studies have shown a link between gum disease and have a premature or low-birth weight baby. Getting oral health problems treated before getting pregnant may prevent future health problems in your and your baby.
7. Stop using birth control.
Most women are able to get pregnant almost immediately after stopping use of birth control no matter how long you used it.
Some women who use the birth control shot (Depo-Provera) may take longer to begin ovulating after stopping the shot, so it may take longer to get pregnant. It may take up to 13 weeks after your last shot to begin ovulation. If you still have not had a period a year after your last shot, see your doctor.
8. Figure out when you ovulate.
By watching and following your menstrual cycle you can track when you have released a egg (ovulation) and are more likely to get pregnant. You can use a calendar or phone app to track your periods and ovulation to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Learn more about your menstrual cycle and ovulation by look at our GETTING PREGNANT section.
Search
This Utah Department of Health web site is designed for informational and educational purposes only. The Maternal and Infant Health Program does not see patients and is unable to diagnose your illness, provide treatment, prescribe medication, or refer you to specialists. If you need medical treatment, please see your health care provider.
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The present invention generally relates to a flat-panel display device which comprises memory modules added to display pixels and used in a still image display mode, and more particularly to a flat-panel display device in which the display pixels are electrically separated from the memory modules in an ordinary display mode other than the still image display mode.
For example, liquid crystal display devices are widely used as monitor displays for portable information terminals such as portable phones and PDAs (Portable Digital Assistants), since the devices have such characteristics as thinness, compactness and lightness. The portable information terminals generally operate using power from a rechargeable battery. Thus, the available period of the portable information terminal considerably depends on the rate of consuming the battery power. Under the circumstance, active research has been made to reduce the power consumption of the liquid crystal display device.
In recent years, the memory technology represented by SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is used for reducing the power consumption of the liquid crystal display. With SRAM technology, memory modules are added to the display pixels forming a display screen. Each memory module is electrically connected to a corresponding display pixel by a connection controller. When an external driving circuit supplies a video signal in this state, the video signal is captured by a pixel switch and supplied to the display pixel. The memory module holds the video signal supplied to the display pixel and drives the display pixel according to the video signal. Thus, in the case where frequent update of the display signal is not required, a still image can be displayed by causing the output operation of the external driving circuit to be intermittent.
In the field of liquid crystal display devices, frame-inversion driving is generally known. In this driving, the polarities of video signal voltages to be applied to the display pixels are inverted, for example, every vertical scanning (frame) period in order to prevent uneven distribution of liquid crystal materials. In addition to frame-inversion driving, H-line inversion driving and V-line inversion driving are known and used for suppressing generation of flicker. In H-line inversion driving, the polarities of the voltages are inverted in units of display pixels of one or more rows. In V-line inversion driving, the polarities of the voltages are inverted in units of display pixels of one or more columns. In liquid crystal display devices containing memory modules, the H-line inversion driving is used in the ordinary display mode and the frame-inversion driving is used in the still image display mode, for example, to further reduce the power consumption. The connection controller is used not only for controlling the electrical connection between the display pixel and the memory module, but also for controlling the polarity inversion described above.
However, with respect to the liquid crystal display devices containing memory modules, it is reported that a significant number of defective pixels appear on the display screen in the ordinary display mode.
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Adaptation and novelty: teleological explanations in evolutionary biology.
Knives, birds' wings, and mountain slopes are used for certain purposes: cutting, flying, and climbing. A bird's wings have in common with knives that they have been 'designed' for the purpose they serve, which purpose accounts for their existence, whereas mountain slopes have come about by geological processes independently of their uses for climbing. A bird's wings differ from a knife in that they have not been designed or produced by any conscious agent; rather, the wings, like the slopes, are outcomes of natural processes without any intentional causation. Evolutionary biologists use teleological language and teleological explanations. I propose that this use is appropriate, because teleological explanations are hypotheses that can be subject to empirical testing. The distinctiveness of teleological hypotheses is that they account for the existence of a feature in terms of the function it serves; for example, wings have evolved and persist because flying is beneficial to birds by increasing their chances of surviving and reproducing. Features of organisms that are explained with teleological hypotheses include structures, such as wings; processes, such as development from egg to adult; and behaviours, such as nest building. A proximate explanation of these features is the function they serve; an ultimate explanation that they all share is their contribution to the reproductive fitness of the organisms. I distinguish several kinds of teleological explanations, such as natural and artificial, as well as bounded and unbounded, some of which but not others apply to biological explanations.
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Education
Research Interests
In animal models of pediatric lysosomal storage diseases, we study mechanisms of pathogenesis downstream of lysosomal enzymes that are also implicated in adult diseases and aging (i.e. Alzheimer’s Disease, fibrosis, and cancer).
In animal models of OZZ and its target substrates, we study the regulation of cytoskeletal-associated proteins, and membrane dynamics.
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Introduction {#s1}
============
'Quality of life' (QoL) was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an \' ... individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns ... \' ([@DER171C21]). The WHOQOL measures QoL broadly according to 29 facets (e.g. self-esteem, mobility and safety). QoL measurement is important to identify aspects of fertility problems associated with poor QoL and advance research in health service-evaluation, patient satisfaction and policy-making through the use of a standard measurement tool ([@DER171C14]).
Psychosocial studies convincingly demonstrate a high incidence of negative reactions to infertility and its treatment ([@DER171C18]) that impact on overall life satisfaction and well-being ([@DER171C8]), success of treatment ([@DER171C3]), willingness to continue with treatment ([@DER171C16]), treatment evaluation ([@DER171C6]) and the long-term satisfaction people can hope to achieve if treatment is unsuccessful and they remain childless ([@DER171C7]). Therefore, the need to measure and take into account QoL in infertility is imperative and tackling this measurement hurdle could lead to improved patient outcomes.
The 14 existing self-report measures of infertility-specific distress, treatment reactions and QoL shown in [Supplementary data, Table S1](http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/der171/DC1) do not fulfill the need for a fertility specific QoL assessment tool (the table includes details of development sample, content and reference). The fertility problem inventory (FPI: [@DER171C11]) is the most frequently used distress measure. However, the items were developed without consultation with people experiencing fertility problems and the validation sample comprised primarily Caucasian patients from a homogeneous socioeconomic category using assisted reproductive techniques. Further, the FPI assesses level of strain rather than the broader construct of QoL and does not separate effects due to infertility treatment from those due to childlessness, which is important given the emotional challenges of each. These issues apply to most measures listed in [Supplementary data, Table S1](http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/der171/DC1). The most frequently used QoL measure was developed for women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome ([@DER171C5]). Several studies have examined its psychometric properties ([@DER171C9]) and used it to investigate moderators of QoL (e.g. obesity) and cross-cultural effects. Results confirm its reliability and the importance of cultural background as a moderator of QoL ([@DER171C15]; [@DER171C2]). However, this and other quality of life measures for infertility were designed for specific sub-populations (e.g. endometriosis, male factor) and therefore cannot be used as generic measure for all people with fertility problems.
In summary, the need for a quality of life measure for infertility measure has not been fully met. Given the importance of addressing this need, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) joined forces with Merck-Serono S.A. Geneva-Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany) to create the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) measure (2002--2009). The overall aim of the FertiQoL project was to develop an international instrument to measure QoL in men and women experiencing fertility problems. Secondary aims were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the tool and to translate FertiQoL in multiple languages. The development phase was carried out according to the protocol used for the development of the WHOQOL measure ([@DER171C20]) and is briefly described in the present article. However, the main focus of this report is on the psychometric evaluation.
Methods {#s2}
=======
Participants {#s2a}
------------
Men and women experiencing fertility difficulties with and without medical experience were sampled from one fertility clinic in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and two clinics from the USA. Patient advocacy websites in these countries (i.e. ACCESS, American Fertility Association, Resolve, Infertility Awareness Association of Canada, International Consumer Support for Infertility, Infertility Network UK) hosted the online survey. The clinic sample consisted of 291 women and 75 men, and the online sample consisted of 1014 women and 34 men. The Ethics Committee of the School of Psychology, Cardiff University approved the online study and the Internal Review Board of each clinic approved the clinic studies.
Materials {#s2b}
---------
The *Background Information Form* covered socio-demographic status (e.g. age, education), medical history (e.g. current illness) and fertility-related characteristics (e.g. duration of infertility).
*FertiQoL prototype*: The FertiQol items were designed to translate abstract concepts (e.g. commitment, sense of belonging) into quantitative items that could collectively indicate the impact of fertility problems on QoL. Full details of item generation for the prototype are described in the Supplemental file and briefly presented here. As shown in Table [I](#DER171TB1){ref-type="table"}, item-generation involved four stages: generating potential items; eliminating redundant, irrelevant and outlier items; validation among people with fertility problems, and cross-cultural survey of acceptability and feasibility. A comprehensive literature review and consultation with psychosocial infertility experts generated an initial pool of 302 items on consequences of fertility problems on QoL in the following 14 areas (e.g. marriage/partnership, social network, emotions, cognitions, coping, treatment, physical health etc.). The authors classified the 302 items into three levels of increasing concept specificity: dimensions (e.g. interpersonal), domains (e.g. partner relationship) and facets (e.g. intimacy) to form groups of items tapping into related aspects of QoL. Classification and subsequent focus groups reduced this pool to 102 items, which were submitted to the acceptability and feasibility study (see Table [I](#DER171TB1){ref-type="table"}). The prototype evaluated in the present study included these 102 Core items and 27 optional treatment items identified through the feasibility and acceptability phase. Table IFertiQoL item generation, selection and reduction.Task and aimsParticipantsMaterialsOutcomeLiterature review and expert consultation to generate potential itemsPsychosocial experts in reproductive health (*n* = 17)Psychosocial studies302 items in 14 domains (e.g. partnership, self-esteem and career)FertiQoL Steering Committee (*n* = 10)Existing fertility-related toolsGroups included: researchers, psychologists, social workers, counselors, patients, gynecologists, nurses, clinicians in 11 countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USATreatment evaluation toolsQoL measuresWHO development manualClassification and reduction of item pool to eliminate redundant or irrelevant items or rare QoL effectsFertiQoL Technical Working Group (Boivin, Takefman, Braverman) and expert panelWHO selection criteria: items should be revealing of QoL, cover key domains, use simple language, ask about single issues, free of ambiguity, etcItem pool reduced to 116 itemsWHO response scales matched to itemsFocus groups with patients to validate the items generated by the experts and uncover any effects overlooked by the experts17 focus groups (*n* = 136 participants): Canada, Germany, Mexico, USA, Italy^a^Structured interview guide (facilitators), workbooks (participants) and 116 item-pool FertiQoLItem decrease from 116 to 102 (22 items eliminated and 8 added) based on \> or \<50% endorsementPurposive sampling for age (\< or \>35 years), gender, duration of infertility (\< or \>2 years) and parity (\< or \>1 child)Added 18 treatment items; Wording corrected; eliminated and/or combined redundant items; improved face validity; ensured items pertained to QoL and response scale appropriatePsychosocial experts facilitated open, unstructured discussion groups followed by structured feedback exercise on FertiQoL item pool; duration 1.5--2 hSurvey to assess acceptability and feasibility of FertiQoL item style in different languages*n* = 525 men and women in 10 countries: Argentina (*n* = 48), Brazil (*n* = 96), Canada (*n* = 59), France (*n* = 63), Germany (*n* = 37), Greece (*n* = 32), Italy (*n* = 47), Mexico (*n* = 46), New Zealand (*n* = 11), Spain (*n* = 43), UK (*n* = 79) and the USA (*n* = 43)102 Core FertiQoL + 27 optional treatment itemsFinal Core FertiQol pool for psychometric phase was 102 items + 27 optional Treatment itemsAdditional items inquired about clarity, coverage and problems with item poolFertiQoL well accepted, perceived to be important and timelyMaterial translated by expertsItems easy to understand and relevantFertiQoL completing 15--20 minMain problems: items that did not apply to all people (e.g. single or untreated) and timeframe for \'Instructions\' required[^2][^3]
Translation {#s2c}
-----------
FertiQoL was produced in English and translated into 20 languages: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Vietnamese (see [www.fertiqol.org](www.fertiqol.org) to download FertiQoL; Korean and Hungarian versions in progress). Cardiff University professional translators carried out the first translation, and two local fertility experts reviewed it to ensure that it was appropriate to local customs and fertility word usage. Cross-cultural data will be presented in a separate paper.
Procedure {#s2d}
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The items in the prototype FertiQoL survey were randomly presented and rated on a scale of 0--4, where higher scores indicated more favorable QoL. The online survey (prototype FertiQoL and Background Information Form) was designed using SurveyTracker software for Training Technologies, inc and the paper version for clinic distribution was designed using InDesign. Webmasters were provided with a hyperlink to the survey. In clinics, FertiQoL coordinators at each site distributed the study pack to consecutive patients who returned completed surveys anonymously in a marked collection box in the patient waiting room.
Statistical analysis {#s2e}
--------------------
Data were screened and duplicate internet protocol (IP) addresses were eliminated unless of different gender and response pattern. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used to identify the best items for each *a priori* domain of QoL (e.g. emotional, mind/body, relational and social). This *a priori* work was done to ensure that conceptually similar groups of items were entered into the factor analysis. Factor analyses (orthogonal rotation) were computed (clinic, online) to ascertain relations among these items. Items with factor loadings less than 0.30 and eigenvalues less than one were eliminated. The FertiQoL total and subscale scores were computed and transformed to scaled scores and summary statistics (e.g. reliability coefficient, mean and standard deviation) produced. Scaled scores were computed to achieve a range of 0--100, making comparisons between scales easier. For scaling, items were reverse-scored (where necessary); all items then summed and multiplied by 25/k, where *k* was the number of items in the desired subscale or total scale. Higher scores mean better QoL. For the sake of brevity, only final analyses are shown here. These analyses generated the final FertiQoL, which composed 24 core items, plus 10 optional treatment items). See [www.fertiqol.org](www.fertiqol.org) for final FertiQoL in all languages and for scoring instructions.
Results {#s3}
=======
Sample characteristics {#s3a}
----------------------
Table [II](#DER171TB2){ref-type="table"} shows background characteristics and these show that the Clinic group were older, and included more men, single women, same-sex couples and people with a university-education, but fewer American and UK residents and people living in rural/suburban areas compared with the Online sample. The Clinic sample was more likely to have at least one child, a shorter duration of infertility but less likely to have other health problems. Table IIDemographic characteristics of the online and clinic samples^a^.VariableOnline (*n* = 1048)Clinic (*n* = 366)Test statistic (*χ*^2^ or *t*)Demographic Age in years mean (SD)32.9 (4.9)35.2 (4.0)7.9^b^ Women % (*n*)96.8 (1014)79.5 (291)113.4^b^ Relationship status % (*n*)49.4^b^ Single0.2 (3)4.0 (13)In stable relationship Same-sex1.7 (18)6.2 (20) Heterosexual98.0 (1027)89.8 (289)Years in partnership mean (SD)^d^6.85 (3.9)7.0 (3.9)0.6University education (% yes, *n*)57.1 (598)66.2 (139)9.5^c^Residence % (*n*)40.4^b^ Urban28.3 (296)27.1 (95) Suburban55.8 (584)69.5 (244) Rural15.9 (166)3.4 (12)Country % (*n*)243.4^b^ Australia/NZ14.5 (152)25.1 (92) Canada10.3 (108)42.0 (154) UK8.7 (91)2.7 (10) USA64.1 (672)30.2 (111) Other2.4 (25)---Reproductive characteristics Parenthood % (*n*)18.9 (197)30.1 (108)19.8^b^ Years infertile mean (SD)3.4 (2.9)2.9 (2.0)2.4^c^ Know why infertile, % (*n*)75.4 (79070.3 (225)3.3 Perceived diagnosis % (*n*)82.4^b^ Unexplained10.9 (86)14.0 (38) Female factor44.5 (351)18.0 (49) Male factor19.9 (157)21.7 (59) Mixed11.9 (94)14.7 (40) Same-sex1.6 (13)3.3 (9) Age-related4.1 (32)8.8 (24) Other7.1 (56)19.5 (53)Other health problems % (n)30.8 (309)24.0 (260)5.8^c^Years treated mean (SD)2.03 (2.4)2.43 (1.8)1.6[^4][^5][^6][^7][^8]
Item analyses {#s3b}
-------------
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to screen for problematic items. Items were deleted for several reasons \[i.e. highly skewed distribution, high inter-correlations (of \>0.80 among item set), poor scale coherence, interpretive issues\]. Other items were deleted because they measured broad constructs (e.g. self-esteem) that could be better captured by measures designed for that purpose and that, if retained, would confound associations with those measures in future research. The final FertiQoL item set submitted for exploratory factor analysis was comprised of 24 items from the core set of items and 10 items from the optional treatment module. The 24 core items were conceptualized as reflecting QoL in the emotional, mind-body (i.e. cognitive and physical), relational and social domains. The 10 optional treatment items were conceptualized as indexing treatment environment and treatment tolerability. An additional two items measuring satisfaction with QoL and physical health were retained for the FertiQoL measure to indicate general physical and QoL satisfaction, but were not included in the factor analysis.
Exploratory factor analyses and internal consistency {#s3c}
----------------------------------------------------
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measures of sampling adequacy were \>0.80 demonstrating sufficient inter-correlation among items to perform factor analyses. Table [III](#DER171TB3){ref-type="table"} shows factor loadings for the Online and (in parenthesis) Clinic samples for the Core FertiQoL and Optional Treatment Module domains. The first factor explaining item variance in the Core FertiQoL was the Emotional subscale explaining 31.8% (Online) and 37.8% (Clinic) of the item variability. Other factors (mind/body, relational and social) explained 10% or less of the item variance but all eigenvalues were above one. Loadings showed that items conceptualized to tap into the same concepts all had high factor loadings (\>0.30) on their designated factor. Cross-loadings were observed for items of the mind/body (i.e. concentration, life on hold) and social domains (i.e. isolation, shame) onto the emotional domains. For the Optional Treatment Module, the first factor was Treatment Environment, explaining 34.0% (Online) and 38.0% (Clinic) of item variance. There were no cross-loadings for the Treatment Quality and Treatment Tolerability subscales. Table [IV](#DER171TB4){ref-type="table"} shows summary information for all FertiQoL scales. Core FertiQoL and Treatment FertiQoL were normally distributed and individual subscales were normally distributed (data not shown), with only the relational subscale showing mild positive skew toward more favorable QoL in this domain. Table IIIFactor loadings for online and clinic (in parenthesis) samples on FertiQoL items.Core FertiQoLOptional Treatment FertiQoL moduleEmotionalRelationalMind/bodySocialTreatment environmentTreatment tolerability**Angry**0.752 (0.800)Grief/loss0.763 (0.792)Sad/depressed0.730 (0.772)Fluctuate hope/despair0.643 (0.759)Jealousy and resentment0.737 (0.634)Unable to cope0.640 (0.594)**Affectionate**0.749 (0.732)Difficult to talk0.629 (0.696)Negative impact on relationship0.707 (0.633)Content relationship0.768 (0.616)Strengthen relationship0.713 (0.603)Satisfied sexual relationship0.575 (0.600)**Fatigue**0.731 (0.745)Pain/discomfort0.566 (0.663)Feel worn out^b^0.620 (0.627)Disrupt activities0.704 (0.625)Concentration(0.634)^a^0.554 (0.413)Life on hold^b^(0.577)^a^0.572 (0.355)**Family understand**0.669 (0.669)Friend support0.751 (0.649)Society expect0.495 (0.446)Isolated(0.558)^a^0.509 (0.531)Handle/pregnant others^b^0.538^a^ (0.589)^a^0.306 (0.350)Shame, embarrassment^b^0.527^a^ (0.580)^a^0.319 (0.440)**Interactions with staff**0.813 (0.784)Quality treatment information0.802 (0.784)Quality surgery and medical treatment0.780 (0.763)Fertility staff understand us0.728 (0.750)**Quality emotional services**0.632 (0.664)Medical services desired available0.576 (0.585)Bothered effect daily activities and work0.799 (0.790)Bothered physical effects0.792 (0.732)Complicated medication and procedures0.645 (0.715)Treatment effects on mood0.645 (0.681)Online eigenvalue (% variance)7.62 (31.8)2.61 (10.9)1.44 (6.0)1.16 (4.8)3.48 (34.9)1.92 (19.3)Clinic eigenvalue (% variance)8.93 (37.8)2.37 (9.9)1.23 (5.1)1.08 (4.5)3.80 (38.0)1.68 (16.8)[^9][^10][^11][^12] Table IVMeans and standard deviations for FertiQoL subscales and total scaled scores for the validation sample (online, clinic combined).Scale*n*QoL domainNumber of itemsCronbach alphaMean (SD) Scaled score 0--100Core subscales Emotional1349Impact on emotions (e.g. causes sadness, resentment, grief)60.9045.10 (23.2) Mind-body1338Impact on physical health (e.g. fatigue, pain), cognition (e.g. poor concentration) and behavior (e.g. disrupted daily activities)60.8454.86 (21.2) Relational1330Impact on partnership (e.g. sexuality, communication and commitment)60.8068.70 (19.2) Social1343Impact on social aspects (e.g. social inclusion, expectations and support)60.7551.10 (20.6)***Core FertiQoL*1226Average quality of life in all core domains240.9254.60 (16.8)Treatment subscales** Environment1072Impacts related to treatment environment (e.g. access, quality, interactions with staff)60.8461.53 (19.6) Treatment tolerability1093Impacts due to consequences of treatment (e.g. physical and mode effects, daily disruptions)40.7258.81 (20.6)***Treatment FertiQoL*1043Average quality of life for all treatment domains100.8160.43 (16.2)*Total FertiQoL*930Average quality of life for all core and treatment domains340.9255.43 (14.8)**[^13]
Sensitivity analyses for sub-scales and total scores {#s3d}
----------------------------------------------------
Potential moderators of QoL (gender, parenthood status and recruitment source) were examined in relation to FertiQoL scores. Women had a significantly lower Core FertiQoL (*M* = 53.3, SD = 16.2) than did men (*M* = 72.1, SD = 14.7) (*t*(1224) = 10.3, *P* \< 0.001). Core FertiQoL was significantly lower for participants without children (*M* = 53.3, SD = 16.3) than participants with children (*M* = 59.5, SD = 17.7) (*t*(1217) = 5.27, *P* \< 0.001). Participants recruited from the online patient advocacy and support sites had significantly lower scores (*M* = 50.7, SD = 15.1) than did participants recruited from clinics (*M* = 67.8, SD = 15.6) (*t*(1224) = 16.6, *P* \< 0.001).
The relationship between treatment subscales and six treatment persistence items (e.g. likelihood of trying further treatment, couple agreeing to persist, thinking of ending treatment) was also examined. Greater intention to persist with treatment was significantly associated with better Treatment FertiQoL (*r*(1026) = 0.172, *P* \< 0.001), especially in the Clinic sample (*r*(206) = 0.289, *P* \<0.001).
Discussion {#s4}
==========
It is currently accepted that to effectively measure the impact of disease, one needs a disease-specific instrument ([@DER171C21]). FertiQol is a reliable and sensitive measurement tool for QoL in individuals with fertility problems. More than 2000 people with fertility problems contributed to the creation of FertiQoL, and it was developed using an integrated mixed-method approach that included literature reviews, international expert consultations, patient focus groups, a cross-cultural feasibility and acceptability survey, and a psychometric survey evaluation. FertiQoL comprises of a Core module evaluating the impact of fertility problems on emotional, mind-body, relational and social domains and an optional Treatment module evaluating treatment environment and tolerability. Subscales and total scales show mainly high reliability and sensitivity of FertiQoL to well-established moderators of QoL. FertiQoL is available in 20 languages with more translations in progress. This project was fully realized as a result of collaboration among ESHRE, ASRM and Merck S.A. Geneva-Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany). It is expected that FertiQoL will significantly contribute to future research and clinical endeavors aimed at investigating and ultimately improving QoL in people with fertility problems.
Certain methodological limitations need to be taken into account. First, despite the multi-disciplinary contributions from experts worldwide, focus groups and a feasibility and acceptability study in 10 countries, the final psychometric evaluation only occurred in five English-speaking countries. Second, targeted efforts to recruit a diverse group of people were not entirely successful in recruiting particular subgroups (i.e. secondary infertile, men). Indeed, more psychometric research on men is required to fully establish reliability and validity. Third, the major proportion of the final sample was recruited online, and differences between the Online and Clinic sample were observed. Although, data generated online have been shown to be as valid as data collected through traditional methods ([@DER171C4]; [@DER171C10]), one would need to determine whether the differences observed warrant a more in-depth analysis---for example, a different set of norms for clinic samples. We eliminated records coming from the same IP address but it may be possible that the same person replied more than once to the survey. Finally, the subscales of the Core FertiQoL were not entirely orthogonal with cross-loadings on the social and mind/body domains. While these associations are expected, we have now modified the final wording of four FertiQoL items to reduce these cross-loadings. Further evaluation of these changes and FertiQoL as a whole on a new sample is required for final validation. These main limitations should be addressed in future psychometric research evaluating FertiQoL. However, the strengths of our mixed-method approach, and consultation and evaluation from infertile people ensure that FertiQoL captures the key life domains affected by fertility problems. It is hoped that FertiQoL will become a gold standard for the measurement of QoL for individuals experiencing fertility problems (whether in treatment or not).
FertiQol will be useful to clinicians and researchers alike. FertiQoL can be used to identify people at risk of impaired QoL so that psychosocial resources can be offered and subscale scores could identify the specific domains where intervention might be most beneficial. Recent research has shown a close correspondence between Core FertiQoL and standardized measures of anxiety and depression in a Dutch sample ([@DER171C22]). The availability of FertiQoL in 20 languages will facilitate essential cross-cultural research, particularly in developing nations ([@DER171C13]; [@DER171C17]). However, whether cross-cultural differences exist, whether different populations have different mean scores and whether separate cultural norms are needed are all important questions that need to be addressed in future research.
A unique aspect of FertiQoL compared with other QoL measures is the optional 10-item treatment module. This module measures QoL in respect of treatment quality (interactions with staff, quality of information), and treatment tolerability (effects on mood, disruptions daily life). These subscales can be used to assess effectiveness of new treatments/medications, to monitor quality of services and to optimize patient treatment experiences. Research has shown that quality of treatment and its tolerability are predictors of treatment satisfaction ([@DER171C6]) and willingness to persist with treatment ([@DER171C12]), the latter also shown in the present study. Further a recent large, multi-centered study showed a strong association between a high level of patient-centered care and favorable FertiQoL scores ([@DER171C1]). However, the sensitivity of Treatment FertiQoL for these purposes needs to be investigated in clinical trials of new interventions.
In conclusion, the overall aim of the FertiQoL project was to develop an international instrument to measure QoL in men and women experiencing fertility problems, with the collaboration of individuals experiencing fertility problems and international experts in the field. This objective was accomplished and future use of FertiQoL will be essential to establish FertiQoL as an essential measurement tool for practice, research, health service-evaluation and policy-making.
Supplementary data {#s5}
==================
[Supplementary data are available at http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/](http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/der171/DC1).
Authors\' roles {#s6}
===============
All authors participated in the development of FertiQoL and its multiple studies. J.B. and J.T. wrote the manuscript, and A.B. reviewed it.
Supplementary Material
======================
###### Supplementary Data
Many people contributed to the development of FertiQoL. We wish to thank the sponsoring organizations European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Merck-Serono S.A., the experts in fertility that contributed to item generation and/or verifications of translations, the organizations hosting the online survey, the translation team at Cardiff University and the researchers and students of the Cardiff Fertility Studies Research groups. Please see all contributors at [www.fertiqol.org](www.fertiqol.org). We particularly want to thank Robert Rebar for his efforts on this project. The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Merck-Serono S.A. Geneva-Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany) have reviewed this article but the views and opinions described in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of these organizations.
Funding {#s7}
=======
The study was supported by European Society for Human Reproduction & Embryology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Merck-Serono S. A. Geneva-Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany). Funding to pay the Open Access publication charges for this article was provided by Merck Serono S.A. -- Geneva, Switzerland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) one of the sponsors of the FertiQoL project.
[^1]: This manuscript is published simultaneously in Human Reproduction and Fertility and Sterility. The manuscript was peer-reviewed by F&S.
[^2]: WHO, World Health Organization; TWG, technical working group (Boivin, Takefman, Braverman). FertiQoL TWG involved in all aspects of project development.
[^3]: ^a^Focus groups in Singapore cancelled due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.
[^4]: A total of 491 people did not provide data years of treatment due to no treatment experience or missing data.
[^5]: ^a^Sample size varies per variable.
[^6]: ^b^*P* \< 0.001.
[^7]: ^c^*P* \< 0.05.
[^8]: ^d^For people in partnerships.
[^9]: Bold indicates first item of each domain.
[^10]: Some items reversed to avoid negative loadings. See [www.fertiqol.org](www.fertiqol.org) for final FertiQoL item wording, response scale wording and downloads in 20 languages. Only factor loadings \>0.30 are shown. Factor loadings for Clinic sample in parenthesis.
[^11]: ^a^Indicates a cross-loadings.
[^12]: ^b^Wording for these items changed as a result of psychometric evaluation and participant feedback.
[^13]: All items reversed or scored so that higher scores indicate more favorable QoL. Core FertiQoL refers to see [www.fertiqol.org](www.fertiqol.org) for final FertiQoL items, response scale wording and downloads in 20 languages. Bold refers to total scores.
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The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the worst Army idea in 18 years. That is a bold statement when there are rivals like the beret, the ACU, and reissuing the M14 rifle. Those were dumb, but the beret is just a hat, at least we did not have to iron ACUs, and the force quickly parked all of our broken M14s on gun racks. The ACFT distinguishes itself because it is a voluntary service initiative that will inevitably fail.
Why will the ACFT fail? Senior leaders make no management evaluation of initiatives prior to implementation. I could (and may) elaborate on why, but instead I will offer some educated predictions for Army Times stories on this topic. Their editors must love this test, because that weekly headline about our service rifle probably is not driving sales.
October 1st, 2019: "End of an Era: Your Last APFT". All units will take their last scheduled record APFT this quarter to comply with ACFT Implementation instructions. Commanders report concerns they still have not received ACFT equipment.
January 1st, 2020: "New Year, New Beginnings". The Army begins implementation. All Soldiers will take two diagnostic ACFTs prior to October 1st, 2020. Units report they still have no equipment access. The Army G4 and whoever else comment that arrival is imminent for all units. There are a bunch of quotes from CrossFit people about modalities and other obscure hipster fitness and nutrition terms.
July 1st, 2020: "No Bars, No Plates, No Problem? ACFT General Responds to Criticism". Findings show only 20% of Active Duty and 5% of Reserve and National Guard units have taken even one required diagnostic ACFT. Some large installations have as few as 20 total lanes of equipment and units are informally sharing them. Contracting Command is trying to overcome contractor protests of ACFT equipment purchases and seeking alternative sourcing, but discovered the hex bar is a limited production item. The Army is negotiating with foundries to increase production, but the Army's demand alone has nearly doubled pricing on hex bars. Anonymous TRADOC sources indicate they may need to lengthen Basic Combat Training because women are not showing adequate power increases over the current length training. The ACFT CG says commanders are not being creative enough in resourcing and need to redouble efforts.
October 1st, 2020: "Ready or Not, It's Here". Head in the clouds Officers talk about how everyone is ready, people should do longer PRT preparation drills, and how we should go back to how tough people were in the mid-90s, no conflict Army. Anonymous commanders report they just got the equipment and will play shell games to delay testing to give people any chance to prepare. Soldiers with permanent profiles still have not been evaluated against the ACFT. Reports arise that recent retirees influential in the ACFT are now employed by fitness equipment companies. The Inspector General discusses the importance of test administrators adhering to the 200 pages of testing guidance or testing will be invalid.
December 1st, 2020: "Lump of Coal: Soldiers Claim Arbitrary Standards". The Army Times bothers to learn these scores are based on nothing but someone saying "hey, that sounds good" and quotes anonymous Soldiers discussing how silly the example associated combat tasks read. There are discussions about the very high standards of the alternate aerobic events and why they all just happen to be 25 minutes. A comparison is made that a Soldier must swim farther and faster to pass the ACFT swim than a Sailor has to in order to pass screening for Basic Underwater Demolition & SEAL Training. Reports start of less than 2% of Active Duty Soldiers taking their first record test. Surprising reports arise that over 50% of Reserve and National Guard Soldiers already completed their tests with only a negligible amount failing. The Army sets a deadline of March 30th, 2021 for all Soldiers to take a record test.
June 1st, 2021: "Pencil Whip". Investigations report widespread cheating in the Reserve and National Guard, with many record tests occurring at units who did not even have equipment on hand. The Inspector General determined this is happening at numerous units in all components. Side stories regarding numerous Commanders at all echelons under suspension for false reporting, and other side stories about shoot the messenger policies encouraging false reporting by Company Grade Officers and NCOs. After all Soldiers took a legitimate test, failure rates and accompanying flag rates are staggering. 35% of active Soldiers (166,000 of 476,000), 75% of Reservists and National Guardsman (406,000 of 542,000), and 85% of the 121,000 women in the Total Army are flagged.
June 8th, 2021: "Mr. Secretary Goes to Washington". After widespread outrage over what appears to be an anti-woman policy, Representative Whoever holds hearings with the Secretary and Chief of Staff. The Chief struggles to explain why this test is necessary and the basis for standards. Representative Whoever asks why there was no grandfathering policy and describes a Lieutenant Colonel Dentist with 16 years of service who never failed an APFT, has minimal rigorous combat duties, and is facing possible firing despite being named Dentist of the Year by the Chief during a previous assignment when he was the Commanding General of Fort Wherever.
June 9th, 2021: "The Plan All Along". The G1 Uniform SGM, or whoever they can find that was not involved in this, announces the APFT will remain the test of record, the ACFT an experimental add-on, and that this was a productive exercise that achieved all of its goals. "This was the plan along and was more of a mechanism to challenge our personnel system and to get engaged leadership involved. The flags implemented were not intended and will be removed as erroneous". Numerous Generals announce retirement and the Army insists it is unrelated. Commanders report they have now received their full suite of training and testing equipment, but storage space is now critically short. Lawsuits and other actions begin regarding Soldiers who were flagged and not selected by centralized promotion boards over the past year.
AUTHOR COMMENT: The original version listed invading Iraq as a bad Army decision. An astute reader pointed out, correctly, that invading Iraq was a national initiative, not a service one.
For my latest take, see: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/army-hates-women-dont-intend-i-think-bo-schnell
Bo Schnell is an employee at a Federal Agency who is wondering why any of this is happening.
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Georgian luger told dad 'I will either win or die'
Tools
The father of a Georgian luger killed during a training run at the Vancouver Olympics said Monday that his son worried the track was too dangerous, but insisted on competing because he had come to the games to try to win.
"He told me: Dad, I really fear that curve," David Kumaritashvili, a former Soviet-era luger, told The Associated Press at his home in the snow-covered slopes of Georgia's top ski resort. He said the two spoke by phone shortly before the fatal run.
"I'm a former athlete myself, and I told him: 'You just take a slower start,'" Kumaritashvili recalled. "But he responded: 'Dad, what kind of thing you are teaching me? I have come to the Olympics to try to win.'"
Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, died during Friday practice when he lost control of his sled and slammed into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 mph. After the crash, the poles were wrapped in padding and the course was altered to make it slower.
"He told me: I will either win or die," the elder Kumaritashvili said, and then paused. "But that was youthful bravado, he couldn't be seriously talking about death."
The International Olympic Committee and luge officials have taken criticism for blaming the accident on Kumaritashvili's failure to make tactical corrections during his run, and for saying they were changing the course not to make it safer but to soothe the emotions of the athletes.
Concerns about the course, the world's fastest, had been raised for months. There were worries that the $100 million-plus venue was too technically demanding, and that only Canada's sliders would have enough time to adapt to it in practice.
"They tested that track on my son," the elder Kumaritashvili, 46, said bitterly.
"My son was training since he was 14, he ran tracks in France, Austria and Canada, and he never suffered an injury," he said. "He has passed through all stages of the World Cup and made it to the Olympics, he couldn't have done that if he were an inexperienced athlete. Anyone can make mistake and break a leg or suffer some other injury. But to die!"
Kumaritashvili is to be buried in his hometown of Bukuriani, a small ski resort about 110 miles from Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic. His death has devastated the community, and a steady stream of neighbors and friends have been bringing flower sprays and condolences to his family.
Kumaritashvili's body will leave Monday afternoon on a flight to Germany and will then be flown to Georgia for arrival early Wednesday, a senior Olympic official told The Associated Press. The official spoke anonymously because the plans were being kept private.
The luger was the pride of his hometown, where he was loved for his high spirits and generosity.
David Gureshidze, a 28-year-old friend, said that Nodar was loved by children of the village, and had taught many of them to ski.
"He spent most of his time abroad, but he would never miss a chance to visit home and would bring gifts to everyone," Gureshidze said.
The Kumaritashvilis' neighbor, Gogi Laliyev, said the athlete was fond of Laliyev's 4-year old son and promised to bring him a toy rifle from Vancouver.
"We told the boy that Nodar won't come back, and he asked why," Laliyev said. "We said that he died and my son asked: 'Won't he come back to life?' We said no, and he broke into tears."
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Australia's Olympic champion Sally Pearson has suffered an early season setback after breaking her arm in a crash in the 100-metres hurdles at the Rome leg of the Diamond League.
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Pearson, who won gold at the London Olympics in 2012, had gone halfway through the race before clipping the fifth hurdle and crashing to the ground where she was left clutching her hand and wrist.
A statement by Athletics Australia later said Pearson had "suffered a dislocation and a complex fracture of both the ulna and the radius in her left arm" and will "undergo surgery" immediately.
"She is in the hands of a very competent orthopaedic surgeon in Rome and is understandably devastated by the injury and in a great deal of pain," the statement read.
"It is however too early to tell what impact the injury will have on the remainder of her season and her hopes of competing for Australia at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing in August.
"It is anticipated that Pearson will return home to Australia once she has recovered from the surgery."
Sharika Nelvis of the United States took the win in a personal best of 12.52 seconds to go top of the Diamond Race with compatriot Dawn Harper-Nelson, a silver medallist at the London Games, second in a season's best of 12.59 seconds.
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Britain's Tiffany Porter held on for third place under pressure from Belarusian Alina Talay.
American world champion Brianna Rollins, who won in Rome last year to end Harper-Nelson's four-year domination at the meet, failed to finish having also crashed out.
Compatriot Jasmin Stowers, who set a world leading time of 12.35 seconds in Doha last month, finished in 25.21 seconds after landing awkwardly and stumbling on the third-last hurdle.
Elsewhere, Australia's Dani Samuels picked up an impressive second place in the discus.
Samuels' first throw of 65.47 metres was her best, but Croatian Sandra Perkovic was unstoppable as she romped to victory with a best of 67.92 metres.
Perkovic's first (66.21) and fifth efforts (65.68) both would have been good enough for victory.
Cuba's Yaimi Perez finished third with a 65.30-metre throw.
Gatlin 'has nothing to prove' after breaking Bolt's Rome record
American Justin Gatlin snatched the track record held by rival Usain Bolt as he cruised to victory in the men's 100 metres in Rome.
Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who served a four-year doping ban from 2006 to 2010 for using testosterone, stopped the clock at 9.75 seconds, the 11th-fastest time in history.
It was just one hundredth faster than the time of 9.76 set by Bolt, in Gatlin's absence, on his way to victory in the Italian capital in 2012.
Bolt, the Olympic champion and world record holder in 9.58, has made only one appearance in Europe this season, winning the 200 metres in the Czech Republic last month.
But with both sprinters avoiding each other so far in the build-up to the world athletics championships in Beijing in August, it is only a matter of time before they duel.
Gatlin said he would relish the competition if he were in Bolt's shoes.
"If the roles were switched ... I'd be more enthused by such a great competitor coming up and making me want to be sharper again," he said.
It is the second time Gatlin has run under 9.80 in just over a week, after storming his way to a personal best of 9.74 in Doha last week.
That performance raised eyebrows among his detractors, but Gatlin says he has nothing to prove.
"I have nothing to prove to anybody, really," he said.
"I just come out and just want to run. Good or bad, whatever is written about me, positive or negative, I wake up, get to the track and get ready to run."
France's Jimmy Vicaut was second in a season's best of 9.98, a time matched by American Michael Rodgers who tied for second place.
AFP/ABC
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Grim Dawn almost feature complete [Updated]
It’s been a long journey for Crate Entertainment and their ARPG Grim Dawn but it sounds like they are close to getting the game finished
In their latest update they discuss Build 29 which they say will make the game “feature complete”. Not only will there be new features coming in this next update but there will be changes to current game systems.
Added to the game will be be the finale as players venture into the Necropolis, the Bastion of Chaos will invite players to take on the this second rogue-like dungeon, and there will be access to level 60-75 items which include Empiowered Epic Items and 248 Legendary items for level 50-75.
Improvements are being made to the recently added Devotion system with some rebalancing of the various constellations and Revered status with a faction will now give access to level 70 Faction Equipment
The update will also bring the usual bug fixes and improvements as they get close to getting the game complete and hopefully out of Early Access.
Crate state that Build 29 will be released before the end of this year so keep an eye on Steam for an update if you have it already installed. The game is currently on sale with 40% off so now would be a good time to pick it up.
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Due to the recent energy problems that have arisen, considerable interest has been given to converting the kinetic energy of fluid flows occurring in nature into electrical power, e.g., using wind flows in wind power generation systems (e.g., that are sometimes called wind energy conversion systems) and water current flows in kinetic hydropower generation systems. For example, wind energy conversion systems involve directing wind through a turbine that rotates an electrical generator, causing the electrical generator to produce electrical power, whereas kinetic hydropower generation systems typically involve submerging a turbine under water and directing flowing water current through the turbine, causing the turbine to rotate an electrical generator for producing electrical power.
Such turbines are complex machines with several sub-machines that convert the kinetic energy of the moving fluid to electrical power. That is, these machines have a large number of moving parts that are subject to failure and that require considerable maintenance, resulting in high maintenance costs.
In particular, the power generation depends on the length of the turbine blades, e.g., the longer each turbine blade, the higher the power generation. However, long blades are costly, can be subjected to defects and failure, take up a large amount of space, and generate excessive noise and vibration. Longer propellers increase not only the cost of material and installation, but also the cost of maintenance. As such, current wind energy conversion systems and kinetic hydropower generation systems typically suffer from low efficiency, high capital cost, unpredictable failures, excessively high noise and vibration, and/or high maintenance.
Many of these turbines operate at relatively low rotational speeds (e.g., typically 20 rpm for wind turbines) and require gears to increase the rotational speed up to rotational speeds that are useful for the generator (e.g., typically 1500 rpm for a 1.5 MW generator). This involves high levels of torque and accompanying high gear-mesh forces that can cause the gears to fail, thus meaning considerable maintenance to reduce the amount of failures. Because of the low speed of the turbine, the various gearbox components are usually supported by rolling element bearings. These bearings are subject to significant radial loads that can cause the bearings to fail prematurely, thus meaning considerable maintenance to reduce the amount of failures.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternatives to existing fluid power generation systems, such as wind energy conversion systems and kinetic hydropower generation systems.
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2110https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/forums/atom/replies?topicUuid=77777777-0000-0000-0000-000014897906Active Report - Can I use it with Cognos Mashup Services? Replies2012-10-15T18:40:57.057ZIBM Connections - Discussion Forumurn:lsid:ibm.com:forum:77777777-0000-0000-0000-000014897960Re: Active Report - Can I use it with Cognos Mashup Services?2012-10-15T18:40:57.057ZOmMuppirala270005ANC3active2012-10-15T18:40:57.057Z
Thanks Biraj. <br />
<br />
Are there any options for opening an Active Report in a context other than 'offline mode'? We are trying to open an Active Report in a web application context. Any ideas how I would go about doing this?<br />
<br />
Om
none, view_forum, view_categoryurn:lsid:ibm.com:forum:77777777-0000-0000-0000-000014897953Re: Active Report - Can I use it with Cognos Mashup Services?2012-10-15T18:25:23.029ZBirajSaha27000272Y2active2012-10-15T18:25:23.029Z
Hi,<br />
<br />
No XML or JSON format is not supported for active reports, the only supported format is the (originating) ".mht" format (via the "outputFormat" command).
none, view_forum, view_category
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