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I want to search
Professional standard software for creating original vector-based graphics. Includes powerful drawing tools and brushes.
The ai file format is a common vector format for exchange and its feature set allows creation of complex vector artwork. Illustrator imports over two dozen formats (including PDF and SVG). Of particular use to data visualization is importation of SVG, or scalar vector graphics, which is an W3C recommendation, and is often exported from other programs.
Photoshop is a comprehensive photo editing tool produced by Adobe Systems. Users can manipulate photos, graphics, and other raster images using a variety of tools and predefined filters. Photoshop also allows users to record specific photo editing steps, which allows for automated batch processing. Photoshop is available as a stand-alone product, but is also part of Adobe's "Creative Suite" family of products.
Asymptote is a vector graphics language that can be used for technical drawing.
Being a language, it gives ultimate control to the user. Typesetting of labels and equations is done by LaTeX, which produces high-quality PostScript output. It provides a portable standard for typesetting mathematical figures and generates output in PostScript, PDF, SVG, or 3D PRC vector graphics.
GIMP is an open source and free alternative to Photoshop. It is intended for use with Raster graphics, and can be used for creating new images, retouching photographic images and converting files to different file types. Gimp supports most image file types as well as other graphical image manipulation program file types. It is also possible to create custom scripts to automate a variety of tasks.
Google Charts is a combination of two application programming interfaces (APIs), Google Chart API and Google Visualization API. Google Chart API creates static visualizations of data and embeds them into webpages. Some HTML programming experience is recommended. Available visualization types include standard scatter, line, bar, pie, and box charts as well as Venn diagrams, dynamic icons or callouts, formulas, and connectivity graphs.
JMP is a desktop software package designed by SAS for dynamic data visualization and statistical data exploration. JMP includes an interactive graph builder that supports a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional graph types, and statisical reports are displayed along with plots for assessment and interpretation. Data can be loaded into JMP from common desktop file formats (e.g.
Keynote is an Apple's presentation software. Presentation software is primarily used for composing "slides" for presentations. Emphasis is on graphics and animation. Keynote files can be saved as PowerPoint.
MATLAB is an interactive data analysis and visualization environment that can be used to perform computationally-intense operations on large data sets efficiently. MATLAB also provides a high level programming language that supports rapid development of work-flow scripts and Graphical User Interface applications to automate repetitive tasks.
NodeXL is a free, open-source template for Excel 2007 and 2010 that lets you enter a network edge list, click a button, and see the network graph, all in the Excel window.
GNU Octave is a high-level language, primarily intended for numerical computations. It provides a command line interface for solving linear and nonlinear problems numerically, and for performing other numerical experiments using a language that is mostly compatible with MATLAB. It may also be used as a batch-oriented language.
OriginPro is an expanded version of Origin, both of which are software for data management, statistics, and graphics. OriginPro is point-and-click interactive software and uses multiple windows to manage data and run analyses. A variety of graphics can be created using a graph editor and exported for incorporation with the Microsoft Office suite. Data management is done through worksheets bundled into project management files.
Panoply is a cross-platform application which plots geo-gridded arrays from netCDF, HDF and GRIB datasets. It supports the following operations:
Photofiltre is a simple, free image editing application that offers the standard adjustment functions (Brightness, contrast, dyed, saturation, gamma correction), layers, and also artistic filters (watercolor, pastels, Indian ink, pointillism, puzzle effect). Photofiltre can also use Photoshop plug-ins.
PSPP is a program for statistical analysis of sampled data, and is a free replacement for the proprietary program SPSS. PSPP can perform descriptive statistics, T-tests, linear regression and non-parametric tests. Its back-end is designed to perform its analyses as fast as possible, regardless of the size of the input data. You can use PSPP with its graphical interface or the more traditional syntax commands.
SAS is an integrated system of software that enables everything from data access across multiple sources to complex manipulations of data files to performance of sophisticated statistical analyses and data visualizations. Three of SAS' most popular software products that are commonly used by ecologists are Base SAS, SAS/STAT, and SAS/GRAPH. SAS is available for Windows and UNIX platforms.
SigmaPlot is a commercial software package primarily used for data analysis and publication-quality visualization. Data can be input directly into a table or imported from basic ascii or Microsoft Excel files. Data summarization (e.g., mean, sum) and analysis tools (e.g., parametric and non-parametric statistics, regression, and correlation) operate on the data at a click of the mouse.
Stata 11 is software for data management, statistics, and graphics. Stata uses point-and-click interaction and help to guide users through tasks. Logs can be created and stored as repeatable scripts, so that data management and analysis are completely documented.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44365
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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies with Marshmallow Crème Filling
Rachel Conners
You're gonna want to put this marshmallow frosting on everything.
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Yields: 12
Prep Time: 2 hours 5 mins
Cook Time: 0 hours 10 mins
Total Time: 2 hours 15 mins
For the cookies
3/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
3/4 c. quick oats
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
For the Marshmallow Crème
7 oz. jar Marshmallow Fluff
1/3 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
1. In large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract and peanut butter. Beat in egg until well blended.
2. Combine oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add into peanut butter mixture and beat until just combined.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Form rounded tablespoons of dough into balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven for 10 to 11 minutes, or until just pale golden. Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes and transfer to racks to cool completely.
6. While cookies are cooling, prepare marshmallow buttercream filling.
7. For the filling: Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix on high speed with an electric mixer for 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
8. Match cookies in pairs based on size. Spread 1 tablespoon of buttercream onto one cookie and sandwich with other cookie in the pair. Repeat until all cookies are sandwiched.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44400
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I seeked sub. Treatment myself. At 32 the back pain started, after birth of my son. I had buldging discs that progressed into ruptured, deg. Disc disese,annular tear, so on, etc. Dr started me on pain meds which by 38 was up to 8 oxycodone 30mg per day, soma, clonapin, etc. My dr retired, lost my ins., lost my meds, N lost my mind. I literaly almost died from pain n withdrawls. I went to sub. To fix my problem, so i thought. Now im viewed as a drug addict period. I didnt ask for any of this. I had dental surgery and was treating as though "addicts" like me couldnt have anything for pain. Thats wrong, unfair, and simply judgemental. Each case is different. I wasnt looking for a high, just something to get thru this surgery! How do u fix this type, ,"marked for life". Issue??
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44401
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Skip to Content
Pronunciation: ak′rō-blast
Definition: Component of the developing spermatid composed of numerous Golgi elements; it contains the proacrosomal granules.
[acro- + G. blastos, germ]
Further information
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44410
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1. Our Science >
2. Ask a Scientist
Ask a Scientist
Scientists love answering questions about the world and how it works - why not ask them a question!
Just go to contact us and write ‘Ask a scientist’ in the subject line and you can submit a question and a scientist will answer it for you. See what others have asked our scientists below!
Q. What is a scientist?
A. A scientist is a person who organises what we already know about the world, and then learns more about the world by asking who, what, where, when and why questions.
Read More
Q. How was the Hikurangi Trench created?
A. The Hikurangi Trench was created by the Pacific tectonic plate subducting under the Australian tectonic plate. The ocean plate (the Pacific Plate) is being pushed (converged) under the thicker Australian continent plate and creates a big gully called a trench.
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Q. What is a tsunami?
A. Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning 'harbour wave'. Tsunami are large and powerful ocean waves that can grow in size as they reach the shore. These waves can move very fast and for very long distances.
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Q. When do volcanoes erupt?
A. Volcanoes erupt when magma (hot liquid rock) finds weaknesses within the earth’s surface. Pressure slowly builds up and then it releases in the form of an eruption.
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Q. What causes earthquakes?
A. Earthquakes are caused by faults or tectonic plate boundaries moving.
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Q. What can we do to be safe?
A. The best way to keep safe is to know what to do. If there is a big earthquake (hard to stand up in), a long earthquake (a minute or more), you see the ocean recede or you hear very loud noises coming from the sea, evacuate!
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44420
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Swiss Economy – Facts and Figures
Discussion in a break room at the World Economic Forum
© FDFA, Presence Switzerland
• Switzerland has the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the world. At the end of 2015 Swiss GDP per capita stood at CHF 77,943 (approx. EUR 73,000 or USD 81,000).
• About 74% of Swiss GDP is generated by the service sector and 25% by industry. The contribution from the agricultural sector is less than 1%.
• The European Union (EU) is Switzerland's main trading partner. Around 78% of Swiss imports are from the EU, while 43% of Swiss exports are destined for EU countries.
• Most Swiss firms (over 99%) are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These are defined as companies with fewer than 250 employees.
• The public debt-to-GDP ratio in Switzerland has fallen considerably in recent years, from 54.6% in 1998 to 34.7% in 2014.
• Switzerland has the lowest rate of value-added tax in Europe. 8% is levied on most goods and services, 3.8% on accommodation services, and 2.5% on basic necessities and other everyday items.
• Every year Switzerland spends close to 3% of its GDP, more than CHF 18.5 billion (around EUR 15 billion or USD 20.6 billion), on research and development . Over three-quarters of this funding comes from the private sector.
• The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc. One Swiss franc is equal to 100 centimes. It is abbreviated to CHF, SFr. or Fr.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44470
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Visual FoxPro (VFP), and its predecessor FoxPro, is a data-centric, object-oriented, procedural, database programming language and IDE from Microsoft last released in 2007 that still has some active use due to its low cost of deployment and fairly rapid development. In 2008, Microsoft released a set of add-ons for VFP's xBase components to allow interoperability with various Microsoft technologies. It allows data processing against its native file-based data tables or database servers such as SQL Server.
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A combobox control I am adding to a Visual Foxpro 9 form shows only the first item in the list.
I am creating a two column array from a table, and the debugger shows all rows are created.
If the record in main table in the form is tied to that first item, the item shows up in the control.
If not, the control is blank.
I can drop down the list, pick the one item, and it will now be tied to the main table in the save procedure, and appear in the combo box if I call up that record again.
So the create array procedures and save procedures seem to be working, but I am only seeing the first record in the array on the form. .
I have used this combobox class for many years, although not recently.
RoWSource is 'this.aitems' which seems to be created properly.
RowSourceType is 5-Array
Any thoughts?
Introduction to Web Design
LVL 12
Introduction to Web Design
Develop a strong foundation and understanding of web design by learning HTML, CSS, and additional tools to help you develop your own website.
I have a client asking about their VFP app being able to export data to QuickBooks. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to best go about making that work, using 3rd party tools or otherwise?
I have a client asking about their VFP app with a SQL backend database being able to import/export data from SalesForce (www.salesforce.com). I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to best go about making these tasks work, using 3rd party tools or otherwise?
Hi Experts
Could you point a strategy to access a DB that remains at AWS cloud by using Visual FoxPro?
The reason it to reuse an alrealdy developed app to do that.
Thanks in advance!
I have a Visual FoxPro program running. it uses a local cursor engine.
To use the program from home, people use a VPN solution (openVPN)
Using this, we have poor performance.
We use lines with a 200mbit down and 50 mbit upload speed. (vendor = Telenet Belgium)
The database has a traffic of 100mbyte totally during a complete session, so it should fly.
However: on a 100Mbit network it works realtime. response times are very low.
Using openVPN, response times are like minutes.
The internet connection is real fast. So OpenVPN is what slows us down.
I put send and receive buffers to 0 in both server and ws config file. This fastenes the systyem up, but far.. far from enough.
There must be other settings to speed openVPN traffic up. But what can I do?
I have a foxpro table with sequence 55,56,57,59,60,70,70,71,72,73,74,74,75.76. Will like to reset the numbers to have a uniform sequence like
55,56,57,59,60,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77.78. i have tried a loop program that increments by 1 for every record loop but to no avail. it skips reset the similar numbers
can some assist me please
I will appreciate
Within a VFP app, when certain users print a report, the report is automatically sent to the default printer and to multiple (4) networked printers. This causes the system sending the print jobs to lock up for 30-45 seconds multiple times a day. They are wondering if we could speed this process up.
Below is the critical block of code.
A brief explanation of it's intent: Names of the printers receiving this report (WorkOrder) are stored in a SQL table as such:
When designated users print the work order report it is sent to their default printer, the default printer name is stored, the next printer name is queried from the SQL table, the VFP printer is set to it and the report is printed, etc. While this process is running the users cannot do anything else in VFP. I don't think the SQL queries or the VFP code are causing any delays, but the multiple print calls (REPORT FORM source\workorder TO PRINTER NOCONSOLE) are. Any suggestions for me?
FOR lnX = 1 TO lnQty && Print desired qty of the work order to the default printer
SET REPORTBEHAVIOR 80 && Sets to VFP 6 printing rules.
* If a printer is not available skip the error and continue
ON ERROR llErrFlg=.T.
* …
Hi Experts
Could you point what is preventing vfpcompression.fll to be used in a VFP9 project running under Windows10?
Accordingly to:
The same .fll perfectly runs under Windows 7
Any workaround?
Thanks in advance
Need to send SMTP email from FoxPro app that includes CC and BCC on a windows machine WITHOUT installing any ocx's or dll's. Is this possible with standard windows api calls?
Server restrictions are high, so no regsvr statements are allowed, no registry changes. dll's or libraries residing in the same directory may be permitted.
Using ODBC I am trying to redirect a VFP app to new SQL 2016 database. If I use Windows Authentication the app will run as desired. If I use the preferred SQL Server Authentication the ODBC connection is made and tests successfully, but when trying to run the VFP app I'm continually getting SQL Server Login dialog box popup. I have confirmed the SQL server is set to Mixed Authentication Mode.
Starting with Angular 5
LVL 12
Starting with Angular 5
Sometimes, when my FoxPro application does not close gracefully for whatever reason, I get an error message upon its restart: "Index does not match the table. Delete the index file and recreate the index". Can somebody provide me with a sample code to do it automatically? Also, I have a significant number of indexes, and some of their expressions are fairly complex. So, it would be nice to have all of them listed in a single text file for convenient copying and pasting into "INDEX ON". I am still using VFP6 (I know, I know...)
Thank you.
i need to convert my csv data to foxpro table...kindly help for example below:
With only three columns as shown "ALB-ME"-desc1,"44.6"-desc2,"G/L"-desc3 . All the data should be rows.
Kindly assist me
down vote
I am able to use the ODBC drivers (Microsoft's and other providers) with Visual FoxPro Database. I am able to execute Select & Insert statements using the ODBC Drivers but not able to use Create/Update/Drop table using the ODBC Drivers. I am able to create a table using Visual FoxPro IDE but would like to do it using ODBC Driver.
Any help is appreciated.
I have a Domain (Windows 2012 R2) with 10 Stations.
I have 1 station with some problems when accessing an application (Visual Foxpro 9).
when the application is active but idle for few minutes we get an error "Error reading file....".
We shutdown the application and restart it, it works fine for another few minutes... and again ,if the PC is idle for few minutes, it gives the same error.
I tried changing the NIC, removing the Power management from everywhere on the PC (NIC, HDD, etc... ) it did not change anything...
The weird thing is that If I have an excel file open from the same share folder, it doesn't give any error..
Any help ?
Hi All:
I have a program that reads a table using a DO..WHILE loop. For each record, there is code that copies a filename (of a BMP file) that is in a field to a temp file using a COPY FILE statment. The temp BMP file is then used on a report, and the report is run for each record. If I run the source code, the COPY FILE statements and the reports are correct but when the EXE is run, only one COPY FILE statement seems to happen and the same picture appears on every report. The client using the EXE discovered the problem. Everyone is using Windows 7.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you,
I have an xBase++ app that creates a table that has memo fields. The
table is created by consolidating information from several source
When I run the app complied with Clipper 5.2 the resulting .FPT file
is about 220 MB.
When I run the same app compiled with xBase++ the resulting FPT file
is approximately 20 GB.
I have the driver set up as follows in the xBase app:
// Build DBE
DbeLoad( "FOXDBE", .T.)
DbeLoad( "CDXDBE",.T.)
DbeBuild( "FOXCDX", "FOXDBE", "CDXDBE" )
DbeSetDefault( "FOXCDX" )
// Set up for FOX 2.x and Comix compatability
Any help is much appreciated.
Hi Experts
Could you point the better way to ensure a Wordpad content, by encryption or password ?
Also, what is the better way to do that?
By the way the file is opened by a VFP application
oWSH = Createobject("wscript.shell")
oWSH.Run(lcOutputFile, 2, .T.)
Catch To oErr
oErr.UserValue = "Nested CATCH message: Unable to handle"
=ALERT("PARE", "OK", 10, 10, "Wordpad não pode ser executado. Erro:"+oErr.Message )
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Any suggestion on decrypyt before it's opened and then after it's saved, is it a good approach?
Thanks in advance
Hi Experts
Could you point how to manage a VFP Multi-threaded COM Server dll to make it works out?
I obtained this example
I guess DTS Explorer must be opened to make it works out, isn't it?
Is it a matter of install the .dll on DTS ?
If so, how to do that?
The VFP code to calls the .dll
** This is a simple example DLL for use
** with the BASICSAMPLE.PRG file.
** Example Usage:
** loDLL = CREATEOBJECT("sample.EasyMTServer")
** loDLL.SomeLengthyProcess(_VFP)
** Note: You could also use the following
** in the event the DLL is not registered
** (assuming sample.dll exists in your path)
** loDLL = NEWOBJECT("EasyMTServer","sample.dll")
PROCEDURE SomeLengthyProcess (toCallback)
** We'll declare the Windows API Sleep
** function, so we can ensure the
** process runs for 20 seconds.
** Create a variable for
** our FOR/ENDFOR loop.
LOCAL lnCount As Integer
** Print a string to the main VFP window.
FOR lnCount = 1 TO 20
** Create a SYS(2015) value, and
** print it back to the VFP window.
toCallback.DoCmd("? + ALLTRIM(SYS(2015))")
** Let's sleep for 1 second
** Write out a Done!
toCallback.DoCmd("? + 'Done!'")
CLEAR DLLS "Sleep"
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Thanks in advance!
I have 50 visual foxpro files in my computer. I want to transform that contents to excel is that possible??
If it's possible means how to that?
Microsoft Azure 2017
LVL 12
Microsoft Azure 2017
Hi Experts
Could you point a way to start MTS Explorer from Win 7?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Experts
Could you point a workaround to this problem when registering a .DLL by using West Wind Web Service Proxy Generator .NET Web Service Proxy Generator for Visual FoxPro?
When generating by using the tool:
So, when code runs:
Inside the box means:
Failed to load file or assembly 'filec: \ wwwproxy \ hello_serviceproxy.dll'
or one of its dependencies. The system can not find the file
Thanks in advance!
I need to be able to encrypt PDF documents in VFP programatically and then create a zip file with the encrypted PDF to email
Please assist.
I need to be able to synchronize files from RDP to my local computer without using FTPs.
This process should be automated.
Hi Experts
Could you clear what is and what is causing this VFP XML Web Service, correctly registered when running?
if the line
leResult = loHello_Port.sayHello('xxx')
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is ommited - no problems arises
if the line is changed to:
leResult = loHello_Port.sayHello()
Open in new window
this error arises
<definitions name = "HelloService"
targetNamespace = "http://www.xxxxx.com.br/soap/HelloService.wsdl"
xmlns = "http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/wsdl/"
xmlns:tns = "http://www.xxxx.com.br/wsdl/HelloService.wsdl"
<message name = "SayHelloRequest">
<part name = "firstName" type = "xsd:string"/>
<message name = "SayHelloResponse">
<part name = "greeting" type = "xsd:string"/>
<portType name = "Hello_PortType">
<operation name = "sayHello">
<input message = "tns:SayHelloRequest"/>
<output message = "tns:SayHelloResponse"/>
<binding name = "Hello_Binding" type = "tns:Hello_PortType">
<soap:binding style = "rpc"
<operation name = "sayHello">
<soap:operation soapAction = "sayHello"/>
encodingStyle = "http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/encoding/"
Open in new window
How to Data add/ edit into table by form design by visual FoxPro.
Pl. Guide me. I have no idea for form design.
Sir, i have made input screen @ raw, column say command but I want to develop this screen by form design. But I don't know how data add/edit into table.
Suppose iname var. Content replace in name field. How form design add
If form design add / edit simple tutorial aavine pl. Send me
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44533
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Write some software -- 2
I need you to develop code to convert CAD dxf to csv and visceversa
Please only bid if you truly understand the scope of this project. I will need source code for later editing if necessary.
Skills: .NET, Software Architecture, Windows Desktop
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44541
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JACIII Vol.21 No.7 pp. 1211-1220
doi: 10.20965/jaciii.2017.p1211
Cross-Media Retrieval Based on Query Modality and Semi-Supervised Regularization
Yihe Liu, Huaxiang Zhang, Li Liu, Lili Meng, Yongxin Wang, and Xiao Dong
Department of Computer Science, Shandong Normal University
No. 1, University Road, Changqing District, Jinan 250358, China
Corresponding author
April 12, 2017
August 17, 2017
November 20, 2017
cross-media retrieval, subspace learning, semi-supervised regularization, iterative optimization
Existing cross-media retrieval methods usually learn one same latent subspace for different retrieval tasks, which can only achieve a suboptimal retrieval. In this paper, we propose a novel cross-media retrieval method based on Query Modality and Semi-supervised Regularization (QMSR). Taking the cross-media retrieval between images and texts for example, QMSR learns two couples of mappings for different retrieval tasks (i.e. using images to search texts (Im2Te) or using texts to search images (Te2Im)) instead of learning one couple of mappings. QMSR learns two couples of projections by optimizing the correlation between images and texts and the semantic information of query modality (image or text), and integrates together the semi-supervised regularization, the structural information among both labeled and unlabeled data of query modality to transform different media objects from original feature spaces into two different isomorphic subspaces (Im2Te common subspace and Te2Im common subspace). Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cite this article as:
Y. Liu, H. Zhang, L. Liu, L. Meng, Y. Wang, and X. Dong, “Cross-Media Retrieval Based on Query Modality and Semi-Supervised Regularization,” J. Adv. Comput. Intell. Intell. Inform., Vol.21, No.7, pp. 1211-1220, 2017.
Data files:
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2. [2] F. Perronnin, Y. Liu, J. Sánchez et al., “Large-scale image retrieval with compressed fisher vectors,” Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), pp. 3384-3391, 2010.
3. [3] G. Liu and J. Yang, “Content-based image retrieval using color difference histogram,” Pattern Recognition, Vol.46, No.1, pp. 188-198, 2013.
4. [4] J. Sivic and A. Zisserman, “Video google: A text retrieval approach to object matching in videos,” Proc. of the 9th IEEE Int. Conf. on Computer Vision (ICCV), Vol.2, No.1470, pp. 1470-1477, 2003.
5. [5] E. M. Voorhees and D. Harman, “Overview of the sixth text retrieval conference (TREC-6),” Information Processing and Management, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 3-35, 2000.
6. [6] G. Guo, S. Li, and Z. Stan, “Content-based audio classification and retrieval by support vector machines,” IEEE Trans. on Neural Networks, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 209-215, 2003.
7. [7] J. Song, Y. Yang, Z. Huang et al., “Multiple feature hashing for real-time large scale near-duplicate video retrieval,” Proc. of the 19th ACM Int. Conf. on Multimedia, pp. 423-432, 2011.
8. [8] Y. Yang, Y. Zhuang, W. Wang et al., “Heterogeneous multimedia data semantics mining using content and location context,” Proc. of the 16th ACM Int. Conf. on Multimedia, pp. 655-658, 2008.
9. [9] Y. Yang, F. Wu, D. Xu et al., “Cross-media retrieval using query dependent search methods,” Pattern Recognition, Vol.43, No.8, pp. 2927-2936, 2010.
10. [10] Y. Yang, F. Nie, D. Xu et al., “A multimedia retrieval framework based on semi-supervised ranking and relevance feedback,” IEEE Trans. on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol.34, No.4, pp. 723-742, 2012.
11. [11] D. Ma, X. Zhai, and Y. Peng, “Cross-media retrieval by cluster-based correlation analysis,” IEEE Int. Conf. on Image Processing, pp. 3986-3990, 2013.
12. [12] Y. Yang, D. Xu, F. Nie et al., “Ranking with local regression and global alignment for cross media retrieval,” Proc. of the 17th ACM Int. Conf. on Multimedia, pp. 175-184, 2009.
13. [13] F. Wu, H. Zhang, and Y Zhuang, “Learning semantic correlations for cross-media retrieval,” Int. Conf. on Image Processing, pp. 1465-1468, 2006.
14. [14] X. Zhai, Y. Peng, and J. Xiao, “Learning cross-media joint representation with sparse and semisupervised regularization,” IEEE Trans. on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, Vol.24, No.6, pp. 965-978, 2014.
15. [15] N. Rasiwasia, J. Costa Pereira, E. Coviello et al., “A new approach to cross-modal multimedia retrieval,” Proc. of the 18th ACM Int. Conf. on Multimedia, pp. 251-260, 2010.
16. [16] X. Zhai, Y. Peng, and J. Xiao, “Heterogeneous Metric Learning with Joint Graph Regularization for Cross-Media Retrieval,” Proc. of the 27th AAAI Conf. on Artificial Intelligence, pp. 1198-1204, 2013.
17. [17] D. Hardoon, S. Szedmak, and J. Shawe-Taylor, “Canonical correlation analysis: An overview with application to learning methods,” Neural Computation, Vol.16, No.12, pp. 2639-2664, 2004.
18. [18] D. Li, N. Dimitrova, M. Li et al., “Multimedia content processing through cross-modal association,” Proc. of the 11th ACM Int. Conf. on Multimedia, pp. 604-611, 2003.
19. [19] A. Sharma, A. Kumar, H. Daume et al., “Generalized multiview analysis: A discriminative latent space,” Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), pp. 2160-2167, 2012.
20. [20] Y. Gong, Q. Ke, M. Isard et al., “A multi-view embedding space for modeling internet images, tags, and their semantics,” Int. J. of Computer Vision, Vol.106, No.2, pp. 210-233, 2014.
21. [21] P. Zhou, L. Du, M. Fan et al., “An LLE based Heterogeneous Metric Learning for Cross-media Retrieval,” Proc. of the 2015 SIAM Int. Conf. on Data Mining, pp. 64-72, 2015.
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23. [23] S. Hwang and K. Grauman, “Accounting for the Relative Importance of Objects in Image Retrieval,” Proc. of the British Machine Vision Conf. (BMVC), Vol.1, No.2, pp. 5, 2010.
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Last updated on Dec. 13, 2018
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Publications Search
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Insulin precipitation in artificial infusion devices
Precipitation of insulin is a problem with mechanical insulin infusion devices. Therefore conditions affecting insulin precipitation have been studied in a recirculating system using a peristaltic pump. Acetate buffer favoured precipitation and a pH of 2, 3 or 8 resulted in no less (and often more) precipitation than a pH of 7 using either acetate of phosphate buffer. However, no precipitation occurred in a phosphate buffered neutral preparation after ten days of pumping through tubing pretreated with EDTA. In comparison at pH 7, using acetate buffer with untreated tubing, more than 95% of insulin was precipitated in ten days. A heavy metal-insulin association appears to be a major factor in the precipitation. However, some formation of insulin fibrils is probable as the precipitate is autocatalytic and partially acid insoluble. Phosphate buffered highly purified porcine insulin is suitable for relatively prolonged infusion if metal ion contamination of the delivery system is minimised.
Type Journal
ISBN 0012-186X (Print)
Authors James, D. E.;Jenkins, A. B.;Kraegen, E. W.;Chisholm, D. J. :
Responsible Garvan Author Prof Ted Kraegen
Published Date 1981-01-01
Published Volume 21
Published Issue 6
Published Pages 554-7
Status Published in-print
URL link to publisher's version
OpenAccess link to author's accepted manuscript version
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What's new? Working with other programs
GraphPad Prism 8 User Guide
What's new? Working with other programs
What's new? Working with other programs
Previous topic Next topic No expanding text in this topic
What's new? Working with other programs
LabsArchives. Prism 6 integrates better with LabArchives. As in Prism 5, click “LabArchive it” to upload files directly to LabArchives. Now, , Prism also sends LabArchives a list of all words used in notes, titles, text boxes, etc. That mean you can search within LabArchives to find the file you need. From the Welcome dialog of Prism 6, you can open a file directly from LabArchives. There is no longer a need to first go to labarchives.com to download the file you want.
Faster TIFF. Exporting TIFF files at 1200 dpi from Prism Windows is much faster and more reliable (doesn't lead to out of memory messages).
Smaller TIFF. Prism Windows can now compress TIFF files at 600 or 1200 dpi, and compress even when you choose the CMYK color model (not allowed in Prism 5 Windows)
More exporting choices. When compressing TIF files, choose between the LZW or packbits scheme. Choose either a RGB or CMYK color model for PNG files. Choose higher resolution output (up to 1200 dpi) with JPG.
No popup dialog after exporting. After exporting a graph, layout or table, Prism 5 would always pop up a dialog offering to open the folder to which the file was exported. When it is done exporting, Prism 6 doesn’t show that extra dialog. Instead, Prism 6 lets you choose, in the export dialog, whether to open the folder after exporting. You can make that choice a default for the future.
More importing choices. Prism 6 Windows can import more kinds of images onto a graph or layout. Here is the complete list:
Windows Enhanced Metafile (*.emf)
Windows Metafile (*.wmf)
TIFF (*.tif;*.tiff)
JPEG (*.jpg;*.jp2;*.j2k;*.jpx)
Portable Network Graphics (*.png;*.mng)
Windows Bitmap (*.bmp)
Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif)
Scalable Vector Graphics Format (*.svg)
PC PaintBrush (*.pcx)
TruvisionTarga Format (*.tga)
Microsoft Paint Format (*.msp)
PhotoShop 3.0 Format (*.psd)
Windows Icon and Cursor Formats (*.ico)
Macintosh Pict (*.pct;*.pict)
Choices when copying excluded values. Prism lets you exclude values on the data table, where they appear in blue italics. These values are ignored when Prism makes graphs and analyzes data. Prism 6 offers three choices for how excluded values should be copied or exported. 1. Like other values, ignoring the fact that they are excluded. 2.Followed by an asterisk. 3. As a blank space instead of the value. When exporting, this choice is set in the export dialog. When copying to the clipboard, the choice is set in the File & Printer tab of Preferences.
Choose whether to use period or comma as the decimal separator. When you copy data to the clipboard, Prism 5 used the Windows or Mac control panel settings to decide whether to use a comma or period (point) as the decimal separator. Prism 6 lets you choose in the Preferences dialog. This lets scientists who live in countries where a comma is commonly used still use a period when copying data out of Prism for pasting into a manuscript that will be read in other countries.
LinkBack support. When you paste a graph or layout created with Prism 6 Mac into some other programs, LinkBack let's you double-click on the embedded graph to return to Prism for editing. This works similarly to OLE on Windows. But while OLE is part of Windows and supported by Microsoft, LinkBack is not part of OS X and is not supported by Apple. It only works with selected Mac apps, and does not work with Word, PowerPoint or Keynote.
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Jack2 : A Personal Analysis (Part #2)
Blog post by Barrett on Mon, 2013-09-30 16:28
Hello, it has been passed some time from the Part 1 of this article, I’ve continued my investigations as well, and I have finally some more clear plans for such a hypotetic Jack2 port. Unfortunately i had not enough time to research a bit more in the latency differences between the media_kit and jack, sorry, this should be post-poned until i have precise emphyrical measuring methods.
To better understand this article i suggest you to read the first part.
The Wrapper
So, after lots of temptations, a night i decided to take the jack API headers and begin to stubb a jack wrapper.
This gave me the possiblity to explore in a better way the internals of Jack2.
The result of this work-night, is the jack_simple_client seamless working. Don’t misunderstand me, the code is just a proof-of-concept, actually the backend media_node support only producers hooks, and have some problems such as the sound hear a bit streched. Other than being funny, this project has permitted me to understand better how the BMediaNode class work. I would like to synthetically make a resume of the work,
it consists of three layers :
1. C-API bindings to c++ internal classes
2. Jack2 emulation which is composed of two classes at the moment, JackPort and JackClient.
3. JackNode, a native media_kit node controlled by the emulation layer, which serves as the gate between the Jack emulation and the media_kit.
This is a map of the functions on which i worked and their status :
E = empty P = partially implemented OK = fully implemented / sufficient implementation ATM.
jack_activate OK
jack_client_close OK
jack_client_name_size OK
jack_client_open OK
jack_connect P
jack_deactivate P
jack_get_buffer_size OK
jack_get_client_name OK
jack_get_ports P
jack_get_sample_rate OK
jack_midi_clear_buffer E
jack_midi_event_get E
jack_midi_event_write E
jack_midi_get_event_count E
jack_port_get_buffer P
jack_port_name OK
jack_port_register P
jack_port_type_get_buffer_size OK
(the original implementation is mantained)
jack_ringbuffer_create OK
jack_ringbuffer_free OK
jack_ringbuffer_mlock OK
jack_ringbuffer_read OK
jack_ringbuffer_read_space OK
jack_ringbuffer_write OK
jack_ringbuffer_write_space OK
jack_session_event_free E
jack_session_reply E
jack_set_buffer_size_callback OK
jack_set_process_callback OK
jack_set_session_callback E
jack_shutdown E
jack_transport_query E
You can see the code here.
Intrinsic Limitations
There are some intrinsic limitations due to different designs, which might be a bit complicated to deceive.
• Jack2 support multiple connections to one port. There's not a lot to do about it, the only solution without explicit support from the media_kit is to map one jack port into multiple input (or outputs). For example, in Haiku a stereo output is a unique port, you can't connect two mono channels to a stereo one without using a mixer node, in Jack2 instead stereo channels are separated by default. Anyway i do think a feature to separate stereo channels should be taken into consideration for a future media_kit version. **EDIT** To be more clear all implementations of JACK permit connections between ports with any valence, they can be 1:1, N:1 or 1:N.
• Jack2 support glitch-free ports reconnection. Well, as far as i know the media_kit just is unaware of this concept. **EDIT** In those hours, emerged that it relates only a jack2 implementation detail of the API, so it will be a limitation for a native port but not for libjackcompat. That's a good news indeed.
• Jack2 features a session API which is simply missing in Haiku. This is something already discussed in the mailing list, basically other than being a low-priority part of the API, it could be just emulated until Haiku features a session management system, which will probably come out after R1.
The Jack port and the wrapper
I discovered that there is not need of an external app routing audio between jack2 and the media_server.
With the premise that the incompatibilities in libjackcompat and the issues i explained in the last article are still valid, since the jack_ports management is done by the driver i think an Haiku driver could work that way :
1. When a jack client is registered a media_node is created, for every port there will be a input/output in the node.
2. When a media_node is created, it will be mapped into a jack_client, and every i/o mapped onto a jack_port.
3. The phantom clients will be internally managed to work as audio streams mirrors.
4. By default there will be a media_node wrapping the jack system_mixer into the Haiku’s one.
But i would like to show you an use case where it may be complicated to create an efficient and transparent strategy :
Imagine the jack_client1:port1 is connected to jack_client2:port2. jack_client2 is a media_node in the back-end, so it will wrap the port2 into a native input. So, now imagine a new jack client, called foo_client, what happens if it try to connect to jack_client2:port2? In jack it’s completely legal, but in the media_kit there will be only a input, and no way to make a double connection.
As you may understand, this is a headache. To my mind comes only two different solutions :
1. Make the behaviour somewhat configurable in settings and in the media_node settings panel. So that you can for example map two jack ports into one media_kit stereo connection.
2. Force users to use appropriate mixer nodes between connections.
So, What’s The Need for a wrapper?
Except the fact that with some degree various simple apps should work out of the box, i think a wrapper is still important for a lot of reasons, if it will work for basic functionalities, it could be used by third-party developers as a initial layer to base their native Haiku port.
For example, as start you can compile your jack2 program, then you include the wrapper into your source tree and begin to modify it to fit your needs.
The last but not less important thing is that the libjackcompat backend will provide most of the functionality needed to create the backend-nodes, so it may be possible that a media_kit jack2 driver will be based itself on this library.
As before, i just tried to explain my vision, hope it was interesting…as ever any opinion, question and correction is appreciated!
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10 Things We Learned About ADHD in 2016
Health Writer
The use of stimulant medication might result in lower bone density
Stimulant medication has been shown to slow the rate of a child’s growth, but a new study found that it may also result in lower bone density. Researchers found that children who used stimulant medication had about a five percent lower bone mineral content than those who did not use stimulant medication.
For some people, ADHD symptoms do not appear until after childhood
ADHD is generally seen as early-onset: that is, symptoms appear in early childhood. But a study completed in the UK found that, for some people, symptoms do not appear until later. The researchers found that 70 percent of young adults diagnosed with ADHD did not meet the criteria for the disorder during childhood assessments.
Are children with ADHD really just “immature?”
The youngest children in a class are more apt to be diagnosed with ADHD. A study in Taiwan found that these children were diagnosed with ADHD more often than older children in the class. When having a child assessed for ADHD, the age, not just the grade, of your child should be taken into consideration.
Motivation to complete tasks requiring focus improves after exercise
Even a short bout of exercise can help improve motivation to complete a task in adults with ADHD. During the study, 32 young men with elevated ADHD symptoms exercised for 20 minutes on one day and spent the same amount of time resting on alternate days. After the exercise, the men felt more alert and more motivated to complete the task.
What you eat during pregnancy might increase the risk of ADHD in your child
According to a study completed at Kings College, London, children born of mothers who ate a diet high in fats and sugar during pregnancy had genetic changes that affected brain development and were more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life.
Women with ADHD at risk for other health conditions and financial problems
A study completed in Toronto looked at the results of the Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health. Of the women diagnosed with ADHD, there were more health concerns, including severe physical pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Acetaminophen during pregnancy could increase risk of hyperactivity and behavior problems
Researchers found that children whose mothers took acetaminophen during pregnancy had a higher rate of hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Another study, completed in Spain in 2016, found a higher risk of hyperactivity and impulsivity when the mother took acetaminophen during pregnancy.
Taking vitamin D during pregnancy lowered rate of ADHD in children
According to researchers at the University of Southern Denmark, when mothers take vitamin D during pregnancy, the risk of their child developing ADHD is lower than for those mothers who did not take vitamin D.
Girls with ADHD have higher risk of developing other mental health issues
Oppositional defiance disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) showed up in 42 percent of girls with ADHD diagnosed with ODD, as compared to five percent of those without ADHD. The authors of the study point out that ODD and CD are more likely to participate in risky sexual behavior and be involved in abusive relationships, drug abuse and crime.
Allergies during pregnancy might factor in the development of ADHD and autism
Researchers at Ohio State University looked at the connection between allergies in mother rats during pregnancy and ADHD in their offspring. The rats were injected with a known allergen during their pregnancy. The male offspring showed behavior characteristics similar to ADHD: they were hyperactive and had difficulty with socialization.
Eileen Bailey is a freelance health writer. She is the author of Idiot's Guide to Adult ADHD, Idiot's Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Essential Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Love and Essential Guide to Asperger's Syndrome. She can be found on Twitter @eileenmbailey and on Facebook at eileenmbailey.
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The Hillman Group Axxess+ General Motors Rubberhead Automotive Key #35R
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Table of Contents Author Guidelines Submit a Manuscript
International Journal of Reconfigurable Computing
Volume 2014, Article ID 243835, 9 pages
Research Article
Scalable Fixed Point QRD Core Using Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration
Department of Avionics, IIST, Thiruvananthapuram 695547, India
Received 15 August 2014; Revised 16 November 2014; Accepted 20 November 2014; Published 14 December 2014
Academic Editor: Neil Bergmann
Copyright © 2014 Gayathri R. Prabhu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A Givens rotation based scalable QRD core which utilizes an efficient pipelined and unfolded 2D multiply and accumulate (MAC) based systolic array architecture with dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) capability is proposed. The square root and inverse square root operations in the Givens rotation algorithm are handled using a modified look-up table (LUT) based Newton-Raphson method, thereby reducing the area by 71% and latency by 50% while operating at a frequency 49% higher than the existing boundary cell architectures. The proposed architecture is implemented on Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA for any real matrices of size , where and by dynamically inserting or removing the partial modules. The evaluation results demonstrate a significant reduction in latency, area, and power as compared to other existing architectures. The functionality of the proposed core is evaluated for a variable length adaptive equalizer.
1. Introduction
Adaptive equalizers form an inevitable block within receiver’s in general wireless communication systems to reduce the errors caused by intersymbol interference. An important factor that determines the efficiency of the equalizer is the number of filter taps, which should match with the number of channel taps. A fewer number of taps than the actual number of channel taps lead to lower accuracy, whereas a larger number of taps lead to greater power consumption without any benefit of added accuracy. Also, the channel characteristics are more likely to vary in a wireless scenario due to the movement of the users, the intrusion of obstructions, and so forth. Hence, to maintain a balance between the accuracy and the power, the equalizer should also be capable of adapting its number of taps depending on the channel conditions. In [1], the author discusses different methods based on the dynamic computation of the SNR values to determine the optimum number of filter taps with varying channel conditions.
An implementation of adaptive filtering is complex due to the algorithms involved. The standard RLS algorithm involves computing matrix inverse at each step which causes numerical instability issues. Also, the computational complexity of finding the inverse of an matrix using the direct method is which increases with the order of the matrix. Though the LMS algorithm is easy to implement, the convergence rate is much slower compared to the RLS algorithm. A decomposition based method for RLS with a back substitution technique resolves these issues since it avoids a direct matrix inversion and has the convergence rate on a par with the RLS algorithm.
decomposition of a matrix decomposes it into product of an orthogonal () and an upper triangular matrix () which simplifies the inverse into multiplication by a transposed matrix and a back substitution operation. There are different algorithms and architectures proposed in the literature which includes Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization, modified Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization [2, 3], Givens rotation [411], householder transformations [12], and various other hybrid methods [13, 14]. Gram-Schmidt (GS) algorithm offers reduced accuracy and stability in fixed precision environment. Householder (HH) transformation suits well the dense matrices, but it is difficult to carry out parallel implementations, since its working on the entire column each time. Givens rotation (GR) has the capability of selectively annihilating individual matrix elements. An error analysis for computing the inverse of a matrix in fixed point environment is done for GS, HH, and GR in our previous work [15]. Of these, Givens rotation has better performance compared to other methods even with lesser number of bits. Due to its lower error [15, 16], parallel nature, and ease of hardware implementation [9], GR based decomposition is chosen in this work.
Hardware based implementations are required for any of the real time applications such as image and video processing and communication systems, where time forms an important constraint. Also, the area and power are the critical factors which decide the cost of implementation. For the variable length adaptive equalizer considered in this work, there is a requirement to change the size of the QRD core as the channel taps vary. This is achieved using the concept of dynamic partial reconfiguration rather than replicating the structures for each channel size thus saving area and power. In literature, ASICs, dedicated DSP processors, and FPGAs are used as hardware platforms for implementing the design. The run-time reconfigurability feature and the presence of embedded resources of FPGA allow adapting hardware resources to meet time varying requirement.
This paper proposes an FPGA based scalable systolic array architecture for decomposition based on Givens rotation algorithm using the concept of LUT based Newton-Raphson method for inverse square root and square root and achieves scalability using DPR. DPR allows for the reconfiguration of the parts of FPGA while the rest of the device is still functioning and active. The major benefit of partial reconfiguration is the time sharing of the resources thereby achieving considerable area and power savings with a reduced reconfiguration time.
The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 discusses background and related work. The proposed scalable QRD architecture is detailed in Section 3. Section 4 deals with the results and implementation of the proposed core for a variable length equalizer. Finally, the conclusion and future work are given in Section 5.
2. Background and Related Work
Consider matrix such that where is an orthogonal matrix and is an upper triangular matrix. The Givens rotation algorithm is a recursive method which uses a rotation matrix () to transform a given matrix into an upper triangular one. The nonzero entries of matrix are given by Premultiplying the matrix with affects only the rows and of the matrix and the element is made zero with and value is updated as . If more than one entry in needs to be zeroed, then an equivalent number of appropriate matrices have to be formed and premultiplied with the matrix . Once the required elements are zeroed, the and matrices are obtained as follows: The peculiarity of Givens rotation algorithm is that it uses the first column of the matrix to find the angle of rotation and this angle is used by the rest of the columns for rotation. That means there is a regular pattern involved in computing the decomposition. This makes it easier to map the algorithm to a systolic array based architecture containing two different processing elements as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Block diagram representation of static QRD core.
The main difference between the systolic array architectures proposed in the literature is in the processing elements. The processing elements involve multiplication, division, square root, and inverse square root operations. A direct implementation of these operations in the hardware involves large amount of resources and higher latency. To overcome these, many methods are discussed in the literature which approximates these functions using LUT based log domain arithmetic [2, 3, 7], LUT based Newton-Raphson [4, 5], CORDIC based architectures [9], and so forth. In [8], the square root operation is approximated using CORDIC and inverse square root is done by division. Implementation of the division operation and the CORDIC requires higher latency and consumes more area. In [4, 5], the division operation is replaced by an LUT based Newton-Raphson method.
CORDIC based systolic array utilizes vectoring and rotation mode which requires proper selection of scale factor and number of iterations. To solve for the area constraint, control logic based designs are developed which reuses the resources with reduced throughput. Parameterized control logic based architecture [10], folded systolic array based architecture [17], and CORDIC core based architecture [6] are some of the architectures discussed in the literature, which can be made scalable by changing the control logic. In this work, a 16-bit fixed point scalable QRD architecture is proposed by utilizing LUT-N method for square root and inverse root logic. The proposed architecture is made scalable using DPR which reduces the area and power consumption, thus improving the throughput.
3. Proposed Scalable QRD Architecture
Figure 1 depicts the () QRD core with , , , , , , , as the corresponding column inputs of the matrix, which has to be decomposed. There are mainly two types of processing elements present in the 2D MAC based systolic array: boundary cell (BC) for calculating the angle of rotation and the internal cell (IC) for performing the rotation operation. The processing element used for angle calculation is present only on the left most side of each row in systolic array (because for each row in the systolic array, the column containing the corresponding diagonal element is considered as the first column).
3.1. Boundary Cell
Boundary cell (BC) is responsible for the calculation of cosine and sine values which would be used by the internal cell for rotation operation. Computing the trigonometric functions involves square root and inverse square root operations (4). In [4, 5], the inverse square root is calculated using an LUT based NR method and the square root is computed based on CORDIC logic. In this work, we propose a method to compute the square root values from inverse square root values at the expense of just a delay and a multiplier. The proposed logic is based on the fact that each iteration of Givens rotation depends on the previous iteration. Also, from (4) and the equation updating the value, it can be observed that the numerator and denominator used in computing the sine values are just the delayed versions. Using these two facts together with the mathematical concept, a modified boundary cell (from [4, 5]) is proposed (Figure 1(c)) which computes the square root utilizing the same LUT and NR blocks (square root is computed by delaying the input value sufficiently and then multiplying it with its inverse square root value obtained from NR logic), thus reducing the resource utilization. LUT-N method consists of a control logic, LUT blocks, and NR iteration equation.
Since Newton’s method is an iterative technique, the accuracy of the final result is determined by two factors: the number of iterations and the initial guess value. The accuracy of the result is determined by the number of iterations whereas rate of convergence depends on initial value chosen. Also, the hardware implementation of an iterative algorithm has serious effects on the amount of resources utilized and the latency. A folded architecture has high latency, since available resources are utilized in a time sharing manner. In the case of an unfolded architecture, resource consumption will increase with the number of iterations. An unfolded architecture is more preferred for any iterative technique since a proper choice of the initial value ensures higher accuracy within a single iteration. In this method, the initial guess values for Newton’s method are generated and stored within the LUT [4, 5].
A parallel and pipelined control logic has been developed to map the inputs to the initial guess values (Figure 1(d)). The control logic (to generate the address to the LUT) is developed by making use of the binary representation of the values corresponding to which the inverse square root values are stored within the LUT.
The LUT is divided into various blocks (each with 3 entries) depending on the number of zeros preceding the first 1. The block number is assigned as the base address for the corresponding initial guess. Using the 3 bits following the first “1,” the offset from the base address is calculated. Adding up the base address and the offset address gives the actual address to the initial guess value. After performing a systematic analysis of different available paths in the data flow graph, the critical path is identified and marked with red lines in Figure 1(e). Feed-forward cut-sets are used for breaking the critical path by introducing pipeline registers. The maximum number of pipeline stages is limited by the amount of latency acceptable to the system. Another feed-forward critical path exists within the unfolded architecture for Newton’s equation (Figure 1(f)) which includes the series of 2 multipliers. These paths are pipelined suitably to meet the timing requirements.
3.2. Internal Cell
The internal cell (IC) receives the trigonometric functions from the boundary cell and performs rotation operation on the inputs. These cells are currently implemented using multipliers and adders (Figure 1(b)). The critical path for the entire QRD core lies within the internal cell which includes an adder and a multiplier in a feedback loop. Because of the feedback loop in the system, feed-forward cut-sets are not feasible to achieve any further increase in the clock frequency. In order to reach the iteration bound [18] (give the maximum theoretical sample frequency), the multiplier block is internally pipelined to increase the clock speed (fine grain pipelining). Only single stage pipelining is possible within the cell, since further pipelining changes the functionality of the block.
3.3. Scalable QRD Architecture
Scalability is introduced into the QRD core using the concept of dynamic partial reconfiguration. The modular based DPR method divides the FPGA into static and dynamic partitions (Figure 2), where the dynamic partition can be adapted at run-time according to the user application without creating any integrity issue for other parts of the FPGA. Instead of having separate QRD cores for different sizes, based on the requirement, the size of core can be varied using the reconfigurable modules (RM).
Figure 2: Block diagram representation of module based partial reconfiguration for the scalable QRD core.
3.3.1. Static Module
The static module contains internal cells and boundary cells enough to handle matrices of size , where . The entries , , , in Figure 2 represent the corresponding columns in the matrix which has to be decomposed by the QRD core.
3.3.2. Reconfigurable Modules
The reconfigurable partition in Figure 2 can be occupied by any of the reconfigurable modules RM1, RM2, RM3, or RM4 which makes the implementation core with and , respectively. The number of interfaces between the static and the reconfigurable partition is such that they take into account the largest reconfigurable module that has to fit in the reconfigurable partition, in this case the one for matrix. Whenever a smaller RM is considered, the unused interfaces are tied to zero internally. As from Figure 2, it can be noticed that the number of internal cells and boundary cells increases linearly with the size of the matrix to be handled.
4. Results and Discussion
Performance of the proposed scalable QRD core in terms of functionality, resource utilization, power, and latency is analysed step by step on a Virtex-6 FPGA. Further, the developed core has been tested for a variable length equalization where the number of taps can be varied from 4 to 8.
Input data to the QRD core is represented using 16-bit signed fixed point representation, with bit for sign, bit for integer, and 14 bits for fraction; hence, the range of values would be . The hardware architecture is developed using Xilinx System Generator and error analysis is carried out in MATLAB.
4.1. Processing Elements
The input to the QRD core passes through a multiplier and an adder before it reaches the LUT-N logic as depicted in Figure 1. Hence, the range of the input values to the LUT-N is (square of the input range to the QRD core). The initial guess values for LUT-N method are stored within a block RAM and are used for solving Newton’s equation. The initial guess values stored in the LUT are generated using the MATLAB code discussed in [4, 5]. The first value of the LUT corresponds to the inverse square root of (as shown in Table 1). In this implementation, the range of the inputs to the LUT-N method is restricted to to avoid errors at larger values of input.
Table 1: A section of input values corresponding to values stored in LUT.
The proposed method is compared with two different implementations from the literature (CORDIC method [8], NR + CORDIC method [4, 5]) for finding square root (sqrt) and inverse square root (isqrt) as mentioned in the Table 2. The error analysis for these blocks is carried out by passing random values generated from MATLAB as inputs to these blocks. The mean squared errors in the results between the hardware implementation and MATLAB in built command for increasing values of inputs are plotted in Figure 3.
Table 2: Implementation results for square root and inverse square root logic.
Figure 3: MSE plot for LUT-N based inverse square root and square root logic.
Spikes occur in Figure 3 because for smaller input values the difference in the initial guess value and the actual value is large. These can be suppressed either by increasing the number of iterations for Newton’s method [4, 5] or by increasing the number of levels in the LUT which would further increase the latency and resource requirements.
The square root and inverse square root blocks are integrated with required number of multipliers to form the boundary cell. The internal cell logic is implemented using multiplier and adder blocks. From the results in Table 3, it can be observed that fine grain pipelining helps in improving the speed of operation and resource utilization. Hence, for the rest of the implementations, fine grain pipelined internal cell is used.
Table 3: Implementation results for the processing elements.
4.2. Variable Length Adaptive Equalizer Using Scalable QRD Core
Different instances of boundary cell and internal cell are created and connected as shown in Figure 2 to develop the QRD core. Functionality of the developed core is verified by passing MATLAB generated random matrices as inputs. Also, the error analysis for static implementations of the QRD core for different matrix dimensions (from to with and ) was completed in system generator. MSE plot for square matrices of different dimensions is plotted in Figure 4. The computation time for decomposition using MATLAB in PC with Intel Xenon GHz multicore is 2.8 msec, whereas the same with scalable QRD core of size running on Virtex- FPGA is 0.291 μsec.
Figure 4: MSE plot of QRD for different matrix dimensions.
From the MSE plot for the matrices, it can be observed that the error increases linearly for the increasing matrix dimensions which is due to the accumulation errors of Givens rotation algorithm.
As an initial test case, the static portion of the proposed core has been used for a QRD-RLS based adaptive equalizer as shown in Figure 5. The modulation scheme used is a basic BPSK with the simulation (transmission) environment as a random channel in presence of AWGN noise. Since, in order to avoid overflow, the application considered involves a train of sequence to be passed (also, since the Givens algorithm used is recursive), the input sequence is scaled by a factor of one-tenth.
Figure 5: System generator model for a 4-tap QRD-RLS based adaptive equalizer.
Results are obtained after the initial latency of the QRD core together with the number of tap delays (QRD latency is not shown in Figure 6). The output of the equalizer is then passed through a thresholding logic to map it back to BPSK symbols. The initial test case has been extended to implement a variable length equalizer. The FIR filter structure is fixed to handle taps with only the first 4 taps active all the time. The rest of the taps are tied to zero until they are used. Whenever the size of the channel varies, the QRD core resizes automatically from to the required size, using the reconfigurable modules. Depending on the channel size, the equivalent number of filter coefficients is also updated.
Figure 6: Performance results of an QRD-RLS adaptive equalizer for a -tap channel.
The static and reconfigurable partitions of the scalable QRD core, the FIR filter, and the back substitution logic are designed and synthesized using Xilinx System Generator. The input to the equalizer is stored within an SDRAM. These files are then exported as an intellectual property (IP) with a peripheral local bus (PLB) wrapper to the Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) where it is integrated with the soft processor Microblaze. Microblaze controls the reconfiguration process and the peripherals like FIR filter and back substitution logic. The hardware setup developed in XPS is synthesized and the generated netlists are exported to Xilinx PlanAhead where the reconfigurable partitions are set and the bit files are generated. Finally, the control software running in Microblaze to perform DPR (selecting the appropriate partial bit files stored within the compact flash memory) is developed in Xilinx Software Development Kit (SDK) as shown in Figure 7. The channel size is switched to different values based on timely inputs from the Microblaze.
Figure 7: Block diagram representation of control logic for implementing DPR for scalable QRD core.
The resource and power utilization for each configuration (static part + a reconfigurable module) excluding control logic for reconfiguration are tabulated (Table 4) and the functionality of the system is verified using ChipScope Debugger. The variation in configuration time for each of the configuration is also tabulated.
Table 4: Implementation results for scalable QRD core.
From the tabulated results, it can be observed that there are considerable savings in the amount of resources and power requirements by loading only the corresponding modules at the required time. Also, time required for configuring the FPGA has been reduced since only the partial bit files need to be loaded instead of loading the bit file for the entire logic.
5. Conclusion
A scalable, pipelined 2D systolic array based architecture for decomposition is proposed in this work. The functionality of the proposed core is verified for an adaptive equalizer with varying numbers of taps. The major difference between this work and the existing literature is in the computation of the square root and inverse square root values for the algorithm which is done using an LUT-N method. The proposed method is found to have fewer resource requirements and lower latency as compared to the CORDIC based architectures. Also, the scalable architecture based on the concept of dynamic partial reconfiguration is found to reduce the configuration time, area, and power requirements as compared to its static counterparts which makes it a suitable candidate for real time applications. Finally, the proposed core has been used in a variable length equalizer, simulating the real time scenario using the Microblaze processor.
From the results, it is noticed that the operating frequency is bounded by the maximum operating frequency of the internal cell. The future work is expected to include (a) the modification in internal cell architecture for higher operating frequency, (b) a modified algorithm for LUT value generation thereby improving the accuracy, (c) implementations for larger matrix decomposition with an aim to reduce the error, and (d) a real time implementation of the proposed core in a multiuser shared system with multiple users having unequal priorities (some high privileged users require considering the effects of more numbers of channel taps than others) sharing the reconfigurable partition resulting in the reduction of power consumption and resource utilization.
Conflict of Interests
1. F. Riera-Palou, Reconfigurable structures for direct equalisation in mobile receivers [Ph.D. thesis], University of Bradford, Bradford, UK, 2014.
2. C. K. Singh, S. H. Prasad, and P. T. Balsara, “VLSI architecture for matrix inversion using modified gram-schmidt based QR decomposition,” Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on VLSI Design Held Jointly with 6th International Conference on Embedded Systems, pp. 836–841, 2007. View at Google Scholar
3. C. K. Singh, S. H. Prasad, and P. T. Balsara, “A fixed-point implementation for QR decomposition,” in Proceedings of the IEEE Dallas ICAS Workshop on Design, Applications, Integration and Software (DCAS '06), pp. 75–78, Richardson, Tex, USA, October 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
4. S. Niu, S. Aslan, and J. Saniie, “FPGA based architectures for high performance adaptive FIR filter systems,” in Proceedings of the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC '13), pp. 1662–1665, 2013.
5. U. Vishnoi and T. G. Noll, “A family of modular area- and energy-efficient QRD-accelerator architectures,” in Proceedings of the International Symposium on System on Chip (SoC '13), pp. 1–8, Tampere, Finland, October 2013. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar
6. B. Han, Z. Yang, and Y. R. Zheng, “FPGA implementation of QR decomposition for MIMO-OFDM using four CORDIC cores,” in Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC '13), pp. 4556–4560, June 2013. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
7. J. Rust, F. Ludwig, and S. Paul, “Low complexity QR-decomposition architecture using the logarithmic number system,” in Proceedings of the Conference on Design, Automation and Test in Europe, pp. 97–102, EDA Consortium, 2013.
8. S. Aslan, S. Niu, and J. Saniie, “FPGA implementation of fast QR decomposition based on givens rotation,” in Proceedings of the IEEE 55th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems (MWSCAS '12), pp. 470–473, IEEE, August 2012. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
9. D. Chen and M. Sima, “Fixed-point CORDIC-based QR decomposition by givens rotations on FPGA,” in Proceedings of the International Conference on Reconfigurable Computing and FPGAs (ReConFig '11), pp. 327–332, IEEE, Cancún, Mexico, December 2011. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
10. F. Sobhanmanesh and S. Nooshabadi, “Parametric minimum hardware QR-factoriser architecture for V-BLAST detection,” IEE Proceedings: Circuits, Devices and Systems, vol. 153, no. 5, pp. 433–441, 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
11. D. Boppana, K. Dhanoa, and J. Kempa, “FPGA based embedded processing architecture for the QRD-RLS algorithm,” in Proceedings of the 12th Annual IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines (FCCM '04), pp. 330–331, April 2004. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
12. I. H. Kurniawan, J.-H. Yoon, and J. Park, “Multidimensional Householder based high-speed QR decomposition architecture for MIMO receivers,” in Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS '13), pp. 2159–2162, Beijing, China, May 2013. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
13. M. Shabany, D. Patel, and P. G. Gulak, “A low-latency low-power QR-decomposition ASIC implementation in 0.13 μm CMOS,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 327–340, 2013. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
14. D. Patel, M. Shabany, and P. G. Gulak, “A low-complexity high-speed QR decomposition implementation for MIMO receivers,” in Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS '09), pp. 33–36, Taipei, Taiwan, May 2009. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
15. R. Gayathri and J. Sheeba Rani, “Fixed point pipelined architecture for QR decomposition,” in Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Advanced Communication Control and Computing Technologies (ICACCCT '14), pp. 468–472, IEEE, 2014.
16. C. K. Singh, S. H. Prasad, and P. T. Balsara, “A fixed-point implementation for QR decomposition,” in Proceedings of the IEEE Dallas/CAS Workshop on Design, Applications, Integration and Software, pp. 75–78, Richardson, Tex, USA, October 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar
17. M. Karkooti, J. R. Cavallaro, and C. Dick, “FPGA implementation of matrix inversion using QRD-RLS algorithm,” in Proceedings of the 39th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, pp. 1625–1629, November 2005. View at Scopus
18. K. K. Parhi, VLSI Digital Signal Processing Systems: Design and Implementation, John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
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Danger in the deep: Battle of the Atlantic
Jonathan Dimbleby's new book tells the story of the Battle of the Atlantic. He explains to Rob Attar how German U-boats nearly changed the course of the Second World War, and why salvation for the Allies came from the skies...
British ships on convoy duty in the North Atlantic
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"Rock Patriot" Mark Farner Can't Fake The Funk
As the lead singer and guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner has powered songs like "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home," "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "The Loco-Motion" into the Classic Rock Canon.
Along with drummer Don Brewer (who sings on "We're An American Band") and bassist Mel Schacher, the three men from Michigan moved a lot of vinyl in the '70s and - at their peak of popularity - sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles did. Oh, and according to an episode of The Simpsons, they are also Homer's favorite rock band.
And while Farner split for good from his bandmates, who continue to tour under the GFR moniker, more than a decade ago, he continues to perform and record, arriving at the Arena Theatre Friday as part of the "Hippiefest" package tour.
Rocks Off spoke with the "Rock Patriot" about gunfire in the Bayou City, his messy musical divorce, and where politics, God and car engines come together.
Rocks Off: I was just listening to the Deep Tracks channel on Sirius, and they played the Grand Funk Railroad song "People Let's Stop the War." It could have been written this year. Any plans to pull it out for the show?
Mark Farner: We're stickin' with the hits because that's what the people want to hear, but you're right. Those words could have been written today. The words apply, and it's the still the same creature. We just haven't caught up to it yet.
Rocks Off: Any specific memories of being in Houston over the years?
Farner: Oh yeah, Houston was always a big city for us. There was a lot of love there for Grand Funk. I remember one time we were doing this theatre in the round, but out back, after the show, people were scuffling around and there was some gunfire. As it turns out, a couple of the cops were shooting at each other. So that's how I remember Houston! That had to have been in the early '70s.
Rocks Off: Grand Funk's music was always hugely popular with listeners, but never so with critics. In the end, are you glad it has turned out that way rather than vice versa?
Farner: Oh yeah. Because in the end, being true to one's self is the ultimate goal and not try to measure up to someone's expectations. Because then you're in debt consciousness and to be free, you need to be debt-free. Even the crap that people put on you because you didn't fulfill some expectation and they get you on some poo-poo list. The music is coming from a place that's void of that.
Rocks Off: Any plans for more live archival GFR releases?
Farner: Well...I would hope so. But the other two guys are trying to promote a different image for Grand Funk Railroad with their current lineup of three others guys and them. They don't want to release that stuff because they don't have anything to compare it to.
Rocks Off: I interviewed you back in 1998 and you were on tour with Don and Mel. I've read so many conflicting stories about why the three of you dissolved the next year and are no longer in the band. What's your perspective?
Farner: In the early stages of [the reunion] we had talked to two [managers] who were handling Bob Seger and Kid Rock and some acts from Detroit, and they were going to handle Grand Funk Railroad coming back out. The first summer, we only did about 14 dates. But we initially agreed that I would not go out and tour any solo dates because Brewer thought it would be too much competition for Grand Funk if I did that. And I said that I wouldn't do [solo shows] for two years, but then I would pursue some of those dates.
David Fishof, who does the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps and Ringo's All-Starr Tours, handled us the next year, and we did the [1997] Bosnia record and helped put a wing on a hospital. David went to negotiate for a higher [royalty] rate at the record company - we were still getting paid on the rates of 45s and cassettes and not even CDs. Don got mad at him for doing that and, I don't know...I only had a high school education. Don went to law school after the band broke up.
So one night in 1998 after we did a show in upstate California, Don Brewer comes to my room and says, "We need to sign our individual ownership of the trademark into the corporation" to have this protective umbrella. And I thought "Well, he went to law school, he knows what he's doing." I thought he was my friend.
So he says "I got it in my room and I'll go get it." And I thought why didn't he just bring it into the room [at first]? And it didn't dawn on me until after I signed it that then him and Mel were going to throw me out of the corporation as an officer and go out with these other guys. And there I was.
I reminded them of the two years [limit] they agreed to and they said "We don't remember no two years." It was very shady. It's the same way they go out and don't tell people it's not the real Grand Funk. [I'm] the guy that wrote and sang 90% of that original music!
Rocks Off: It's like when the current lineup of Styx craps on Dennis DeYoung...who wrote and sang on most of their hits.
Farner: Yeah! I hear ya, brother!
Rocks Off: Despite all of Grand Funk's popularity, you're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now that the Stooges and Alice Cooper and other harder Michigan-area bands are in, could it be time for you?
Farner: Well, I always tell people that we aren't in because we have not obtained the brown ring around the lips! (laughs) And I am not bound to that God!
Rocks Off: How is your son doing? [Jesse Farner suffered a spinal injury in 2010 which left him mostly paralyzed]
Farner: Doing better. He's fallen in love, and the gal he's fallen in love with was one of his nurses. She was paid by the state - Jesse has no insurance - so he comes in, and they fall in love. And that's an answer to a prayer. He was not feeling too good about going on with life. And for whatever reason, this gal - who was engaged to be married - fell in love with my kid. And they can't get enough of each other. She takes care of him, it's unbelievable.
Rocks Off: Finally, you've been outspoken about your born-again Christianity and conservative politics as "Mark Farner, rocker," but does it ever come up when people don't necessarily know who you are?
Farner: It has been on that way several occasions, like sitting next to person on a plane. It comes about "Oh, what do you do?" and my guitar is in storage, so they don't know. I tell them I'm a musician and they ask "Would I know any of your songs?" And I say "Well...you might." And Then they're like "Wow, you're that guy!" (laughs) But sometimes the conversation goes political, sometimes it goes spiritual, and sometimes it stays on engines and motors!
For more on Mark Farner, visit www.markfarner.com.
"Hippiefest," featuring Dave Mason, Mark Farner, Rick Derringer, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, and Gary Wright ("Dream Weaver") is 8 p.m. Friday at the Arena Theatre, 7326 Southwest Fwy, 713-772-5900.
Follow Rocks Off on Facebook and on Twitter at @HPRocksOff.
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Top 10 Spitters In Music History (w/VIDEO)
Spitting. It's a symbolic form of communication that means nothing good in any language or culture -- a sign of disrespect that garners admiration or adoration from no one. Well, except for fans. Stars and celebrities themselves get mighty pissed off if you spit on them, but if they spit on you, you better just grin and take it. It's all just a part of their attitude and such.
That's why we decided to look at the Top 10 spitters in music history -- there's almost no other context where spitting is so ubiquitous and so widely accepted and well-received. Somehow fans see it as a form of communication between themselves and a star, or a bond between them. It seems pretty gross to me, but who am I to question such a beloved practice?
10. Roger Waters Why so low on this list? After all, Waters' famous spitting incident was a major inspiration for Pink Floyd's The Wall. In 1977, Waters got angry at fans who weren't paying attention to the music and spit on them.
He realized how big of a "barrier" had been put up between himself and his fans by that point and went to work on a story about it. Unfortunately, we only have audio of the incident, so it's not as much fun. Waters joked about it in Montreal 33 years later.
9. Ronnie Radke (Falling in Reverse) While I hesitate to call Falling in Reverse front man Ronnie Radke "talented" at anything, I have to admit that he can talk some shit, especially to fans of his "rivals," synthcore band I See Stars. Here he does them one better while they heckle him at a show and he spits on them. His fans rejoice. I See Stars fans, erm... not so much.
8. Amy Winehouse The dearly departed Amy Winehouse could spit with the best of them, as she proved to a couple of paparazzi dudes who wouldn't stop following her and asking her about X-Factor. They are, unfortunately, completely undeterred by the action. Actually, based on the video description, it would seem that they're somewhat proud of it.
7. Machine Gun Kelly Spitting your saliva at someone is rude. On the other hand, according to Machine Gun Kelly, pick-up artist, spitting vodka into women's mouths is totally the way to go. However, I don't suggest you try this unless you're a famous rapper.
6. Bert McCracken (The Used) Bert McCracken of the Used apparently really loves his fans. How much does he love them? According to this video from a live show the band played at Warped Tour in 2012, he loves them to enough to first have "unprotected sex" with each and every one of them, followed by spitting on them.
5. Cedric Bixler- Zavala Spitting on your fans is one thing, but spitting on your drummer, like former Mars Volta front man Cedric Bixler-Zavala does in this video? That's pretty harsh, man. In 2012, he upgraded to spitting into camera lenses.
4. Mac Miller Mac Miller is one hell of a spitter, as he proves here at a live show in 2012 at the Minnesota State Fair. Apparently Minnesotans are used to being spit on by Prince, so the spraying they got from Miller was welcome and much appreciated.
3. The Game Rapper The Game's fans didn't take him spitting on them quite as well as other artists, with one responding on Twitter that "sadly, saliva was the best thing he has spit in like three years." For his part, The Game claimed he missed the fans.
2. Psy Presently South Korea's finest pop-music export, Psy greeted Toronto, Canada, with a custom -- allegedly from his homeland -- that consists of drinking a lot of water and then spitting the contents back out on fans. In America, we too have a similar custom.
1. Lars Ulrich Is Metallica's Lars Ulrich the ultimate spitter in rock? It seems like he's going for the championship, with numerous videos appearing on YouTube of him spitting on fans and spitting into the camera.
Then there's pictures of him doing it, including one time into a fan's open mouth. Maybe he got the idea from James Hetfield spitting at him.
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Super Strong Margaritas at Tepatitlan
A friend whose advice is usually beyond reproach recommended that I head to Tepatitlan (55454 Southwest Freeway, 713-349-9681) for a good, old-fashioned Tex-Mex dinner as soon as I had the chance. He claimed it was "overlooked and underappreciated," in part because of its awkward location underneath the tangle of the Westpark Tollway and Highway 59 entrance and exit ramps.
I headed out one recent evening to check it out, a bit wary of a place that had been hiding in plain sight for decades. If it was good, people would have been going there anyway -- right? That idea holds true for Bubba's Texas Burger Shack, just up the street.
I might have to revoke my friend's advice card after a very blah dinner -- including sopes that tasted and felt rubbery, as if they'd been made far in advance and microwaved, along with the blandest chicharrones I've ever tasted -- except for one thing: the margaritas.
Served in an unassuming plastic glass, the margaritas at Tepatitlan were like a dizzying kick in the teeth, in the best possible way. The only other place in town I've tasted margaritas of this magnitude is when sucking down a glass full of blue-colored bad decisions at El Patio. El Patio has long claimed that its famous margaritas -- famous for their temerity and potency -- are not, emphatically not, made with Everclear.
I once worked at a Mexican restaurant in college whose claim to fame was the strength of its margaritas. On all of the menus and in the bar were notices advising patrons that there was a two-margarita limit per customer. And like El Patio, we claimed that the margaritas were not, emphatically not, made with Everclear.
However, unlike El Patio (since we have no proof at all to the contrary), we were lying.
The entire staff knew what was in those margaritas. In fact, the staff consumption of copious amounts of margaritas after hours were probably responsible for the majority of my poor decisions made after work, like the time that I traded cars with one of the busboys "just for fun." After driving his rattling Jeep around campus for a while, I got my Toyota back a week later with nearly 1,000 miles put on it and a 7th grade girl's school ID in the backseat.
After just one margarita at Tepatitlan that Monday night, I was flashing back to long nights at that restaurant in dirty black pants and a white blouse, cuffs stained with cheese grease and the fabric saturated with that impossible-to-remove lard stench of refried beans. I burned all of those clothes after I quit. This margarita had me loopy. Thank God I was with someone who could -- and was, in fact, insisting at this point -- on driving me home.
Could my friend have sent me to Tepatitlan just for those major margaritas? That's the strangest part of all: He doesn't drink. But a larger mystery remains... Does Tepatitlan not use Everclear in its drinks? If not, what's in this mix that makes it so utterly intoxicating? More evidence must be examined *ahem* before anything can be proven conclusively.
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Know The Answer?
What did God create on the fifth day?
Birds and fish.
Genesis 1:20-22
Youth Magazine
By the Way...
Youth Magazine
April 1981
Volume: Vol. I No. 4
QR Code
By the Way...
Dexter H Faulkner
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN is for girls only! (You guys might want to read it though, just so the girls don't get ahead of you.) I've asked my wife Shirley, who deals with young people on a day-to-day basis, to pass along some practical ideas on developing your skills. "Secretarial skills? You mean typing and shorthand and things like that? No, I'm not interested. My high school counselor told me those skills aren't so important for women to learn today." Whether your ambition is to be a homemaker and mother or an office manager, administrative assistant, teacher or engineer, certain so-called "secretarial" skills can be invaluable to you throughout your life.
Searchable HTML version coming.
Youth MagazineApril 1981Vol. I No. 4
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Curl Away: The Perfect Moisturizers For Wash and Go Styles
curl-oil-hypehairJoJoba Oil
Light and essential to rehydrate the scalp, a bit of jojoba oil in the hair on day two or three hair can help moisturize your curls from root to end. Experiment with your hair to see when it is most likely to absorb the rich oil either when wet or dry.
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About The Author
Alley Olivier is a New York-based writer (and recent grad!) whose hair is now a mocha mahogany ‘fro.
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9 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in Your Presentations
Patricia Fripp's Profile
Like Hollywood actors, professionals put themselves on the line with every word—taking a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome. Just like actors, even the best, most experienced coach benefits from script review, rehearsal, and coaching.
Here are the 9 most common mistakes seen on the business stage and ways you can avoid them:
1. Unclear thinking. Imagine that a busy executive says, “You have exactly ten minutes to tell me I need to know about your coaching.” You should know in advance what your prospect is really asking. The real question is, “What do I need to know about how your services can improve our company? Will your services solve a problem, create new opportunities, increase savings, maximize earnings, simplify our processes, develop our human capital, or increase market share?” Accomplish this, and you can present your options more formally.
1. Talking too much. The key to connecting with a client is conversation and asking questions. The quality of information received depends on the quality of your questions and waiting for and listening to the answers! A successful encounter early in the relationship process should be mostly open-ended questions—the kind that require essay answers rather than just yes and no. And never rush on with preprogrammed questions that ignore the answer you’ve just received!
1. Wrong structure. Do not build your talking points and presentation structure around your coaching process. Structure them around your prospect’s interests, challenges, or opportunities. Put their words into your presentation. Yes, you will be talking about your satisfied clients, and your uniqueness to prove that you can appeal to their interests, solve their challenges, and maximize their opportunities.
1. No memorable stories. People rarely remember your exact words. They remember the mental images your words create. Support your key points with vivid, relevant client success stories. Create a movie in their minds by using satisfied clients as memorable characters. What was their starting situation? Their problem that your prospect can relate to? What are their results since you worked with them?
1. No emotional connection. Your client justifies working with you for analytical reasons. What gives you the edge—what I call the unfair advantage—is an emotional connection. Build an emotional connection by incorporating stories with characters they can relate to, by using the word you as often as possible, and by talking from their point of view. Congratulate them on their success. Thank them, not for their time, but for the opportunity to present your solution.
1. No pauses. Good music and good communication both contain changes of pace and pauses. As counterintuitive as it may seem, you actually connect in the silence. This is when your audience digests what they have heard. If you rush to squeeze in as much information as possible, your prospects will remember less. Remember the rule: “Say less, say it well.” Give your clients enough time to ask a question or reflect.
1. Weak opening. Engage your audience with a powerful, relevant opening that includes them. For example, “You have an awesome responsibility,” or “Congratulations on your company’s recent success.” Then focus on their needs: increasing sales, reducing errors, cutting overhead, developing their human capital.
1. Weak closing. After reviewing your key ideas, answering their questions, making suggestions for the next logical step, and thanking them for the opportunity, make your last words linger. Conclude with a strong, positive sentence that will be embedded in their minds.
1. Lack of specificity. Specificity builds credibility and helps position you above your competition. Tons and bunches? Can you really get a ton of ideas? Do you leave the trade show with bunches of business cards? Don’t say, “With our program, you will really grow your business.” Instead, “There are no guarantees; however, our last three clients increased sales an average of 32% in seven months.”
Avoid these, and you’re on your way to being a sales star, delivering a dazzling performance every time.
To learn more, see Patricia's Illumeo course How to Prepare and Present Powerful Presentations
About the Author
Companies who want a competitive edge hire Patricia Fripp. She is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, executive speech coach, sales presentation skills and an on-line training expert. To become a great speaker easily, conveniently and quickly your best option is to learn from Patricia.
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Hints and Tips
Tips for sustaining a successful coalition
*From the Community Toolbox
Getting Started
1. Define the problem and its impact on the community.
2. Identify key stakeholders.
3. Convene a meeting.
4. Share perspectives.
5. Discuss the current reality and the ideal.
6. Create a vision for your community.
7. Determine the next steps.
Running a Coalition Meeting: Ten Quick Tips
1. Keep meeting length to one hour.
2. Start and end on time.
3. Have a written meeting agenda.
4. Assign someone to take minutes.
5. Send the minutes back to the coalition members.
6. Keep discussions focused on group priorities. Take individual issues off-line or create committees to gather additional information and report back to the entire coalition.
7. Encourage all to participate.
8. At the end of the meeting, summarize and come to consensus; identify any areas not covered and schedule further discussion for a future meeting.
9. Assign group and/or individual task.
10. Conduct question and answer session, and plan next meeting.
Maintain Your Coalition
1. Develop the awareness that maintenance is necessary.
2. Make a decision to engage in it.
3. Design a maintenance plan.
4. Carry out your maintenance plan.
* The Community Tool Box is a free, online resource for those working to build healthier communities and bring about social change. The Community Tool Box is a service of the Work Group for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas.
>> Learn more
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Ryu disembarked from the freighter he'd hitched a ride on and dropped his duffel bag to the ground beside him. Taking a deep breath, he surveyed his surroundings once, before focusing on what had drawn him to take the first steps towards Tokyo. An almost unnerving new force with which he'd felt an odd connection. Ryu picked his bag back up, slung it over his shoulder, and began to walk. After all. A force like this likely presented a new challenge. And Ryu never backed down from a challenge. If he could find it again, that is. ********** <__< BLOSSOMS IN THE SPRING <__< A crossover Improfanfic started by The Eternal Lost Lurker Street Fighter and all related trademarks belong to Capcom. Cardcaptor Sakura and all related trademarks belong to CLAMP, Kodansha. Used without permission. Part 28: Sakura and the LITTLE problem By Smlee ********** "JUMP!" Sakura yelled in a panicked voice, invoking the card of the same name. She barely made it high enough to dodge the incoming blow from the giant beetle charging her. "Sakura!" Tomoyo's similarly panicked voice chimed in. Sakura spotted her friend a short distance away, fleeing from the beetle Sakura had just dodged. Sakura hit the ground, and immediately charged, taking another JUMP assisted leap and landing haphazardly upon the beetle's back. She bit back a gasp of pain as she stumbled forwards. Her ankle was twisted. She had to end this quickly. "SWEET!" Li's voice intoned clearly from her left. The beetle charged headfirst into a gob of chocolate that materialized immediately afterwards. Sakura flew forwards with the sudden stop, flopping quite comically headfirst into the chocolate. All was dark for a long minute until Sakura was pulled from the mess by her leg. Li's eyes gazed down at her with such contempt, as usual. Sakura sighed. "Return to the guise you were meant to be. Clow Card." She intoned, bringing the staff down upon the helpless beetle. The LITTLE card flew into Li's waiting hand. "Work a little faster next time." Li scolded Sakura, still holding her aloft via her leg. "And perhaps you should wear some pants. I have to say, I'm enjoying the view." Sakura blushed furiously, her hands flying up in the attempt to hide her panties from view. Li dropped her onto the chocolate, which was now hardened, most likely by a second use of SWEET. Sakura's anger rose again after she realized Li could have hardened it BEFORE she had landed in the gooey mess. "Syaoran!" Tomoyo called out, "You were great! Thank you!" Tomoyo paused, and seemingly as an afterthought added, "You too Sakura!" Sakura seethed as she sat up. "Well I'm glad you two could have so much fun. Just reverse this already, Li." Li held back a smile as Sakura winced after putting weight on her ankle as he signed his latest card. "LITTLE!" he shouted, touching the tip of his sword to invoke the spell. A blink later, and they were standing, full sized once more, inside the school kitchen. The cooking staff also returned to full size, looking about with quite a befuddled expression on their faces. "Come on Sakura," Tomoyo said, motioning to her shoulder, "Lets get you to the nurses office. Sakura draped her arm over the offered shoulder, taking the weight off her ankle. Thankful that Tomoyo had the time for her friend (unlike lately, where Tomoyo had been more than occupied with Li), Sakura's mood lightened. And she found herself laughing as she left the kitchen, listening to Li stutter out an implausible explanation as to what had happened. ************ Rose sat up with a start, and looked about her surroundings. She wasn't in her apartment. Then the pain began again, and she put all other thoughts out of her mind. 'Calm down you two!' she yelled in her mind, trying to keep Light and Dark inside her from fighting, as they had, day in and day out since she'd been cursed with both. It didn't help. Rose doubled over and dry heaved, coming to the realization that she'd tossed up her dinner sometime during the night. Another wave of pain knocked her flat on her back, after which Rose knew the siblings were finished. For now, at least. She sat up again. The fights had been getting worse and worse, and Rose almost wished that she'd be put back into the stasis sleep she'd been put into what seemed like so long ago. Rose yawned, and threw back the covers. She looked about for the mess resulting from her nighttime expulsion, only to find none. Then she remembered that she wasn't in her apartment. "Where?" Rose asked of the air, not really expecting an answer. But then the air did answer. "This is my house. Did you have a nice rest?" "Constellita." Rose brought her hand up to rub the bridge of her nose. "What do you want now?" The door to the room opened, and Hitomi walked inside. "Just to chat, my friend. How are you feeling these days?" "Not well. Not well at all. Why won't you let me see Sakura?" Rose asked, anger seeping into her voice. "It isn't time yet." Hitomi said, as enigmatic as ever. "So you do something about this!" Rose snapped. "These two are driving me mad!" "I'm sorry." Hitomi didn't really sound too sorry. "Then what am I supposed to do? I'm not going to be in any condition to help Sakura at all. The fight between the siblings gets worse every day." Rose doubled over in pain once more as the fight renewed. "Maybe you should visit one of your friends then?" Hitomi suggested cheerfully, once Rose had recovered. Rose gave Hitomi an unbelieving stare as she realized she could do just that. ************ Sakura hobbled to her doorway, utilizing her staff as a walking stick. Once inside, she made a beeline for the kitchen, where she fixed a pack of ice, and then used MOVE to get up the stairs. She collapsed onto her bed, panting from exertion, and positioned the ice on her ankle. "Sakura! Sakura!" It was Kero's voice, from outside the window. He flew inside and hovered above Sakura's head. "Are you ok?" "Li got another card." Sakura reported. "Oh, and I injured my ankle. WHERE WERE YOU KERO?" "Uh..." Kero was obviously picking his brain for an excuse. "I was...visiting a sick friend." Sakura glared at him. "Peeking into the public baths again, Kero?" "Uh...no..." Kero feebly covered before changing the subject, "So which one was it?" "Little." Sakura said, briefly. "Pervert." She added as an afterthought before smacking him into the wall. ************ "TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW!" Guile yelled at the captive Juni, "WHY ARE YOU AFTER SAKURA? WHERE'S CHARLIE?" "..." Juni remained silent. Guile pulled her up by her hair. "I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" "..." Juni continued her silence. Guile pulled his fist back, intending to strike, before a restraining hand griped his shoulder. "Take a break, Guile." Guile seethed, but let go of the prisoner. "I'm just frustrated Chun. We haven't managed to get a single word out of them. It's the same with the one we captured a few months before these two. What did Bison do to these girls?" Chun-Li looked thoughtful for a moment before honestly responding. "I don't know. But I think it's my turn to treat you to lunch. We can discuss...an alternative." Guile nodded. "Sure. I'm done here." The two exited the room, and Juni calmly moved back into her chair. ************ Chun-Li slid the folders across the table. "Yuriko Tokumei aka Tomoyo Amamiya. Syaoran Li. Sakura Kusagano. All three present at both incidents. All three contributed to the capture of first Decapre, then Juli and Juni. We investigated the connection between the two events. They claim to not know why they were targeted, not only once, but twice. I get the feeling they're hiding something." Guile nodded. "Right. I got that feeling too. But what can we do? They haven't broken any laws, so they're out of our jurisdiction." Chun-Li slid another folder across the table. "Ken Masters. I believe you know him?" Guile grumbled. "He's dating my wife's sister. What about him?" "He seems to be on good terms with these three. He may know something we don't. Can you talk with him?" Chun-Li inquired. Guile grumbled again, but slowly nodded. "In the meantime, I'm going to have a chat with him." She slid the last folder in her possession over to Guile. "Touya Kinomoto. Seems he's been spotted with the three many times. He may know something." Guile nodded once more. "Wasn't there someone else? Don someone?" Chun-Li shook her head. "I don't think so. I'd know if there was." Guile shrugged. "I guess I'm mixing up my cases." In the bathroom of the Dodon Gym, Dan sneezed. ************ A Sakura petal fluttered past her face, drawing her attention outward. She was standing on the roof of a building, overlooking what had become a familiar sight. Tokyo Tower. And standing there, like dozens of times before, were the familiar faces. Touya. Tomoyo. Ryu. Sakura extended her arm, and realized she was clutching her staff. Her other hand reached into her pocket. Out it came, holding a card. She touched the tip of the staff to it with a cry of "FLY" and large white wings were instantly extended from it. Sakura quickly hopped onboard and took to the sky. The icy stares of the trio followed her progression, giving the feeling that their gazes pierced through her flesh. They haunted Sakura. They seemed to be...judging her? Another figure, a shadow of a woman, dropped into view just before... Sakura awoke with a start. 'Was that...Judgement?' she found herself wondering. She found herself dismissing it just as quickly. It had to have just been a dream, as Kero had detailed what to expect from the Judgement, and that was not it. Besides, according to Kero, it was the other guardian beast, Yue who presided over it. A sharp pain in her ankle pulled her focus from her dream. It still hurt. Sakura cursed her misfortune as she sat up...and bashed heads with Hitomi. "Ow!" Hitomi whined. "I don't need to be injured too." Sakura blinked. "Hitomi? What are you...wait. I'm not going to ask." "I heard you got hurt, so I came for a visit. I guess I should tell the track team not to expect you to come for a while?" Hitomi rubbed her forehead. "Yeah. Sure." Sakura suddenly felt weary again. "Well...I only stopped by to drop off these flowers. Get well soon!" Hitomi placed the bouquet of flowers by Sakura's bedside, and waved as she left. Sakura flopped back onto her pillow and shut her eyes, wishing herself back to sleep. ************ *Ding. Dong* "Hmm? I'll be right there!" Touya called to whomever was at the door. He carefully scooped the eggs from the pan and laid them out on his plate. It was probably Hitomi, asking for breakfast yet again. Touya sighed. Touya's jaw hung open as he opened the door though, and beheld a beautiful woman. That is, it hung open until the badge was displayed. His jaw snapped shut immediately. "Touya Kinomoto?" She asked. "Yes...that's me." Touya said, adding "I didn't do anything" as an afterthought. "You aren't in trouble. I would just like a word with you. May I come in?" She gestured inside. "Please. I was just preparing breakfast for myself. Would you like anything?" Touya asked politely. "Tea would be nice. I was on a plane all evening. Wasn't the most comfortable of trips." She sat on the couch when Touya gestured towards it. Touya rushed into the kitchen and began boiling some water. "So what is it you wanted to ask?" "I wanted to ask about your involvement with one Sakura Kusagano." A cup dropped in the kitchen. 'Bingo', Chun-Li thought to herself. "Is SHE in trouble?" Touya asked, as he gathered up the remains of the cup. "I'd like to think she isn't, but I'll need you to tell me what you know about her," Chun-Li stated. "What's to tell?" Touya began, picking his words carefully, "I've bumped into her a number of times, mostly at...uh...conventions." "Underground fight tournaments, I'm sure you meant to say." Chun-Li corrected. "Um...right." Touya brought in the tea set. "Don't worry about it. To tell the truth, I've participated in a number myself. Thank you." Chun-Li took a sip from the cup Touya had just poured for her. "As I recall, you were involved in...an incident with a certain individual going by the alias of M. Bison?" Chun-Li asked, but it was more of a statement. "I told the police everything about that. He attacked, we defended. Pure. Simple." Touya said, rather defensively. "Just defended? You managed to apprehend a terrorist wanted in dozens of locations worldwide." "As you said. I take part in fight tournaments." "Your win/loss record isn't that impressive, if you ask me." Chun-Li said, rather insultingly. Touya's anger flared. "I got lucky, that must be it." Chun-Li decided now was the time to change the subject. "What do you think of Sakura?" "Sakura? She's a nice kid. Fought her a few times. That's about it." Touya flatly stated. "So...no romantic feelings at all?" Chun-Li inquired. Touya choked on the tea he was drinking, and took a moment to recover. "No. No. No. Not at all. No." "Really? Because I have this recording of a fight between you two where you ask her out before the match starts..." Chun-Li rummaged around in her bag. "Well...yes...I did ask her...but...things are...complicated." Touya stuttered in the attempt to cover. "How so? Boy meets Girl, Boy likes Girl, Boy asks Girl out. I thought that was the way it worked in this case?" Chun-Li prodded. "Yes...well...it wouldn't have worked. Yeah." "And why wouldn't it have worked? You live in the same area of Tokyo, you keep bumping into each other, intentionally or not, and you do go to the same gym to work out. Dodon Gym?" Touya glanced about nervously. "Ah...ha...well...y'see...umm..." "The truth this time." Chun-Li stated, a hint of a threat in her voice. Touya sighed. "I found out she's my sister, ok? Happy now?" Chun-Li may have looked shocked for a moment, but recovered quick enough. "But that isn't possible, is it? You were both born to different families." At this point, Touya really just wanted to get it over with, and get rid of her. "Do you believe in reincarnation? No? Well, that's what happened. She's the reincarnation of my sister. Now, if we're finished, my breakfast is past being cold, and I have to get to work." Chun-Li stood, and gave a short bow. "Thank you for your time. This has been...informative." Touya quickly saw her out the door and slammed it shut behind her. He slumped to the floor, exhausted, taking a moment to rest before dialing up Sakura's home number. Hopefully, she wouldn't have left for school yet. ************ Sakura found herself drifting off again when her phone rang. With a curse, she fumbled around until she found the source and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" "Sakura? It's Touya." Sakura bolted up in bed. "Touya? Wow! It's been forever since we talked. Or seen each other for that matter..." "Listen...I don't have a lot of time to talk...I just wanted to tell you that there was someone from the police here just now...asking a lot of questions about you..." Sakura blinked. Had the police finally caught on to her street fighting ways, and decided to crack down? "Thanks for telling me, Touya. And Touya? Why have you been avoiding me lately? Touya? Touya?" A disconnection tone met her last few words. ************ A servant approached Ken with his call phone, pausing a moment to allow Ken to finish demolishing the punching bag he was working over. "Sir? Phone call from a Mr. Guile." "Guile?" Ken growled and grabbed at the phone. "What does he want now? Hello?" "Ken. I wouldn't call, but I need to ask you some questions," Guile gruffly responded. "What." Ken said, rather abruptly, hoping to get this over with quickly. Guile decided the best way to go was matter of fact. "I need some information on...Sakura Kusagano. Syaoran Li. Yuriko Tokumei." "What about them?" Ken asked, slightly wary at this point. "As you know, I'm working the Shadowloo case." Guile stated. Ken's temper flared. "Yeah. I know. You left your wife and kid behind to pursue the case." There was a brief pause with that. "Look. I didn't call to discuss them. What's your connection with the trio?" "They helped me out once, I helped them back. It's not that big a deal." Ken's anger was still apparent in his tone. "Helped with what?" Guile pressed the query. "None of your business. If you want to know, you're asking the wrong guy. It isn't my secret to tell." Ken hit the end button on the phone, shutting off the communication. A moment later, he began to punch in Sakura's home number. Hopefully she wouldn't have left for school yet. ************ Sakura had just managed to relax once more when the phone rang again. She found it quicker this time, and snapped off a curt, "Hello" to whomever was on the other end. "Sakura? It's Ken. I just thought you may want to know I just received a call from my soon to be brother in law. He works for Interpol. Tried asking questions about you and your friends. It's most likely connected with the Bison incident." Sakura stared at the receiver a moment in disbelief. Was the shadow of that incident never going to leave? "Thanks for telling me. I'll keep up my guard." "Oh, and I don't think he knows about the cards. I'm still not entirely sure if you're keeping it a secret or not, but I didn't tell him." Sakura blinked. "I'm not keeping it a secret?" A pause. "Well, if you are, you aren't doing a very good job of it..." ************ Guile sighed and put down the phone. He tapped his pen lightly on the desk as he thought, 'Well...that was a bust.' The phone rang, but Guile just let it ring. He mulled over the short conversation he had with Ken, trying to pick out any facts that may have been spilled. The only thing he'd gleaned was that there was some secret. Which wasn't really anything new to him. The answering machine finally picked up, and Chun-Li's voice rang out. "Guile, I've finished up here with the kid. He said something rather confusing..." Guile quickly picked up the phone. "Yeah?" "Said something about Sakura being the reincarnation of his sister. Does that make any sense to you?" Guile quickly located Touya's file on his desk. "I've got no mention of a sister anywhere in his file. Touya was firstborn and a single child. Mother never conceived again before she passed away. Father never got remarried. An illegitimate child perhaps?" "I don't see how Touya would know then. He obviously had no knowledge when he first encountered Sakura, and his father has been incommunicado for quite a while now." "I didn't get much from Ken, but he did confirm what we already knew. There's some sort of secret and he's in on it...but I don't think we'll get any more out of him. It may be worthwhile to check out the most suspicious of the three." Guile grabbed a folder off his desk, and opened it. "Yes. Tomoyo Amamiya. Not only is she currently operating under a false name, but she seems to have a past connection with Syaoran Li. And according to this report, she seems to have taken up the false name to pursue Sakura Kusagano for some unknown reason. It's likely that if Shadowloo has their sights set on Sakura, they'd keep her under consistent surveillance." "Bison does seem to like playing with little girls...and how better to keep her under watch than with someone close?" Guile finished. ************ Sakura stayed seated in her chair as the lunch period begun, not wanting to have to hobble about on one foot yet again. She'd had notes passed up to Tomoyo and Li, asking them to stick around for lunch. Their classmates filled out of the room, only a few lingering behind, on the opposite side of the room, leaving Sakura in the clear to discuss the morning's happenings. Li approached first, and took a seat far enough from Sakura to make conversation (at least at a low volume) impossible. Sakura tapped her pen on her desk impatiently, watching at Tomoyo talked to another two of her classmates. Sakura sighed quietly, again feeling the pangs of connection between them. Her eyes darted over to Li with a look of jealousy, but she brought them under control quickly. Sakura found herself slipping deep into thought about Tomoyo. What was it about her that was so...attractive? Sakura didn't think she was gay or anything...but there was an undeniable something that drew her in. In a situation like this, it would have been normal for her to turn to her best friend for advice...but Tomoyo was her best friend. Sakura pondered a moment, realizing her feelings for Tomoyo almost mimicked those she had felt for Touya, the first time they'd met. After finding out that she was her brother though...it became much too weird to harbor such feelings. So she'd boxed them off, hoping to eventually get rid of them entirely. And then she remembered another incident, a couple of years ago... ************ Sakura (now at the tender age of 14 and a half) found herself practically bouncing from shop to shop along the street ahead of her classmates, giggling at all the cute things she spied through the windows, finally settling at a shop named 'Twin Bells' and entering. "Hello!" Sakura called out cheerfully. "Welcome!" replied the almost equally enthusiastic shopkeeper, Maki Matsumoto. "Got anything new in stock?" Sakura asked of her favorite shopkeeper. Maki pulled Sakura off to the side and began showing her all the new (and cute) things she'd picked up over the last week. "Sakura's a bit...odd." One of the classmates accompanying her said. "But in some ways...she's just like a girl." Another classmate finished. "Now if she'd only stop acting so boyish in everything else." A third stated. "It's all that Karin's fault." The first classmate said, "She keeps encouraging Sakura by challenging her." "It's probably just some sort of phase, this fighting of hers." A fourth chimed in. "Certainly a way to work out that abundance of energy she has." The second said, watching Sakura chatter excitedly with Maki. A loud crash from outside interrupted their conversation. Sakura ran over. "What's going on?" She asked. She got her answer a moment later when a white gi clad warrior blasted through the shop window. The girls all screamed, except for Sakura. She was oddly fascinated by the man laying in front of her. There was an undeniable...connection between them. She dropped to her knees, barely noticing the glass cutting into her skin. "Are you ok?" She asked of the prone man. His eyes snapped open and he tried to sit up. Sakura panicked slightly. "Hey! Mister! You shouldn't move so suddenly! You're hurt!" Sakura heard another crash as more glass was broken. Her gaze swept upwards to behold an impressively large man with an equally impressive amount of chest hair. His body was riddled with faded scars, indicating just how many fights he'd been in. His face was twisted in a snarl, his full beard and moustache not hiding his rage. "Ryu! Come! We finish this! I crush you!" The brutish man spoke in broken English. Sakura understood enough to figure out that the man lying before her was named Ryu, and that these two were in the middle of a fight. Sakura's adrenaline began to pump. "Leave him alone!" Sakura yelled out, also in English. Sakura's classmates gasped. "Sakura! Don't do it!" One yelled. "Ha ha ha ha! Little girl want to play? The great Zangief does not play with little girls!" Zangief's laughter echoed loudly in the shop. Sakura jumped to her feet and moved to block the prone man. "Ha!" She yelled out, putting all the force she could muster into her fist and launching it at Zangief's midsection. He caught it easily. "Little girl should pay more attention. Zangief not want to play." Zangief picked Sakura up and tossed her towards the back of the shop. She hit a shelf with a loud thud, and hit the ground almost as hard. The shelf toppled on top of her. Sakura found she was pinned, hurt, and plenty dizzy. She'd never, ever taken a hit this bad. Sakura began to black out, thoughts of never fighting again if she survived this floating about in her head. "That's the last straw." A man's voice rang out, pulling Sakura from the darkness. She looked up from the awkward angle she lay at to see the man, Ryu, laying punch after punch into the big man's stomach. Zangief tried to swipe Ryu away unsuccessfully. Ryu jumped back and cupped his hands. Blue sparks began to light up around his hands, before blazing into a full ball of bluish energy which he wasted little time in flinging at Zangief. Zangief caught the full brunt of the energy ball and flew back through the window, landing a few meters away, not getting up again. Ryu calmly walked towards Sakura and pulled up the bookshelf with ease. He looked Sakura over quickly. "Your leg is broken. And you've probably got a concussion. Call an ambulance." The last statement was directed at Maki. She rushed into the back room to use the phone. "What do you think you were doing? That was a dangerous situation!" Ryu admonished Sakura. "Sa...sa..saving you..." Sakura panted out. "I don't need saving." Ryu stated with a bit of an edge to his tone, making Sakura believe he really didn't. "Wh...wha...what was that...that thing...you did?" "Thing?" Ryu asked. "The blue thing..." "It's a technique that allows me to gather my fighting aura and concentrate it into a projectile." Ryu told her. "Can...can I do it?" Sakura wheezed. "It took me years of training for me to be able to do it. And it's not even perfected yet." Sakura laughed but quickly launched into a coughing fit. "I'm going to do it." Ryu's eyebrows rose, revealing he was slightly surprised. "You...you are serious." Sakura said nothing, the look in her eyes relaying her intent. Ryu searched her eyes, as if taking a good look deep into her soul. "I get this feeling of great things to come from you, Sakura. Don't disappoint me." Sakura's consciousness was slipping away again at this point. "Yes..." She whispered before the blackness overtook her. ************ After that incident, Sakura had spent dozens of hours surfing the internet for any and all information on Ryu. She'd dedicated much of her life to what had once been only a diversion to her. She'd become the fighter Ryu had inspired her to become. But that wasn't the point of her reminiscing this time. She recalled the feeling of a connection with Ryu, those short years ago. Then she compared it to the feeling she had from Touya. And again with the feeling she had from Tomoyo. And wondered. "Sakura!" Tomoyo was trying to get her attention. Sakura put her thoughts on the sideline for the moment. "Sakura! What did you want to talk about?" Tomoyo inquired. Sakura glanced sideways towards Li, checking to make sure he was listening before launching into her own version of the morning's events. "So?" Li said, upon the finish of Sakura's story. Sakura's eye twitched. "This involves you too. Dummy." Li glared at Sakura angrily. "What was that?" Tomoyo insert herself between the quarreling pair. "This is no time to fight. We need to stick together on this. Or don't you remember that you need Sakura to seal the cards? She can't do that from jail." Li grumbled, but nodded in understanding. "Right. So we'll need to come up with some sort of plan. We don't know what it is they want, so we need to play this carefully. Syaoran, Sakura, lets meet up after school. Stick together. Then we should be ready if any situations arise." Sakura nodded. "Sounds like the thing to do. We could go to an ice cream parlor or something. It'll be fun if we didn't have to deal with this looming threat." The bell chimed for the end of lunch, and Li walked back to his seat. Tomoyo hung back for a moment and whispered to Sakura. "I've got something to tell you too. But it'll have to wait till school's out." Sakura nodded in acknowledgement then diverted her attention to the clock. ************ "Wait here please." The maid that had brought Guile and Chun-Li in from the doors motioned to a set of armchairs before turning around and leaving the two alone. Guile whistled. "This place is huge. Makes me wonder why the kid would ever want to leave." Chun-Li jabbed Guile in the side. "We aren't here to gawk. We're here to work." Their attention was drawn to the doorway as a slightly red-faced Sonomi Amamiya ran in. "Welcome to my home! I trust you found the place easily enough?" She ordered the maid to bring tea as she composed herself. Guile nodded. "When we spoke on the phone, I told you I wanted to ask some questions about your daughter. You are fully aware of her whereabouts, I assume?" Sonomi nodded as she took a seat opposite the duo. "Oh yes. I paid a visit to her recently." "May I inquire as to what about?" "Well, I'd heard so much about her friend that I just thought I should meet her." Sonomi replied. "You'd never met her before then?" "Not that I can remember. Tomoyo's been friends with her since they were young though." Sonomi swept up the teacup that had been laid before her and hugged it. "She said the girl was Nadeshiko's daughter. Which was a bit odd, because she never had a daughter...but Tomoyo was insistent. I always had just assumed that she'd concocted some invisible friend..." Guile raised his eyebrows and glanced at Chun-Li. She seemed to be pondering this new piece of information. "And the reason your daughter left?" "Well, she'd been in a bit of a depression for years, practically since she'd turned 11. But then, one day a couple of years ago, she came home and insisted she'd found her friend. She was much happier after that day, and so when she asked for my permission to pursue her, I let her go. I didn't want to see her slide into depression again." "And so she changed her name and began living a new life away from home, all to pursue Sakura Kusagano? Why?" "I never really figured that out myself. She was giving up her life here, with family, all to go after this one girl. I thought it may have been love," Guile nearly spit out his tea when Sonomi said this, "at first, but she's got herself a boyfriend there. Maybe it has to do with all those videos she collects?" Guile arched an eyebrow again. "Videos?" Sonomi nodded. "She'd never let me watch what was on those videos, but the maid that kept her room clean said that the videos were labeled with the name Sakura Kinomoto, and a date." "Why not watch the videos?" Sonomi threw Guile an angry glance. "It's about privacy. I felt the tapes weren't really harmful in any way, so I let her keep them. She'd always seem to perk up a bit after watching them." "Do you still have the tapes?" Sonomi shook her head. "When Tomoyo left, she took them with her. Though I heard she doesn't keep them in the house she boards in. So I wouldn't even know where to look." "One last question Ms. Amamiya. Has your daughter ever told you of any strange incidents surrounding herself, her boyfriend, or Sakura?" Sonomi shook her head again. "Not that I can remember at the moment." Guile handed her a card. "Phone me if you do. And thank you for your time." Sonomi had the maid show the two out. They walked slowly over to their car, mulling over the information they'd gleaned from her. Chun-Li was the first to speak. "Sakura...Kinomoto. Again, we've been told Touya has a sister. Was Tomoyo the one to convince him he did? And if so, how? And why?" "We've got another clue to follow at least. We have to find these videos. >From the way they were described, they could very well be surveillance tapes. Who knows how many there are." Guile stated. "Might have a lead on that already." Chun-Li said, shuffling through the folder on Tomoyo. "Says here she rents a house under the name Yuriko Tokumei. Why rent a house when she's boarding with another family?" ************ Chun-Li stepped out of the car, followed by Guile after he shut off the engine. A quick glance about the area was telling of how the grounds hadn't been maintained in years. The grass was long, weeds poked up everywhere, and the gate in front of the house hung loose. The house itself didn't look much better. Most of the windows were broken, the front door seemed to be missing. Paint peeled from everywhere, and the roof had a gaping hole in it. The house didn't seem habitable in the slightest. "Well, that would explain why she doesn't live here." Guile stated, hammering the obvious home. Chun-Li said nothing, but walked up the path to the run down house. Footprints in the dirt around her told her the house had seen people recently, but she also knew of the affinity of kids for finding 'cool' places to hang out. The footprints told her nothing of Tomoyo's involvement with the house. Carefully testing the floorboards to make sure they weren't rotted through, she stepped inside. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary in the hall, if the fact it wasn't in a state of semi-decay was to be considered normal. A quick scan of the kitchen revealed the same thing. Chun-Li motioned for Guile to go upstairs. She went down. Chun-Li made her way down the stairs slowly, making sure the stairs weren't rotted. They weren't. She'd safely made it down. She brought a flashlight out of her bag, the light streaming in from outside having outlived its usefulness. She turned it on, and scanned the room. It was a small room, the boiler off to once side, a pile of discarded beer cans and dinners on the other. Seeing nothing of real interest, Chun-Li turned to walk back up the stairs when she noticed the door underneath them. Chun-Li moved to the door quickly, and yanked the doorknob. It was locked. A quick check revealed the lock and door had been installed much more recently than anything else in the house. "Guile?" She called out, "I think I found it." A barely audible reply came from above, and Guile appeared within the minute. "This door doesn't fit with the rest of the decor. Plus it's locked. That's always a dead giveaway." "Stand back." Guile ordered before delivering a kick to the door. It flew inwards, off its hinges, hit the opposite wall, and fell down the revealed staircase. "You didn't have to do it so violently." Chun-Li pointed out. Guile ignored her. "I'm going in first." Chun-Li followed. ************ Rose walked up to the familiar apartment complex and rang the buzzer. A static broken voice replied with a, "Hello?" "Guy, it's Rose. We need to talk." Guy didn't respond for a moment. "Sure. Come on up." "Thank you." Rose said, and slipped in through the doors. ************ The stairs seemed to go down for quite a long while, but soon enough the two were close enough to the bottom to hear sobbing. "Think that's her?" Guile whispered to Chun-Li. "Couldn't be. She was confirmed at the school today." Guile pondered a moment. "Hostage situation?" "We'll find out if you keep moving." Chun-Li prodded Guile. Guile quickly made his way down the remainder of the stairs and cautiously opened the door at the bottom. He was greeted with the sight of a well furnished room with a large screen TV taking up one entire wall, a four point surround sound system, and a shelf on the opposite wall filled with tapes. He walked over to inspect them, while Chun-Li moved further inwards to find the source of the crying. The tapes were all labeled as Sonomi had described them. Sakura Kinomoto, dates ranging for years on end until about 6 years ago. Then, they picked up again, labeled with Sakura Kusagano about 1 and a half years ago. Mixed in with the most recent bunch were tapes labeled Syaoran Li. Guile took note that one of the earlier tapes was not in place on the shelf. "Guile!" Chun-Li called to get his attention. "Hmm?" He hmmed as he walked over to where Chun-Li was standing. "It's a kid. Can't be more than 8. She was the one who was crying." Chun-Li almost looked on the verge of tears herself. Guile recalled how much she loved kids. Guile frowned a moment, before realizing that he might be scaring the kid and forced a happier look onto his face. "Hey. Kid. What's your name?" He asked as gently as he could. The kid sniffled a bit before replying. "Sora." "Why were you crying?" Sora sniffed again. "My sister told me to stay here. But I got lonely." Guile raised his eyebrows once more and sighed. He was getting surprised far too often today. "Your sister...?" Sora nodded. "She told me that I was supposed to deliver something to two people from the police." Guile nearly did a double take. How would anyone know they were coming here? He shot a glance at Chun-Li, but she looked every bit as confused. "And what is it you're supposed to give us?" He asked, after a moment. Sora reached beside her and pulled up a remote. "This," she said as she pressed the play button. Guile and Chun-Li whirled to the TV, where they were greeted with some strange images of a little girl battling a giant dragon. "Wha...wha...what is this?" Guile stuttered. "Your gift." Sora calmly stated. An itch in their backs was the last thing Guile and Chun-Li felt before they passed out. ************ "You need me to what?" Guy asked again. "Just use Libra to solve the conflict between the two cards residing inside me. It isn't that difficult a task." Rose stated. Guy nodded. "Well, I'd think so, but Libra seems hesitant." "Oh? And why is that?" Rose inquired. Guy shut his eyes for a moment. "Libra says it's kind of like a ten year old telling the emperor what to do." "Oh." Rose was quiet for a minute before clutching at her gut and falling to the floor. A wave of blackness overtook her. Next thing she knew, Guy was calling out her name and had her propped up in his arms. "How long was I out?" She found herself asking. "Close to five minutes." Guy relayed. Rose sat up. "Not so long this time. I was lucky." "That was lucky?" Guy asked unbelievingly. "I've been out for hours before. This is why I desperately need your help." Rose said, almost pleadingly. Guy shut his eyes for a moment once more. "Fine. I've gotten Libra to agree to help out. But she wants to warn you that there may be consequences." "Whatever it is, it cannot possibly be as bad as this. And if it is, I'll just have to deal with it too." To Rose, it sounded quite logical. Guy lay Rose down on the floor. "Hold still a minute." He ordered before laying down himself. His eyes closed and an aura flared around him. Rose knew that the card had manifested itself. "There is still time. Time to choose." A disembodied voice whispered into her ear. "Do it." Rose commanded. Rose noted a glow rising from within herself. And suddenly, she was spiraling away into unconsciousness, somehow aware that Light and Dark were manifesting... ************ Sakura grumbled about her ankle and slumped across the table. "You'd think that I'd heal faster than this. I've healed faster from much worse." Tomoyo smiled cheerfully, as usual. "Look on the bright side, Sakura. If a problem arises, you can have the day off." Sakura shot a glance at Tomoyo. "So Li can get another leg up on me? No thanks." "I'm smarter, stronger, and all around better than you. I'd call that a leg up already." Li deadpanned. A vein visibly twitched in Sakura's forehead. "What was that?" "Well look. Here comes a waitress. Let's order some ice cream." Tomoyo cut in nervously. And so, less than five minutes later, Sakura was still slumped across the table, only with a half empty milkshake on the table beside her. "So what do we do next? We can't sit here forever." Sakura pointed out. Li's face took on a pensive look. "Well, as loath as I am to suggest it, you are the injured one, and so we should probably take you back to your home. We can figure out something else to do from there." Sakura sat up. "You know that if I had the choice, you wouldn't come?" "I think you've made that abundantly clear." Li retorted. "And with that, I think I'll hit the washroom. Tomoyo, do you mind helping me out?" Sakura asked, thinking of the trouble she'd have hobbling to the toilets by herself. Tomoyo nodded and glanced at Li for a moment, as if making sure her decision was the correct one. "Let's go, Sakura." ************ Sakura leaned upon her friend's shoulder once more as they exited the washroom, chatting about a funny event that took place last week at the Dodon Gym. "...so then Dan does a 1080 flip from a standing position. I don't even think I can do that. It must be all that rolling he..." "SAKURA!" Tomoyo's panicked voice broke Sakura from her story. "What? What is it?" Sakura looked about frantically. Tomoyo pointed to where they had been sitting. "Syaoran isn't here anymore. In fact..." Sakura's gaze swept the ice-cream parlor. "...there isn't anyone here." Sakura finished for her friend. Tomoyo and Sakura hurried outside as fast as they could and looked about. No cars could be seen driving the streets. No people walking. No sound. Period. "Clow Card?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura nodded. "Has to be." "But which one would be able to do this? I'd think...maybe silent...except you've already caught that one." Tomoyo spent a moment thinking of what she knew of the cards. "You haven't caught Float yet...maybe everyone floated away?" Sakura shuddered at the thought. "That would be bad, wouldn't it?" Tomoyo nodded. "Yes. Yes it would." Sakura pulled the key from her pocket and chanted the incantation to transform it into its staff form. "Fly!" She invoked, and soon she and Tomoyo had taken off. "I don't see anyone at all." Tomoyo relayed grimly as they zipped past their seventh intersection. "It's like they all...vanished." "Maybe we should get higher?" It wasn't a question meant to be answered though, as Sakura gained altitude anyways. Tomoyo kept looking around. "Still don't see anyone. Try getting a bit higher!" Sakura willed them higher...and they collided with what felt like an invisible wall. Tomoyo tumbled off the staff as the magic faded with Sakura's concentration. Sakura had to act fast. She whipped out her cards and shuffled through them, picking out two to use in this situation. "Watery! Freeze!" Watery took off first, leaving behind a trail of water for Freeze to work with. They had quickly created an impromptu slide of ice. Tomoyo hit first, landing awkwardly, but she slid down easily enough. Sakura hit the slide feet first, reigniting the pain in her ankle, and causing her to pitch over the side. An errant hand was all that saved her from taking the fall, and she pulled herself back on top. Sakura clutched her ankle in pain as she touched down at the bottom of the slide for a moment, before remembering to check up on Tomoyo. "Are you ok?" Tomoyo helped Sakura up to her feet. "I think I'm going to develop a rather big bruise, but I'm alright. Was it just me, or did we hit a wall up there?" Sakura nodded. "That was some sort of wall alright. What card could do that?" Tomoyo snapped her fingers. "Of course!" Sakura gave her partner an unbelieving stare. "You don't know, do you?" Tomoyo smiled. "Not at all." Sakura facepalmed. ************ Sakura and Tomoyo had wandered around for another half hour, trying to find some sign of life. They only thing they found was a growing feeling of unease in their guts. "Sakura...I know we haven't seen anyone in ages...but...I get the feeling someone is following us." Tomoyo sounded more nervous than Sakura could ever recall hearing her. Sakura nodded. "I feel it too...but I haven't spotted anyone. We'll just have to wait for him to come out in the open. One thing's for sure though...whoever it is probably has the card that started this mess." They trudged on quietly for another minute before Sakura suggested they stop and take a rest. She'd had Tomoyo on her mind when suggesting it, but it was as much for herself. Sakura's ankle had swelled up to a greater degree than before. She hated to admit it, but a hospital stay looked more and more likely by the minute. If they ever got to a hospital with people in it that is. "Sakura...I think we've been here before." Tomoyo's gaze swept about, but fixed on a certain location. Sakura followed her gaze...and spotted the ice-cream parlor they'd walked away from a long time ago. "...If I didn't know any better, I'd think this was Loop's work." Sakura sighed. Tomoyo snapped her fingers again. "Of course!" Sakura gave Tomoyo another unbelieving state. "You still don't know, do you?" Tomoyo smiled. "It has to be Maze." Sakura's frown turned upside-down. "Tomoyo! You're a genius! We're getting dragged about in circles because it's a maze!" Tomoyo's smile faded. "That doesn't explain what happened to the people though." Sakura's own smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "Oh." "Sakura!" Tomoyo cried out, pointing into the shadows. Sakura's gaze followed her finger just in time to catch...a fist in the face. The man in the shadows had finally made his move. Sakura's arms flailed wildly as she fell backwards, and caught on something in the man's possession. She took a quick glance at what she'd snagged. Dog tags. The man who was attacking them was affiliated with the army. "Tomoyo! Catch!" She flung the tags to Tomoyo and rolled to the side to avoid another blow. Tomoyo looked to the tags herself. "There's a serial number, and a name! Charlie!" Sakura grinned as she pulled herself up against a tree, bracing for battle. "Charlie. We don't have to do this, you know. Just calm down and explain why you...wah!" Sakura was cut off as she was forced to roll away. Charlie's punch shattered the tree...and it disappeared. Tomoyo gasped. "Sakura! I think I figured it out!" Sakura rolled out of the way of a kick, and then barely rolled back the other way to avoid a punch. "Great. What is it?" Tomoyo yelled a warning to Sakura, which caused her to roll a third time before relaying what she'd figured out. "There must be two cards. And the second is Create!" Sakura quickly crawled over to another tree. "Great, so we're stuck in a maze made up of a fake Tokyo? Why do I always get stuck with cliches?" Charlie put up his guard, confusing Sakura for a moment. But then the reasoning became clear. With a cry of "Sonic Boom!" a rotating disk of air flew towards Sakura, pulping the tree she was trying to climb up on. "Eep." Sakura eeped. "Sakura! You've got to stop thinking that you can fight him! Use your cards!" Tomoyo advised. "Oh. Right. Forgot about those." Sakura grinned sheepishly. She rummaged around in her pack and pulled out the first card she found her hand on. Quickly, she brought out her staff and intoned "Wave!" Charlie brought up his guard again, obviously intending to strike with another Sonic Boom. But a rumbling noise proved to be a distraction. He whirled around...only to catch a face full of water from a nearby fountain which swept him off his feet and smashed him into the wall. Sakura invoked the power of Move to get to Charlie's side in an instant, where she chanted the now familiar sealing words and brought her staff down...only to have nothing happen. "Sakura! He must not be the one with the card! He has to be a creation!" Tomoyo yelled out. Sakura quickly invoked Move once more as Charlie took a swipe at where she used to be. "Yeah, tell me something I don't know." "Sometimes, the objective of a maze is to try and find your way to what's in the middle, rather than to simply find your way out." Tomoyo told Sakura, as it was something she didn't know. "So...maybe if I beat this guy, we'll have completed the maze?" Sakura inquired. "Hmm...maybe not." Tomoyo showed off her camera. "But I'll be able to take plenty of great video." Sakura once again found herself wondering where Tomoyo had been hiding that camera...A cry of Sonic Boom caused Sakura to invoke the Shield card. "If this guy is just a creation, why not use one of your attack cards to wipe him out?" Tomoyo suggested. "Good thinking." Sakura rummaged around in her pack and pulled out what would hopefully be the last card she required. Dropping Shield, she threw out the card and brought the staff down on it with a cry of "Thunder!" Needless to say, within moments, Charlie was extra crispy before he disappeared completely. "Ok...so what now?" Sakura found herself asking. And, as cliches would have it, reality began to twist a moment later. "I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate it when I do that!" Sakura mentally kicked herself for saying the one line nobody should say. A moment later though, and it was done. Sakura and Tomoyo found themselves standing in one of the toilet stalls. They could faintly hear Li's voice as he pounded on the door to the ladies room. "Sakura! We've got to seal the cards before the maze reforms!" Tomoyo warned. "But where is it?" Sakura asked, turning her senses outwards. She moved out the stall quickly and pointed to another at the end of the row. "There!" She quickly punched the door in and spied a slumbering pair. "Ugh! They're down and out! I can't seal them like this!" Sakura kicked the man (which wasn't the best of ideas and sent another wave of pain through her ankle) who looked similarly to Charlie in the ribs before she shook the female awake. "Ow...what...where?" Guile sat up slowly, clutching his side before recognizing Sakura. "Ah! Sakura Kusagano! You're under arrest!" Sakura ignored him, and began to chant. "Return to the form you were destined to be! Clow Card!" Sakura made sure to bop him on the head with the staff. The card formed in her hand quickly. Create. Which meant... "Oh! I've got such a headache! Where...?" Chun-Li never finished before the card was drawn out of her too. Maze. Sakura quickly exited the stall with her new possessions. Well, as quickly as one could with only one useful leg. Guile was to his feet faster and he clamped a powerful arm down on Sakura's shoulder. "I said you are under arrest. If you resist, I'll have to get violent. Now what is it you just did?" Chun-Li was next to emerge from the stall and she quickly caught Tomoyo. "You're under arrest too. On charges of...what? What am I doing here?" Guile looked confused as well and let go of Sakura's shoulder. "What was I doing just now? How did I get here?" Sakura and Tomoyo shot each other odd glances. What was going on? The answer to the puzzle came from the door to the washroom, where Li held up Erase with a smug look on his face. He motioned for Sakura and Tomoyo to get out fast. Once they exited, Li invoked the power of Erase once last time, making sure Guile and Chun-Li forgot they'd just seen the two in the washroom. "So...those were the guys after us all along?" Sakura asked, as she finally put two and two together. Tomoyo nodded. "Why else would they try to arrest us?" Sakura looked glum. "Never did find out why. Guess we still got to keep on our toes." Li whistled a happy tune. "Well...I kinda erased their memories of the past day or so. Safer for us, I suppose. Though if they were suspicious before that...we may still be in trouble." Sakura facepalmed. "So we get another twinkish ending?" Kero nodded seriously. "I'm glad I could help save the day though." Sakura slapped the non-helpful magical plushie out of the way. "Don't just show up and take credit for our work." ************ Rose awoke with a splitting headache and an empty feeling in her gut. She looked about, wondering why she felt like something was missing...before her eyes widened in shock and she screamed. Guy rushed into the room and Rose grabbed him by his collar. "Where is she!" Guy tried to loosen Rose's grip. "Libra warned you there could be consequences." Rose growled. "Where's Dark?" ************ "Oh? So you're back. It's about time. We're almost finished with the preparations. Tell me everything you've learned of the Captor." Bison shifted in his throne and grinned evilly. ***************** LEAVE IT TO KERO! ***************** Kero: Hey-hey-hoo! Kero: Welcome to today's segment of the way too popular to not have its own syndicated television show in the year 2005 Leave It To Kero! We have an extra special treat for you! Well...actually...it's just some exposition...so let's get right to it! Kero pulls out a sock puppet that looks vaguely like a sock. Kero-sock: Well, in today's installment, Guile and Chun-Li make an investigation into the backgrounds of Sakura and Tomoyo. Of course, the author has twinkishly erased their memories, so they don't recall any of it! But the readers do! So let's recap! Kero pulls out another sock puppet which (shock!) looks like a sock. Sakura-sock: I'm Sakura! I'm actually the reincarnation of Touya's sister! Tomoyo's obsessed with me! I'm obsessed with Touya! I'm obsessed with Tomoyo! I'm obsessed with Ryu! I've got the worst luck in the world! Kero puts down Sakura-sock and pulls out another sock...which could be the same sock. They look too similar to tell. Tomoyo-sock: I'm obsessed with Sakura...but maybe not so much anymore...I've also somehow got my video collection intact! Don't ask me how! I also have the shocking ability to have my video camera ready at any time! Kero puts the sock away, and picks up another sock. This one is a different color...but still...it's a sock. Li-sock: I like making fun of Sakura...that's about it. Kero puts down the sock. Kero-sock: I can't help but feel we've forgotten something important...some sort of character that never showed up... A sock puppet Karin (yes, you can tell it was Karin) hops up and bitch laughs. Karin-sock: How could anyone forget me! The heiress to Kanzuki Industries! Sakura's most deadly and beautiful rival! Ohohoho! The camera shatters under the sonic assault. ************ ************************* LEAVE IT TO AUTHOR NOTES! ************************* Welcome to another popular edition of my author notes! Well...ok...so they aren't popular...but they're getting there! Getting the factual info out of the way first, since we aren't adhering to strict SFA3 storyline, Charlie is gone, who knows where. Guile, his best friend, continues to look for him. He manifests as a subconscious use of Create in the story...which only shows how deep their bond is. Yuriko's last name was revealed back in part #7 as being Tokumei. Similarly, I wrote back in part #24 that Tomoyo's last name was now Amamiya with Sonomi's divorce from her husband. Most of the info gathered by Guile and Chun-Li can easily be found by looking back at numerous previous parts. As for the tapes...I remembered something got mentioned about them still existing, but I couldn't find which part it was in...hopefully I didn't completely screw over continuity. But then, continuity's been screwed over in BitS plenty of times before... The executive decision to bring Bison back into the story was the brainchild of myself and Jon Berry, who, as I write this, is diligently typing away at the next part. See, BitS has been dead in the water for some time, so we've gotten together to at least see the story up to Judgement. If it finishes there, I'll be happy. If it continues...well, we're doing our best to wrap up some of the more outstanding storylines. Speaking of Jon Berry, I have to both thank him, and apologize profusely. First I'd like to apologize. The exact day (and a few minutes before) I received confirmation of my sign up for the queue, I received Jon Berry's 80K BitS #28 piece he was planning on submitting pending an edit. That made me feel like quite the heel. So I delayed the start of my own piece till I could hammer out something that worked. And it turns out, that between the two of us, we hammered out quite a bit more. So...that's where the thanks part comes in. Jon Berry's a heck of a go to guy for ideas. And he knows his CCS and SF stuff, which is always a plus. Now, some may be groaning and moaning about how every time I try to collaborate on a storyline, something strange and unusual comes about because of it. I also realize I tend to do it a lot with BitS. But then, I care a lot about the story, and hope that everyone I work with cares a lot about it too. Some readers may not have enjoyed the direction taken...but I stick by most of my writing and ideas (What was I on when I wrote BitS #13, I wonder?). This'll be the fourth time (out of five) that I've written a collaborative storyline with somebody else, and I get the feeling that it will be the finest. If it isn't...Jon Berry will eat my hat. :P One last thanks has to go to Ardweden for putting up with me for so long after my extension ran out. I was forced to take a short trip out to Ottawa whilst I was up. Did I mention how much I loath that town? And thus, it becomes time to wrap up my notes, which turned out to be more rant than note. Till next time Impro readers. And keep looking to the skis. I mean skies. P.S. That was the end of what I'd written exactly one week ago with the hopes of submitting this piece. Then, just before I could, I was hit with net problems. Then sickness. Oy. So anyways. I need to thank Jex for reading this over at what was at the time the last minute. I took your suggestions and tried to run with them, but I didn't come up with anything decent before I was stricken with my problems. But thanks anyways. Big thanks will have to be lavished upon Ardweden, who I'm assuming will be posting this even if it is two weeks overdue. Tuesday, June 22, 2004 (Revised date: see above paragraph.) (This makes 16 pieces for Impro. Can't believe I didn't timestamp my last BitS part.) ************
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rap music
rap music or hip-hop, genre originating in the mid-1970s among black and Hispanic performers in New York City, at first associated with an athletic style of dancing, known as breakdancing. The word rap, derived from a 1960s slang word for conversation, generally consists of chanted, often improvised, street poetry accompanied by a montage of well-known recordings, usually disco or funk. Detractors have criticized most rap music as a boastful promotion of violence and misogyny others have admired it as an inventive manipulation of cultural idioms and credit many rappers with an acute social and political awareness. Early rap groups included Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and the Beastie Boys. Rap has influenced many forms of popular culture, particularly film, and has been increasingly incorporated into pop music. Some influential rap performers include Public Enemy, NWA, Run-DMC, Missy Misdemeanor Elliot, and Queen Latifah.
See M. Costello and D. F. Wallace, Signifying Rappers (1990) G. Nelson, Hip Hop America (1998).
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Music: Popular and Jazz
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Fake Out
Synthetic marijuana: still not fake news
click to enlarge zoo.jpg
Fake massacres, fake polls, fake bacon shortages. "FAKE NEWS," yell the tweets from the president. True or not, dezinformatsiya has infiltrated the American imagination (again). Are we not suckers for exaggeration and propaganda? Remember Reefer Madness? "The burning weed with its roots in Hell!" But where's the beef?
In December, the New England Journal of Medicine released a report describing an investigation into a "mass intoxication" incident in New York City where 18 people were hospitalized with "zombielike" behavior. The culprit? A very real substance: AMB-FUBINACA, i.e., fake marijuana.
Synthetic cannabinoids (similar to cannabis only in that they bond to the same receptor cells in the brain and tissues) have made headlines in American newspapers for years, but new "ultrapotent" incarnations of the drugs are now being reported, as in the case above, where lab tests found AK-47 24 Karat Gold (the drug's street name) to be 85 times more potent than the THC in a natural marijuana plant. A related chemical has been implicated in the deaths of at least 40 people in Russia.
Washington state's Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission adopted rules in 2011 to ban such substances and gave law enforcement authority to "prosecute for the distribution, manufacture, sale and possession" of synthetic weed. The great irony is that many of the chemicals, such as AMB-FUBINACA, were first concocted and patented by supranational pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer. Public access to the patents has allowed illicit operations in China to export such drugs to American shores for packaging and sale. As John Huffman, an early developer of synthetic cannabinoids as a chemist at Clemson University in the 1980s, lamented, "someone opened Pandora's box."
Did it have to be this way? "If cannabis were federally legal, people wouldn't be using synthetic cannabinoids," argues VICE correspondent Hamilton Morris.
Legalizing marijuana would, as with any plant product on the free market, reduce its wholesale price dramatically, a phenomenon already unfolding in the states that have implemented a legal recreational market. The price of a pound of cannabis in Colorado, according to the Washington Post, has fallen 24.5 percent in the past year. It's much the same in Washington: about two percent per month. At least economically, cheap cannabis could steer thrill seekers away from synthetic cannabinoids, which are now so affordable that many homeless populations have become frequent users of the drugs.
Why choose an unnatural, dangerous alternative when the "real thing" is so cheap that, as one researcher predicts, it's almost free, "the way bars give patrons beer nuts and hotels leave chocolates on your pillow." ♦
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Wreath Making Workshop & Wine Tasting
Wreath Making Workshop & Wine Tasting @ Winescape Winery
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October 2016 Newsletter
New Spica Talisman and Chaldean Talismans New Edition
The star Spica is probably one of the most famous fixed stars known for its abundant beneficial and protective powers. This star is also called Alpha Virginis, as it is the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo the maiden. Spica is a binary star, which means it is really two stars larger and hotter than the sun, together they look like a single point of light, even when looking through an average telescope.
Spica Talisman - Powerful fixed star Talisman
Made under the guidance of astrologer Michael Ofek. Contains sage that I picked and then consecrated on October the 17th between 12:15-12:35 while Spica was in conjunction with the Sun as it was culminating on the Midheaven, further supported by an exalted Moon in Taurus.
New Spica Talisman
15% Discount Until November 8th
The name Spica means “ear” as it is in the “ear of wheat” in the virgo constellation. The association with agriculture, wheat and harvest is very old. For the Egyptians the Virgo constellation was associated with the goddess Isis, and Spica was the bearer of harvest. As Isis is the goddess of fertility and life creating goddess, Spica symbolised the fruits of her life energy that she gave nature and man. Virgo is also associated with Ceres, the greek goddess of the harvest.
Spica is also associated with the Šala the babylonian goddess of agriculture and fertility. The image on the talisman is a depiction of the goddess giving the wheat to humans. this depiction comes from an ancient cylinder seal.
Spica Talisman
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The talisman contains Sage - a sacred herb associated according to the ancient text to Spica. It was picked and consecrated during the conjunction. The front of the talisman bears the image of the ancient goddess Sala, and on the back appears the ancient magic seal of Spica.
As this constellation signifies an abundance of harvest and a fruitfulness of agriculture, this star is said to provide all sorts of good things, from material good, success in career and achievements, to different artistic talents and magical charisma.
The Sage in the Talisman was consecrated during the exact conjunction with the Sun as it was culminating on the Midheaven, further supported by an exalted Moon in Taurus. Ptolemy called the conjunction of a fixed star with the Sun a “true phase”, this is the phase which gives greatest access to the star’s most refined resources as highlighted by the creative solar power.
Spica Talisman
15% Discount Until November 8th
New Edition - 7 Metals Chaldean Astrology Talismans
A limited number will be assembled Today October the 28th 2016 between 10:30 -11:15 GMT+3 While the moon is in conjunction to Jupiter which is rising out of the Sun's rays with Mercury cazimi in Scorpio.
The Chaldean order, is essentially a hierarchy of powers that are represented by heavenly bodies (the stars), this order of powers is expressed on the axis of time as orbits of the seven discovered planets - Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, The Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon. Each of these controls a stage in the linear process of time. From the furthest and slowest - Saturn, till the nearest and fastest, the moon.
7 Metals Chaldean Astrology Talismans
15% Discount Until November 8th
According to the tradition of alchemy the seven planets parallel and are reflected purely in seven metals. These metals are raw material and stages in the creation of gold/ the philosopher’s stone. The metals are actually material expressions that reflect essential principles of creation and of the spirit. The metals evolve alchemistically towards, gold - in the same way, the human being evolves towards spirit.
According to the Chaldean order the planet relate to metals like this:
Saturn- lead
Jupiter- tin
Mars- Iron
The Sun- Gold
Venus- Copper
Mercury- Mercury
The moon- silver
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A large number of embryological processes must be carried out for the development of a new human being. There are numerous sources of error that can lead to malformations up to stillbirths. However, deviations can also occur within these processes, which lead to the development of two or more children, that is to say, twins or generally multiple births. This article explains how exactly this is done, what forms of multiples exist and how frequently they occur.
Are you more of a visual learner? Check out our online video lectures and start your embryology course now for free!
Image : “Pregnancy” by Anna Langova. License: CC0 1.0 Universal
Twins and multiple pregnancies arise from various scenarios such as:
• Monozygotic twins/ multiples (identical) arise when a single ovum is fertilized and divides into two or more independent units of development. They occur in 2.3—4 per 1000 live births in all races. The occurrence is not influenced by heredity or mothers age.
• Dizygotic twins (non-identical) develop when two ova are fertilized with each fetus having its own placenta, chorion, and amnion. They represent 70 % of twin pregnancies.
Monozygotic Multiples
Monozygotic multiples are two or more children who have developed from the same fertilized egg. Monozygotic multiples, therefore, have the same genetic material and therefore look identical.
Pathogenesis and formation of monozygotic multiples
For the formation of monozygotic multiples, the fertilized ovum (zygote) must be cut through in the course of its development. This can take place at three different times:
Image: “Various types of chorionicity and animosity (how the baby’s sac looks) in monozygotic (one egg/identical) twins as a result of when the fertilized egg divides.” by Kevin Dufendach. License: CC-BY 3.0
The first time at which the egg-cell may separate may take place on the first day or before the third day; namely in the two-cell stage. The zygote has already completed the first division; this means that the zygote has divided very rapidly and without new formation of cell material. It has thus divided without changing its size. The two cells resulting from this division can develop further independently and accordingly form two blastocysts. This results in formation of separate/fused placentas i.e. 2 chorions and 2 amnions. Thus, Diamniotic dichorionic multiples are formed. They resemble dizygotic twins and are represent a third of monozygotic twins.
The next time the zygote can separate is in the early blastocyst stage. During this stage, the first cell differentiation has already taken place. The external cells of the morula, now formed by many divisions, form an epithelium-like complex, which later forms the so-called trophoblast, while the inner cells remain together in a cluster of cells called the embryoblast.
This stage is before amnion formation (day 4- day 8) and division results into a single placenta, common chorion and 2 amnions thus,monochorionic-diamniotic multiples can develop. This is the most common form of monozygotic multiples representing 2/3rds of monozygotic multiples.
The last time at which the child’s system can separate is as a two-leaved germinal disc which occurs in day 8—13 of development. The blastocyst has already entered the uterus. For this, the trophoblast is invasively growing into the mucous membrane of the uterus. The outer part dissolves its cell borders and the so-called syncytiotrophoblastThe inner part of the trophoblast retains its structure and is now called cytotrophoblast. The cells of the embryoblast are now differentiated into two cell layers: the highly cylindrical epiblast that forms the amniotic cavity and the hypoblast that forms the yolk sac.
The site on which the two cell layers lie on one another is called the germinal disk. From it develops the actual embryonic body. This development begins with the gastrulation, in which cells from the epiblast migrate between the two disks. The transformation and migration of these cells lead to the formation of the so-called primitive strip, which, for the first time, gives the embryo a caudal and cranial end by the subsequent formation of the chorda dorsalis.
If several primitive streaks develop, monochorionic-monoamniotic multiples develop. This is the only form of multiples which, due to their narrow localization in case of a faulty closure of the body wall, can lead to duplications or so-called Siamese twins/conjoined twins.
Division beyond day 15 of development results into incomplete twinning.
Development of monozygotic multiples
Due to their early division, dichorionic-diamniotic multiples undergo a “normal” development. Each child has its own placenta, its own chorion cavity, and its own amnion cavity. If the blastocysts nest very close to one another during pregnancy, the placentas may be fused. Anastomoses may form between the different chorion vessels.
Monochorionic-diamniotic multiples develop from two embryoblast within a trophoblast. As the placenta is formed later, it is logical that these multiples share a placenta and a cortical cavity. However, they have their own amnion cavity.
Monochorionic-monoamniotic multiples are separated only after the formation of the amniotic cavity and the yolk sac, but within a trophoblast. These multiples, therefore, have a common placenta, corium cavity and amniotic cavity.
Image: “Comparison of zygote development in monozygotic and dizygotic twins. In the uterus, a majority of monozygotic twins (60–70%) share the same placenta but have separate amniotic sacs. In 18–30% of monozygotic twins, each fetus has a separate placenta and a separate amniotic sac. A small number (1–2%) of monozygotic twins share the same placenta and amniotic sac. Fraternal twins each have their own placenta and own amniotic sac.
By Trlkly (Original by Wikipedia Editor User:ChristinaT3). License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Probability of several multiples
The probability of giving birth to several multiples depends on the number of multiples. Monozygotic twins have an incidence of 1: 250, while the probability of obtaining monozygotic triplets is significantly lower with 1: 200 million. Monozygotic quadruplets are created with a probability of 1:13 million. They represent the highest documented number of identical multiples.
Dizygotic Multiples (fraternal twins)
Dizygotic multiples are described as two or more children whom have developed from several oocytes fertilized by different sperm within a pregnancy. They have different genomes and are therefore no longer similar to siblings born at different times. They can even be fertilized by sperm from different men since they can remain functional for up to five days in the uterus.
Formation of dizygotic multiples
If two oocytes ovulate simultaneously and are fertilized by two different sperms, twins are formed. If one of the zygotes divides, triplets develop. If both zygotes divide, they form the basis for quadruplets. In rare cases, it can also happen that one of the fertilized eggs is dividing several times. This can lead to an even higher number of multiples.
It should be noted, however, that multiples, which have been produced by the division of the zygote, are monozygotic multiples. The above-described forms of multiples are, therefore, more precisely mixed forms. Thus, the said triplets are dizygotic twins, and one of the two twins has split off a monozygotic twin.
Due to today’s possibilities of artificial insemination, the probability of a multiple pregnancy has significantly increased. For example, with the use of fertility-enhancing drugs, three oocytes can ovulate at the same time and be fertilized by three different sperms. These are then, so to speak, trizygotic triplets. All three have different genotypes and can therefore also be of different sex.
Development of dizygotic multiples
Dizygotic twins develop independently of each other in two different oocytes. Therefore, both embryonal states form their own membranes: each child has its own placenta, as well as its own amnion and chorion cavity. If the two embryos are very close to one another, the placentas may be fused together, as in the case of dichorionic-diamniotic multiples. Similarly, anastomoses can arise between the chorion vessels.
Probability of dizygotic multiples
Two-thirds of all twins are dizygotic twins. Their frequency among the multiples is, therefore, the highest and even increases with the age of the mother. While the birth rate of monozygotic multiples has remained more or less constant over the years, the number of dizygotic multiples has risen significantly in the industrialized countries in the last decade. This can be mainly attributed to artificial fertilizations, which often transfer two or even more fertilized eggs into the uterus to increase the chance of success. Another factor contributing to the increase in dizygotic multiple pregnancies in affluent countries is fertility treatment
Special Features of Twins
Twin pregnancies lead to premature babies more frequently compared to single pregnancies. In addition, there is an increased risk that twins will die in the perinatal period (22nd week of pregnancy to the seventh day after birth). The perinatal mortality of twins is 10% to 20%. For single pregnancies, it is comparatively only 2%. The significantly higher perinatal mortality is usually due to maturation disorders or a low birth weight.
Investigations show that only about 29% of all twin pregnancies are also leading to twin births. This dysfunction of a twin during pregnancy has various causes: the death of one of the twins can, for example, be caused by an unbalanced nutrient supply and disappear by resorption.
It is rarer that the resorption is replaced by a mummification of the twin, that is, by the fetus papyraceus. A common chorion leads in about 10% of the cases that a twin is not supplied enough with blood. As a result, his growth is reduced and twins of different sizes are produced. One speaks of transfusion syndrome.
In a few cases, fetal inclusion or the fetus in fetu may occur. Here, one of the twins is incorporated into the others. After inclusion, the fetus in fetu ceases to grow normally. It usually remains undetected for a long time, unless the surviving twin causes premature troubles. However, the fetal inclusion is so rare that no possible cause is known.
Clinical Indicators of Multiple Pregnancies
• All annoyances of pregnancy are worsened i.e., severe backache, varicosities, and abdominal distension
• Uterus is larger than expected for dates
• Unexplained excessive maternal weight gain
• Polyhydramnios
• Clinical ballottement of more than one fetus by multiplicity of small fetal parts during obstetric examination
• Recording of different heart rates all asynchronous to each other and mothers heart rate with variances of more than 8 beats per minute
• Palpation of another fetus after delivery of one infant
Management of multiple pregnancies:
Mothers with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of multiple pregnancies should be admitted after showing the first signs of labour and an abdominal ultrasound done to ascertain the position of each fetus as well as to estimate the weight of each fetus.
Delivery is either via
C-section in case of:
• Suspected twin to twin transfusion syndrome
• Placenta previa
• Multiple pregnancies of triplets and above
• Both twins are in a non-vertex presentation
• Non-vertex presentation of second twin that is of greater weight than twin A
Vaginal delivery in case of:
• Vertex presentation of both twins
• Non-vertex twin B which is of equal or less weight than twin A
Review Questions
The correct answers can be found below the sources.
1. Which of the following statements regarding the formation of multiples is true?
1. The first time at which monozygotic multiples can be formed is in the early blastocyst stage.
2. The last possible time for the formation of monozygotic multiples is in the early blastocyst stage.
3. Monozygotic multiples can develop even after the end of the gastrulation.
4. The earliest possibility of division of the zygote in monozygotic multiples is during the two-cell stage.
5. After the implantation, no division into monozygotic multiples is possible anymore.
2. Which of the following statements on the development of multiples is true?
1. Dichorionic-diamniotic multiples share a placenta, but each has a chorionic and amniotic cavity.
2. Monochorionic-diamniotic multiples share a placenta and chorionic cavity, but each has an amniotic cavity.
3. In monochorionic-monoamniotic multiples, a fusion of placentas can occur in the very near implantation.
4. Dichorionic-monoamniotic multiples are the most common form of monozygotic multiple births.
5. Dizygotic multiples develop in a common placenta.
3. Which of the following is true?
1. Twin pregnancies do not represent an increased risk for either mother or children compared to single pregnancies.
2. The transfusion syndrome is caused by an unbalanced blood supply in common chorion.
3. The number of monozygotic multiple births has increased rapidly lately by the new possibilities of artificial insemination.
4. Higher age of the mother raises the chances for a single pregnancy.
5. Dizygotic twins have the same DNA and therefore must be of the same sex.
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Definition of Guide
1. Noun. Someone employed to conduct others.
Exact synonyms: Usher
Generic synonyms: Escort
Specialized synonyms: Usherette
Derivative terms: Usher, Usherette
2. Verb. Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling. "The men guide the boat "
3. Noun. Someone who shows the way by leading or advising.
Generic synonyms: Leader
Specialized synonyms: Cicerone, Tour Guide
4. Verb. Take somebody somewhere. "The men guide the horses across the field"; "He conducted us to the palace"
Exact synonyms: Conduct, Direct, Lead, Take
Derivative terms: Leader
5. Noun. Something that offers basic information or instruction.
Exact synonyms: Guidebook
Generic synonyms: Enchiridion, Handbook, Vade Mecum
Specialized synonyms: Field Guide, Roadbook, Itinerary, Travel Guidebook
6. Verb. Be a guiding or motivating force or drive. "The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses"
Exact synonyms: Steer
Generic synonyms: Direct
Derivative terms: Guidance, Steer, Steering
7. Noun. A model or standard for making comparisons.
Exact synonyms: Template, Templet
Generic synonyms: Example, Model
Specialized synonyms: Rhythm, Speech Rhythm
8. Verb. Use as a guide. "They had the lights to guide on"
Exact synonyms: Guide On
Generic synonyms: Orient, Orientate
9. Noun. Someone who can find paths through unexplored territory.
Exact synonyms: Pathfinder, Scout
Generic synonyms: Expert
Specialized synonyms: Hunting Guide, Trailblazer
Specialized synonyms: Sacagawea, Sacajawea
Derivative terms: Scout
Exact synonyms: Draw, Pass, Run
Specialized synonyms: Rub, Thread, Thread
Related verbs: Draw, String, Thread, Lead, Run
Also: Pass Around, Pass Over
11. Noun. A structure or marking that serves to direct the motion or positioning of something.
Generic synonyms: Construction, Structure
Definition of Guide
1. v. t. To lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path; to pilot; as, to guide a traveler.
2. n. A person who leads or directs another in his way or course, as in a strange land; one who exhibits points of interest to strangers; a conductor; also, that which guides; a guidebook.
Definition of Guide
1. Noun. Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation. ¹
2. Noun. A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook. ¹
3. Noun. A sign that guides people; guidepost. ¹
4. Noun. Any marking or object that catches the eye to provide quick reference. ¹
5. Noun. A device that guides part of a machine, or guides motion or action. ¹
6. Noun. (occult) A spirit believed to speak through a medium. ¹
7. Noun. (military) A member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest. ¹
8. Verb. to serve as a guide for someone or something. ¹
9. Verb. to steer or navigate, especially a ship or as a pilot. ¹
10. Verb. to exert control or influence over someone or something. ¹
11. Verb. to supervise the education or training of someone. ¹
12. Verb. (intransitive) to act as a guide. ¹
¹ Source:
Definition of Guide
1. to show the way to [v GUIDED, GUIDING, GUIDES] : GUIDABLE [adj]
Medical Definition of Guide
1. 1. A person who leads or directs another in his way or course, as in a strange land; one who exhibits points of interest to strangers; a conductor; also, that which guides; a guidebook. 2. One who, or that which, directs another in his conduct or course of lifo; a director; a regulator. "He will be our guide, even unto death." (Ps. Xlviii. 14) 3. Any contrivance, especially one having a directing edge, surface, or channel, for giving direction to the motion of anything, as water, an instrument, or part of a machine, or for directing the hand or eye, as of an operator; as: A blade or channel for directing the flow of water to the wheel buckets. A strip or device to direct the compositor's eye to the line of copy he is setting. 4. A noncommissioned officer or soldier placed on the directiug flank of each subdivision of a column of troops, or at the end of a line, to mark the pivots, formations, marches, and alignments in tactics. Guide bar, an additional rail, between the others, gripped by horizontal driving wheels on the locomotive, as a means of propulsion on steep gradients. Origin: OE. Giae, F. Guide, It. Guida. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Guide Pictures
Lexicographical Neighbors of Guide
guidance device
guidance system
guide (current term)
guide RNA
guide book
guide books
guide dog
guide dogs
guide fossil
guide on
guide plane
guide rope
Literary usage of Guide
1. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1899)
"The Child's guide to Know- ... The authorship •n' • The Child's guide ' has been frequently attributed to Miss ..."
2. A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain (1906)
"guide unnecessary. 4. Distance from Riffelberg Hotel to the Corner Grat, ... guide unnecessary 6. Elevation of Zermatt above sea level, 5315 feet. 7. ..."
3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1905)
"There are two ways in which reports or reviews may serve a useful purpose: first, as an annotated bibliography or guide; second, as a comprehensive ..."
Other Resources Relating to: Guide
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Tags: OS Jobs report
os jobs
Sysadmins with open source skills and certification can command higher pay, according to the 2017 Open Source Jobs Report.
Open Source Cloud Skills and Certification Are Key for SysAdmins
System administrator is one of the most common positions employers are looking to fill among 53 percent of respondents to the 2017 Open Source Jobs Report. Consequently, sysadmins with skills in engineering can command higher salaries, as these positions are among the hardest to fill, the report...
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in ,
20 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives Software and Online App
alternative to adobe photoshop
Whether you are looking Photoshop replacement program or free software like Photoshop for your basic photo editing works. Here we are highlighting 20 best free Photoshop alternative software and free photoshop online tools.
Adobe Photoshop is an excellent tool which provides everything one needs for photo editing and manipulation. It has user-friendly an highly customizable versatile interface. But, Photoshop incredibly expensive so that some users are surfing Photoshop equivalent programs for free to use.
There are many best photoshop alternatives out there. These free photoshop online tools and Photoshop competitors software give a perfect solution for image editing and photo manipulation needs.
Here are 20 best free Photoshop alternatives for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Let’s take following photoshop alternatives free tools might be fit for your photo editing tasks.
Top Free Photoshop Alternatives for Windows
1. Gimp
Gimp is an open source Photoshop similar photo editing software. It supports platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, Unix, and SkyOS. GIMP stands out as the best free alternative to Photoshop. Gimp Supports file formats like RAW formats, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, etc.
gimp photoshop alternative
2. Paint.NET
Paint NET is another free alternative to Photoshop but it is less powerful than Gimp Photoshop. It works on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
Free Photoshop Alternatives for Mac
3. Seashore
If you are looking Photoshop alternative mac software, this is best for you. Seashore supports the same file formats as GIMP does and it runs on Mac OS X computers.
4. Krita
Krita is another best photo editing tools for open-source platforms like Linux and Unix. It’s also good Photoshop alternative for Windows 10 and Mac.
5. Mac Preview
6. Pixelmator
20 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives
Top Free Online Photoshop Alternatives
7. Pixlr
8. PicMonkey
9. SumoPaint
10. Aviary
11. BeFunky
12. Canva Photo Editor
13. Fotor
Aso Read: 20 Useful Photo Editing Website to Make Photo Effects Online
Best Open source Photoshop Alternatives
14. Xara Xtreme
15. CinePaint
CinePaint is powerful photo retouching tool with support for even high 32-bit color fidelity. This free tool has been used by major Hollywood studios to design Animated feature films in the past. CinePaint supports file formats: BMP, CIN, DPX, EXR, GIF, JPEG, OpenEXR, PNG, TIFF, and XCF.
16. GrafX2
GrafX2 is free open-source Photoshop alternative for all operating system such as Linux, DOS, Windows, Haiku, AmigaOS, MorphOS, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, and Atari MiNT platforms.
17. Inkscape
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics similar to Adobe Illustrator. It runs on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows desktop computers.
Paid Photoshop Alternatives
18. Serif Photoplus X7
19. Paintshop Pro X7
20. Pixelmator
Read Also: 60 Best Photoshop Tutorials
20 of the Best Google Chrome Extensions 2018
20 Best Online Paint Tool Websites to Draw Online for Free 2018
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Gold Member Badge
• You're all caught up!
No-Carb Headache
author image Aglaee Jacob
No-Carb Headache
Drastically eliminating carbs from your diet could result in headaches. Photo Credit: Dustin Hardin/iStock/Getty Images
Carbs provide more than half the calories for most Americans, mostly from grain products, starchy vegetables and sugar. They serve as sources of energy, helping your brain function and aiding in athletic performance. Reducing your carb intake can help you lose weight, but a low-carb diet can also cause side effects, including headaches.
Video of the Day
Burning Carbs to Burning Fat
If you used to eat a high-carb diet, which corresponds to the standard American diet, your body had become efficient at using carbohydrates and the sugar derived from their digestion as your main source of fuel. Your muscles, heart and brain mainly relied on carbohydrates for energy, making you a sugar burner. If you eliminate most carbs from your diet by going on a no-carb diet, your body will have to quickly switch to using fat to obtain the energy you need. During this transition period, your body will not be able to get the quick burst of energy it would usually get from carbs. This is why you could temporarily experience fatigue, dizziness or headaches for the first few days or weeks.
Mild Dehydration
Decreasing your carb intake is known to have a diuretic effect, which means you will lose extra water you used to retain in your body. The quick weight loss of the first few days on a no-carb diet is mainly due to water weight loss, and if it happens too fast, you could become slightly dehydrated. The mild dehydration that sometimes accompanies a no-carb diet, especially at the beginning, could be responsible for your headaches.
Carbohydrate Withdrawal
Switching from a high-carb to a no-carb diet can also trigger withdrawal symptoms. Carb-rich foods like breads, pasta, rice, granola bars, cookies, muffins, soft drinks and candies can be addictive for some people. If these foods used to be a big part of your diet, eliminating them cold turkey can be difficult at first. This period is called carbohydrate withdrawal and can result in intense carbohydrate cravings and headaches.
Easing the Transition
The transition from a high-carb to a no-carb diet requires big changes in the way your body operates. Some people find it easier to gradually reduce their carbohydrate intake until they reach their desired carb target. Others prefer a drastic approach, making the switch to fat-burning more rapidly. Whatever your preference, drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day, and include plenty of fat in your diet by adding butter, oil, cream, salad dressing, full-fat cheese, avocado and nuts. A no-carb diet must be high in fat to help you become a fat burner and supply you with the energy for your daily activities.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44884
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News del Locarno Festival
"How everything changed in Colombia"
Interview to Ciro Guerra, co-director of "Pájaros de verano" - Piazza Grande
"How everything changed in Colombia"
Ciro Guerra, you directed Pájaros de verano with Cristina Gallego. If you should summarize it in a few words, which ones would they be?
It is the story of a man who sees his life radically changed after the purest form of capitalism comes into his life in a very sauvage way. We decided to focus on an individual story, metaphor of a country which faced the "Marijuana Bonanza" (economic boom, ed). After Colombia was able to maintain its culture through centuries, resisting againts Spanish, English and Dutch invasions, everything changed; a tragedy that affected millions of people, with families who were torn apart by that phenomenon.
How did you prepare for this movie?
Everything is based on real facts and shot in real locations, so we read the books written about the topic and interviewed people. In the desert of Guajira everyone has something to tell about that decade, the 1970s: in those stories we found elements of several genres, such as western, noir, gangster movies and Greek tragedy. They were experiences which only asked to be lived, and to be filmed.
After the success earned by Narcos, Colombia seems to be part of a new way of storytelling influenced by North American authors...
It is something that has been going on for the last 15 years and many Colombian people are complaining a lot about the way their country is represented. We took a huge risk telling a story from the point of view of Colombian people, but we were happy to do it. Some key roles are played by professional actors, but many others are played by real people: Peregrino, for example, was played by José Vicente Cotes who is a palabrero and spiritual leader of the Wayuu community.
Can you tell us something about the choice of the title, which is translated Birds of Passage?
I like titles which are hiding several messages. Birds are pretty important for spiritual system of the Wayuu community and they are representing nature, but also the airplanes which started to transport drugs from Colombia to North America. Men with guns, in the 1950s Colombia, were called "pájaros", but we also liked this word because it implies something or somebody that is coming and going, just like the "bonanzas": there was the coffee bonanza, the oil bonanza and the cocaine bonanza, generated by the marijuana trade we represented in the movie. And finally, it is a title which transmits the ephemeral nature of humanity.
Mattia Bertoldi
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Results 1-10 from 96,551 articles
Online Grade School?
W.E. asks from Sacramento
are there any accredited online grade schools? I've heard of online high school but not grade school. I'm unable to homeschool traditionally as my mother has dementia...
2Nd Grade
J.M. asks from Houston
My daughter went to private school since she was 2 and is not going into 2nd grade next year. I want to move her to public school I think she will get more out of it ...
Skipping a Grade
A. asks from Minneapolis
1St Grade - School? EDITED
M.R. asks from Cleveland
Ok ladies.. I'm seeking your help again!! My son will be 7 and is currently enrolled in a public school. However, I'm becoming concerned b/c last year he went to a p...
3Rd Grade and 4Th Grade
K.B. asks from Milwaukee
i live in wisconsin and my son is having issues in 3rd grade. i had a meeting today with his teacher and the principal and the principal informed me that it is the sc...
3Rd Grade
R.S. asks from Utica
Hi , My son will be going to 3rd grade this year. It would be really great if someone could tell me what I need to teach him (or he should know) before starting th...
1St Grade
C.G. asks from Dallas
My daughter is in kindergarten, however can anyone advise me on what they teach them in 1st grade. During the summer time I would like to introduce 1st grade lessons...
Skipping a Grade
K.B. asks from Kansas City
I am faced with the decision of letting my 7 year (1st Grade) old skip the 2nd grade. He was going to the 2nd grade for reading and math time, so he could continue to...
Skipping a Grade
S.B. asks from Cleveland
I have posted on here before about my son and the situation I was having with him and school, now some new developments have brought me back to get some more informat...
Homework in Grade School
M.S. asks from Chicago
My daughter is in third grade. Her homework only takes around 10 to 15 minutes a night, but sometimes hard to fit it in! What grade do they start having more homew...
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3 Stages of Christian Growth (and how to avoid them)
Quenching and grieving the Spirit is the topic today, but first a little context on the role of the Spirit in our growth as followers of Christ.
We learned from Philippians 1:9-11 that there are 5 essentials in Christian growth. We also learned that what sets this growth in motion is the Christian’s focus on God’s glory. Lastly, we learned that what aids this growth is the Spirit. If God’s glory is our focus, the Spirit will be at work in us – helping love abound in us, producing spiritual excellence in us, establishing personal integrity in us, and empowering genuine good works in us – all to God’s glory.
Simply put the Spirit’s work in us is to move us along a path to holiness. Holiness means separate. His work is to separate us further and further from sin, from temptation, from a preoccupation with the things of the world and thus closer to God. This is the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
Today’s reading issues a warning not to retard the work of the Spirit. (1Thessalonians 5:19) Today we will cover three things with a quick summary of each: 1.) the three stages of Christian growth, 2.) quenching the Spirit and 3.) stoking the Spirit.
The 3 Stages of Christian Growth:
1. Babes. Babes in Christ know the name of Jesus.
2. Young Men. Young men in Christ are strong. They know the Word and use the Word (the truth) to overcome the deceiver.
3. Fathers. Fathers in Christ know God.
Quenching the Spirit:
1Thessalonians 5:1-11 and 1Thessalonians 5:6-22 give us instruction on Christian living. In this instruction, there is a warning not to quench the Spirit. Throughout Scripture, the Spirit is revealed to us as fire. When a believer quenches the Spirit, the Spirit is grieved. (Isaiah 63:10, Ephesians 4:30) When the Spirit is grieved it slows the Christian’s growth. It is as if the Christian says “I’ve got this” to the Spirit by ignoring it and tosses a bucket of water on the fire.
Stoking the Spirit:
Stoking the Spirit is a term to illustrate the opposite of quenching the Spirit. Here are three simple steps to stoke the Spirit. The three steps for the recovering Christian:
1. Read the Bible. (reading the Bible feeds the Spirit.)
2. Listen to the Spirit. (quiet your life to be able to hear the still small voice and test what you hear against the Word.)
3. Obey. (Luke 11:28, James 1:25, if there were a fourth step it would be: rinse, repeat.)
Stoking the Spirit is valuing the Spirit. It is recognizing the Spirit as the source that empowers us to glorify God. The Christian’s heart seeks God’s Glory, the Spirit sees it through.
God, we need You. Fill us with Your Spirit LORD. May You reign in our hearts and may our eyes be Yours and Yours alone. Amen.
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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Affirms Convictions in Horrific Northbridge Incest Case
In a case involving some of the most disturbing allegations ever to pass through a Massachusetts courtroom, the Supreme Judicial Court on Friday affirmed several sexual assault convictions against the defendant. The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Mayotte.
The defendant married her husband in 1987 and they adopted two siblings (a 12-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl) in 2004. Almost immediately, the defendant began to rape the adopted son and her husband began to rape the adopted daughter. According to the son, the defendant had sexual contact with him more than 100 times during the next couple of years. In 2007, the son impregnated the defendant and she gave birth to his baby in 2008. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) began investigating the family after the children disclosed the sexual abuse to friends and neighbors. When they were interviewed by DCF caseworkers, however, the children initially denied being abused. DCF did not finally remove the children from the defendant’s home until years after the sexual abuse started. At trial, the defendant claimed she never raped her son – instead, it was her son who was raping her. The defendant said if she did not give into the son’s sexual advances, he would threaten to accuse her of rape. The jury didn’t buy the defendant’s story and convicted her of several crimes, including rape of a child, incest, indecent assault and battery, and intimidation of a witness. The judge sentenced her to serve 18-22 years in state prison. Her husband was convicted of rape of a child and sentenced to 16-20 years in state prison.
On appeal, the defendant argued the trial judge committed error by refusing to allow her (the defendant’s) hearsay statements to be presented to the jury as “first-complaint” evidence. Massachusetts courts allow for alleged victims of sexual assault to identify the first person they told about the crime. The first individuals who hear the alleged victims’ allegations of sexual misconduct are permitted to repeat the allegations in court, despite the fact that the statement of the victim is hearsay. The Supreme Judicial Court has reasoned that first-complaint evidence is important in allowing a jury to understand the context of the sexual assault allegation and assess the credibility of the accuser. The question in this case was whether a defendant, rather than an alleged victim, is entitled to benefit from first-complaint testimony. The SJC concluded a defendant can admit first-complaint testimony if the proper evidentiary foundation is laid. Just as a jury needs to assess the credibility of an alleged victim, it also needs to assess the credibility of a defendant who asserts she was the true victim of a sex crime. The Court said evidentiary rules that apply only to one party are inherently unfair, and accordingly, the first-complaint rule must be applied in a neutral manner. The issue was moot in this case, as the defendant failed to proffer evidence that would have been admissible pursuant to the first-complaint doctrine. The Court rejected the defendant’s remaining appellate issues and affirmed her convictions.
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Program Listings
Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University by distance
1. [GRADAP2019] Graduate Programs in Statistics, Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University
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Mazola Pure Olive Oil is Great For:
Sautéing, Marinades, Roasting and Grilling
(Featured: Panko Crusted Chicken Parmesan)
Mazola® Pure Olive Oil is packaged in glass bottles in the following convenient sizes:
8.5 fluid oz.
17 fluid oz.
34 fluid oz.
Product may be stored up to one year under normal storage conditions (70°-80°F). Storage below 45°F may cause clouding and exposure to ultraviolet light can cause off flavors.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44945
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Our Libraries
To install an Arduino library please follow these instructions provided by Freetronics.
• MegunoLink library for Arduino – An Arduino library to simplify communication between Arduino programs and MegunoLink.
• Clock – A simple Arduino library for keeping track of time using NTP and the built in millisecond timer.
• Wake on LAN – A useful Arduino library to send a Wake on LAN packet.
Sounds awesome? Let’s give it a go!
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Posts in life
How The Labels We Take On Limit our Potential | 4 Easy Steps to Avoid Labeling Your Child
Labels limit a child’s potential by putting them in boxes -Categorizing their current behaviors into life-long identities. When we tell a child they’re athletic, artistic, crazy, good, big-boned, shy and so on, we unintentionally label their identity. Instantly leading them to conclude what they are and aren’t capable of doing.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/44958
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Severance calculation after sick leave in France
How to calculate the severance indemnity after a sick leave? How to calculate the tax exemption?
The French Supreme Court recently outlined the applicable rules.
In our opinion, these rules also apply to cases of maternity leave and parental leave.
1. Computation rules for the severance indemnity under the Labor code or CBA
The salary of the last 12 or 3 months is determined by looking at the salary earned before the employee took his/her sick leave (French Supreme Court, 23 May 2017, n° 15-22223).
Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the salary of the last 12 or 3 months preceding the sick leave to compute the average remuneration.
This method is more objective than reconstructing the fictional remuneration that the employee would have earned if he/she were still working.
2. Computation rules for the tax exemption
The severance indemnity is exempted from income tax up to a certain amount. In most cases, the exempted amount is that which does not exceed twice the amount of the annual gross salary earned by the employee during the year preceding the termination of the employment contract.
To determine this exempted amount, it is necessary to take into account the annual gross remuneration of the employee as inscribed in the DSN (social declaration) for the civil year preceding the end of the employment contract, and multiply that amount by two (French Supreme Court, 21 September 2017, n°16-20580).
The two computation rules being different and not always consistent with existing practices, an audit and verification of the settings of the payroll software are necessary.
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Heather Mizeur appears as a guest on Baltimore Sun columnist Dan Rodricks’ podcast, “Roughly Speaking,” to discuss practical skills and conversational tactics to successfully navigate political activism in the Trump era — defining the essence of what is meant by Soul Force Politics.
A link to Roughly Speaking can be found here.
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Numb3rs (2005)
4 corrected entries
(0 votes)
Harvest - S2-E14
Corrected entry: The episode claims that a character speaks Tamil however the language the character speaks is not Tamil.
Correction: She was actually speaking Tamil, just very badly. Probably because it's a Hindi actress, not Tamil.
Show generally
Corrected entry: Season 1, Episode 5, "Prime Suspect": Charlie Epps is discussing the Riemann Hypothesis, and its relation to very large prime numbers. In the graphics shown on the screen to depict what he is talking about, one of the large numbers shown has "10" for its final two digits. This cannot be a prime number.
Rooster of Doom
Correction: At the zoomed in shot, it appears to be a 10, but something is cut off to make it look like a zero. At a zoom out of this shot, the block reads 719, a prime number.
The Janus List - S3-E24
Corrected entry: In the beginning when they were talking about shutting off the cell phone service to stop the bombs from being detonated, they say "too bad we don't know what cellphone carrier he is using we can block the signal from the tower". When a major bridge is filled with explosives, wouldn't it make more sense to just block ALL the towers regardless of the carrier to be safe?
Correction: David says that the jammer doesn't have the range to block the signal from the truck. He said he needs to find out the carrier so that he/they can shut down "a whole grid of towers", which is what they did.
Vector - S1-E3
Corrected entry: Charlie says the disease is a Pandemic Flu, to which Terry replies "The Spanish Flu" and goes off on a monologue about that illness. Pandemic is not the name of the Spanish Flu, pandemic means that it's an illness that infects both humans and animals. There have been several pandemic flus across history.
Correction: Terry mentions the Spanish Flu as an example of a pandemic, rather than saying it's the only one. By the way, the definition of the word 'pandemic' is: "Epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population." It has nothing to do with what the disease infects. Source -
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45008
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Machine learning lets scientists reverse-engineer cellular control networks
(Nanowerk News) The flow of information between cells in our bodies is exceedingly complex: sensing, signaling, and influencing each other in a constant flow of microscopic engagements. These interactions are critical for life, and when they go awry can lead to the illness and injury.
Scientists have isolated thousands of individual cellular interactions, but to chart the network of reactions that leads cells to self-organize into organs or form melanomas has been an extreme challenge.
"We, as a community are drowning in quantitative data coming from functional experiments," says Michael Levin, professor of biology at Tufts University and director of the Allen Discovery Center there. "Extracting a deep understanding of what's going on in the system from the data in order to do something biomedically helpful is getting harder and harder."
Working with Maria Lobikin, a Ph.D. student in his lab, and Daniel Lobo, a former post-doc and now assistant professor of biology and computer science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Levin is using machine learning to uncover the cellular control networks that determine how organisms develop, and to design methods to disrupt them. The work paves the way for computationally-designed cancer treatments and regenerative medicine.
"In the end, the value of machine learning platforms is in whether they can get us to new capabilities, whether for regenerative medicine or other therapeutic approaches," Levin says.
Writing in Scientific Reports ("Discovering novel phenotypes with automatically inferred dynamic models: a partial melanocyte conversion in Xenopus") in January 2016, the team reported the results of a study where they created a tadpole with a form of mixed pigmentation never before seen in nature. The partial conversion of normal pigment cells to a melanoma-like phenotype -- accomplished through a combination of two drugs and a messenger RNA -- was predicted by their machine learning code and then verified in the lab.
Their work was facilitated by the Stampede supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center -- one of the most powerful in the world -- which enabled the team to run billions of simulations in order to model of the cellular network and the means of altering it.
In vivo validation of the computationally-discovered, partially converted tadpole phenotype
In vivo validation of the computationally-discovered, partially converted tadpole phenotype. (Image: Daniel Lobo, Maria Lobikin, Michael Levin) (click on image to enlarge)
Hacking the (cell) network
Tadpoles from the Xenopus genus of aquatic frogs possess a group of pigment cells that the Levin lab previously showed could be converted to a melanoma-like outcome by interrupting their electrical communication with other cell types.
Through years of experiments, they found that various treatments could induce conversions, but some treated animals would convert and some wouldn't.
"The outcome was probabilistic, like tossing a biased coin," Levin says. "But remarkably, all of the cells were tossing the same coin: a given animal would either convert or not, as a whole. Individual cells did not make independent decisions."
One of the most important tests of their artificial intelligence-derived model was to see if it could be used to discover a treatment that would break the normal concordance among cells, and induce a salt-and-pepper pattern in which individual cells within a single tadpole would choose to become melanoma-like or not.
They were not only able to produce this effect, but to predict the percentage of the population of tadpoles that would have the mixed pigmentation.
"I was blown away by the fact that the machine learning platform got us to a capability to do something we couldn't do before, at the bench, in real living organisms," Levin says. "It was good enough to predict new outcomes to experiments that no one had done before."
Reverse-engineered network that produces hyperpigmentation phenotype at frequencies matching those observed experimentally
Reverse-engineered network that produces hyperpigmentation phenotype at frequencies matching those observed experimentally. (Image: Maria Lobikin, Daniel Lobo, Douglas J. Blackiston, Christopher J. Martyniuk, Elizabeth Tkachenko, Michael Levin)
Mapping the model
The results expanded on previous research by the team that used machine learning to derive the cellular control model for Xenopus. To identify the model, the team input the results of nearly a decade's worth of laboratory experiments into Stampede, as well as the facts they had learned from these experiments and those of other labs working on these pathways.
The existing experiments showed a variety of ways that a drug or protein might affect a given process or cellular receptor, but not the full picture of how the complex system interrelated or how the signaling dynamics gave rise to specific frequencies of melanoma-converted animals from a given treatment applied to a population of animals.
Lobo developed a code that treated the drug and cellular interactions as nodes on a network and characterized how each component behaved as a differential equation. The code then randomly combined the various equations at each node as a chain of interactions and scored how close this network of interactions came to reproducing the lab experiments.
It dismissed the results that did not approximate the experimental outcomes, kept those that were closer, and then recombined the components.
Repeating this cycle many times, the combination of processes got better and better in a manner akin to evolution, until it arrived at a system capable of predicting laboratory results. This method, called evolutionary computation, has been used for decades in high-performance computing, but never before for the problem of cellular control networks.
"This approach uses a lot of computational power," Lobo says. "The model is not deterministic. So just as we apply a drug to 100 tadpoles, we have to simulate the model 100 times to get an accurate result. Even if the models are fast to compute, the machine learning algorithm needs to compute billions of simulations to precisely discover the correct equations explaining the data."
The team reported the results of this initial work in Science Signaling in October 2015 ("Serotonergic regulation of melanocyte conversion: A bioelectrically regulated network for stochastic all-or-none hyperpigmentation").
Reverse-engineering interventions
With this model in hand, they began reverse-engineering drug interventions that might create a specific result: speckled tadpoles.
Performing 562 of the type of experiments they would typically do in the lab virtually on Stampede, the model predicted exactly one path to speckled pigmentation: the combination of three reagents -- two drug inhibitors and one messenger RNA -- that would break the all-or-none concordance.
Laboratory experiments confirmed this prediction, resulting in the partial conversion of pigment cells within individual tadpoles.
The model they derived has only been tested in amphibia so far, although the specific pathways targeted are conserved in humans. Moreover, the methodology for model discovery and interrogation will be applicable to a wide range of phenomena.
"This is a great step forward for the aspirational goal of computationally predicting complex phenotypes, and using the modeling predictions for improving health, for treating disease, and engineering useful living organisms," said Tom Skalak, Executive Director of The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.
Levin's lab is interested in applying this method to regenerative medicine and the ways that cells make decisions about how to form and repair complex anatomical structures. (Previous results by the team described machine learning efforts to reverse-engineer the planarian worm's ability to regenerate its entire body from fragments of a worm.)
"Beyond the current tools of bioinformatics, which handle genomic and protein data, we want to develop AI platforms to help us understand and control large scale patterning, the algorithms that define anatomical shape, not just the mechanisms guiding individual cell behaviors," Levin says.
Lobo's lab is applying the method to cancer research to determine what type of interventions might stop metastasis in its tracks without damaging other cells.
"Traditional approaches like chemotherapy attack the cells that grow the most, but leaves cells that are signaling others to grow and that may be the most important," Lobo says. "We're using machine learning to find out the communication networks between these cells and hopefully to discover a treatment that can cause the tumor to collapse."
The results of their tadpole study show how that machine learning can uncover hidden relationships in complex living systems and identify specific manipulations that can achieve a therapeutic outcome.
"The machine learning system contributed to the most creative thing that scientists do: it helped us find a model explaining what's going on in this complex system," Levin says. "In the future, as data continue to accumulate, computers are going to be an essential component of the scientific process, helping us make hypotheses and formulating predictive, quantitative models of how biological systems work."
Source: University of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center
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Your Homeschool Student’s Transcript
A transcript is a basically a list of courses your student has taken and the credit and grade associated with each course.
A transcript can be put together for a homeschooler in the same way that conventional schools develop transcripts for their students. It should include final course grades as well as final grade point average (A=4; B=3; C=2, etc.). The completed transcript should look professional and may be printed by a computer or printing company. It should include the official school name and the school administrator’s signature. Those using a non-traditional schooling approach can translate equivalent learning experiences into courses and credits that a college can understand. Assign grades based on the competency level achieved in each course. Some homeschoolers choose to forego the transcript and submit a portfolio of representative work (essays, reading lists, etc.), as well as college board scores and recommendations. Talk to college admissions officers at prospective colleges about their requirements for admissions and what form of documentation that college accepts. The “Transcript Template.xlsx” below is an Excel spreadsheet template.
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Optimize and scale web widget performance
Serving widget content across hundreds of thousands of users per day is no easy task. A relatively small widget contains images, dynamic data, dynamic renderers, and manifest code that may consume 50 KB of space if you’re lucky. That’s 12 GB of bandwidth a day if you’re lucky enough to hit 250,000 gadget views hitting your servers, or about 3 file bundle requests per second. Even Google’s infrastructure has strained under the load of widget serving, but your sites don’t have to suffer the same fate.
In this post I’ll provide tips and tricks for widget developers interested in serving fast, reliable widget content to as many people as possible. I’ll highlight some of the best practices for serving web content and their specific application towards widget development. Your milage may vary. Please consult your operations professional before taking any magic pills.
1. Browser and HTTP best practices still apply
2. Reduce total network requests
3. Reduce total request sources
4. Speed of light still applies
5. Cache
6. Minify
7. Draw frames
8. Test
9. Summary
Browser and HTTP best practices still apply
Your widget code relies on an integrated web browser and Internet connection to retrieve and display relevant content to your users. Placing your content within a smaller browser window or as a subsection of someone else’s does not change the fact that your code executes locally within a browser or its plugins and requests resources from one or more domains on the Internet.
Reduce total network requests
Scripts and CSS can be stored directly within your Google Gadget manifest file. Placing all your infrequently changing content in a single file reduces the amount of network connections created by your web browser and lets it focus on taking one big bite instead of multiple small bites.
Typical web development best practice is to separate CSS and JavaScript into separate files because the HTML content will change much more frequently than your styling and interaction code. Individual widgets are so tightly integrated it makes more sense to bundle the resources and serve it up as one package with each release. Developers may want to separate their resources during the development stage and execute a packaging script during the deploy stage.
Reduce total request sources
Retrieving a new piece of data requires both a file and a location. On the Internet we take a few relatively quick steps to help connect a series of letters and numbers to a unique position on a hard drive platter in a specific remote machine.
1. I would like example.com/widget.xml please.
2. A domain lookup occurs. Where is example.com located? How may I send laser beams closer to its location?
3. Oh, you want the 2nd server on the 3rd rack on the 4th floor of this DataBank facility in Dallas. Sprint will take you there.
4. Server software running on specialized hardware returns widget.xml to the requester.
If you don’t need to ask for the location of example.com you can skip a step and not perform what is called a DNS lookup. Each DNS record is stored by your local system(s) for a set period of time. Domains that distribute the load of user requests across multiple machines and appreciate quick fail-over ask domain servers to forget everything they just learned within minutes. Sites with a small set of servers that do not change location often might ask domain servers to update their location within hours or days.
Longer time between domain record updates shortens the steps needed to accurately serve your site’s content. You should evaluate your server configuration and IP pool to determine what frequency of updates best matches your Internet behavior.
Each sub-domain is treated as its own domain entry so the same rules apply. Your widgets.example.com site might be served from Boston by one provider while example.com is served in Dallas by another provider. Each new domain address adds some weight to your total page load.
Think globally, serve locally
The fastest server hardware and software is still limited by the laws of physics. Requests and their responses need to travel over twisted copper wires, fiber optics, and other modes of transport to connect a remote server and a local desktop. A customer in San Francisco receives data from Los Angeles faster than he will receive data from Atlanta. A fiber optic laser beam covers 400 miles quicker than it can cover 3000 miles, with typically less rest stops along the way.
Some companies work around this issue with content delivery network (CDN). A CDN optimizes each incoming request based on the requester’s location. Someone requesting your widget from Jacksonville might receive the file from servers in Atlanta while a user requesting the same data from San Diego might receive his file from Los Angeles. Akamai, Limelight Networks, and CacheFly are just a few of the delivery networks in the United States. Prices and performance vary but a CDN can help you conquer the speed of light.
Old vs. new
Web browsers load content into local memory and storage before displaying new content on your screen. Each time you load a widget and its resources the web browser will check for locally stored up-to-date copies of each file described on the page before downloading a new copy from your server. Like the milk in your fridge, each file should have an expiration label to help tools interacting with your content when it’s time to throw out the old stuff and get a new copy. If your widget references a file that has not expired from local storage your content loads a lot quicker than if it had to visit a remote server.
Minimized content
Adding spaces and new lines helps humans view source and author new content. While easy on the eyes, your formatting adds extra information to each file and takes up more space than necessary. The machine does not care about your CSS and JavaScript indentation habits and comments.
You should “minify” all content before publishing your widget. Tools such as JSMin and Dojo ShrinkSafe are two tools you can add to your publishing process to automatically process files for full minification.
Properly frame content
A web browser progressively loads a page on your screen to combine text, photos, sub-pages, and plugin content into a single browser window. You can help speed up the process by including extra properties in your widget code on any piece of content a browser might need revisit.
Images (img) and objects should have a defined height and width. This extra data lets browsers draw a box where the content will later be inserted instead of waiting for all your possible content to load before rendering the page.
Test your output
Tools such as the Firebug extension for Firefox and the WebKit Web Inspector help you profile your pages and discover coding errors. You can take a peek inside JavaScript loads created by your widget, view the total resources needed to assemble your widget content, and test your widget performance before releasing new content to the public.
I’ve outlined just a few of the ways you can optimize your widget code and scale up to more users. Your resources and use cases may vary, but it’s a good idea to at least be aware of various optimization options affecting all web content.
In my next post I’ll help you scale widgets using the Google Gadgets platform.
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What Happened on June 27, 1967
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Historical Events
• Race riot in Buffalo NY (200 arrested)
• The world's first ATM is installed in Enfield, London
Famous Birthdays
• Michelle Torres, American tennis star, born in Chicago, Illinois
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format file ish3
What is an ish3 file and how do I open an ish3 file?
ISH3 files are known as Animation-ish Advanced-ish Documents and they refer to the advanced drawing sequence created by Animation-ish. Like the ISH1 and the ISH2 files, the ISH3 files belong to the three levels of Animation-ish documents and are considered the most complicated level, which is why it is called advanced. These files also store a sequence of frames that were drawn by students and they are used to store creative thinking ideas as well as present them. There are a variety of things that ISH3 files support, such as the clip art, the custom drawn objects and the background and foreground properties. Like the ISH2 files, users can also animate ISH3 files in the software at multiple speeds. They can also be opened with the Animation-ish application that runs on both Windows and MAC. This application is useful for creative drawing among K-12 students since it is easy to use and is an excellent tool for students to enhance their creativity.
Mac OS
Recommended ish3 file download:
FableVision Animation-ish
FableVision Animation-ish
Detail ish3 file extension information:
File Type: ish3
File Format: Animation-ish Advanced-ish Document
Primary Association: Data Files
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0 Items
New FB4 Firmware
Our new firmware also expands the amount of color effects for lasers directly from a console. Making it easier to preform color effects directly from a console over DMX, or ArtNet. Furthermore, you can also run color effects inside of a cue or gobo.
The number of DMX channels in the FB4 has also been dramatically increased, allowing for some good new masking effects that can be built into your cues, and gobos
Pangolin is also making it easier to control your show directly from the console requiring no PC in your setup. With custom profiles available for MA, Avolites, HOG, ChamSys, and more. You can directly plug and play from your console to a laser with FB4, as shown in the video.
For more information about our profiles, or to download them natively, click here: http://pangolin.com/support-products/dmx-profiles/
For more information about our lasers with FB4 inside, visit: https://lasershowprojector.com/
BEYOND 4 - Distributed scanning QuickShow 4.0 - Features Overview
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I’m always attracted to photographing graffiti (at least as a component of an image). I’m interested in the messages people leave behind as some sort of attempt to make permanent sentiments like love, lust, and, in this case, scorn (or simply as a way of saying, I existed and I was here). I’m also particularly interested in the contrast […]
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Courtesy flag
When entering a foreign port, a boat should fly the flag of that country from her starboard Spreader, continuing to fly her own national ensign from its usual staff. Take care not to put two national flags on a common hoist or staff, for one will then inevitably be below the other, national dignity will be offended, and war will probably break out.
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'Journey' and Seeing the Best in My Fellow Gamer
Journey offers a glimpse at a kinder, more optimistic side of random matchmaking.
I'm not what you'd call an optimist when it comes to human nature. All too often, it seems like people default to some state between passively self-absorbed and actively obnoxious. I can't help but think that the fact that I frequently play multiplayer video games influences this predisposition. Spending a lot of time on the Internet probably doesn't help either.
Imagine my surprise then when I found myself feeling unambiguously positive about my fellow humans. By the end of Journey, thatgamecompany's most recent title, I found myself more than appreciative of my fellow gamers' company. The game's quiet, simplistic communication system helped me see the only the best that my fellow gamers had to offer.
At its core, Journey is similar to many other 3D action/adventure games. You view the action from a third-person perspective and control an anthropomorphic character. You make jumps, avoid hazards, and collect macguffins. It's the environment that makes the game special: Journey's world is usually often as harsh as it is huge. Endless deserts and giant abandoned cities form the landscape. Without a host of friendly cartoon characters belonging in a Mario game or the true-to-life detail of an Uncharted game, it's easy to feel isolated.
The sense of loneliness in Journey helps make bumping into another player all the more exciting. The first time that I saw another player, I initially thought it was a mirage. Could someone else really survive in the wasteland? I immediately made my way towards this figure without any thought as to what their reaction might be; it was just exciting to know that I wasn't alone. I was living out one of the most common daydreams that I had while playing Shadow of the Colossus: What if I ran into a stranger in the wasteland? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I quickly found that my isolation made me receptive to any potential friends.
It's somewhat counter-intuitive to say, but the vague nature of my new companion was comforting. Journey subtly makes use of everyone's tendencies to project traits and behaviors onto a relatively blank slate. Everyone meets and is represented by the same somewhat shapeless blob of an avatar. The wanderer's cloak can easily be seen as a flowing dress or a heroic cape. Its face is ethnically ambiguous, and its voice is a melodic chirp rather than a human dialect. Even so, I found myself slipping into the routine of referring to my friend as "he," "him," and "dude." I need to work on that.
Without in-game voice chat and customizable avatars, it's hard to draw any biased preconceptions about who you're actually playing with. That person whose safety I feared for could have been the same racist 12-year-old that I encountered in Team Fortress 2 the day before. All I had to go on was a set of behaviors: the person seemed competent, but not familiar with the world. They seemed interested in exploring off the beaten path. They liberally refilled my magic meter and were generally patient if I missed a jump. I assumed the best and returned the favor. I quickly started to judge people by their actions rather than their voices or appearances. One person was a "dasher," impatient and goal oriented. I met a "wanderer" who was either taking a leisurely pace or new to the medium in general. Some people liked a little personal space, others gladly strolled through the levels side by side.
The strange thing was that I began to perceive almost everyone as either helpful or at least well intentioned. One partner might have been refilling my meter out of impatience for my lollygagging, but it's hard to interpret such a nice action as self interested. A particularly talkative player may have been cursing me while they sat on their couch, but their avatar's plucky chirps made them seem friendly. On my end, I found myself being patient with folks who seemed to be struggling with the controls or those who wandered off in the wrong direction. Of course, they could have been trolling me, but without an obnoxious custom character or the distorted, marijuana-infused giggles of voice chat, I was free to assume the best.
It's strange, but Journey's minimalism promotes sincerity. The huge environments and interesting two player dynamics make meeting another player genuinely interesting. The blank-slate avatars strip away most surface level differences that often cause problems in online games. Journey offered only the most rudimentary ways to communicate, so I had to fill in the details myself. In the absence of anything else by which to judge my companions, I had to observe their actions. I didn't know much about them except that their actions were (at worst) neutral and (at best) beneficial towards me. Mechanically, everything in Journey is positive, and this started to inform the way I thought about other players.
Maybe people are basically helpful? Perhaps curiosity and wonder is the natural state of things and jaded loudmouths are a vocal minority? Maybe removing voice chat from Halo will usher in a new age of optimism in multiplayer games? Of course, that's probably the kind of attitude that will get you tea-bagged in the blink of an eye.
Still, playing Journey did let me catch a fleeting glimpse at a kinder, more optimistic side of random matchmaking (not to mention my own attitude towards people in general). It was a short, but refreshing trip that left me with a pleasant thought: given the right context, gamers (and people in general) aren't all that bad.
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PA File Sight Features
download file sight now
Need a quick overview of Ultra vs Lite?
Show: Monitors Actions Reporting Other Features Everything
Remote Monitoring Ultra Lite
Remote Monitoring
Monitoring remote servers, even across firewalls and the Internet
SNAP Tunnels
Safely send data to remote networks using SNAP Tunnels
Remote Support
Securely connect to monitored servers with Remote Desktop even through firewalls and across the Internet with PA File Sight
Monitors Ultra Lite
Automate common IT tasks with the Action Scheduler. It will run your defined Actions when you specify.Action Scheduler
Prevent external disks from attaching to servers or workstationsDrive Sight
Protects servers and workstations by preventing CD/DVDs and/or external drives, including USB drives, from being attached. Any specified devices that are attached are immediately detached by the operating system so they cannot be accessed.
A global monitor which builds a server/device list based on finding servers/devices that meet your criteria.Dynamic Server List
PA File Sight monitors file access, creation and file deletesFile Sight Monitor
The File Sight monitor watches real time file access by users and programs. You can configure which files it watches, and how you are notified when a particular operation (file read, write, delete, etc) occurs.
The Ultra version also lets you:
* Record the file access operations to a database for reporting (by user, by file, by operation, etc)
* Alert on user usage patterns (i.e. user reads X amount of data in Y time, useful for ransomware protection and detecting file copying)
NOTE: This monitor can ONLY monitor drives on the local computer. Watching files on remote computers requires that the PA File Sight service (or a Satellite) be installed on the remote computers.
PA File Sight collects inventoryInventory Collector
See the Pricing page for more details.
Download Ultra Lite
Download and give it a try! Download Download
Fully functional 30 day free trial. Trial extensions available.
(Simple version of above list)
Download a free trial now!
Wow, you guys are GOOD! Go get yourselves some lattes or something. :-) I won't be able to try the update for a little while, but the effort alone makes me smile.
Jeremiah B., FLEXcon, USA more customer quotes...
see customer list...
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Sardines – Little Fish, Super Food
by: Junji Takano
SardinesAs everybody knows, sardines are popular fish since our ancestors. However, it is also a fact that there are many who do not like to eat sardines because of its offensive smell and rapid spoilage.
Knowing the character of it, I tried to study how to cook cutting down the smell and increase its fine taste from my mother. Furthermore, sardines are very rich in calcium, lecithin and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). EPA does an important role on preventing blood clot. The fish oil fatty acids reduce blood clotting by decreasing the stickiness of blood platelets.
Then, you should know the secret of sardines and its cooking techniques?
It's true that sardines are one of the weakest fishes. Sardines can easily crumple and rot which is the main reason most people dislike sardines. But if you know how to keep the shape of the sardine without crumpling, for sure you will like its great taste. It is because sardine itself removes or peels off scales for a certain reason which makes the shape of sardine collapses with its own weight and gravity. Of course, it is natural that collapsed fish meat does not taste good, just like rotten or deteriorated with empty taste.
To retain the freshness of the sardines, prepare a cooler box with water and ice cubes and place the sardines in it. This will keep the fish fresh.
Here's the reason sardines peel off its own scales. Sardines produce about ten thousand eggs, and because of that, it became the feed resource of other marine creatures. Sardines are exposed to the crisis of their lives. To escape or maneuver the attackers, sardines drop their own scales to make the eyes of the enemy black out.
Of course, sardines that lost their own scales are hurt and weak, so they easily die or spoil. You may notice that most sardines you buy in the markets have less or no scales. This is because of the unique habit of sardines to remove their scales when they were caught in the net.
How to Retain the Sardines at Best Condition
Sardine's salinity density is 1%; therefore, make an ice water of 1% salinity to balance and preserve the osmotic pressure. In this way, the excessive extract does not come out of the sardine's body. Also, it can hold down the offensive odor as well as its good taste. Sardines are one of the healthiest foodstuffs with rich calcium, EPA and lecithin contents.
As for calcium in fish, sardines are top class. 100g of sardines contains 70mg of calcium. This amount is 3 times than that of horse mackerel and 8 times that of mackerel. Also, sardines have the highest amount of EPA. There are 1,200mg of EPA for every 100g of sardines.
Observe the mouth where the sardines eat their feed. If you will measure the size of the mouth, you will notice that sardines mouths are much bigger than any other fishes, in order to take more plankton and other small feeds. Why sardines eat more small plankton more? It is to keep more EPA nutrient from phytoplankton and small plankton.
How about calcium? Sardines have more bones compare to other fishes. It is a soft, known bone, between the meats (small bones which we do not notice much when we eat). The number of such fine bones is 270, and it is 5 times more than horse mackerel. It has one of the richest calcium you can take.
Now, you understand that sardines are very healthy food to take. If you have any pressure cooker, then, it is easy to make sardines, like the can you are buying in the supermarket.
Eating sardines, including tuna and salmon even once or twice a week confers many healthy benefits. Obviously an all-around healthy diet will provide even more protection from other illnesses, too.
Trivia: Eating Fish Prevents Macular Degeneration
Salmon fish is well known to keep our heart and brain healthy. There are a lot of reasons to eat a nutrient-rich fishes to prevent age-related macular degeneration, especially eyesight. Cheap and abandoned fish is sardine. Eat sardines everyday. Sardine makes you healthy mentally and physically. Make it habitual to eat more fishes that contain fish oil and lutein, and cook with vegetables.
Get healthy with fish.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45192
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Christmas Quizzes at Bubble Tree Quizzes
The following quotes appear in which famous films?
1."If you build it, he will come"?
2."Oh, I'm sorry. Did I break your concentration"?
3."Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained"?
4."Say hello to the Scream Extractor"?
5."I wanna live again Clarence, I want to live again"?
6."I'm scared to close my eyes, I'm scared to open them"?
7."It's K...K...K...Ken, c...c...c...coming to k...k...k...kill me"?
8."You have a problem with authority, Mr. Anderson"?
9."As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again"?
10."Hi, I'm Tour Guide Barbie"?
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The affinities of Richard Rorty and Edward Bellamy
In his defence of Richard Rorty against various ʻsalt-of-the-earth socialist internationalistsʼ such as Norman Geras, Roy Bhaskar and Terry Eagleton (ʻRortyʼs Nationʼ, Radical Philosophy 87) Jonathan Rée confesses himself puzzled by Rorty on one point. He ʻcannot quite understandʼ Rortyʼs ʻaffectionʼ for the bureaucratic collectivist utopia of the nineteenthcentury American socialist and novelist Edward Bellamy. […]
On humanitarian bombing
Commentary On humanitarian bombing Andrew chitty Since World War II the United States has dropped bombs on twenty-one different countries. That is an average of one new country every two years. In the last two years the rate has been higher, with first-time bombings of Afghanistan, Sudan and Yugoslavia, plus a return trip to Iraq. […]
You let her into the house? Reflections on the politics of aid in Africa
Commentary You let her into the house? Reflections on the politics of aid in Africa Lara pawson There is a fact: White men consider themselves superior to black men. There is another fact: Black men want to prove to white men, at all costs, the richness of their thought, the equal value of their intellect. […]
Progressive politics in transnational space
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3 Comments on "Endorsement."
1. Um, I imagine I am being obtuse, as usual, but–isn’t that Kennedy’s middle name? I find I haven’t the vaguest idea what you may be trying to convey by that. Egotism, manipulativeness, and an inability to extract the country from a long and draining war that it shouldn’t have got into in the first place?
2. Yes, “Fitzgerald” was Kennedy’s middle name. I think I’m trying to say something like “Hey everyone, how long has it been since we elected someone who’s smart and easy on the eyes? Forty-eight years? Let’s try it again — you never know, it might work!”
Or maybe I’m just misspelling “Hussein” again. That keeps happening.
Leave a Reply
+ fifty = fifty three
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Winter flurry of Permian-to-Corpus projectsWinter flurry of Permian-to-Corpus projectshttps://www.recenter.tamu.edu/news/newstalk-texas/?Item=186332017-12-19T06:00:00Z2017-12-20T01:45:00Z
CORPUS CHRISTI – Houston's Plains All American Pipeline is seeking customers to build its planned Cactus II Pipeline connecting the Permian Basin to Corpus Christi.
The project would add two pipelines to its existing Cactus network, expanding the system's crude capacity from 390,000 barrels a day to up to 575,000.
The first new pipeline would originate west of Odessa and connect southeast to McCamey.
The longer, second pipeline would extend from McCamey to the Corpus Christi and Ingleside area.
The project could be completed by fall 2019.
The original Cactus Pipeline is the only major oil artery connecting the Permian to Corpus Christi.
There are a slew of other Permian-to-Corpus projects in the works.
In early December 2017, Houston's Phillips 66 and Canada-based Enbridge announced plans to build their own crude pipeline from West Texas to the Corpus area.
Houston Chronicle
Corpus Christi
Infrastructure ＆ Transportation
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Plains-All-American-pushing-ahead-with-Cactus-12427287.phpRead more at the {Source}
Search NewsTalk Texas
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Analyst paper
IDC infographic on the business value of Red Hat OpenShift
내용 소개
IDC interviewed nine organizations that use Red Hat® OpenShift as their primary application development platform, finding that the solution yields significant business value. This infographic shows the highlights from the report, which include a five-year ROI of 531% and average annual savings of $1.29 million per 100 developers.
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Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky)
I have been telling myself for ages now that I’ll get myself a copy of this book. But because I still have tons on my book case that is waiting to be read, I just can’t find the guts to buy one. So looking for an e-book copy is my second option. But since the movie is already out and I so wanted to read the book first before catching the film, I find myself one day at the National Bookstore holding a copy of this book and another old favorite – The Alchemist (for G.p).
I got it on a Friday night and finished reading Saturday morning. Yes! I just can’t bring it down. I got so engrossed on Charlie’s life that even though my eyes are hurting, I finished it in one go.
To say that I loved it would be an understatement. It would surely sit on my list of I-can-keep-reading-you-again-and-again books. Together with my Harry Potter series, Princess Diaries series, All American Girl, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle and others. :) I am soooo glad that I got a copy of the real book because this one is a gem.
This book is a compilation of Charlie’s letters to his “friend”. Something like a diary of some sorts because he was telling his “friend” almost everything that happened to him. I remember keeping a diary myself (when I am that immature little girl) that holds my heart. My entire heart. I remember being as confused as Charlie. I remember that feeling of my first kiss and first boyfriend. That feeling of not having friends and finally getting myself a group. I remember my rebellious stage when I thought that sneaking a bottle of alcoholic drink on one of our high school field trips and not get caught is my greatest achievement. I remember creating a soundtrack of my life. Copying the lyrics, asking my father to record songs on my cassette tape and playing them on my walkman over and over again. Listening to a song and thinking that the song is all about me, what I currently feel (I still sometimes do that now).
I am just so glad I read it now. When I am old enough to understand. When I mature enough to know. When I am old enough to be glad that I got this book because it reminds me of those precious moments of teenage life. My teenage life. The life that I guess shaped me to whoever I am today.
I am glad that I read it today because it reminds me of some sweet memories. Some memories that I have long forgotten but is glad that I remembered. It somehow answered some of the questions I have in my mature mind. Funny how things are like that sometimes. You are old enough to know, mature enough to understand and you have been pushing yourself in thinking of a specific answer to a question that you can’t seem to comprehend. Only to find out that you have the answer all along. That it is just hidden somewhere at the back of your mind. That it has been there with you for a long time. That the answer is actually with your old teenager self.
I haven’t watched the film yet. I am waiting for G.p to finish reading the book before we go and see Emma Watson play Sam. :) A lot of people are claiming that the film is as beautiful as the book. I hope it is. Because I want to remember it all over again. I want to go back in time when all I think about is my crush and how to pass that dreaded that history exam. How much I loved Math and how much I hate Biology. And how can I hide the smell of liquor on my breath after that drinking session on a friend’s house. And how nasty smoking is but I still wish I can do it like my friends.
If you are planning to read it, please do so. It is a great read. A novel worth your time.
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8 Creepy Things People Say To Women Struggling With Infertility
For the most part, I honestly think it's a shame we, as a society, don't talk about infertility. It's usually a hushed conversation shared between friends and partners, and the secrecy of it all can make women feel as if they're something fundamentally wrong or defunct with them. There are however, the moments when I've heard some of the creepy things people say to women struggling with infertility, and I start to think that it's for the best if no one talks about infertility ever again. Personally, it's something I usually keep private to protect my emotions and pride, but I would be lying if I said I didn't also stay hush hush to protect myself from the creeps of the world. The last thing I need is some stranger offering me inane advice or asking me personal questions.
If you don't struggle with infertility, you might be surprised at how brazen people can be when they learn you're having a tough time getting pregnant. If you do struggle with infertility, these bizarre statements probably (and sadly) won't be that surprising to you at all. Usually when I'm faced with this type of conversation with an acquaintance (friends know better and complete strangers aren't usually so bold), my brain goes straight into gif mode.
This one is usually particularly apropos:
Then again, it's not always worth it to go there and, instead, I'll stick to something more along these lines:
A blank stare will usually put a rude stranger in their place (or at least make them feel extremely uncomfortable) and they'll inevitably retreat into the woodwork. Honestly, that's where I wish those people would stay, instead of blurting these ridiculous and creepy things in the direction of someone who is struggling with infertility.
"Are You Sure You're Doing It Right?"
If you mean to ask, "Are you sure you're doing it at the right time of the month?" then just ask that instead. Do not ask me if I know how to have sex.
"I Just Look At My Partner & I'm Pregnant"
Um, well. Yuck, and no. That's not how reproduction works.
Honestly, there is something inherently creepy about talking about how exceptionally fertile you and your partner are. It's also, arguably, the least helpful comment you could make. Explaining how fertile you are does not help me feel better or become more fertile.
"I Bet I Could Get You Pregnant"
What in the what? I just, um. What? For f*ck's sake.
"Are You Too Skinny To Get Your Period?"
Do you know how skinny you have to be to not get your period? Believe me, I am not that skinny. Plus, a person's size usually has nothing to do with their ability to get their period, and more to do with how healthy or unhealthy they are.
Since you're into the whole "science" thing, apparently, do you know how many people have irregular periods for a whole host of other reasons? Do you know how much I don't want to be talking about periods with anyone other than my doctor and maybe my mom?
"What's Your Partner's Sperm Count?"
Unless you happen to also be a fertility specialist, I do not want to talk sperm count with you. Ever.
"Do You Have Any Eggs Left?"
Like, for real? I am not that old. Oh, and did you see that Janet Jackson was pregnant at 52? So do not ask me about my old eggs, they are my business and my business alone.
"You'll Probably Get Pregnant If You Adopt"
You know what's not a great reason to adopt? Thinking adoption has some sort of magic power that will automatically get you pregnant. Just because some people who have struggled with infertility have gotten pregnant after or during adoption doesn't mean adoption is a medical solution, and it certainly doesn't mean you should be walking around suggesting it.
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Lamb Kofta w/ Rumi Spice Afghan Blend – RUMI
Lamb Kofta w/ Rumi Spice Afghan Blend
Yield: 4 portions / Prep Time: 10min. / Cook Time: 25min.
Our friends at Our Name is Farm have done it again, this time with two ways to use your Rumi Spice blends. This recipe is easy enough for a midweek meal and fancy enough for a weekend feature. Try it and send us pictures of your work!
For the lamb kofta:
• 1 lb. ground lamb
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lg. sweet onion (about 1 cup), finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup chopped cilantro (substitute parsley if sensitive to cilantro)
• 2 tbsp. Rumi Spice Afghan Blend
• 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
• 2 tbsp. sunflower, canola or vegetable oil
For the tomato broth:
• 1 - 28oz. can of diced tomatoes
• 1 small sweet onion (about 1⁄3 cup), finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. Rumi Spice Paella Blend
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. Kosher salt
• 2 oz. fresh feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 4 pita breads, lightly toasted (optional)
• Chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)
In a medium bowl, mix the lamb kofta ingredients - including the Rumi Spice Afghan Blend
seasoning - until ingredients are evenly distributed, and form long, thick patties, similar to
sausage (but without casings). There should be enough meat for 20 patties.
In a large skillet (with no extra oil) and a high flame, sear the kofta patties until they are crispy
on all sides. Remove, lower the heat to medium low, and begin to build the tomato broth by
adding the diced onions, kosher salt, garlic powder and Rumi Spice Paella Blend seasoning. Let the onions cook down, then add the canned (we use boxed) diced tomatoes, and let simmer on medium-low heat for about 15minutes. Return the kofta patties to the tomato broth for the last five minutes to cook through. To serve, lightly toast pita bread, and top with crumbled feta cheese and chopped cilantro or parsley. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: If you can’t find ground lamb at the local supermarket, butcher or farmer’s market, you can feel free to substitute ground beef. It won’t be exactly the same, but this recipe works
perfectly with ground beef, chicken and fish (salmon, tuna).
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© Cartoonresource |
Negotiating Differences 2
Published: Apr 07 , 2016
Author: Robin Copland
“The great thing
I wrote that last week, but as I concluded the essay, I realised that perhaps the most difficult negotiations you will ever get involved in (apart from your personal terms and conditions at your workplace, or perhaps negotiating where you agree with the other side – and disagree with your own side’s position!) is where you are negotiating with people “of faith”. And I don’t just mean religion here, though they are the most obvious example.
It is really difficult to negotiate with people who are so certain of their position that they feel the need to impose either it, or its consequences on the rest of us. In Scotland, for example, we have what are called the “Wee Frees”, an extreme religious breakaway movement that thinks that raw-boned “Church of Scotland Protestantism” just doesn’t go far enough. The Sabbath is there to be observed, which is absolutely fine – until you start trying to tell me that I have to follow the same rules! It is only in the last ten years that the national ferry company, CalMac, felt able to sail between Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and the mainland at Ullapool on a Sunday. To me, would it not have been easier, assuming that you are a true believer, just not to take the Sunday sailing, but let the rest of us get on with it? Why this need to impose your will on me?
They might, of course, argue the diametric opposite: why impose the noise that the ferry makes on my Sunday?
Looking at the USA - a country I love - from without its borders, you do wonder which bit of the juxtaposition between the number of guns and assault weapons in private ownership and the number of random shootings and massacres that there are – seemingly on a weekly basis – that they don’t get! The NRA blithely talk about there being no link; a classic case of blind faith shielding the true believer from the unpalatable truth of the matter.
Then you have the person, typically young, who genuinely believes with all his/ her heart that suicide bombing is a good thing and that god will somehow reward them in an after-life for killing the infidel. Really?
So how do you negotiate with the person of extreme faith? Sometimes, the answer is that you don’t. Negotiation is a trading process in which there is give and take, so for a negotiation to take place – well there needs to be give and take! The truth of the matter is that you cannot negotiate with the true believer. You have to find the sensible, moderate people just behind them; they are the ones with whom business will be done and agreements crafted.
Robin Copland
Robin Copland
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Free Sermons and Sermon Outlines for Preaching :
Sermons on syntyche: showing 1-15 of 201
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• Dealing With Disagreement Series
Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Mar 10, 2006
based on 11 ratings
What are the dangers of disagreements in the church and how do we deal with them? This sermon follows the roles of the three ’characters’ in this passage: Paul, ’Euodia & Syntyche’ and Syzgus
Dealing with disagreement. Philipp 4:1-3 WBC 12/03/06am Fantastically useful, practical and real passage this morning. I want to take you through it- through the three main characters in it PAUL He’s the one with the birds-eye view in this… and he starts by saying PHP 4:1 Therefore, my more
• The Prescription For Powerful Peace Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 26, 2006
based on 65 ratings
According to a Gallup Poll, many people believe "peace of mind" is critical for success in life. So why doesn’t everybody experience this peace?
Begin by reciting Galatians 5:22-23a “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” OPEN: Some time back the Gallup organization polled Americans about their most important criteria for judging personal success. They more
• Your Place To Stand Together Series
Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Aug 21, 2016
At unlikely times and places our love for each other will be TESTED. When the relational road becomes rocky God’s Spirit will blow into our lives in order to strengthen us to stand together in UNBROKEN UNITY. You cannot be in relationship with God alone.
UNLIKELY - Your Place to Stand Together John 3:7-8 MsgB “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, more
• We Can Work It Out Series
Contributed by David Owens on Mar 5, 2018
based on 1 rating
As we look at Paul's instructions for Euodia and Syntyche and how they can get along, we also can learn about how to get along with others and how to help others get along with each other.
Introduction: A. Let’s start today’s sermon with an old poem I really like called “The Perfect Church” I think that I shall never see, A Church that’s all it ought to be; A Church whose members never stray, Beyond the Strait and Narrow way; A Church that has no empty pews, Whose Preacher never more
• Reconcilable Differences Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 25, 2017
based on 4 ratings
Since God reconciled us to Himself in Christ Jesus, He now calls us to be reconcilers. What does that mean with regard to conflicts in our lives and in our church?
OPEN: A medical doctor once told of one of his patients who’d developed cancer. He said she’d grown up in an abusive, alcoholic family and felt bitterness toward her parents. But when she discovered she had cancer, she decided to change her attitude and try to show love to her parents - in spite more
• When Conflicts Arise In Christian Community
Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 22, 2002
based on 93 ratings
Learn the principles for dealing successfully with the inevitable conflicts that arise in church
Last week, we looked at how integrating God’s influence results in healthy relationships. The four steps contained in Philippians 3:15-4:1 were "ask God for clear thinking, live what we know from God, pattern after godly people and make room for a biblical future." If we could do this perfectly more
• Practicing Peace Series
Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 23, 2017
based on 1 rating
This message is a challenge to live in peace with others.
Title: Practicing Peace Text: Philippians 4:2-9 Introduction Today our text begins like an episode from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills complete with: • Hair pulling. • Crazy Drama. • Packaged insanity. The Apostle Paul says, “When peace is broken… fix it!” I. When Peace Is Broken… more
• Thanks For The Phoebes In Our Church
Contributed by David Rigg on Nov 9, 2015
based on 1 rating
Here's a sermon that will show your appreciation for the good Christian women in your congregation.
Thanks For The Phoebes In Our Church Romans 16:1-2 1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper more
• When Christians Disagree Series
Contributed by Greg Nance on Jan 7, 2012
Unity is crucial to Christian witness. Nothing is more essential and nothing brings God glory like the love and unity of the body of Christ in a fallen world. Yet this struggle is pervasive. How does God want us to deal with it?
Powerpoint available upon request: ask for "Powerpoint for When Christians Disagree." When Christians Disagree Philippians 4:2-3 is an unusual text that we need to slow down and look into. 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in more
• What Should We Do Now?
Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 27, 2010
based on 1 rating
Biblical advice for the church from a departing pastor
What Should We Do Now? Philippians 4:1-3 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Oct. 24, 2010 INTRODUCTORY NOTE: *I was saved through the ministry of this church in 1975, and after answering God’s call to the ministry, I returned to serve as associate pastor from 1983-1992. more
• Focusing On Unity
Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 2, 2006
based on 22 ratings
The difference between disagreement & harmony
Philip 4:2 " I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord." - Examples of Unity - Ecc. 4:9-12 I. Women’s Impact 1. Women were first preached too at Philippi. (Acts 16.12-15) - They became the first believers in Europe. 2. Lydia was gracious to more
• Remembering - The Key To Peace Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 27, 2018
based on 2 ratings
You'd think that mature Christians wouldn't argue among each other... but they do. Why do they do that, how can we keep ourselves from hurting Jesus with that destructive habit?
OPEN: A preacher told of how his family would spend weekends at his grandparents when he was a boy. In winter, they’d slide down a grassy hill on an old car hood. In the spring, before the fields were plowed, they’d play football in those fields, and when the fields were plowed they’d have dirt more
• Labor Together In The Gospel Series
Contributed by Glenn Durham on Sep 8, 2010
based on 6 ratings
God provides grace to reconcile relationships among those committed to advancing the Gospel.
Scripture Introduction Someone wrote a poem about conflict in the church: To live above, with the saints we love; Oh, that will be glory! But to live below, with the saints we know; now that’s a different story! Today we meet two women who probably sang that ditty every morning! more
• Solid Help For Solving Problems
Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 25, 2007
based on 1 rating
5 helps for solving family problems
Solid Help for Solving Problems Philippians 4:1-9 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - June 24, 2007 *Sooner or later, every family will face problems. In this season of church camps, let me tell you about an 8-year-old boy who went to camp some years ago. This was before the more
• Patching, Praying, Practicing Series
Contributed by James Galbraith on Nov 14, 2006
based on 2 ratings
Paul’s three-fold call to patch up broken relationships, pray for all things with thanksgiving and practice positive values, so that we will know the peace of God and the God of Peace.
Philippians 4:2-9 ¡V ¡§Patching, Praying and Practicing¡¨ By James Galbraith First Baptist Church, Port Alberni November 12, 2006 Text 2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have more
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Available 24/7 - Free Initial Consultation
“Persistent drunk driver” label possible after only one offense
When people hear the legal designation “persistent drunk driver,” many assume it only applies to those with a history of multiple alcohol-related driving offenses. But those people would be wrong.
In fact, depending on the circumstances, an individual can be labeled as a “persistent drunk driver” after only one alcohol-related offense. For example, Colorado law will brand you as a “persistent drunk driver” if you commit either of the following offenses:
• You refuse to participate in alcohol/chemical testing otherwise required under Colorado law, including the testing of your breath, urine, blog or saliva
• You drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.15 percent or more, measured at the time of driving or within two hours or driving
Importantly, however, the “persistent drunk driver” designation may also apply to those with multiple offenses, including those who 1) have been convicted of or had their licenses revoked for two or more alcohol-related driving offenses, or those who 2) are caught driving after their licenses/driving privileges have already been suspended/revoked/restrained due to an alcohol-related driving offense.
Why does it matter?
Regardless of whether you have been branded a “persistent drunk driver” after a single offense or multiple offenses, the consequences are the same. So, what are they?
Simply put, anyone designated as a “persistent drunk driver” will face harsher penalties for alcohol-related driving offenses. Given these harsher consequences, it is extremely important to seek experienced guidance should you find yourself in one of the four situations outlined above.
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Power Play: Don’t heckle
Rose Herceg /
There’s a reason comedians hate hecklers. It’s cruel and dumb and shows an inferior mind.
There’s a big difference between some gentle, good-natured teasing and plain old heckling. Don’t do it. It’s demeaning and it’s usually symptomatic of a lot of passive-aggressive crap.
It’s also self-serving. Power Players don’t seek attention, like children; attention comes to them because they have something worth saying. Resist that terrible urge we (all) sometimes have to heckle.
Take a lead from Power Players who can feel a bitchy comment rising up inside them. Instead, they grab a glass of water or doodle something on their notepad until cooler heads prevail.
Remember this: it’s always easy to heckle from the cheap seats. You’ll regret it when you do. Every Power Player worth their salt will tell you exactly the same thing.
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Currency Note US Dollar
Federal Reserve talks up US economy
By Ricky Bean June 19th, 2014
Yesterday we saw the US current account deficit come in worse than expected, -US$111.2 billion compared to the consensus expectation of -US$96 billion. This data failed to move the dollar significantly as most participants where still waiting for last night’s Federal Open Market Committee statement and the rhetoric around the interest rate decision. When the wait was finally over and the Chair of the Federal Reserve spoke, the US dollar weakened across the board as the rhetoric was more positive about the US economy than expected, increasing risk appetite and undermining the US dollar given its safe haven status. The FOMC continued to reduce their programme of quantitative easing by another US$10 billion.
Today there is less data expected from the US, but it is worth mentioning that the initial jobless claim is expected to come in slightly better than previously, at 314.000. At 3pm, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index is due to be released, and this is expected to be lower than previous releases.
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Social Audit Ltd
P O Box 111 London NW1 8XG
Telephone/Fax 44 (0)171 586 7771
Dr Munir Pirmohamed
Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
University of Liverpool, Box 147
LIVERPOOL L69 3BX 17 July 1998
Dear Dr Pirmohamed,
You may remember I wrote to you and Professor Breckenridge shortly after publication of your paper on drug-induced iatrogenic illness (BMJ 25 April 1998, 316, 1295-1298). I have not heard from Professor Breckenridge: I expect he is very busy and perhaps he was reluctant to discuss issues relating to the CSM. I would therefore be grateful if you could give me some further information about the evidence you and your colleagues relied on. As you will have had some time to consider the points I raised, and because I have abbreviated the original list of questions, I hope it will possible to let me have the information I need in the near future. The questions are as follows:
1. The main estimate in the paper - that ADRs account for about 5% of all hospital admissions - is cited to four US studies. Did you find any data about experience in the UK, and/or any data to indicate that the nature and extent of drug-induced iatrogenic illness was comparable in the US and UK?
2. The paper estimates the incidence of ADRs as a percentage of an unspecified number of "all hospital admissions". Could you please tell the number of hospital admissions/year you had in mind when you calculated this?
3. What is the basis of the estimate that ADRs affect 10-20% of all in-patients? No citation is given.
4. What is the evidence for the estimates in the paper that ADRs cause deaths in 0.1% of medical and 0.01% of surgical inpatients?
5. The major US studies suggest that perhaps half of all ADRs might have been avoided. Did you and your colleagues find any evidence to suggest that the position might be different or similar in the UK?
I hope you will be able to let me have this information, to clarify the significance of your research in this important field. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Contents page
List of MCA/CSM Correspondence
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Binge Eating Disorder
Binge/Compulsive Eating Disorder sufferers find themselves unable to control intense compulsions to binge eat in a similar way to those with Bulimia. It is defined as recurrent periods of eating significantly more food in a short space of time, than most people would eat under similar circumstances. These episodes are marked by feelings of lack of control. Someone with binge eating disorder may eat too quickly, even when not hungry. There may be associated feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or disgust and the sufferer may binge eat alone in order to keep the behavior a secret.
Compulsive eating lacks the purging stage of Bulimia, and subsequently those with this disorder tend to have higher body weights. People can gain weight for various reasons though, and it must be said that not everyone who is obese, sufferers from an eating disorder.
Until relatively recently, Binge Eating Disorder was not fully recognised by the medical profession and fell under the category of EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). However in the last edition of the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition' – the official 'rulebook of mental health diagnosis- it was recognised as a disorder in its own right. In the past 20 years there have been over 1,000 research papers published that support the idea that BED is a specific diagnosis that has validity and consistency.
What is happening?
As with other eating disorders, shape, size and weight can become a focus in place of sorting out painful and difficult problems. The extra weight carried by compulsive overeaters gives a confusing message. It may be used to keep people at bay. It can be a protective amour against feelings of weakness and vulnerability, or used either to hide or emphasise strength and determination.
Possible Signs & Symptoms
Read More
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Can't win don't try (rationalizing bass purchase)
Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by blipndub, Mar 10, 2004.
1. I've tried both approaches to introducing a new bass to my girlfriend.
1) buying the bass and letting her discover it organically. i don't say anything but one day she'll be like (hey what's that bass Ive not seen that before)
2) hey honey wanna see my tax return/new bass? and then you just throw it out there and say, yes i bought this, new and i paid in full.
Here's my experience. The first one is better. The second one introduces a whole new level of rationalizing about why it was a good way to spend money. The fact is my girlfriend doesn't care enough about one bass from another so that i can have it for months before she even notices and it totally softens the blow. it's like well, the money's already spent i guess he could afford it since he's still paying bills etc.
What have you guys found works best. I'm done buying guitars for a while (I PROMISE) but you never know
2. ...and here it is.
at least Kozo the cattledog seems to like it...
3. Hey Blip,
I was told recently by a good friend some sage advice: "It is easier to ask for forgiveness, than to beg for permission..."
Good luck!
PS: Cool pooch.
4. that's so true and i do care how she feels, and she ended up with "if it makes you happy..." and i think she meant it. you're right, being honest is a good thing, just a little harder sometimes!
5. canopener
Sep 15, 2003
Isle of Lucy
Buy her something, too (not as in, buy her off...). Big or small, she'd dig it...
6. Figjam
Aug 5, 2003
Boston, MA
Welcome to the Godin Family man.
7. Part of my rationalization was that she's taking a two week vacation in Honolulu at the end of the month. so i figured, this is my Hawaii since i can't go.
I love the Godin, it covers all the bases ; ) it's one thick sounding bass. compared it to the new Ibanez 405 which is nice but stiff and the MTD 5 which is beautiful, has kick ass elecronics but felt kind of cheap. The Godin sounded and felt the best, looks great and was under 600.
8. Bryan R. Tyler
May 3, 2002
I'm pretty lucky-my wife is used some checks to buy me an Elrick singlecut. She's also purchased a 4x10, a Boss GT-6B, a pretty nice keyboard, and paid for the LEDs in my fretless. I don't know if she always understands why I want all this stuff (as some of it occasionally ends up collecting dust for short periods of time), but she knows it's one of my passions and supports it as best she can. I think as long as the bills are getting paid on time and there's a little set aside for emergencies, she's happy to make me happy. She makes me very happy I must say.
9. Trevorus
Oct 18, 2002
Urbana, IL
I bought a tube combo once, and put it on my credit card. I have 30 days to return it, and she warmed up to the tubes. (Bad Pun intended) So, it worked out well. That's how I do it.
10. Mike Money
Mike Money In Memoriam
Mar 18, 2003
Bakersfield California
Avatar Speakers Endorsing Hooligan
Keyword: "Girlfriend"
I say, if you aren't married, no woman has the right to tell you that you can or can't buy a bass. If you are not married, your finances are a whole lot of none of their damned business.
11. Trevorus
Oct 18, 2002
Urbana, IL
unless you live together. And pay bills together.
12. Brendan
Brendan Supporting Member
Jun 18, 2000
Austin, TX
I'm still a fan of the McManus school` of collecting. Get at least 4 basses right off the bat. Less than three, she can identify each one by color, if nothing else. After 4, she just thinks of them generally as "all those basses," and you're free to go nuts.
Also, if you have multiple guitar stand/wall hangers, always leave the same amount of spaces open. She'll see two open spots, and she'll keep those in mind, but not the actual number (re: the above paragraph). You can even add whole full racks (but only full, otherwise she'll notice the other empty slots) or new sections to the wall hanging section, as long as you keep those same two spots empty.
That's how you collect basses with a significant other who doesn't "get" music. Josh Walsh is lucky, his wife is a drummer, she understands. Many do not.
13. Mike Money
Mike Money In Memoriam
Mar 18, 2003
Bakersfield California
Avatar Speakers Endorsing Hooligan
I like that idea, Brendan.
14. Brendan
Brendan Supporting Member
Jun 18, 2000
Austin, TX
Not mine. Patrick F. McManus'. Only he applies it to collecting guns.
15. RicPlaya
Apr 22, 2003
The Mitten
Girlfriends may be temporary.... a bass lasts forever. Why is this an issue? She's your girl right? Your justifying this because she's going to Hawaii whatever.... she should support your endeavors, but that's none of my business. Maybe you buy a bass a week and she's concerned about your spending? not that there's anything wrong with that.
16. P. Aaron
P. Aaron Supporting Member
It took about 8 months for me to get both the MIA-P I now enjoy, and a decent rig to share the love.
I have my sights on another hunk 'o' wood here in the next year. I will get it, I just have to get my wife resigned to the fact that it's a forgone conclusion: "honey, say hello to the new addition!"
Since I am married, I tell her this up-front. My wife is the greatest.
Plus I am hoping for the even trade of the Diamond ring I got for her last Holiday. :D
17. Danksalot
Apr 9, 2003
Dallas, Texas, USA
Endorsing Artist: SIT Strings
It must be a nice bass if you're going to trade your wife's diamond ring for it! :bag:
18. You know I think my (live in, cohabitating, domestic partner) girlfriend does support my playing and even my guitar habit but there's always a bit of a sticker shock. I'm not wealthy so it's not like the money couldn't have gone to something else that maybe was more useful. She seems to waffle between amusement and annoyance.
Part of it is my guilt. I think about all the great musicians in the world who are lucky to have a crappy old jazz bass with 15 year old strings. A friend of mine recently visited Cuba and he brought a duffle bag of spark plugs and guitar strings, musicians and mechanics would take care of these things so that they would last for years and years and years. I don't know how many sets of strings I've got laying around. So more basses, it's a want thing way over a need thing, so i do feel kind of guilty. But then it's like, I work really hard for what I have why can't I get a new bass if I can afford it? Better than drinking or drugging it away!
19. Hey
Owner of bass..lol, whats the string spacing like? Does it slap well?
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By n46130 ·
How do I download the programs for the USB stick?
This conversation is currently closed to new comments.
3 total posts (Page 1 of 1)
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by databaseben In reply to Download
your question makes no sense.
a usb stick requires no programs to function.
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by ARandomPenguin In reply to Download
are you by any chance referring to the driver for a USB? (following the 'device not recognised' error)
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usb blocked
by hikari_elvira In reply to Download
is it not recognized or wont appear on the hard drives devices? anyway, check your antivirus if it is blocking usb drives
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45432
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SQL Editor Code Templates: A Must-Know Trick
thatjeffsmith SQL Developer 44 Comments
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Oracle Docs just underwent a facelift, and I was testing to make sure that the code insight feature in SQL Developer was still able to pick out our code samples. Good news, it still works!
But, I was getting distracted by a bit of code that LOOKED like it was DOCS related, yet wasn’t…
You know the highlighted text isn't coming from the DOCS because of the absence of the Docs graphic to the left...
You know the highlighted isn’t coming from the DOCS because of the absence of the Docs graphic to the left…
So if it’s not coming from the docs, where is it coming from? Well, I knew where, but I activated it just to make sure.
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?
Wait, that one bit of text is highlighted, what happens if I start typing?
Yes, You Can Define the Curpos in a SQL Editor Code Template!
I’m using an exclamation point because I’m excited. I’m excited because I’ve proven again that I’m an idiot. I’ve been asked this question a dozen times or so and I’ve failed to realize how the answer was staring at me in the face.
So after seeing the answer in the create procedure template, I’ve used it to update my SELECT * FROM template:
Bracket the text...
Bracket the text…
And to prove that it works as the people have been asking for the past many years:
Wait Jeff, you HATE SELECT * FROM queries!
Wait Jeff, you HATE SELECT * FROM queries!
Yes, I hate SELECT *.
So let’s fix that.
Ahhh, better.
Ahhh, better.
The ‘magic’ keyboard sequence
Ctrl+Spacebar – the same key sequence to get the code insight assistance will replace the template with the code. Thanks to Nate for bringing it to my attention that I left this key bit out…
Related Posts
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Comments 44
1. When I try to create new template f. ex.:
*time*, #time#, “time”, ‘time’, [#time#], [“time”], [‘time’]
as a result i have:
But I would like to have:
01-01-2018, #time#, “time”, ‘time’, [#time#], [“time”], [‘time’]
*time*, 01-01-2018, “time”, ‘time’, [#time#], [“time”], [‘time’]
1. Upsss..I mean:
*time*, 01:30, “time”, ‘time’, [#time#], [“time”], [‘time’]
1. thatjeffsmith Post
2. Hi Jeff,
Not sure if it is a bug, but in 17.2 if I define template as:
ID: @d
template: select /*+ parallel(a,12)*/
it does not work in the editor. Seems like it has a problem when id begins with “@”
3. Hi Jeff,
What characters can we use in our SQL Editor Code Templates?
I tried to create a code template that used “s*” for “select * from ” but it did not work – it did not expand to anything. Neither automatically, nor manually using CTRL+Space. I also played around the “Auto Replace” checkbox. It did not help either.
“sa”, “s_” for “select * from ” worked, though.
I have looked into the SQL Developer documentation but I did not find any restrictions about what characters I could use.
Could I use SQL Developer for mappings with “star”( * )?
I am using
SQL Developer Version Build 17.089.1709 for Windows.
I am aware about Auto-Hotkey or other similar solutions to provide such mappings, but I wish I could store my mappings in one place.
1. thatjeffsmith Post
4. Hi Jeff
Can you explain how to use #time#, #date#, …
But nothing happened : (
1. thatjeffsmith Post
2. Hi Jeff,
that’s too bad. Just wanted to ask how those work myself. It would be of course great to have them working. I have a code Template wich add a comment line and this should have the current date in it.
In generell it would be great have expressions that calculate the result on the fly in the code templates. Similar to the functionality in let’s say TextMate. Are there any plans for such a feature?
thx, Pawel
5. I’d love the option to have it just auto-expand after typing the space, rather than having to press ctrl+space? I.e. ssf [space] expands to “Select * From”. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea so if it was optional then that would be super! 😀
1. thatjeffsmith Post
1. thatjeffsmith Post
2. Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
In v1.5.5 then why they provided the option to setup the code template if that will not work???
3. thatjeffsmith Post
I could spend the 10 minutes to install v1.5.5 and see what’s what, OR, you could spend the 10 minutes to install v4.1.5.
I think the advantage is all yours.
1. thatjeffsmith Post
just zip up your AppData folder and move it over – you’ll get everything. everything but your connections w/passwords – those have to be moved via the UI
6. Hello Jeff,
What do you do to expand ‘*’ to column names at the very end. I am using 4.1.3, when I take cursor to the ‘*’, it doesn’t do any thing.
1. thatjeffsmith Post
7. Thanks Jeff for an useful article.
I have got a small issue, hope you can help. I am on version.
Whenever I type ssf, then ctrl+space, I am getting getting the “select * from ;”, which is fine. The issue is, I am getting a space(white space) before “select” keyword.
Not sure where this is coming from, I checked my templates and they don’t have any space.
Any help would be appreciated.
1. thatjeffsmith Post
8. I just installed 4.1.3 this week and noticed this feature, but am unable to get it to work today? Any suggestions as to why it stopped working? I am connected to a 12c db.
1. The sql expand popup works if I open a new worksheet from an existing 12c connection but does not if I open an existing worksheet and then connecting to a 12c connection. Is there a way to make it work in both instances?
Thank you,
9. Hi Smith,
The Code template is not working for me.
Am using windows 7 and the developer version :
Note: when am typing ssf and ctrl+space, its not connecting to that code template. Simply, its standing like ssf.
Reply ASAP.
1. thatjeffsmith Post
10. In, you can use variables in a template. For example:
SELECT [variable0]
FROM [variable1]
It would be nice to have the variable auto-populated if it is used more than once. For example:
[table].title || ‘ (‘ || [table].[column] || ‘)’ [alias]
the value supplied for [table] would be automatically inserted into the second instance of [table].
It would also be nice to be able to use the ‘[‘ character in the code itself:
[table].title || ‘ [‘ || [table].[column] || ‘]’ [alias]
this causes havoc with the replacement logic. Is there a way to escape the ‘[‘ and ‘]’?
1. thatjeffsmith Post
11. I love that bracket thing… Just one thing to be perfect, is it possible load templates from a file?. I mean, when you are working through a team, it is good that this kind of stuff can be shared and being updated by a file. Is there any way to load templates from files in SQL Developer?
Thank you in advanced and thank you for this trick!
12. Great tip Jeff – good to know it’s there now; also, that formatted templates wotk as well…
Did you notice the extra “]” in the CP template? 🙂
13. Great tip! Thanks. By the way, this post reminded me of one other thing I am missing in sqldev. Is there any way to see the list of columns when expanding * sorted by column_id instead of column_name? I miss this funcionality in other places as well, like when filling the insert into statement with column names.
1. Sorry, I wrote this comment without the SQL Developer next to me and apparently the * is indeed expanded with columns sorted by column_id not the column name. But is it possible to have a list of columns when writing “insert into table_name(” and then doing the ctrl+spacebar also sorted by column_id?
2. thatjeffsmith Post
3. Would be very nice when the replacement of the * would reflect the sort order I used to select the columns (by strg+click in version 4.1.3) instead of using the “normal” order.
Thx in advance,
4. thatjeffsmith Post
if you want to be in control of the column order, you pretty much have to use ctrl+select and then drag-n-drop over to the SELECT in the worksheet from the Tree. If you use the * – explode feature, it’s always going to be alphabetized.
5. and exactly this would be the “dot on the i” (as we say in Germany :-)) when on *-explode feature (and also on explain-window Shift+F4 and on tree) there would be a (context menu) option (or by drag&drop) to get a comma seperated list of selected columns in order of selection.
In tree view I didn’t find the option to ONLY get the comma seperated column list but only a complete SELECT.
6. thatjeffsmith Post
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45433
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Implicit Differentiation
What The Heck Is Implicit Differentiation?
Glad you asked so politely. This is where you have an equation like xy-y=3 and they want you to find dy/dx, a.k.a. y' (y prime). Previously, we've only taken derivatives of functions with just one y or f(x); adding that second y makes these a whole new can of worms! These aren't too bad, you just have to be careful to NEVER forget y'.
Finding Tangent Lines Using Implicit Differentiation
We covered tangent lines pretty well in the finding tangent lines chapter, but in this video we'll be using implicit differentiation to find the derivative (a.k.a. slope) of the tangent line. Then it's just plug-and-chug using point-slope form!
Finding Second Derivatives With Implicit Differentiation
The derivative of the derivative is the "second derivative", also known as d2y/dx2 or y'' (y double prime). Finding the second derivative is as easy as just taking the derivative of the first derivative, but in these implicit problems you end up having to keep plugging in stuff at each step if you want full credit. You'll see what I mean.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45435
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Alexey Losevich / Shutterstock
Some of Frankfurt’s arguments get technical, but it’s not hard to think of cases where a mistaken focus on equality makes the world worse. My favorite example here is from the comedian Louis C.K., where he describes how his five-year-old’s toy broke and she demanded that he break her sister’s toy, which would make things equal. “And I did. I was like crying. And I look at her. She’s got this creepy smile on her face.”
Can Frankfurt really be right that people don’t value economic equality for its own sake? Many scholars believe otherwise. The primatologist Frans de Waal sums up a popular view when he writes: “Robin Hood had it right. Humanity’s deepest wish is to spread the wealth.”
In support of de Waal, researchers have found that if you ask children to distribute items to strangers, they are strongly biased towards equal divisions, even in extreme situations. The psychologists Alex Shaw and Kristina Olson told children between the ages of six and eight about two boys, Dan and Mark, who had cleaned up their room and were to be rewarded with erasers—but there were five of them, so an even split was impossible. Children overwhelmingly reported that the experimenter should throw away the fifth eraser rather than establish an unequal division. They did so even if they could have given the eraser to Dan or Mark without the other one knowing, so they couldn’t have been worrying about eliciting anger or envy.
It might seem as though these responses reflect a burning desire for equality, but more likely they reflect a wish for fairness. It is only because Dan and Mark did the same work that they should get the same reward. And so when Shaw and Olson told the children “Dan did more work than Mark,” they were quite comfortable giving three to Dan and two to Mark. In other words, they were fine with inequality, so long as it was fair.
In research I’ve been involved with at Yale, led by then-graduate student Mark Sheskin, we find that younger children actually have an anti-equality bias—they prefer distributions where they get a relative advantage over equal distributions where everyone gets the same. For instance, children prefer one for them and zero for another child over an arrangement where everyone gets two.
This finding meshes well with what other psychologists have found—and which many parents have observed: When treats are being distributed, children will complain bitterly if they get less, but are entirely mellow if they get more. Other primates behave similarly. Monkeys enjoy cucumbers and will normally be happy getting one, but if they are handed one after having just seen another monkey getting a grape—which monkeys love—they freak out. The monkey with the grape, on the other hand, is perfectly comfortable with its relative advantage.
A different sort of argument in favor of a natural bias toward equality comes from observations of small-scale groups, which really do seem to be egalitarian. In small groups, goods are distributed roughly equally, the weak are taken care of, and the power of leaders is limited. It looks a lot like Occupy Wall Street.
It’s tempting to see small-group behaviors as reflecting some natural preference for equal treatment, but the anthropologist Christopher Boehm, who has extensively studied these groups, tells a different story. He argues that these egalitarian structures emerge because nobody wants to get screwed. Individuals in these societies end up roughly equal because everyone is struggling to ensure that nobody gets too much power over him or her. As I’ve discussed in my last book, Just Babies, there’s a sort of invisible-hand egalitarianism at work in these groups. Boehm writes, “Individuals who otherwise would be subordinated are clever enough to form a large and united political coalition. ... Because the united subordinates are constantly putting down the more assertive alpha types in their midst, egalitarianism is in effect a bizarre type of political hierarchy: The weak combine forces to actively dominate the strong.”
This analysis helps us explain why such huge power differentials exist in the world right now, where it’s far harder for the weak to team up to dominate the strong. As Boehm tells it, in a small society, a wannabe dictator can be ignored or ridiculed by everyone else, and if he doesn’t get the message, he can be beaten up, expelled from the group, or killed. But this is a harder trick to pull in a society of millions where interactions are no longer face-to-face and where the powerful have guns and gulags.
What we see from studies of children and studies of small-scale societies is an early-emerging desire for fairness, and a particularly strong motivation not to get less than anyone else. But we don’t find a smidgen of evidence that humans or any other species naturally value equality for its sake.
Behavioral economists Michael Norton and Dan Ariely recently showed sample distributions of wealth to Americans, in which the people in the bottom fifth have X percentage of the wealth, those in the next fifth have Y percentage of the wealth, and so on. They found that Americans are very wrong about just how unequal their country is—they think that the bottom 40 percent has 9 percent of the wealth and the top 20 percent has 59 percent, while the actual proportions are 0.3 percent and 84 percent.
They also find that when asked about what distribution would be ideal, Americans, regardless of political party, want a far more equal society than they actually live in or believe that they live in. In an article published in The Atlantic, Ariely writes, “the vast majority of Americans prefer a distribution of wealth more equal than what exists in Sweden, which is often placed rhetorically at the extreme far left in terms of political ideology—embraced by liberals as an ideal society and disparaged by conservatives as an overreaching socialist nanny state.”
These are important findings, but Frankfurt’s analysis motivates us to question what they really mean. Ariely emphasizes that Americans want a far more equal society than they have, but it’s worth noting that they don’t actually want equality. The study finds that when asked to create a perfect society, respondents choose one in which those in the top fifth have about three times more wealth than those in the bottom fifth. This hardly settles the issue, but it should motivate us to take seriously Frankfurt’s skepticism about what we really want—and his concern that we worry too much about relative differences, and not enough about fairness and, above all, the suffering of the poor.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45450
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Search in Windows Explorer only for folders, not for files
By default searching in Windows Explorer will give a list of files and folders. If you are after folders only, you can speed up your search and get clearer results by defining a filter.
Press, as usually, F3 or click inside the search box at the right top corner of Windows Explorer.
Do not write only the name of the folder you are going to search for. First define your filter, write
leave an empty space and write your keyword, e.g.
kind:folders winter
Windows Explorer will search for all folders containing winter in their name – skipping all ‘winter’ files. Enjoy!
Report a problem on this page / Make a Request
Fling Power Copy Windows Rule SearchALL Gadget Amazon Gadget
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45460
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Jach's personal blog
Small Rant
Just gonna do a small rant about several things. Maybe I'll do a monthly rant...
I really don't like how some sites are organized. For example, having "next" on the left and "previous" on the right of a blog history as you go back in time. They should be the other way around, but even then it's not very clear. I use "Older Posts" and "Newer Posts", which I think everyone should use, as it's quite clear which is which and that's in fact what the reader is thinking. "Hmm, I want to see some older stuff. Ah! Older Posts!"
Apparently lots of business sites don't have their contact information in big font on every page. Bad idea! See for an older design I did, but also note the distinct business name and contact information at the top right. (The site also kind of reads like a business card as well.)
Not really an annoyance, but something I'd like to see: the ability to login to a site using your password's hash instead of the password itself. (Or a hash of the hash if you're scared of directly revealing your hashing algorithm--which you shouldn't be if you're using salts.) It's on my to-do list, as it's not very difficult to implement.
It's a fact of life that most people use the same password for everything. It's easier to remember just one, and it's easier to remember short ones or dictionary words, so that's what a lot of people choose. The remembering bit used to have a solid argument, until Remember Password features in browsers became standard. So since many sites use different hashing algorithms and keys, it makes sense to offer the user their encrypted password--which is unique and much harder to guess (so having two passwords doesn't drive security down)--as a password to login with. They can have their browser remember it, and if they're using a different computer or their browser fails, they can use the old one. It may also prevent password phishing when they notice their browser didn't autopopulate the form.
There should be a Little Caesars pizza place here in Bellevue. Maybe I'll run a franchise in the summer.~
I don't like ProjectFUN overly much. I can do (almost) everything faster in Python + PyGame.
Anyway, that's it for now. I'll probably do either a monthly or bi-monthly rant from now on, just for fun.
Posted on 2009-10-29 by Jach
Tags: programming, rant, stupidity
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45495
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Different Types of ATV 4-Wheelers
There Are Many Uses for the Various Kinds of ATVs
ATVs come in many different shapes and sizes. The different types of ATVs are designed and manufactured for different uses including racing, pit-vehicles, recreation, hunting, ranching, military, emergency services and industrial. Just about anything you can think of.
While the most common type of ATV is of the four-wheeled variety, there are also ATVs that come with three, six or even eight wheels. And there are some eco-friendly ATVs hitting the market that run on batteries like the Model One EUV from Barefoot Motors.
Size Matters
All terrain vehicle in mid-air
Ken Redding / Getty Images
The different types of ATVs range in size from as small as 50cc youth ATVs up to 700cc Sport quads, 800cc Utility ATVs, and SxS' going over 1,000cc.
The size of most engines are measured in Cubic Centimeters, or "cc". This measures the volume of the cylinder. For multiple cylinder engines, the "cc" measurement is of all cylinders combined.
Aside from the number of wheels and different sizes of ATVs, there is also a distinct difference in ATVs based on its intended application. The most popular types of 4 wheeled ATVs are the 4-wheel drive Utility ATVs, Sport ATVs and Side by Sides.
Utility ATVs
View from ATV a group of people riding a quad bikes on a mountain road under a sky with clouds in autumn
anatoliy_gleb / Getty Images
Utility ATVs are the most popular type of ATV. This type of ATV typically has short travel suspension, a big motor and more accessories designed for working or hunting.
Utility ATVs are used in industries such as agriculture and ranching where repair work, feeding and other tasks are done. They are also very popular with hunters who traverse rugged terrain, often carrying heavy cargo. Electric ATVs are becoming popular with hunters because they can move more quietly.
You see a lot of Utility ATVs being ridden at recreation spots like desert OHV areas and on private property. Some are bought with every intention of being used as a tool but often see just as much recreation time, which isn’t a bad thing.
Sport ATVs
KTM Quad 990
Stefan Krause/(CC BY 3.0)/Wikimedia Commons
Sport ATVs are the second most popular type of ATV in the USA. Ranging in size from 250cc on up to 700cc, these All Terrain Vehicles are lightweight, have lots of suspension to handle jumps, bumps and turns. These quads can be highly modified and enhanced with literally thousands of accessories to alter style and performance based on numerous criteria.
Sport ATVs are much quicker than their utility based brethren and extra care goes in to designing them to be as light as possible with very forgiving suspension and responsive engines. Sport quads are used in sanctioned racing because of their speed and suspension advantages over other different types of ATVs.
Side by Sides
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron Airmen practice maneuvering all-terrain vehicles
U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait
Side by Side ATVs are sometimes referred to as SxS or Rhino’s. They’re like golf carts, only with suspension equal to that of sport quads, with larger, more powerful motors. SxS, with their ability to carry passengers and cargo, their light weight, extreme suspension and short wheel-base, are able to take you and your friends to places you might not have thought possible.
SxS are becoming the most popular of the different types of ATVs in small rural communities. Some towns allow them to be registered on-highway use. They are used as “pit vehicles” at races and other events to provide more versatility in transportation and mobility. Fire and Rescue or military often get them highly modified for specific applications.
Children's ATVs
Girl riding a quadbike and smiling
Glow Images, Inc / Getty Images
Childrens ATVs are smaller than the other different types of ATVs. They usually come between 50cc and 110cc, and in some cases go up to 125cc. They offer little or no suspension, little power and an automatic transmission or no gears at all.
Youth ATVs are geared towards riders with little or no previous riding experience. Children’s ATVs are usually limited to weights that do not exceed around 100 to 150 lbs depending on the make and model.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45499
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Driving Innovation and Partnerships at Edumunds.com
Edmunds.com is one of the most highly rated car buying guide websites that lists new car prices, used car prices, car comparisons, car buying advice, car ratings, car values and auto leasing. With the introduction of their API, they have been able to leverage this data to create innovation within their organization and expand their partnerships.
Watch Edmunds.com's Director of Open Platform, Ismail Elshareef, and Intel® Services explain how Edmunds.com was able to quickly roll out new apps and develop new partnerships thanks to their API.
Key points:
• How an API can reduce application development time by 75%
• How to gain API adoption through your organization
• How to launch a successful API program to internal/external developers and partners
Watch Webinar
TIBCO may contact me regarding its products and services.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45515
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Grandfather - 1961
The Spirits
Though difficult to explain exactly how, this class will teach you a more dynamic manner of communication with the spirit world; a world of teachers, and a world in which Grandfather spent a great deal of his time. So much of Grandfather”s teaching was centered around this powerful place, and this class will open up a way to more fully communicate with that world that lies beyond the reach of the masses, helping to make this duality a more central part of your daily life.
Prerequiste: Philosophy 3
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Example Frame
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45563
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Top definition
1. Street French of the Montreal area
2. Speakers possessing this particular accent
Comes from the way speakers of this dialect pronounce "cheval" (in one syllable)and many other words.
Examples of joual speech:
Chu allé.. (je suis allé)
Toé (toi)
Té (tu es)
Ben (bien)
by Falafel October 22, 2006
Get the mug
Get a joual mug for your bunkmate Manafort.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45578
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VEMS motronic55
Be the first to review this product
Availability: In stock
Quick Overview
VEMS v3.x ECU with Motronic55 connector and internal MAP sensor
* Required Fields
VEMS v3.x ECU with Motronic55 connector and internal MAP sensor
We recommend VEMS ECU purchase from HERE or resellers. BEFORE purchasing (claimed new or secondhand) VEMS motronic55 controller from third party, negotiate the serialnumber, and write the serialnumber (vemstune displays serialnr on the statusline when connected) in the contract (and insist on void contract if serialnr was specified wrong). If serialnr: 2595, 2731, 2934, 2904, 3321 contact us.
The Audi AAN (same pinout as the ABY / ADU) and the Audi 3B were the first applications (note that 3B has different pinout with only 1 ignition channel). These use special "auditrigger" 3 sensor trigger system with the 135 tooth flywheel teeth VR, crankhome-VR and cam-HALL sensor.
The audi factory MAT (manifold air temperature)-sensor is PTC type, so 430 Ohm pullup resistor is used for better precision. If you replace MAT sensor with an NTC-type sensor, write "weak (2k7) MAT pullup for NTC MAT" in the order note. (Use this exact wording, please).
By default, the JPT55/pin5 (carbon-canister-valve control pin) is not connected. However, at order time the following order comment can be useful for AAN/ADU/ABY : "JPT55/pin5 = IGBT and +1 analog input on SSC6"
When installing the controller, click here for steps REALLY. COME BACK TO THIS PAGE WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR DEVICE. By following the instructions you will have an editable page with some DVM measurements (Ohm and voltages), saved vemslog of startup attempts. Following the instructions is required for support (if a support request includes the page URL, support will help, otherwise not until one follows the instructions - some useful data is really required so support can start review and help - often will request more specific measurements.)
For Audis, VemsTune/QuickStartAudi procedure helps to get an initial starting config (Note: "with cam-HALL" inverter is standard. Normally similar config is uploaded in factory after hardware testing if not requested otherwise in the order note).
Bosch made many motronic ECU-s with this connector, but different (incompatible!) pinout for different carmakers.
Other engines already tested with VEMS motronic55 boxes: Porsche (usually with 60-2 crankwheel VR sensor) tested with harness-adapter loom (with standard Econoseal36+18 VEMS and adapter outside). If you have such an engine, make your project page(s) from wiki MembersPage so we can help verify the application, pinout and other aspects.
• MAT input: choose the "BMW or NTC" option only if you want weak (2k7 internal) MAT-pullup, because you order (or already have) this or similar NTC-type MAT(IAT) sensor. Note: the MAT reading resolution is 1 Celsius with NTC type, while 2C with the factory PTC type sensor (and 4-5C with firmwares older than 1.1.4x).
• The default MAP sensor is 400 kPa for audi types. For non-audi, or if you want other MAP sensor (none / 115kPa / 250 kPa / 300 kPa) specify in the order note. 300 kPa is often enough and more reasonable, perfect for about 1.8bar boost) (also on your wiki MembersPage)
• as the factory setups have no WBO2 (Bosch LSU4 wideband sensor), and WBO2 needs min 4 signals between ECU and sensor (the sensor has a 5th pin for supply and 6th pin that need not be used if the more precise software adjustable calibration scheme is used), a few wires must be used for WBO2. It is often simplest to pull in a few wires in protecting tube to the cabin, while others prefer to hijack some non-used wires (like the MAF-wires, MAF sensor often removed anyway). For this,
• or any other special wish or preference write on your wiki MembersPage, and paste the link in the order note
Wideband controller (inside ECU) and wideband connector is included. LSU4 (wideband O2) sensor is optional, but highly recommended.
Specify the engine code in the order note. Also specify if NTC type (eg. audi 1.8T) MAT sensor is used in an audi (instead of the factory PTC type sensor).
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45612
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Back to All Events
Panther Prowl 5k and 1 Mile Run
• New Iberia, LA, 70560 United States (map)
The 1st Annual Panther Prawl 5K and Fun Run, Powered by Lavoro, is a fundraiser for 9 Catholic High School boys and girls sports. It will take place in Squirrel Run Subdivision in New Iberia on the morning of Saturday, October 7th, 2017. This fundraiser will benefit the CHS Volleyball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Track, Cross Country, Boys and Girls Tennis, Cheerleaders, Boys and Girls Golf, and Dance teams.
Register for Panther Prowl 5k
Earlier Event: September 23
Hi-Sugar 5k
Later Event: October 14
Carencro Fall Fun Run
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45647
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Untitled Document
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Global FAQ: Horn Value
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
EDIT (11/10/2018):
I realized that I never posted this. I'm surprised I didn't. So, here it goes: don't expect your horn to be worth thousands of dollars. That's also regardless of age. So, please don't be mad at us when we tell you this.
Now, back to the show:
The most often asked question I get is, "How much is $horn worth?" I really dislike answering this question because the people asking it are generally asking it about a real piece of junk, the answer is not going to be to their liking and they're going to end up not liking me. I could do without that. So I'm going to TELL YOU how to determine how much your horn is worth.
1. Go to eBay. Register.
2. Look for *closed* ads with pictures for the same make and model instrument as yours in the same condition as yours. That last part's important. Condition can add or subtract a LOT of value.
3. You're going to want an average. Write down a list of #2. The larger the list, the better.
4. Fire up Google or your favorite search engine. Start searching dealers for the same make and model instrument as yours in the same condition as yours. Use dealers that have pictures on their websites.
Aside: So, you think dealers charge too much of a premium? Nope. MOST don't.
In most cases, dealers realize that eBay and other online auctions can provide about the same quality and a lot more quantity at a good price, so they've got to be competitive. This means that a dealer's horn is either a) in better condition or b) is just priced competitively. In most cases. There are still some dealerships that think that based on former clientele or based on who they have (had) working there, they can charge a premium. These places are fairly obvious. Avoid them.
5. You're going to want an average. Write down a list of #4. The larger the list, the better.
6. Add up #3 and #5. Take an average. Presto! That's how much your horn's worth.
* There are the rare cases where you can't find a specific horn anywhere. I can help with those.
* Here's another rule-of-thumb that works about as well as any rule of thumb: your student horn is worth squat, except if it's a Yamaha. In which case, it's worth about 1/3 what you paid for it, new.
* Here's another rule-of-thumb that works about as well as any rule of thumb: your intermediate horn is worth about 1/3 what you paid for it, new. Even if you bought it in 1943 for $50.
Update on 08/11/2012
I realized that I've not spelled this out specifically. Sorry 'bout that:
Your mouthpiece or accessory's value can exceed that of the instrument. As an example, I went to the WWBW website and looked for their highest priced one there. Almost $600. I've seen vintage mouthpieces sell for easily twice that.
Not to confuse you further, but there are other 3rd party products that are out there that can be very pricey, including saxophone necks, bocals for double-reeds, necks and barrels for clarinets, etc.
Now, chances are fairly low that you'll pick up a student instrument from someplace for $9.99 and there'll be a $1200 mouthpiece in the case, but it has happened before. So, just something else to look for to help you determine value.
Update on 05/21/2012
So, what if you're just trying to find a horn in the $x to $y price range?
1. Open eBay. Click on the Advanced search link. It's in the upper right corner.
2. In the "Enter keywords or item number" box, enter something generic, like "sax" or "sax*"
3. Optional, but recommended, for "In this category:" choose "Musical Instruments and Gear." I recommend this because you'll find a lot of clothing (Gunne Sax, to be specific) and other non-instrumental things.
4. Check either "Title and description" or "Completed listings" under "Search including." The former selection will allow you to find stuff that's currently available and the latter will give you an historical viewpoint for value.
5. Under "Price," check the box for "Show items priced from" and enter some dollar amounts.
Everything else is optional. When you've finished making selections, hit the "Search" button at the bottom of the page.
Update on 10/18/2008:
If you want me to evaluate your horn and give you an idea of how much it's worth, you MUST send me pictures, as requested on this thread. I also ask that you PayPal me a donation (in whatever amount).
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Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
Here's part 2.
Monetary value does not equal playability value.
Here are two examples.
One of the most vastly undervalued saxophones is something called the "Buffet SuperDynaction". Alto versions commonly sell in the $500 range. These horns are easily the equivalent of any top-of-the-line professional model that costs $2000+.
Conversely, slap the name "Selmer" on a saxophone, and you can get some deluded souls paying $1500+ for a Modele 22. Made in 1922. With 1922 keywork. And intonation. And handling. Yes, it has decent tone, but so do about a dozen other horns and a half-dozen others from the same era have better intonation and a couple even have better keywork, too. You're paying for the name.
While I'm obviously "the saxophone guy", there's no reason why this "maxim" shouldn't extend to other instruments. It's not always "you get what you pay for". It's "you get what you pay for, after you pay for the marketing mark-up".
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
I've got at least one more part to go, regarding value, and that's regarding broken stuff, relacquers, replated and other things.
My college course (which I'm attending, for the third stint, after about 20 years) ended tonight, so I have two weeks of less pain. I'll get to it, soon.
Oh. And I just used "Selmer" because it was the most popular target. In the saxophone world, for instance, Conn is becoming an almost equivalent target, at this moment. It really is "insert flavor-of-the-month here".
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
Missing Keys
I get a lot of e-mails from folks that have bought (never "about to buy") but bought an instrument of some kind and it's perfect ... except it's missing 95% of its keywork.
To a certain extent, if you've bought an instrument that is MISSING a part, you can try to find (usually) on eBay a beater instrument of the same make and model and around the same serial number that has that part intact and just swap the parts. That is going to be the cheapest, easiest and best thing.
A lot of folks also ask something like, "I've got a 1925 Conn New Wonder in perfect shape, but it's missing the low C# key. I've got a 1925 Buescher True Tone that's a beater. Can I get the C# to fit?"
If you have some wire snips, a soldering iron and a Dremel tool, yes. I've seen several horns that have mis-matched parts. It doesn't look good. It doesn't play good and I wouldn't buy your horn. So that makes me value it at $0.
Missing Necks, Barrels or Joints
The easiest and cheapest solution is to do what I mentioned above: you can try to find (usually) on eBay a beater instrument of the same make and model and around the same serial number that has that part intact and just swap the parts. However, do note it's possible that these parts may have serial numbers that are supposed to match the rest of the horn. This can put a ding on your horn's overall value if the serial numbers don't match. Playability? May not matter.
Now, there are several third-party companies that make saxophone necks and clarinet barrels. Say I'm gonna buy a Selmer Centered Tone clarinet on eBay. One has an original barrel and the other has a third-party barrel. Everything else is about the same. It's a pretty easy choice that the one with the original part will be valued higher. The only exception to this rule seems to be flutes and their headjoints -- in most cases. Or bassoons and their bocals.
Mouthpieces are generally not included in this discussion. I'm not a mouthpiece guy and each mouthpiece can be valued independently of the instrument. (And while we're on the topic, don't sell used reeds unless you have an exotic instrument that someone will have to copy from to make a new one, like a Sarrusophone or a rackett. Selling used reeds should get you put in jail for breaking health laws.)
Bands, Cracks and Dents
Steve Sklar would be a better choice to talk about this in detail, as he's a real repairman and I'm not, but I've seen horns that have severe dents -- not splits -- repaired to almost-new, including instruments hit by cars. However, with wooden instruments, a band on the horn (which is usually to fix a severe split) means to look for a different instrument.
The other thing to look at would be WHERE the damage is. When I see damage next to toneholes, I start to worry about expensive repair bills.
Additionally, there are multiple families of instruments that may have rolled tone holes. If the tone holes are filed down, that severely and negatively impacts the value of the horn.
Relacquering can be done a variety of different ways, but the most common is to mechanically strip the old lacquer, mechanically buff the horn and then apply a new coat of lacquer. This a) removes metal, b) makes the engravings dull (or completely eliminates them) and c) can damage the tone holes, leaving you with an instrument that is either unplayable or just has intonation problems.
A lot of people will not buy a relacquered instrument, period.
At the very least, consider relacquering a significant hit in price. And don't tell me your relacquered horn is "minty". It's not. It's relacquered.
MOST saxophones, up until approximately 1930, were not originally sold in lacquer. They were lacquered at a later date. That's not to call them "relacquers", necessarily, but -- especially if the horn's an American make -- if the horn is that old and it's lacquered, you want to check it very, very closely. Prefer these instruments in some plating or bare brass.
Replating can ADD value to your horn. But remember, it's expensive and is generally part of an overhaul package. IIRC, replating an alto saxophone and re-cutting the engraving is close to $1500 US. That's not really bad if you've got a horn that's been REALLY good, but you need overhauled or if someone's given you a desirable make/model of an instrument that you've determined could be worth well beyond the overhaul price in perfect shape. However, it depends: I'd almost rather pay $75 for the junker horn that's a make and model I really want and have it restored the way I want by the people I want.
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
Another quickie chapter: Vintage.
There is a difference between "vintage" and "old". To me, when you say that you have a "vintage instrument" it should ....
a. No longer be produced, anywhere.
b. Have been considered a professional make and model when it was made.
c. Have value as a professional make and model, today, as a playable instrument or have value as a collectible make and model (for instance, a high-pitch Conn New Wonder alto saxophone in Virtuoso Deluxe finish -- a very expensive, elaborate, gold plated, heavily engraved finish with additional pearl keytouches -- is still "vintage", even though it has virtually no playibility value).
d. Have maintained its original value, adjusted for inflation, or increased in value.
"Vintage", to me, should have the connotation of a fine wine: "It's an excellent vintage."
Or, using an analogy from the automobile world, a 1934 Cord is vintage. A 1972 Ford Pinto is old.
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
And maybe one more:
It amuses me -- in a sick way -- when I see eBay ads that contain copy in the form of, "This instrument is a copy of the (insert famous name make and model)!" That really may be the case, sometimes: for instance, I can successfully argue that the entirety of the German saxophone market up until, oh, 1960 or so, was based on making very good copies of the Conn saxophones. However, when you see a statement like, "This instrument is a copy of the (insert famous name make and model)!" in an eBay ad, the seller is really saying, "This instrument is kinda junk, but I'm going to compare it to (insert famous name make and model) in hopes of generating hits."
Which is a shame. Some of those instruments don't deserve that kind of copy because they stand up just fine on their own merits, but because of the sensationalist ad copy, a lot of people (including me) would not even bother bidding.
(Unless the person screws up in the wrong direction and does offer a really, really nice pro horn for $7. Of course.)
On eBay, several years ago, there was someone that was taking some relatively decent saxophones and engraving them in the style of other "super pro" instruments. And selling them as such. Moral: if you're buying from eBay, you'd better know what you're looking at -- including how much it'll cost to fix -- and pay accordingly. If you don't want the hassle, browse the web for a respectable dealer and buy on a "trade-in guarantee" basis: if you really don't like the horn, you can turn it in for something else (a lot of dealers have this policy). As I've mentioned above, most dealers are NOT charging a great premium, if any at all, over eBay.
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
I can change it to "1971", if you'd like, Ed. I thought you had an AMC Gremlin. No offense intended. :)
I should have used "Pierce Arrow" instead of Cord. I used to live around the corner from the P-A factory.
BTB, I've owned about 60 cars in my lifetime -- I'm a couple years younger than Ed and I didn't get my license until age 22. Ex-wife was a mechanic and we always had a few cars in various states of repair.
Best car I've owned was probably my 1984 Caprice. Didn't pay much for it, never had to do a single repair, nice ride. The #2 spots go to the (new) 1990s Buick Regals I've owned. These had GMCs best engine evar, the 3800 V6. Lost one in the divorce, but wife #2 owned a newer one. I totaled that one :(
Worst car? Unquestionably the 1984 Fiero. I bought it because it had a new engine and looked really, really nice. However, it didn't have real power steering (electric assisted), the parts/maintnance for the car was outrageously expensive (probably because you had to jack up the car's body to work on the engine) and it broke down on a weekly basis. Second worse was a 2002 Olds Alero that had an electrical problem that'd cause the car either not to start or stop working at inopportune times -- like when you're on the freeway doing 60. And three different dealerships couldn't fix it, even after changing out wiring harnesses and computers.
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Clarinet CE/Moderator
Staff member
Gold Plating is very nice on an instrument. But with some older techs (in the old days, I don't know if they still do this to this extent), a saxophone has tonehole redressing everytime it is repadded. Why? - it could just be part of a routine. (half repad or full)
Normally one would check for level toneholes before dressing them again. Such as a pros instrument that gets regular maintenace. But some techs simply redressed them each and every time. This constant tonehole leveling/dressing can lower the tonehole to where it could get too low for further maintenance/dressing. After they get too low the only way to address this problem then is to goldplate the instrument. (note: I understand the (first silverplate then gold) goldplate as it adds metal to the height of the tonehole ... but then why not dress the tonehole only when it needs it ? - i'm sure there's different sides to this)
When someone asks me about a horn that is goldplated (and it's not a known option) I tell them to pay particular close attention to the tonehole height. It could be a horn where the past repairman always dressed the toneholes after each overhaul in it's lifetime.
They are few and far between but few look for that .. but it was something addressed in a repair class I took years ago.
This is one such example of the Gold Plating on a mk VI where the GP was needed after much maintenance
all i'm saying here folks is that sometimes gold plating was used at the end of a maintenance life cycle of a sax. So it's just something else to look for and keep in mind when shopping around.
Clarinet CE/Moderator
Staff member
Clarinets - banding, pinning & metal end caps.
Banding and pinning significantly reduce the value of a clarinet. Significantly. did I mention significantly ? As in alot.
Banding and pinning are basically the same solution to the same problem, though different means of accomplishing that.
When a clarinet cracks (and I'll address this issue of how it cracks in another thread - and hopefully put a link here) it normally cracks on the outside. Hopefully the crack does not go all the way to the bore, and not through a tonehole. but normally it occurs on the barrel or the top of the top joint.
A band can be installed on top of the wood, or flush with the wood (you cut a path in the wood on a lathe before placing a band on it). In short, it is basically crimping the body shut. bands are considered ugly. If bands are "over crimped" it can alter the shape of the bore.
Pins are installed by carefully drilling a hole in the wood across a crack - usually in 45 degree angles to each pin and usually every 1/2 of the crack. Then a threaded pin is screwed into the hole. The hole is then covered with epoxy, superglue/wood filler etc. sometimes the body gets restained and pins are very hard to detect. Some installersr drill through the body so they know where the pin started and ended, others you only see the entry.
The pins basically hold shut the crack.
Either way, banding or pinning greatly decreases the overall value.
If a crack goes through a tonehole then a tech can attempt to repair the tonehole or replace the tonehole. It all depends.
But people simply do not like to buy clarinets with a band or pin(s). On that certain auction site it usually isn't mentioned when a clarinet has been pinned (the seller may not know as it's 2nd hand to them). bands are easily distinguishable.
not all clarinets were manufactuered with end caps. When I see a nice vintage clarinet with an end cap it usually means it was damaged and thus fixed up. You simply have to know which clarinets were made with end caps and which ones weren't. But (not to generalize too much but I am) vintage professional clarinets did not have end caps. the only brand I know off the top of my head that consistently did it was Selmer USA and the Signet line.
Most of the time buyers are unaware of this. Personally, I avoid vintage clarinets with end caps when purchasing them.
Hope that helps ....
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
Sometimes I wish I had a digital camera.
First, thanks very much, Steve, for confirming my earlier statement about banding (and pinning, which I didn't mention). I actually have played ONE clarinet that was banded -- in two places -- that played in tune, but the majority don't. And remember, folks, banding and pinning could apply to any wooden instruments.
Now, regarding the picture ...
I had to think for a second what "end caps" were. On my wife's Selmer Signet 100 clarinet, the tenon -- the thing that you connect one joint of a clarinet into the other -- has a metal "cap". As I said, if I had a camera ....
I'm also virtually positive that my first clarinet, a brand spankin' new wooden Signet circa 1981 didn't have the caps. Moral: you had better check if your horn is supposed to have 'em or not. (Some brief Googling also suggests that some oboes have metal end caps.)
Clarinet CE/Moderator
Staff member
as I said it varies per manufacturer. The Soloists and Specials were more consistent with factory end caps. The lower 100 was less consistent .. from just perusing ebay over time.
but caps vary greatly whether factory or a fix.
For example:
I have an old Selmer which was capped by someone a long time ago i presume. The cap was simply manufactured (hammered from the looks of it) from a flat piece of metal. molded to the end of the tenon. In one case the metal actually protrudes into the bore thus affecting the airstream and I'm sure the tone (i still have to fix it). On another end it covers up a splintered end with no fix to the splintered end (could epoxy, or a variety of other solutions, fill it and make it smooth bore again)
Another end cap on a vintage Leblanc Dynamic H allows the wood to continue to the next joint. So it's more of a band. This was factory.
another type of end cap could be machined from metal and replace say 1/8 inch of wood.
this brings on caps that replace the end and are also a sleeve .... so the tenon cork would actually go on part of it- as it could be machined to identically replace a tenon end.
Then you get into ebonite or even wood sleeves to replace tenon issues, or complete tenon replacements.
I'll try to put together a bunch of pictures showing these different type of scenarios.
in other words, buyer beware out there. Just like anything else, you have to know what you are looking at and ask the right questions. I never buy anything on ebay if i suspect one thing at all .. there's always going to be another one sooner or later.
Brassica Oleracea
Staff member
I just finished posting on another thread and I liked the way it came out. It sums up all of the above fairly nicely.
Me said:
Roger Aldridge said:
So, good deals can be had on vintage or used instruments. Of course, I have sad stories as well! However, live and learn. Happily, I've learned from many of my earlier mistakes.
That's a bit of my point. You and I are experienced enough to look at a horn in an ad and say, "This thing looks like it's going to need X, Y and Z. Those repairs will be $150. The horn is only $50. It'll play as good as a $600 horn when it's fixed. I'll do it."
Nancy Clarinet Player may not have enough experience to make the determination that the repairs aren't going to be that expensive and should budget for that full overhaul, instead, if she's going to let her fingers do the shopping on eBay. And we haven't even mentioned banding, pinning, epoxying or what have you. Hey, if I didn't know better, I'd think a band might just be a kewl accessory. You and I know it means "look for a different horn". (I mention some of these "if the horn has this, keep looking" things on my "horn value" thread.)
Or, a bit more "graphically":
* The horn has a max monetary value of $1000 in perfect condition.
* The horn has a playability value of a $1500 horn (i.e., "Experts think the horn plays as good as a ...").
If max playability value is less than the purchase price of the horn + the cost to repair it AND is not much greater than the max monetary value, it's probably a keeper. Otherwise, you're probably going to find a better deal, elsewhere.
eBay: not for the faint of heart.
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end caps
Steve, you may recall a recent message re Thibouville Lamy clarinet I recently received. Interestingly the tenon receiving joint (mortice presumably in woodworking terms) is completely silver/metal mounted. So the cork tenon slides into a metal sleeve. THe part that is visible when assembled (the band) is thicker than usual and gives a nice solid appearance. The whole construction surely is more sound as there is virtually nil wear to the receiving joint and the smooth surface must reduce considerably any wear on the tenon/cork. Why did no one else take this up? Is it cost? looks a lot neater to me, and from an engineering angle pretty good. Dose it affect sound at all? will posr photo if desired.
By the way, my B&H 2-20 just arrived today, has banded tenons all through and is very very good condition.
Old King Log
Staff member
All of my "full Boehm" clarinets employ similar construction, so it's nothing new under the sun. Only if you stick to "standard professional instruments" will you see nothing more than a band and a tenon without a cap.
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Fat naked man performed sex act on himself in front of female student in York
Windmill Lane, York. Photo: Google.
Windmill Lane, York. Photo: Google.
Police in York are investigating what they have described as "a disturbing incident in which a fat naked man performed a sex act on himself in front of a female student".
The incident happened at 1.15pm on Sunday as the 20-year-old woman was walking alone on Windmill Lane onto the woodland cycle path in the direction of Hull Road.
She was confronted by the man who stood in front of her. He was bare-chested and had his trousers pulled down around his ankles as he performed the sex act.
The man remained in the same location for around five minutes before making off.
The woman quickly walked away and reported the incident to the police.
Enquiries are ongoing to locate the man, including a trawl of CCTV covering the area.
Police patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide public reassurance while the investigation continues.
The suspect is described as white with a very pale complexion, aged between 35 and 45 years, around 5ft 10in tall with a fat build.
He has very little body hair and no obvious tattoos or scars.
Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12180215684.
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Sentence Examples
• The headlights behind provided a sense of false security.
• The key Howie had left fit the door in the rear so I couldn't rely on my headlights to see.
• Above them, the headlights of the two vehicles grew more distant, finally hidden from view by their angle of descent.
• The headlights of a slow moving car washed her white body, shadowing the curve of her buttocks, the roundness of her shoulder, painting her golden hair in its light.
• The engine turned over once and then headlights blinded her until he turned the car around.
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Skip the auto shop - Our mechanics make house calls
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3. How Long Does a Low Oil Level Sensor Last?
How Long Does a Low Oil Level Sensor Last?
oil sensor
Having the right amount of oil in an engine is important to the smooth running of your engine. In order for the engine on a car to run as intended, it will have to have the right amount of oil. If the oil level in your car begins to decrease, it is the job of the low oil level sensor to alert you. There are a number of causes that can lead to the oil in your car leaking out. The low oil level sensor is mounted in the oil pan and it keeps a check on the amount of oil contained in the engine. Every time that you crank your car and run it, this sensor will be there monitor the oil levels.
Just like any other sensor on your car, the low oil level sensor is designed to last just as long as the car does. Usually, the rough conditions that this sensor has to operate in cause it can wear out faster than expected. Not being able to find out when the oil level in your car is low can lead to a lot of damage. Due to the fact that this sensor is not checked during a routine maintenance procedure, the only interaction you will usually have with it is when it is broken.
The location of the low oil level sensor can make it very hard for you to get to it without some professional assistance. In order to remove this sensor, you will have to take the oil pan off, which can be a very rough job. Rather than trying to do this type of complicated repair on your own, you will have to find the right professionals to help.
Here are some of the things that you may notice when your low oil level sensor is in need of repair:
• The Low Oil Light is coming on even when there is plenty of oil in the car
• The warning lights on the instrument cluster are acting erratic
• The oil level is not registering as it should
Taking notice of these warning signs and getting your low oil level sensor replaced can reduce the damage to your vehicle. Sources:
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Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis: Revolutions eat their own children
28 Mar
Nonoy L. Lauzon
Lav Diaz’s latest epic of cinematic grandiosity should have been several separate movies. But as if by some twist of fate and sleight of hand, the genius in Diaz has managed to squeeze them all into an eight-hour-and-five-minute cut with a cool title to die for, Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, that for all intents and purposes, encapsulates all that the film has to say.
How does one soothe the sorrows of a people? What are the mysteries – man-made and divine – that propel a nation in hell? Do the ways of men actually and significantly differ from the ways of the omniscient God? Does history really repeat itself? Can a country be really cursed? Why do revolutions happen? Is revolution the true path to freedom? What is freedom or what is it to be free to begin with?
These are just few of the questions that the allegorical film has raised but is not meant to answer. It is all up to the viewers to ponder and resolve to find concrete answers for them. Such is the marvel of the cinema of Diaz that at film’s end, no one is allowed to go scot-free from having to think, reflect, interrogate and investigate on matters, concerns, issues and affairs that it has all laid bare.
As audiences get full immersion into the dilemmas of the characters in the film, the former gets to feel too the latter’s pain and loss and share their burden of confusion, madness, helplessness and hopelessness.
It is most uncanny that the film had its world premiere at this year’s Berlinale, right after the Ash Wednesday, that ushered the Lenten season for the entire Christian world. It opened in regular theaters in its home country on Black Saturday. Needless to say, the timing is most apropos as it bolsters the notion that a Lav Diaz film could not be anything else but a contemporary senakulo, the cultural form most identified with the Filipino commemoration of Lent and that has deep roots in the Filipino psyche and folk religiosity.
This puts to rest the dispute over the film’s length. Tradition indicates that the Filipinos may have the tenaciousness to sit through a film that may run on hours beyond the usual Western model of big-screen fare. They can be drawn to a viewing marathon in the same manner that they may take to senakulos of yore like fish to water.
Diaz’s masterpiece is also to be credited for an unparalleled boldness. Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis perfectly made sense as Diaz’s brash appropriation of Jose Rizal’s great writing. It is mainly a re-imagining of the novel “El Filibusterismo,” the sequel to the national hero’s only other work of fiction, “Noli Me Tangere.” In this re-imagining, the characters created by Rizal have ceased to be a creative proprietorship by the man alone. They have become Diaz’s as well, and thus are now owned by Diaz in the name of the rest of Filipinos of today, enacting their own celebration of their nation’s passion quite akin to what the Lord of their collective faith went through some two thousand years ago.
“El Fili” the novel has been rendered in Hele the film to be a self-fulfilling prophecy for the Philippine Revolution of 1896. The incidents that led to the failed uprising in “El Fili” have come to be as palpable as the betrayals that doomed the actual Philippine revolution as deduced from recorded history by situating the novel’s dramatis personae in the very historical setting that witnessed the execution of Rizal by the Spaniards and the murder of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio by the honchos of Asia’s first republic that the great plebian helped sired.
The film thereby offers an important lesson on how the world must regard the Philippine Revolution of 1896. It is as momentous as the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789 – from altering the course of geopolitical order in the world to demonstrating how revolutions always end up eating their own children.
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Posted by on 28 March 2016 in Film Review, Philippine Film
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Vinyl Recording How-To
July 2013
Just as there are more and more people picking up film, there are also a lot of people today discovering the joys of vinyl LP's. Even the younger generations are picking up the older technology. They like what it stands for, they like the permanence, and they like the sound quality. It's as if people are saying "Okay, the Twenty-First Century has been fun and all, but now we want to go home."
They're rebelling, in a sense, because at this stage in history there are a lot of corporate types trying to monetize music to the point where you don't even have anything to show for it. We're being nudged toward this rootless society where everything is by "subscription", evaporating as soon as the payment stops. That might at first sound alright for the bands, until you realize they make only a couple hundred dollars per million song plays. Lesser-known artists might be lucky to get a few thousand song plays, which translates to... not much. So really, the subscription service does not benefit the bands, and it does not benefit the fans. The only ones who make any real money are the corporate types who are pushing the whole thing. The corporations are playing a numbers game here: if they have hundreds of big-name recording artists, they make a lot of money; meanwhile each artist makes very little. (The same thing is happening with stock photography.)
The mistaken idea of the digital age is to assume that everything can and should translate to the digital world. A similar (and equally false) assumption is that the digital version of something is necessarily as good as its "real" self. For instance, digital food is not really a good idea. Digital music works, of course, but as we're moving toward subscription services the whole thing is starting to feel pretty flimsy.
Today, many people are deciding that we don't need no stinkin' subscription services. There are a lot of people listening to CD's, vinyl, cassettes, and even the occasional 8-track tape, and they're doing it because they enjoy the whole process of listening to "real" music. They also like the better audio quality, as opposed to the vapid streams of digitized audio they'd been hearing. MP3's encoded at 320 kbps are potentially pretty good, but a lot of MP3's are not 320. They're not even 256 kbps. Even the best ones are still just a fleeting bunch of ones and zeroes, unless you go ahead and record them to a tangible medium such as a CD. I've also mentioned that a lot of MP3's are junk no matter what the bitrate, because the "masters" they used were not really "masters", but poor copies.
In a world where certainty and familiarity seem to be eroding fast into what often feels like a sea of madness, the vinyl LP represents an island of joy. I never thought I'd feel that way about cassettes and CD's, but yeah, those too. (The other day I just realized it would be pretty awesome if bands would put out tapes on CrO2 cassette.... that said, vinyl is even better and I'm glad a lot of bands are doing that.)
Vinyl is still the king of tangible music, and when you get a record that was done right, it's also the king of sound quality.
The question is, what's the best way to record vinyl so you can listen to it elsewhere? Is the process difficult?
We're going to have a quick primer on vinyl recording. As we'll see, the process is really not difficult. It can actually be a lot of fun.
What You'll Need
- Turntable with a good cartridge (check out my buyer's guide here and here)
- Stereo receiver or amplifer with a phono stage (see buyers guide)
- Sound card with 3.5mm stereo input jack (most computers already have this)
- RCA to 3.5mm stereo cable (6 foot version available here; 12 footer here.)
- Recording software such as ReZound or Audacity (available for free, here.)
- Some CD-R's on which to record your music when it's done. I really like these because they are visually easy to recognize as music CD's amid a heap of data discs.
The exact procedure will vary depending on what software you use. Basically, here's a summary:
1. Connect the RCA-out cables from the turntable to the "Phono" RCA-in jacks of your stereo amplifier.
2. Connect the RCA "Tape Out" jacks of the amplifer to the 3.5mm audio-in jack of your soundcard, using one of these.
3. Make sure your "record" or "mic" input is not muted in your computer's volume control. It often is, by default.
4. Make sure your mp3 player software is closed, because it takes over your sound card!
5. Open up your recording software.
6. Start the software recording and then carefully lower the stylus onto the record.
7. If it worked, you should end up with waveforms like this on your screen:
In Audacity, recording is as easy as clicking on the button with the red circle (sixth one from the left, in the upper left-hand corner of the screen), then clicking "stop" (yellowish-gray square) when the music is over.
Record the whole side of the record. You can split up the tracks and save them individually later (make sure to do this before trying to burn a CD, or you won't be able to select different tracks in your car!!). It's easier to do noise reduction on a whole side than to do it through each individual song, so do your noise reduction before saving the individual tracks. Not every recording will need noise reduction. Mostly, it's for vinyl that's been played quite a bit and has some surface noise.
Don't forget to save the audio project before you close out of the software.
If you save the project as a WAV file, you will be able to open and edit it in most any software. If you have to save it in a non-WAV format, try the FLAC format. This is also a lossless format. FLAC is becoming a preferred method of music storage for audio, mainly because you can tag FLAC files with the artist name, album title, etc. (Technically, you can tag WAV files too, but it's a weird / older tagging format that most players don't support.) Also, a FLAC file is typically only about half the size of a WAV file in terms of disk space. Then again, WAV is sort of the "gold standard", and most audio software can directly handle WAV without having to "import" it. Rezound can't open FLAC files directly, but it can open WAV files. Audacity can open FLAC files via the Import function.
Avoiding Beginner Mistakes
When doing a "vinyl rip", there are at least three four common mistakes:
- Using a bad stylus
- Using an LP that needs cleaning
- Turning the recording levels up too high
- Too much digital processing & noise reduction
1. The Stylus: A worn, dirty, or damaged phonograph needle will produce poor sound quality. The most common problem is an overly "tinny" sound, where the middle-high and high ranges are too loud (and distorted). If you want the best sound, use a good stylus that's within its recommended service life. Use it only on clean LP's that don't have any major scratches or problems. If you want to keep your good vinyl in top condition, don't mess around; get a new stylus or cartridge for the turntable. I like this one for standard-mount turntables.
2. The LP: just because a vinyl LP doesn't look dirty, that doesn't mean it's clean enough to yield its best sound. Before you record vinyl to tape or computer, you should clean the grooves with 50% isopropyl alcohol. The other 50% should be distilled water, not tap water. (If you want serious deep cleaning, just skip the alcohol/water and use the wood glue method.)
I started out using a piece of paper towel or bathroom tissue dampened with the alcohol, but these put more lint into the grooves than they took out. The paper fibers were just the right size to get embedded in the grooves! This made the record sound terrible. Then, I had to play it all the way through just to scrape the lint out of the grooves with the stylus. That's not good for the stylus, probably. TP proves to be especially bad for cleaning vinyl records because it basically disintegrates in the presence of water. Yep, I should have figured that out before cleaning LP's.
Above: Somewhere in that ball of lint is the actual stylus.....
I found that a lint-free microfiber cloth works much better. It has to be lint-free! I suggest obtaining a couple different types; find the one that works the best for you. Also pick up some distilled water. Put one drop of clear detergent into about a quart of distilled water: just enough to break the surface tension, and no more. Use this solution to clean the vinyl. A good, stout spray bottle full of distilled water can be used as a mini pressure-washer to help blast the crud out of the grooves. (These are the kind to get.) Don't get any liquid on the center label; if you do, blot it off immediately with a dry towel. If it's a record you really cherish, consider using painter's blue masking tape and some plastic wrap... cut a circle slightly larger than the label and affix the tape to the runout (blank) portion of the LP. Don't stick the tape to the paper label!!!!
When you wash the microfiber cloths after a few uses, do the final rinse in distilled water so there's no tap water residue stuck in the fibers for next cleaning. Don't use fabric softener when washing your vinyl-cleaning cloths.
After cleaning, let the vinyl LP dry thoroughly. Blow out the grooves with canned air to get rid of any dust that might have settled later.
Again, if you want real deep cleaning, consider the wood glue method. I wouldn't use it on your prized audiophile LP's, but it's great for cleaning up scratchy old records.
3. Recording Levels! This is incredibly important. Back in the days when analog sound was king, we knew that if you turned up the recording level "in the red", it would distort. The average consumer of mp3 music does not know this today. Turning up the recording levels too high does not make the recording sound more "powerful". Instead, it wrecks the sound quality and makes it so you can't stand to listen to it turned up loud. Once the levels hit 0 dB, the sound gets clipped. Anything above 0 dB actually gets cut off, meaning your recording will sound like garbage. There are a lot of mp3's floating around out there-- for sale-- which sound terrible. Before you do the final recording run, play through the record and monitor it with your software. There should be little or no clipping. If you get more than a couple brief incidents of clipping throughout the whole record, your recording levels are too high. (If there is no clipping, use that file as your "good" run... obviously.)
I don't know where people got the idea that it was too much work to use a volume knob, but recording levels are not the proper way to adjust loudness. If your system can't play a song loud enough, then what you need is a bigger stereo!
Take a look again at that photograph above, which shows the sound file from of a recorded vinyl LP. The thing to notice is that the peaks are distinct and have points. They're not all crammed up against the boundaries of the window. There are not huge areas that are squared off (i.e., chopped). Your recorded audio peaks should have some headroom.
4. Don't Over-Process! Digital technology likes to ruin stuff. The more you process something digitally-- whether it be a photograph or a song-- the more it gets mauled. It's not a natural-looking or sounding change, either. With digital "noise reduction" you can end up with a really ugly "garbled" sound. Better to have a slight amount of background noise, and a few isolated crackles, than to start cutting into the integrity of the song itself.
There is one more thing that some beginners do wrong when recording vinyl: they think the equipment will correct errors for them. They drop the needle down wherever they please, they start the recording late, and they end up with an MP3 file that's missing half the song! Analog equipment does not have fancy error-correcting mechanisms. It does not automatically do things for you. What you see (and hear) is what you get. It just requires a little skill, but you'll be glad you learned it.
You don't need a super-expensive turntable to get into vinyl recording. For about 100 bucks, you can get the Audio Technica AT-LP60 or the Numark TTUSB (see links, above). Once you hear what vinyl sounds like-- even an older, used LP with a bit of surface noise-- you may become addicted!
Above: Without a doubt, the best Ventures album... mine is a scratchy old one picked up for 50 cents (lots of surface noise... probably needs a cleanin'), but you can still grab the nice new 2012 color vinyl reissue through this link. I hear that copies of this limited re-press are running out... don't wait too long. Everyone with a turntable should have this album.
Parting Thoughts
Recording vinyl into digital files is a great way to "listen to records" in your car or on your portable mp3 player. It may not be quite as good as listening to the record "for real", but if you do the process right, it will sound a lot warmer and more full than the typical mp3 file. Even LP's with a bit of surface noise have a kind of liveliness that transfers well to CD. Maybe it's the high range (treble), I don't know. It just sounds so good.
A 700-MB CD-R can fit two vinyl LP's worth of music on one disc. The Verbatim "Digital Vinyl" CD-R's look cool (grab a stack here), and it's highly fitting to use them for recording vinyl LP's.
I hope you've enjoyed this article. You can help me keep this site going by shopping through any of the links on here, for pretty much anything.
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Academic Fellows SIG
Membership to Special Interest Groups is open to all APA members.
To join a SIG, click here
SIG purpose/mission:
To provide ongoing mentoring, guidance, support, and encouragement to all academic fellows, as a forum to connect and engage with each other, and to help fellows transition from fellows to junior faculty.
Current SIG goals:
1) Provide mentorship between faculty and fellows
2) Provide support and mentorship between fellows
3) Ensure fellows are aware of all the opportunities that exist within the APA and how to access them
4) Help to establish programming during PAS and through the APA that will helpful to the growth and development of fellows
Annual summary:
1) Planned and executed a workshop during PAS about telemedicine
2) Hosted an academic fellows’ luncheon during PAS that included a mentored abstract review
3) Started a fellows' listserv for help with research and other ongoing projects
Current SIG Co-Chairs:
Tamara Gayle, MD
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20010
Phone: (904) 343-1392
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Entry Forty Six: A temporary death..
She rolled her head to the side, groaning. Her mind felt foggy, thoughts distorted, abstract. Her eyes parted slightly and at first her vision was blurred. Just a sliver of pale light was visible. She blinked several times, trying to focus, forcing her eyes open all the way.
A large window came into view with rain gushing against the other side, pelting against the glass.
Phantom pain ached along her wrists.
Her body felt heavy as she tried to sit up in the bed, aching all over. She looked around the room...a hospital room?It looked sterile and cold, impersonal with bare metallic walls. She started to panic.
Sliding out of the bed, she moved over to the door and found it locked. Fear trickled down her spine. She tried the door again, this time beating her fist against it.
"Goddammit let me out of here!"
She searched the room for another exit and found nothing but the window, and even that wasn't a real way out. As she slammed her fist against it, the hologram rippled.
Her fingers trailed through her hair out of frustration.
She spun around as the door opened. Vlad Cetes stepped into the room looking cautiously at her.
"What are you doing! Why do you have me locked in here? What's going on...I'm not your goddamned prisoner Vlad."
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. "You tried to terminate your life."
"What?" She shook her head no, "I don't believe you."
"It happened. I found you a few hours after you had went to bed," his voice was ever so calm, void of any emotion, starkly contrasted to her hysterical one.
The memories of the previous night were vague and distorted as they flashed through her mind. She hadn't went to sleep as she told him she was going to do. Instead she started to drink. She had been far too distraught to simply sleep after what she'd been through with Raphael followed by watching Micah die, then nearly dying herself to Kathetel. But had she really tried to commit suicide?
I wish...I wish I could just erase it all.
Well, you can, you know.
The conversation she had with Micah before he died ran through her thoughts. He had suggested that she do it so she could forget, though it wouldn't have been a real suicide, not a real death. Clone jumping, but in the process losing all memory of what had happened since her last brainscan.
Her gaze met Cetes, "Why did you stop me?"
"Because you weren't in your right mind, you didn't really want to do that...did you?"
I don't even remember it...
She absently put her hand to her head, feeling faint, the memories congealed into a mishmash of blurry images and emotion but nothing she could fully grasp. "What exactly happened? How am I here and not in some clone vat in Amarr? How did you stop me?"
"You attempted to terminate your life."
She grew angry, "You keep saying that but I don't remember it! I don't remember anything that happened last night after I left you!" She started to pace the medical room, trying to make sense of it. It was possible he was telling the truth. She had completely broken down, she remembered that much. The feelings of betrayal from Raphael, the anger, feeling used. Micah dying.
But it also didn't seem like something she would do. Not willingly.
"I don't feel right," she said as she moved over to the bed, sitting on the edge.
"A medical drone administered a sedative. You are now recovering from the after affects."
"A wouldn't make me feel like this. I don't feel right..." She glanced down at her wrists again. No bandages.
"How...?" She looked at him questionally, "Did I...did I die? Am I cloned?" If she tried to do something and failed there would be some kind of visible mark left behind, wouldn't there be? Had she succeeded? Was she cloned? A million questions ran through her mind at once. "How am I here?"
"Your human body is have been placed in an artifical one. For the moment."She felt sick to her stomach as she shook her head to protest, "What? I don't understand.""Your human brain remains as your DNA created it. Same with other organic components needed for vital life support...with some upgrades. Your skeleton system has been replaced with a carbon nanotube structure, your muscles an advanced microfiber system."
She paled, "Oh god...what have I done?"
"You have advanced. Thrown away your humanity and embraced evolution."
She rubbed her hand across her forehead, "You should have let me die."
"Negative. Permitting you to die would be counterproductive."
She glared at him, "Why do you even care?"
Why do I even trust you?
"You know too much."
"I don't understand." She leaned her head against the pillow, staring at the artificial rain. All she felt like doing was sleeping. "I don't know anything."
"A ...mistake was made."
"A data packet was added to the download."
"What does that mean to me?"
"It means that your mind has data it was not supposed to have. Data that is secret for a reason."
"What data? What are you talking about?"
"I will not reveal what the data is. I do not wish to compromise it anymore."
"Is that why you had me locked in here?"
"Affirmative. I will need to determine if the data is removable...or if not...plot another course of action."
"Fuck you, you're not keeping me here. I have duties to return to, I have a life to get back to."
I have to talk to Raphael..
"An absence would result in questions being asked, that is why I am letting you go when you are capable of flying out of here...however, I will be watching to ensure nothing unusual happens."
She looked at him incredulously, "I wonder how you would measure unusual after everything that's happened in the last twenty-four hours."
A few hours later...
A flash of light was the last thing she remembered before darkness enveloped her.
Gasping for breath, she pulled the breathing tube from her mouth as she came up out of the cloning vat.
Glancing around, she calmed as she looked around the familiar facility, Amarr Medical Center.
Attendants were helping her up as she tried to remember the last few moments before 'dying'. She was flying out of Stain in a ship of Vlad's. It was too easy not to hit the microwarp drive after she jumped through a bubbled gate. So very easy to watch as her ship got locked and do nothing. She braced herself as her display started to flash red.
She remembered thinking about what had happened, how Vlad had saved her from the cathedral only to trap her into a hellish existence that wasn't even human. She refused to live that way, to lose her emotions, her humanity. She would not become like him, existing only for one's self. It was selfish. She needed more, a purpose for living. She needed love...
After a quick shower, she dressed in a typical flight suit with her PIE Lieutenant bars pinned to her collar.
She slid on her boots then picked up her datapad, thumbing through the in-coming messages.
RefID:17590348483332 Your friendly insurance company has transferred..
Clone Activated. So you died? Well you have a Clone Grade at...
My Dearest Shalee,
I know the horrible truth of our origins hurts you. It weighs heavy on my heart as well. I know using you was wrong. I will make no excuses. I only hope that you that you can find it within you to forgive me and return to my arms. These past nights without you have been horrid, the memory of the night I told you haunting my memories, a wraith of guilt that has taken hold of my heart and even now consumes me.
I hope you will remember the love I have shown you, and know that my love for you is both true and deep. All those times I could have turned you away, left you alone, but stayed at your side. It is these times that prove my devotion to you; that I love you dearly.
I have contracted a set of coordinates to you. I hope you will accept them and immediately go there.
She never noticed the half written, unsent message to Saint saved in the drafts tab.
Dear Raphael.
I can't do this anymore. I can't live with the truth of us, knowing that everything was a lie. Even if it is true now, it was a lie then. So many memories of us together. I don't want to know that they weren't real for you. I can't live with that, knowing that you were with her in your mind. Oh god how I hate her and hate you for using me to get to her. It consumes me, Raphael. Every memory of us has now been weighed against this knowledge and I'm left wondering where she ended and I began. It disgusts me to know that, to know that you took my innocence and wasn't even seeing me lying beneath you, but her. I told you from the begining that if I slept with you I would love you. You knew. You had to have known, but you didn't care.
I'm sorry Raphael. You've hurt me and it should be so easy for me to walk away, but I cannot. I love you too much to just let you go.When I wake up...I wont remember any of this.
Never tell me again. I can't go through eternity with you second-guessing you, having some secret part of me resenting you, hating you for hurting me.
I'm sorry, but it's better this way.
1 comment:
1. Something to note, the font color you are using is messing up your RSS feed, expecially in Google Reader. The text come up as this nice yellow shade against a white background. It's unreadable unless you click on the link to your site.
I would hate for people to miss out on such wonderful writing because they can't see the text.
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Looking the part
I was not there because I'd totally forgot about it and because I was exhausted. But Mark and Lawrence who were there got a treat.
They saw a priest who looked the part. And seminarians too. But.... as some of you might have guessed, they were not from these parts.
Here's a photo of Mark with Fr. Louis from Korea. It might be a common sight where you, dear reader, come from If so, consider yourself blessed. Because for us in Malaysia, it just snowed in June.
Here's Mark's report:
Fr Louis was with several of his seminarians on his trip down here to Malaysia. He administered to the Korean nationals here in Penang. At Sunday Mass last weekend, when Fr Louis and his seminarians sung a Korean chant, I would unite myself with the envoys of Prince Vladimir of Kiev when they encountered the Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sofia, -"We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth." It was sort of like a Korean 'Palestrina' Chant. This puts me to shame when *hippie* hymns are sung here.
Well, I'm sad to have missed it. And I'm even sadder that this is not something we can see more often in Malaysia and around the world. Would that it please God that sights like these will not elicit a response of shock and awe but rather one of expected joy.
By the way, inculturation to me means something like what Mark witnessed above, using Gregorian melodies and the modes of our polyphonic heritage while simultaneously making the songs more accessible by using the vernacular.
Anonymous said...
Fr.Louis says mass for the korean Catholics once a month in St.Johns
Collin Michael Nunis said...
It's about time we adjusted the vernacular to traditional melodies of chant. My weekly dose of worship usually has Greek-use Byzantine chant in both English and Arabic. I am now, however, trying to get my hands on Russian-style Byzantine chant in Mandarin... a legacy of the now-extinct (hopefully to be revived one day by the Melkites) Greek-Catholic Exarchate of Harbin.
Anyways, fancy a Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy sung in Church Slavonic using Gregorian melodies? Imagine "Axion Estin" (a hymn to Our Lady) sung to the melodies of Regina Caeli... :D
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45841
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Automatic Squaring Machine
Automatic Squaring Machine
Item No. : CS1
The squaring machine has been designed to square a stack of articles with its end and side surfaces perfectly with its top and bottom surface, in order to improve the stack quality of the bundles. Integrated with the existed horizontal conveyor system for transporting a stack of articles into the squaring zone, and also outfeeding to palletizing system, the squaring machine handles the bundles squared-up to alignment of surfaces.
CS1 squaring machine definitely speed up your production since it handles the bundles to be grouped uniformly. The precise squaring process decreases greatly loading/organizing tasks for assembly line workers. Form corrugated material and level up stack quality, CS1 gives your a better resolution handle and organize into bundle stacks!
Side Squaring & bundle stop device
Heavy duty knurled roller conveyor
Conveyor speed adjustable
Squaring by pneumatic control system.
Mitsubishi PLC
Safety shields
Conveyor Speed
9~50 m/min
Table Height
Machine Weight
445 kgs
Layout Dimension
L800 x W1960 x H1440 mm
Power Consumption
0.25 KW
110/230V, 50/60Hz, 1PH; 220/230/380/415/440V, 50/60Hz,3PH
Combined with fully-auto bundle push paddle Machine (back-squaring device)
Combined with A68C, Elite-AR or A93-AR
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45849
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Abzymes: tiny factories made to order
I wrote this for the Wellcome science writing prize. It didn't make the shortlist, so I can publish it here!
Enzymes are the machines of the biological world. In our bodies, they break down our food, fight off invading bacteria, turn sugar into energy, and perform all the processes that keep us alive. Honed by millions of years of evolution, they perform reactions at lightning speed - thousands of times faster than they would happen naturally. Chemists look on in envy as enzymes effortlessly do things that would take them millions of pounds of equipment, and often several years, to copy.
At home, we're all familiar with enzymes as the secret behind biological washing powders, which clean stains at low temperatures. Commercially, enzymes are used to recycle paper, as well as in septic tanks, and even in kitchens as meat tenderisers. And they do this all at room temperature, without help from strong chemicals.
Making enzymes that perform any reaction we want could revolutionise modern living. Imagine soaking your potatoes in an enzyme bath that takes the skins right off, no peeling necessary. We could make enzymes to break down oil spills into harmless substances, make new medicines that target specific cancers or infections and destroy them – or even make a magic spray that eats away the horrible sticky marks that price labels always leave on books, without destroying the cardboard covers (this one is a dream of mine).
So why haven't we done this? Well, enzymes need to be a specific shape in order to work at all. Unfortunately, enzymes are a type of protein, and we still don't know how to make proteins that fold into the shapes we want. A protein chain will always fold into the same shape, time and time again - but the forces behind this are, for the most part, a complete mystery. Until we know this, it's impossible to make artificial enzymes that are anything other than floppy, useless messes.
We can copy proteins from the natural world, stealing structural sections and active sites and mashing them together. But - if the enzyme produced is even functional - we're still limited to reactions that real enzymes already do catalyse. So, we're stuck in this situation, where we can't design our own enzymes, because we don't know how to make the structure. But what if we could side-step that problem altogether, and make evolution do the work for us?
Enter antibodies. Antibodies are the first line of defence your immune system puts up against invading germs. They're proteins as well, and they bind very tightly to specific parts of the bacteria or virus your body is fighting, signalling to the rest of the immune system to come in and destroy it. New antibodies are produced every time your immune system comes across a new pathogen. Antibodies are very specific – each antibody binds to one thing, and it binds that one thing very well indeed.
Scientists raise specific antibodies against a particular molecule by injecting it into a rabbit or a mouse. The animal's immune system then makes new antibodies against the unfamiliar molecule, which can be taken out and grown in a petri dish.
But what use is a protein that just binds tightly to something if you're trying to make an enzyme? Well, enzymes use a lot of different tools to make reactions happen. But if we take a step back and look at the whole picture, one common theme underpins them all: enzymes bind the most tightly to the intermediate stage of the reaction they supervise.
Take, for example, an enzyme that converts starch into sugar. It will bind to starch fairly well to start things off, but it will twist the starch molecule out of shape, because it really wants to bind to the intermediate. The intermediate's structure isn't quite starch, and it isn't quite sugar, but it's something in between. This twisting puts a strain on the starch, making the molecule react and form the intermediate. Intermediates are always unstable molecules, so then the intermediate will rapidly turn into the final product, which is sugar. Et voilà, the reaction has occurred.
So if we can create a stable version of this intermediate and create an antibody which binds to it, we'll have a sturdy protein shape that catalyses a reaction the way we want it to – no assembly required. These new biological machines have been dubbed “abzymes”, and have already been used to target and inactivate the HIV virus.
Without having to unlock the secrets of protein structure, we've managed to make custom, functioning enzymes, just by relying on the immune system to do the work for us. Abzymes: lazy science at its best.
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global_01_local_1_shard_00001926_processed.jsonl/45862
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Archive for: July, 2011
The electronic lab
Jul 26 2011 Published by under Careers, Things that go beep!
When I was but a wee undergrad all lab work had to be diligently recorded in a lab notebook. Not on a piece of paper, even if for later transcription into the notebook. Directly in the notebook. That was how it was done.
When I was a slightly older graduate student TAing (demonstrating we called it) in the undergrad labs, that was the mantra I preached. Thou shalt record all in the lab notebook. Thou shalt not write on pieces of paper. Writing on a filter paper is right out. And of course I obeyed these commandments in my own lab work.
When I was a postdoc, ditto.
So when I started my own lab, that was how things were to be done.
Times are changing. Many of the instruments we now use are controlled by computers, so the data is on the computer. Other data is entered into tables, plots, spreadsheets on lab computers. The people entering science now are more comfortable typing than writing. The days are numbered for the traditional lab notebook.
Hence the rise of electronic lab notebooks (ELN's). ELN's promise all kinds of wonders. Data from instruments ported directly into the ELN. Notes typed directly in and linked to the data. All data and notes searchable! This last is a BIG DEAL. Ask anyone who has had to search through an old lab notebook (theirs or someone else's) for something. A search function is invaluable.
I'd like to move my lab into the electronic era. Problem is, ELN's are expensive. Or use proprietary formats for saving the data. Or are designed for large organizations, not a small academic lab. Or all three. Yes, there are some free ELN's out there, but such are of uncertain future (not that any system is guaranteed to be around for ever).
So what to do? I've poked around and solicited opinions. Aside from ELN's, some people use database programs such as Filemaker Pro with a template designed for lab note taking and data integration. Bento, a no frills database program made by Filemaker, looks like a potential option for Mac-based labs. Of course these are more file management options than true data integration approaches. Another option is a wiki. Or even a WordPress site optimized for lab data storage and sharing.
Any of these could work, but of course I don't want to adopt an option that turns out to be a pain in the butt or is later found to be too limited. And yes, I am aware of potential intellectual property issues with "improper" lab notebook/data storage.
So I'm asking for input. What have you used or tried? What options have you heard about? Let me, and any interested readers, know by posting a comment.
26 responses so far
Fun with search terms
Jul 07 2011 Published by under Life
ProfLike Substance and Cackle of Rad recently had some fun with search terms that led people to their blogs. Here's some of my recent ones:
Are you a pirate? How's the parrot?
should i send an unsolicited letter of r
Alas WordPress cut off the "r"-word. So it depends.
writing nsf grant proposals sucks
Not if they're funded...
reu i do not like lab
That's a problem. Talk to the PI running the program.
psychoactive ingredient in budweiser
That would be one way to make it more drinkable I guess.
all would rather you didn't blather
But, then what would I do?
mother feeling guilty as she's far from
Another one WordPress cut off I suspect. Far from what? Should she be feeling guilty? Or should you? Have you called her recently? Emailed her? What kind of son are you? Dude, stop trolling around the intertubes, give her a call and send her some flowers. Poor lonely woman is probably weeping into her cup of tea as you read this you selfish git. Buy that airline ticket right now and go visit her. She gave birth to you you know. Forty-nine hours of labor I hear. And you weighing 14lb 6oz and all.
asshole mcb cp cops
Not sure what "cp cops" are, or why they're assholes. I'd avoid them if I were you.
can i have lots letters to read
Well, you could start an REU site program. You'll get a lot of letters with the applications. But be careful what you wish for. You might be better off with a few prison penpals...
do belgian monks always chug their beers
Not knowing any I couldn't say. Does seem like a waste. Personally I enjoy my beer far more if I take my time drinking it. Then again, perhaps monks are all ex-frat boys. After all, the German monks invented doppel bocks as a form of "sustenance" to be consumed while fasting for Lent...
6 responses so far
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