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A computerized laboratory alerting system in a psychogeriatric unit.
We evaluated the contribution of a computerized laboratory alerting system to patient care in a 34-bed psychogeriatric unit. With this system the results of routine laboratory tests are automatically retrieved and registered on a daily computer-based medication report. During the first 33 days in which the alerting system was in use, a senior psychiatrist monitored the total number of alerting messages sent, the number of new messages per day, the number indicating physician unawareness, the number already dealt with, and the number that initiated a decision to treat the patient or repeat a laboratory test. The alerting system retrieved a mean (+/- SD) of 0.77 +/- 0.11 messages per patient per day. Twelve percent were new messages and 88% were rotating messages. Three resident psychiatrist-case managers were unaware of half the rotating messages (i.e., 6% of all messages). Seven percent of the new messages initiated treatment, and 15% resulted in laboratory retesting. We conclude that the alerting system results in a simple, efficient report that contributes substantially to safe patient care. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Cave Bros: Brick Escape
Published on April 19, 2011. Played 1,386 times.
Let's bust some bricks! Cave Bros: Brick Escape is a fun breakout skill and puzzle game. Your goal is help Cave Bros to save his homeland from the enemy bricks that are freezing their world. Good luck!
Arrows/Mouse to Move. Blue Bro Ricochet the Bouncy Bro off the Blue Bro to smash all the bricks. Catch power-ups from smashed bricks to gain special powers! | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
a query that returns a single row for each foreign key
I have a table of routines. In this table, I have the column "grade" (which is not mandatory), and the column "date". Also, I have a number of days and an array of ids of users. I need a query that returns me the last routine that have a value != null for "grade" column and datediff(current_date,date) >= number_of_days for each id in the array and make an average of all these values.
e.g.
today = 2014/10/15
number_of_days = 10
ids(1,3)
routines
id | type | date | grade | user_id
1 | 1 | 2014-10-10 | 3 | 1
2 | 1 | 2014-10-04 | 3 | 1
3 | 1 | 2014-10-01 | 3 | 1
4 | 1 | 2014-09-24 | 2 | 1
5 | 1 | 2014-10-10 | 2 | 2
6 | 1 | 2014-10-04 | 3 | 2
7 | 1 | 2014-10-01 | 3 | 2
8 | 1 | 2014-09-24 | 1 | 2
9 | 1 | 2014-10-10 | 1 | 3
10 | 1 | 2014-10-04 | 1 | 3
11 | 1 | 2014-10-01 | 1 | 3
12 | 1 | 2014-09-24 | 1 | 3
In this case, my query would return an avg between "grade" of row id #2 and #10
A:
I think you're saying that you want to consider rows having non-null values in the grade column, a date within a given number of days of the current date, and one of a given set of user_ids. Among those rows, for each user_id you want to choose the row with the latest date, and compute an average of the grade columns for those rows.
I will assume that you cannot have any two rows with the same user_id and date, both with non-null grades, else the question you want to ask does not have a well-defined answer.
A query along these lines should do the trick:
SELECT AVG(r.grade) AS average_grade
FROM
(SELECT user_id, MAX(date) AS date
FROM routines
WHERE grade IS NOT NULL
AND DATEDIFF(CURDATE(), date) >= 10
AND user_id IN (1,3)
GROUP BY user_id) AS md
JOIN routines r
ON r.user_id = md.user_id AND r.date = md.date
Note that in principle you need a grade IS NOT NULL condition on both the inner and the outer query to select the correct rows to average, but in practice AVG() ignores nulls, so you don't actually have to filter out the extra rows in the outer query.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Rain clears most roads of snow in HR
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – With forecasts predicting the third winter storm this season to dump several inches of snow on Virginia, cities across Hampton Roads began seeing accumulation Wednesday afternoon, which turned to rain by the early evening.
Some parts of Hampton Roads saw snow begin to fall before 3 p.m. and quickly accumulate. By Thursday morning, most of the snow had been washed away by the rain.
Areas farther up the Peninsula and closer to Richmond were expected to see more accumulation during this round of snow. WAVY’s Jason Marks reported snow began falling in Williamsburg around 4 p.m. and accumulating on grassy areas and parking lots around 5 p.m. By 9 p.m., that snowfall had transitioned to rain, melting snow from roadways.
Williamsburg Public Works crews said they have 450 tons of sand-salt mixture to treat roads. They told WAVY.com they would begin spreading the mixture once the roads were a little wet from the precipitation.
Southside
While Southside cities were expected to get more rain than snow, WAVY’s Lauren Compton reported flurries in Suffolk around 3 p.m. and heavy snowfall and some accumulation around 5 p.m. Around 8 p.m., Compton reported the snow had changed over to light rain, melting the snow accumulation on roads.
Suffolk Public Works said crews pre-treated bridges and overpasses on Tuesday and will be working 12-hour shifts, applying salt and sand to any snow-covered roads.
WAVY’s Erin Kelly reported precipitation was just rain in Chesapeake, as of 8 p.m. Wednesday. She said area roads were clear.
Portsmouth Public Works crews are also treating bridges and overpasses, but in Chesapeake, City officials say crews have not pretreated roads, because the brine solution they use is ineffective in a wet storm, like this one. However, 18 trucks are stocked and ready to treat roads where needed.
Hague flooding just before high tide Feb. 13, 2014.
Thursday morning, WAVY News’ Lex Gray found the Hague beginning to overflow just before high tide.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said its crews were prepared for the winter weather, with more than 300 pieces of equipment available for snow and ice removal. Most interstates and major roads were pre-treated Tuesday into Wednesday.
As of Wednesday evening, most VDOT crews had transitioned to snow and ice removal and applying abrasives to roads the help with traction.
For the VSP Chesapeake Division, troopers responded to 178 traffic crashes and 55 disabled vehicles with 410 calls for service in the same time frame.
10 On Your Side spoke with drivers in Hampton Roads who said traveling the roads during the storm was tricky.
“I had to follow a tractor trailer because the roads were covered with snow,” said Suffolk resident Willie Boone, Jr. “The plow truck was putting down sand, but it looked like they were a little bit too late, because we didn’t see the lines in the roads. I saw people’s cars in ditches, so we’re trying to take our time to get home.”
“I think there is more caution in this storm than the last storm,” said Suffolk resident Tony Palermo. “Once you see a vehicle off on the side of the road, that should open your eyes so that’s why you have to watch out.” | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
[Cite as Litchfield Twp. Bd. of Trustees v. Nimer, 2012-Ohio-5431.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF MEDINA )
LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF C.A. No. 11CA0037-M
TRUSTEES
Appellee
APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
v. ENTERED IN THE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
ABDALLA NIMER, et al. COUNTY OF MEDINA, OHIO
CASE No. 09CIV2309
Appellants
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: November 26, 2012
BELFANCE, Presiding Judge.
¶1 Appellants, Abdalla A. Nimer and Cathy Fobes Al-Nimer, appeal the order of the
Medina County Court of Common Pleas that permanently enjoined them from using structures
on their property for commercial purposes until they comply with the Litchfield Township
Zoning Resolution. This Court affirms in part and reverses in part.
I.
¶2 The Nimers own property located at 9696 Crow Road and 9706 Crow Road in
Litchfield Township. They also own Medina Meats, Inc., which processes and packages beef
jerky, beef sticks and honey ham sticks for wholesale distribution. According to Mr. Nimer, they
are one of the few remaining producers of beef jerky in the United States, and they operate on a
large scale. The production and packaging is done at a processing facility located on 9706 Crow
Road. That property is zoned for commercial use under the Litchfield Zoning Resolution, but
the Nimers’ operation spills over onto the adjacent property at 9696 Crow Road, part of which is
2
zoned for commercial use and part of which is zoned for residential use. The portion of the
property that is zoned for commercial use contains an existing building. In 2009, the Nimers
modified that existing building by expanding it and adding an extension structure that connected
the building to the beef jerky facility. They built an 80 foot by 120 foot pole barn on the
residentially zoned portion of 9696 Crow Road. Mr. Nimer claimed an agricultural exemption
for this building based upon his representation that the barn was for storing hay and cattle. In
January 2010, the Nimers constructed an additional 30 foot by 60 foot building on the residential
portion of 9696 Crow which Mr. Nimer referred to as a “cattle barn.” The Nimers did not fully
comply with the Litchfield Township Zoning Resolution with respect to any of this activity, nor
did they obtain necessary permits. Instead, they took the position that compliance with the
zoning resolution was not required because their planned operations were an agricultural use of
the property.
¶3 Litchfield Township filed a complaint for a permanent injunction against the
Nimers, and the case proceeded to a bench trial on the issue of whether they were exempt from
the zoning resolution because of an agricultural use. The trial court decided that any agricultural
use of the property was secondary to the meat processing business and granted the permanent
injunction. The Nimers appealed.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING A PERMANENT INJUNCTION
UPON THE ENTIRE LITCHFIELD PROPERTY WHERE THERE WAS A
VIOLATION OF DEFENDANTS’/APPELLANTS’ RIGHT OF DUE
PROCESS[.]
¶4 The Nimers’ first assignment of error is that they were deprived of procedural due
process because (1) not all of the buildings subject to the injunction were included in the
3
complaint, (2) notice of potential violations was sent only to Mr. Nimer and not to Mr. and Mrs.
Nimer jointly, and (3) the property has since been transferred to a limited liability corporation.
We disagree.
¶5 “Before a protected liberty or property interest may be infringed, due process
requires notice and an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful
manner.” Bd. of Trustees of Columbia Twp. v. Albertson, 9th Dist. No. 01CA007785, 2001 WL
1240135, *5 (Oct. 17, 2001), citing State v. Hochhausler, 76 Ohio St.3d 455, 459 (1996). Due
process requires notice that is sufficient to permit a defendant to lodge objections. W. Chester
Twp. Bd. of Trustees v. Speedway Superamerica, L.L.C., 12th Dist. No CA2006-05-104, 2007-
Ohio-2844, ¶ 43. It “is a flexible concept, and the procedures required vary as demanded by
circumstances.” Riffe v. Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Bd., 130 Ohio App.3d 46, 51 (9th
Dist.1998).
¶6 The Nimers’ first argument is that the Township’s complaint did not reference a
pole barn constructed on the property that had been in the process of renovation, yet the trial
court ordered that with respect to “any buildings on the property including any buildings that
have been constructed or were in the process of being constructed when the Township filed its
complaint[,]” the Nimers “may not occupy or use any such buildings in any manner except for
the keeping and feeding of animals * * * [and] [i]n particular they may not use such buildings for
the processing of meat, the storage of meat products, or as an office.” The complaint specifically
referenced the construction of a connecting structure between the structure located on the
commercial portion of 9696 Crow Road and the existing meat processing facility, and broadly
sought an injunction restraining construction and improvements on the subject properties. In
March 2010, the parties appeared at a hearing during which the Township stated that it was
4
seeking injunctive relief as to any further construction activity on the entire property and further
use of the buildings that had been constructed without a zoning certificate.
¶7 Several months later, at trial, both the Township and the Nimers presented
evidence related to the use of both buildings located on the residential portion of the property.
The Township requested amendment to the complaint under Civ.R. 15(B) to conform to the
evidence. Under these circumstances, the Nimers did not lack notice nor an opportunity to
respond, as demonstrated by Mr. Nimer’s extensive testimony.
¶8 The Nimers have also argued that the Township only sent notice of the zoning
violations to Mr. Nimer’s attention rather than to Mr. and Mrs. Nimer. There is no dispute,
however, that Mrs. Nimer was served with the complaint and that the Nimers had ample
opportunity to defend the case. Similarly, they have argued that the trial court could not enjoin
use of the subject property, which has since been consolidated into a single parcel and, according
to the Nimers, transferred to a limited liability corporation. Although there was some testimony
on this point at trial, Mr. Nimer also testified that the limited liability corporation is controlled by
him and Mrs. Nimer and that the transfer was solely for the purpose of shielding their personal
assets. In any event, it is clear that the Nimers had adequate notice and did, in fact, defend the
case.
¶9 The Nimers’ first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING A PERMANENT INJUNCTION
UPON THE LITCHFIELD PROPERTY WHERE
DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS MET THEIR BURDEN OF PROOF TO SHOW
THAT THE USE OF THE LITCHFIELD PROPERTY WAS AGRICULTURAL
UNDER R.C. 519.01 AND 519.21[.]
5
¶10 In their second assignment of error, the Nimers argue that the trial court erred in
granting a permanent injunction because they demonstrated that the use of the parcel was
agricultural and therefore exempt from the township zoning resolution. We disagree.
¶11 The Ohio Supreme Court has noted that, as a general rule, “[t]he grant or denial of
an injunction is solely within the trial court’s discretion and, therefore, a reviewing court should
not disturb the judgment of the trial court absent a showing of a clear abuse of discretion.”
Garono v. State, 37 Ohio St.3d 171, 173 (1988). In this case, however, Mr. Nimer has argued
that the evidence at trial established that the property at issue is agricultural. In other words, he
has argued that the trial court’s conclusion in that respect is against the manifest weight of the
evidence. Accordingly, this Court “weighs the evidence and all reasonable inferences, considers
the credibility of witnesses and determines whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the
[finder of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the
[judgment] must be reversed and a new trial ordered.” (Internal citations and quotations
omitted.) Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, ¶ 20, quoting Tewarson v.
Simon, 141 Ohio App.3d 103, 115 (9th Dist.2001).
¶12 Although R.C. 519.02 grants townships the authority to adopt zoning resolutions,
that authority is circumscribed by statute. See Bd. of Twp. Trustees of Bainbridge Twp. v.
Funtime, Inc., 55 Ohio St.3d 106 (1990), paragraphs one and two of the syllabus. See also State
ex rel. Schramm v. Ayres, 158 Ohio St. 30, 33 (“[T]ownships are creatures of the law and have
only such authority as is conferred on them by law.”). Zoning resolutions are in derogation of
the common law and deprive a property owner of certain otherwise lawful uses of his land.
“Therefore, such resolutions are ordinarily construed in favor of the property owner.
Restrictions on the use of real property by ordinance, resolution or statute must be strictly
6
construed, and the scope of the restrictions cannot be extended to include limitations not clearly
prescribed.” Terry v. Sperry, 130 Ohio St.3d 125, 2011-Ohio-3364, ¶ 19. In addition,
exemptions from restrictive zoning provisions are to be liberally construed. Id.
¶13 Under R.C. 519.21(A), townships cannot “prohibit the use of any land for
agricultural purposes or the construction or use of buildings or structures incident to the use for
agricultural purposes of the land on which such buildings or structures are located[]” or require a
zoning certificate for such structures. “In other words, R.C. 519.21(A) provides two
circumstances under which the use of a property is exempt from township zoning regulations: (1)
the property is used for agricultural purposes or (2) the construction or use of buildings or
structures on the property is incident to an agricultural use of the land.” Terry at ¶ 21.
¶14 “Agriculture” is defined by R.C. 519.01:
As used in section 519.02 to 519.25 of the Revised Code, “agriculture” includes
farming; ranching; aquaculture; apiculture; horticulture; viticulture; animal
husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine,
and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and
poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits,
vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or
mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; and the
processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those
activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such
husbandry or production.
(Emphasis added.) Applying the general definition of agriculture contained in R.C. 519.01, we
must consider whether the Nimers’ property could be seen to have a use for agriculture in caring
for livestock or in the processing, storage, and marketing of agricultural products. Terry at ¶ 23.
The Beef Jerky Facility
¶15 In its complaint, the Township sought a permanent injunction prohibiting the
Nimers from continuing any construction activity on the commercially zoned portion of 9696
Crow Road. This included the expansion of an existing building located in the commercially
7
zoned portion of 9696 Crow Road as well as the construction of an extension connecting this
building to the beef jerky facility. The Nimers contend that because they are engaging in
agriculture by virtue of their animal husbandry activities and because the beef jerky facility is
engaged in the processing and marketing of agricultural products, the beef jerky facility is
exempt as provided in R.C. 519.21(A). To qualify as “agriculture” pursuant to R.C. 519.01,
however, the processing and marketing activity must be secondary to the animal husbandry.
Terry, 130 Ohio St.3d 125, 2011-Ohio-3364, at ¶ 23.
¶16 The Nimers’ business is producing beef jerky and beef sticks on a large scale,
with annual gross revenues of approximately $6.2 million. Although they do have a small retail
store on the Crow Road property, Mr. Nimer testified that most people do not know that it is
there and that his business is overwhelmingly wholesale production for various distributors. Mr.
Nimer testified that the processing business requires 400,000 pounds of beef hearts, which he
purchases exclusively from outside sources, and almost one million pounds of meat per year, or
approximately 1,187 cattle. Of that total, 39% of the meat and 100% of the beef hearts come
from outside sources, while 71% of the meat comes from cattle that he purchases and initially
raises on another property that he owns which he referred to as the Chatham farm.
¶17 At trial, Mr. Nimer described the location of the cattle from the time he purchases
them over the rest of their lifespan. Specifically, he testified that he buys the cattle from a
vendor when they are between 800 and 900 pounds and maintains them at the Chatham farm
until they grow to 1,000 pounds. Mr. Nimer consulted a specialist who helped him devise a plan
so that he could ensure that his healthy cattle would not get ill from other diseased cattle. By
keeping his cattle at the Chatham farm he could ensure that they were either disease-free or
sufficiently free from antibiotics prior to being transported to Crow Road. According to the plan,
8
Mr. Nimer would take healthy cattle from the Chatham farm and bring them to Crow Road in
small batches at which point he would care for them another 30 to 40 days until they attain a
weight of about 1,200 pounds and are ready for slaughter. He anticipated that he would
slaughter 30 cattle weekly while maintaining another 30 on the Crow Road property.
¶18 Mr. Nimer uses an outside business for slaughtering although he hoped to bring
the slaughtering to Crow Road while maintaining the “continuous cycle” of rotating mature cows
onto the Crow Road property for 30-40 days before slaughter and processing. Mr. Nimer also
indicated that he would continue to purchase all of the beef hearts used in the production from
outside sources. Mr. Nimer also testified that he wished to build several additional buildings on
the residentially zoned portion of the Crow Road property so that he could begin to raise pigs
and process the meat for producing honey ham sticks. He indicated that he was currently
producing honey ham sticks at the beef jerky facility, but this was very tedious because all of the
equipment had to be cleaned and special precautions taken so as to ensure that the production of
beef products and ham sticks were completely separate. Mr. Nimer also planned to raise the pigs
at the Chatham farm and transport them in batches over to the Crow Road property for additional
growth prior to slaughter. As of the date of trial, there were 21 head of cattle on the Crow Road
property. Thus, according to his plan, Mr. Nimer anticipated caring for approximately 60 head of
cattle at any one time and an unspecified number of pigs while maintaining the remainder at the
Chatham farm.
¶19 In light of the evidence, we conclude that the beef jerky business does not
constitute “agriculture” within the meaning of R.C. 519.01. It is clear that the care of livestock
constitutes agriculture as defined in R.C. 519.01, and Mr. Nimer demonstrated that he is
engaging in agriculture by caring for cattle on his property. In addition, the processing and
9
marketing of the beef products could fall within the definition of agriculture if it were secondary
to the care of the cattle. Here, however, it is apparent that the marketing and processing
operation on the property is not secondary to the care of the livestock that occurs on the Crow
Road property. In this respect, we note that it is particularly significant that, at the time of trial,
Mr. Nimer was caring for only 21 heads of cattle on the Crow Road property. However,
according to his own testimony, his processing and operation entails thousands of pounds of
meat as well as beef hearts that Mr. Nimer does not raise or care for on the land.
Use of Buildings on the Land
¶20 As noted above, a township has no power to prohibit the “use of buildings or
structures incident to the use for agricultural purposes of the land on which such buildings or
structures are located[.]” R.C. 519.21(A). In this case, there are four structures at issue, two that
are located on the commercial portion of the Crow Road property and two that are located on the
residentially zoned portion.
¶21 The township sought an injunction prohibiting Mr. Nimer from engaging in
further construction activity on an existing building and an extension that connected this building
to the Medina Foods Plant. The evidence adduced at trial demonstrated that the building and the
extension are used for the beef jerky business and not used in conjunction with the care of the
cattle. As we have concluded that the beefy jerky operation does not constitute agriculture, it
cannot be said that the use of the building and extension are incident to an agricultural use.
¶22 The township also sought a permanent injunction as to two structures located on
the residential portion of 9696 Crow Road. The first was a pole barn that measures 80 by 120
feet and the second was an 80 by 60 foot structure referred to as a cattle barn. According to Mr.
Nimer, he told Eric Noderer, the township zoning inspector, that he planned to use the 80 by 120
10
foot pole barn structure as a hay barn and submitted a form describing its agricultural use to that
effect. As noted above, Mr. Nimer testified he planned to turn it into a pork processing facility
similar to the existing beef processing facility. He also planned to build two more buildings the
same size that would attach to the existing structure and be part of the same processing facility.
With respect to the current use of the structure, Mr. Noderer testified that while he had not been
permitted inside, the exterior made it appear that it was presently being used or prepared for
office space. On cross-examination, Mr. Nimer testified that the structure had been partially
drywalled and fitted with rough plumbing and electrical wiring sufficient to process pork. Mr.
Nimer testified that the structure was not currently being used for any purpose other than to store
some machinery.
¶23 The trial court determined that the Nimers could use the two buildings located on
the residential portion of the land for the keeping and feeding of animals and the storage of feed,
however, they could not use the buildings for the processing and storage of meat products or as
an office. Considering this testimony, and particularly in light of Mr. Nimer’s own testimony
that he planned to use this structure to expand his commercial operations, the trial court did not
err granting an injunction which allowed Mr. Nimer to use the buildings in a manner consistent
with his agricultural use of the land but prohibited Mr. Nimer from using it in furtherance of his
beef jerky business which, as noted above, does not constitute agriculture as defined in R.C.
519.01.
¶24 To summarize, the care of the cattle constitutes agriculture. However, the meat
processing business does not fall within the definition of “agriculture” under R.C. 519.01
because it is not “in conjunction with, but secondary to” the care of livestock. Similarly, the
structures located on the commercial portion of the Crow Road property at issue are not subject
11
to the agricultural exemption set forth in R.C. 519.21(A) for buildings “incident to the use for
agricultural purposes[.]” The buildings located on the residential portion of the Crow Road
property are exempt from zoning to the extent that their use is incident to the care of the cattle.
¶25 The trial court’s decision that the Nimers’ use of the property and buildings at
issue was nonagricultural is not against the manifest weight of the evidence because the meat
processing activities on Crow Road are not “agriculture” as defined in R.C. 519.01 and the use of
the buildings on the Crow Road property for meat processing are not incident to an agricultural
use on the land so as to exempt them from zoning. The Nimers’ second assignment of error is,
therefore, overruled in that respect. To the extent that the trial court enjoined all uses of the
buildings on the Nimers’ property, whether agricultural or not, other than “the keeping and
feeding of animals” or “the storage of feed,” however, the scope of the injunction is overbroad,
and the second assignment of error is sustained in that respect.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING A PERMANENT INJUNCTION
UPON THE ENTIRE LITCHFIELD PROPERTY WHERE LITCHFIELD’S
ENFORCEMENT OF THE ZONING RESOLUTION VIOLATED
DEFENDANTS’/APPELLANTS’ RIGHT OF EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER
THE LAW[.]
¶26 The Nimers’ third assignment of error is that the trial court erred by enjoining the
use of their property when other similarly situated properties were not required to comply with
the Litchfield Township Zoning Resolution.
¶27 Although the Nimers made this argument in the trial court, they did so with only
passing and conclusory reference to the persons who, according to them, are being treated
differently by Litchfield Township. Specifically, testimony on the issue was limited to Mr.
Nimer’s own belief about the nature of the agricultural exemptions applied to the properties and
12
the zoning inspector’s suspicion that the agricultural use of those properties might be secondary
to commercial uses. There is no evidence in the record establishing that there are properties
similarly situated to the Crow Road property at issue or that they are, in fact, being treated
differently. Without such a record, it is impossible for this Court to determine the merits of the
Nimers’ equal protection argument, and their third assignment of error is overruled.
III.
¶28 The Nimers’ first and third assignments of error are overruled. Their second
assignment of error is sustained in part. The judgment of the Medina County Court of Common
Pleas is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and this matter is remanded to the trial court for
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Judgment affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and cause remanded.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
13
Costs taxed equally to both parties.
EVE V. BELFANCE
FOR THE COURT
CARR, J.
DICKINSON, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
THEODORE J. LESIAK, Attorney at Law, for Appellants.
DEAN HOLMAN, Prosecuting Attorney, and TOM J. KARRIS and BRIAN RICHTER,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, for Appellee.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A dominant negative mutant of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen inhibits anthrax toxin action in vivo.
PA63, a proteolytically activated 63-kDa form of anthrax protective antigen (PA), forms heptameric oligomers and has the ability to bind and translocate the catalytic moieties, lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF) into the cytosol of mammalian cells. Acidic pH triggers oligomerization and membrane insertion by PA63. A disordered amphipathic loop in domain II of PA (2beta2-2beta3 loop) is involved in membrane insertion by PA63. Because conditions required for membrane insertion coincide with those for oligomerization of PA63 in mammalian cells, residues constituting the 2beta2-2beta3 loop were replaced with the residues of the amphipathic membrane-inserting loop of its homologue iota-b toxin secreted by Clostridium perfringens. It was hypothesized that such a molecule might assemble into hetero-heptameric structures with wild-type PA ultimately leading to the inhibition of cellular intoxication. The mutation blocked the ability of PA to mediate membrane insertion and translocation of LF into the cytosol but had no effect on proteolytic activation, oligomerization, or binding LF. Moreover, an equimolar mixture of purified mutant PA (PA-I) and wild-type PA showed complete inhibition of toxin activity both in vitro on J774A.1 cells and in vivo in Fischer 344 rats thereby exhibiting a dominant negative effect. In addition, PA-I inhibited the channel-forming ability of wild-type PA on the plasma membrane of CHO-K1 cells thereby indicating protein-protein interactions between the two proteins resulting in the formation of mixed oligomers with defective functional activity. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the mechanism of translocation and exploring the possibility of the use of this PA molecule as a therapeutic agent against anthrax toxin action in vivo. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Barbonetti A ^1^, D'Andrea S ^2^, Cavallo F ^3^, Martorella A ^4^, Francavilla S ^4^, Francavilla F ^4^
^1^ Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences and the Environment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; ^2^ Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences and the Environment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; San Raffaele Sulmona Institute, Sulmona, Italy; ^3^ San Raffaele Sulmona Institute, Sulmona, Italy; ^4^ Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences and the Environment, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
J Sex Med. 2019 May;16(5):624-632
**DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.02.014 \| ACCESS: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.02.014**
COMMENT
=======
Dr. Arcangelo Barbonetti et al. published the first meta-analysis exploring the differences in the prevalence of ED and PE between homosexual and heterosexual men.
They found that homosexual orientation is associated with higher odds of erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower odds of premature ejaculation (PE) compared with heterosexual orientation. However, considering that only four studies could be included, the non-probabilistic nature of the samples and the use of different non-standardized indicators of sexual dysfunctions, their results should be interpreted with caution.
The fact is that homosexual individuals have been excluded from a significant number of important clinical trials. When dealing with non-heterosexual people, the investigation of sexuality is hindered by a methodological issue in that most of the questionnaires and diagnostic tools for the assessment of sexual disorders appear to be heterosexual oriented and have not yet been validated for homosexual populations ( [@B1] ).
Authors found that the discussed possible reasons why homosexual men have more chance of suffering with ED and multiple partners (less stability), a sense of competition and what they call: psychological stress - social stigmatization and discrimination against sexual minorities can jeopardize the psychological well-being of homosexuals ( [@B2] ).
The relationship between sexual orientation and ejaculatory function was controversial, since in three studies there is no significant association with sexual orientation. But inside meta-analysis, homosexual men exhibited a 28.0% lower odd of reporting PE compared with heterosexual controls. And is interesting that stable relationship (that was a protective factor in ED) here was a cause of sexual dysfunction. It has been suggested that the higher tendency of heterosexual men to engage in stable relationships might put them at a higher risk for PE compared with gay couples. Jern et al. ( [@B3] ) reported that the ejaculation latency time is negatively correlated to the duration of the relationship.
It is clear that we need more good quality comparative studies using validated tools to identify differences in sexual function/dysfunction among men with others sexual orientations.
[^1]: CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None declared.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Less than a year after it issued an order suspending immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, the Trump administration went to the Supreme Court last night, asking the justices to uphold the third version of that order, often known as the “travel ban.” Unlike the earlier version of the order, the government explained, which was “premised on uncertainty about the adequacy of other governments’ information-sharing,” the most recent iteration is a response to “specific findings that a handful of countries have deficient information-sharing practices or other factors that prevent the government from assessing the risk their nationals pose to the United States.” By blocking the president from excluding nationals from those countries, the Trump administration warned, “the courts below have overridden the President’s judgments on sensitive matters of national security and foreign relations, and severely restricted the ability of this and future Presidents to protect the nation.”
The issues surrounding the travel ban are quite familiar to the justices. In June 2017, they agreed to weigh in on two challenges to the second version of the ban, which was announced in a March 6 executive order. The court scheduled oral argument in the cases for early October, and it allowed the government to implement the ban in the meantime, at least for would-be travelers who didn’t already have some connection to the United States.
But in late September, the justices took the challenges to the March 6 order off the argument calendar after Trump issued a new version of the order – the version that the federal government has now asked the justices to review. While the March 6 froze travel from six Muslim-majority countries: Libya, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, the September 24 order restricted travel from five of those six countries (Libya, Iran, Somalia, Syria and Yemen) and added three countries not covered by the earlier order (North Korea, Venezuela and Chad).
The challengers returned to the lower courts, arguing that the most recent version of the ban, like its predecessors, violated federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Late last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld a district court order blocking the government from implementing the September 24 proclamation, with one exception – for would-be travelers who cannot claim a genuine connection with the United States. That ruling, the government now argues, is wrong and warrants the justices’ intervention.
Another challenge to the September 24 order is pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. The full court of appeals heard oral argument in that case on December 8, but it has not yet issued its ruling. Under the court’s normal procedures, the challengers’ response to tonight’s filing would be due 30 days after the government’s petition has been docketed.
This post was first published at Howe on the Court.
Recommended Citation: Amy Howe, Trump administration returns to Supreme Court on travel ban, SCOTUSblog (Jan. 6, 2018, 12:07 AM), https://www.scotusblog.com/2018/01/trump-administration-returns-supreme-court-travel-ban/ | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Previous studies have reported on the impact of trauma on child and adult mental health following this conflict (Thabet *et al*, [@r10]). Indeed, there is a growing literature on the prevalence of emotional disorders, predominantly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, in similar circumstances. Some studies have focused on the different pathways and mechanisms between these disorders, while others have examined their comorbidity. Less research has been done on the comorbidity between PTSD and externalising conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This would be particularly important for diagnostic and treatment purposes, because of the potential similarities between symptoms such as hyperarousal and hypervigilance (Ford *et al*, [@r5]). For example, an early study of maltreated children found that 35% met criteria for PTSD, of whom 37% were also diagnosed with ADHD (Famularo *et al*, [@r4]). The rationale of the present study was to examine this interesting type of comorbidity in children at high risk of developing PTSD because of their exposure to war trauma.
Method {#s1}
======
The sample was randomly selected from the population census in five areas of the Gaza Strip. Each area was divided into blocks; from each block one street was chosen; and from each street every tenth family home was approached. All selected families provided informed consent. The resulting sample consisted of 410 Palestinian children, aged 8--18 years (mean 12.9, s.d. 3.9): 224 boys (54.6%) and 186 girls. The fieldwork was conducted between May and June 2009 by five mental health professionals trained in research.
The following measures were completed:
- War on Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist for Children (Thabet *et al*, [@r10]). The earlier version was adapted for the nature of traumatic events occurring during the recent conflict. It consisted of 25 items, rated 'no/yes' (0/1), and a total score was calculated (Cronbach's α = 0.80, split half = 0.68).
- UCLA PTSD Index for DSM-IV for Children (Pynoos *et al*, [@r8]). This comprises 22 self-report items rated 0--4. A total score was calculated and a categorical prevalence estimated. The reliability of the Arabic version used in this study was ascertained (Cronbach's α = 0.83, split half = 0.81).
- Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis of ADHD -- Parents' form -- Arabic version (Thabet *et al*, [@r9]). This consists of 18 items, with children scoring positive on six or more 'inattentive' items considered inattentive and those positive on six or more 'hyper activity--impulsivity' items considered hyperactive--impulsive. The 'combined' category (inattentive--impulsive) is based on summing both inattentive and hyperactive-- impulsive scores. The Arabic version was used, following translation and back-translation by a panel of five experts (Cronbach's α = 0.89, split half = 0.760).
Results {#s2}
=======
Families lived in cities (43.5%), villages (12.5%) and refugee camps (44.0%). Their size was large, as 13.6% had fewer than four children, 61.4% had five to seven children and 25.0% eight or more children. The majority (60.9%) had a monthly income of less than US\$350, 30.4% earned US\$351--700 and only 8.7% earned more than US\$700.
Palestinian children reported a range of traumatic experiences: 95% had heard sonic sounds of jetfighters, 92% had heard shelling by artillery, 92% had seen mutilated bodies on television, 80% had been deprived of water or electricity during the war and 51% had left their home for a safer place. The mean number of reported traumatic events was 8.5 (s.d. 3.9), without significant gender differences (*t* = 1.18, *P* = 0.23).
The total number of traumatic events (as recorded on the Traumatic Events Checklist) was significantly associated with scores on the UCLA PTSD Index (Pearson correlation *r* = 0.29, *P* = 0.001). There was no significant difference between boys and girls in PTSD scores (*t* = 0.53, *P* = 0.56). Overall, 39.3% of children reported reactions that fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for partial PTSD, while a further 9.8% met the criteria for full PTSD. According to parents' reports on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis of ADHD, 31.3% of children reported clinically significant attention-deficit symptoms, 36.3% reported impulsivity--hyperactivity symptoms and 29.0% reported a combination of the two (inattentive--impulsive). Twenty-one children (5.1%) had significant comorbid PTSD and attention-deficit symptoms, 18 (4.4%) had comorbid PTSD and impulsivity--hyperactivity symptoms and 18 children (4.4%) had comorbid PTSD and inattentive--impulsive symptoms.
Discussion {#s3}
==========
This study was conducted 6 months after the participants had been exposed to a wide range of traumatic events during the war on Gaza. Most of the children still remembered traumatic events and over half had had to leave their home for a place of safety. This is consistent with our previous studies (Thabet *et al*, [@r10]).
In the present study, 39.3% of children reported partial PTSD and 9.8% reported full PTSD, which is also consistent with earlier findings. Pat-Horenczyk *et al* ([@r7]) assessed the effects of ongoing violence on the mental health of Palestinian and Israeli youths. They found that 37.2% of Palestinian students in the West Bank reported symptoms meeting the criteria for full PTSD and an additional 12.1% reported symptoms meeting the criteria for partial PTSD. Abdeen *et al* ([@r1]), in a study of Palestinian students from both the West Bank and Gaza, similarly found that 36% of West Bank and 35% of Gaza participants reported symptoms meeting criteria for full PTSD according to DSM-IV-TR, while 12% and 11% respectively reported symptoms meeting criteria for partial PTSD.
The focus of the present study was, however, the overlap or comorbidity between post-traumatic stress and attention-deficit hyperactivity, which ranged between 4.4% and 5.1% for the ADHD symptom categories recorded on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis of ADHD. The overlap of ADHD and PTSD often involves the following symptoms: irritability, excessive motor activity, concentration difficulties, impulsive behaviour and exaggerated startle responses (American Psychiatric Association, [@r2]). Both conditions may be characterised by difficulty in concentrating, restlessness or irritability and impulsivity. Some authors (e.g. Famularo *et al*, [@r4]) have argued that because several symptoms in the diagnosis of ADHD also arise in the context of the maltreated child syndrome (or attachment disorders), they may indicate PTSD and anxiety rather than developmental disorder. Alternatively, physical overactivity in children with PTSD could be a result of increased muscular tension because of anxiety. According to DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, [@r3]), the symptoms of ADHD and PTSD in growing children have certain similarities. In both ADHD and PTSD there is difficulty in sustaining attention, an incapacity to listen, failure to complete duties, difficulty in organisation, avoidance of mental tasks, memory dysfunction, irritability and restlessness.
Children repeatedly exposed to traumatic events seem to have a high risk of displaying both sets of symptoms and diagnoses. The finding of PTSD-related and ADHD-related symptoms appearing together in the same child might be looked on as comorbidity. Nevertheless, true comorbidity might not apply because the symptoms manifested in the two disorders are so similar. Children may have PTSD-related symptoms and, because of their anxious state, show hyperactivity, attention problems and impulsivity. This could be conceptualised as ADHD by the clinician.
The diagnostic implications would benefit from further research with children exposed to different types of trauma, especially longitudinal studies that might disentangle the phenomenology and outcome of the two disorders (including their comorbid presentation). Whatever the underlying issues and mechanisms, the findings highlight the importance of psychiatric training in detecting both the effects of trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders, across different conflict situations and cultural groups. Only accurate diagnosis can formulate appropriate treatment for children with ADHD, as opposed to psycho-educational and other universal and targeted interventions for PTSD.
It is important to acknowledge a number of limitations in this study, such as: the use of structured interviews in the community that were originally designed to measure childhood ADHD in clinical settings; the lack of multi-informant and consistent corroboration of both PTSD and ADHD symptoms; and the lack of measurement at different points.
We are grateful to all children and families who participated in the study, and to the five mental health practitioners who completed the fieldwork.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The Eighth Witch
"The Eighth Witch" is the tenth episode of the seventh season and the 143rd episode overall of the American fantasy-drama series Once Upon a Time. Written by Jane Espenson & Jerome Schwartz and directed by Ralph Hemecker, it premiered on ABC in the United States on December 15, 2017.
In the episode, which served as the mid season finale, Lucy's life hangs in the balance as Henry and Regina travel to San Francisco to bring back a former resident whom Regina is very familiar with, while Eloise and Ivy are ready to welcome Anastasia to the new world but Weaver and Victoria are about to find out the consequences, and Rogers and Tilly track down a mysterious symbol that is tied into Lucy and Anastasia's connection. In the past the aforementioned events served as the catalyst of how the curse began with a surprising twist and an unexpected sacrifice.
Plot
Opening sequence
The Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco is featured in the background.
In the Characters' Past
In the New Realm, everyone gathers to help Henry celebrate the birth of his daughter Lucy. But Drizella shows up to dampen the festivities by warning them of a new curse that she will cast on Lucy’s eighth birthday. However, she is suddenly frozen in stone by Tremaine with the use of Blood Magic.
Eight years later the prophecy comes true. Everyone gathers for Lucy's birthday, but they are interrupted by the arrival of Gothel, who not only restores Drizella to life, but brings along a group of cloaked witches. Before leaving with Drizella, Gothel warns them that the Dark Curse is coming soon. Henry and Ella come up with a plan to protect Lucy from the curse while Regina tries to find a way to prevent it from being cast.
In another realm, Regina tracks down her sister Zelena and gets a greeting from Robin, now twenty-five and a skilled archer. When Regina warns Zelena of this new threat, she agrees to help. Zelena tells Regina that Gothel and her fellow witches are part of a group known as the Coven of the Eight, who are more powerful than expected. Meanwhile, Hook tracks down Rumpelstiltskin, who has given up his life as Mr. Gold after Belle's death. Rumple tells Hook that he can't stop the new curse, but he gives Hook a white elephant carving that will ensure that Hook and Alice will be together under the curse.
The event that was shown as a flashforward during The Final Battle is revealed; Henry and Ella agree to send Lucy to the New World using the same plan that Snow White and Prince Charming used to send Emma to the Land without Magic before the curse consumed them. Henry returns to the Enchanted Forest with Lucy to coordinate with Tiger Lily about building a magic wardrobe for Lucy. However, it appears that something followed Henry to the realm. Before he is captured, he gives Lucy the storybook and tells her to run. Instead of going to the tree, Lucy returns to the palace to tell Ella that Henry was kidnapped by the Coven of Eight.
Drizella has already set a scheme to make her mother believe she had cast the curse in order to help bring Anastasia back to life and casts a spell that causes Tremaine to collapse. Regina and Zelena return to discover that Drizella had poisoned Henry, and that the only way to save him is to send him to a land without magic. Drizella needs Regina’s blood to cast the curse. With Henry's life on the line, Regina casts the Dark Curse, which consumes the entire realm.
Before they're engulfed in the black smoke, Rumple gives Alice the chipped cup that will regain his memories and reminds her of what to do if it doesn't work. Robin embraces and kisses Alice, thus revealing the true love she had alluded to. Hook gives Ella the White Elephant so she and Lucy can be together, thus sacrificing his chance to reunite with Alice.
In Seattle
Jacinda rushes Lucy to the hospital after her collapse. The tear that Victoria used on Anastasia caused Lucy to slip into a coma, thus rendering her ability to being a true believer. Sabine offers to help Jacinda by calling everyone to fill them in on Lucy's condition and she says she'll ask Rogers if he can find out where Lucy was in the hours prior to her collapse.
In San Francisco
Meanwhile in San Francisco, Regina enlisted Henry in helping her meet someone who happens to work in a fitness center. Pretending to be new members, the two see the bike trainer leading the group, Kelly, who happens to be Zelena under her new cursed identity. Kelly, who still believes that Regina is still Roni and is bitter over having hired her daughter to work at the bar and giving her a ticket to Amsterdam and now instead of going to college, is now at a foam party in Phuket and never coming home. Kelly refuses to go back to Seattle with Regina, but using a potion to restore her memory, Regina offered Kelly a drink of whiskey and Kelly reluctantly accepted. After a sip, Kelly suddenly remembers her previous life as Zelena and the sisters are reunited for real. However, Zelena tells Regina that she is getting married soon, making it difficult to help Regina return to Seattle, but agrees to put the wedding aside to do this.
In Seattle, after Henry's return
Prior to the sister's reunion, Henry learned of Lucy's coma, so he returned to Seattle to find out what he can do. Jacinda suggests that he read the storybook to Lucy in the hope that he can give Lucy the belief that maybe he is her father and he can save her with True Love's kiss, but when he kissed her forehead, nothing happened. After Henry called Regina regarding Lucy, Regina tells Zelena the only way to break the curse could have consequences and implications. If she doesn't break the curse, Lucy will likely die. However, if she does break the curse, Henry will die. Both sisters now must find a way to restore their powers in order to save them.
With Anastasia alive again, Victoria is trying to get her to assimilate to the new world. However, Weaver has shown up and tells Victoria about what she has done by placing Lucy in a coma so she can revive her daughter. Victoria is more upset that Weaver believes that Anastasia might be the Guardian that he's been seeking. A skeptical Victoria agreed to take Anastasia to a location with Weaver to test out the theory. In a lab room, Weaver has Anastasia pick out which of the five knives is the Dagger, and suddenly she causes a rumble that allowed the knives to direct itself to a cabinet and Weaver finds the real Dagger. Unfortunately, Anastasia became more disturbed when Eloise found her and she knocked Victoria and Weaver out. A scared Anastasia runs away, only to see a surprised Ivy, who gave her a pair of bracelets to control her powers. Afterwards, Rogers and Tilly, who have been tracking down a series of strange symbols that have shown up around the area, visit the lab and find an unconscious Weaver, who informed the two that the Coven of Eight are in Hyperion Heights right now.
Unfortunately, Ivy tricked Anastasia by bringing her to Eloise, as she hoped to get even with her sister by absorbing her powers with the bracelets, only to discover that Eloise betrayed Ivy by rendering her powerless by having Anastasia reclaim her powers with the bracelets, as she was the chosen one to follow Eloise/Gothel. Ivy/Drizella is then sent to a well hole, joining Rapunzel/Victoria as her prisoner. Gothel then takes Anastasia to a secret location to show her the wardrobe of the Coven of Eight, telling her that they are in Hyperion Heights and she knows where to look for them.
Reception
Reviews
The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, although some thought it wasn't as strong as the previous episodes, but were impressed with how it kept the twists and dark overtones throughout the story.
Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic gave it a 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Entertainment Weekly's Justin Kirkland gave it a B-.
References
Category:2017 American television episodes
Category:Once Upon a Time (season 7) episodes | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Panskura Banamali College
Panskura Banamali College(Autonomous) is located in Panskura, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, India. It offers Science, Commerce and Arts degrees in graduation and master's degree in Arts and Science. This institution was established in 1960. The founder of this college was Banamali Charan Khatua, local Khan family donated land for setting up this college. The college is under Vidyasagar University.
History
Panskura Banamali College was established in 1960 as a result of the sincere effort of Late Banamali Charan Khatua, a wealthy and cultured person of Panskura. Local gentleman Hasmat Ali Khan and his co-sharers donated the land for this college. The college eventually came to be named as Panskura Banamali College after its principal donor. This college continues to be a unique symbol of aspiration for higher education and excellence at the locality.
Location
The college is situated on the road connecting Panskura Rly station and the National Highway 6 (India), nearer to Panskura station .Panskura is a model station, 71 km from Howrah on the way to Kharagpur (SE Rly). There are frequent local train services between Howrah and Kharagpur and some passenger and express trains also stop here. It is easy to reach Panskura by train or by bus from any direction.
Departments
Science
Bachelor In Computer Application
Master Of Computer Application
Computer Science[B.sc & M.sc]
Physiology[B.sc & M.sc]
Biotechnology[B.sc & M.sc]
Chemistry[B.sc & M.sc]
Physics[B.sc & M.sc]
Mathematics[B.sc & M.sc]
Botany[B.sc & M.sc]
Zoology[B.sc & M.sc]
Economics[B.sc & M.sc]
Electronics[B.sc & M.sc]
Microbiology[B.sc & M.sc]
Arts and Commerce
History
Bengali
Geography
Political Science
Sanskrit
Philosophy
English
Santali
Commerce (Accounting and Finance)
Education
Physical Education
Music
Accreditation
The college is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It was also accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and awarded A grade, an accreditation that has since then expired.
References
External links
Panskura Banamali College
Category:Colleges affiliated to Vidyasagar University
Category:Educational institutions established in 1960
Category:Universities and colleges in Purba Medinipur district
Category:1960 establishments in India | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
3 F.3d 581
126 Lab.Cas. P 33,014, 1 Wage & Hour Cas. 2d(BNA) 950
Robert B. REICH, Secretary of the United States Departmentof Labor, Plaintiff-Appellee,v.STATE OF NEW YORK, Defendant-Appellant.Gerald J. LONG; Paul L. Piwinski; Denis J. Donovan;Robert P. Faynor; John J. Tonzi; Donald E. Brandstetter;Douglas C. Field, individually and on behalf of otherssimilarly situated; John F. Ahern; William M. Ambler;Daniel J. Arcuri; Norman Ashbarry; Niles J. Balch; JackR. Baum; Robert L. Boek; Robert T. Bramhall, Sr.; CharlesT. Brown; Michael D. Byrne; Joel H. Campbell; Thomas P.Canastar; Nicholas A. Cerro; Denis J. Cimbal; Gary J.Corbett; Albert Cukierski; Gary J. Darstein; Dean C.Decker; Orlando M. D'Ella; Dominick DePaola, Jr.; RobertS. Dibble; Dennis P. Dougherty; Daniel D. Evans; Keith R.Fairchild; Russell C. Francis; Emanuel S. Friedman;Robert M. Fritzen; Dominick A. Froio, Jr.; Donald C.Geary; John W. Graham; Douglas E. Herrmann; Stanley A.Jung; Evelyn R. Kendrick; Robert J. Killough; Pascuale D.Lagatta; William L. Lefort; James E. Mathews; Norman J.Mattice; John R. Morlock; Lawrence J. Moylan; ChristopherM. Murphy; Richard M. Owens; David Neil Paul; Leland J.Pavlot; Allen D. Piontkowski; Mario J. Restante; EugeneL. Rifenburg; James L. Rogers; Richard J. Sauer; ThomasL. Sears; William D. Slaughter; Douglas B. Smith; RogerW. Sykes; Scott W. Todd; Matthew A. Tynan; Michael Visco;Cornelius R. Walsh, Jr.; Robert D. Warner; Dexter B.Wassall; Stanley E. Weidman; Gerald J. Wendt; Milton A.White; Michael J. Yuzwak; John M. Moran; Christopher G.Allen; Thomas E. Alston, III; Craig Baldwin; Richard O.Bates; Lyle E. Baxter; Donald W. Berberich; Robert L.Beswick; Hugh L. Bigger; Sallie C. Bloomer; Joseph E.Bochnik; Alan T. Brock; Vincent T. Burke; WilliamCaballero; Dennis M. Callahan; William T. Carey; LawrenceP. Chambers; Garfield Clark, Jr.; John M. Cleary, Jr.;Edward J. Collins; Frank Costa; Paul T. Decillis; FrankJ. DeGennaro; Charles J. DePalma; Joseph W. Decker;Donald P. Delaney; James Docherty; Albert J. Drake; BruceC. Dunning; James P. Aloi; Senior B. Auld; Joseph J.Barrett; Louis A. Battistello; Claus J. Bebensee; RobertJ. Berry; Wayne E. Beyea; Daniel E. Bishop; Harold T.Bloomer, III; June M. Bradley; Herman C. Brown, Jr.;Thomas J. Butler; Patrick J. Caffery; Martin A. Card;Kevin D. Cavanagh; Rodger W. Chillemi; Robert F. Cleary;Neil A. Colello; Anthony Coppo; Lennie Daniels; Edward L.DeFisher; Solomon DeJesus; Charles J. Dechon; Louis R.Deltoro; John J. DiPofi; Randolph B. Donaldson; Henry H.Dunn; John P. Dunning; Elkan Eastman; Steven A. Ercole;Preston L. Felton; Stewart F. Field, Jr.; Mark Fischer;Gary F. Forshee; John E. Fuller; Albert G. Gerhart;Stanley R. Glover; Orlando V. Gonzalez; Harold Griffiths;Paul R. Hans; Gregory J. Harlin; Robert A. Hartmann;Robert B. Hayes; Robert Henderson; Russell G. Hicks;Walter T. Holloway; Wayne Huggler; Jorge J.Ibanez-Delgado; Salvatore Indelicatu; Paul T. Johnson;Kenneth T. Jones; George A. Jurak; Paul H. Kelly; PeterL. Kirk; Thomas G. Kleinhans; Anthony S. Kolakoski;George W. Elston; Roger L. Fairchild; David R. Ferringer;Carlos E. Figueroa; Mary E. Fitzpatrick; Charles W.Foster; Robert E. Fuller; Robert F. Giery; David H.Goggin; Gilbert N. Green, Jr.; John J. Grimmke; Jon B.Hansen; Edward C. Hartmann; Paul J. Hasselmann; StephanA. Hegarty; Thomas K. Herrick; Jerome Holland; Joseph W.Holly; Johannes A. Hurbanek; Juan C. Inclan; Hector M.Jimenez; Douglas W. Johnstone; Lawrence Jonigan; LeonardC. Kasson; John M. Kennedy; Allan W. Kirkwood; Michael A.Klusacek; Charles F. Koran; Eric W. Kruger; Donna L.Lampert; George W. Lawson; Robert H. Lewis; Dominick A.Magro; Thomas D. Manaher; William J. Mante; Donald B.Markert; Charles A. Martin; Edward C. Martinez; John J.McCabe; Terrence P. McCormick; Roberto McFarlane; ThomasH. McHugh; Robert F. McLean; Thomas S. Meehan; Thomas J.Miller; Edward P. Moffe; Robert L. Monroe; William P.Morsheimer; Gregory Mosley; Martin Mulligan; James J.Murphy, Jr.; Stephen Nevins; Thaddeus A. Niksa; John J.Noonan; John O'Brien; John E. O'Keefe; Paul G. Kunar;John G. Lang; Christos G. Lecakes; Steven G. Louder;Issac A. Mallard; Michael T. Manning; David P. Marchitell;Dennis D. Marsh; Harold A. Martin; Robert A. Maurin;Donald T. McConville; John W. McCroary; Richard L. McGee;Charles J. McKenna; Charles J. McLoughlin; Jose A. Mendez;John R. Mitchell; Bruce A. Monforte; Gordon T. Mosher;Terrence F. Mullen; Robert W. Murphy; Reginald A. Nau;James J. Newell; Dennis J. Nolan; Vincent S. Notaro;William L. O'Brien; Terrence P. O'Mara; James P. O'Neill;Stephen J. Oates; John D. Odell; John A. Olquist; MichaelOrrego; Ted M. Palmer; Stanley F. Pawelek; Robert R.Phenes; Robert E. Pineau; Edward Raso; George P. Rebhan;Daniel J. Regini; Louis E. Retzer; Jose Rivera; Robert W.Rochler; Michael J. Rogan; Mario A. Romain; Steve M.Sadowski; Paul M. Salvino; Bruce L. Schocken; George J.Schweikart; Richard L. Shearer; John H. Shultis; Roger D.Smith; Luis A. Soto; John P. Spencer, Jr.; Thomas FredStarace; Roy L. Streever; Thomas M. O'Neill; Richard J.Ocenasek; Robert L. Odell; Richard Olsen; Steven Ortiz;William J. Palmer; Everett H. Pearsall; Kathleen R.Pierino; George C. Pinther; Gerald L. Rauber; Michael S.Reeves; Daniel J. Reidy; James M. Rielly; Robert S.Robles; Louis F. Rodriguez; Richard B. Rogers; Victor P.Rosati; Thomas F. Salmon; Errol I. Sasso; Robert L.Schraff; James Serrano; Lawrence A. Shewark, Jr.;Frederick H. Slanovec; Vincent J. Snyder; Dennis Spanitz;William G. Sprague; Jack S. Stenberg; Paul F. Sweetman;Patrick D. Sylvestre; Gerald Tiernan; Luis E. Torres;Derek Tudor; Dale A. Valentine; Luis Velez; Kevin W.Walsh; William R. Whalen; Thomas M. Wolf; Henry G.Youngblood; Richard D. Thurston; Jose L. Torres; ThomasC. Tucker; Michael R. Urbanski; John Vandermolen, Jr.;Robert T. Venezia; Donald K. Wentworth, Jr.; Arthur C.Wilson, III; Charles E. Wood; Thomas H. Zimmer, Plaintiffs-Appellees,v.Thomas A. CONSTANTINE, as Superintendent of the Division ofthe New York State Police; Division of the NewYork State Police; State of New York,Defendants-Appellants.
Nos. 1585, 1586, Dockets 93-6005, 93-7027.
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
Argued June 2, 1993.Decided Aug. 23, 1993.
Alan S. Kaufman, Albany, NY (Robert Abrams, Atty. Gen., State of NY, Peter H. Schiff, Deputy Sol. Gen., Albany, NY, of counsel), for defendants-appellants State of NY, Thomas A. Constantine, and Div. of NY State Police.
Paul L. Frieden, Washington, DC (Judith E. Kramer, Monica Gallagher, William J. Stone, U.S. Dept. of Labor, William Kanter, Bruce G. Forrest, Civ. Div., U.S. Dept. of Justice, of counsel), for plaintiff-appellee Secretary of Labor.
Gregory K. McGillivary, Washington, DC (Thomas A. Woodley, Mulholland & Hickey, Washington, DC, Douglas L. Steele, Blitman & King, Syracuse, NY, Jan M. Smolak, Michaels & Bell, Auburn, NY, of counsel), for plaintiffs-appellees Gerald J. Long et al.
Stuart E. Schiffer, Acting Asst. Atty. Gen., Gary L. Sharpe, U.S. Atty., William Kanter, Bruce G. Forrest, Appellate Staff, Civ. Div., Dept. of Justice, submitted a brief on behalf of U.S., as intervenor.
Before: MESKILL and McLAUGHLIN, Circuit Judges, and COVELLO, District Judge.*
McLAUGHLIN, Circuit Judge:
1
The State of New York appeals from two orders entered in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (Con. J. Cholakis, J.) in procedurally separate--but substantively similar--actions brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"). The pivotal issue in both cases is whether Investigators of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation ("BCI") fall within the administrative exemption to the FLSA. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 213(a).
2
In separate actions, the Secretary of Labor and individual BCI Investigators sued the State of New York under the FLSA, challenging the State's failure to comply with the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Act. The State countered that it was under no obligation to pay the FLSA overtime rate to Investigators because they fall within an exemption to the Act for administrative employees. Alternatively, the State protested that the Tenth Amendment barred application of the Act to the BCI, and the Eleventh Amendment barred the relief sought by the private plaintiffs. Rejecting the State's statutory and constitutional arguments, the district court granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs, denied the State's cross-motion for summary judgment, see Ahern v. New York, 807 F.Supp. 919 (N.D.N.Y.1992), and entered an order in each action enjoining the State from claiming the administrative exemption as to the Investigators. The State now appeals; and we affirm.
BACKGROUND
3
The New York State Police is a division of the State's Executive Department; and provisions governing the State Police are set forth in Article 11 of New York's Executive Law. Executive Law Secs. 31(4), 210-29 (McKinney 1993). Section 216 of that Article provides that members of the State Police may be assigned to a bureau of criminal investigation for the purpose of "preventing, investigating and detecting violations of the criminal laws of the state, and conducting such other investigations as may be provided for by law." Executive Law Sec. 216(1) (McKinney 1993). In order of seniority, BCI members are classified as: (1) Captains; (2) Lieutenants; (3) Senior Investigators; and (4) Investigators. Id.
4
There are about 4,000 sworn members of the State Police, and roughly 900 are plainclothes Senior Investigators or Investigators. The remaining 3,100 members constitute the "front line" uniform force of the State Police, 2,400 of whom are classified as State Troopers. The Troopers are the visible, day-to-day presence of the State Police: they drive marked State Police cars and, on a typical day, respond to automobile accidents, conduct road checks, and issue speeding tickets. Troopers also conduct investigations of minor offenses, and conduct preliminary investigations of the more serious crimes. At the scene of a more serious crime, however, a Trooper is required to call in a BCI Investigator. Although Investigators hold the lowest rank within the BCI, they rank superior to Troopers because their BCI rank is comparable to that of a sergeant in the State Police.
5
Besides supervising Troopers' investigations, BCI Investigators also investigate felonies and major misdemeanors involving organized crime, firearms, narcotics and sex abuse. In that role, BCI Investigators investigate crime scenes, gather evidence, interview witnesses, interrogate and fingerprint suspects, make arrests, conduct surveillance, obtain search warrants, and testify in court. The plaintiffs and the State agree that the "primary duty" of BCI Investigators is the investigation and prevention of serious crimes.
6
BCI Investigators enjoy broad discretion in the conduct of their investigations, including the decision whether to make an arrest. No doubt, the unpredictable nature of criminal investigations necessitates flexibility in the hours worked by the Investigators. Likewise, the unfortunate abundance and complexity of serious crime in the State occasionally compels a workweek for Investigators in excess of the typical 40 hours. Investigators, however, are not paid overtime at the rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay, as is generally required for non-exempt employees covered by the FLSA.1 29 U.S.C. Sec. 207(a). In lieu of overtime pay, Investigators receive a premium in addition to their salary.
7
In 1989, three groups representing several hundred BCI Senior Investigators and Investigators sued the State, the State Police and its Superintendent, alleging that the State was in violation of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the FLSA. These three actions were consolidated in the district court. The Secretary of Labor also brought suit against the State; but the district court denied the State's motion to consolidate that case with the private plaintiffs' case. By informal agreement among counsel, both the Secretary's action and the private plaintiffs' action were litigated on the same schedule.
8
The Secretary's action differed in only minor respects from that of the private plaintiffs. The Secretary's complaint sought to enjoin the State from withholding back wages from the Senior Investigators and Investigators and from violating the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Act. The private plaintiffs' complaint alleged willful violations of the FLSA and, in addition to the relief sought by the Secretary, sought an award of damages.
9
In its answer to both complaints, the State contended that: (1) the Investigators were exempt "administrative" employees under the Act; and, (2) the Senior Investigators were exempt under both the "administrative" and "executive" exemptions. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 213(a)(1). The State further defended on constitutional grounds, arguing that: (1) the Tenth Amendment barred the application of the federal overtime provisions to the BCI; and, (2) the Eleventh Amendment barred the award of back pay in the private plaintiffs' action. Both sides moved for partial summary judgment on the exemption issue as to both the Investigators and the Senior Investigators. The State's motion also raised its constitutional defenses.
10
To determine whether the Investigators and Senior Investigators qualified as exempt administrators or executives under the Act, the district court applied the Secretary of Labor's interpretations of those exemptions found in the regulations promulgated under the Act. See 29 C.F.R. Sec. 541 et seq. (1993). Those regulations mandate a fact-intensive inquiry into the "primary duties" of the employees at issue. See, e.g., 29 C.F.R. Sec. 541.2(a). Applying these standards to the Senior Investigators, the court found the record "sufficiently muddled to preclude summary judgment" regarding their primary duties. 807 F.Supp. at 926. Accordingly, the exempt status of the Senior Investigators is not before us.
11
The court found no such factual quagmire, however, regarding the Investigators: their primary duty, the court concluded, was "the prevention, investigation, and detection of crime." 807 F.Supp. at 926. Since no fact issues remained, the court applied the tests set forth in the regulations to the duties of the Investigators to determine whether the administrative exemption applied. It concluded that the State failed to demonstrate that the Investigators were the "administrators" of the BCI. Hence, the FLSA mandated compliance with the overtime provisions of the Act, unless the Constitution stood in the way.
12
Reaching the constitutional issues, the court found that: (1) the Tenth Amendment was no bar to the application of the FLSA to the BCI; and, (2) the Eleventh Amendment was no impediment to an award of back pay from the State. Accordingly, the court granted plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment and denied defendants' cross-motion.
13
The State now appeals, renewing the arguments it made to the district court.
DISCUSSION
I. The Administrative Exemption
14
The State, of course, bears the burden of proving that the duties of the BCI Investigators place them within the administrative exemption. See Martin v. Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., 949 F.2d 611, 614 (2d Cir.1991), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 298, 121 L.Ed.2d 222 (1992). And, consistent with the remedial purposes of the FLSA, we do not give FLSA exemptions generous application. See Arnold v. Ben Kanowsky, Inc., 361 U.S. 388, 392, 80 S.Ct. 453, 456, 4 L.Ed.2d 393 (1960); Malcolm Pirnie, 949 F.2d at 614.
15
The State does not claim that there are issues of fact precluding summary judgment regarding the primary duties of the Investigators. Rather, it challenges only the court's ultimate conclusion that BCI Investigators are not exempt administrators. We review the correctness of that legal determination de novo. See Icicle Seafoods, Inc. v. Worthington, 475 U.S. 709, 714, 106 S.Ct. 1527, 1530, 89 L.Ed.2d 739 (1986); Malcolm Pirnie, 949 F.2d at 614.
16
Section 7(a)(1) of the FLSA generally requires employers to pay employees at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 207(a)(1). Section 13(a)(1) of the Act, however, exempts from this time-and-a-half requirement workers "employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity," as those terms are "defined and delimited from time to time by regulations of the Secretary." 29 U.S.C. Sec. 213(a)(1). Because the statute delegates to the Secretary the authority to define the "administrative" exemption, the Secretary's definition, if reasonable, must be accepted by this Court and given the "force and effect of law." Batterton v. Francis, 432 U.S. 416, 425 n. 9, 97 S.Ct. 2399, 2405 n. 9, 53 L.Ed.2d 448 (1977). See also Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 844, 104 S.Ct. 2778, 2782, 81 L.Ed.2d 694 (1984) ("[L]egislative regulations are given controlling weight unless they are arbitrary, capricious, or manifestly contrary to the statute.").
17
Pursuant to this grant of power, the Secretary established both a long test and a short test to determine whether an employee qualifies as an "administrative" employee. 29 C.F.R. Sec. 541.2 et seq. Which test to apply depends upon whether the employee is paid a salary of at least $250.00 per week; if so, we apply the short test. 29 C.F.R. Sec. 541.2(e)(2). All parties agree that the short test applies to the Investigators.
18
Under the short test, an "administrative" employee is one whose "primary duty" consists of "office or non-manual work" that: (1) is "directly related to management policies or general business operations" of the employer; and (2) requires "the exercise of discretion and independent judgment[.]" 29 C.F.R. Secs. 541.2(a)(1) & (e)(2).
19
To aid our application of this test, the Secretary has also promulgated interpretive regulations. In contrast to the controlling authority given the Secretary's legislative rules--i.e., those promulgated pursuant to an express grant of Congressional authority--the respect accorded the Secretary's interpretive regulations depends upon their persuasiveness; and we will accept that interpretation to the extent it assists us in applying the statute and the legislative rules. See Skidmore v. Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134, 140, 65 S.Ct. 161, 164, 89 L.Ed. 124 (1944). See also Batterton, 432 U.S. at 425 n. 9, 97 S.Ct. at 2405 n. 9; General Elec. Co. v. Gilbert, 429 U.S. 125, 140-42, 97 S.Ct. 401, 410-11, 50 L.Ed.2d 343 (1976).
20
According to the Secretary's interpretative regulations, whether Investigators perform work "directly related to management policies or general business operations" of the BCI turns, in large part, on whether the Investigators perform the "administrative" activities of the BCI, as distinguished from its "production" activities. See 29 C.F.R. Sec. 541.205(a). The district court relied upon this production/administrative dichotomy when it ruled that the Investigators were not exempt administrators. We agree.
21
Without question, the BCI is in the law enforcement "business." See, e.g., Executive Law Sec. 223 (duty of the state police is "to prevent and detect crime and apprehend criminals"); Executive Law Sec. 216 (purpose of the BCI is "preventing, investigating and detecting violations of the criminal laws of the state"). And, it remains undisputed that the primary function of the Investigators within that business is to conduct--or "produce"--its criminal investigations. Investigators do not administer the affairs of that bureau; and the State does not argue that they do. We agree with the district court that the primary activities of the BCI Investigators place them squarely on the "production" side of the line. Accordingly, the Investigators do not fall within the administrative exemption to the FLSA; and the State must comply with the overtime provisions of the Act.
22
The State argues, however, that the district court gave undue weight to the Secretary's interpretative regulations. Specifically, the State maintains that the production/administrative dichotomy is outdated, unsound and unworkable. Essentially, the State's position is that interpretative rules conceived for the manufacturing industry of the 1940s are of no value when classifying employees in state government in the 1990s. On this point, the State emphasizes that state governments were not even subject to the FLSA when these interpretations were drafted. We think the State's argument reflects a misunderstanding of the role these interpretive regulations play in the determination of liability.
23
True, the Secretary's interpretations of the regulations are not entitled to the controlling significance of the legislative regulations themselves. But they are entitled to considerable weight because they constitute a "body of experience and informed judgment to which courts ... may properly resort for guidance." Skidmore, 323 U.S. at 140, 65 S.Ct. at 164. See also Board of Educ. v. Harris, 622 F.2d 599, 613 (2d Cir.1979), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1124, 101 S.Ct. 940, 67 L.Ed.2d 110 (1981). The measure of deference to which they are entitled depends upon their persuasiveness. See Skidmore, 323 U.S. at 140, 65 S.Ct. at 164 (weight depends on "all those factors which give it power to persuade, if lacking power to control"). Rejecting an argument comparable to that pressed by the State here, the Fifth Circuit explained:
24
To the extent that a district court finds in the interpretations an analogy useful in deciding the case before it, it may rely on the interpretations as persuasive evidence of both Congress's legislative and the Secretary's regulatory intent. At the same time, should a district court find the concepts expressed inapposite to the facts before it, the court is free to engage in its own application of the [exemption] and the pertinent regulations.
25
Dalheim v. KDFW-TV, 918 F.2d 1220, 1228 (5th Cir.1990) (rejecting employer's argument that Secretary's interpretative regulations reflected " 'erroneous, outmoded assumptions' " about the TV industry).
26
In this case, the district court found the production worker analogy useful in determining the exempt status of the Investigators. And we agree with its ultimate determination. Hence, even if we were persuaded that the dichotomy lacked persuasive value in this case, we would nevertheless affirm the judgment of the district court. See Dalheim, 918 F.2d at 1228 ("whether a district court finds [the interpretive regulations] persuasive is not controlling: if the court's application of the statute and substantive regulations are legally correct and its factfinding is without clear error, there is no basis for reversal on appeal").
27
We are not persuaded, moreover, that these interpretive regulations lack persuasive authority. First, we disagree with the State that the production/administrative dichotomy has limited usefulness outside the manufacturing context. To the contrary, the analogy has repeatedly proven useful to courts in a variety of non-manufacturing settings. See e.g., Martin v. Cooper Elec. Supply Co., 940 F.2d 896, 903 (3d Cir.1991) (applying analysis to salespersons: "The concept is not limited to manufacturing activities."), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 1473, 117 L.Ed.2d 617 (1992); Dalheim, 918 F.2d at 1230 (applying analysis to TV producers: "Section 541.205(a) is not concerned with distinguishing between white collar and blue collar employees, or between service industries and manufacturing industries."); Gusdonovich v. Business Information Co., 705 F.Supp. 262 (W.D.Pa.1985) (applying analysis to insurance claims investigator). Furthermore, courts have demonstrated little difficulty applying the "production worker" analogy to employees in the public sector. See, e.g., Roney v. United States, 790 F.Supp. 23 (D.D.C.1992) (applying analysis to deputy U.S. marshals); Harris v. District of Columbia, 741 F.Supp. 254 (D.D.C.1990) (applying analysis to housing inspectors). While we might agree that "analogies between business and government often are somewhat strained, the general principles and rationales underlying the regulations are instructive in a government context." Bratt v. County of Los Angeles, 912 F.2d 1066, 1070 (9th Cir.1990) (applying analysis to probation officers), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1086, 111 S.Ct. 962, 112 L.Ed.2d 1049 (1991). Accordingly, the district court did not err when it relied upon these interpretive regulations to arrive at its conclusion.
28
The State next argues, in the alternative, that even if the production/administrative dichotomy is a valid interpretation of the administrative exemption and the legislative regulations, the district court erred when it found the Investigators to be the production workers of the BCI. On this point, the State emphasizes the broad discretion enjoyed by the Investigators in the conduct of investigations. If any members of the State Police should be classified as its "production workers," the State believes, it is the Troopers. We find these arguments unpersuasive, as they do not address themselves to the relevant inquiry: i.e., the relationship of the Investigators to the management policies or general business operations of the BCI and the State Police.
29
Finally, the State contends that the Investigators should not be entitled to time-and-a-half because overtime work is "inherent" in the nature of their work. The State labors to convince us that forcing it to pay the Investigators FLSA overtime rates will impede the State's ability to fight crime. While we recognize that a straight overtime compensation system may affect the flexibility and effectiveness of the BCI, it is not our province to decide what constitutes sound policy for the State Police. Our function is limited to deciding the narrow question of whether the function of the BCI investigators places them within the scope of the administrative exemption to the FLSA. The State, of course, remains free to invoke the political processes to convince Congress and the Secretary of the correctness of its views.
30
In sum, we conclude that the Investigators are not exempt from the coverage of the FLSA.
II. The Constitutional Arguments
A. The Tenth Amendment
31
Despite the Supreme Court's holding in Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528, 105 S.Ct. 1005, 83 L.Ed.2d 1016 (1985), the State's first constitutional argument is that the Tenth Amendment precludes application of the FLSA to the BCI. In a challenge to the application of the FLSA to a state agency, Garcia held that the Tenth Amendment contains no substantive limitation on the power of Congress to regulate commerce. Id. at 552, 105 S.Ct. at 1018. See also South Carolina v. Baker, 485 U.S. 505, 512, 108 S.Ct. 1355, 1360, 99 L.Ed.2d 592 (1988). Rather, after Garcia the "States must find their protection from congressional regulation through the national political process, not through judicially defined spheres of unregulable state activity." Baker, 485 U.S. at 512, 108 S.Ct. at 1360. In short, the Tenth Amendment is not implicated where, as here, the State "has not even alleged that it was deprived of any right to participate in the national political process or that it was singled out in a way that left it politically isolated and powerless." Baker, 485 U.S. at 513, 108 S.Ct. at 1361.
32
The State maintains, however, that Garcia is not the last word on the Tenth Amendment, and that the Court's subsequent decision in Gregory v. Ashcroft, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2395, 115 L.Ed.2d 410 (1991), compels a contrary conclusion. We do not agree. Nothing in Gregory resurrects the substantive Tenth Amendment limitations interred by Garcia. Rather, Gregory merely counsels that, out of respect for state sovereignty, we should not interpret a federal statute in such a way as "would upset the usual constitutional balance of federal and state power," at least absent a clear statement of intent to do so in the statute itself. --- U.S. at ----, 111 S.Ct. at 2401. Gregory 's plain statement rule does not suggest a different conclusion in this case.
33
Here, a requirement that the State pay overtime to BCI Investigators is not so intrusive as to strike at " 'the heart of representative government.' " Gregory, --- U.S. at ----, 111 S.Ct. at 2401 (quoting Sugarman v. Dougall, 413 U.S. 634, 647, 93 S.Ct. 2842, 2850, 37 L.Ed.2d 853 (1973)). And, even if it were, we note that Congress's intent to apply the FLSA to state law enforcement agencies such as the BCI is unmistakably clear. See 29 U.S.C. Sec. 207(k) (referring specifically to employees engaged in "law enforcement activities" for state and local governments). Accordingly, Gregory is inapposite.
B. The Eleventh Amendment
34
We also reject the State's Eleventh Amendment argument. The Eleventh Amendment safeguards the sovereign immunity of the states by limiting the power of Article III courts over actions brought against a state. Absent a waiver of that immunity by the state, or an abrogation of that immunity by Congress, a federal court may not entertain a citizen's suit against a state. See Port Auth. Trans-Hudson Corp. v. Feeney, 495 U.S. 299, 304-06, 110 S.Ct. 1868, 1872-73, 109 L.Ed.2d 264 (1990). The test for determining whether Congress abrogated state sovereign immunity is a demanding one: "Congress may abrogate the States' constitutionally secured immunity from suit in federal court only by making its intention unmistakably clear in the language of the statute." Atascadero State Hospital v. Scanlon, 473 U.S. 234, 242, 105 S.Ct. 3142, 3147, 87 L.Ed.2d 171 (1985). See also Dellmuth v. Muth, 491 U.S. 223, 230, 109 S.Ct. 2397, 2401, 105 L.Ed.2d 181 (1989) ("[E]vidence of congressional intent must be both unequivocal and textual."). The district court held that in the FLSA Congress abrogated the State's immunity. We agree.
35
The State asks us to hold, as the Supreme Court did in Employees v. Missouri Department of Public Health & Welfare, 411 U.S. 279, 93 S.Ct. 1614, 36 L.Ed.2d 251 (1973), that Congress's intent to abrogate sovereign immunity is not sufficiently clear in the FLSA. In that case, the Court focused on section 16(b) of the statute,2 and observed:
36
It would also be surprising in the present case to infer that Congress deprived Missouri of her constitutional immunity without changing the old 16(b) under which she could not be sued or indicating in some way by clear language that the constitutional immunity was swept away. It is not easy to infer that Congress in legislating pursuant to the Commerce Clause, which has grown to vast proportions in its applications, desired silently to deprive the States of an immunity they have long enjoyed under another part of the Constitution.
37
Id. at 285, 93 S.Ct. at 1618. Since Employees, however, Congress has not remained silent.
38
In 1974, Congress amended the very statute found deficient in Employees to include "public agenc[ies]" within the scope of employers subject to suit under the Act.3 The Act defined "public agency" to include "the government of a State or political subdivision thereof." 29 U.S.C. Sec. 203(x). Hence, it is clear that Congress amended section 16(b) with the intent that states and their political subdivisions would thereafter be subject to suit in federal court for violations of the FLSA. See Pennsylvania v. Union Gas Co., 491 U.S. 1, 8-11, 109 S.Ct. 2273, 2277-79, 105 L.Ed.2d 1 (1989) (amendments to CERCLA designed to bring states and their subdivisions within the reach of the Act was sufficient to abrogate sovereign immunity). Further, in 1985 Congress again amended the Act, in part to alleviate the financial burdens that would befall states and their political subdivisions in the wake of Garcia. See Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1985, Pub.L. No. 99-150, 99 Stat. 787 (1985). See generally S.Rep. No. 159, 99th Cong., 1st Sess. 2 (1985), reprinted in, 1985 U.S.C.C.A.N. 651, 655 ("it is essential that the particular needs and circumstances of the States and their political subdivisions be carefully weighed and fairly accommodated" in light of Garcia ). Accordingly, we find that Congress has made its intent to abrogate the states' sovereign immunity abundantly clear in the language of the FLSA, as amended in 1974 and 1985. Accord Hale v. Arizona, 993 F.2d 1387, 1391-92 (9th Cir.1993) (en banc); Spencer v. Auditor of Public Accounts, 705 F.Supp. 340, 343 (E.D.Ky.1989); contra American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, etc. v. Corrections Dep't of New Mexico, 783 F.Supp. 1320, 1323 (D.N.M.1992) (Congress's intent to abrogate immunity under FLSA not sufficiently clear). The State's Eleventh Amendment challenge, therefore, must fail.
CONCLUSION
39
We have considered the State's remaining arguments and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, the judgment of the district court is affirmed.
*
The Honorable Alfred V. Covello, United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut, sitting by designation
1
In limited instances, Investigators are paid time-and-one-half pay for certain scheduled overtime. This is pursuant to their collective bargaining agreement with the State
2
In 1973, section 16(b) of the Act read, in relevant part:
Action to recover such liability may be maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf of himself or themselves and other employees similarly situated.
29 U.S.C. Sec. 216(b) (1970).
3
The 1974 amendment to section 16(b) replaced the language "maintained in any court" with "maintained against any employer (including a public agency ) in any Federal or State court." 29 U.S.C. Sec. 216(b) (Supp.1976) (emphasis added)
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A West Pasco Timeline
ca. 900-1500. Native Americans known as the Tocobaga Indians live in small villages at the northern end of Tampa Bay.1838. The name Pithlochascotee River appears on a map.1859. Pittitochoscolee, a small settlement located where Port Richey is today, appears on a map.1863-1864. Salt is produced at Salt Springs, about one mile north of the Pithlachascotee River.1877. A list of Hernando County schools for 1877-78 shows the Anclote, Baillie (Elfers) and Lang (Hudson) schools.1878. The Anclote and Hopeville post offices are established.1882. Hudson becomes a place name as the Hudson Post Office is established in the home of Isaac Washington Hudson.1883. The Gulf Key Post Office is established. (Later names for this area were Argo and Aripeka.)1884. Port Richey becomes a place name as Aaron McLaughlin Richey establishes a post office in his home at the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River. (The post office replaced Hopeville post office.)1887. Pasco County is formed from the southern part of Hernando County.1890. A commercial sponging venture is started at Bailey’s Bluff.1904-1912. A large sawmill is in operation at Fivay.1909. Elfers becomes a place name as the Elfers Post office is established. (The area was previously known as Baillie or the Baillie settlement.)1912-1913. The Sass Hotel, the first major structure in Port Richey, is constructed.1913. George Sims and a partner purchase the Port Richey Company and begin a major effort to develop the area.1915. A post office named New Port Richey is established for the southern part of Port Richey.1916. The New Port Richey Post, a short-lived newspaper, is founded.1918. The Port Richey Press (later the New Port Richey Press) is founded.1921. The First State Bank and the Palms Theater open in New Port Richey.1921. A hurricane which makes landfall near Tarpon Springs causes extensive damage.1922. The first Chasco Fiesta is held in New Port Richey to raise funds for the Avery Library.1922. The first high school in western Pasco County, Gulf High School, opens, Sept. 18.1924. New Port Richey is incorporated.1925. Port Richey and Elfers are incorporated.Mid-1920s. The Florida Land Boom affects western Pasco County, as real estate prices rise and a short period of rapid growth takes place.1926. The Meighan Theatre in New Port Richey opens.1927. The Hacienda Hotel opens.1927. Construction begins on the home of Thomas Meighan, a leading movie star who hopes to persuade other Hollywood entertainment figures to move to New Port Richey.1931. First State Bank suspends operation, a victim of the Great Depression.1933. Moon Lake Lodge opens. (Much of the Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch is still under construction and does not begin operation until 1937.)1947. The Chasco Fiesta is revived.1949. A new drawbridge carrying U. S. 19 across the Pithlachsacotee River opens.1952. Gulf State Bank opens in New Port Richey.Mid-1960s. A period of rapid, sustained population growth begins, and extends into the 21st century.1961. A county government center for the western part of the county opens on Sunset Road in New Port Richey.1963. WGUL, the first radio station in New Port Richey, begins broadcasting.1965. West Pasco Hospital, the first hospital in western Pasco County, opens.1971. Community Hospital opens in New Port Richey.1976. Construction is completed on a new campus of Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey.1979. The West Pasco Government Center opens on Little Road in New Port Richey.1980. Gulf View Square Mall opens in New Port Richey.2001. The Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is dedicated.2004. President Bush, campaigning for re-election, speaks in Sims Park in New Port Richey.2012. Medical Center of Trinity opens.2012. Tropical Storm Debby causes extensive flooding.2015. SunWest Park opens in Aripeka, July 4.2016. Amber Mariano, 21, is elected to the Florida House of Representatives from district 36. She is the youngest person ever elected to the Florida House. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Sündorj Janchiv
Janchiviin Sündorj (; born 16 August 1994) is a Mongolian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Mongolian Premier League club Ulaanbaatar and the Mongolian national team.
References
Category:1994 births
Category:Living people
Category:Mongolian footballers
Category:Mongolia international footballers
Category:Association football midfielders | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Utilization and effectiveness of a weight-based heparin nomogram at a large academic medical center.
To determine the utilization rate of a weight-based heparin nomogram and to assess the performance of the nomogram outside of experimental conditions. Prospective cohort analysis. A total of 747 consecutive patients treated with intravenous heparin therapy for any indication on an internal medicine service were evaluated for the utilization rate of the weight-based nomogram, the time needed to exceed heparin's therapeutic threshold (activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] of > 1.5 times the control value), and the time needed to achieve heparin's therapeutic range (aPTT of 1.5 to 2.4 times the control value). Physicians were encouraged to use the weight-based nomogram by using conventional continuing medical education techniques and by configuring the computerized order entry system to give physicians an equally easy and voluntary choice between choosing the weight-based nomogram or ordering heparin in the traditional fashion. The study program had no effect in increasing the utilization rate of the nomogram; this rate remained the same as before the program was initiated (10%). Less time was needed both to exceed the therapeutic threshold and to achieve a therapeutic range with the weight-based nomogram compared with physician-guided dosing (P < .001 and P = .021, respectively). No difference was demonstrated between the weight-based and physician-guided groups in incidence of bleeding complications or in the proportion of patients with one or more supratherapeutic aPTTs. The weight-based nomogram led to superior intermediate outcomes compared with physician-guided dosing. However, despite efforts intended to modify physician behavior, the utilization rate remained so low that it was ineffective. Further research into the reasons why physicians chose not to use the weight-based nomogram and further research into methods to translate efficacious therapies into effective patient care are indicated. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The effect of sucralfate on the steady-state serum concentrations of phenytoin.
The effect of sucralfate on steady-state phenytoin concentrations was evaluated in 6 normal volunteers. The subjects took phenytoin at bedtime until steady-state was confirmed (8 to 9 days) and then took in addition sucralfate 1g four times daily for a further 7 days. Serum phenytoin concentrations were measured on days 1, 3, and 7 of sucralfate administration. Measured phenytoin concentrations were 10.9 +/- 3.0 mcg/ml and 11.0 +/- 3.1 mcg/ml before sucralfate and 10.8 +/- 3.1 mcg/ml, 11.4 +/- 3.2 mcg/ml, and 11.1 +/- 2.5 mcg/ml during sucralfate administration (p greater than 0.05; ANOVA). These results suggest there is not a significant drug interaction between sucralfate and phenytoin. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
How can I prepend the 'http://' protocol to a url when necessary?
I need to parse an URL. I'm currently using urlparse.urlparse() and urlparse.urlsplit().
The problem is that i can't get the "netloc" (host) from the URL when it's not present the scheme.
I mean, if i have the following URL:
www.amazon.com/Programming-Python-Mark-Lutz/dp/0596158106/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308060974&sr=8-1
I can't get the netloc: www.amazon.com
According to python docs:
Following the syntax specifications in
RFC 1808, urlparse recognizes a netloc
only if it is properly introduced by
‘//’. Otherwise the input is presumed
to be a relative URL and thus to start
with a path component.
So, it's this way on purpose. But, i still don't know how to get the netloc from that URL.
I think i could check if the scheme is present, and if it's not, then add it, and then parse it. But this solution doesn't seems really good.
Do you have a better idea?
EDIT:
Thanks for all the answers. But, i cannot do the "startswith" thing that's proposed by Corey and others. Becouse, if i get an URL with other protocol/scheme i would mess it up. See:
If i get this URL:
ftp://something.com
With the code proposed i would add "http://" to the start and would mess it up.
The solution i found
if not urlparse.urlparse(url).scheme:
url = "http://"+url
return urlparse.urlparse(url)
Something to note:
I do some validation first, and if no scheme is given i consider it to be http://
A:
looks like you need to specify the protocol to get netloc.
adding it if it's not present might look like this:
import urlparse
url = 'www.amazon.com/Programming-Python-Mark-Lutz'
if '//' not in url:
url = '%s%s' % ('http://', url)
p = urlparse.urlparse(url)
print p.netloc
A:
The documentation has this exact example, just below the text you pasted. Adding '//' if it's not there will get what you want. If you don't know whether it'll have the protocol and '//' you can use a regex (or even just see if it already contains '//') to determine whether or not you need to add it.
Your other option would be to use split('/') and take the first element of the list it returns, which will ONLY work when the url has no protocol or '//'.
EDIT (adding for future readers): a regex for detecting the protocol would be something like re.match('(?:http|ftp|https)://', url)
A:
If the protocol is always http you can use only one line:
return "http://" + url.split("://")[-1]
A better option is to use the protocol if it passed:
return url if "://" in url else "http://" + url
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
Lie bracket as a tensor
First of all one comment: I know there is a question titled ''Lie bracket is not a vector field'' which proofs Lie bracket is not $C^\infty(M)$-linear.
Now, I show my question. In the paper Poisson-Nijenhuis Structures, F. Magri and Y. Kosmann-Schwarzbach (1990) (avaible on http://www.numdam.org/item?id=AIHPA_1990__53_1_35_0) one can find:
Let $\mu$ an $TM$-valued 2-form [i.e. a (1-2) tensor skew-symmetric in its covariant indexes] that defines a Lie algebra-structure on $TM$.
But they write the Lie bracket as
$$[X,Y]$$
instead of $\mu(X,Y)$. In addition they distinguish between
$$N.\mu(X,Y) = \mu(N(X),Y)) + \mu(X,N(Y)) - N(\mu(X,Y))$$
and
$$[X,Y]_{N.\mu} = [N(X),Y] + [X,N(Y)] - N([X,Y])$$
when they define the ''deformed Lie bracket''.
So, there is a (''canonical'') way to induce a Lie bracket (being not $C^\infty(M)$-lienar) by means of a vectorial valued 2-form? For example, it is possible with Poisson bracket (setting Schouten-Nijenhuis bracket of the bivector with itself be zero).
Thank you
A:
The solution can be found in the Lie algebroids.
Basically, it is a quatern $(M,E,[\cdot,\cdot],\Phi)$ where
$M$ is a manifold,
$E$ is a vector bundle over $M$,
$[\cdot,\cdot]$ is a Lie bracket on the $\mathbb R$-algebra of vector fields over $M$ and
$\Phi:E\rightarrow TM$ is a bundle morphism that also satisfy the Leibniz rule,
$$
[X,fY] = (\Phi(X))(f) Y + f[X,Y] ,
$$
for all vector fields $X,Y$ and for all differentiable function $f$ over the manifold.
This structure allows us to generalize the usual case of vector fields.
In addition, with this formalism, every vectorial-valued 2-form which satisfies Jacobi identity can define a Lie bracket (as an operation of a $\mathbb R$-algebra) setting $E=TM$ and $\Phi$ the identity map. In the paper, the authors set $\Phi=N$ the Nijenhuis operator associated to $\mu$ and as Lie bracket the "deformed" bracket $[\cdot,\cdot]_{N.\mu}$. It is $C^{\infty}$-linear, that is true, but the Leibniz rule is also satisfy because we have the morphism.
PD: My definition is essentially the same as in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie_algebroid but including the manifold explicitly.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
2013 ANZ Championship season
The 2013 ANZ Championship season was the sixth season of the ANZ Championship netball competition in Australasia. The 2013 season commenced on 24 March 2013 with the Queensland Firebirds hosting the Central Pulse. Overall, the 2013 season comprised 69 matches played over 17 weeks, including an initial 14-week round-robin stage, followed by a three-week finals stage. The competition concluded with the grand final on 14 July 2013 with the Adelaide Thunderbirds winning their second ANZ Championship trophy by defeating the Queensland Firebirds.
Overview
Format
During the initial round-robin stage, played over 14 weeks, each team plays every other team once, and teams from their home country a second time, with each team having one bye during the season. Bye week are scheduled for rounds 4-6 and 11-12. Matches will generally be played on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Teams are awarded 2 points for each win, and 0 points for a loss. Tournament rules do not allow draws; matches that are tied at the end of regular time will extend into extra time until a winner emerges. At the end of the round-robin stage, the four teams with the highest points will progress to the finals stage. If two or more teams have the same number of points, they are sorted by goal percentage.
The top four teams from the round-robin stage progress to the finals stage, played over three weeks in a Page–McIntyre system. The 1st-ranked team (who receive the minor premiership) will play the 2nd-ranked team in the major semi-final, while 3rd plays 4th in the minor semi-final. The winner of the major semi-final advances to the grand final; the losing team progresses to the preliminary final, and will host the winner of the minor semi-final. The grand final will be contested in mid July, between the winners of the major semi-final and the preliminary final.
Teams
Offseason
Player transfers
Returning players
Oversees contracted players
Under the ANZ Championship's Eligibility Rule, every team is permitted to contract one "citizen ineligible" or oversees player by right, and then apply for a second "oversees ineligible" athlete; or teams may contract one "oversees ineligible" athlete by right. For the 2013 season, the Canterbury Tactix have been granted permission to contract a second ineligible athlete.
Pre-season
The Melbourne Vixens Summer Challenge was the main 2013 pre-season tournament. The tournament was contested by eight of the ten ANZ Championship teams at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne from 23–24 February 2013. Each team played a series of four round-robin games across the weekend. Melbourne and Queensland went through the competition undefeated.
Results
Regular season
Standings
All times listed are local.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Daylight savings ends on 7 April in New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Finals
Major semi-final
Minor semi-final
Preliminary final
Grand final
Season statistics
Current as of 18 June 2013.
References
External links
Scores and results
Category:ANZ Championship seasons
ANZ
Netball
Netball | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
OTTAWA—The discovery of a Russian spy in the ranks of Canada’s military sparked a cyber search to discover whether he had sabotaged government computers with a virus, the Star has learned.
And in the wake of the serious spy incident that cost Canada credibility with its allies, top officers concluded the Defence Department’s security program needed an overhaul.
The arrest of sub-lieutenant Jeffrey Delisle on espionage charges in January 2012 set off a scramble within the military to learn how much sensitive intelligence had been spilled and to plug other potential security leaks, according to documents obtained under Access to Information.
At the time of his arrest, Delisle was at HMCS Trinity, the Halifax base that serves as communications and intelligence hub for the navy's East Coast operations. In that post, he had access to intelligence about Canadian Forces operations as well as data concerning “allies and countries of interest to Canada,” according to the documents.
During his prosecution, Delisle told the court he gave away “a lot” to his Russian handlers, a comment confirmed by one memo titled, “possible compromise of allied documents.”
It says that classified documents “proprietary” to an unnamed agency or nation were accessed by Delisle and “therefore suspected of having been compromised.”
Delisle was picked up by the RCMP in early 2012 after authorities were tipped that the junior naval officer was spying for the Russians. Within two weeks of his arrest, a top general established a high-level committee that touched on many branches of the military to deal with the fallout.
But as officers struggled to understand what may have leaked, they dealt with another worry too — that Delisle and his Russian handlers may have sabotaged Defence Department computers.
There were urgent inspections to “ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability” of work spaces and infrastructure.
A forensic analysis of computer drives turned up “no evidence (of) cyber exploit or malware detected based on current analysis capabilities.”
“We have not found evidence of a network compromise related to the activities of SLt. Delisle and network operations have returned to Normal,” said a Jan. 27, 2012 briefing note.
Several months later, a special “security issue management action team” issued a report assessing the impact of Delisle’s espionage and actions needed to prevent a repeat of it.
That report says there were “extensive efforts to contain, resolve and otherwise mitigate extant and potential vulnerabilities within the security and intelligence apparatus.”
The team’s sensitive findings were heavily censored before release to the Star but make clear that other potential gaps existed. It concluded that the Delisle case laid bare “several deficiencies” in the department security program, which it said needed “transformation.”
A separate report from a so-called “Tiger Team” concluded that work was needed to plug potential weak spots and suggests that military shouldn’t rely entirely on other agencies.
“Resources are required to fill security gaps. Non-DND security service providers (eg CSIS, RCMP) do not have an indepth knowledge of military strategic issues,” says the report from the director of defence security.
The documents, including a briefing note to the defence minister, reveal that the department has faced other security breaches, including one involving Operation Athena, Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. While providing no details of the breach itself, the comments suggest it was serious, requiring “containment and sanitization.”
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A task force was established to undertake “specific, concerted actions to localize, contain and mitigate the effects of a security pertaining to that operation,” the department said.
In another incident, a top-level department official had secret paperwork, including cabinet documents, stolen from a private vehicle where they had been “inappropriately secured.”
Though the documents were recovered quickly and apparently had not been “compromised,” their disappearance underscored broader problems in the department, the defence minister was told.
The incidents highlight the “prevalence of poor security practices over the years and the requirement for dramatically improved security awareness, education and training in DND in order to improve the overall security culture,” the note said.
As a result of the breaches, the military would be creating the Defence Security Agency to consolidate all aspects of security in the department into one organization, said the note, dated April, 2012.
In February, Delisle was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined $111,817, equal to the amount the father of four collected for his espionage work. He had pleaded guilty in October to charges under the Security of Information Act, as well as breach of trust under the Criminal Code.
Read more about: | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
142 Mich. App. 145 (1985)
369 N.W.2d 282
SALIM
v.
SHEPLER
Docket No. 79891.
Michigan Court of Appeals.
Decided April 16, 1985.
Sachs, Nunn, Kates, Kadushin, O'Hare, Helveston & Waldman, P.C. (by Gregory M. Janks), for plaintiffs.
Zweig & Harkness, P.C. (by Warren M. Heiter), for defendants.
Before: WAHLS, P.J., and BRONSON and T.C. MEGARGLE,[*] JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiff was injured in an auto accident on September 4, 1981. She commenced an action on March 21, 1983, alleging serious impairment of body function. Defendants moved for summary judgment, pursuant to GCR 1963, 117.2(3), on the basis that plaintiff's injuries, assumed for purposes of the motion to be as plaintiff claimed them, did not meet the statutory threshold for recovery of noneconomic losses, MCL 500.3135; MSA 24.13135. The motion was granted and plaintiff appeals as of right. We affirm.
While plaintiff was driving her car on September 4, 1981, a wheel came off and plaintiff pulled to the side of the road. A man stopped and offered to call for assistance, so plaintiff remained in the car. A short while later, a van driven by defendant Steven Shepler and owned by his wife struck the rear end of plaintiff's vehicle. Plaintiff struck her *147 forehead and blacked out momentarily. When emergency medical assistance arrived, plaintiff declined to go to the hospital in an ambulance but, apparently, went later with a relative and walked in.
At the hospital, plaintiff complained of a headache and pain in the left side of her neck. She was diagnosed as having an acute contusion to her forehead and acute cervical strain. X-rays revealed no abnormalities.
On September 11, 1982, plaintiff was examined by Dr. Joseph Berke, M.D., Ph.D., and began a course of treatment including analgesic medication, moist heat at home and physical therapy. Dr. Berke diagnosed post traumatic cephalgia and cervical muscle strain. In a May, 1982, letter, he reported that neurologic examination continued to show limited range of motion, tenderness and muscle spasm. He felt that plaintiff could resume normal activity on January 11, 1982. In a letter written in June, 1984, Dr. Berke concluded that plaintiff had chronic cervical strain with persistent left shoulder pain, limited range of motion, spasticity and tenderness. He advised, "Activities which involve excessive or repetitive reaching and pulling as well as causing undue strain to the cervical region should be avoided".
Also on September 11, 1981, plaintiff saw Dr. D.L. Litzenberger, M.D. She complained of neck and shoulder problems. The doctor concluded that she had mild residuals of muscle strain but could do light work with her arms and could do regular work after one week. Plaintiff was an assembler at a Ford plant.
On October 20, 1981, Dr. S.M. Lele, M.D., examined plaintiff and concluded that she had normal function range, was fit for normal duties and did not require treatment. Further x-rays taken on *148 October 23, 1981, were negative. On November 9, 1981, plaintiff was examined by Dr. Paul Forman, D.O., who concluded that three to four weeks of physical therapy to the neck and shoulder should return plaintiff to her full rehabilitative potential. On December 7, 1981, Dr. Forman could make no objective findings and concluded that plaintiff was not medically disabled. On December 10, 1981, Dr. Claude Oster, D.O., examined plaintiff, found no abnormalities and concluded that malingering had to be considered.
Plaintiff apparently returned to work on December 23, 1981, and continued to work until a seniority layoff in early 1982. Subsequently, because of a baby and other responsibilities, she remained unemployed.
While continuing treatment with Dr. Berke, on August 11, 1982, plaintiff went to Dr. Ronald D. Yelen, D.C., and commenced a course of chiropractic treatment. She complained of pain and stiffness in the neck and upper back, headaches, increased nervousness and irritability, and on rare occasions, a temporary numbness in the fingers of her left hand. Dr. Yelen concluded that she had spinal subluxations, pain, tenderness and spasticity.
At her deposition, plaintiff stated that her continuing problem was a feeling of weight or pressure on her shoulders. Her headaches had been severe, she said, for three to four months after the accident, and, subsequently, she had suffered only from tension headaches.
Pursuant to Cassidy v McGovern, 415 Mich 483; 330 NW2d 22 (1982), the court has the responsibility, if there is no material factual dispute as to the nature and extent of a plaintiff's injuries, to decide the threshold question of serious impairment as a matter of law. Serious pain and suffering does not meet the threshold. Rather, objective manifestation *149 of the injury is required and the impaired body function must be an important one affecting the person's ability to live a normal life.
On appeal, plaintiff addresses the injury to her neck and shoulders only; no assertion of error is made with respect to her headaches. Defendants note a question of causation as to the left shoulder injury because Ford records show that plaintiff complained of shoulder pain one month before the auto accident. However, for present purposes, we can assume that the accident was the cause of plaintiff's alleged injuries.
Plaintiff asserts that her injuries are objectively manifested by identifiable limitation of range of motion and by muscle spasms, citing Argenta v Shahan, 135 Mich App 477; 354 NW2d 796 (1984), lv gtd 421 Mich 858 (1985). Plaintiff perceives a split in this Court on the question of whether limitations of motion are objective manifestations of injury because in Williams v Payne, 131 Mich App 403; 346 NW2d 564 (1984), this Court recognized that the plaintiff had limited range of motion and yet concluded that the plaintiff's injury was not objectively manifested. We are not prepared to announce a split on this issue as Argenta and Williams may both have been correct on their specific facts. Whether an alleged limitation of motion constitutes objective manifestation of injury should be subject to critical analysis of the medical basis for the limitation. A limitation self-imposed because of real or perceived pain is not objective manifestation. Dr. Oster's report in this case gives a good example of the distinction we perceive:
"Range of motion of the lumbar spine revealed lumbar flexion to be limited to 5 degrees on a voluntary basis, however, there is no associated paraspinal spasm *150 of the lumbar area, and it is interesting to note, that both the McBride's test and the maintaining of the McBride's position demonstrates full lumbar flexion of 95 degrees without any evidence of pain or complaint on the part of this individual. This was performed when this individual was unaware that the lumbar flexion test was being performed."
In the instant case, the various doctors disagreed whether there was limitation of motion and whether there was objective manifestation of the injury. There is a question of fact which we may not decide in the context of a motion for summary judgment. However, the fact question is not material to a decision in this case.
Plaintiff has failed to provide evidence that impairment, if any, was serious. Assuming limited motion in the neck, plaintiff has not shown how it has affected her general ability to lead a normal life. She has not claimed that there are any normal activities she cannot perform. The fact that she did not work on the assembly line several months because of medical disability is not probative of her general inability to lead a normal life. The only evidence in plaintiff's favor on this issue is her doctor's advice to avoid activities involving excessive or repetitive reaching and pulling and causing undue strain to the cervical region. We conclude that such advice is insufficient to create a question of fact whether plaintiff has a serious impairment of a body function under the no-fault statute.
Affirmed.
NOTES
[*] Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
Scala: Trait Mixin with Abstract Base Class
I have an abstract base class (Base) that has some stacking traits defined for it (StackingTrait).
trait Base {
def foo
}
trait StackingTrait extends Base {
abstract override def foo { super.foo }
}
It would be very convenient to implement a subclass using the following syntax, but this doesn't work because the compiler says that foo needs to be declared with override and then with abstract override on recompile, which is invalid because Impl is a class.
class Impl extends Base with StackingTrait {
def foo {}
}
I cannot think of a good reason why such syntax would be disallowed; foo is logically defined with Impl so that ordering that stacking occurs in conceptually remains the same.
Note:
I figured out this workaround that will effectively do the same thing that I want, but the necessity of a helper class makes me want a better solution.
class ImplHelper extends Base {
def foo {}
}
class Impl extends ImplHelper with StackingTrait
Why does the desired syntax not compile and is there an elegant solution?
A:
My understanding is that while the error message may be confusing, the behaviour is correct.
foo is declared as abstract override in StackingTrait, and thus in any concrete class that mixes StackingTrait there must be a concrete (not marked as abstract) implementation of foo before StackingTrait (relative to the linearization order). This is because super refers to the trait just before in the linearization order, so there definitely needs to be a concrete implementation of foo before StackingTrait is mixed in, or super.foo would be nonsensical.
When you do this:
class Impl extends Base with StackingTrait {
def foo {}
}
the linearization order is Base <- StackingTrait <- Impl. The only trait before StackingTrait is Base and Base does not define a concrete implementation of foo.
But when you do this:
traitImplHelper extends Base {
def foo {}
}
class Impl extends ImplHelper with StackingTrait
The linearization order becomes: Base <- ImplHelper <- StackingTrait <- Impl
Here ImplHelper contains a concrete definition of foo, and is definitly before StackingTrait.
For what is worth, if you had mixed ImplHelper after StackingTrait (as in class Impl extends StackingTrait with ImplHelper) you would again have the same problem and it would fail to compile.
So, this look fairly consistent to me.
I am not aware of a way to make it compile as you intended to. However if you are more concerned about making it easier to write Impl (and being able to define foo right there without a need for a separate class/trait) than making it easy to write Base or StackingTrait, you can still do this:
trait Base {
protected def fooImpl
def foo { fooImpl }
}
trait StackingTrait extends Base {
abstract override def foo { super.foo }
}
class Impl extends Base with StackingTrait {
protected def fooImpl {}
}
Just like in the original version you force each concrete class to implement foo (in the form of fooImpl) and this time it does compile.
The downside here is that while fooImpl must not call super.foo (it makes no sense and will go into an infinite loop), the compiler won't warn you about it.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Russian neoclassical revival
Russian neoclassical revival was a trend in Russian culture, most pronounced in architecture, that briefly replaced Eclecticism and Art Nouveau as the leading architectural style between the Revolution of 1905 and the outbreak of World War I, coexisting with the Silver Age of Russian Poetry. It is characterized by a merger of new technologies (steel frame and reinforced concrete) with a moderate application of classical orders and the legacy of the Russian Empire style of the first quarter of the 19th century.
The neoclassical revival school was most active in Saint Petersburg, and less active in Moscow and other cities. The style was a common choice for luxurious country estates, as well as upper-class apartment blocks and office buildings. However, it was practically non-existent in church and government architecture. Neoclassical architects born in the 1870s, who reached their peak activity in 1905–1914 (Ivan Fomin, Vladimir Shchuko, Ivan Zholtovsky), later became leading figures in the Stalinist architecture of the 1930s and shaped the Soviet architectural education system.
Origin of the style
Background
In early 20th century, Russian architecture (at least in Moscow) was dominated by "diverse and protean" Style Moderne, a local adaptation of Art Nouveau. This style peaked in 1900-1904, and manifested itself in denial of classical order, flowing curvilinear shapes, floral ornaments and expensive artwork. High costs and exterior novelty limited this style to upper-class mansions, retail stores and middle-class apartment blocks. Many upper-class clients, especially in Saint Petersburg, rejected Style Moderne and insisted on traditional, neoclassical designs fitting their image of old gold. Art Nouveau never reached the "universal" status: the Church relied on Russian Revival tradition, while the charities and majority of homeowners used the economical "red brick" eclecticism. Muscovite Neo-Grec of the 1870s-1880s was nearly forgotten, with a single exclusion of Roman Klein's Pushkin Museum (1898–1912). Meanwhile, numerous Empire style cathedrals, public buildings and private mansions of Alexandrine period that shaped central squares of Russian towns remained a nearly omnipresent, impressive statement of classicism, associated with the glorious age of Napoleonic wars and Russian poetry.
In 1902, two years before Bloody Sunday, when Saint Petersburg was preparing to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary. Alexander Benois, vocal anti-modernist activist of Mir Iskusstva group, defended the classical tradition of Saint Petersburg, rejecting both Art Nouveau and "official" Russian Revival, arguing that the classical city must return to its roots. In the same year, Evgeny Baumgarner specifically criticized Otto Wagner: "In leaning toward the utilitarian, he falls into an obvious absurdity. Proposing that the contemporary architect "come to terms" with the statement nothing that is not practical can be beautiful, he lowers the architectural art, praised with such feeling, to the level of an applied craft... the theory of Professor Wagner proposes aesthetic suicide. The human soul requires architectonic beauty just as human vision requires good illumination.".
Development
Practicing architects followed Benois; for example, in 1903 Ivan Fomin, a successful 30-year-old enthusiast of Art Nouveau, switched to purely Neoclassical, palladian architecture and returned from Moscow to Saint Petersburg to practice neoclassicism on its own territory; his studies of early 19th century, culminating in a 1911 exhibition of historical architecture, were followed by a wide public interest to classical art in general. The conceptual statement of neoclassicism - and the term itself - were further developed in 1909 in Apollon magazine by Benois and Sergei Makovsky.
The new style took over specific niches, starting with nostalgic country estates and upper-class downtown apartment buildings. By 1914 it also became the preferred choice for schools and colleges. In Moscow, all new cinemas of the period were built in neoclassical stylem, continuing the old theatrical tradition. Neoclassicists celebrated victory: "Classical tendencies in architecture have replaced the sinuously agitated, 'temperamental', and riotously 'dashing' modernistic efforts of architects like Kekushev, as well as the simplified structures faced with brilliant walls of yellow brick of architects like Schechtel." This time, the concept shifted from preservationism to shaping a new, wholesome art, opposed to all diverse styles of the 19th century. "There was a difference, but not a leap, and here lies the subtlety of understanding the problem of neoclassicism."
Denial of Art Nouveau
A common concept of Soviet art critics linked neoclassical revival to the social shock of the 1905 revolution; this concept, narrowed to architecture and refined further by W. C. Brumfield, treats neoclassicism in 1905-1914 architecture as a professional reaction against Art Nouveau. The society, shaken up by Russian revolution of 1905 "dismissed Art Nouveau as ephemera of fashion" and settled for moderation in architecture. By the end of hostilities, moderate Neoclassicism emerged as an ethically acceptable alternative to extravagance of the past. Prior to 1905, Saint Petersburg architects completed 30 buildings in Neoclassical Revival (about 5% of extant neoclassical buildings). Five years, 1905–1910, added 140 new buildings. By 1910, Saint Petersburg reached an equilibrium between Neoclassical Revival and Art Nouveau (in terms of new buildings launched and completed). Ivan Fomin specifically praised the universal, easy-to-reproduce set of classical rules, consolidating the profession: "When the style was being formed, all the masters in the capital and the provinces worked toward the same end, not fearing to imitate one another. And in this is the guarantee of strength."
By 1914, Revivalists clearly won but their victory was not universal. A large share of intellectuals despised Empire style as a symbol of slavery and militarization of Alexandrine period. Ilya Repin publicly condemned it as a lust for luxuries of "the filthy Arakcheyev period, and all the harshness of living suffered by millions, which are now free" ().
Alternative to eclecticism
Contemporary domestic authors dismiss the concept outlined above as an oversimplification. Reaction against Art Nouveau did exist, but was only a secondary, tangential factor behind neoclassical revival. 1902 and 1909 statements by Benois targeted the ideology of eclecticism in general. Neoclassicism of early 20th century extended far beyond denial of a rival style, pretending to create a wholesome realm of art in all its forms. This viewpoint is indirectly supported by the fact that there was no clear-cut boundary between two styles. Art Nouveau artists, starting with Otto Wagner and Gustav Klimt, relied on Greek heritage. Neoclassical architects followed the same gesamtkunst approach to interior and exterior finishes and relied on the work of the same craftsmen and factories. Architects (Fyodor Schechtel) and painters (Mstislav Dobuzhinsky) created pure examples of both styles. Despite the magazine critique, various forms of Art Nouveau persisted until the Russian Revolution of 1917, which halted all construction altogether.
Neoclassical projects in Saint Peterburg emerged when Art Nouveau was still in its infancy, years before the 1902 magazine campaign. Russian Ethnographic Museum was laid down in 1900, Petrovskaya Embankment in 1901, the Public Library in 1896.
Importance of clients and their tastes, elevated in the traditional concept, is also disputed. Architects were not simple contractors: many were also wealthy property developers, betting their own money (Roman Klein, Nikita Lazarev, Ernst Nirnsee). They were part of a wider movement in arts, led by writers and painters who, unlike architects, were not bound by investors. The artists themselves changed the tastes of general public.
Contemporaries clearly identified revival of empire style as a part of a larger trend seeking the way out of apparently unsolvable crisis of fin de siècle; Art Nouveau and decadence in general were perceived as the least of threats. As Nikolai Berdyaev stated in 1910, "Modern age joins the ranks of Goethe ... a clear reaction against mounting catastrophes - the catastrophe of Nietzsche and his Übermensch, the catastrophe of Marx and his socialist judgement day, and the catastrophe of falling into abyss of decadence."
Style defined
Reposession of simplicity
Depending on the function of the building, purity of the style varied from refined Palladian legacy in luxury mansions to superficial, shallow decorations of utilitarian apartment blocks. All these buildings share one feature: "Repossession of Simplicity. Geometry of basic shapes, clean surfaces... returned the integrity and monumentality that was lost in second half of 19th century" ("Обретение простоты... геометризация объемов, очищение плоскости возвращали архитектуре черты слитности, монументальности, утраченные во второй половине 19 века").
Pure revival of Empire style was limited to temporary exhibition projects and suburban and country mansions, where abundant land allowed low but wide symmetrical layouts. Rarely, as in the case of Vtorov's mansion, the same approach was reproduced in downtown residences or in public buildings (Museum of Ethnography in Saint Petersburg). Typical Saint Petersburg construction projects of that period already passed the 5-story mark, unheard of in early 19th century, and needed careful adaptation of neoclassical spirit to the new scale. Early attempts of mechanical, superfluous attachment of columns and porticos to ordinary apartment blocks failed; by 1912 the problem was resolved, most notably by Vladimir Shchuko. His Markov Apartments suggested two ways of handling the scale: either use of giant order, with pilasters running the whole height of the building, or adaptation of earlier palladian motives; both relied on expensive natural stone finishes and modern structural engineering. The result "combined classical elements in a monumental design that is neither historical nor modern. Shchuko developed a style appropriate for contemporary urban architecture, one that provided material evidence of the classical values."
Fragmentation of the movement
The new trend, favored by investors, naturally attracted opportunistic practitioners of other styles; the move was simplified by the fact that all graduates of professional schools had formal classical training (more prominent in Imperial Academy of Arts and the Moscow School, lesser in Byzantine-oriented Institute of civil engineering). The growing Neoclassical community spun off separate revivalist groups with their own stylistic codes.
Baroque revival, the earliest of these schools, was popularized by Mir Iskusstva and flourished in Saint Petersburg, notably in the Peter the Great school building designed by Alexander Dmitriev in collaboration with Alexander Benois and Mir Iskusstva artists. This municipal project began in 1902, and the city specifically requested baroque style to commemorate its founder; final drafts were approved only in 1908. In the same year the city held an international exhibition, designed in Petrine baroque. Baroque trend in graphic arts was popularized by Lev Ilyin and Nikolay Lanceray.
Renaissance revival was practiced by Ivan Zholtovsky in Moscow and Marian Lyalevich, Marian Peretiatkovich and Vladimir Shchuko in Saint Petersburg. Their first statements of neo-Renaissance were completed in 1910-1912. Peretiatkovich died prematurely and did not leave a lasting following, while Zholtovsky created his own professional school that persisted from 1918 to his death in 1959. However, in 1905-1914 he completed only a few neo-Renaissance buildings; the bulk of his work of this period belong to pure neoclassicism. On the contrary, amount of neo-Renaissance projects in 1910s Saint Petersburg was large enough to become a lasting trend; works of Schuko and Lyalevich were instantly copied by lesser-known followers. Alexander Benois and Georgy Lukomsky, now disillusioned by superfluous copying of empire style motives, welcomed the "stern tastes of Italian architects."
Modernized neoclassicism, not related to Russian heritage or its Palladian roots, was exemplified in the new building of Embassy of Germany in Saint Isaac's Square, designed by Peter Behrens in 1911 and completed by Mies van der Rohe in 1912. The red granite building combined heavy-set, simplified shape with 14 giant columns, and was unusually functional, well lit and ventilated inside. Contemporaries detested its style as Teutonic architecture, but quarter of a century later it perfectly fitted in the concept of both stalinist and nazi architecture. A similar trend, although not as radical, was emerging among Moscow architects.
War, revolution and post-war development
The last examples of neoclassical revival were laid down shortly before the outbreak of World War I. Independent developers in Moscow started a number of unconnected large housing projects; advent of the elevator allowed them to reach 9-story mark. These buildings, usually called cloudbreakers () usually appeared outside of the Garden Ring: the city restricted highrise construction in the historical center, including the ban on Ivan Mashkov's 13-story tower in Tverskaya Square that could become Moscow's first skyscraper. In Saint Petersburg, Ivan Fomin and Fyodor Lidwal started redevelopment of Goloday Island - a residential park spanning over one square kilometer, the largest single project of the period. It materialized only in part; Moscow projects were mostly complete during the war, while some remained unfinished into the 1920s.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917 the movement lost its leaders in literature (Ivan Bunin) and fine arts (Benois, Dobuzhinsky) to emigration. Some of the architects, especially those based in Saint Petersburg or having a foreign citizenship (Fyodor Lidwal, Noy Seligson) emigrated too; some disappeared in the fog of war like Ernst Nirnsee. However, the influential architects who shaped the neoclassical movement (Fomin, Ivan Kuznetsov, Mayat, Schuko, Rerberg, Zholtovsky) remained in Soviet Russia and quickly restored their role as leaders of the profession. Zholtovsky, who was at the helm of VKhuTEMAS architectural school in 1918-1922, temporarily emigrated to Italy after a revolt of modernist students ousted him from his chair; Zholtovsky returned in 1926, and was immediately awarded with a string of new projects - both Renaissance and constructivist. Other neoclassicists of his generation also had to modernize their art to some extent, and had successful practice in the second half of the 1920s, producing high-profile buildings (Rerberg's Central Telegraph, Fomin's Dinamo Building in Moscow).
Most of urban neoclassical buildings of 1905-1914 survived the Soviet period quite well - they were, in fact, the most recently constructed pre-revolution buildings, and despite inadequate maintenance their initial quality was high enough to stand unaltered for nearly a century. Many have lost original interiors; in the decade following World War II some of Moscow apartment buildings were built up (adding two or three stories was a common and inexpensive solution to the housing shortage), but their external styling survived. Another wave of reconstruction that started in 1990s and continues to date, have caused numerous facadist rebuilds. Pure, unaltered examples of the style are nevertheless quite common. Nationalized country estates, on the contrary, did not fare just as well. Their new functions (ranging from almshouses to military headquarters) sooner or later called for alteration and expansion; new owners had no incentive to preserve the original buildings. Frequently they were abandoned and left to decay - especially after the World War II depopulated the countryside.
Gallery
Private residences, Moscow
Apartment buildings, Moscow
Public and office buildings
References
E. A. Borisova, G. Yu. Sternik. Russian neoclassicism // Борисова Е. А., Стернин, Г. Ю. Русский неоклассицизм. — М.: Галарт, 2002.
William C. Brumfield. The Origins of Modernism in Russian Architecture. University of California Press, 1991 online text
William C. Brumfield. Anti-Modernism and the Neoclassical Revival in Russian Architecture, 1906-1916. The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Vol. 48, No. 4 (Dec., 1989), pp. 371–386
William C. Brumfield. Commerce in Russian Urban Culture 1861-1914. The Woodrow Wilson Center Press, 2001,
B. M. Kirikov. Architecture of Saint Petersburg, end of the 19th century and early 20th century // Kириков Б. М. Архитектура Петербурга конца XIX — начала ХХ века. — СПБ.: ИД Коло, 2005.
M. V. Naschokina. Architects of Art Nouveau in Moscow // Нащокина М. В. Архитекторы московского модерна. Творческие портреты. — 3-е издание — М.: Жираф, 2005.
V. Sedov. Neogrec style in Moscow // В. Седов. Стиль неогрек в Москве. «Проект классика», N.2, 2001
V. Sedov. Neoclassicism of the 20th century in Moscow // В. Седов. Неоклассицизм начала ХХ века в Москве. «Проект классика», N.17, 2006
Dmitry Shvidkovsky. Russian Architecture and the West. Yale University Press, 2007,
Footnotes
R
Category:Architecture of Russia
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Microsoft is hiring a product manager to lead a new Microsoft 365 subscription service for consumers—and boy, that person will have their work cut out for them.
The job posting, unearthed by ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, pretty clearly specifies that Microsoft wants to orchestrate a consumer version of the Microsoft 365 subscription it has put in place for enterprises. The existing Microsoft 365 service for enterprises covers Windows 10, Office 365 and a bundle of enterprise services called EMS, mainly geared at device management.
Subscriptions are Microsoft’s new religion. If Microsoft can get enterprises (and you!) to budget in its services alongside the water bill, car maintenance, and groceries, it wins steady income.
But set aside the fact that an enterprise has dedicated employees whose jobs are to manage hundreds if not hundreds of thousands of PCs and mobile devices, and that that enterprise has budgeted a substantial amount of money for the purpose. While Microsoft may be able to pick and choose among various services to offer a large enterprise, the fact of the matter is that Microsoft currently has very little to offer the consumer PC customer—at all.
Windows 10 still consists of a number of free services—Bing, Cortana, Mail, Edge, and more—built into the “free” copy of Windows 10 that PC makers bundle as part of their PCs. But there aren’t many paid subscriptions beyond that. Microsoft pulled the plug on Groove Music last year. Buying minutes for Skype, or paying for Skype Unlimited, means more for customers with friends and family overseas, rather than United States consumers. Microsoft’s financials have demonstrated that consumers will budget in an Office 365 subscription—but even so, why would they then switch to a presumably more expensive bundle?
Microsoft
Gamers can pay for (or earn points to pay for) a Microsoft Xbox Live subscription, which offers free games each month for the life of the subscription.
The alternative, then, would be to go outside the PC. There’s precedent for that: Microsoft’s Work and Play Bundle, now discontinued, offered a bundle of services worth close to $300 for an asking price of $160: Office 365 Home, Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Music (which later became Groove Music), and Skype Unlimited. Swap out Xbox Music for Microsoft’s new Xbox One game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, and Microsoft could even maintain its pricing.
Microsoft eventually sweetened up its Work and Play bundle by adding a third-party support contract, offering additional assistance with Windows problems. That would be a bit more analogous to what Microsoft is offering businesses. Maybe tempt customers with a bit more OneDrive storage (2 terabytes, maybe?) and the consumer version of Microsoft 365 looks even better.
The reality, though, is that Microsoft has only a handful of services that consumers will be willing to pay for, and many of those involve the Xbox. The alternative would be to charge an additional fee for apps and services consumers already receive for free: Cortana, Bing, and even (gulp!) some sort of annual Windows subscription. (Microsoft has never suggested that this will happen, and there’s no indication it will.)
Microsoft hasn’t publicly commented on the job posting, and there’s no indication that the company will confirm a Microsoft 365 offering for consumers before it launches. (We’ve asked.) But as it stands, the only successful subscription services that Microsoft can offer consumers are Office 365, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Game Pass. If a consumer version of Microsoft 365 doesn’t offer those, it’s difficult to see how it will succeed.
PCW Evaluation Team
As the Maserati or BMW of laptops, it would fit perfectly in the hands of a professional needing firepower under the hood, sophistication and class on the surface, and gaming prowess (sports mode if you will) in between.
This small mobile printer is exactly what I need for invoicing and other jobs such as sending fellow tradesman details or step-by-step instructions that I can easily print off from my phone or the Web.
Microsoft Office continues to make a student’s life that little bit easier by offering reliable, easy to use, time-saving functionality, while continuing to develop new features that further enhance what is already a formidable collection of applications
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited. Copyright 2013 IDG Communications.
ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Scaling in semiconductor fabrication can be problematic, particularly in SRAM cells. For example, in SRAM cells, as the fin spacing and gate pitches become smaller, contact shorting and epitaxial merging of source and drain regions can occur. This can also occur in different types of devices.
For example, the space between an NFET device and PFET device can be 50 nm or less in smaller nodes; whereas, the space between PFET devices can be 40 nm or less in smaller nodes. This can result in epitaxial regions for the source and drains of these devices merging together. Similarly, contact spacing between the devices can be 40 nm and even 30 nm for smaller nodes, each of which present a problem associated with contacts shorting, e.g., Vdd, Vss and bitlines in SRAM cells. Tighter fins, e.g., spacing between fins, also presents problems of shorting and/or merging of epitaxial materials, leading to impaired device performance. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
As the 2016 edition of the Dakar rally approaches there is a certain Frenchman who is gearing up for one of the biggest challenges of his career so far – nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb.
Back in July, Loeb had his first taste of the Peugeot 2008 DKR that he will be using on the Dakar Rally, with experienced co-driver Lucas Cruz alongside.
While the WRC has taken him around the globe and across various landscapes, there was nothing that could have prepared Loeb for the task ahead of him.
“Of course I feel at home in a rally car, but this is very different to any rally car I have tried before,” he said.
“But it’s not actually the driving that is unfamiliar: it’s more the pace notes. Or rather the absence of pace notes, I mean. There are notes, of course, but you have to go and look for the road for yourself. And what I have always been used to is expecting the road in front of me: both from the recce and from the pace notes, which are really accurate in WRC. Here, it seems to be much more about improvisation.”
While Loeb is usually associated with Citroen, it is the sister brand Peugeot that will be powering his new challenge, a team that he is already familiar with following his Red Bull King of the Peak campaign in 2013, when Loeb and Peugeot shattered the Pikes Peak record.
“Sebastien delivered exactly what we expected of him and what we remembered from Pikes Peak,” said Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport team principal. “He’s a great champion for a reason and entirely professional in his approach.”
While the first run was used to get used to the general handling of the car on relatively tame terrain, the second run saw Loeb venture in to the rougher sand dunes of Morocco.
“It takes a while to appreciate just how much punishment the car can take and the sort of obstacles that it can handle,” he commented. “In the WRC you’re accustomed to try and avoid obstacles, but with this car, you drive straight through them or over them. It’s a lot to get used to, but that’s a big motivation.”
Come October, Loeb saw the first chance to get behind the wheel in anger as he took on the Cross Country rally in Morocco, unfortunately it didn’t end well; After being held up by a turbo fire on the first stage he later rolled the car.
“I got an idea of the sheer scale of the event,” he said afterwards. “Five hours after we rolled, we still hadn’t seen anyone around: just a few other competitors in the distance. It was night time by the time the mechanics got to us, but it was still a great experience.”
Loeb would go on to finish that rally, but well down the order.
With the preparation out of the way, the challenge of Dakar now stands in front of one of the greatest World Rally drivers ever, you can read more about the challenges face in the January edition of the Red Bulletin.
Footage/Photos: Red Bull Content Pool | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Kiwi Seed Oil actinidia chinensis
Cold Pressed from the seeds of the fresh kiwi fruit, it is generally orange in colour, with a fairly distinct very much like the blueberry and raspberry seed oils odour.
It is well known for its antioxidant properties and is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. It is high in essential Omega 3 fatty acids, containing over 60 Alpha Linolenic Acid. ALA is normally found in much lower concentrations in some other seeds such as Flax Seed or some Fish Oil extractions. The body naturally converts between 2 and 10 of the ALA into eicosapentanoeic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA. The body also uses the EFAs contained in Kiwi Seed Oil to help maintain the proper wall flexibility of cells and restore the proper cholesterol triglyceride ratio. This keeps our cell membranes soft and pliable, facilitating receptors in the membrane to work to bring vital compounds to regulate the cell and to provide easy entry for oxygen and nutrients and an efficient exit for carbon dioxide and wastes It is an excellent ingredient in hair and skin care products, particularly where the reduction of dryness or scaliness is desired.
In sum, is high value anti aeging product so add some to your eye creams serums, lip balms, and hair conditioners usually at proportions of say 2- 5% , but if your cream or lotion will readily take more of it then do not be afraid to load it up. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
$OpenBSD: patch-configure,v 1.4 2017/04/27 23:20:29 espie Exp $
--- configure.orig Wed Jan 5 11:14:02 2000
+++ configure Fri Apr 28 01:18:56 2017
@@ -738,7 +738,7 @@ cross_compiling=$ac_cv_prog_cxx_cross
cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
#line 740 "configure"
#include "confdefs.h"
-main(){return(0);}
+int main(){return(0);}
EOF
if { (eval echo configure:744: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest; then
ac_cv_prog_cxx_works=yes
@@ -1801,43 +1801,6 @@ echo "Ignoring libraries \"$X_PRE_LIBS\" requested by
LIBS="$LIBS$X_LIBS"
MAKEDEPEND="\$(CXX) -M"
-
-if test -n "$GXX"; then
- # GNU C compiler
- # -Wno-return-type is necessary for Xlib header files on many systems:
- CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -Wall -Wno-return-type -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CFLAGS_D="$CFLAGS -Wall -Wno-return-type -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS="$CXXFLAGS -Wall -Wno-return-type -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS_D="$CXXFLAGS -Wall -Wno-return-type -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
-else
-if test "`(uname) 2>/dev/null`" = IRIX; then
- if expr "`(uname -r)`" \>= 6.2; then
- # turn on new "n32" Irix compiler:
- CXX="CC -n32"
- CC="cc -n32"
- LD="ld -n32"
- # but -M is broken so use old compiler:
- MAKEDEPEND="CC -M"
- # -woff 3322 is necessary due to errors in Xlib headers on IRIX
- CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -fullwarn -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CFLAGS_D="$CFLAGS -fullwarn -gslim -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS="$CXXFLAGS -fullwarn -woff 3322 -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS_D="$CXXFLAGS -fullwarn -woff 3322 -gslim -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- else
- # old Irix compiler:
- CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CFLAGS_D="$CFLAGS -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS="$CXXFLAGS +w +pp -O2 $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS_D="$CXXFLAGS +w +pp -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- fi
-else
- # generic C compiler:
- CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -O $X_CFLAGS"
- CFLAGS_D="$CFLAGS -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS="$CXXFLAGS -O $X_CFLAGS"
- CXXFLAGS_D="$CXXFLAGS -g -DDEBUG $X_CFLAGS"
-fi
-fi
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Amyloid precursor protein knockdown by siRNA impairs spontaneous alternation in adult mice.
The cleavage-product of amyloid precursor protein (APP) constitutes the core component of plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. APP is ubiquitously expressed and its precise physiological functions remain unclear. This protein has been proposed to regulate synaptic function and processes underlying learning and memory. While APP knockout mice show behavioral impairments, these may occur due to early changes during development and/or due to abolition of APP function in adult. To investigate the acute effects of APP knockdown without involving developmental processes, APP expression was reduced using RNA interference in adult mouse brain. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that down-regulated mouse APP protein levels (APP-siRNA) were identified using an APP plasmid-siRNA co-transfection assay in mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells. Infusion of APP-siRNAs into the ventricular system for 2 weeks also down-regulated APP mRNA in mouse brain. Highest knockdown of APP mRNA levels was found in the CA2-CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Mice treated with the most active APP-siRNA showed a significant reduction in spontaneous alternation rate in the Y-maze, without effects on forelimb grip strength or locomotor activity. These data suggest that acute knockdown of APP in adult mouse brain impairs hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Prevalence of anxiety disorders in community dwelling older adults in Hong Kong.
Anxiety disorders are prevalent yet under-recognized in late life. We examined the prevalence of anxiety disorders in a representative sample of community dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Data on 1,158 non-demented respondents aged 60-75 years were extracted from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity survey (HKMMS). Anxiety was assessed with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). One hundred and thirty-seven respondents (11.9%, 95% CI = 10-13.7%) had common mental disorders with a CIS-R score of 12 or above. 8% (95% CI = 6.5-9.6%) had anxiety, 2.2% (95% CI = 1.3-3%) had an anxiety disorder comorbid with depressive disorder, and 1.7% (95% CI = 1-2.5%) had depression. Anxious individuals were more likely to be females (χ 2 = 25.3, p < 0.001), had higher chronic physical burden (t = -9.3, p < 0.001), lower SF-12 physical functioning score (t = 9.2, p < 0.001), and poorer delayed recall (t = 2.3, p = 0.022). The risk of anxiety was higher for females (OR 2.8, 95% C.I. 1.7-4.6, p < 0.001) and those with physical illnesses (OR 1.4, 95% C.I. 1.3-1.6, p < 0.001). The risk of anxiety disorders increased in those with disorders of cardiovascular (OR 1.9, 95% C.I. 1.2-2.9, p = 0.003), musculoskeletal (OR 2.0, 95% C.I. 1.5-2.7, p < 0.001), and genitourinary system (OR 2.0, 95% C.I. 1.3-3.2, p = 0.002). The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Hong Kong older population was 8%. Female gender and those with poor physical health were at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders. Our findings also suggested potential risk for early sign of memory impairment in cognitively healthy individuals with anxiety disorders. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Understanding and Improving Libido
This topic is still considered taboo to discuss openly in many cultures and societies so here we are presenting it to you. What is the importance of sexual stimulation in both men and women? How does this effect an individuals health? Join Dr. Toni Bark as she helps us to understand how each of us could improve our health by improving our libido.www.skinandchocolate.com
Christina Souza Ma
Christina has lived many lives – from professional Cosmetologist, L’Oreal’s Technical Commercial Director of South East Asia, Hair and Make-up designer behind the camera, to Actor and Body worker. Many years ago, Christina had a vision to create an entity that would
Read full bio » | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The influence of soil composition on the leachability of selected hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) from soils using a batch leaching test.
The influence of soil composition (peat and clay content) on the leachability was investigated in batch leaching experiments for chemically diverse hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs: PCP, PAHs, HCB, HCHs, PCBs, and TCDD/Fs). An experimental design was applied to generate 8 diverse soil matrices, and the results were evaluated by orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS), as well as compound specific response surface models. Overall, the distribution coefficients (logKd) of model HOCs were in the range of approx. 2.0-5.7. The Kd-values of HCHs, phenanthrene and PCP were positively correlated with the peat content. Kd-values of benzo(a)anthracene, HCB, and PCB 47 were positively correlated with both peat and clay content. The Kd-values of 1,3,6,8-TCDD and 1,3,6,8-TCDF were positively correlated with peat content but negatively correlated with clay content, while for PCB 153 and PCB 155 the correlations were reversed. The correlation between the Kd-values and the compounds' Kow-values was linearly for compounds with log Kow <6. For HOCs with log Kow>6, the Kd-values were leveling off, possibly due to small particles in the leachates. Our study demonstrated how complex interaction between both the organic matter and clay components influences the leachability of HOCs in a compound-specific manner. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
I think the right answer here is FUCK NO. Bosh is tearing it up mainly cuz he has attention taken away from him due to the presence of JO inside. If he was to play along Bargs for extended time, the defense will close in on Bosh more since Bargs hangs around the 3 line more often than not
don't undervalue what JO brings on defense. And don't analyze his offense based on the first 6 games. JO's getting good shots, but he can't finish. In my opinion it's a matter of time until he gets it going. Bargnani's role is perfect right now, we need his offense from the bench a lot more than with the first unit.
That being said, if Andreea could play like today, I think he could be considered starter-level material in this league already. Unfortunately with Andreea, consistency is the key ...
This is by far the biggest overreaction in the history of any Raptor board, and thats REALLY saying something. Raptors fans overreact like no other.
Wait until JO starts hitting that turnaround, then the JO=ALLSTAR@@@!!!! threads will be popping up like no tomorrow.
Ya lol gotta agree, JO's gonna take over soon but back to the question...i like Bargs coming off the bench, he's more efficient, and other then him and kapono, who else is scoring off the bench?...let's hope Bargs plays more consistent thought...don't wanna see any more "donuts" (zero points)...remember last year when we faced boston and all the raps had a big game including bargs? 5 raps had over 20+ and we won by 2 in boston...brings back memories o_O...let's hope tomorrow's game is a great one too
At this moment, no way Andrea should start over JO. We need someone to came of bench and do some good thinks. Also, I like JO getting a lot of attention so CB4 can do his magic. What we need now is our wings to start playing more consistent and hit the outside shots.
I have noticed this however, when Bargnani gets the ball in the blocks this year, he has been literally unstopable. He's either getting the basket, or getting fouled. I'm not sure if you guys are seeing it that way, however, if and when thy start actually using him more in that way, he's going to make it hard to keep him off the floor. He leads the team is Blocks too, in less minutes that the other bigs.
If he continues to put up numbers, he's also going to start getting calls. He still gets ZERO respect. His charges are not all good calls, last night was a good example.
What it all means?
Well, once JO gets his range found, and Bargnani continues to show up strong, it wont matter who starts, Toronto will ALWAYS have a chance to put two solid bigs on the floor. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The effect of overall treatment time of radiation therapy on local control of T1-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis.
From 1975 to 1990, 72 patients with T1 glottic cancer, excluding a verrucous type of carcinoma, were treated with radiation therapy (RT). All treatments were given with a standard fractionation of 2 Gy per day. The total dose to the tumor ranged from 60 to 70 Gy. Six patients received a split-course RT. The overall local control rate was 87% at 5 years. Forty-one patients who completed RT in 45 days or less had a 5-year local control rate of 95%. Sixteen patients who completed a treatment course in 46 to 49 days had a local control rate of 81%. Fifteen patients with a treatment course of more than 50 days had a local control rate of 73%. There was a statistically significant difference in local control rates among the three groups (P<.05). The split-course RT group had a 5-year local control rate of 50%; that rate was statistically significantly inferior to that of the continuous course group (P<.001). Multivariate analysis also showed that an interruption of the treatment course was an important parameter in relation to the local control. The prolongation of standard RT schedules adversely affected local control of T1 glottic carcinoma and, therefore, should be avoided whenever possible. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to switchgear assemblies equipped with drawout devices, specifically in this case being circuit breakers, and, more particularly, it pertains to a rigid frame structure for use in such switchgear assemblies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical switchgear apparatus, such as circuit breakers and other circuit interrupters, are preferably enclosed within cells or metal-clad cubicles for the safety of personnel as well as for the switchgear apparatus. This is particularly true for switchgear apparatus of the drawout type which is heavy and therefore requires auxiliary means for drawing the switchgear apparatus into and out of the cubicle. Due to the weights of the switchgear and the auxiliary means, considerable stresses are developed. For that reason framework assemblies must comprise rigid corners formed by elongated members or struts, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,167,525; 2,196,399; 3,353,854; and 4,650,085 which disclose the use of supplementary parts for reinforcing the corners which is costly.
Associated with the foregoing is a need for compactness. This can be achieved by reducing the clearance spaces between the cell and the drawout switchgear circuit breaker. The primary limitation on compactness is the front opening of the cell through which the drawout circuit breaker moves into and out of the cell. Heretofore, the corners of such openings have been reinforced by additional parts or squaring members which are costly and, if in the form of gussets, require a larger front opening to accommodate the movement of the switchgear. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
[Study on the determination of multicomponent pesticide residual based on synchronous-derivative fluorimetry].
In the multicomponent fluorescence measurement of pesticide residual, the comparability of construction and chemical property among the components leads to the overlap of the fluorescence spectra, so it's very difficult to do simultaneous measurment with conventional fluorescent spectroscopy. Using synchronous-derivative fluorimetry, the fluorescence spectra of carbaryl and carbofuran and the effect of different pH on the pesticides were studied, with pH 7.8, and delta lamda=60 nm, synchronous fluorescence scan of the mixed solution in the wavelength range of 250-450 nm, was carried out, and transformed to first order derivative fluorescence spectrum. The experiment results indicate that their synchronous-derivative fluorescence spectra were separated absolutely, eliminating the disturbance between them; the fixed solution can be measured simultaneity. For carbaryl and carbofuran, the linear range is 0. 013-1.156 microg x mL(-1) and 0.025-1.042 microg x mL(-1), the detection limit is 0.013 micorg x mL(-1) and 0.025 microg x mL(-1), and the average recovery is 98%-104% and 96%-103%, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of them are all under 2.25%. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A while ago I picked up the plans for a Pirogue on the net and have thought about building one for a while. So, I used my last two Saturdays to build one and here it is.
Earlier this afternoon and I took it to a local pond about three miles from here and gave her a try. I have to say, I am both elated and disappointed. Elated that she does in fact float and moves through the water quite nicely... disappointed that she is not as stable as I thought it would be.
I had made this little pirogue for both my wife and myself, for use on little fishing day trips. But once it was in the water I found that all of the "amazingly stable" comments about pirogues that I have read were grossly over exaggerated. Although it seems reasonably stable, it handles much like a standard canoe. Good for going from one place to another, but a bit wobbly for fishing, working, etc.
I don't think that I would have much trouble with fishing from it by myself, but it is just wobbly enough that two people would probably be a bit dangerous. Frankly, I was expecting a far more stable craft from the descriptions I have read online. Some people even claim that you can stand up in these without any balance or wobble issues... that is entirely untrue, at least in the case of my craft. Don't get me wrong, it tracks nice through the water and is just as stable as any canoe or similiar craft.
I am looking forward to doing some fishing and traveling in this little girl soon, but it would have been nice if it would have turned out a little more solid on the water. Either way, I think it turned out pretty nice and not to bad for just a couple of days work.
Has anyone else got a pirogue? Is yours stable or a bit on the "canoe" side of wobble? Is there a way to make this craft more solid on the water?
Here are some more shots of her... She is named the Kia-Kay. Kia (K-eye-ah) is my daughters name and Kay is my wifes middle name.
Thanks Pathfinder, I appreciate the praise. I have spent the better part of my 40 years on this planet working with my hands and building things from scratch. It comes from growing up in a poor coastal town and having no money at all. I ended up having to make everything that I wanted. The only thing that has changed is that I don't live in my small coastal town anymore... the money situation has remained the same unfortunately.
You need more width in the bottom, and 16' minimum in length to accomadate two people and have any stability and room. Was this an "Uncle Johns"? A tad more out flair may be worth consideration. Stinky Mike will probably post on this. He built one one a couple of years ago, and had similar problems.
I have to say with your talent, you shouldn't be in the same "money situation" for long. Hopefully God will give you the same innovation to promote your work as He certainly has given your hands the skill and your mind the vision.
Dana,
It does take some getting used to. They are a bit tipsy to say the least. It gets a little weird when the wildlife is just a little smaller than the vessel you are in. You are more aware of the “instability”.
Keep yourself as low as possible. I ran three floor boards the length of my boat, sitting on top of the ribs, with some support in between. This keeps me lower, but also keeps my bum and equipment dry.
I am in no way able to stand in mine, but then I don't see a need for it. I can paddle it in a seated position just fine.
I keep saying my next vessel will be a punt/scow. With a 4’ beam and about 10’ LOA, it will be a bit more stable, fit in the back of my pickup easily (8ft bed), and carry more people safely. I think I will be able to stand in this one if needed.
Maybe a small wall gun mounted in the bow……
p.s. you did a really nice job on that boat. I really like the color scheme.
_________________YMH&OS
Mike
"Well, it [the bible] seems to be a good book-strange that the white people are not better, after having had it so long" Chief Yonaguska (Drowning Bear) | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
OCaml for the Skeptical: OCaml in a Nutshell (2006) - ColinWright
https://www2.lib.uchicago.edu/keith/ocaml-class/class-01.html
======
smabie
I like Ocaml and it would be a good choice of language for most kinds of
projects, especially if good performance is desired. OCaml is dead simple to
learn (I always recommend it as the first FP language they should learn) and
eminently practical.
If you're coming from Haskell or Scala though, OCaml's type system is going to
come off as pretty primitive. And in many ways it is primitive, the idea of
"type-level" programming isn't really a thing in the OCaml community.
My favorite part of OCaml though is that the compiler generates fast, native
binaries, which in my opinion is reason enough to choose it over Scala or F#.
The language is on par with F#, but notably less expressive than Scala.
But if you want a simple language that anyone can pick up quickly, one with a
well defined performance profile and a practical, concrete ecosystem, OCaml
might be the perfect choice. Just don't expect a Haskell or Scala like
experience.
~~~
millimeterman
I don't know if I'd call OCaml dead simple. It's full of inconsistencies and
bolted-on features that are practically useful but definitely not simple or
elegantly designed. It's kind of like the C++ of ML derivatives in that sense.
I'd say Standard ML better fits the bill of "dead simple". The only issue is
that tooling and learning resources are nearly nonexistent.
~~~
andrepd
>full of inconsistencies and bolted-on features that are practically useful
but definitely not simple or elegantly designed
Care to elaborate? What are you referring to?
~~~
millimeterman
Just some examples:
\- First-class modules don't feel very first class, with how clunky it is to
use modules at the value level
\- Records are very clunky and hacky to use
\- Generative functors are a hack
\- Special language-level equality magic is awful (although SML also has this
problem)
\- Special `let` forms (whether via ppx or integrated into the language) feel
really hacky
\- GADTs require too much handholding of the typechecker
\- All the "Objective" parts have very few redeeming qualities and should
probably never have existed
\- The way infix operators work is really half-assed
I don't think OCaml is a _bad_ language - it's very practically useful. It's
just not simple or elegant.
~~~
ernst_klim
Words like "clunky" and "hacky" are evaluation judgments, not objective
criticism.
------
steev
This [1] is a a much more detailed course that gives a great introduction to
OCaml.
[1]
[https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs3110/2019sp/textbook/in...](https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs3110/2019sp/textbook/intro/ocaml.html)
~~~
johnisgood
There is also
[https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs3110/2019fa/textbook/](https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs3110/2019fa/textbook/).
Yours is 2019 Spring, this is 2019 Fall. This version covers many more topics.
------
modernerd
Is there a good reason to learn ReasonML instead of OCaml these days, or
should I just learn OCaml + js_of_ocaml?
I'm interested in building web apps, web servers, and simple WebSocket
servers. OCaml appeals to me because it has more escape hatches than Haskell
and is higher level than Rust, but I've always found the ReasonML vs OCaml
story confusing.
~~~
wk_end
I'm one of the weirdos who likes OCaml syntax, but in my eyes ReasonML is
unfortunate. It fractures the community for (ironically) no real reason - not
only is it a new syntax, they're now writing a new standard library for it
(Belt), as though the three existing ones (plus the JS one!) weren't enough! I
don't think the new syntax is particularly nice either.
I don't think js_of_ocaml supports any kind of JSX. That's the only real
reason to use Reason over OCaml that I know of, and it's a good one. But if
I'm being frank, even if OCaml/Reason is a nicer language overall, TypeScript
is a statically-typed frontend development story that has way more community
buy-in and way fewer rough edges in the ecosystem. Just use it.
~~~
modernerd
That's helpful, thanks.
The recent syntax switch[1] does feel like it will further fragment the
community.
And TypeScript has some pretty attractive functional projects:
[https://github.com/gcanti/fp-ts](https://github.com/gcanti/fp-ts)
[https://github.com/Matechs-Garage/matechs-effect](https://github.com/Matechs-
Garage/matechs-effect)
[1]: [https://reasonml.org/blog/bucklescript-8-1-new-
syntax](https://reasonml.org/blog/bucklescript-8-1-new-syntax)
~~~
brmgb
There isn't much to fragment to be honest.
From what I have seen, there seems to be little buy-in for Reason in the Ocaml
community which is not particularly surprising considering it's supposed to
solve a pain point no one in the community actually has (Ocaml syntax is fine
- it's obviously more Algol-like than C-like but clearly the existing
community doesn't care).
Reason seems to be mostly pushed by Facebook towards Javascript developers.
That might work. Then again, esy is nice.
------
jopython
Wake me up when OCaml get multi-core support.
~~~
shakow
They are actively working on it ([https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/multicore-ocaml-
may-2020-update/...](https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/multicore-ocaml-
may-2020-update/5898)) (HN discussion here,
[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23380370](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23380370)).
------
WalterBright
I tried to use OCaml once. My main difficulty was the compiler error messages
were very primitive, and I had an awful time figuring out what was wrong with
the code I was writing.
I finally just gave up.
~~~
yawaramin
Ah that's too bad, it really does offer an elegant and efficient programming
stack. Admittedly the syntax errors are historically bad but the editor
support tool, Merlin, offers more help with those, with messages like "Syntax
error after ... expecting `=' "
------
S4M
Last updated in 2006.
~~~
sweeneyrod
Yes, it has a very 2006-era "OCaml as an alternative to C/C++" attitude, hence
the claims that OCaml has an extensive library ecosystem and developer
tooling: compared to C this is true but not compared to Python/Java in 2020.
The suggested tools are also out of date. If you want to try OCaml nowadays
you should probably install it with opam and use dune as a build system.
------
ocamlskeptic
Curious question: If you are picking OCaml over Rust in 2020 for a new
project, what is your reason for doing so (other than being already familiar
with OCaml through college courses, or wanting to try out something new for
fun) ?
The only reason I could think of was being able to compile to JS, but other
than that Rust seems to be a superior choice for all the use cases I could
have used practically used OCaml for.
~~~
smabie
I've never really seen them as comparable. But I would choose Ocaml over Rust
because OCaml is easier, less complex, and more expressive. Also, Rust doesn't
support functional programming. OCaml's performance is really quite good and
I've never had problems with the GC.
Unless the project absolutely couldn't tolerate GC, why would I choose a low
level language like Rust over a high level language like Ocaml?
~~~
Ar-Curunir
Rust offers a better alternative to functional programming: you can mix and
match imperative and functional programming without the pitfalls of arbitrary
mutable state (which is where most attempts to mix and match run into
problems)
~~~
scns
OCaml can do the same
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
What have PINK1 and HtrA2 genes told us about the role of mitochondria in Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, disabling, neurodegenerative disease. Our knowledge of the molecular events leading to PD is being greatly enhanced by the study of relatively rare familial form of the disease. Nevertheless, the pathways leading from the genetic mutations to nigral cell degeneration and the other features in PD remain poorly understood. The identification of PINK1, a mitochondrial putative protein kinase, has helped understand the pathophysiology of mitochondria and their potential role in PD. Mutations in PINK1 are associated with the PARK6 autosomal recessive, early-onset, PD-susceptibility locus. Point mutations in another mitochondrial protein, HtrA2, are a susceptibility factor for PD (PARK13 locus). We report here the results of investigations into the interactors and pathways of these two mitochondrial molecules (PINK1 and HtrA2) in a range of models and human PD tissue. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
Vuetify How to blur, focus out clicked chips?
I have Vuetify truoble with toggling chips.
When I click a tag it gets selected and it's great. When I click clear tags all of them looses selected attribute that's great too.
The trouble is that when I once click a chip -> it get selected and when click again it looses selected attribute in selected tags but looks selected until it looses focus = until I click somewhere else. That is not UX I want users to have.
How can I achieve correct toggling? Means clicked chip gets and looses selected attribute while being clicked.
Is there a way to focusout, or blur selectedTag in my toggleTags method?
Point me to right direction please.
<v-chip v-for="categoryTag in tag.categoryTags"
:key="categoryTag.id"
label
small
outline
color="info"
:selected="isSelected(categoryTag)"
@click="toggleTags(categoryTag)">
{{categoryTag.name}}
</v-chip>
methods: {
toggleTags(clickedTag) {
if (this.isSelected(clickedTag)) {
this.selectedTags = this.selectedTags.filter(tag => tag !== clickedTag);
return;
}
this.selectedTags.push(clickedTag);
},
clearTags() {
this.selectedTags = [];
},
},
working pen
A:
You can add custom css
.v-chip:focus:not(.v-chip--selected):after {
background: none !important;
}
Check demo here
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Ionic equilibria in neutral amphiprotic solvents of low dielectric constant: Titration curves.
Titration curves have been simulated for the titration of acids, bases and salts in neutral amphiprotic solvents such as isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols. Ranges of pK values and acid concentrations have been examined. The incomplete dissociation of salts, which increases the acid or basic strength, has been found to be the major factor modifying the shape of the curve and the pH break. The theoretical predictions have been checked by titrating several series of acids and good agreement has been obtained between computed and experimental results. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
White House Official Denounces Execution of Habib Elkanian
A White House official has denounced the executions in Iran, specifically that of Habib Elkanian, the former leader of the Iranian Jewish community, and said that the Carter Administration “is shacked and saddened by the executions” and that “on a number of occasions has made its strong views known to the Iran government.
Edward Sanders, President Carter’s chief liaison with the American Jewish community, made this statement in an address to the American Jewish Committee’s 73rd annual meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. He declared that the executions in Iran, which have claimed some 200 victims since Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power last February, “violate principles of due process and human rights to which we are absolutely dedicated.”
There are, Sanders continued, “universal standards of humanity and decency from which no person — no government — is exempt. The new government of Iran has given the United States numerous assurances about protecting the rights of minorities and we look to them to stand by these assurances. The horror of the series of summary executions in Iran was underscored (last Wednesday) by the execution of Mr. Elkanian … Lased on his support of Israel. The Administration will continue to take every appropriate step to explore every avenue to promote justice and human rights in Iran.”
Sanders statement followed one made by State Department spokesman Hodding Carter that while “The implications” of Elkanian’s execution “are disturbing, the press reports indicate that Elkanian was tried as an individual and not as a leader of the Jewish community.” The State Department has con- tinued to odhere to this view. However, when another Department spokesman, Tom Reston, was asked last Friday, a day after Sanders made his statement, which view represented the Carter Administration’s position, Reston said, “Both.”
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN URGED
Meanwhile, reverberations from the execution of Elkanian continued over the weekend. In New York City, more than 1100 people attended a memorial service for the slain Jewish leader at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun which was convened last Friday by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
Sen. Jacob Javits (R.NY), one of the speakers at the memorial, called for economic sanctions against Iran in the face of these “wanton killings.” He said that while the U.S. cannot send troops, it can put on pressure by reducing use of Iranian oil and boycotting Iranian products. Javits said that the ratification of the Genocide Treaty by the Senate would be a fitting memorial.
Elkanian, 61, who was a leading businessman, was executed along with six other Iranians a few hours after they were convicted by a so-called “revolutionary people’s court.” Elkanian, the first known Jew to be executed since Khomeini look power, was accused of “corruption, spreading vice on earth, treason through his connections with Israel and Zionism.”
Leon Dulzin, chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency Executives, told the memorial meeting that Elkanian was a “wonderful Jew” who was “murdered for loving the Jewish people. If this is a crime, all Jews could be similarly charged. The recent actions in Iran should be a warning to every man of good faith.”
Dulzin declared that unlike the Holocaust, Jews are not helpless any more. He warned “the murderers of Iran” that “we can reach them if they do not stop these actions.” The Zionist leader referred to Israeli Premier Menachem Begin’s statement in the Knesset last Wednesday where he urged world public opinion not to be silent about the “murderous acts of the bloodthirsty regime of Khomeini.” To the Jewish community in Iran, Dulzin said: “Be strong and know that we are with you. We won’t let you down. from here in New Yo | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Swelling of chemical and physical planar brushes of gradient copolymers in a selective solvent.
We propose a mean-field theory of chemical and physical planar brushes of linear gradient copolymers swollen in a selective solvent. The polymer chains are grafted to the substrate by the ends with the excess of insoluble monomer units, and the majority of the soluble units are located near the free ends of the chains. The grafting points are considered to be immobile (chemical brush) and mobile in-plane (physical brush). In the latter case the grafting density is determined from the equilibrium conditions (minimum of the free energy). A common peculiarity of the brushes of both types is that the polymer concentration gradually changes from a relatively high value near the substrate (collapsed region of the brush) to a small value near the free surface (swollen region of the brush). In the case of the chemical brush, a polymer depletion zone can appear in the middle of the brush if incompatibility between insoluble and soluble (A and B) units is high enough. Here the polymer density is even lower than near the free surface of the brush. The grafting density of the physical brush is inversely proportional to the chain length and increases with the decrease of the solvent quality for the insoluble (A) units. The latter can be accompanied by shrinkage of the brush thickness due to broad distribution of the insoluble units through the chain: a minor fraction of insoluble units near the free ends can aggregate with a major fraction of them near the substrate. As a result, the concentration of the soluble (B) units can have a maximum in the middle of the brush rather than near the free surface. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Click those links. Read the lists. List after list of lie after lie. Hundreds of them — 533, to be exact, although Benen does not make any claim to providing a comprehensive chronicle.
This is unprecedented. “We’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers,” Romney’s pollster, Neil Newhouse, said.
This has produced what James Fallows calls the “post-truth” age — a relentlessly dishonest onslaught of brazen falsehoods with which the media and the political system are struggling to cope. What do you do when every article, every “fact-check,” every arbiter denounces a lie and corrects it, but then a politician just keeps repeating it?
It’s remarkable to behold.
One of the weirder aspects of this for me is watching this unfold in the politically conservative culture of my evangelical world. The most partisan evangelical conservatives are also those most likely to rant against “relativism” and to trumpet their status as defenders of “absolute truth.” Those same folks will dismiss this post — and all 30 of Benen’s posts above — as mere partisan attacks without ever bothering to examine the 533 factual instances of Mitt’s mendacity, chronicled.
That’s the only cognitive defense they have, I guess. Jam fingers in ears and shout la-la-la-you’re-being-partisan!
Because, you see, the fact that Mitt Romney said something he knew to be false is a partisan fact. And the fact that he has done this at least 533 times in the past 30 weeks is also partisan.
I suppose the other approach for Romney defenders who cannot bear to face the fact of those 533 facts will be to angrily pore over all of Benen’s lists, reading each one with a lawyerly eye.
Have at it. Please. Cherry-pick. Spin. Split hairs. Hand-wave away whichever lies you wish as mere misdemeanors and not full-fledged felonies against honesty.
But how many of those charges do you think you can get dismissed? 10 percent? 20 percent? Maybe, if you’re that sort of person and you work really hard at it — if you’re willing to get even more pedantic and semantic and technical than even you are usually comfortable with — maybe you could half convince yourself that 50 percent of those lies somehow shouldn’t really count against Romney.
That still leaves more than 260 lies. That still leaves Mitt Romney as a convicted liar, 260 times over. And at that point you’ll have to join your friends with their fingers in their ears. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Pages
Saturday, September 27, 2014
There is another brand new special I have put on my Etsy site this morning! It is the Bow-It-All Elite version 2! It is a must have for all bow making.......from the smallest bow to the larger ones. It even makes double and triple bows! Check out my video below that I took at last January's CHA and see how it works. Retails for $34.99, normally I sell it for $29.99..........on sale now through October 15th for only $22.99! I only have a very limited quantity of the Bow-It-All Elite v2 on hand and I will NOT be re-ordering...........so if you want yours now.....this is the time!
Also please remember I am taking some personal time off so I am closing My Etsy shop between October 2nd-11th. If you order on October 1 after 1pm PST, your order will not ship out until October 14th.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Just wanted everyone to know that prices have been lowered on the Silhouette Pix Scan on my Etsy site! Also, regular mats and shipping costs have been lowered! Don't forget I combine shipping. These sale prices are good through October 15th! Spread the word! I am taking some much needed personal time the week of Oct 3-11th. The shop will close at 12 noon on October 2nd and this will be the last day for shipping! I will re-open my Etsy shop on Monday, October 12th.Please keep this in mind.....If you place an order after 12 noon PST on October 2nd..........I will not ship until October 12th! www.etsy.com/shop/whistlewhileyouscrap | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
AGARTALA: Tripura's Biplab Kumar Deb government started its innings with a cabinet meeting to order two CBI inquiries, set up a committee to give employees a pay hike and a decision to rename the state capital Agartala's airport after the state's last ruling monarch, also an icon for tribal groups.
The Manik Sarkar government had back in 2010 got a resolution passed in the state assembly to name the airport after nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. But the BJP had backed demands to name the airport after the monarch, accusing the previous Manik Sarkar government's efforts to what it called were efforts to "distort" the royal history and undermine the king's role in developing the state. The BJP had last year celebrated the 110th birth anniversary of Tripura's ruler Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman of the Manikya dynasty.
Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman is considered the father of modern architecture in Tripura, as the entire planning of present-day Tripura was initiated during his rule. He is also considered one of the pioneers in land reforms.
Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, the head of Tripura's Royal family and working president of Congress in the state, was the first to welcome the decision. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
DeAngelo Williams & Vontaze Burfict Get Into A Twitter War Of Words
Earlier on Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams took some shots at Cincinnati Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict, stating the Steelers would have made it to the Super Bowl if it wasn’t for Burfict’s dirty hit.
Burfict got word of the comments and took to Twitter to call Williams out, what ensued was a lengthy back-and-forth between the hated rivals. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A grey-haired woman in a t-shirt that says “free grandma hugs” is dancing to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way. She looks in my direction, makes eye contact, and walks toward me. I’ve never been one to participate in the free-hug movement because I’m particular with body contact. Don’t be a curmudgeon, I coach myself internally, Just hug her. I step forward with my arms open. She wraps herself around me. Her small body is round and soft.
It’s summertime. I’m in my hometown—the city of Prince George—for a family reunion. My visit happens to coincide with the city’s Pride festivities. In the company of my family, I’ve come downtown for the Pride parade. We’re standing on the sidewalk across the street from the pool where, a few decades previously, I learned how to swim. My dad and stepmom watch and smile. My sister cheers. My niece and nephew dart between floats to collect candy. By most metrics, this is a fun event.
My family doesn’t know it, but I’m fighting the urge to cry. This is my first time attending Pride in my hometown. It feels like a type of homecoming, a type of redemption. But the vibe is relaxed and if I start crying, well, that changes things. Cry later, I tell myself. The soft grandma hug, however, hasn’t made it easier. Under my dark sunglasses, I blink away a couple tears.
I’ve attended Pride parades in other cities, such as Montreal and Toronto, that were more like massive carnivals. The Prince George parade is minuscule in comparison, yet bigger than I expected. There are floats from the local university, the public library, the radio station, even a local coworking space. The town has a new gender clinic: trans teenagers dance in the back of a pickup truck. I’m impressed, gladdened. I got hugged, and it actually felt pretty good.
This is all wildly different from the town I grew up in—a town that I left behind 20 years ago.
*
I was 17 years old. It was my final semester of high school. The past few years hadn’t been horrible, but high school felt like a bothersome hoop that I was forced to jump through before being allowed to get on with the rest of my life. I arrived at school one morning, walked through the front doors and down the hallway. I stopped suddenly, several feet away from my locker. The word “FAG” was carved onto the door. I ran my fingers over the peeled red paint; it had the bumpy texture of a scar.
My stomach turned. This didn’t feel like random vandalism. This was not a coincidence. Throughout my years in high school, I had been on the receiving end of homophobic slurs, occasional hallway shoulder checks, and gym class harassment. Looking at the word FAG, I felt singled out. I felt detested. At that moment, however, I was not openly gay. I was not even silently gay. I didn’t know what my sexuality was. I was a kid trying to make it through high school, a poster boy for teenage survival mode.
The bell rang. I opened the locker, using the door to conceal the redness that had swept over my face. If this had happened earlier in my teenage years, I probably would have felt even more provoked, more disheartened. But now I was mere weeks away from graduation. I had survived high school. My world was about to open up exponentially.
I exhaled and grabbed my book. Then I closed my locker softly and went to class. Call me a fag, I really don’t care anymore. That’s what I remember thinking.
*
In many ways, my hometown is an emblematic Canadian city. It’s a working-class town, primarily supported by the forest industry. Citizens enjoy watching hockey and sipping double-doubles at the numerous Tim Horton’s coffee shops. As a teenager I stood out in this environment. I was captain of the volleyball team and active on student council. I made the honour roll and was well-liked by my teachers. Despite success across various domains, however, I was constantly failing in one vitally important area: I did not actively assert my maleness.
Prince George in the 1990s was a cauldron of toxic masculinity. Guys were expected to talk about sports or cars or hunting. We were expected to get shitfaced at pit parties. We were expected to have girlfriends or at least comment on girls’ bodies. Most importantly, we were expected to not show emotion. Indifference (at best) and brutality (at worst) were yardsticks of masculinity, and I did not measure up. When a popular guy at school died tragically in a drinking-and-driving car accident, I did what felt most appropriate: in the middle of math class I wept with the girls. My softness, my tears, even my goofiness—these things worked against me.
I was deemed a faggot by default.
At the end of twelfth grade, I attended my graduation ceremony at the Prince George Civic Centre. I won several awards, including Outstanding Graduate, an accolade presented to the one student who best exemplifies the potential of the graduating class. I was then nominated as the Prince George Youth of the Year. I mention these awards to highlight the discord of my teenage experience: to be celebrated in some realms and treated as less-than-human in others. The awards felt like superficial validation. At the time, I didn’t know how to articulate it, but now I understand: high school had felt like prison and I won Best Prisoner. Nobody wants that award. They just want out.
During the very last week of high school, I arrived to see that my locker had been repainted. Overnight a custodian has erased the word FAG from my world. Again, I looked at the locker, this time blank and smooth. I didn’t feel relief or exoneration. I felt the opposite. For a minute I considered carving the word back onto the locker in bigger, bolder letters—re-vandalizing as an act of reclamation. You tried to bring me down, but it didn’t work. Maybe I am a fag. What difference does it make? But I didn’t. I couldn’t be bothered.
Two days later, I emptied my locker and walked out the high school forever. Then I walked out of my hometown.
*
After the Pride Parade, I meet up with my friend Hilary to attend the evening’s festivities: a drag show and dance. The events are being held at the Prince George Civic Centre. It’s my first time back in the building since the graduation ceremony 20 years prior. Not much has changed—it still feels like a 1990s conference centre. But I’ve changed. I see it with different eyes now. It feels smaller than I remember, even somewhat charming.
A few hundred people are in the room. They sit on padded chairs at circular conference tables. Before the drag show gets underway, Hilary and I strike up a conversation with a man who is standing alone. He has a small beer belly, a mustache and hearing aids.
“This is fun. It’s nice to be here,” he says motioning around the room. He tells us that he lives in a small town a few hundred kilometres west of Prince George. He smiles as he talks. I sense that he’s eager to connect with people. After a few minutes, he mentions that being open about his sexuality has had mixed results. “My children don’t talk to me anymore.” He shrugs his shoulders. Hilary asks him to sit with us. He does.
The drag show is less like RuPaul’s Drag Race and more like a variety show: some drag queens and some burlesque performers, some singing and some dancing. During the final number, the audience rushes the stage to tuck five-dollar bills into a drag king’s G-string. Then the dance party begins. The setlist is somewhere between a wedding reception and high school dance. For me, this is perfect. I groove to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck—a local anthem—with a woman in her seventies. She wraps a pink boa around my neck and smiles the entire time. I’m smiling, too. In a way, I feel like I’m dancing myself back home.
*
Brain drain is the emigration of highly trained or intelligent people from a particular geographic area. A similar phenomenon happens with LGBT peoples in rural communities and small towns—“gay drain,” if you will. When queer folks don’t see a future in a community, they do one of two things. If they have the financial or social agency, they leave. If they don’t have money or social connections, they learn to protect themselves, and oftentimes this takes the form of shutting down or tuning out.
But some stay and refuse to wilt. These are the strongest ones.
In Prince George, some LGBT folks have chosen to stay, to build a community. They have refused to fade into the backdrop or be silenced, and they’ve subsequently altered the social fabric of the city, to rewire the city’s collective conscience. They are doctors and mail carriers, grocery store clerks and social workers. They’re refusing to be invisible. They each deserve an award.
Some incredible advancements have been made in LGBT visibility over the past 20 years, but the push towards social justice is certainly not complete. Transfolk continue to experience discrimination and hate. Queer folks of colour are wildly underrepresented in media. Indigenous queers face a complex intersection of race, gender, and colonial trauma. Gay men are still rejected from the most sacred spaces of masculinity (case in point: we don’t have an openly gay NHL player). Injustice is linked together—unless we are all free, none of us is truly free.
So, what is the best way forward? How do we continue to make advancements? The short answer: keep showing up. Go to the big-city Prides if you want. Have fun at the carnival of it all. But more importantly, go to the small-town Prides: listen to people’s stories, dance with people you wouldn’t typically dance with, offer a hug. At any time of year, you can donate dollars to community organizations that support queer youth or trans advocacy or reconciliation. Also, don’t assume anyone’s gender identity or pronouns. Most importantly of all, remind people they are welcome; not despite their difference, but because of it. Your hug—literal or metaphorical—sends an important message. It says, “Honey, it’s okay. You’re safe here now.” This is a message that everyone is entitled to hear.
And now that I’ve heard it, my hometown has never felt more like home.
Lead photo: Andrew Kurjata
More photos from Prince George Pride: D. Rigo Photography
Read this next: The Art of Wasting Time | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
341 B.R. 568 (2006)
In the Matter of Elvin L. MARTINEZ, Debtor.
Elvin L. Martinez, Plaintiff,
v.
United States, Defendant.
Bankruptcy No. 02-15471, Adversary No. 03-1232.
United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Louisiana.
March 2, 2006.
*569 Eric J. Derbes, The Derbes Law Firm, LLC, Bruce A. Miller, Metairie, LA, for Debtor.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
JERRY A. BROWN, Bankruptcy Judge.
Elvin Martinez filed a petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on August 8, 2004.[1]
On November 4, 2002, this Court granted Mr. Martinez a discharge and closed the case.
On October 3, 2003, this Court granted Mr. Martinez's ex parte motion to reopen his bankruptcy case, and he filed this adversary proceeding seeking to have the court determine that the taxes assessed by the United States for the tax years of 1987 through 1995 were discharged in bankruptcy.
A discharge under chapter 7 does not discharge a debtor from a tax debt of the kind that is specified in 11 U.S.C. § 507(a)(8)(A),[2] which includes taxes that were assessable, but not assessed, before the date that the bankruptcy petition was filed.
Generally, a tax must be assessed within three years after the tax return is filed.[3] There is a special rule, however, for partnerships:
[T]he period for assessing any tax imposed by subtitle A with respect to any person which is attributable to any partnership item (or affected item) for a partnership taxable year shall not expire before the date which is 3 years after the later of
(1) the date on which the partnership return for such taxable year was filed, or
(2) the last day for filing such return for such year (determined without regard to extensions).[4]
The United States contends that the tax matters partner ("TMP") for the partnerships in which Mr. Martinez was involved, Walter J. Hoyt, III, agreed to extend the period in which the United States could assess the taxes for 1987, 1988, and 1989. Mr. Martinez contends that the agreements to extend are invalid.
*570 On February 9, 2005, this court granted the motion for summary judgment filed by the United States. This court found that the extensions granted by Mr. Hoyt were valid, and accordingly, held that the tax liability of Mr. Martinez for the tax years of 1987 through 1993 was not discharged in his bankruptcy.
Mr. Martinez appealed this court's decision on the bases that the extensions granted by Mr. Hoyt were invalid because he was being criminally investigated, and that Mr. Hoyt had a disabling conflict of interest.
On June 30, 2005, the United States District Court held that the criminal investigation of Mr. Hoyt did not invalidate his authority to bind the partnership, but remanded the case to this court with instructions to determine if there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether there existed a disabling conflict of interest in light of River City Ranches # 1 Ltd. v. C.I.R., 401 F.3d 1136 (9th Cir.2005), which was decided in March 2005, after this court had made its ruling.
"[A] TMP may lack capacity to bind his partners and the partnership where the TMP operates under a conflict of interest."[5]
In River City Ranches, another case involving Mr. Hoyt, "(t)he Tax Court found that the partnerships did not present evidence sufficient to show that Hoyt executed the extensions under disabling conflicts of interest."[6] The partnerships argued on appeal that the trial had three procedural flaws, one being "that the court improperly denied discovery pertinent to the validity of the extensions of the limitations periods." The Ninth Circuit pointed to "at least one apparent conflict which, if substantiated, might render the extensions Hoyt signed legally incompetent and void."[7] The Ninth Circuit was referring to a headcount of livestock by the IRS during the period when Mr. Hoyt signed the extensions relevant to that case.
"[W]here serious conflicts exist, a TMP may be barred from acting on behalf of the partnership . . . "[8]
As this Court stated in its February 9, 2005 Memorandum Opinion,
In Transpac, the IRS first asked the other partners to grant extensions individually, and they refused. Then, the IRS asked the tax matters partners, who were being called to appear and produce documents in front of a grand jury, to grant extensions. The tax matters partners complied because of "a powerful incentive to ingratiate themselves to the government."[9] Also, the court focused on the fact that the IRS knew that the other partners would not have granted the extensions.
This Court distinguished Transpac in its February 9, 2005 Memorandum Opinion by finding,
Mr. Martinez's case is distinguishable in that he neither alleges nor proves that the IRS asked him or the other partners for extensions. Also, he did not prove that Mr. Hoyt knew of and was cooperating with investigations against him at the time he granted the extensions.
Upon further review, the Court notes that the deposition of Mr. Jeffrey J. Hull, *571 U.S. Postal Inspector, Portland, Oregon[10] states,
I also learned that pursuant to a Tax Court order, the IRS retained cattle expert Ron Daily to conduct a physical count of all cattle held by the Hoyts as of year end 1992. The count was conducted with Hoyt personnel from October, 1992 through April, 1993.[11]
The extensions at issue were granted by Mr. Hoyt as TMP between February, 1991 and March, 1993. Accordingly, the Court finds that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Mr. Hoyt knew of and was cooperating with investigations against him at the time he granted some of the extensions, and as such, the Court will deny the Motion for Summary Judgment. An appropriate judgment will be entered.
JUDGMENT
Upon remand by the United States District Court of this Court's decision granting summary judgment, and for the reasons assigned by this Court in the foregoing memorandum opinion issued on this date,
IT IS ORDERED that the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by the United States is DENIED, and a trial date will be set by the Court.
NOTES
[1] Case no. 02-15471
[2] 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(1)(A)
[3] 26 U.S.C. § 6501(a).
[4] 26 U.S.C. § 6229(a)
[5] Id. at 1141, citing Phillips v. Commissioner, 272 F.3d 1172, 1175 (9th Cir.2001).
[6] Id. at 1141
[7] Id. at 1142
[8] Transpac Drilling Venture 1982-12 v. Comm'r, 147 F.3d 221, 227 (2nd Cir.1998).
[9] 147 F.3d at 227.
[10] Mr. Hull's deposition states that he is "a U.S. Postal Inspector responsible for investigating postal related federal criminal violations . . ." Pleading 62, Exhibit 4.
[11] Pleading 62, Exhibit 4, ¶ 20.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
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With a generous 90 hour burn time and smart features such as Flow light, Intelligent light and multi attachment options, Cross Trail 5 is the perfect all-round ompanion for longer activities. It runs on AA batteries, which means that you can easily double – or triple – the burn time by simply bringing more batteries. If you enjoy cross-country skiing, running or biking, Cross Trail 5 will guide you – all the way. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Vito Vincent and MontyEarlier this month, eight cats clawed their way into an open casting call for the dream role of Holly Golightly's beloved kitty, Cat, in the upcoming production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on Broadway. The pool has since been narrowed down to two fortunate felines who will potentially act alongside "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke in the iconic role, including a sturdy orange tabby named Vito Vincent, and a lithe Tuxedo kitty, named Monty. Monty, 8, and Vito Vincent, 6, are both professional cat actors, with numerous roles under their tiny belts. They both also share unique rags-to-riches stories, that tell of their hard fought paths to the Broadway stage.On Wednesday morning, the cast, creative team, and cats behind "Breakfast at Tiffany's" gathered for a press conference in the Royal Suite at the famed Carlyle Hotel in New York City. I was granted access to the event thanks to Fancy Feast, and am proud to say that I was the only kitty correspondent in attendance!
MontyBefore appearing on Broadway and attending exclusive media events, Monty the cat's life began after he was dumped on a road by Babette Corelli's farm. The animal rescuer, trainer, and agent tells me that it took her nearly a month to catch him, and that it took another year before she started taking him along on jobs. Corelli describes him as a smart cat, who is a fast learner, and loves attention. "He's always the first cat to jump in the crate to go on set," she says.Monty is now a Hollywood veteran, having trained for roles including "The Heat" with Sandra Bullock, "Life Before Her Eyes" with Uma Thurman, and "Sex and the City: The Movie." He has also appeared on "30 Rock," "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Rescue Me."The petite feline, who bears an adorable white spot on his forehead, is filled with an excited energy and is as affectionate as can be. While I was snapping a few photos, he began rubbing against me, and I could hear him start to purr.Vito Vincent as Christianne Amanpurr on "The Colbert Report"I immediately recognized ginger tabby, Vito Vincent, as a famous feline in his own right. Most notably, he has appeared on "30 Rock" and on "The Colbert Report" as Senior Corespondent, Christianne Amanpurr. He was also the subject of a major Los Angeles Times feature last year, "A star isn't born - yet," about the trials and tribulations of a cat actor trying to make it in show business. Unlike Monty's more frenetic energy, Vito can only be described as one cool cat. Far from being a diva, the charismatic kitty eagerly accepted chin scritches while I chatted with his proud dad, Michael LeCrichia, about his cat's humble beginnings. The domestic shorthair was relinquished to a Brooklyn shelter as a kitten, and was brought to Bideawee, where Michael adopted him when he was 7-months-old. He trained the cat to walk on a leash early on because of his history - he didn't want to put Vito in a cage, making him feel abandoned all over again. The pair live in New York City, where Vito accompanies Michael everywhere he goes. After taking the cat to an event where he was mistaken for a hired animal actor, LeCrichia realized his kitty's potential and eventually found him an agent. Vito Vincent is trained to sit, stay, come, and jump, and can ride an escalator. In addition to his television roles, he has done work for Macy's, Animal Planet, Target, and American Greetings, and is also the highest level of therapy cat through Pet Partners.The feline star indulges in a well-deserved cat nap between interviewsBoth kitties are represented by Dawn Animal Agency, Babette Corelli's family run business that has been providing professional animals to the media since 1959. In addition to their extensive roster of furry actors, which includes everything from cats and dogs to rodents and camels, they also run a Sanctuary for less fortunate animals, that is supported in part by working animal actors like Monty.I'm regularly asked for tips on how people can get their cat started in showbiz, so I took the opportunity to get Corelli's expert advice. The first question she asks is, "What is its personality?"If your cat hears a noise and is curious and shows interest, they just might have what it takes to become a feline thespian. Take time to observe if they really look at things and seem to understand them, as opposed to being frightened or running away in fear. The next important step, she says, is making sure your cat is leash trained, and taking them outside to see how they respond. Confirm that your kitty has an outgoing personality and likes strangers. It's not fair to force them into being in an uncomfortable environment. If you still think you might have a star on your hands, contact a reputable animal agency for an expert opinion. Corelli admits that they mostly use their own animals, however they maintain a file of outside talent for roles that require something they don't have. You'll want to provide the agency with clear front and profile photos of your cat, along with their rough measurements and any unique talents or characteristics they possess, such as liking water or being able to high five. In addition to leash training, Babette also recommends teaching your kitty its name and the "come" command. Not only is this helpful on a set full of cats where she is trying to get one individual kitty's attention, it's also helpful if your cat gets away at home or on set, and you need to easily call them back. Holly Golightly and Cat in the 1961 film version of "Breakfast at Tiffany's"Monty and Vito Vincent began on-set rehearsals earlier this week so they'll both be prepared to take on the part, although whichever deserving feline ultimately nabs the role will have some big paw prints to fill. At least nine kitties were used during the production of the 1961 movie, but only one named Orangey is credited with playing the role of Audrey Hepburn's cat. Orangey was a professional animal actor with a 15 year film and television career, and was the first feline to win two Patsy Awards, the animal equivalent of an Oscar.
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" begins previews on March 4, and opens on Broadway March 20 at the Cort Theatre. Tickets are available now through telecharge and the Cort Theatre box office.
Meet The Two Cat Actors Vying For A Role In "Breakfast at Tiffany's" On Broadway
What a neat story. I'm happy that the 2 feline actors are both rescues and that the agent says they select cats who want to be surrounded by activity rather than trying to force them into a job they don't want. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Golden Richards
John Golden Richards (born December 31, 1950) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He played college football at Brigham Young University and the University of Hawaii.
Early life
Richards attended Granite High School where he lettered in 5 sports (football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball) and received All-state honors in 3 (football, basketball, track). In football he joined his brother Doug Richards and played fullback. He led the track & field team to the Utah Class A state title. In basketball, he played guard and was named second-team All-state.
After being recruited by different division I colleges, he had decided to attend the University of Utah, but his church bishop influenced Richards to attend BYU instead of serving on a mission.
From the start he was the fastest player on the BYU team and wore number 22 in honor of Bob Hayes. As a sophomore, he led the team in receiving with 36 receptions for 513 yards (fifth among WAC receivers) and 1 touchdown. As a junior, he again led the team in receiving with 14 receptions for 287 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 33 punt returns for 624 yards (17.9 average) and 4 touchdowns, 23 kickoff returns for 468 yards (19.8 average). He was first in the nation in punt returns and 16th in all-purpose yards. He set four NCAA records with most punt return yards (219 against North Texas St.) in a game, most kickoff returns (247 yards, 7 returns) in a game, average per kickoff return (35.3 yards) in a season and tied the record for most touchdowns (4) on punt returns in a season. He received All-WAC honors.
The combination of being ruled academically ineligible and BYU's run-oriented offense, made him take the decision to transfer to the University of Hawaii for his senior season. As a senior, he had 23 receptions for 414 yards and 5 touchdowns, before injuring his knee.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Richards was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (46th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was the fastest player on the team and played mostly on special teams. In the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings, he returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown.
In 1974, he was named the starter at wide receiver over Bob Hayes. He was the team's long threat (with receptions of 52, 58, 46 and 43 yards) and had his best statistical year with 26 receptions for 467 yards (18 average) and 5 touchdowns. In his third year, he had 21 receptions for 451 yards (21.5 average) and 4 touchdowns. In 1976, he had 19 receptions for 414 yards (21.8 average) and 3 touchdowns, missing 3 games because of a hamstring injury.
The next season, his fourth straight as a starter, he alternated with Butch Johnson, recording 17 receptions for 225 yards (13.2 average) and 3 touchdowns. At the end of the year in Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos, he had his most notable career highlight, catching a 29-yard pass from fullback Robert Newhouse for the game clinching touchdown.
In 1978 with the emergence of Tony Hill, he lost his starting position and was traded to the Chicago Bears, in exchange for a 5th round draft choice (#121-Bob Hukill) in 1979 and a 3rd round draft choice (#78-Bill Roe) in 1980.
Chicago Bears
In 1978, Richards had a career-high 27 receptions with the Chicago Bears. The next season, he played in only 5 games, before suffering a knee injury while blocking on Walter Payton's 65 yard touchdown reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although he completed the game. His contract wasn't renewed after he was placed on the injured reserve list.
Denver Broncos
On May 8, 1980, he signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. He retired after suffering a second straight season-ending injury and being placed on the injured reserve list.
Personal life
Richards was the host and co-producer of a hunting and fishing show for ESPN Network called "ESPN Outdoors". He was mentioned on "A Beer Can Named Desire" and "Cops and Robert" episodes of the cartoon sitcom King of the Hill.
Richards' post NFL life included drug addiction, alcoholism, three divorces, and arrests for forgery.
In 2011, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, with doctors believing it being a combination of the hits from football and his drug usage being causes. He lives with his two sons, Goldie and Jordan.
See also
List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders
References
External links
Going Deep--Into a Hell : Former Cowboy Richards Has Seen Life Become Anything but Golden Because of Drugs
Category:1950 births
Category:Living people
Category:American football return specialists
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:BYU Cougars football players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players
Category:Super Bowl champions
Category:Sportspeople from Salt Lake City
Category:Players of American football from Utah | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Description
We are looking for an ambitious Senior Fullstack Software Engineer who wants to work for a thriving startup that provides clients with the leading Talent Relationship Platform. To keep it that way, we’re constantly expanding our team - in our headquarter in Munich and also remote.
As a Senior Software Engineer, you are an essential part of our product team and you will take responsibility for the design and implementation of new core features and integrations to other systems. You will work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of software engineers, operation engineers, user experience experts and product owners.
Your tasks
Writing elegant, maintainable and tested code
Designing new core parts of the Talentry platform
of the Talentry platform
Evaluating and implementing new integrations with existing systems and services
with existing systems and services
Extending and taking over responsibility for our REST API
Working on the automatization of our CI/CD pipelines
Documenting and communicating technical concepts in a comprehensive manner
Using your skills to make a real difference and impact on our product and company
Your profile
Bachelor/Master in Computer Science, Information Systems or relevant industry experience
in Computer Science, Information Systems or relevant industry experience
5+ years of professional web development experience
of professional web development experience
Profound knowledge in a general purpose programming language, ideally extensive experience in PHP and/or JavaScript
Experience working with a JavaScript Framework (Angular, React, Vue)
(Angular, React, Vue)
Experience with Symfony or similar Frameworks (Laravel, Zend)
(Laravel, Zend)
You know HTML and CSS by heart
and by heart
Knowledge of SQL and database design
Solid understanding of software architecture and software engineering principles
You are proactive and do not shy away from taking over responsibility and you know how to analyze the business needs
and do not shy away from taking over responsibility and you know how to analyze the business needs
Able to communicate fluently in English
As a bonus, you have knowledge or strong interest in one or more of the following topics: Docker, cloud hosting (Azure, AWS or GCE), git workflows, SCSS, XSLT, BI/analytics, Elastic, mobile app development, ORM, NoSQL databases, open source contributions
Even if you don't tick off every bullet point, feel free to still apply. We will adjust our expectations depending on your seniority and experience.
What we offer | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force will hold a press briefing on Sunday to update Americans about the ongoing fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
The president’s team led by Vice President Mike Pence is working around the clock to increase testing for the virus and working on ways to keep it from spreading further into the United States.
The briefing is scheudeld for 5:00 p.m. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
New coordination compounds of citric acid and polyamines with lanthanide ions - potential application in monitoring the treatment of cancer diseases.
Non-covalent interaction in the binary systems of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) with citric acid and complex formation in the binary as well as ternary systems of lanthanide(III) ions, citric acid and polyamine have been investigated. The studies were performed in aqueous solution. The overall stability constants of the complexes were determined using the potentiometric method with computer analysis of the data. Only mononuclear type of complexes were found in the ternary systems and polyamines were located in the outer as well as inner coordination sphere. Non-covalent interaction between biogenic amines and citric acid in the binary and ternary systems were confirmed on the basis of the equilibrium constants analysis and spectroscopic studies. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
November 15, 1999 | Insatiable CriticSwifty's: Gimme Shelter Glenn Bernbaum was Mortimer’s, of course, testy and rude, people say, but he kept the riffraff out and the prices low and he always had a table for Mumsy and moi. I can assure you that no member of Glenn’s salon refusé – certainly no restaurant critic…
November 8, 1999 | Insatiable CriticHowlIs there anything Mario Batali won't do with pig jowls and pasta? At the new Lupa, named for the Roman she-wolf, carnality still rules.
November 1, 1999 | Insatiable CriticEat to the BeatThey look like discos (one of them is a disco) yet serve major-league food: Crossbreeds Hush and Oriont redefine the dining room.
July 12, 1999 | Insatiable CriticAdagio for FinsCello's serenity and seafood dazzle have well-heeled gourmands in delirium;
earthier souls will wallow in the rustic abundance at Beacon.
July 12, 1999 | Insatiable CriticBeacon: Dinner in Waldy's BackyardThe late, lamented Rainbow's Waldy Malouf, the chef who fell from the sky, must have landed headfirst in the earth. How else to explain his swift switch from oysters Rockefeller and lobster thermidor to the rustic open-fire cooking of Beacon?
June 28, 1999 | Insatiable CriticFeret at LastDipping into France's nurturing "cuisine de maman" at two new brasseries and
a pair of bistros refreshes a gourmand's fusion-lashed soul.
June 28, 1999 | Insatiable CriticMaisonMaison strives valiantly to be French. Indeed, it has more applied Gallicmania than any other four bistros in town...
June 28, 1999 | Insatiable CriticPark BistroWhen founding chef Jean-Michel Diot left, Park Bistro listed into a slump. But now Philippe Roussel has claimed the spiffy little burgundy-and-white checkerboard kitchen, bringing with him his sunny herb greenery and the lush ways that won all those "Best Of" accolades for Chelsea Bistro & Bar.
June 21, 1999 | Insatiable CriticSecond Thyme AroundIn two old familiar spaces near Bloomingdale's, Cibi-Cibi courts the youth vote with excess decibels, while Latin sizzle is the draw at Bolivar.
May 24, 1999 | Insatiable CriticCat's Got Her Tongue Chelsea boys and bohos get a cozy new canteen on Tenth...
May 17, 1999 | Insatiable CriticHave Whisk, Will Travel At last, Jean-Louis Palladin has begun soothing his Gotham itch. But his new Palladin still needs work to satisfy our Jean-Louis itch.
May 10, 1999 | Insatiable CriticWhatever Happened to American Food?Sure, it was buried by fusion, scorned by ambitious chefs, and squeezed out by foreigners - but two impressive new restaurants, Coach House and Wild Blue, have raised the flag again, and our fussy critic salutes...
May 10, 1999 | Insatiable CriticOld Wine, New MoneyZoë, an old favorite in SoHo, gets a new chef, a new menu, and scary new prices -- but even tightwads may find themselves unzipping their wallets...
December 29, 1998 | Insatiable CriticChow, ManhattanJust when it seemed like the restaurant madness of the eighties was safely in remission, everyone and his dentist wants to play the game again. And one bistro simply isn’t enough. Finding the gems in a rubble of cubic zirconia is my job. When friends call for advice, here’s what I say...
December 28, 1998 | Insatiable CriticWhere to eat in 1999From fabulous French to Asian fusion, from brand-name bistros to secret passions, where to eat in 1999.
December 14, 1998 | Insatiable CriticEating by the NumbersWhaddaya want on your pizza? Peking duck, smoked salmon, and tandoori chicken at One3 in the Village prove it's a small world after all. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
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What is 4cdf8 (base 16) in base 10?
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-1110110011110101001
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-399051 (base 12) to base 4
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Convert 10000111011110000 (base 2) | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
In world first, Australian city regulates UberX before Uber launch
Canberra will be the first city in Australia to introduce regulation for UberX, officially making the service and other ridesharing services legal.
The capital city of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will see safety-based ridesharing regulations come into place starting Oct. 30 as Uber is introduced to the market, with more permanent legislation in the following months. The move will make Canberra the first capital city in the world to introduce regulation before Uber has even entered the market, according to Uber.
The ACT Government's chief minister Andrew Barr announced Wednesday a range of measures to create a transport infrastructure that is in line with what consumers are demanding. The new regulations will be introduced in two stages, the first will be enhanced safety measures and fee reductions for taxi drivers, while the second stage, once legislation is passed, will require UberX drivers to have appropriate insurance.
"Today is a really important day for consumers for better transport services in Canberra. What we are announcing that Canberra will become the first city in Australia, and the first capital city in the world to regulate ridesharing services," Barr said at a press conference in Australia's capital. "Our strong desire is to put consumers first."
UberX is set to be legal in Canberra.
Image: Mashable
According the the Canberra Times, the taxi industry will see major concessions as a result of the changes to regulation including a drop in license fees by 2017 to A$5,000 annually. Hire car license fees will drop to $100, from the current amount of $4,600 while Uber drivers will have to pay $50 for accreditation and an annual license fee of A$100 a year.
"This will improve travel options for Canberrans, reduce fares for the community through competition and drive further innovation in the demand responsive transport industry," Barr told Mashable in a statement via email. "The disruptive technology of ride sharing apps will provide the community with a new and innovative way of accessing transport.
"Instead of sticking our heads in the sand and trying to ban disruptive technologies such as ridesharing apps, the ACT Government has provided a regulated, legal environment in which consumers can benefit from that technological innovation."
Like taxi drivers, Uber drivers will be required to undergo criminal background and driving history checks, along with vehicle safety inspections. Uber drivers will only be allowed to take bookings, while taxis will be able to pick customers up from ranks and at the side of the road. Once the second set of regulations are in place, they will be able to accept cash if they are fitted with a security camera.
"Chief Minister Barr and the ACT Government have shown true leadership in their progressive approach to bringing a safe, affordable and reliable point-to-point transport alternative to Canberra through their transparent review process and open and constructive dialogue," Uber said in a blog post.
"The ACT Government has not only answered the demands from thousands of Canberrans for economic opportunities and more reliable and affordable transport, but, through their decision, they have also recognised the rights of all Australians to choose how they move around their cities."
Shane Rattenbury, the minister assisting on transport reform, said in a statement these changes are a great benefit to the community, environment and economy.
"Public transport is an integral part of any city. These reforms are a win for Canberrans and those travelling to the Territory, improving access to diverse transport options and competitive pricing," Rattenbury said. "Taxis and other demand-responsive transport options are important for accessibility and social equity, and are often relied on by those with special transport needs."
Other cities in Australia appear to be stepping away from innovation and regulation in the ridesharing industry. On Sept. 30, the New South Wales state government will enforce suspension notices it has given to 40 UberX drivers in Sydney.
"If drivers continue to offer illegal ride-sharing services -– they will continue to risk registration suspensions and fines," Roads and Maritime Director of Safety and Compliance Peter Wells said in a statement.
Mashable
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A Fluorescent Probe for Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells with High Differentiation Capability into Neurons.
Selection of a specific neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) has attracted broad attention in regenerative medicine for neurological disorders. Here, we report a fluorescent probe, CDg13, and its application for isolating strong neurogenic NSPCs. In comparison to the NSPCs isolated by other biomarkers, CDg13-stained NSPCs showed higher capability to differentiate into neurons. Target identification revealed that the fluorescence intensity of the probe within cells is inversely proportional to the expression levels of mouse and human Abcg2 transporters. These findings suggest that low Abcg2 expression is a biomarker for neurogenic NSPCs in mouse brain. Furthermore, CDg13 can be used to isolate Abcg2low cells from heterogeneous cell populations. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
INTRODUCTION
============
Understanding pathways of glucose metabolism in the liver of healthy humans may help to clarify metabolic alterations that occur in obesity and diabetes mellitus, two common diseases. In addition, glucose metabolism may be involved in other disorders as well, as glucose provides reducing equivalents for fatty acid synthesis, ribose 5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis and precursors for glycosylation reactions. Carbohydrates derived from intestinal absorption are initially handled by hepatocytes whereas dietary fatty acids form triacylglycerols inside the enterocytes and reach the lymph stream assembled as chylomicrons that are incorporated to the bloodstream and finally arrive in the liver as remnant chylomicrons. In healthy individuals, the liver is a major site of glucose utilization during the post-prandial period, although hepatic contribution to glucose consumption relative to peripheral tissues has been found variable in different studies, from one-third to 50--60% of the glucose ingested. Peripheral glucose uptake including skeletal muscle and non-insulin sensitive tissues (predominantly the brain) accounts for the rest of total glucose disposal after meals \[[@B1]\]. To be utilized, glucose enters the hepatocyte and is phosphorylated to glucose 6-phosphate. Glucose 6-phosphate may follow a number of metabolic pathways, including glycogen synthesis, the hexosamine pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway and oxidative routes. Excess glucose is used to synthesize fatty acids in the liver. In addition to glucose utilization, human liver releases glucose to the systemic circulation, either from previously stored glycogen (glycogenolysis) or by generating glucose from precursors such as alanine, lactate and glycerol (gluconeogenesis). This unique ability of the human liver to store and release glucose is crucial to endure periods of fasting.
HEPATIC GLUCOSE UTILIZATION
===========================
Glucose transport inside the hepatocyte
---------------------------------------
Glucose entry into human hepatocytes is thought to be accomplished via glucose transporters that operate a passive (energy-independent) transport of glucose and it is usually accepted that glucose transporter-2 (solute carrier family 2, member A2, SLC2A2 or GLUT2) is the predominant hepatic glucose transporter in humans. GLUT2 is a facilitative glucose transporter that allows bidirectional fluxes of glucose in and out the cells. GLUT2 mRNA is expressed in human liver, kidney, pancreatic β-cells and small intestine (jejunum) \[[@B2],[@B3]\]. Subcellular location of GLUT2 in human hepatocytes has not been reported. The transporter is likely expressed at the basolateral membrane of intestinal and renal epithelial cells, where it works together with the sodium-glucose co-transporter located to the apical membrane to facilitate the absorption of glucose from the intestinal lumen or from the kidney tubular fluid into the blood \[[@B3]\]. Glucose uptake by the liver is not affected by insulin, being hyperglycaemia rather than hyperinsulinaemia the primary determinant of hepatic glucose transportation inside the hepatocytes \[[@B4]\].
The human gene encoding GLUT2 (*SLC2A2*) has been mapped to chromosome 3q26.1-q26.3 \[[@B2]\] and its organization and partial sequence have been reported. The putative GLUT2 sequence has three possible sites for asparagine-linked glycosylation that may be important in GLUT2 regulation \[[@B3]\]. The transcription of the *SLC2A2* gene and therefore the expression of GLUT2 is regulated by some hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs), including HNF4α, HNF1α and HNF1β \[[@B5]--[@B7]\].
In the liver, GLUT2 facilitates glucose release to the bloodstream whereas in the pancreas GLUT2 contributes to glucose-mediated insulin secretion. Mutations in the *SLC2A2* gene may cause Fanconi--Bickel disease and neonatal diabetes mellitus due to deficient insulin secretion. Likewise, mutations in genes encoding HNFs that reduce GLUT2 expression cause similar clinical phenotypes.
Fanconi--Bickel disease (glycogen storage disease type XI) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic inactivating mutations in *SLC2A2*. Clinical manifestations include stunted growth and short stature, ketotic hypoglycaemia during periods of fasting, hepatomegaly secondary to glycogen accumulation, post-prandial hyperglycaemia and hypergalactosaemia, and kidney involvement characterized by glycogen accumulation in the proximal tubule, galactosuria, glucosuria in the presence of normal or low plasma glucose concentration, hyperaminoaciduria and hyperphosphaturia that may cause hypophosphataemic rickets. Fanconi--Bickel syndrome has been detected via neonatal screening for galactosaemia. Some patients present with a very mild phenotype \[[@B8]\]. Marked urinary bicarbonate loss contributing to metabolic acidosis has been observed in some patients. Severe ketosis and ketonuria with normal glycaemia has been reported in a patient with Fanconi--Bickel disease \[[@B9]\].
Neonatal diabetes, sometimes presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis, may be the initial clinical manifestation of mutations in the *SLC2A2* gene. Homozygous GLUT2 mutations are identified in approximately 5% of patients with neonatal diabetes mellitus, either transient or permanent. These patients develop Fanconi--Bickel syndrome later in life. The findings that patients with homozygous *SLC2A2* mutations may present with neonatal diabetes suggest that GLUT2 expressed in pancreatic β-cells is involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion \[[@B10]\].
Mutations in genes coding some HNFs produce maturity-onset diabetes of youth (MODY), a group of autosomal dominant forms of diabetes mellitus characterized by impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and normal sensitivity to insulin, suggesting that pancreatic β-cell dysfunction rather than insulin resistance is the primary defect \[[@B5]\].
Glucose phosphorylation to glucose 6-phosphate in the liver: glucokinase
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within the cells, free glucose is phosphorylated by hexokinase isoenzymes to yield glucose 6-phosphate. Four isoenzymes of hexokinase (I, II, III and IV or glucokinase) are known to exist in human tissues, but little is known about their distribution and differential function. Unlike other hexokinases, human glucokinase is not inhibited by its product, glucose 6-phosphate, and has lower molecular mass \[[@B11],[@B12]\]. Glucokinase phosphorylates the sixth carbon of glucose at the expense of ATP. The crystal structure of human glucokinase has been solved, revealing that it is a monomeric enzyme with a single active site \[[@B13]\]. The Michaelis--Menten constant (*K*~m~) of human glucokinase for D-glucose is relatively high and approximates the physiological concentration of plasma glucose, 5 mM. The affinity of glucokinase for glucose is relatively low compared with other hexokinases. Human glucokinase has a sigmoidal saturation curve for glucose whereas other hexokinases have Michaelis--Menten hyperbolic kinetics. The inflexion point on the sigmoidal glucose saturation curve is at 8 mM \[[@B13]\].
Glucokinase is present in human pancreatic islet tissue but it is not found in the exocrine pancreas. In cultured hepatocytes obtained from human liver biopsies, glucokinase accounts for 95% of the glucose phosphorylation activity \[[@B11]\].
Recombinant pancreatic and liver human glucokinase undergo post-translational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins, but the physiological relevance of this finding is unclear \[[@B14]\].
*In vitro* studies suggest that transcriptional control of human glucokinase is carried out by insulin and glucagon. In cultured hepatocytes obtained from human liver biopsy samples, insulin increases glucokinase mRNA and enhances glucokinase activity whereas glucagon has the opposite effect \[[@B11]\].
In the human liver, glucokinase action is inhibited by glucokinase regulatory protein that acts as a competitive inhibitor of glucose binding to glucokinase. The structure of full-length cDNA for human glucokinase regulatory protein has been described. The gene encoding the glucokinase regulatory protein, glucokinase regulator (*GCKR*), maps to chromosome 2p23. The glucokinase regulatory protein is expressed in human liver and at very low levels in human islets and adipocytes (a tenth of that seen in liver) \[[@B13]\].
Fructose 1-phosphate activates glucokinase whereas fructose 6-phosphate suppresses glucokinase activity by acting on the glucokinase regulatory protein \[[@B15]\]. Fructose metabolism in humans is thought to occur predominantly in the liver. Fructose taken up by hepatocytes may be converted into either fructose 6-phosphate by hexokinase isoenzymes or fructose 1-phosphate by fructokinase \[[@B16]\]. The two initial products of hepatic fructose metabolism have opposite effects on the glucokinase regulatory protein. Glucokinase activators have been considered as a therapy for diabetes mellitus with inconclusive results. The inhibitory effect of fructose 1-phosphate on the glucokinase regulatory protein may be important to activate glucokinase and promote hepatic glucose metabolism.
The single gene encoding human glucokinase (*GCK*) is located on chromosome 7p. This gene contains two tissue-specific promoters, one active in pancreatic β-cells and the other active in liver, that generate two different isoenzymes of glucokinase in human tissues, glucokinase-1 in pancreatic β-cells and glucokinase-2 in hepatocytes. The tissue-specific promoters allow the glucokinase gene to be independently regulated in liver and pancreatic β-cells. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the human islet glucokinase cDNA with that of the human liver glucokinase cDNA reveals that the two cDNAs differ on their 5′-ends while having identical 3′-ends. These nucleotide sequences predict proteins that differ by 15 NH~2~-terminal residues \[[@B17]\]. Isoenzymes of glucokinase catalyse the initial step in the utilization of glucose by the pancreatic β-cells and hepatocytes, being activated by glucose binding to produce glucose 6-phosphate. In the pancreatic β-cells, the activity of glucokinase-1 leads to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion whereas in the hepatocyte glucokinase-2 promotes glucose uptake and utilization mainly via glycogen synthesis by maintaining a gradient for glucose transport into these cells \[[@B17]\].
Mutations in the glucokinase gene lead to disturbances in glucose metabolism, highlighting the crucial effect of the enzyme. Heterozygous inactivating (loss of function) mutations in the *GCK* locus result in MODY2 or GK-MODY, homozygous inactivating mutations produce permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, and heterozygous activating (gain of function) *GCK* mutations cause autosomal dominant hyperinsulinism (persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy).
Heterozygous inactivating mutations in the human *GCK* gene cause MODY2, an autosomal dominant form of monogenic diabetes, also called familial mild fasting hyperglycaemia. In 1992, genetic linkage between MODY2 and the *GCK* gene was reported and the identification of a nonsense mutation in this gene was linked to MODY2 in one family \[[@B18]\]. Patients with MODY2 suffer impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and alterations in hepatic glucose metabolism. Reduced insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells is attributed to the decreased rate of glucokinase activity in these cells. In addition, glucokinase-deficient patients have decreased net accumulation of hepatic glycogen and relatively augmented hepatic gluconeogenesis after meals. Glucokinase deficiency affects the flux of the direct pathway of glycogen synthesis, which is maintained via gluconeogenesis \[[@B19]\].
Homozygous inactivating mutations in the glucokinase gene produce permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, a rare autosomal recessive disorder with a profound defect in β-cell function \[[@B20]\]. Heterozygous activating mutations in the *GCK* gene may cause autosomal dominant hyperinsulinism. Patients suffer from non-ketotic hypoglycaemic episodes associated with inappropriately high serum levels of insulin. When expressed *in vitro*, the mutant enzyme has increased affinity for glucose that results in higher rate of glucose metabolism and enhanced insulin secretion \[[@B21]\].
Glucose 6-phosphate metabolism
------------------------------
Glucose 6-phosphate may follow three known metabolic routes, namely isomerization into glucose 1-phosphate, isomerization into fructose 6-phosphate and oxidation into gluconolactone ([Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). Glucose 1-phosphate is transformed into UDP--glucose, which is the precursor of glycogen, UDP--glucuronate and UDP--galactose. Fructose 6-phosphate may either start the hexosamine pathway by combining with glutamine or continue into the glycolytic pathway to form pyruvate and then acetyl-CoA. Oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate to gluconolactone starts the pentose phosphate pathway.
{#F1}
### Formation of glucose 1-phosphate and UDP--glucose
#### Phosphoglucomutase-1: isomerization of glucose 6-phosphate and glucose 1-phosphate
Phosphoglucomutase(PGM)-1 is a phosphotransferase that catalyses the reversible transfer of phosphate between the 1- and 6- positions of α-D-glucose and therefore the isomerization of glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate. Human PGM-1 is expressed in liver and muscle, being a highly polymorphic protein \[[@B22]\]. The crystal structure of the wild-type enzyme has been reported \[[@B23]\].
There are four isoenzymes of human phosphoglucomutase: PGM1, PGM2, PGM3 and PGM5. The PGM isoenzyme of human milk attributed to a fourth locus, PGM4, shows similar cross-reactivity as PGM-1 suggesting close structural similarity. PGM-1 is an efficient phosphoglucomutase compared with PGM-2. By contrast, PGM-2 has a high affinity for ribose 1-phosphate, being an efficient phosphoribomutase \[[@B22]\]. PGM-3 has a low affinity for ribose 1-phosphate and is a poor phosphoglucomutase. Instead, this enzyme catalyses the reversible interconversion of *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate and *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate, being required for the synthesis of UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine in the hexosamine pathway ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}) \[[@B24]\]. Human *PGM1* gene has been mapped to 1p31 and its complete structure has been ascertained, discovering two alternatively spliced first exons. The human gene encoding PGM-3 (*AGM1*) maps to chromosome 6. Human *PGM5* gene maps to the centromeric region of chromosome 9, being an expressed gene with widespread distribution in human tissues \[[@B22]\].
{#F2}
In 2009, heterozygous mutations in the *PGM1* gene were identified in a 35-year-old man with intolerance to physical activity and exercise-induced episodes of rhabdomyolysis. A skeletal muscle biopsy revealed accumulation of normally structured glycogen suggesting impaired utilization of glycogen-derived glucose. PGM-1 activity in skeletal muscle was reduced to 1% of the value among controls. PGM-1 deficiency was proposed to be designated glycogen storage disease type XIV \[[@B25]\]. In a patient with PGM-1 deficiency, plasma glucose levels decline during submaximal exercise and glucose infusion reduces heart rate and ameliorates exercise perception, compared with control subjects. The patient tends to oxidize palmitate at higher rate than the control subjects. These findings suggest that deficiency of PGM-1 is associated with a failure to utilize glycogen as energy source both in the liver and in the skeletal muscle due to the isomerization defect that prevents the formation of glucose 6-phosphate from glycogen-derived glucose 1-phosphate \[[@B26]\].
In addition to this clinical phenotype, congenital deficiency of PGM-1 is associated with impaired protein glycosylation. In 2012, applying whole-exome sequencing in patients with unsolved congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), mutations in the *PGM1* gene were found to be the cause of a CDG named PGM1-CDG, revealing for the first time the crucial role of PGM-1 in glycosylation reactions \[[@B27]\].
Protein glycosylation involves the attachment of oligosaccharide structures to proteins via either N-linkage on asparagine or O-linkage on serine and threonine residues. The first step of N-glycosylation of proteins is the assembly of glycan precursors, each composed of a chain of monosaccharide units attached to dolichol in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Then, the glycan precursors are affixed to asparagine residues in the nascent peptide chain of a protein. The glycosylated peptide chain is transferred to the Golgi apparatus where the glycan precursors are modified to generate the mature glycoprotein. CDG type 1 are due to defects on the first part of the protein N-glycosylation pathway, either the dolichol-glycan assembly or the glycan transfer to the nascent protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. CDG type 2 are due to errors on the modification of the attached glycan precursor in the Golgi apparatus. Congenital deficiency of PGM-1 is associated with a mixed disorder of N-glycosylation and patients affected with this disease show features of both type 1 and type 2 congenital glycosylation disorders. Both protein folding defects and compromised catalysis of PGM-1 may play a role in the disease \[[@B27],[@B28]\].
The clinical phenotype of patients with PGM-1 deficiency includes short stature, bifid uvula with or without cleft palate at birth, neurological symptoms such as psychomotor retardation and seizures, intolerance to exercise, dilated cardiomyopathy, episodes of ketotic hypoglycaemia, hepatopathy and coagulation abnormalities \[[@B27],[@B28]\].
Supplementation with oral D-galactose (0.5--1 g/kg/day and maximum 50 g/day) has been proposed as therapy for PGM-1 deficiency, but a lactose-rich diet has not improved the clinical outcome in one patient with the disease \[[@B29]\].
The pathophysiological mechanisms connecting PGM-1 deficiency with CDG and the clinical phenotype of the disease are unclear. In patients with PGM-1 deficiency, fibroblasts supplemented with galactose show restoration of protein glycosylation, suggesting that the intermediates required for glycosylation reactions may be produced in the presence of galactose. In addition, there is no evidence of glycogen accumulation in PGM-1 deficient, galactose-supplemented fibroblasts, suggesting that glycogen may be used by these cells \[[@B28]\].
#### Formation of UDP--glucose: UDP--glucose pyrophosphorylase (glucose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase)
The enzyme glucose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase or UDP--glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) catalyses the reversible formation of UDP--glucose and PP~i~ from glucose 1-phosphate and UTP in the presence of Mg^2+^. The crystal structure of the human UGP has been determined, revealing that the enzyme adopts an octameric structure \[[@B30]\]. In addition to UDP--glucose formation from glucose 1-phosphate, *in vitro* analyses reveal that human UGP may catalyse a similar reaction with galactose, the formation of UDP--galactose from galactose 1-phosphate and UTP ([Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}) \[[@B31]\]. Two isoenzymes of UGP are known in humans, UGP1 and UGP2, encoded by different genes. The gene encoding UGP1 is located on chromosome 1q21-q23 whereas the gene coding for UGP2 has been assigned to chromosome 2p13-p14. Northern blotting analysis reveals that UGP1 gene is expressed at the highest level in skeletal muscle, followed by liver, heart and kidney. UGP2 has been isolated from skeletal muscle \[[@B32]\].
{#F3}
In the liver, UDP--glucose may be involved in several metabolic pathways, including glycogen synthesis, formation of UDP--glucuronate and formation of UDP--galactose. UDP--glucose is the immediate glucose donor for the synthesis of glycogen, supplying glucose residues for the initiation and the elongation of the glycogen particle. UDP--glucose is involved in the synthesis of UDP--glucuronate, which facilitates the excretion of endogenous compounds such as bilirubin and foreign molecules such as acetaminophen by converting them into more polar metabolites. In addition, UDP--glucose may be utilized to generate UDP--galactose from galactose 1-phosphate.
##### Glycogen Synthesis
In the human liver, a major quantitative pathway of glucose utilization is glycogen synthesis, glucose being stored as glycogen inside the hepatocytes until glycogen storage is filled. Food-derived glucose provides the direct pathway to synthesize glycogen after meals. Glucose derived from gluconeogenesis represents the indirect pathway and contributes to glycogen formation both during fed and fasted states. Approximately 50% of the glucose ingested is stored as glycogen during the post-prandial period in healthy subjects. After a meal, the majority of glycogen is formed via the direct pathway (73%), but the indirect pathway accounts for 27% of the glycogen formation \[[@B33]\]. The ability to store glucose as glycogen is reduced in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Dietary carbohydrate overfeeding rises the concentration of liver glycogen in healthy volunteers. However, the capacity to store glycogen in the liver after carbohydrate overfeeding is limited and continued accumulation of liver glycogen, when the reserve is complete, is attenuated by an increase in glycogen release that occurs with increasing glycogen content \[[@B34]\]. Excess dietary glucose not stored as glycogen is converted into fat by hepatic *de novo* lipogenesis, which is an energetically expensive process \[[@B35]\].
To synthesize glycogen, glucose is phosphorylated upon its entrance into the hepatocytes. Glucose 6-phosphate is isomerized into glucose 1-phosphate by PGM-1 and then converted into UDP--glucose by UGP. UDP--glucose is the immediate glucose donor for glycogen synthesis. Glycogenin initiates the synthesis of glycogen by autoglycosylation transporting glucose residues from UDP--glucose to itself, forming a short linear chain of approximately 10--20 glucose moieties. The elongation of this initial glycogen sequence is accomplished by glycogen synthase that transfers glucose moieties from UDP--glucose to the growing glycogen strand, providing the linear linkages between glucose residues. Glycogen branching enzyme introduces branch points in the glycogen particle. There are two isoforms of human glycogenin, glycogenin-1 and glycogenin-2, encoded by *GYG1* and *GYG2* genes respectively. Both isoenzymes are present in human liver. Diabetic males harbouring a *GYG2* deletion lack glycogenin-2 in liver biopsy samples, but they are able to synthesize glycogen, likely because they show glycogenin-1 expression in the liver \[[@B36]\]. There are two isoenzymes of glycogen synthase in humans, glycogen synthase-1 (GYS1), which is the isoform present in skeletal muscle and heart, and glycogen synthase-2 (GYS2), the liver isoenzyme. Congenital deficiency of liver glycogen synthetase (GYS2) due to mutations in the *GYS2* gene on chromosome 12p12.2 is an autosomal recessive disease named glycogen storage disease type 0. Defective glycogen synthesis after meals leads to post-prandial hyperglycaemia, glucosuria and hyperlactatemia. Ketotic hypoglycaemia and ketonuria develop during fasting periods owing to low liver glycogen content. Diagnosis of the disease may require frequent measurements of blood glucose, lactate and ketone bodies in both the fed and fasting states (24-h metabolic profile), which show the characteristic biochemical disturbances. In liver biopsy samples, hepatocytes contain small amounts of glycogen and show moderate steatosis \[[@B37]\]. Congenital deficiency of glycogen branching enzyme is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to accumulation of abnormally structured glycogen with fewer branched points resembling amylopectin in multiple tissues, including liver, heart, skeletal muscle and the nervous system.
##### Formation of UDP--glucuronate: UDP--glucose dehydrogenase
In the human liver, a minor amount of UDP--glucose is converted to UDP--glucuronate that yields glucuronate residues to a variety of exogenous and endogenous compounds to allow their solubilization and excretion. Glucuronate residues are also incorporated to nascent glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronan. The enzyme UDP--glucose dehydrogenase encoded by the gene *UGDH* converts UDP--glucose into UDP--glucuronate through two successive NAD^+^-dependent oxidation steps \[[@B38]\]. Human UDP--glucose dehydrogenase apoprotein has been purified \[[@B39]\]. Glucuronate residues derived from UDP--glucuronate are attached to endogenous molecules such as bilirubin and foreign compounds such as acetaminophen to assist in their elimination. The enzymes that attach glucuronate residues to a variety of chemical compounds are isoenzymes of UDP--glucuronosyltransferase \[[@B38]\].
##### Formation of UDP-galactose: galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase
Dietary β-D-galactose is metabolized by the Leloir pathway, composed of four enzymatic steps ([Figure 4](#F4){ref-type="fig"}). First, β-D-galactose is epimerized to α-D-galactose by galactose mutarotase. Second, α-D-galactose is phosphorylated to galactose 1-phosphate by galactokinase. Third, the reaction galactose 1-phosphate + UDP--glucose generates UDP--galactose + glucose 1-phosphate. This reaction is catalysed by galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) that transfers an UMP group from UDP--glucose to galactose 1-phosphate thereby generating UDP--galactose and glucose 1-phosphate. Finally, UDP--galactose is epimerized to UDP--glucose by UDP--galactose 4-epimerase (GALE). The X-ray crystallographic structure of this enzyme has been reported \[[@B40]\].
{#F4}
In humans, defects in the genes encoding galactokinase, GALT or GALE cause galactosaemia. Congenital defects in GALT result in galactosaemia-1 or classic galactosaemia, congenital deficit of galactokinase causes galactosaemia-2 whereas GALE deficiency leads to a rare form of galactosaemia. No human disease has been associated with galactose mutarotase deficiency, although the human gene encoding this protein has been cloned.
In patients with classic galactosaemia due to GALT deficiency, galactose 1-phosphate is accumulated and the production of UDP--galactose is reduced, impairing the incorporation of galactose to proteins and lipids. A deficiency of galactose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids is observed in these patients \[[@B31]\]. In addition to GALT action, UDP--galactose may be generated from galactose 1-phosphate by the enzyme UGP, as mentioned above ([Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). The ability of human UGP to convert galactose 1-phosphate into UDP--galactose may be important to alleviate galactose 1-phosphate accumulation in patients with classic galactosaemia due to GALT deficiency \[[@B31]\].
### Isomerization of glucose 6-phosphate into fructose 6-phosphate: glucose 6-phosphate isomerase or phosphoglucoisomerase
Glucose 6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) is the enzyme that catalyses the reversible isomerization of fructose 6-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate. The gene encoding GPI is located on chromosome 19q and its structure has been determined. Congenital GPI deficiency is a common disease leading to hydrops fetalis, chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anaemia and neuromuscular dysfunction. Patients with inherited GPI deficiency show reduction in the synthesis of glycerolipids. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have increased serum levels of GPI \[[@B41]\].
Fructose 6-phosphate may either be combined with glutamine to initiate the hexosamine pathway or continue the glycolytic pathway to form pyruvate that may be decarboxylated into acetyl-CoA to initiate fatty acid synthesis.
#### Hexosamine pathway
The hexosamine pathway produces UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine and glutamate from glucose and glutamine ([Figure 5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}). UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine yields *N*-acetylglucosamine residues to build glycans that are attached to proteins and lipids, similarly to other nucleotide sugars such as UDP--galactose, being an essential precursor for glycosylation reactions. The enzyme that catalyses the addition of *N*-acetylglucosamine moieties to proteins is UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine transferase whereas the enzyme that catalyses the removal of *N*-acetylglucosamine units from proteins is *N*-acetylglucosaminidase \[[@B42]\]. *In vitro* studies using HeLa and HEK293T cell lines show that *N*-acetylglucosamine O-glycosylation by human UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine transferase may indirectly regulate DNA demethylation, although the physiological implication of this finding is uncertain. The extent of *N*-acetylglucosamine glycosylation is regulated by the concentration of glucose in the culture medium. High levels of glucose lead to increased *N*-acetylglucosamine glycosylation of proteins, presumably as a result of increased production of intracellular UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine \[[@B43]\].
{#F5}
The sequence of reactions that composes the hexosamine pathway to synthesize UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine in humans starts with the formation of fructose 6-phosphate from glucose 6-phosphate catalysed by GPI. Next, the enzyme glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase or glutamine:fructose 6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) generates glucosamine 6-phosphate from fructose 6-phosphate and L-glutamine. Acetylation of glucosamine 6-phosphate by glucosamine 6-phosphate *N*-acetyltransferase (GNA1) renders *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate. *N*-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase (AGM1), also named PGM3, catalyses the reversible interconversion between *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate and *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate. Finally, the enzyme UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP1) or *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate uridyltransferase converts *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate into UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine, the end product of the hexosamine pathway \[[@B40]\].
##### Synthesis of glucosamine 6-phosphate
Glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase or GFAT catalyses the formation of glucosamine 6-phosphate + glutamate from fructose 6-phosphate + glutamine. Glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase transfers the amino group from the L-glutamine amide to D-fructose 6-phosphate producing glutamate and glucosamine 6-phosphate. Human glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase has been cloned and the functional protein has been expressed in *Escherichia coli*. The gene coding human glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase has been mapped to chromosome 2p13. The end product of the hexosamine pathway, UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine, exerts a feedback inhibition upon glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase activity. *In vitro* studies show that saturated fatty acids palmitate (C16:0) and stearate (C18:0) increase the expression of glucosamine 6-phosphate synthase mRNA and protein in cultured myotubes from human skeletal muscle whereas unsaturated fatty acids or glucose have no effect \[[@B44]\].
##### Acetylation of glucosamine 6-phosphate into *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate
The enzyme GNA1 catalyses the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the primary amine of glucosamine 6-phosphate producing *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate and free coenzyme A (CoA-SH). The crystal structure of this enzyme from human liver has been ascertained. The human gene coding *GNA1* is located to 14q22.1 \[[@B45]\]. Human *GNA1* is able to transfer to glucosamine 6-phosphate acyl groups up to four carbons in length, including acetyl, propionyl, butyryl and isobutyryl whereas isovaleryl-CoA and decanoyl-CoA do not serve as donor substrates \[[@B46]\]. Glucose 6-phosphate inhibits human *GNA1* and the binding site of glucose 6-phosphate has been identified \[[@B47]\].
##### Formation of *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate from *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate
In 2002, it was noticed that the human enzyme AGM1 is identical with PGM-3. This enzyme is encoded by the gene *AGM1* and catalyses the reversible interconversion of *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate and *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). The gene *AGM1* maps to chromosome 6 \[[@B24]\].
Autosomal recessive mutations in the *AGM1* gene cause CDG characterized by wide clinical manifestations including severe atopy, increased serum IgE levels, immune deficiency, autoimmunity and neurocognitive impairment from early life. Atopic diatheses may include asthma and food, drug and environmental allergies. Defects in T-cell function are suggested by persistent low-level EBV viraemia despite detectable EBV IgG and the development of EBV nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphomas. The patients may have recurrent skin and soft tissues infections, otitis, pulmonary infections, bronchiectasies and chronic respiratory failure. Immune-mediated disease may develop, including cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. In these patients, impaired function of PGM-3 is demonstrated by decreased enzyme activity and reduced UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine, along with decreased O- and N-linked protein glycosylation. *N*-acetylglucosamine supplementation restores intracellular UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine levels in PGM-3-deficient cells \[[@B48]\].
Homozygous mutations in *PGM3* have been identified to cause a type of primary immunodeficiency termed congenital hyper-IgE syndrome, associated with impaired T-cell function \[[@B49]\].
The pathophysiological mechanisms linking PGM-3 deficiency with CDG and primary immunodeficiency syndromes are unclear. Accurate glycosylation of immune receptors, immunoglobulins, proteins of complement and cytokines may be essential for the integrity of immune function \[[@B48]\].
##### Formation of UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine from *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate
*N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate is converted into UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine, the end product of the hexosamine pathway, by the enzyme UAP1 or *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate uridyltransferase. Human UAP1 is encoded by the gene *UAP1* located to 1q23.3. The human UAP1 cDNA isolated from a human testis cDNA library is identical with previously reported AGX1. UAP1 is highly expressed in prostate cancer and confers cancer cells growth advantage. UAP1 catalyses the reversible transfer of an uridyl group from UTP to *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate in the presence of Mg^2+^ or Mn^2+^, producing UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine and releasing PP~i~ from UTP \[[@B50]\]. UAP1 also catalyses the synthesis of UDP-*N*-acetylgalactosamine from *N*-acetylgalactosamine 1-phosphate and UTP ([Figure 6](#F6){ref-type="fig"}). The crystal structure of UAP1 has been solved \[[@B50]\].
{#F6}
#### Glucose oxidation to carbon dioxide
But for the post-prandial period, the liver is not predominantly oxidative, unlike the brain and the active skeletal muscle that consume most of the circulating glucose. Glucose is oxidized to carbon dioxide through a series of metabolic pathways, namely glycolysis in the cytosol followed by the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the respiratory chain in the mitochondrial network. Glycolysis produces a small amount of ATP, but most ATP is generated through the oxidative phosphorylation of ADP, an oxygen-consuming reaction that takes place in the mitochondrial network.
The glycolytic pathway produces pyruvate from glucose in the cytosol. A small amount of ATP and NADH is generated (2 mol of ATP and NADH per mol of glucose). Oxygen is not required for glycolysis to proceed. Glucose is sequentially converted into glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, which is split into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, two trioses that may be converted into each other. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is sequentially transformed into 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate \[[@B51]\].
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) is a multiprotein complex that catalyses the irreversible oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA in the mitochondrial network, whereas NAD^+^ is reduced to NADH. The PDH reaction allows the entrance of acetate into the TCA cycle. Congenital PDH deficiency usually presents during the first year of life and is characterized by heterogeneous neurological features, hyperammonaemia and lactic acidosis \[[@B52]\].
Acetate enters the TCA cycle as acetyl-CoA, being combined with oxaloacetate to form citrate whereas CoA is liberated. Citrate is sequentially converted into isocitrate, 2-oxoglutarate (α-oxoglutarate), succinyl-CoA, succinate, fumarate, L-malate and finally oxaloacetate, closing the cycle. Several reactions in the TCA cycle provide NADH and FADH~2~ that are subsequently oxidized in the mitochondrial respiratory chain to produce ATP \[[@B53]\].
NADH and FADH~2~ generated during glycolysis and the TCA cycle are oxidized to NAD^+^ and FAD in the inner mitochondrial membrane providing reducing equivalents (electrons) that are transported along the components of the respiratory chain to reach ultimately molecular oxygen, which is reduced to water. The transfer of reducing equivalents through the components of the respiratory chain supplies the energy that is used to synthesize ATP via the oxidative phosphorylation of ADP \[[@B54]\].
#### Fatty acid synthesis from acetyl-CoA
Surplus dietary carbohydrate stimulates whole body carbohydrate oxidation while suppressing the oxidation of fat. However, the capacity to oxidize excess dietary carbohydrate is limited and when surpassed, additional glucose is converted into fatty acids in the liver. Excess dietary carbohydrate increases body fat stores both by suppression of the oxidation of dietary fat and by conversion of the surplus carbohydrate to fat \[[@B35]\].
Among healthy subjects, carbohydrate overfeeding increases hepatic *de novo* lipogenesis compared with a control diet. Glucose and sucrose have similar effect increasing *de novo* lipogenesis when overfed. After glucose loading, lipogenesis is markedly increased at the expense of glycogen synthesis. Further, net *de novo* lipogenesis from carbohydrate occurs in normal volunteers who are in calorie balance, as the consumption of a eucaloric low fat high carbohydrate diet increases palmitate synthesis and elevates the plasma concentration of palmitate-enriched triacylglycerol in VLDL particles. Conversely, low carbohydrate diets reduce *de novo* lipogenesis \[[@B35]\].
In the cytosol of hepatocytes, fatty acids are synthesized from acetyl-CoA exported from the mitochondria. NADPH derived from the pentose phosphate pathway is required for the reductive synthesis of fatty acids. Acetyl-CoA formed inside the mitochondria may be exported to the cytosol either as acetyl-carnitine generated by the enzyme carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) or as citrate formed in the first reaction of the TCA cycle. CRAT catalyses the reversible transfer of short-chain acyl groups such as acetyl-CoA between the CoA and L-carnitine in the mitochondrial matrix of hepatocytes. The formation of acetyl-carnitine allows the exit of acetyl groups from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm \[[@B55]\]. In the first reaction of the TCA cycle, acetyl-CoA is combined with oxaloacetate by the enzyme citrate synthase generating citrate. Mitochondrial citrate is exported to the cytoplasm where the citrate cleavage enzyme or ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) reforms acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate from citrate. ACLY is acetylated at lysine residues. Acetylation increases enzyme stability. Conversely, the protein deacetylase sirtuin-2 deacetylates and destabilizes ACLY \[[@B56]\].
The enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyses the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA into malonyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA are utilized to synthesize long-chain fatty acids, such as palmitate. Insulin and citrate activate acetyl-CoA carboxylase, promoting malonyl-CoA formation and the synthesis of fatty acids \[[@B57]\]. In contrast, glucagon and palmitate inhibit acetyl-CoA carboxylase and the synthesis of fatty acids. Phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by 5′-AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) inactivates the enzyme, inhibiting malonyl-CoA formation and the synthesis of fatty acids \[[@B57]\].
Cytosolic fatty acid synthase catalyses the *de novo* synthesis of long-chain fatty acids from acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA and NADPH. Palmitate or hexadecanoate (C16:0), a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, is the main product of the reaction catalysed by fatty acid synthase in the cytosol. Human fatty acid synthase-1 is a homodimer. Each of the two identical dimers possesses seven structural and functional domains \[[@B58]\].
### Pentose phosphate pathway
The pentose phosphate pathway is a physiological route of glucose metabolism in the cytosol that provides reducing equivalents (NADPH) and ribose 5-phosphate ([Figure 7](#F7){ref-type="fig"}). In the hepatocytes, NADPH is required for the synthesis of fatty acids. In the red blood cells, NADPH is predominantly used to maintain glutathione in the reduced state, protecting cells from oxidative damage. Ribose 5-phosphate is a pentose required for the synthesis of nucleotides, such as those found in RNA, DNA, NADH, FAD or CoA.
{#F7}
In the first step of the pentose phosphate pathway, glucose 6-phosphate is oxidized into gluconolactone and carbon dioxide by glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase whereas NADP^+^ is reduced to NADPH. Studies *in vitro* have shown that glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase undergoes *O*-linked β-*N*-acetylglucosamine glycosylation in response to hypoxia. Glycosylation activates the enzyme and increases glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, but the clinical implication of this finding is uncertain. In the second reaction of the pentose phosphate pathway, gluconolactonase converts gluconolactone into 6-phosphogluconate. Then, 6-phosphogluconate is oxidized by 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase to yield ribulose 5-phosphate whereas NADP^+^ is reduced to NADPH. Ribulose 5-phosphate may either be isomerized to ribose 5-phosphate or epimerized into xylulose 5-phosphate. Transketolase is responsible for the cleaving of a two-carbon unit from xylulose 5-phosphate and adding that two carbon unit to ribose 5-phosphate resulting in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and sedoheptulose 7-phosphate. The combination of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate by aldolase produces fructose 6-phosphate. Transaldolase is responsible for cleaving a three carbon unit from sedoheptulose 7-phosphate and adding that three carbon unit to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate resulting in erythrose 4-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate. Transketolase may also be responsible for the cleaving of a two carbon unit from xylulose 5-phosphate and adding that two carbon unit to erythrose 4-phosphate resulting in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate \[[@B59]\].
Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate are intermediates of the glycolytic pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway, connecting the two metabolic routes. Rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells require activation of the pentose phosphate pathway to produce DNA for rapid cellular division, explaining both the excessive consumption of glucose in the presence of oxygen by fast-growing tumour cells (Warburg effect) and the excessive production of lactate associated with uncontrolled malignancy. Congenital deficiency involving enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway has been rarely reported, except for the first enzyme, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Congenital deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase is a common disease that causes hemolytic anaemia and neonatal ictericia \[[@B60]\].
HEPATIC GLUCOSE PRODUCTION
==========================
The human liver possesses the remarkable ability to produce glucose that is released to the systemic circulation and used by other tissues, particularly during periods of fasting. Hepatic glucose production derives from glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and from *de novo* synthesis of glucose (gluconeogenesis). The liver is the main human tissue able to synthesize glucose although the proximal tubule of the kidney may produce a limited amount from carbohydrate skeletons of amino acids used to produce ammonium, such as glutamine, particularly in response to acidosis.
Both gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis contribute to hepatic glucose production. During short-term periods of fasting, glycogenolysis is the predominant source of glucose released to the bloodstream. However, during prolonged periods of fasting, the glycogen reserve is gradually consumed and glycogenolysis decreases as glycogen store is depleted. Then, gluconeogenesis becomes the predominant source of glucose to the human body. The contribution of gluconeogenesis to hepatic glucose production increases gradually with prolonged fasting so that after approximately 42 h of fasting, gluconeogenesis accounts for almost all of glucose production in healthy subjects. Likewise, during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (55 mg/dl) that mimics starvation periods in healthy volunteers, glycogenolysis accounts initially for 85% of hepatic glucose output, but once hypoglycaemia becomes established the contribution of gluconeogenesis increases to 77--94% \[[@B61]\].
Among healthy individuals, a reduction of fatty acid availability inhibits gluconeogenesis, the rate of gluconeogenesis being positively correlated with the rate of fatty acid oxidation. Reduced fatty acid oxidation in the liver suppresses gluconeogenesis due at least in part to decreased production of acetyl-CoA, which is an activator of pyruvate carboxylase \[[@B4],[@B62]\]. Insulin inhibits adipose lipolysis and consequently reduces plasma concentration of fatty acids and fatty acid availability to be oxidized, suppressing gluconeogenesis. However, the inhibitory effect of insulin on hepatic gluconeogenesis is limited despite its suppressing effect on adipose lipolysis. Insulin infusion to normal subjects fasted overnight almost completely suppresses fatty acid availability and oxidation, but gluconeogenesis flux is reduced by only 20%. In healthy subjects, insulin reduces hepatic glucose output predominantly by reducing glycogenolysis and enhancing glycogen accumulation \[[@B4]\]. By contrast, glucagon has a transient effect reducing liver glycogen content and raising plasma glucose concentration. Net hepatic glycogenolysis accounts for 93% of the increase in hepatic glucose production during glucagon infusion to healthy volunteers. The transitory effect of glucagon on hepatic glucose production is not caused by depletion of hepatic glycogen stores \[[@B63]\].
After ingestion of a mixed meal, hepatic glucose output is inhibited predominantly at the expense of a suppression of glycogenolysis. Gluconeogenesis remains active during the post-prandial period, although its rate is attenuated \[[@B33]\]. The suppression of glycogenolysis and to a lesser extent gluconeogenesis and the activation of glycogen synthesis during the post-prandial period is mainly driven by stimulation of insulin secretion and suppression of glucagon secretion \[[@B64]\].
Gluconeogenesis
---------------
The liver synthesizes glucose *de novo* from precursors such as fructose, lactate, alanine and glycerol via the gluconeogenesis pathway. Glutamine is a predominant precursor of gluconeogenesis in the kidney. Glucose synthesized from gluconeogenesis in the liver is used to replenish liver glycogen stores and to supply glucose to the bloodstream.
Aldolase B catalyses the conversion of fructose 1-phosphate into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, two trioses that may combine to form fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, which is incorporated to the gluconeogenesis pathway to produce glucose. Congenital deficiency of aldolase B causes hereditary fructose intolerance \[[@B65]\]. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase catalyses the dephosphorylation of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate and P~i~ in the cytosol. Congenital deficiency of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase is a rare autosomal recessive disorder leads to impaired gluconeogenesis. Affected patients usually present with episodes of severe hyperventilation due to lactic acidosis and hypoglycaemia occurring with fasting \[[@B66]\].
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) catalyses the reversible interconversion of lactate and pyruvate. Oxidation of lactate yields pyruvate whereas NAD^+^ is reduced to NADH. Reduction of pyruvate by LDH renders lactate whereas NADH is oxidized to NAD^+^. In the skeletal muscle, the LDH reaction proceeds towards lactate formation. Lactate is then transported to the liver where LDH acts in the opposite direction, generating pyruvate to produce glucose via the gluconeogenesis pathway \[[@B67]\].
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or glutamate pyruvate transaminase catalyses the reversible transamination of L-alanine and α-oxoglutarate (2-oxoglutarate) to yield pyruvate and L-glutamate respectively. Similarly to lactate, the reaction proceeds predominantly towards the formation of alanine in the skeletal muscle. Alanine is then transported to the liver to form pyruvate that is used to synthesize glucose by the gluconeogenesis pathway. Among healthy subjects, alanine is the principal amino acid released by skeletal muscle and extracted by the liver to generate glucose during the post-absorptive period. In healthy subjects fasted for 60 h, alanine infusion is accompanied by an 80% rise in splanchnic glucose output and a 16% rise in arterial glucose concentration. Likewise, an increment in blood glucose level is demonstrable after alanine administration in subjects fasted 3--4 weeks \[[@B68]\].
Glycerol contribution to endogenous glucose production ranges from approximately 3%--22% depending on the duration of fasting. In the post-absorptive state, approximately 3% of plasma glucose is derived from glycerol, but glycerol contributes approximately 22% of endogenous glucose production with prolonged fasting among healthy humans. Under this condition, up to 100% of the glycerol turnover is diverted to glucose formation \[[@B69]\].
To produce glucose in the liver, lactate and alanine are first converted to pyruvate. The carboxylation of pyruvate into oxaloacetate by pyruvate carboxylase is the first reaction of the gluconeogenic pathway from lactate and alanine and occurs inside the mitochondrial network. Acetyl-CoA is the allosteric activator of human pyruvate carboxylase and therefore accumulation of acetyl-CoA from fatty acid oxidation or other sources stimulates gluconeogenesis. During fasting, pyruvate carboxylation in the liver is activated to produce glucose whereas pyruvate decarboxylation by the PDH complex to oxidize glucose is suppressed \[[@B62]\]. The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyzes the formation of phosphoenolpyruvate from oxaloacetate. In the cytosol, phosphoenolpyruvate is sequentially transformed into 2-phosphoglycerate, 3-phosphoglycerate, 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, a triose that may be interconverted into dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The combination of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate produces fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The dephosphorylation of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate renders fructose 6-phosphate, which is transformed into glucose 6-phosphate \[[@B70]\]. The enzymes pyruvate carboxylase, PEPCK and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase catalyse irreversible steps in the gluconeogenesis pathway. Congenital deficiency of any of these enzymes leads to intolerance to fasting with ketotic hypoglycaemia and lactic acidosis.
Unlike lactate and alanine that are converted to pyruvate and then into oxaloacetate and phosphoenolpyruvate to synthesize glucose, glycerol derived from triacylglycerols is incorporated to the gluconeogenesis pathway by being converted into dihydroxyacetone phosphate, producing glucose avoiding phosphoenolpyruvate formation \[[@B69]\].
Glycogenolysis
--------------
After meals, glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver. During fasting periods, glucose is released from glycogen (glycogenolysis) becoming available to be used in other tissues. Liver glycogen content falls overnight to its daily minimum value before breakfast. Glycogen degradation in the cytosol of hepatocytes is accomplished by two enzymes. Glycogen phosphorylase releases glucose 1-phosphate from the linear chain of glycogen whereas glycogen debranching enzyme unfastens the branch points of the glycogen particle. Congenital deficiency of hepatic glycogen phosphorylase (glycogen storage disease type VI or Hers disease) leads to reduced ability to mobilize glucose from glycogen in response to fasting and glucagon \[[@B71]\]. Congenital deficiency of glycogen debranching enzyme (glycogen storage disease type III or Cori--Forbes disease) results in accumulation of abnormal glycogen in affected tissues, including liver, heart and skeletal muscle. Liver involvement is characterized by hepatomegaly, hepatic fibrosis and hepatic adenomata. Intolerance to fasting with hypoglycaemia also occurs. Hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia are common in patients with congenital deficiency of glycogen debranching enzyme. Elevated plasma concentration of medium-chain fatty acids, predominantly C8 and C10, has been reported in one patient with this disease \[[@B72]\].
Glucose dephosphorylation
-------------------------
In order to leave the hepatocyte, glucose 6-phosphate derived from either gluconeogenesis or glycogenolysis is dephosphorylated to free glucose in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Glucose 6-phosphate translocase transports glucose 6-phosphate from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and glucose 6-phosphatase isoenzymes catalyse the dephosphorylation of glucose 6-phosphate to yield free glucose and P~i~ \[[@B73]\].
Congenital deficiency of either glucose 6-phosphate translocase or glucose 6-phosphatase isoforms causes glycogen storage disease type 1 (von Gierke disease). The release of free glucose from the hepatocyte to the bloodstream is impaired leading to hypoglycaemia during fasting periods. The intracellular concentration of glucose 6-phosphate increases promoting alternative pathways to use glucose, including accumulation of glycogen and excess formation of fatty acids, lactic acid and uric acid \[[@B74]\]. Hepatic *de novo* lipogenesis is markedly enhanced in patients with glycogen storage disease type 1 as revealed by an increased contribution of newly synthesized palmitate in VLDL compared with controls. The lipid profile of these patients is characterized by increased plasma concentration of triacylglycerol and cholesterol. Dietary management to promote normal glucose levels improves plasma level of triacylglycerol but does not usually normalize it \[[@B75]\].
In addition to this metabolic phenotype, some patients with glucose 6-phosphate translocase deficiency develop neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction with tendency to infections \[[@B76]\].
Patients with congenital deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate translocase or glucose 6-phosphatase-C3 exhibit a severe defect in the synthesis of N- and O-glycans in the neutrophils. The mechanism of this anomalous glycosylation is unclear, but it is predicted to have a major negative effect on neutrophil function. It has been proposed that both severe congenital neutropenia type 4 (due to mutations in the glucose 6-phosphatase-C3 gene) and glycogenosis type Ib (due to mutations in the glucose 6-phosphate translocase gene) should be designated a new CDG \[[@B77]\].
Glucose transport outside the hepatocyte: glucose transporter-2
---------------------------------------------------------------
The mechanisms involved in glucose exit from the hepatocytes to the bloodstream have not been investigated. Patients harbouring mutations in the *SLC2A2* gene (Fanconi--Bickel disease) suffer fasting hypoglycaemia and liver glycogen accumulation, indicating that GLUT2 is required for glucose to leave the hepatocyte.
SUMMARY
=======
Glucose reaches hepatic cells from the intestine via the portal vein and from the systemic circulation via the hepatic artery. Glucose entrance into human hepatocytes likely occurs without energy requirement through transporters. Inside the hepatocytes, free glucose is phosphorylated to glucose 6-phosphate by glucokinase. Glucose 6-phosphate may be utilized in a number of metabolic routes, including production of UDP--glucose and fructose 6-phosphate, and oxidation to initiate the pentose phosphate pathway. UDP--glucose is used to synthesize glycogen, UDP--glucuronate and UDP-galactose. Quantitatively, the most important pathway of glucose utilization in the liver is glycogen synthesis. Most glucose entering the hepatocyte after meals is stored as glycogen to create a reserve of fuel that can be used during fasting periods. Liver glucose may be utilized in other metabolic pathways that have important functions. UDP--glucuronate provides glucuronate residues to be attached to endogenous and exogenous compounds facilitating their excretion. UDP--glucuronate is used for glycosaminoglycan assembly as well. UDP--galactose participates in glycosylation of proteins and lipids. Fructose 6-phosphate may either be combined with glutamine to initiate the hexosamine pathway or continue the glycolytic pathway to produce pyruvate. The hexosamine pathway produces carbohydrate units used for glycosylation reactions. Excess dietary glucose is converted into fatty acids in the liver, increasing the amount of fat both in the liver and in the adipose tissue. Glucose 6-phosphate may be oxidized to initiate the pentose phosphate pathway, an important physiological route of glucose metabolism that provides NADPH and ribose 5-phosphate. NADPH is required for the synthesis of fatty acids whereas ribose 5-phosphate is needed for the synthesis of nucleotides, including those present in DNA and RNA. A vital function of the human liver is to make glucose available to other tissues such as the brain and the exercising skeletal muscle during periods of fasting or exercise ([Figure 8](#F8){ref-type="fig"}). Figure 8Integrative figure of liver glucose metabolism
Hepatic glucose metabolism has an important role in glycosylation processes of proteins and lipids that has not been fully elucidated. PGM-1 catalyses the reversible interconversion of glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate. PGM-3 catalyses a similar interconversion between *N*-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate and *N*-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate. Congenital deficiency of both PGM-1 and PGM-3 are associated with glycosylation disorders. Abnormal glycosylation of proteins leads to immune deficiency via unknown pathogenic mechanisms.
Mutations in the glucokinase gene cause diabetes mellitus, highlighting the role of the liver in the pathogenesis of this disease. Hepatic glycogen synthesis from dietary glucose is impaired in glucokinase-deficient patients. The role of hepatic glucose metabolism in the formation of the extracellular matrix including that of blood vessels wall via UDP--glucuronate generation and glycosaminoglycan construction has not been explored.
We thank Ms Gema Souto for her help writing this manuscript.
ACLY
: ATP citrate lyase
AGM1
: *N*-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase
CDG
: congenital disorders of glycosylation
CRAT
: carnitine acetyltransferase
GALE
: UDP--galactose 4-epimerase
GALT
: galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase
GFAT
: glutamine:fructose 6-phosphate amidotransferase
GNA1
: glucosamine 6-phosphate *N*-acetyltransferase
GPI
: glucose 6-phosphate isomerase
HNF
: hepatocyte nuclear factor
LDH
: lactate dehydrogenase
MODY
: maturity-onset diabetes of youth
PDH
: pyruvate dehydrogenase
PEPCK
: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase
PGM
: phosphoglucomutase
TCA
: tricarboxylic acid
UAP1
: UDP-*N*-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase
UGP
: UDP--glucose pyrophosphorylase
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
COURT OF APPEALS
EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO, TEXAS
)
ANDRES HERNANDEZ, III,)
No. 08-03-00205-CR
)
Appellant,)
Appeal from
)
v.)
County Court at Law No. 2
)
THE STATE OF TEXAS,)
of El Paso County, Texas
)
Appellee.)
(TC# CR87,149)
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Andres Hernandez III appeals his conviction for a subsequent offense of driving while
intoxicated. A jury found him guilty and sentenced him to a fine of $1,300 and 180 days'
confinement, probated for two years. At issue is the propriety of the trial court's restriction of
voir dire.
FACTUAL SUMMARY
The information and complaint alleged that Appellant was intoxicated in that he did not have
the normal use of his mental and physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol into his
body and that he had been a driving motor vehicle in a public place at the time. Appellant refused
to take a breathalyzer test and the evidence against him consisted of his performance on the field
sobriety tests. We affirm.
During voir dire, Appellant's attorney tried to ask venire member Nixon the following
question, "How would you do standing on one leg late at night?" The judge responded that he was
not concerned with how the jurors would do on any tests. Counsel finished voir dire and requested
one additional peremptory challenge, which the court denied. Appellant exercised all of his
peremptory strikes, striking Mr. Brahaney, Mr. Cox, and Mr. Dearen, and then objected to Mr. Hanks
sitting on the jury. After the venire panel and the chosen jurors were released, the following
exchange occurred:
[Defense Counsel]: Just for the record so everyone is aware, I did start to ask Mr.
Nixon, Juror Number 1, with regard to the members of the jury panel how would he
do holding his leg up standing on one leg late at night. I had intended to ask each
member of the jury panel that question. If anyone had said, 'I would have done
perfectly, no problem whatsoever,' the Defense likely would have exercised a
peremptory challenge as to such person. But we felt and feel now that would be
helpful to enabling the Defense to intelligently exercise as to peremptory challenges
how the -- how the members of the jury panel would have done standing on one leg.
That's all.
[The Court]: The Court ruled that that was not a relevant inquiry with regard to this
trial and I will not revisit that issue. I will stick with my same ruling on that.
RESTRICTION OF VOIR DIRE
In his sole point of error, Appellant complains that the trial court disallowed his inquiry
regarding field sobriety tests and how prospective jurors would perform. He contends that the
question would have allowed him to intelligently exercise his peremptory challenges. We conclude,
however, that the issue has not been preserved for our review.
Preservation of error through questioning of the entire venire can be demonstrated by a
question addressed to the entire panel or by making a record showing the defendant's request to
question all venire members. Thomley v. State, 987 S.W.2d 906, 910 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.]
1999, pet. ref'd). To preserve error for appellate review, a party must make a timely, specific
objection at the earliest possible opportunity, obtain an adverse ruling from the trial court, and urge
on appeal a complaint corresponding to the objection made at trial. See Tex.R.App.P. 33.1(a); Dixon
v. State, 2 S.W.3d 263, 265 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998); Lusk v. State, 82 S.W.3d 57, 60 (Tex.App.--Amarillo 2002, pet. ref'd).
Appellant did not address the question to the entire jury panel but to a specific venireman.
While he did advise the trial court that he had wanted to ask the question of the entire panel, he did
not do so until after the jury was selected and excused. Consequently, the objection was not urged
at the earliest possible opportunity and error has not been preserved.
We next address the issue in the context of a question addressed to only one prospective
juror. To preserve error for denial of a proper question addressed to only one venire member,
counsel must exercise a peremptory strike on the prospective juror in question, exhaust his
peremptory strikes, and request an additional peremptory strike which is denied by the trial court.
Here, counsel exhausted his peremptory strikes and requested an additional strike which was denied.
However, counsel did not strike Mr. Nixon. As a result, error has not been preserved as to the
specific venireman either.
Because we conclude error has been waived, we overrule the sole issue on appeal and affirm
the judgment of the trial court below.
April 29, 2004
ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Justice
Before Panel No. 4
Barajas, C.J., Larsen, and McClure, JJ.
(Do Not Publish)
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
Graduate Degrees
Master of Accounting
The Master of Accounting program (M.Acc.) prepares graduates for careers in public accounting, industry and government. USC’s M.Acc. program is one of the first professional accounting curricula integrating undergraduate and graduate education in the nation. The objectives of the program include developing the sound conceptual, technical, analytical and communication skills that are required to succeed in the accounting profession. The program employs a rigorous case analysis approach that requires students to exercise their analytical abilities and develop effective verbal and written communication skills. The program also seeks to instill a deep appreciation and respect for the crucial role of the independent accountant in our free enterprise economy. This perspective provides the bedrock of the professional attitudes and responsibilities of CPAs today.
In this world of “re-engineering,” the term “public accounting firm” is becoming obsolete. CPA firms now view themselves as “professional service firms.” This dramatically changes the role of the CPA. The profession requires highly visible, articulate business professionals with the ability to interact on many levels within a client’s organization. This requires individuals with diverse backgrounds, making the profession ideally suited for those with accounting, business, liberal arts or sciences undergraduate degrees. Students may apply to the M.Acc. program during their senior year or after completing a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate accounting or business major is not necessary, nor is work experience a requirement.
Accounting Graduates
Accounting graduates and graduates in other disciplines who have demonstrated high academic performance in the completion of the required business and accounting courses should expect to complete their degree in two semesters with a total of 30 units. Of these 30 units, at least 15 units must be in accounting courses and at least 9 units must be in business courses other than accounting.
Required Courses (9 units)
Units
ACCT 547*
Enterprise Information Systems
3
GSBA 523T**
Communication for Accounting Professionals
3
MOR 569
Negotiation and Deal-Making, or
BUCO 533
Managing Communication in Organizations
3
*Can be replaced with a graduate level accounting course IF student has successfully completed an equivalent course (determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
**Requirement may be waived and substituted with a non-accounting graduate elective in the Marshall School IF student has completed an equivalent undergraduate course with high performance or successfully passed oral and written assessment tests (to be determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
Business Graduates
Business graduates should expect to complete their degree with a total of 45 units.
Required Courses (33 units)
Units
ACCT 525x
Intensive Accounting Principles and Practices
15
ACCT 535*
Management Accounting and Control Systems
3
ACCT 546
Assurance Services
3
ACCT 547*
Enterprise Information Systems
3
ACCT 585
Professional Accounting: Theory, Research and Policy
3
GSBA 523T**
Communication for Accounting Professionals
3
MOR 569
Negotiation and Deal-Making, or
BUCO 533
Managing Communication in Organizations
3
*Can be replaced with a graduate level accounting course IF student has successfully completed an equivalent course (determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
**Requirement may be waived and substituted with a non-accounting graduate elective in the Marshall School IF student has completed an equivalent undergraduate course with high performance or successfully passed oral and written assessment tests (to be determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
Non-Accounting/Non-Business Graduates
Non-accounting/non-business graduates should expect to complete their degree with a total of 54 units.
Required Courses (41-42 units)
Units
ACCT 525x
Intensive Accounting Principles and Practices
15
ACCT 535**
Management Accounting and Control Systems
3
ACCT 546
Assurance Services
3
ACCT 547**
Enterprise Information Systems
3
ACCT 585
Professional Accounting: Theory, Research and Policy
3
GSBA 511*
Managerial Economics (2-3), or
GSBA 514
Foundations of Business I and II
6
GSBA 523T***
Communication for Accounting Professionals
3
MOR 569
Negotiation and Deal-Making, or
BUCO 533
Managing Communication in Organizations
3
*Students can waive GSBA 511 based upon prior academic work of high quality.
**Can be replaced with a graduate level accounting course IF student has successfully completed an equivalent course (determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
***Requirement may be waived and substituted with a non-accounting graduate elective in the Marshall School IF student has completed an equivalent undergraduate course with high performance or successfully passed oral and written assessment tests (to be determined by the Leventhal School of Accounting Master’s Program office).
Intensive Accounting Principles and Practices Course
Each summer the Leventhal School of Accounting offers an eight-week course, ACCT 525x Intensive Accounting Principles and Practices, that provides college graduates without an accounting undergraduate degree with the prerequisite technical accounting knowledge necessary for graduate work. Fifteen semester hours of credit will be received upon successful completion of the course. Second-year M.B.A. students seeking accounting positions will also find this program useful. The technical accounting skills taught in this course may also enhance employability and career advancement for law students and graduate students in non-business areas of study. This course is not designed to be a preparation course or a review course for the CPA Exam. For further information regarding the intensive course, contact the Leventhal School of Accounting at (213) 740-4838. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The UK government has been criticised for a proposal to erect a statue in honour of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square, because of Gandhi's "unspeakable and absolutely unacceptable" sexual antics with younger women.
The founder of the Indo-British Heritage Trust said she had been forced to speak out about Gandhi's "hush-hushed obsession with sex" because of the rise in violent sexual attacks on women in India, which has focused the world's attention on women's right in the country.
Dr Kusoom Vadgama is chair of this year's 400<sup>th anniversary celebrations of Britain and India's political relationship. She said Gandhi's "habit of sleeping naked with young women" in order to test his commitment to a life of celibacy had been overlooked in the years since his death in 1948, but can no longer be ignored.
The treatment of women in modern-day India – where there has been a recent spate of gang rapes and violence against rape victims – had prompted her to speak out.
Dr Vadgama told The Times: "My anger is because of the last three years, the way Indian woman are treated in India is despicable and unacceptable.
"Gandhi was obsessed with sex and it has all been hush-hushed for all these years. He had a habit of sleeping naked with women, including his great niece and other married women, to see if he could control himself. I find it absolutely disgusting that he used women for his own experiments."
At the age of 38, in 1906, Gandhi took a vow of brahmacharya: living a spiritual life which included a vow of chastity. He encouraged his followers to abstain from sex, even in marriage.
To prove his self-control he often slept and bathed naked with other women – including a grandniece and the wife of his grandnephew, who were both 18 when they started sleeping in the same bed as Gandhi, who was 77 years old at the time.
Gandhi's behaviour was widely discussed and criticised by family members and leading politicians.
Some members of his staff resigned, including two editors of his newspaper who left after refusing to print parts of Gandhi's sermons describing his sleeping arrangements.
The first Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru is said to have described Gandhi's sexual behaviour as "abnormal and unnatural".
Chancellor George Osborne announced the proposal for a statue in Parliament Square last month, saying: "As father of the largest democracy in the world, it's time for Gandhi to take his place in front of the mother of Parliaments."
Dr Vadgama said: "No man, hero or a villain, has the right to put women to this level of debasement. What is unbelievable is the fact that no one dare point a finger at Gandhi. It has taken me decades to speak openly. If the recent abuse, killing and hanging of women in India was not such an emotive experience, I would have kept quiet.
"I know I will be pilloried but those who disagree with me have to prove me wrong." | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Architecture of intraluminal thrombus removed from abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Little is known about architecture of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We present a 74-year-old woman with AAA and high cardiovascular risk. Scanning electron microscopy of ILT removed during surgery showed that its luminal layer is relatively rich in fibrin fibers forming irregular compact structure with low amounts of erythrocytes and platelets, while abluminal portion is composed of densely packed fibrin with caniculi. The structure of ILT may differ largely among AAA patients contrary to previous findings and may reveal large dense fibrin-rich areas deprived of cells, which impair fibrinolysis and stabilize the thrombus size. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Compartment pressure following leg injury: the effect of diuretic treatment.
Acute ischaemia in the tibial compartments is a recognized complication of fractures, vascular injury, vascular surgery, crush injuries and burns. The tissue pressure was measured in the first week after injury and the effect of diuretics has been evaluated in a double-blind randomized manner. The pressure in the anterior tibial compartment was measured in the first week after injury in a double-blind randomized manner in 40 patients who had sustained either accidental or surgical injury of the leg. The pressure in the group treated with placebos increased by 20 per cent in the first 24 hours, whereas the pressure fell by 25 per cent in those treated with diuretics. Diuretic treatment is recommended for patients with injury of the lower limbs. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
In list of tables,longtable caption repeats equal to the number of pages occupied by a long table
In list of tables,longtable caption repeats equal to the number of pages occupied by a long table. i only want to show the caption and pagne number once for a whole long table.
A:
Probably \caption is inside the table head?
Then put it into \endfirsthead and use an empty optional argument for the \caption in the header of the following pages (\endhead).
An empty optional argument \caption[] suppresses the entry in the table of contents.
Example:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[a6paper]{geometry}
\usepackage{longtable}
\begin{document}
\listoftables
\newpage
\begin{longtable}{l}
\caption{Workers}
\endfirsthead
\caption[]{Workers}
\endhead
1\\2\\3\\4\\5\\6\\7\\8\\9\\10\\
11\\12\\13\\14\\15\\16\\17\\18\\19\\20\\
21\\22\\23\\24\\25\\26\\27\\28\\29\\30\\
31\\32\\33\\34\\35\\36\\37\\38\\39\\40\\
41\\42\\43\\44\\45\\46\\47\\48\\49\\50\\
\end{longtable}
\end{document}
The table spans three pages, but the table of contents only lists one entry:
Also a table header can be given and repeated on each page:
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[a6paper]{geometry}
\usepackage{longtable}
\begin{document}
\listoftables
\newpage
\begin{longtable}{l}
\caption{Workers}\\
Head\\
\hline
\endfirsthead
\caption[]{Workers}\\
Head\\
\hline
\endhead
1\\2\\3\\4\\5\\6\\7\\8\\9\\10\\
11\\12\\13\\14\\15\\16\\17\\18\\19\\20\\
21\\22\\23\\24\\25\\26\\27\\28\\29\\30\\
\end{longtable}
\end{document}
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Battle of Ramree Island
The Battle of Ramree Island (also Operation Matador) was fought in January and February 1945, during the Second World War, as part of the XV Indian Corps offensive on the Southern Front in the Burma Campaign. Ramree Island (Yangbye Kywan) lies off the Burma coast, south of Akyab (now Sittwe). The island had been captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in early 1942, along with the rest of Southern Burma. In January 1945, the Allies launched an attack to retake Ramree and its neighbour Cheduba Island, to establish airbases on the islands for the supply of the mainland campaign. There have been reports of Japanese soldiers being eaten by saltwater crocodiles living in the inland mangrove swamps; the Guinness Book of World Records has listed it as "worst crocodile disaster in the world" and "most number of fatalities in a crocodile attack" but scientists and historians have dismissed this as implausible.
Background
The early capture of Akyab made the 26th Indian Infantry Division (Major-General Henry Chambers) available for an attack on Ramree Island, to the south, the island being long and wide, flat and an obvious site for airfields. A plan was ready by 2 January, when it was clear that the advance of the Fourteenth Army (Lieutenant-General William Slim) would soon pass beyond the range of its airbases at Imphal and Agartala; replacements at Chittagong, Akyab and Ramree would be needed. On 14 January, the 26th Indian Division was ordered to attack Ramree on 21 January, as a Royal Marine detachment from 3 Commando Brigade occupied Cheduba Island. The Japanese garrison of Ramree consisted of the II Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment (Colonel Kanichi Nagazawa), part of the 54th Division, with artillery and engineer detachments to act as an independent force.
Prelude
The battle started with Operation Matador, an amphibious assault to capture the strategic port of Kyaukpyu at the north end of Ramree Island and the airfield near the port, south of Akyab across Hunter's Bay. The invasion force was led by three Joint Assault Commanders, Captain Bush RN, Major-General Cyril Lomax and Wing Commander H. Smith. Reconnaissance carried out on 14 January 1945, found that Japanese forces were placing artillery in caves overlooking the landing beaches on Ramree and the Royal Navy assigned the battleship , the escort carrier , light cruiser , the destroyers Rapid, Napier, Norman and Pathfinder, with the sloops Flamingo and RIN Kistna, to provide more firepower in support of the task force. On 21 January, an hour before the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier R. C. Cotterell-Hill) was to land, Queen Elizabeth opened fire with of -shell from the main battery, while aircraft from Ameer spotted the fall of shot. Phoebe also joined the bombardment, along with Consolidated B-24 Liberators, North American B-25 Mitchells and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts of 224 Group Royal Air Force (RAF), under the command of HQ RAF Bengal and Burma, that strafed and bombed the beaches.
Battle
The assault troops were slightly delayed when a motor launch and a landing craft struck mines but landed unopposed on the beaches west of Kyaukpyu at securing the beachhead by the afternoon. The following day, the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier J. F. R. Forman) landed, took over the beachhead and occupied Kyaukpyu and on 23 January, the 71st Infantry Brigade advanced southwards, down the west coast. Two days later Mayin was occupied and the troops reached the Yanbauk Chaung the next day. Resistance at the chaung from the troops of the II Battalion, 121st Regiment increased and on 31 January, the 71st Brigade was ordered to move inland, north-east towards Sane, then head south towards Ramree town. The 4th Brigade was to keep the defenders at Yanbauk Chaung under pressure and follow up vigorously should they retire.
(On 26 January in Operation Sankey, a Royal Marine force landed on Cheduba island, about from the south-west coast of Ramree Island and found it unoccupied.) On Ramree, the Japanese garrison put up tenacious resistance but on 1 February, the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade reached Sane and parts of the 36th Indian Infantry Brigade, from reserve, took Sagu Kuyun Island and relieved the marines on Cheduba Island. When the British outflanked a Japanese stronghold, the abandoned the base and marched to join a larger battalion of Japanese soldiers across the island. The route took the Japanese through of mangrove swamp and as they struggled through it, the British encircled the area. Trapped in deep mud-filled land, tropical diseases soon started to afflict the soldiers, as did scorpions, tropical mosquitoes and saltwater crocodiles.
On 7 February, the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade and supporting tanks reached the town of Ramree and found determined Japanese resistance. The 4th Indian Infantry Brigade had advanced to Ledaung Chaung and was sent east to reinforce the attack; the town fell on 9 February. The navy and the 26th Indian Infantry Division then concentrated on blockading the chaungs (small streams) on the east coast to prevent the Japanese from escaping to the mainland. A Japanese air raid on 11 February seriously damaged a destroyer with a near miss and forty small craft were sent by the Japanese from the mainland to rescue the survivors of the garrison. Japanese resistance on the island ended on 17 February and the Allied blockade was maintained until 22 February, sinking many of the rescue craft and inflicting many casualties on the Japanese troops hiding in the mangrove swamps; about managed to get away. Cheduba Island was not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island.
Aftermath
Analysis
In 1965, the British official historian Stanley Woodburn Kirby wrote that the Japanese defence of the island and the escape of about against "fearful odds", had been courageous and determined. It took until 16 April for the airfield to be used for transport sorties, Akyab having come into use on 1 April. It had been vital to complete the occupation of Ramree Island quickly, as Operation Dracula against Rangoon needed to commence in the first week of May at the latest, to have a chance of finishing before the monsoon. The experience in co-operation between the 26th Indian Division and the navy in the war of chaungs and small ports along the Arakan coast was intended to be exploited in the attack. An estimate put naval gunfire support from 4 January to 13 March for the land operations at Akyab, Ramree and Cheduba at The navy also carried of stores and
Crocodile attack
Some British soldiers, including the naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright, who participated in the battle, claimed that the large population of saltwater crocodiles native to the mangrove swamps on Ramree Island preyed on the trapped Japanese force at night and ate many soldiers. Wright gave a description in Wildlife Sketches Near and Far (1962), quoted by Frank McLynn,
If Wright was correct, the Ramree Island crocodile attacks were the worst recorded in history. The British Burma Star Association seems to lend credence to the swamp attack stories but appears to draw a distinction between the survivors of one attack and the who were left to fend for themselves in the swamp. There is no corroboration of the event by contemporary British military reports or from Japanese soldiers and local Burmese civilians. Wright is the only source for a mass crocodile attack and his figures have been disputed by other historians, who call the event an urban myth. McLynn wrote
The British official history (War against Japan volume IV, The Reconquest of Burma, 1965 [2004]) referred only to "crocodile-infested mangrove swamps".
Footnotes
References
Further reading
External links
Bruce Stanley Wright, 17 September 1912 – 19 April 1975
Ramree Island
Ramree Island
Category:Deaths due to crocodile attacks
Ramree Island
Category:1945 in Burma
Category:Naval battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom
B
Category:January 1945 events
Category:February 1945 events | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
[Is arteriosclerosis an infectious disease?].
There are three findings suggesting the inflammatory and immunogenic nature of the atherosclerosis: Firstly the colocalisation of macrophages/monocytes and T-lymphocytes in all phases of the atherosclerosis, starting with intimal damages and developing into the end stage of atheromatous plaques, secondly the production of cytokines and thirdly the expression of MHC II antigens. The persisting chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria infection, which has been repeatedly detected in the intima, sustains this inflammatory process. Endothelial dysfunction and an expression of adhesion molecules, which might have been triggered by the chlamydial infection, could lead to atherosclerotic lesions according to the "response to injury" theory. The chlamydiae specific findings can well be integrated into this concept: Two of three classical Koch postulates are nearly fulfilled. There is additional direct and indirect evidence--particularly the first positive results of oral antibiotic therapy after acute myocardial infarction--suggesting a causative role. The unfavourable changes in the lipid profile, which might be brought about by the infection, may also contribute. Repeated chlamydial reinfections trigger the immune system through the cellular memory of T-lymphocytes sustaining the intramural inflammatory process. This leads to an activation of metalloproteinases with a fissuring on the plaques and finally to thrombosis. If this suggested link is confirmed, the latent chlamydia infections could be another treatable risk factor apart from the classical cardiovascular risk factors. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
338 N.W.2d 752 (1983)
215 Neb. 363
T-V TRANSMISSION, INC., a Nebraska corporation, doing business as Cablevision, Appellant,
v.
COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION OF PAWNEE COUNTY, Nebraska, and Pawnee County, Appellees.
No. 82-530.
Supreme Court of Nebraska.
September 30, 1983.
*753 Charles D. Humble of Ginsburg, Rosenberg, Ginsburg, Cathcart, Curry & Gordon, Lincoln, for appellant.
L. Joe Stehlik, Pawnee County Atty., Pawnee City, for appellees.
KRIVOSHA, C.J., BOSLAUGH, WHITE, HASTINGS, CAPORALE, and SHANAHAN, JJ., and GRANT, District Judge.
HASTINGS, Justice.
The plaintiff, T-V Transmission, Inc., has appealed from an order of the District Court which had affirmed the action of the defendant County Board of Equalization of Pawnee County. That board assessed "station connects," or aerial housedrops, as personal property belonging to the plaintiff rather than as fixtures attached to the real estate of each individual homeowner subscriber. Such action on the part of the District Court constitutes the sole assignment of error on the part of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff is engaged in the business of furnishing cable television service to various subscribers in Pawnee County. A power antenna, or head end, is installed out of the noise area of a community, where television signals are then sent through a channel processor, fed into a single cable, and brought into a community by attaching it to existing utility poles or underground cables, which then run by every house in town. This constitutes the television service distribution line or system. The television signal itself is then brought into each house, where the occupants subscribe to the service, by means of an aerial drop. This is simply a cable with a support wire which runs from the utility pole to the house, where it is attached by means of a house hook. This cable then runs through a grounding block which is attached to a cold water pipe.
The interior cable runs from the grounding block, through the walls of the house, to a wall plate outlet and then is attached to the television set. These interior cables may be strung through an existing house or, upon request of the homeowner, may be built into the walls at the time of initial construction.
Cable service to a particular house is installed and furnished only at the specific request of each individual subscriber. If the subscriber requests that the service be discontinued, a terminator is placed on the aerial drop at the utility pole end, but this lead-in drop and the interior cables are not removed. The former subscriber, if he so desires, may use the materials as a part of his own television antenna system.
The plaintiff has no agreement with its subscribers which would prevent the subscribers' use of these materials, and the plaintiff makes no claim on these cables nor seeks to recover or retrieve them when there has been a disconnection of the service. The plaintiff has no easement across the yards of subscribers to install or remove the cables, and, as a matter of fact, according to the plaintiff's witness, the "station connects," or housedrops, have very little salvage value and are really abandoned by the company. The hope of the plaintiff is, of course, that when a different person occupies that house he will request a reconnection of the service.
Although the subscriber apparently is not billed specifically for the cost of cable installation, the plaintiff does make a trip charge every time it is requested to come on the premises of the homeowner, whether the reason is to make an original installation *754 of the system or to add to or subtract from the service. In addition, a monthly service charge is made, depending upon the type of service that is furnished.
The basic question involved in this appeal may be quite simply stated to be, Are the "station connects," or aerial drops, together with the enclosed cables, personal property which remain in the ownership of the plaintiff, or are they fixtures affixed to and which become a part of the real estate? The answer would appear to be deceptively simple: "`In determining this question, the following tests, while not all inclusive, have received general approval, viz.: "1st. Actual annexation to the realty, or something appurtenant thereto. 2d. Appropriation to the use or purpose of that part of the realty with which it is connected. 3d. The intention of the party making the annexation to make the article a permanent accession to the freehold. This intention being inferred from the nature of the articles affixed, the relation and situation of the party making the annexation, the structure and mode of annexation, and the purpose or use for which the annexation has been made." Freeman v. Lynch, 8 Neb. 192; Frost v. Schinkel, 121 Neb. 784. The third test, namely that of "intention," appears by the clear weight of modern authority to be the controlling consideration.'" Cook v. Beermann, 201 Neb. 675, 679, 271 N.W.2d 459, 462 (1978).
Research discloses but three reported decisions similar in nature to the instant case, all of which recognized the three-prong test of Cook v. Beermann, supra: Tele-Vue Systems, Inc. v. County of Contra Costa, 25 Cal.App.3d 340, 101 Cal.Rptr. 789 (1972); Bylund v. Depart. of Rev., 9 Or.T.R. 76 (1981); and Hoppe, King County Assessor, v. Televue Systems, Inc., Nos. 13386-13390, Board of Tax Appeals, State of Washington, decided July 20, 1976. The latter two administrative agencies ruled that the entire system, from the utility pole to the television set, was a fixture. In the case decided by the California court, both parties stipulated that the cable from the utility pole to the house was to be treated as personal property belonging to the television company, but the court ruled that the remainder of the system, contrary to the contention of the taxing authority, became a fixture and was a part of the real estate.
We believe that there is little doubt that the entire system, from the utility pole inward, was annexed to the realty and was appropriated solely for the use of the occupants of that realty.
As to the remaining question, concerning the intention of the party making the annexation, we have both the testimony and the practice of the plaintiff that it had no right or intention of removing the property, and in fact had not done so, but had abandoned, in favor of the homeowner, all claim to the property that it might otherwise have had.
The judgment of the District Court is reversed and the cause remanded with directions to enter a judgment in conformity with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.
KRIVOSHA, C.J., not participating.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Computer help forum: Is there a device . . .
that will allow me to stream/connect the video wirelessly from my laptop to a TV? I'm sure there is but I'm not sure what to look for. Something simple that I can view my laptop on my TV, sound not really needed. A USB device and a receiver to connect to the TV?
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Old Thread Warning!
This thread is more than days old. It is very likely that it does not need any further discussion and replying to it will serve no purpose. However, if you feel it is necessary to make a new reply, you can still do so. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Centrally administered neuropeptide Y enhances the hypothermia induced by peripheral administration of adrenoceptor antagonists.
The distribution of neuropeptide Y in the brain includes extensive coexistence within adrenaline- and noradrenaline-containing neurons and many of its actions are often associated with adrenergic systems. Since neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity is particularly intense in the preoptic area, one of the principal sites for thermoregulation, we have tested the effects of neuropeptide Y on core temperature in normothermic rats, and rats rendered hypothermic by systemic treatment with adrenergic antagonists. In the normothermic rat, intracerebroventricular administration of 1 microgram of neuropeptide Y did not have a significant effect on core temperature. Intraperitoneal treatment with the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin, or the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, caused an immediate and significant hypothermia; the intracerebroventricular administration of 1 microgram of neuropeptide Y, 10 minutes after these drugs, strongly potentiated their hypothermic effect. Although intraperitoneal treatment with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, idazoxan, had no hypothermic effect per se, the intracerebroventricular administration of NPY 10 minutes after this antagonist led to a significant decrease in core temperature. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Catering
We can help with your Catering or host your special events.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Maiz Mexican Cantina we wanted to bring a fresh approach to traditional favorites and tex-mex specialities. Our chef prepares our food from scratch using fantastic local purveyors and ingredients. Authentic recipes ensure that you leave stuffed and satisfied, and our modern interior will energize you while our food heats you up! | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
It has advanced radar, forward-looking infrared cameras, and laser rangefinders—all used to help the 13-man crew direct a barrage of lethal fire to the ground from 12,000 feet. But for all of this advanced technology, the vision of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command gunships can be thwarted by the threatening adversary known as a cloudy sky.
The Air Force has a solution: Launch a small unmanned aircraft from the gunship to drop below the cloud cover and serve as the eyes of the AC-130's crew. Special Operations officials last year spoke publicly about using a drone called the Coyote—the wings of the Coyote unfold as the drone launches from a six-inch-wide tube. A higher-endurance version is in development.
Weapons are getting smarter and drones are getting smaller, and pretty soon it will be hard to tell the difference. "The main weakness of sUAS [small unmanned aircraft systems] is range," says U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Alexus Grynkewich, deputy director for operations at the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Center and coauthor of a recently released Pentagon study called "Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan." "You need some delivery method to get them close."
Grynkewich sees the engineering challenge as a series of trade-offs. A heavier engine increases a drone's range, but the airplane that launches it isn't able to carry as many. The amount of sophistication on the sensor adds expense to the drone, which may be lost in battle. And the wingspan is limited by the hardware on the airplane. Despite these complexities, the Air Force sees smart but disposable aircraft as an important solution: Airpower is a game of threat and response. One side makes a powerful radar array, the other creates stealth warplanes that can fly undetected. By the time the new airplane is ready to meet the old threat, a new one has emerged. It's a lot easier, cheaper, and faster, however, to redesign a drone than an entire airplane. "The idea is to have a tech refresh fielded in months instead of years," says Reid Melville, strategy lead for unmanned systems at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. "That way, when we get surprised, we will have the infrastructure in place to make a rapid change."
Except when it comes to singing The Righteous Brothers songs in bars, this new generation of drones promises to be the perfect wingman. They make no mistakes and have no emotion. And if the situation demands it, they are willing sacrifices. There is one big difference, however: Like soldiers, drones will always deserve gratitude. Unlike soldiers, however, they'll never deserve a funeral.
The Arsenal
Seven of the most promising designs right now.
Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD)
•MALD is a trailblazer. In the mid-1990s DARPA started researching this small jet-engine-powered craft, fired from a warplane's wing, that could fly along GPS waypoints and emit signals to mimic a full-size aircraft. Hidden air-defense systems shoot at MALD and expose themselves to counterattack. After a stutter-step start, the technology caught up with the idea and in 2009 Raytheon delivered the first MALD to the Air Force. Recent upgrades include a carbon-composite fuselage that lightens the airframe. An upcoming datalink ability will enable pilots to reprogram MALD's flight path after launch.
•Status: Currently deployed.
Ryan Inzana
Coyote
•Dropped from an airplane, these disposable drones are launched from a six-inch tube and unfold in flight. They are currently launched from National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration airplanes to study hurricanes. The Air Force special-ops folks have converted them for use on gunships, to aim at targets obscured by clouds.
•Status: Currently deployed.
Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated, Unmanned System (ALTIUS)
Drones such as the Coyote can stay airborne for only an hour. The USAF tactical off-board sensing program wants a drone that can provide continuous surveillance coverage for at least four. So they came up with ALTIUS. It has a state-of-the-art, high-energy-density power system that can withstand harsh environmental conditions, does not pose an explosive hazard, and can be stored for more than six months. It uses a highly efficient, lightweight carbon-composite airframe, and its slender shape is designed to fit in a six- to eight-inch launch tube.
•Status: In development. Anticipated deployment: ten years.
Agilepod
•The Air Force Research Lab wants to make a one-size-fits-all attachment that allows any aircraft to carry drones. Drone makers will be able to design around the pod's specs, opening the door to innovations from smaller companies. (A common launcher gives small drone makers the chance to bid on Pentagon contracts without having to learn how to make military-grade airplane parts.) The pods range in length from 28 to 60 inches. Those compartments can be assembled in different configurations—like Legos, but with interlocking radar, jamming emitters, and spy sensors.
•Status: In development. Anticipated deployment: five to ten years.
Switchblade
Ryan Inzana
•The need for on- demand reconnaissance and pinpoint air strikes prompted the Army, soon followed by the Marines, to rapidly develop and field the Switchblade. A soldier carries the drone in a backpack, launches it within minutes to scout a target beyond his line of sight, and then drops it on the target like a precision missile. Ground troops fire the craft out of a tube, similar to a mortar, which could easily be mounted to an airplane—which is exactly what the Marines did during a test in 2015.
•Status: Ground units are already deployed. Aircraft units are in development and should be battle-ready within five years.
Gremlins
•This may come as a surprise, but the Pentagon isn't eager to throw money away. DARPA has a program to create systems that can recover flying drones with a moving airplane. Department of Defense officials and the companies involved in the program don't part with details easily, but there is one practical method an Air Force official shared with us. It involves deploying a boom, much like the equipment used to refuel aircraft in flight, that attaches to the front of a drone using infrared sensors. The mother-ship airplane then reels in the boom, along with the drone, and we all save a bunch of money.
•Status: In development. Anticipated deployment: ten to 15 years.
Perdix
Ryan Inzana
•Pilots could use one drone to hunt and attack an enemy radar, but it would need to maneuver and carry countermeasures to survive long enough to complete the mission. Which would be expensive. Instead the idea is to send a bunch of less costly UAVs that can work together, knowing that some will be lost en route. Such a swarm is only as good as its components' ability to talk securely to each other, however. One hacker or jamming system could sabotage an entire mission.
•Status: In development. In late 2016, the Navy and MIT Lincoln Laboratory deployed a swarm of 103 Perdix drones at China Lake, California. During the test, the aircraft changed flight formations and positions in response to one another. Anticipated deployment: five years.
This appears in the June 2017 issue.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Kabiraji
Kabiraji is a dish made of chicken and fish. This is a popular non-vegetarian Indian dish in eastern India.
See also
List of Indian dishes
References
Category:Indian meat dishes | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
By Bahk Eun-ji
The owner of a pit bull terrier that savagely attacked a woman, resulting in amputations, was sentenced to 18 months' jail Thursday.
The Suwon District Court was told that the woman, in her late 70s, had to have her right leg and parts of fingers on her left hand amputated after the pit bull attacked her at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29 in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
The owner, surnamed Lee, 58, was charged with neglecting the dog's management.
Lee raised eight dogs, including another pit bull terrier, in the front yard of his home without safeguards to keep them in, the court heard. Lee used a rusty chain tied to an old stake to keep the attack dog contained. But it savaged the woman after pulling out the stake and escaping Lee's house.
The pit bull terrier is categorized as a fierce dog -- with the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire terrier and the Rottweiler -- in Korea. Owners of those dogs must keep the animals on a leash and wearing a muzzle in public. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
[Epidemiologic surveillance of occupational cancer in the light of the new law (DLgs 81/2008)].
As a result of legislation regarding the surveillance of occupational cancers in Italy three systems for the monitoring of the effects of occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents have been implemented: - theMesothelioma national register (ReNaM), one of the most important experiences in terms of quality of data produced, territorial coverage and scientific reliability of results; - the rino-sinusal national tumor register (ReNaTuns). Today important regional experiences are on going in Piedmont, Lombardy, Tuscany. - OCCAM, a monitoring system based on the linkage of available information. The SIREP system has been implemented to monitor the exposure to carcinogenic agents in the workplace and is available at ISPESL. In the near future, the epidemiology of occupational cancer in Italy will most certainly regard issues such as scientific research, surveillance, compensation and prevention. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
In The
Court of Appeals
Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
____________________
NO. 09-16-00371-CR
NO. 09-16-00372-CR
NO. 09-16-00378-CR
____________________
ROBERT VAJDA, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_______________________________________________________ ______________
On Appeal from the 435th District Court
Montgomery County, Texas
Trial Cause Nos. 15-12-13408-CR,
09-07-06767-CR (Count 4), 15-12-13407-CR
________________________________________________________ _____________
MEMORANDUM OPINION
In three cases that were tried together, a jury found Robert Vajda guilty in
each case of perpetrating aggravated sexual assaults against S.D.,1 a child. The
1
The opinion refers to the child identified in the indictment by using a
pseudonym, “S.D.,” to protect the child’s privacy. See Tex. Const. art. I, § 30(a)(1)
(granting victims of crime “the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for
the victim’s dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process”).
1
convictions in the three cases were based on conduct that occurred on or about
January 15, 2007, February 10, 2006, and March 10, 2006. See Tex. Penal Code
Ann. § 22.021(a)(1)(B) (West Supp. 2016).2 In each of the cases, the jury also found
that Vajda should be required to serve a ninety-nine year prison sentence. In the
judgment, the trial court ordered Vajda to serve his sentences concurrently.
In his appeal from each conviction, Vajda seeks new trials. All of the appeals
raise the same two issues. In issue one, Vajda asserts the trial court erred by
admitting evidence of an extraneous crime, possession of child pornography, during
his trial. According to Vajda, the images of the children on an external hard drive
recovered from an office inside his home were more prejudicial than probative in
proving that he was guilty of the aggravated sexual assaults with which he was
charged, and the images were not sufficiently linked to him to allow the jury to
determine, beyond reasonable doubt, that he was the person who possessed them. In
issue two in all three appeals, Vajda argues that he received ineffective assistance of
counsel during the guilt-innocence and punishment phases of his trial. According to
2
We cite the current version of the Texas statutes throughout the opinion
because any amendments to the sections that are cited are not relevant to the
resolution of the issues Vajda raises in his appeal.
2
Vajda, his trial attorney was ineffective because he failed to object to opinions the
prosecutor offered about his character in both phases of his trial.
Based on the arguments presented in the appeal, we conclude the trial court
acted within its discretion when it chose to admit evidence showing that Vajda
possessed images of children engaged in sexual acts during the trial of his cases. We
further we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it concluded that
admitting the images would be more probative than prejudicial regarding whether
Vajda was guilty of sexually assaulting S.D. With respect to Vajda’s claims that he
received ineffective assistance of counsel, we hold the record in his trial was not
sufficiently developed to overcome the presumption that trial counsel rendered
reasonable professional assistance. Because Vajda’s issues are without merit, we
affirm the judgments from which he has appealed in all three of his cases.
Background
It is undisputed that S.D. is Vajda’s former stepdaughter.3 Based on the
allegations in Vajda’s indictment, S.D. was assaulted on various dates when she
would have been between nine and ten years old. At trial, S.D. testified that Vajda
began sexually assaulting her when she was seven or eight years old. The testimony
3
S.D.’s mother, Irene, and Vajda were divorced approximately eight months
after the State began to investigate S.D.’s claim that Vajda had sexually assaulted
her.
3
from the trial indicates that S.D. was twelve years old when she first told her friend
about the alleged sexual assaults perpetrated on her by her stepfather.
Shortly after S.D. first told someone about what Vajda had done to her, Child
Protective Services initiated an investigation into S.D.’s claims. During the CPS
investigation, Detective Billy Ballard collected several computers and devices used
to store electronic data from an office inside Vajda’s home. Subsequently, Jeffery
Chappell, a computer digital forensics agent employed by Homeland Security,
conducted a forensic examination on the external hard drive that the police took
during the investigation from Vajda’s home. When he examined the external hard
drive, Agent Chappell found a large number of image files that depicted children
engaged in sexual acts. Additionally, Agent Chappell examined a laptop computer
and a desktop computer that were also among the electronic devices taken from
Vajda’s home during the investigation into S.D.’s claims. According to Agent
Chappell, the laptop and desktop computers, at some point, had been connected to
the external hard drive and used to access its files.
Several months before Vajda’s trial, the State filed a motion asking that the
court admit the digital evidence that consisted of the pornographic images of
children that were on the external hard drive taken from Vajda’s home. On the
4
morning of the first day of Vajda’s trial, and outside the jury’s presence, the trial
court conducted a hearing on the State’s motion.
Each party called two witnesses during the hearing on the State’s motion.
Detective Ballard and Agent Chappell testified at the request of the State, while Kit
Harrison and Eric Devlin testified at Vajda’s request. In his testimony, Detective
Ballard explained how, in January 2009, he obtained a laptop computer and an
external hard drive from Vajda’s home. He also explained how in late January 2009,
another detective involved in the investigation into S.D.’s claim recovered a desktop
computer from Vajda’s home. In the hearing, Agent Chappell explained how he
analyzed the digital information that he found on the two computers and the external
hard drive. According to Agent Chappell, the external hard drive contained over four
thousand images of child pornography. In addition to digital images, the external
hard drive had digital files on it that appeared to be files that belonged to Vajda based
either on the content of the file or the name of the folder the file was in. Agent
Chappell explained that the laptop and desktop contained signs showing that they
had been used in the past to read the files that were on the external hard drive.
According to Agent Chappell, the external hard drive has folders on it that in his
opinion “related to Mr. Vajda and Irene[.]” Irene was Vajda’s spouse when police
took the computers and external hard drive from Vajda’s home. While Agent
5
Chappell explained that he did not have actual knowledge about who originally
created the files and folders that were on the storage devices he examined, the
evidence he reviewed suggested that “Mr. Vajda created some of them[.]”
During the hearing on the State’s motion, Vajda called Dr. Harrison, a
psychologist, and Devlin, a digital forensic computer examiner. Dr. Harrison
testified that “you cannot predict simply on the basis of child pornography that
someone is actually going to offend against children[.]” Before Devlin testified in
the hearing, the State stipulated that Devlin was a qualified digital forensic computer
examiner. Devlin explained that he reviewed Agent Chappell’s reports outlining
what he found in his examination of the devices that the police removed from
Vajda’s home. Devlin agreed that images and videos of children under age 18
engaging in sexual conduct existed on the external hard drive. According to Devlin,
there is no way to know who actually created the files that Agent Chappell found on
the drive, but he conceded that circumstantial evidence could show who had been
responsible for placing the files there. Devlin explained that although child
pornography existed on the external hard drive, Agent Chappell’s examination, in
his opinion, failed to develop sufficient circumstantial evidence to allow the files on
the drive to be linked with any specific persons. Devlin testified that he thinks Agent
6
Chappell is a trustworthy person, and he stated that he has never known Agent
Chappell “to lie, mislead, [or] even embellish.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, Vajda argued there were other individuals in
Vajda’s home who could have accessed the computers in the home, and that the
forensic examination completed by Agent Chappell failed to offer sufficient support
to allow a jury to link Vajda to the pornographic images of the children that existed
on the external hard drive. Vajda also argued that the testimony about the
pornographic images was more prejudicial than probative in proving that Vajda was
guilty of sexually assaulting S.D.
The trial court overruled Vajda’s objections, and in the trial, a small number
of the files consisting of child pornography were admitted before the jury. At the
conclusion of the hearing, the trial court stated that the evidence relevant to the files
on the external hard drive was sufficient to allow the jury to find that Vajda had
possessed the images on the external hard drive. The trial court further explained
that the probative value the prohibited images had in proving Vajda’s guilt
outweighed any prejudice that might occur by admitting the images in the trial.
Ultimately, in the trial, the State chose to have the trial court admit only a very
limited number of the pornographic images that were on the external hard drive
removed from Vajda’s home. Vajda objected to the admission of the selected
7
images, claiming that the admission of the selected images was more prejudicial than
probative in proving that he was guilty of sexually assaulting S.D. He also argued
that the evidence the State introduced to tie him to the images did not sufficiently
link him to having possessed the images that the trial court admitted in his trial.
When the trial concluded, the jury found that Vajda sexually assaulted S.D. as
alleged in the indictments that led to the three convictions that are the subject of
these appeals.
Admission of Child Pornography
In issue one, Vajda complains the trial court erred when it admitted the
evidence in his trial designed to show that he was the person who possessed the child
pornography taken from his home. According to Vajda, all of the evidence about the
child pornography should have been excluded because the State failed to establish
that he was the person who possessed those images. Vajda further contends that the
testimony and evidence about the images was more prejudicial than probative in
proving that he sexually assaulted S.D.
First, we will address whether the trial court acted within its discretion by
admitting the evidence showing that pornographic images were discovered on an
external hard drive taken from his home. In reviewing complaints about a trial
court’s decision to admit or to exclude evidence, we apply the usual abuse of
8
discretion standard. See Devoe v. State, 354 S.W.3d 457, 469 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)
(stating that “[e]vidence of extraneous offenses is not admissible at the guilt phase
of a trial to prove that a defendant committed the charged offense in conformity with
a bad character”); compare Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.37 (West Supp. 2016)
(generally, allowing evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts if committed by a
defendant charged with committing aggravated sexual assault or other sexually
related crimes against a child where the evidence bears on the defendant’s character
or shows the act he committed and for which the defendant is on trial was an act
committed in conformity with the defendant’s character), with Tex. R. Evid. 404(b)
(“Evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act is not admissible to prove a person’s
character in order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in
accordance with the character.”). Under an abuse of discretion standard, an appellate
court will not overturn the trial court’s evidentiary ruling if its ruling falls within the
“zone of reasonable disagreement.” Devoe, 354 S.W.3d at 469.
Vajda relies heavily on Rule 404(b) of the Texas Rules of Evidence, a rule
which generally prohibits the introduction of character conformity evidence in a
trial, to support the arguments that he presents in issue one. In response, the State
argues that notwithstanding the general prohibition on character evidence that is
provided in Rule 404, article 38.37 of the Code of Criminal Procedure allows such
9
evidence to be admitted in cases where a defendant is being tried for sexually
assaulting a child. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.37 § 2(a)(1)(D); id. § 2(b).
Nonetheless, even under article 38.37, the State must still establish that the evidence
of the alleged extraneous offense is sufficient to allow a jury to reasonably find,
beyond reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the uncharged crime. Id. §
2-a. According to Vajda, the State failed to present sufficient evidence to allow the
jury to conclude that the external hard drive and the images on it were ever in his
possession. He concludes by stating that “[t]here was not one piece of evidence put
forth by the State to show that [he] was the one in fact who possessed the child
pornography.”
In our opinion, the evidence linking Vajda to the external drive and the images
on it allowed the jury to reasonably conclude that he possessed the drive and the
pornographic images of children that are on it. Under Texas law, a person commits
the offense of possessing child pornography if:
the person knowingly or intentionally possesses, or knowingly or
intentionally accesses with intent to view, visual material that visually
depicts a child younger than 18 years of age at the time the image of the
child was made who is engaging in sexual conduct, [] and the person
knows that the material depicts the child as described [above].
Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 43.26(a)(1), (2) (West Supp. 2016). Under the Penal Code,
possession is defined as “actual care, custody, control, or management.” Id. §
10
1.07(a)(39) (West Supp. 2016). A person acts knowingly or with knowledge of the
nature of his conduct or circumstances “when he is aware of the nature of his conduct
or that the circumstances exist.” Id. § 6.03(b) (West 2011).
In his appeal, Vajda does not argue that the external hard drive does not
contain image files depicting children engaged in sexual conduct. Instead, he argues
the evidence does not show that he was the person who downloaded the files and put
them on the drive. According to Vajda, the fact that other individuals were living
with him in the home and could access the external hard drive prevented the jury
from concluding that he placed the images on the drive. However, creating or
copying the image files to the external hard drive is not the only way the jury could
have linked Vajda to having actual care, custody, control, or management of the
child pornography that was found on the drive. The testimony before the court
reflects that Vajda purchased the external hard drive, so that is one of the
circumstances that supports the jury’s conclusion that the images on the drive were
in his care, custody, or control. Additionally, the external hard drive was found in
the office of Vajda’s home, the evidence showed that Vajda had access to the office,
and the forensic examination performed on the drive revealed the drive contains text
files that the testimony established were files that probably belonged to Vajda given
the content of the files. For instance, the text files on the external hard drive included
11
a copy of Vajda’s resume, and a folder designated with the name “Rob,” a shortened
form for Robert, Vajda’s first name. The nickname on the folder, “Rob,” is not a
nickname that the evidence shows as being consistent with the names of any of the
others who were living in Vajda’s home. The jury also heard very damaging
testimony from Irene about Vajda’s reaction when she told him that the police had
taken the external hard drive from their house. According to Irene, Vajda told her
that she “should have burned it.” Given Irene’s testimony about Vajda’s statement,
the jury could reasonably infer that Vajda knew the external hard drive contained
illegal pornographic images because he had accessed them. See Wilson v. United
States, 162 U.S. 613, 621 (1896) (“The destruction, suppression, or fabrication of
evidence undoubtedly gives rise to a presumption of guilt, to be dealt with by the
jury.”); Martin v. State, 151 S.W.3d 236, 244 n.6 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004, pet.
ref’d) (“It is a well-established principle that destruction of evidence is probative of
guilt.”). Finally, the evidence before the court indicated that the images on the
external hard drive could be accessed and that they had not been deleted. See Wise
v. State, 364 S.W.3d 900, 904 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (discussing present possession
approach to evaluating possession of files on a computer’s hard drive). The presence
of the undeleted files on the external hard drive containing child pornography was
circumstantial evidence that allowed the jury to infer that the images on the external
12
hard drive had been deliberately saved and were not there by accident. See Krause
v. State, 243 S.W.3d 95, 112 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. ref’d).
In our opinion, Vajda’s arguments ignore substantial and probative
circumstantial evidence that allowed the jury to conclude that he possessed the
prohibited image files on the external hard drive that police took from his home.
Under Texas law, circumstantial evidence may be as probative as direct evidence in
proving a defendant’s guilt. See Tate v. State, 500 S.W.3d 410, 413 (Tex. Crim. App.
2016). Despite Vajda’s argument that direct evidence was required, the State was
not required to introduce direct testimony to prove that Vajda exercised care,
custody, or control over the prohibited images. And, the State was also not required
to disprove Vajda’s theory that someone else might have initially placed the
prohibited images on the external hard drive. See Wise, 364 S.W.3d at 903. Viewing
the evidence as a whole, and viewing the inferences raised by the evidence before
the jury in the proper light, we conclude the jury could have reasonably found,
beyond reasonable doubt, that Vajda knowingly exercised care, custody, control, or
management of the prohibited image files that were found on his external hard drive.
Wise, 364 S.W.3d at 906-08; Krause, 243 S.W.3d at 111-12.
Vajda also argues that even if the prohibited images were admissible under
article 38.37, they should have been excluded because their prejudicial value
13
outweighed their probative value in proving that he sexually assaulted S.D.
Generally, relevant evidence is presumed to be admissible, and it is also presumed
that relevant evidence will be more probative than prejudicial. See Tex. R. Evid. 403;
Shuffield v. State, 189 S.W.3d 782, 787 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). For instance, Rule
403 requires that relevant evidence be excluded only if there is a “clear disparity
between the degree of prejudice of the offered evidence and its probative value.”
Conner v. State, 67 S.W.3d 192, 202 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); see Tex. R. Evid. 403.
Moreover, unfair prejudice does not mean simply that the evidence the trial court
admitted in the case caused some type of injury to the defendant’s case. Rogers v.
State, 991 S.W.2d 263, 266 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). “Rather[,] it refers to ‘an undue
tendency to suggest decision on an improper basis, commonly, though not
necessarily, an emotional one.’” Id. (quoting Cohn v. State, 849 S.W.2d 817, 820
(Tex. Crim. App. 1993)).
In performing a Rule 403 analysis, trial courts are required to engage in a
balancing test by considering:
(1) the inherent probative force of the proffered item of evidence along
with (2) the proponent’s need for that evidence against (3) any
tendency of the evidence to suggest decision on an improper basis, (4)
any tendency of the evidence to confuse or distract the jury from the
main issues, (5) any tendency of the evidence to be given undue weight
by a jury that has not been equipped to evaluate the probative force of
the evidence, and (6) the likelihood that presentation of the evidence
14
will consume an inordinate amount of time or merely repeat evidence
already admitted.
Gigliobianco v. State, 210 S.W.3d 637, 641-42 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); see Tex. R.
Evid. 403. In proving that Vajda sexually assaulted S.D., the State relied heavily on
S.D.’s testimony describing the sexual acts that she claimed occurred that involved
Vajda. Noting in the trial that S.D. first complained about the alleged assaults in
2009, years after the assaults allegedly occurred, Vajda argued that S.D. was not a
reliable witness. Given the delayed outcry, and evidence that Vajda introduced from
an expert who testified that the act of possession of child pornography has not been
shown to cause sexual assaults, Vajda argues that even if he possessed the images,
the evidence did not have much probative value in proving he was guilty of
committing the alleged sexual assaults. According to Vajda, no correlation exists
between individuals who sexually abuse children and individuals who possess child
pornography. However, his argument is inconsistent with the evidence that was
introduced during the trial. Vajda’s expert, Dr. Harrison, testified that 55 percent of
individuals “who abuse children are found to be in possession of child pornography.”
It was undisputed in the trial that S.D. was a child when the sexual assaults
allegedly occurred. In our opinion, possessing pornographic images of children is
circumstantial evidence showing that a person has a prurient interest in children.
Under article 38.37, Vajda’s prurient interest in children is a matter that concerns his
15
character; as such, the trial court had the discretion to find that evidence relevant to
a prurient interest in children was admissible to prove that he was the type of person
who would commit other acts consistent with the abnormal sexual interest that Vajda
has in children. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.37, § 2(b). The State was not
required to show that possessing pornographic images is a factor in causing sexual
assaults for the evidence concerning the prohibited images to be admitted. The
evidence showing that Vajda possessed child pornography was admissible as
character evidence, one of the circumstances proven in the trial to show that Vajda
had the capacity to sexually assault a child. While Dr. Harrison’s testimony that the
possession of child pornography had not yet been shown to cause a person to
sexually assault a child, the evidence still had probative value in proving that Vajda
has an abnormal sexual interest in children. Because Vajda was accused of sexually
assaulting a child, the relevance of the evidence that he was found to possess child
pornography did not depend on the exceptions in Rule 404 of the Texas Rules of
Evidence. The evidence was admissible under article 38.37 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, a provision that allows such evidence even if the same evidence is
inadmissible under Rule 404. Compare Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.37, §
2(b), with Tex. R. Evid. 404(b)(2).
16
A decision by a trial court to admit or to exclude evidence amounts to an abuse
of discretion only when the court makes a ruling that falls outside the zone of
reasonable disagreement. Henley v. State, 493 S.W.3d 77, 83 (Tex. Crim. App.
2016). In our opinion, the trial court’s ruling to admit the evidence regarding Vajda’s
possessing child pornography is one that clearly fell within the zone of reasonable
disagreement. Vajda’s arguments that the trial court erred by admitting the evidence
are overruled. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.37, § 2(b). We overrule
Vajda’s first issue.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
In his second issue, Vajda contends he received ineffective assistance of
counsel based on his trial attorney’s repeated failure to object when the prosecutor
engaged in acts that Vajda has characterized in his brief as prosecutorial misconduct.
Vajda notes the misconduct first occurred while the prosecutor was cross-examining
him in the guilt-innocence phase of the trial. According to Vajda, the prosecutor
attacked him on a personal level by insinuating that he “was the devil” and by
opining that he “was vile and evil.” Vajda argues the misconduct continued into the
punishment phase of his trial when the prosecutor, in final argument, asked the jury
to consider how many times Vajda abused S.D. According to Vajda, this argument
17
was improper because it allowed the jury to reach an “emotional verdict” and asked
“the jury to put themselves in the victim’s shoes.”
To establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must
first establish that his attorney made errors so serious that the defendant’s attorney
failed to function as “counsel” as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). Second, the defendant must “show that the
deficient performance prejudiced the defense.” Id. “This requires showing that
counsel’s errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial
whose result is reliable.” Id.
Generally, to prove a claim of ineffective assistance, the defendant must
overcome the “strong presumption that counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range
of reasonable professional assistance.” Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1999) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690). In Vajda’s case, Vajda never
filed any motions claiming that he received ineffective assistance of counsel while
his case was before the trial court. Consequently, the record in Vajda’s direct appeal
was not sufficiently developed to allow us to determine whether his trial counsel
violated the standards established in Strickland. Menefield v. State, 363 S.W.3d 591,
592-93 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012).
18
While Vajda filed a motion for new trial, his motion did not claim that he
received ineffective assistance of counsel. Additionally, nothing in the record shows
that the trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing on Vajda’s motion for new trial.
Therefore, it does not appear that Vajda’s trial attorneys ever had the opportunity to
respond to Vajda’s complaints about how his case was handled. Generally, when the
attorneys who represented the defendant did not have an opportunity to explain their
actions in providing the defendant with a defense, appellate courts presume that the
actions of the attorney related to matters of choices presented between reasonable
trial strategies. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689; Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91,
101 (1955); Garcia v. State, 57 S.W.3d 436, 440 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). Here, the
record before us in the appeal does not affirmatively establish that Vajda received
ineffective assistance of counsel under the Strickland standards. See Goodspeed v.
State, 187 S.W.3d 390, 392 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); Rylander v. State, 101 S.W.3d
107, 111 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). We overrule Vajda’s second issue without
prejudice to his right to raise his claims alleging ineffective assistance of counsel in
a post-conviction writ. See Goodspeed, 187 S.W.3d at 392; Robinson v. State, 16
S.W.3d 808, 813 n.7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).
19
Having overruled Vajda’s issues, we affirm the trial court’s judgments in Trial
Cause Numbers 15-12-13408-CR, 09-07-06767-CR (Count 4), and 15-12-13407-
CR.
AFFIRMED.
_________________________
HOLLIS HORTON
Justice
Submitted on August 7, 2017
Opinion Delivered December 6, 2017
Do Not Publish
Before McKeithen, C.J., Kreger and Horton, JJ.
20
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Key Stroke Logger - Source Code - 16s
http://74.207.233.100/16k/
======
16s
I wrote a passive key stroke logger (back in 2007) called 16k to demonstrate
how these type of key stroke loggers work. No one has ever paid it much
attention, until yesterday when several anti-keylogging softwares discovered
it and realized that their software did not detect it. Since that time, my
hosting provider has received multiple abuse notices and take-down requests
that I have had to respond to and a few DNS services have blacklisted my
domain names (clear cloud dns). I can't believe this has happened.
\--------------------------------
nslookup www.16s.us 74.118.212.1
Server: 74.118.212.1
Address: 74.118.212.1#53
Name: www.16s.us
Address: 66.129.99.88
\--------------------------------
My source code and binaries are GPG signed, authenticode signed and MD5'ed and
have not changed for more than a year. They've been available for download for
many years. And now, all of a sudden, out of the blue they are labeled as
malware. I had a small degree of respect for commercial security before this,
but now I have none. It seems Security Theater and morons are in charge of
companies claiming to make the Web safe.
I was hoping HN would help me get the word out. My site <http://16s.us/16k>
has no javascript, java, cookies, flash or advertisements. There is nothing
malicious _at all_ about it.
Edit: Formatting
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Delhi High Court in its landmark judgment has allowed women to get permanent commission in Indian Navy and allowed them to board on warships. The ruling was given by a Division Bench of Delhi HC headed by Justice Kailash Gambhir on the writ petition moved by a group of women naval officers both retired and serving. The HC also ruled that, henceforth female naval officers will have full term service in the Indian Navy and also enjoy retirement benefits same as their male counterparts. Presently, Indian Army and Air Force allow permanent commission for female officers. While, Indian Navy has limited the role of women officers serving in short service commission of 14 years. In case of Navy, female officers are only allowed to serve in the administrative, medical and education branches. They are also working as observers, to monitor censors on aircrafts. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Canada launches avian on-farm biosecurity standard
October 07, 2009
-
by Bryan Salvage
Share This:
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — In a move to help protect animal health and safeguard the Canadian food supply, a national standard for poultry producers — the National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard — has been launched by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (C.F.I.A.). The standard focuses on disease prevention and protection measures, or biosecurity, which play an important role in keeping diseases off the farm and out of the Canadian food chain, C.F.I.A. relays.
"Biosecurity is the best investment producers can make to safeguard the health of their animals on the farm and make the most of their business," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This national standard will guide producers on good biosecurity practices so that together we can protect Canada's poultry industry against disease."
The standard was developed in consultation with poultry marketing boards, producers, non-supply- managed and supply- managed industry, processors, the poultry service industries, veterinary associations and academia.
Examples of on-farm biosecurity practices include washing hands and changing into clean clothes and footwear before and after coming into contact with animals; routinely cleaning barns, pens, feeders and watering equipment and disinfecting them when necessary; and controlling visitor access to animals, just to mention a few.
Comment on this Article
The views expressed in the comments section of Meat and Poultry News do not reflect those of Meat and Poultry News or its parent company, Sosland Publishing Co., Kansas City, Mo. Concern regarding a specific comment may be registered with the Editor by clicking the Report Abuse link.
Enter code as it is shown (required): | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Sensing of oligopeptides using localized surface plasmon resonances combined with Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
Gold nanorods were fixed on an ITO plate and used for the spectroscopic sensing and Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (SALDI-MS) of oligopeptides (angiotensin I). The longitudinal surface plasmon bands of the gold nanorods responded to the 10(-10) M angiotensin solution that was cast on the ITO plate. The SALDI-MS measurements had an ultra-high sensitivity to the angiotensin on the ITO plate. A very small surface density (5 × 10(-19) mol cm(-2)) of angiotensin could be detected at m/z = 1297 with a good signal/noise ratio (S/N = 11). The ITO plate, which was modified with gold nanorods, was found to be effective in collecting angiotensin molecules adjacent to the gold nanorods, and the SALDI processes that were induced by the photoabsorption of the gold nanorods efficiently contributed to the desorption and ionization of the angiotensin. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Show of hands: a hi-tech scheme to monitor the working hours of staff members, which works by scanning their hands as they start and finish their shifts, has divided opinion among nurses. In the scheme, staff clock in and out by placing their hand next to a sensor that records the size and shape of their fingers and palms. Some nurses at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust in London and University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which are running trials of the system, claim it is a 'Big Brother' style attempt to clamp down on employees, but others accept that it will save money. A spokesman for St George's argues that the scheme will cut the trust's bill for temporary payroll staff by avoiding disputes over the number of hours they had worked. If rolled out, says the trust, the hand sensor system would cost £500,000 but could save £2 million. The trust's RCN office has backed the scheme. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Guibourtia tessmannii
Guibourtia tessmannii is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is a medium to large-sized tree and is native to Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The timber has an attractive appearance and has many uses, and the bark is used in traditional medicine.
Description
G. tessmannii is a fairly large tree with a dense, rounded crown, growing to a height of about . The trunk is straight and cylindrical, often with tall slender buttresses. It can be up to in diameter and is usually devoid of branches for about half of the tree's height. The greyish or brownish bark has circular scaly patches which become detached, leaving orange depressions. The leaves are arranged spirally and are pinnate, with one pair of ovate or elliptical leaflets, each up to in length. The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary panicle with thick stems clad in red hairs. The flowers are small, whitish and fragrant, with four sepals, no petals, ten stamens and a superior ovary. They are followed by slightly-flattened, leathery pods up to long containing one or two large, kidney-shaped seeds with orange-red arils.
Distribution and habitat
This tree is found in primary evergreen forests in Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Uses
The wood of G. tessmannii is dense, hard and durable, the heartwood being reddish-brown with purplish streaking. The timber is harvested from the wild and sold under the trade name "bubinga". It is used for house construction as beams, joists, flooring, panelling and for other purposes. It is also used for making high-quality furniture, plywood, turning, containers, musical instruments and handicrafts. The wood has an attractive appearance and is often used for veneers.
The bark is much esteemed in traditional medicine and is often removed from living trees; it is sold at the markets of Yaoundé, Cameroon. A concoction of the bark is used to treat hypertension and gonorrhea, to prevent abortion, as an anthelmintic and to clean wounds. Various other claims are made for the bark including activity against typhoid fever and many other conditions. Another use is as a fungicide for controlling black pod disease in cocoa trees. The seeds are eaten by hornbills, monkeys and chimpanzees and these may serve to disperse the seed.
References
tessmannii
Category:Trees of Africa
Category:Flora of West-Central Tropical Africa | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Questioner: This would indicate to me that in the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Queen’s Chamber, as it is called, would be the chamber used for initiation. Is this correct?
Ra: I am Ra. Again, you penetrate the outer teaching.
The Queen’s Chamber would not be appropriate or useful for healing work as that work involves the use of energy in a more synergic configuration rather than the configuration of the centered being.
Questioner: Then would the healing work be done in the King’s Chamber?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.
We may note that such terminology is not our own.
Questioner: Yes, I understand that.
It is just that it is the common naming of the two chambers of the Great Pyramid.
I don’t know whether this line of questioning is going to take me to a better understanding of the energies, but until I have explored the concepts there is nothing much that I can do but to ask a few questions.
There is a chamber below the bottom level of the pyramid, down below ground, that appears to be roughly in line with the King’s Chamber.
What is that chamber?
Ra: I am Ra. We may say that there is information to be gained from this line of querying.
The chamber you request to be informed about is a resonating chamber.
The bottom of such a structure, in order to cause the appropriate distortions for healing catalyst, shall be open.
Questioner: The book, The Life Force Of The Great Pyramid, has related the ankh shape with a resonance in the pyramid.
Is this a correct analysis?
Ra: I am Ra. We have scanned your mind and find the phrase “working with crayons.”
This would be applicable.
There is only one significance to these shapes such as the crux ansata; that is the placing in coded form of mathematical relationships.
Questioner: Is the 76° and 18' angle at the apex of the pyramid a critical angle?
Ra: I am Ra. For the healing work intended, this angle is appropriate.
Questioner: Why does the King’s Chamber have the various small chambers above it?
Ra: I am Ra. This will be the last full query of this working.
We must address this query more generally in order to explicate your specific question.
The positioning of the entity to be healed is such that the life energies, if you will, are in a position to be briefly interrupted or intersected by light.
This light then may, by the catalyst of the healer with the crystal, manipulate the aural forces, as you may call the various energy centers, in such a way that if the entity to be healed wills it so, corrections may take place.
Then the entity is reprotected by its own, now less distorted, energy field and is able to go its way.
The process by which this is done involves bringing the entity to be healed to an equilibrium.
This involvestemperature, barometric pressure, and the electrical charged atmosphere.
The first two requirements are controlled by the system of chimneys.
Questioner: Does this healing work by affecting the energy centers in such a way that they are unblocked so as to perfect the seven bodies that they generate and, therefore, bring the entity to be healed into proper balance?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity tires.
We must answer in brief and state simply that the distorted configuration of the energy centers is intended to be temporarily interrupted and the opportunity is then presented to the one to be healed to grasp the baton, to take the balanced route and to walk thence with the distortions towards disease of mind, body, and spirit greatly lessened.
The catalytic effect of the charged atmosphere and the crystal directed by the healer must be taken into consideration as integral portions of this process, for the bringing back of the entity to a configuration of conscious awareness would not be accomplished after the reorganization possibilities are offered without the healer’s presence and directed will.
Are there any brief queries before we leave this instrument?
The Law of One, Book III, Session 56
Questioner: I will make a statement which you can correct.
I intuitively see the spiraling energy of the Giza pyramid being spread out as it moves through the so-called King’s Chamber and refocusing in the so-called Queen’s Chamber.
I am guessing that the spread of energy in the so-called King’s Chamber is seen in the spectrum of colors, red through violet, and that the energy centers of the entity to be healed should be aligned with this spread of the spectrum so that the spectrum matches his various energy centers.
Will you correct this statement?
Ra: I am Ra. We can correct this statement.
Questioner: Will you please do that?
Ra: The spiraling energy is beginning to be diffused at the point where it goes through the King’s Chamber position.
However, although the spirals continue to intersect, closing and opening in double spiral fashion through the apex angle, the diffusion or strength of the spiraling energies, red through violet color values, lessens if we speak of strength, and gains, if we speak of diffusion, until at the peak of the pyramid you have a very weak color resolution useful for healing purposes.
Thus the King’s Chamber position is chosen as the first spiral after the centered beginning through the Queen’s Chamber position.
You may visualize the diffusion angle as the opposite of the pyramid angle but the angle being less wide than the apex angle of the pyramid, being somewhere between 33 and 54°, depending upon the various rhythms of the planet itself.
Questioner: Then I assume that if I start my angle at the bottom of the Queen’s Chamber and make a 33 to 54° angle from that point, so that half of that angle falls on the side of the centerline that the King’s Chamber is on, that will indicate the diffusion of the spectrum, starting from the point at the bottom of the Queen’s Chamber; let’s say, if we were using a 40° angle, we would have a 20° diffusion to the left of the centerline, passing through the King’s Chamber.
Is that correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This will be the last full question of this session.
It is correct that half of the aforementioned angle passes through the King’s Chamber position.
It is incorrect to assume that the Queen’s Chamber is the foundation of the angle.
The angle will begin somewhere between the Queen’s Chamber position and thence downward towards the level of the resonating chamber, off-set for the healing work.
This variation is dependent upon various magnetic fluxes of the planet.
The King’s Chamber position is designed to intersect the strongest spiral of the energy flow regardless of where the angle begins.
However, as it passes through the Queen’s Chamber position, this spiraling energy is always centered and at its strongest point.
May we answer any brief queries at this time?
The Law of One, Book III, Session 57
Questioner: The dangerous pyramid shape for use today would be a four-sided pyramid that was large enough to create the King’s Chamber effect.
Is that statement correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This statement is correct with the additional understanding that the 76° apex angle is that characteristic of the powerful shape.
Questioner: Then I am assuming that we should not use a pyramid of 76° at the apex angle under any circumstances.
Is that correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is at your discretion.
Questioner: I will restate the question.
I am assuming then that it might be dangerous to use a 76° angle pyramid, and I will ask what angle less than 76° would be roughly the first angle that would not produce this dangerous effect?
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line2 != ads[i].have been supporting the South African swimming team since arriving in London and have been spotted at several events.The toe-curling family Christmas snaps that have become an internet sen A family poses in front of their Christmas tree - all are dressed in pyjamas except the dad, who bizarrely appears topless!give you a new look.African Hairstyles Zulu Knots, Dreadlocks, & Hair Extensionssay makes it right. All I can say is that from the day I found out thatAll of them serve the same purpose. http://cheaplacewigs89.weebly.com/ Specifically, the hair bow clip is a hair clip with a bow or ribbon as the embellishment, as opposed to it being a plain clip or a different type of embellishment.And Kylie Jenner, 16, and Jaden Smith, 15, continued to fuel rumours that their relationship is more than just platonic on Monday. http://cheaplacewigs89.weebly.com/ The pair were seen locked in a close embrace while posing on the red carpet at the Ender's Game premiere in New York City.for each ticket.Photos.As long as you have applied it with an adhesive that works with your body chemistry and can withstand the activities you part take Q: Can I flat iron or curl my lace front wig?Trendy pieces like strapless dresses are perfect example of a modern romantic look. With sophisticated cutting, these dresses typically create a fun wedding atmosphere.Highlighted or colored hair extensions can be bonded and fused to your regular hair to create volume and depth, as well as new color patterns. Because hair extensions come from an external hair source, you can choose practically any color you want for your extensions.I'm 25 and have always had a bad grade of hair. I purchased my first lace wig about 3 years ago and fell in love with the concept.About the Author Wig Trendz, one of the leading suppliers of wigs , hair pieces, hair extensions and accessories on the Internet. They offer an extensive range of wigs and hair pieces at a competitive price.Back to the small screen: The actress starred as Kelly Smith - here she is seen with Michelle Ryan in a scene from a 2003 episode of EastEnders 'Not in vain': Ben was murdered outside a pub in North London, in June 2008) And even with no direction mention of herself, Bynes caught wind of the tweet and proceeded to unleash on her, "unlike ur fugly faced self I don't do drugs! U need the intervention dog!You may be surprised to notice that your canker sores are no longer as frequent as they once used to be.Published bySylvia Cochran- Has been freelance writing full-time since 2005.They come into salons asking for their roots to be dyed a much darker shade than the rest of their hair, with a gradual lightening of the colour towards the tip. The dip-dyed, sun-kissed look is very much a fad at the moment, says Richard.What are the hair accessories that most people are making a buzz all about? We usually treat ourselves to a hair spa or salon whenever we have something big to attend. xboter 2014 | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kraft Foods Group Inc
said on Friday it is voluntarily recalling 7,691 cases of some varieties
of its Kraft American Singles as a precautionary measure after a
supplier failed to store an ingredient correctly.
The Northfield, Illinois-based company said the recall affects four
varieties of Kraft American Singles Pasteurized Prepared Cheese
Product. The recall is for products with "Best When Used By" dates
of Feb. 20, 2015, and Feb. 21, 2015.
A supplier did not store an ingredient in accordance with Kraft's
temperature standards. While unlikely, this could create conditions
that could lead to premature spoilage and food-borne illness, the
company said.
Kraft said that any of the product in question should not be
consumed and should be returned to the store where purchased for an
exchange or full refund.
Kraft said it has had no consumer illness complaints for the product
associated with the recall. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
A Dorchester middle school principal sparked outrage for plagiarizing a Forbes magazine column in an effort to pump up her staff with an inspirational memo.
A Dorchester middle school principal earned herself a big fat zero with parents and school officials for plagiarizing a Forbes magazine column in an effort to pump up her staff with an inspirational memo.
According to a report by The Boston Globe, Jaime Moody, the new principal at Lilla Frederick Pilot Middle School, admitted to the misdeed. Students who submit word-for-word copying automatically fail the assignment.
Moody, who is new to the job, said in an apology obtained by Globe that she "inappropriately copied words from another author and passed them off as my own." She also apologized to the school department and the original author, Margie Warrell.
According to the report, a suspicious teacher discovered the plagiarism during a Google search. The story was called "Why Getting Comfortable With Discomfort is Crucial to Success." For now it is unclear what kind of disciplinary action, if any, she will face. A school department spokesman said any punishment would be a confidential personnel matter. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Ultrasound appearance of thyroid tissue in hypothyroid infants.
To identify those infants who need a higher starting dose of levothyroxine (l-T4) for early normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. TSH levels at 2 time points (1 to 3 weeks and 3 to 5 weeks) after l-T4 therapy at a starting dose of 8 to 12 microg/kg/day were evaluated retrospectively in 22 hypothyroid infants screened for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in terms of etiology as determined by ultrasonography (US), the size of distal femoral epiphysis (DFE), and initial thyroid function. The infants with a noneutopic thyroid or small DFE exhibited significantly higher posttherapeutic TSH levels compared with the other infants. Eight of the 9 infants who failed to achieve normalized TSH values at 1 to 3 weeks had noneutopic thyroid. All of the infants with eutopic thyroid exhibited normalized TSH at 3 to 5 weeks, and a significantly greater proportion of the infants with eutopic thyroid exhibited normalized TSH at 1 to 3 weeks compared with those with noneutopic thyroid. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that US etiology was a significant independent variable for normalization of TSH at 1 to 3 weeks. US examination to identify eutopic or noneutopic thyroid provides useful information for determining the starting dose of l-T4 in hypothyroid infants. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
In her new cookbook, The Country Cooking of Greece, Diane Kochilas offers vibrant recipes inspired by rustic tavernas, her own cooking school, and local artisans. We got in touch with the author to learn about her top picks for authentic Greek food in New York City, the distinct regional cuisines within the Mediterranean mecca, and an underlying philosophy of Greek cooking that everyone should master.
(Join Diane tomorrow at noon for a special installment of our Beard on Books series at the Beard House.)
JBF: What is your favorite aspect of Greek cuisine?
Diane Kochilas: There’s a tremendous variety of main-course vegetables and beans that sets Greek cuisine apart from other Mediterranean culinary traditions. Many of these dishes evolved from the fasting calendar: for almost half of the year one abstains from all animal products. But there is nothing "monastic" or didactically virtuous about eating vegetables in Greece—the dishes marry good health with indulgence, which is a rarity!
JBF: What’s your earliest childhood memory of Greek food?
DK: Honey from the wild bees on the island of Ikaria. My family is from there, and it’s where I spent every summer of my childhood and adolescence. Ikaria's honey is as thick as peanut butter, spicy, and unbelievable delicious, with flavors of heather, pine, wildflowers, and thyme. I also remember the tomatoes from my aunt's garden: small, bright, thick-skinned, and intensely flavored.
JBF: How does cuisine differ from region to region in Greece?
DK: Roughly delineated, there is a mainland/mountain cuisine, and then the island traditions. The mainland is colder and has more open plains, which are home to more cattle, shepherding, and grain cultivation. Foods there include the vast array of savory pies (think spanakopita on steroids!) made with cornmeal crusts or wheat pastry, and filled with wild greens, mushrooms, meats, cheeses, eggs, grains, and even lentils. In the north, the spice palate leans more towards heat. Parts of Macedonia were renowned for the cultivation of peppers and for paprika production. Hot peppers sizzle on grills and are served as a meze in restaurants of Thessaloniki, Macedonia’s capital. Many people settled here from Asia Minor after the last throes of the Ottoman Empire in 1922, and they brought an urban and urbane cuisine perfumed with all the spices of Constantinople, which is now Istanbul.
By contrast, island cooking is simple. Fish, of course, plays a prominent role, but so do garden vegetables, wild foraged foods, snails, and other staples.
JBF: Along with your husband, you run a cooking school in the Greek Islands. Are there any fundamental techniques or aspects of Greek cooking philosophy that you think every home cook should master?
DK: Greek cooking is not technique-laden. However, mastering vegetables in all their seasonal glory as protagonists rather than extras is a lesson that many Americans are striving to learn these days. I work with several American universities in an effort to get more main-course Greek vegetable dishes into the student dining halls.
JBF: We know you divide your time between New York City and Greece. When you’re in New York City, are there any favorite spots you turn to for authentic Greek food?
DK: Two! Pylos and Boukiés, both located in downtown Manhattan. I am the consulting chef at both!
JBF: What are some of your other favorite types of cuisines, and why?
DK: I love heat! I love the breadth of Indian cuisine and the vibrancy of Thai cooking. I love Japanese cuisine. And, of course, I love the regional sparks in American cuisine, too. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Two Crafty Criminals!: and how they were Captured by the Daring Detectives of the New Cut Gang
Benny Kaminsky and Thunderbolt Dobney lead a rag-tag gang of neighborhood rowdies. Their territory is the New Cut on London's South Bank—a place bristling with swindlers, bookies, pickpockets, and the occasional policeman. And their aim is to solve crimes. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
I have a friend named Mike who is a very intelligent and sensible man. He is a strong supporter of lower taxes, the rule of law, the military and especially of the right to keep and bear arms; he is, in fact, a long-time NRA member. This man takes the time to be well-informed on current events and is always on top of pending legislation. In short, he has all the makings of a genuine conservative except for one fatal flaw: he is an ardent union member.
When talk of all but the most radical political candidates is raised, he will, after talking a good game about the strengths of the Republican candidate, invariably vote for the Democrat. He was a vocal supporter of George W. Bush in 2000 but--like the old-time base-stealer who had larceny in his heart but whose feet were honest--his good intentions went by the board and he pulled the lever for Al Gore. I thought we had him after the attacks of 9/11, but even as much as he admired President Bush's conduct of the defense of our country, he continued down the donkey path.
For all the labels put on conservatives, the most common is that we are "one-issue" voters. Whether that issue is the sanctity of life, national defense, border security or shrinking the government, we are nearly always referred to in that way. Yet we never hear about the voting proclivities of folks like Mike whose one-issue vote is this: the enlargement and strengthening of the American labor movement.
In this country where class warfare is ever escalating, criticizing labor unions is sure to draw charges of elitism and worse; siding with corporate America. But are unions and more importantly, union membership still beneficial to our country? While an argument can be made for some private sector trade unions where at least the consumer can be assured of qualified workmen, most union growth is in the public sector where it choking governments at every level, and not just economically.
Union membership is an attack on productivity. How many of us know someone who, when first getting a union job was told to "slow down," as they were showing up the rest of the crew? And why should anyone make an extraordinary effort when the best worker will get the same pay as the worst?
Collective bargaining represents a diminution of individual responsibility and accomplishment. We can see how teachers, for example, who are protected from being judged on their merits, have crippled our education system. It's funny that in the classroom where ‘self-esteem' is so esteemed, the NEA should so disdain the concept in its own members.
Unions infringe on the freedom of workers, who, even under the protection of so-called paycheck protection laws, are basically unable to choose the way their own dues-- only 30% of which actually goes to work-related issues--are used for political purposes.
And most of all, as promoted by the humorously titled "Employee Free Choice Act," big labor is now mounting an attack on democracy by seeking to remove secret-ballot voting from the unionization process. The way liberals use the word "choice" would be funny were it not so reminiscent of totalitarian regimes. Yet, to hear union backers tell it, the deck is always stacked against them.
A favorite complaint of unionists is that management somehow maintains an upper hand on labor because they lobby Congress. Indeed, my good friend Mike claims that his employer, the United States Postal Service, is losing out on the coveted overnight delivery business because of greedy lobbyists from UPS and FedEx. And sure enough, these two companies are two of the top thirty lobbyists in the past 20 years.
But a closer look at the heaviest hitters in the DC lobby game reveals that labor unions comprise nearly half of the top third on the list, including Mike's own National Association of Letter Carriers which checks in at number 29. Not surprisingly, these big labor lobbyists gave an average of 95% of their funds to the Democratic Party. Coming in at number 16 on the list is the United Auto Workers, who are in the process of being bailed out by those same Democrats in Congress. And that's where the rubber meets the road.
When talking to my friend Mike who is, as I said, an otherwise sweet and level-headed American, the very mention of the name Ronald Reagan turns him into a froth-spewing madman. No amount of arguing that Reagan was simply doing his duty by firing illegally striking PATCO workers will dull the tirade, and to union members, all Republicans still bear his "R" on their foreheads.
We conservatives are perpetually accused of being mind-numbed robots because we come together in iron-clad support of certain issues at the core of our national interest; the protection of life and liberty. Now to our union friends, job security may indeed be important, but a mind is a terrible thing to waste. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Q:
Automatically add list items based on folder contents
I currently have a very simple intranet that we are using for some basic company documentation. The site has a navigation bar across the top of the page that has drop down lists containing links to all the documents.
At present, if someone needs to add a new document, I have to manually go in and create a list item with the link to that document, in order for it to be added to the drop down.
Is there is a way I can save myself a job, using a script that can auto create these list items based on the folder contents?
If there is a PHP option, this would be ideal as this is what I am most familiar with.
A:
Using glob() you can easily get a list of files in a directory and output them:
$doc_dir = '/path/to/docs';
foreach(glob("$doc_dir/*") as $file) {
echo "<li><a href='$doc_dir/$file'>$file</a></li>", PHP_EOL;
}
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Pulmonary embolism during venography: report of a rare complication.
Fortuitous radiologic documentation of a migrating thrombus during phlebography resulting in massive pulmonary embolus and cardiopulmonary collapse is demonstrated. This is a rare occurrence that has been infrequently documented and published. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Halderman–Van Buskirk Farmstead
Halderman–Van Buskirk Farmstead is a historic farm and national historic district located in Paw Paw Township, Wabash County, Indiana. It encompasses five contributing buildings, one contributing site, and four contributing structure on a farm established in 1860. The farmhouse was built between 1860 and 1865, and is a 1 1/2-story, Gothic Revival style brick dwelling on a fieldstone foundation. Other contributing resources are the milk house (c. 1920), carriage house (c. 1920), dairy barn (c. 1870), livestock barn (c. 1865), corn crib (c. 1865), grain bin (c. 1930), cistern (c. 1875), and grain silo (1941).
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
References
Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana
Category:Farms on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana
Category:Gothic Revival architecture in Indiana
Category:Houses completed in 1865
Category:1860 establishments in Indiana
Category:Historic districts in Wabash County, Indiana
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Wabash County, Indiana | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
The global emergence of carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae* (CPE) poses a threat to the achievements of modern medicine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have recently classified CPE as one of the most urgent antimicrobial-resistance threats ([@R1],[@R2]). CPE rarely arise de novo; rather, colonization and infection occur as a result of transmission of organisms, plasmids, or transposons from person to person, with such transmission occurring predominantly in healthcare institutions. An understanding of the epidemiology of the emergence of CPE and the changing burden over time is critical to the implementation of control programs and the management of individual patients.
In Canada, CPE were first reported in 2008 and have until recently been limited to individual cases and small outbreaks ([@R3]--[@R8]). Laboratory surveillance suggests substantial geographic variability, with *Klebsiella pneumoniae* carbapenemase (KPC) predominating in Quebec, whereas New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) is most frequent in British Columbia ([@R9],[@R10]). Nationally, time trends for CPE are discrepant; data from Canada's Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program suggest stable CPE numbers in recent years, but data from voluntary laboratory reporting indicate a clear increase ([@R11]--[@R13]). To avoid the limitations of these surveillance systems and to better assess changes in disease burden and epidemiology in Ontario, we analyzed data from population-based surveillance for CPE.
Methods
=======
Setting
-------
Metropolitan Toronto (Toronto) and the Regional Municipality of Peel (Peel) are adjacent municipalities in south-central Ontario, Canada; the 2016 populations were 2.7 million for Toronto and 1.4 million for Peel ([@R14],[@R15]). The Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN) is a collaborative network of microbiology laboratories, infection-control practitioners, and public health departments that performs population-based surveillance for infectious diseases in Toronto and Peel. TIBDN laboratories provide service to all hospitals and \>87% of long-term care homes and physician offices serving area residents. Among TIBDN hospitals, 13% (3/23) perform admission screening for CPE colonization for all previously hospitalized patients, and an additional 65% (15/23) screen only if patients have been hospitalized outside of Canada (A. Jamal, Sinai Health System, unpub. data, 2018).
Data Sources
------------
In Ontario, cases and clusters of CPE were first reported in 2008 ([@R16]). In 2011, guidelines for laboratory identification of CPE were published, and voluntary reporting to Public Health Ontario was initiated. In July 2014, TIBDN started active, population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed episodes of colonization or infection attributable to CPE. To identify CPE colonized or infected patients before July 2014, TIBDN laboratories and infection prevention and control programs accessed data from voluntary surveillance, searched microbiology laboratory databases for meropenem-nonsusceptible *Enterobacteriaceae*, reviewed hospital infection control department line lists and databases, and analyzed data from annual antimicrobial resistance reports from the Ontario Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH). In addition, all isolates submitted for confirmatory testing to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL), Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), and the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program were identified. During active surveillance, each newly identified case in TIBDN laboratories was reported to the central study office, with annual audits of participating and reference laboratories conducted to ensure complete case identification ([@R17]). Patient information was reviewed for each isolate to ensure that patients were counted only once.
Laboratory Identification of CPE
--------------------------------
All 18 TIBDN laboratories are accredited by IQMH and follow IQMH recommendations for CPE identification, which include screening of all clinical isolates with an ertapenem MIC [\>]{.ul}1 mg/L or a meropenem disc diffusion diameter [\<]{.ul}25 mm. Before 2010, laboratories (including PHOL) used the modified Hodge test for screening; during 2010--2015, laboratories either sent all such isolates to PHOL for confirmation (n = 7) or screened with the modified Hodge test (n = 1), the ROSCO KPC + MBL confirm ID KIT (Rosco Diagnostica, Taastrup, Denmark) (n = 9), or by direct in-house PCR (n = 1) ([@R18]). All isolates with a positive screen in all years were tested by PCR for the presence of *bla*~KPC~, *bla*~OXA-48~--like, *bla*~VIM~, *bla*~NDM~, *bla*~IMP~, and *bla*~SME~ genes at either PHOL (16 laboratories) ([@R19]) or NML (2 laboratories) ([@R20]).
For laboratory specimens yielding CPE, we recorded date of collection, body site, bacterial species, carbapenemase gene (or genes), reason for collection (i.e., screening versus clinical), and results of susceptibility testing. We used the first isolate from each patient to describe the distribution of bacterial species and carbapenemases. We reviewed charts associated with all isolates to identify CPE infections.
Data Collection and Definitions
-------------------------------
We collected data by performing chart review for all patients. We approached patients first identified on or after January 1, 2013, to obtain consent, and we collected additional data by conducting interviews with patients or with next of kin if the patient was deceased or otherwise not able to provide information. We used a standard case report form to extract data from hospital or office charts from the admission or outpatient visit during which CPE was first identified and for any TIBDN hospital admissions in the prior year. We recorded demographic information, postal code of residence, co-occuring conditions (including Charlson index score) ([@R21]), antimicrobial drug use, proton-pump and immunosuppressive therapies, surgeries, intensive care unit admissions, and medical interventions.
We collected dates, hospital names, country, and reason for consultation for healthcare contacts within and outside of Canada in the year before the culture that identified each patient as being CPE colonized or infected. We obtained travel history within 1 year before CPE detection from patient interviews conducted by study staff or infection control practitioners. We defined high-risk travel as travel to the Indian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) ([@R22],[@R23]).
For bacteremia, a positive blood culture result sufficed for the diagnosis of infection. For all other culture sites, we defined infection as the presence of a positive clinical culture, a chart-documented physician diagnosis, and the initiation of targeted antimicrobial therapy. We calculated the 30-day mortality rate starting from the date the relevant clinical culture was obtained.
Statistical Analysis
--------------------
We used SAS University Edition (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) for statistical analyses. We reported categorical variables as frequencies and proportions and continuous variables as median with interquartile range. We used χ^2^ or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, for comparison of dichotomous variables. For continuous variables, we used the Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis test. We used the Benjamini and Hochberg procedure, with a false discovery rate of \<0.05, to correct for multiple comparisons ([@R24]). We calculated incidence of CPE infection and bacteremia by using the first CPE infection or bacteremia from each resident of Toronto and Peel, on the basis of population estimates from Statistics Canada ([@R25]). We performed Poisson regression to assess time trends for all CPE infections, bloodstream infections, and sterile sites or urine isolates ([@R26]). We considered p values \<0.05 statistically significant.
Results
=======
Incidence and Outcome of CPE Infections
---------------------------------------
We identified 291 residents of Toronto or Peel who were colonized or infected with CPE during October 2007--December 2015. Charts were not available for 21 patients, and 12 patients declined consent. Among the remaining 258 patients, median age was 70 years (range 3 months--95 years), and 65% were male. Overall, 149 (58%) patients had [\>]{.ul}1 clinical isolate, and 92 (36%) had an infection caused by CPE. Urinary tract infections (n = 75 \[82%\]) were most common, followed by pneumonia and primary bacteremia (n = 13 \[14%\] each) ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). Thirty-day mortality was 16% (15/92) for all infected patients and 31% (9/29) for patients with primary (5/13) or secondary (4/16) bacteremia.
###### Isolate source and infection type among patients colonized or infected with carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae*, Metropolitan Toronto and the Regional Municipality of Peel, south-central Ontario, Canada, 2007--2015\*
Characteristic No. (%)
-------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
Isolate source‡
Only screening 115 (45) 58 (67) 47 (39) 6 (20) 4 (20)
[\>]{.ul}1 clinical 149 (58) 30 (35) 79 (65) 24 (80) 16 (80)
Positive specimen types at first identification§
Rectal or colostomy 138 (54) 61 (71) 64 (53) 9 (30) 4 (20)
Urine 89 (35) 19 (22) 52 (43) 11 (37) 7 (35)
Blood 21 (8) 4 (5) 9 (7) 3 (10) 5 (25)
Wound 15 (6) 2 (2) 10 (8) 1 (3.3) 2 (10)
Sputum or broncoalveolar lavage 12 (5) 1 (1) 6 (5) 3 (10) 2 (10)
Other 17 (7) 4 (5) 5 (4) 6 (20) 2 (10)
Infection‡
Any 92 (36) 21¶ (24) 46 (38) 13 (43) 12 (60)
Urinary tract 75 (29) 19 (22) 46 (38) 6 (20) 4 (20)
Pneumonia 13 (5) 4 (5) 3 (3) 4 (13) 2 (10)
Other\# 13 (5) 3 (4) 5 (4) 3 (10) 2 (15)
Primary bacteremia\*\* 13 (5) 2 (2) 4 (3) 2 (7) 1 (5)
**\***Among first patient isolates; sums of specimen types exceed the number of patients because \>1 specimen type may have yielded carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae*.
†*Citrobacter* spp. (n = 7), *Morganella morganii* (n = 4), *Serratia marcescens* (n = 4), *Klebsiella oxytoca* (n = 3), *Providencia rettgeri* (n = 1), *Proteus mirabilis* (n = 1).
‡Including all follow-up isolates available and all infections during the patients\' hospitalization.
§Including isolates from all specimens obtained within 2 days of the first positive specimen.
¶One patient originally colonized with a carbapenemase-producing *E. coli* subsequently experienced an infection with a carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacter cloacae.*
\#Includes 7 skin or soft tissue infections, 5 bone or joint infections, and 1 abdominal infection.
\*\*Patients with secondary bacteremia were classified according to their primary source of infection (urinary tract \[n = 12\] and pneumonia \[n = 6\]). Two bacteremic patients had both urinary tract infection and pneumonia diagnosed.
The incidence of all CPE infections increased from 0 before 2007 to 0.33 cases/100,000 population in 2015 (p\<0.0001); incidence of CPE bloodstream infections (primary and secondary) increased from 0 before 2007 to 0.19 cases/100,000 population in 2015 (p = 0.045) ([Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). For patients with [\>]{.ul}1 sterile site (i.e., blood, pleural or peritoneal space, or bone) or urine isolate, the incidence in 2015 was 0.52 cases/100,000 population.
{#F1}
Patient Factors Associated with CPE Acquisition
-----------------------------------------------
In the year before CPE identification, 67% of patients had received antimicrobial drugs, 35% had undergone [\>]{.ul}1 surgical procedure, and 30% had had an intensive care unit admission. Overall, 71% (183/258) of CPE infections were categorized as hospital acquired ([@R27]). Risk profiles differed somewhat between patients with different carbapenemases ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}).
###### Characteristics of patients with carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae* infections, by type of carbapenemase, Metropolitan Toronto and the Regional Municipality of Peel, south-central Ontario, Canada, 2007--2015\*
Patient characteristics and risk profile All patients, n = 258† NDM, n = 145 KPC, n = 64 OXA-48, n = 32 VIM, n = 12 p value‡
------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ -------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------
Sex
M 168 (65) 94 (65) 37 (58) 25 (78) 8 (67) 0.32
F 90 (35) 51 (35) 27 (42) 7 (22) 4 (33)
Age, y, median (IQR‡) 70 (57--79) 70 (59--79) 70 (50--79) 70 (52--77) 77 (65--88) 0.37
Charlson index score \>2§ 88 (34) 47 (32) 25 (39) 7 (22) 7 (58) 0.15
Inpatient at time of diagnosis 233 (90) 129 (89) 58 (91) 29 (91) 12 (100) 0.85
Days from admission to diagnosis, median (IQR)¶ 2.5 (0--21) 0 (0--11) 14 (0--41) 0 (0--11) 19 (5--67) **0.03**
CPE acquisition according to SHEA definitions\#
Hospital acquired, hospital onset 113 (44) 55 (38) 35 (55) 12 (38) 8 (67) 0.10
Hospital acquired, community onset 70 (27) 41 (28) 21 (33) 4 (13) 3 (25) 0.24
Undetermined 58 (23) 40 (28) 7 (11) 11 (34) 0 **0.024**
Community acquired 17 (7) 9 (6) 1 (2) 5 (16) 1 (8) 0.12
Residing in long-term care facility 9 (4) 2 (2) 4 (7) 0 3 (25) **0.018**
Healthcare abroad or high-risk travel\*\* 142/238 (60) 98/135 (73) 22/59 (37) 19/27 (70) 3/12 (25) **0.0012**
Exposures and medical interventions††
Intensive care stay 78 (30) 39 (27) 26 (41) 6 (19) 5 (42) 0.13
Mechanical ventilation 52 (20) 24 (17) 20 (31) 3 (9) 3 (25) 0.11
Previous surgery 91 (35) 29 (20) 41 (64) 13 (41) 4 (33) **0.0012**
Central venous catheter 86 (33) 41 (28) 32 (50) 9 (28) 2 (17) **0.03**
Antibiotic exposure, any 173 (67) 92 (64) 51 (80) 16 (50) 10 (83) **0.03**
3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins 74 (29) 40 (28) 18 (28) 7 (22) 7 (58) 0.16
Carbapenems 33 (13) 14 (10) 12 (19) 3 (9) 3 (25) 0.17
Quinolones 81 (31) 41 (28) 26 (41) 6 (19) 7 (58) 0.05
**\***Values are no. (%) except as indicated. All characteristics and risk profile descriptors apply to the 1-year period preceding CPE detection. CPE, carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae*; IQR, interquartile range; KPC, *Klebsiella pneumoniae* carbapenemase; NDM, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase; OXA-48, oxacillinase 48; SHEA, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; VIM, Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase.
†Three patients with *Serratia marcescens* enzyme and 2 with non--metallo-carbapenemase are not listed separately.
‡p values corrected for multiple testing with the Hochberg and Benjamini procedure. Bold type indicates statistical significance (p\<0.05).
§No significant differences observed for any comorbid conditions.
¶Only patients included where first isolate is a clinical sample (n = 126).
\#Defined as hospital acquired if hospital admission occurred within 90 days before CPE detection.
\*\*High-risk countries and the Indian subcontinent. Denominators indicate no. patients with travel information available.
††Not listed because of nonsignificance: bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, dialysis, Foley catheter, urostomy, colostomy, tracheostomy, blood transfusion, proton-pump inhibitors, steroids, chemotherapy, immunosuppression, previously identified antibiotic-resistant pathogens (e.g., methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* and extended-spectrum β-lactamase).
Travel history was available for 238 patients (92% of patients for whom clinical data were available); information was collected through patient interviews by study staff for 93 patients (39%) and from infection prevention and control staff for 145 patients (61%). A total of 142 patients (60%) had received healthcare abroad (n = 111) or reported travel to high-risk countries without a healthcare encounter (n = 31). Among these patients, 95/97 (97%) with NDM-producing isolates and 14/19 (74%) with oxacillinase 48 (OXA-48)--producing isolates reported travel to the Indian subcontinent with or without a healthcare encounter. In contrast, 15 (68%) of 22 patients with KPC-producing isolates had received healthcare in the United States or southern Europe, and 2 of 3 patients with Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM)--producing isolates had been admitted to hospitals in Croatia (n = 1) and Portugal (n = 1).
The proportion of CPE-positive patients with prior admission to a hospital in Canada who had not received healthcare abroad or traveled to high-risk areas was 13% for patients with OXA-48, 24% for patients with NDM, 55% for patients with KPC, and 67% for patients with VIM (p = 0.001). Of the 17 patients without healthcare encounters in Ontario or elsewhere (i.e., patients with presumptive community-acquired CPE), 9 (8 with NDM and 1 with OXA-48) reported high-risk travel in the year before CPE identification. Of an additional 8 patients (4 with OXA-48 and 1 each with NDM, KPC, *Serratia marcescens* enzyme, and VIM), 4 had detailed interviews conducted by study staff and reported neither healthcare exposure nor high-risk travel ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}).
{#F2}
Microbiology
------------
Overall, NDM was the most common carbapenemase (148/291 isolates \[51%\]), followed by KPC (72/291 isolates \[25%\]). NDM was most commonly found in *Escherichia coli* (69/148 isolates \[47%\]) and *K. pneumoniae* (60/148 isolates \[41%\]), whereas KPC was found predominantly in *K. pneumoniae* (44/72 isolates \[61%\]). The type of carbapenemases varied considerably over time and between Toronto and Peel ([Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}).
{#F3}
Fourteen percent (12/86) of tested isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, 14% (18/131) to ciprofloxacin, 25% (36/142) to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 30% (43/142) to gentamicin, 52% (15/29) to tigecycline, and 88% (15/17) to colistin. Isolates containing NDM genes were less susceptible to all antimicrobial drugs than isolates with other carbapenemase genes ([Technical Appendix](#SD1){ref-type="local-data"}).
Discussion
==========
Since the first detection of CPE in Ontario in 2007, the incidence of CPE infections has been increasing steadily. Most patients with CPE had a recent history of healthcare abroad or travel to high-risk countries; NDM and OXA-48 producers were associated with travel in the Indian subcontinent and KPC producers with healthcare encounters in the United States and Mediterranean countries ([@R22],[@R23]). However, a notable proportion of CPE patients had received healthcare in Canada but had no history of healthcare or travel abroad, suggesting that CPE transmission is occurring in Canada. The small number of patients without a history of healthcare abroad or high-risk travel might represent community acquisition in Canada but might also have resulted from travel or healthcare encounters that occurred \>1 year before CPE detection.
Measuring population-based incidence is key to understanding the burden of disease and prioritizing public health interventions; however, population-based surveillance for CPE is complex and has rarely been performed. A non--population-based US study using 2012--2013 data estimated that the population incidence of CPE from urine or sterile sites combined was 1.4 cases/100,000 population ([@R26]). In our study, the incidence of urine or sterile site CPE isolates was 0.5 cases/100,000 population for 2015, which is ≈40% of the overall US CPE incidence and higher than the incidence in Oregon or New Mexico. Comparing this incidence in Canada with incidence elsewhere in the world is difficult because of the lack of published data; nevertheless, our data emphasize the steady increase and the geographic variability in CPE occurrence.
In immediately adjacent urban areas in south-central Ontario, substantial differences exist in the incidence and epidemiology of CPE infection. The higher incidence of NDM producers in Peel is probably associated with the fact that ≈28% of the local population is of South Asian descent compared with ≈12% in Toronto ([@R14],[@R15]). Our finding that 51% of NDM carriers had healthcare encounters and an additional 21% reported travel to the Indian subcontinent supports the hypothesis that NDM is often introduced from these highly endemic countries. In contrast, patients with KPC and VIM producers more often do not have a history of high-risk travel or healthcare abroad, suggesting that CPE was acquired in hospitals in Canada. The facts that 1) KPC and VIM most commonly occurred in species associated with hospital-acquired infections (*K. pneumoniae* and *Enterobacter* spp.) whereas *E. coli*, the main cause of community-acquired enterobacterial infections, almost exclusively harbored NDM and OXA-48; 2) clinical isolates producing KPC or VIM were detected later in the course of hospitalization; and 3) most patients with KPC producers had had previous surgery or a central venous catheter, are consistent with other studies and with these isolates having been acquired during hospital admission ([@R28],[@R29]). Similarly, in a Germany study, a higher proportion of patients with OXA-48 had traveled before CPE detection compared with patients with VIM, suggesting nosocomial acquisition of VIM producers ([@R30]). In a multicenter study conducted in 34 hospitals in Spain, VIM producers were also more likely to be hospital acquired than OXA-48 producers ([@R31]).
The fact that most CPE in our study population appear to be acquired in healthcare settings strongly suggests that intensification of control programs in this population is needed if we wish to protect patients from the impacts of CPE ([@R32],[@R33]). Although the cost of control programs is a concern, the relatively low incidence of CPE in our population should be an incentive to implement such programs; control programs have been shown to be cost-effective in low-prevalence areas ([@R34],[@R35]), and success in transmission control programs is more likely when they are implemented while prevalence of colonization is low ([@R33]). Our data are consistent with a recent assessment of CPE transmission in England; although we might perceive that large problems in India pose the greatest risk, the much larger number of our patients exposed to a smaller problem in Ontario likely poses the greater risk to our patient population ([@R36]).
Relative to isolates from other countries, CPE isolates in Toronto and Peel are more susceptible to commonly used antimicrobial drugs ([@R37]). Nonetheless, most isolates are resistant to all commonly used orally available antimicrobial drugs, and choices for parenteral therapy are limited. These concerns emphasize the need for the continued development of new antimicrobial drugs active against these resistant organisms.
Our study has several limitations. Although laboratory testing in Ontario is standardized, the modified Hodge test, the only screening test available before 2011, might have missed a small number of CPE during this period. However, PCR screening of all meropenem-nonsusceptible *Enterobacteriaceae* isolates from 4 TIBDN teaching hospitals during 2009--2011 at NML identified only a single additional CPE. Further, the increase in CPE infection incidence during 2010--2015 remains statistically significant. Because most TIBDN hospitals screen only patients who have accessed healthcare outside of Canada, our data on colonization will be biased toward the identification of CPE in these populations. This bias will underestimate the number of patients with colonization acquired in Canada. Similarly, our surveillance system detects only laboratory-confirmed infections, and infections for which cultures are not obtained will have been missed. This misclassification error might be lower for CPE than other organisms because resistance by CPE means that they might fail empiric therapy. We used a definition of high-risk countries for travel and healthcare currently used in Ontario hospitals (A. Jamal, Sinai Health System, unpub. data, 2018), but surveillance data are not available for many countries to validate this definition. In addition, we asked only about travel in the preceding year, and some infection control departments might only have asked about high-risk travel. We do not have molecular typing data for all isolates, which limits our ability to detect transmission within Canada. Similarly, we do not have data regarding the investigation of transmission or environmental reservoirs at individual hospitals. Although we have corrected for multiple comparisons, particular caution should be used in interpreting the statistical significance of comparisons with p values close to 0.05. We did not identify endoscopy as a risk factor for acquisition of CPE; however, our power to do so might have been limited, and exposure to outpatient endoscopy might not have been captured in patients with data from chart review only.
In conclusion, the incidence of CPE infection is increasing in south-central Ontario. Our data suggest that, even early on in the emergence of CPE, a substantial proportion of CPE infections are autochthonous cases, including most of those with KPC- and VIM-producing isolates. Policy and practice changes are needed to better protect patients from CPE exposure and acquisition in southern Ontario.
###### Technical Appendix
Susceptibility testing of carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae* from patients with clinical isolates, Metropolitan Toronto and the Regional Municipality of Peel, south-central Ontario, Canada, 2007--2015.
*Suggested citation for this article*: Kohler PP, Melano RG, Patel SN, Shafinaz S, Faheem A, Coleman BL, et al. Emergence of carbapenemase-producing *Enterobacteriaceae*, south-central Ontario, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Sep \[*date cited*\]. <https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2409.180164>
Preliminary results from this study were presented at IDWeek, October 26--30, 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Current affiliation: Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Additional members are listed at the end of this article.
The other members of TIBDN are Mahin Baqi, William Osler Health System, Toronto; Abdelbaset Belhaj and Ian Kitai, Rouge Valley Health System, Toronto; Danny Chen, Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill; Eileen de Villa, Region of Peel Public Health, Brampton; Hani Dick, Vita-Tech Canada Inc., Markham; James Downey, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto; Nataly Farshait and King S. Lee, Humber River Regional Hospital, Toronto; Wayne Gold and Sharon Walmsley, University Health Network, Toronto; Frances Jamieson, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, Toronto; Sigmund Krajden, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto; Michael Lingley, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket; Reena Lovinsky and David Rose, The Scarborough Hospital, Toronto; Larissa Matukas, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto; Sharon O'Grady, Sinai Health System, Toronto; Anne Opavsky, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Burlington; Krystyna Ostrowska, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga; Astrid Petrich and Susan Richardson, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; Agron Plevneshi, Wallis Rudnick, and Barbara Willey, Sinai Health System, Toronto; Neil Rau, Halton Healthcare, Oakville; Daniel Ricciuto, Lakeridge Health, Oshawa; Valerie Sales, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markham; Mary Vearncombe, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto; Barbara Yaffe, City of Toronto Public Health, Toronto; Deborah Yamamura, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton.
This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (grant no. 313039 to A.M.) and Switzerland's National Science Foundation (grant no. 158728 to P.P.K.).
This study was approved the by institutional review boards of all participating TIBDN hospitals and PHO.
Dr. Kohler is an infectious disease specialist currently working at the Cantonal Hospital in St. Gallen, Switzerland. His research interests include epidemiologic aspects of antibiotic resistance with a focus on gram-negative pathogens and nosocomial outbreaks.
| null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Websites have enabled users to search for a variety of products and services. Some allow a user to purchase or reserve a selected product or service. More specifically, in the travel industry, a number of websites enable a user to search for and make reservations and bookings. To book flights, for example, an airline may have a website that a user can use to search for fares and purchase tickets. Concurrently, metasearch sites exist which combine travel options from several online travel agents, and airlines, giving the user a greater selection than may be obtained from a single airline.
A user may operate a machine (e.g., a device) to execute a search of one or more databases and obtain corresponding search results from the executed search. Accordingly, a travel website may operate a machine (e.g., a travel search machine) that provides one or more travel search services to one or more devices belonging to a plurality of users. The travel search machine may be configured (e.g., by suitable software executing on a processor of the travel search machine) to receive a search request containing search criteria, and retrieve search results from a database, and cause a device of the user to present search results. For example, the device of the user may execute an application, and the travel search machine may cause the application to present the search results. In various example embodiments, the application may be a multi-purpose application (e.g., a web browser operable to interact with any of various web pages) or a single-purpose application (e.g., a dedicated mobile app or applet operable to interact with a single web site). The travel search machine may be or include a group of one or more server machines configured to provide one or more search engine services. In executing the application, the device may accordingly request and receive, from the search engine, a set of one or more search results based on the submitted search criteria. The application may then cause the device to present at least some of the received search results within a user interface. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
6.5 Device Files
Following Unix
tradition, every object in a Linux system is visible as a file,
including devices.[5] All the device files (a.k.a. device
"nodes") in a Linux root filesystem
are located in the /dev directory. Most
workstation and server distributions come packaged with a
/dev directory containing more than 2,000
entries to account for all the possible system variations. Because
embedded Linux systems are custom built, there is no need to fill the
target's /dev directory with as
many entries as a Linux workstation or server. Only the entries
required for the system's proper operation should be
created.
[5] The notable exception to this is
networking interfaces, such as Ethernet cards, for which there are no
device files.
Identifying which entries you need can be difficult if you
don't have the required information. If you choose
to use devfs instead of creating fixed static device entries, you
will avoid having to look for the device information. Devfs has not
been widely adopted, however, and static device entries are still the
norm.
The official source of information for static device major and minor
numbers is the Documentation/devices.txt file in
the kernel sources. You can consult this file whenever you are
uncertain about the name or numbering of a certain device.
Table 6-3 lists the
most basic entries you will need in your /dev
directory. Depending on your particular setup, you will probably need
to add a few extra entries. In some cases, you may even need to use
entries other than the ones listed below. On some systems, for
example, the first serial port is not ttyS0.
Such is the case of SuperH-based systems, for instance, where the
first serial port is ttySC0 (major number: 204,
minor number: 8), and StrongARM-based systems where the first serial
port is ttySA0 (major number: 204, minor number:
5).
Table 6-3. Basic /dev entries
Filename
Description
Type
Major number
Minor number
Permission bits
mem
Physical memory access
char
1
1
600
null
Null device
char
1
3
666
zero
Null byte source
char
1
5
666
random
Nondeterministic random number generator
char
1
8
644
tty0
Current virtual console
char
4
0
600
tty1
First virtual console
char
4
1
600
ttyS0
First UART serial port
char
4
64
600
tty
Current TTY device
char
5
0
666
console
System console
char
5
1
600
Chapter 6 of Running
Linux explains how to create device files. Essentially,
you will need to use the mknod command for each
entry to be created. In contrast to most other commands we have used
up until now, you will need to be logged in as root to use this
command. Remember to log out from the root user mode once you are
done creating the device files.
Here is a simple example showing the creation of the first few
entries in Table 6-3:
In addition to the basic device
files, there are a few compulsory symbolic links that have to be part
of your /dev directory. Table 6-4 provides a description of these symbolic
links. As with other symbolic links, you can use the ln
-s command to create these links.
Table 6-4. Compulsory /dev symbolic links
Link name
Target
fd
/proc/self/fd
stdin
fd/0
stdout
fd/1
stderr
fd/2
We have now prepared a basic /dev directory for
our target. We will come back to this directory later to create some
additional entries for some types of storage devices. You can consult
Linux Device Drivers for a more complete
discussion about device files and device drivers in
general.
Automated Creation of /dev Entries
The creation tools of some filesystems, such as JFFS2 and CRAMFS,
have been extended by Erik Andersen to allow the creation of
/dev entries on the fly using a device table
file. With such a file, it is no longer necessary to log in as root
and use the mknod command to create entries in
your target's root filesystem. Instead, the file
creation tool parses the device table file and creates the entries
while it builds the rest of the filesystem without requiring root
login. Support for JFFS2 device table files is already part of the
MTD tools package, which includes the mkfs.jffs2
command. Support for CRAMFS device table files is available in the
form of a patch to be applied to the CRAMFS source package. The patch
and the latest CRAMFS filesystem creation code are available at
http://sourceforge.net/projects/cramfs/. I
will not detail the use of device table files, since they can only be
used with a very limited number of Linux filesystems at the time of
this writing. Their format and their use are, however, fairly well
explained in the device_table.txt file provided
in both the MTD tools package and the CRAMFS patch. We will,
nevertheless, discuss the MTD tools in Chapter 7
and the JFFS2 and CRAMFS filesystems in Chapter 8. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
Elvis Kotorri
Elvis Kotorri (born 30 April 1979) is an Albanian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was manager of Elbasani during the 2018–19 season.
Playing career
First spell with Dinamo Tirana
Kotorri joined Dinamo Tirana in the summer of 2007. During the 2007–08 season, he was the first choice in goal, making 33 league appearances, as Dinamo won the title for the 17th time.
Shkumbini Peqin
On 13 July 2010, Kotorri joined Shkumbini Peqin on a free transfer by signing a contract until July 2012, being presented to the media on the same day.
Besa Kavajë
In December 2010, Kotorri signed with fellow Albanian Superliga side Besa Kavajë after terminating his contract with Shkumbini Peqin by mutual consent.
Return to Shkumbini Peqin
In September 2011, Kotorri returned to Shkumbini Peqin for the 2011–12 season after spending the second part of 2010–11 season on loan at fellow Albanian Superliga side Besa Kavajë.
Elbasani
On 23 July 2013, Kotorri completed a transfer to his boyhood club Elbasani by signing a one-year contract.
On 15 March 2014, he scored his first goal of 2013–14 season via a penalty kick in Elbasani's 1–0 defeat of Tomori Berat. During 2013–14 season with Elbasani, Kotorri was the first choice, playing 27 matches through the season, with Elbasani winning the Albanian First Division, finished in first place with four points ahead of Apolonia Fier.
On 23 August 2014, Kotorri made his first league appearance for Elbasani in 2014–15 season in the opening match against Skënderbeu Korçë at neutral ground Qemal Stafa Stadium, playing the whole match which ended in a 0–1 defeat.
Later career
On 21 January 2015, during the winter transfer window, Kotorri was signed by his old side Dinamo Tirana for the second part of 2014–15 season, returning at the club after five years. After making 15 league appearances, he left the club on 7 August 2015.
In August 2015, he remained in the first division by joining fellow side Korabi Peshkopi. He left the club on controversial fashion after only one year after falling out with management, especially coach Artan Mërgjyshi.
Managerial career
Kotorri replaced Eriol Merxha as manager of Elbasan after only the second week of the 2018/19 season, but resigned from his post in early March 2019.
Honours
Elbasani
Albanian Superliga: 2005–06
Albanian First Division: 2013–14
Dinamo Tirana
Albanian Superliga: 2009–10
References
External links
AFA profile
Category:1979 births
Category:Living people
Category:Footballers from Elbasan
Category:Albanian footballers
Category:Association football goalkeepers
Category:Association football goalkeepers who have scored
Category:KF Elbasani players
Category:KS Shkumbini Peqin players
Category:FK Dinamo Tirana players
Category:Besa Kavajë players
Category:KF Korabi Peshkopi players
Category:Albanian Superliga players
Category:Albanian First Division players
Category:Albanian football managers
Category:KF Elbasani managers | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedures and more particularly to a device and procedure for attenuating the pain associated with such procedures.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to diagnose the presence of numerous blood-related diseases, such as blood infections, leukemia and other malignancies, and the cause of blood abnormalities, such as anemia, hematologists often examine the bone marrow of their patients. Two types of specimens are often removed from a patient for analysis. In one procedure, bone marrow is extracted, or aspirated, from the cavity of a bone. In a second procedure, one or more pieces of bone, called "core biopsies," or "bone plugs," are also removed for diagnosis. The entire process typically lasts anywhere from ten to thirty minutes, depending on numerous factors, including the amount of marrow needed, the difficulty of positioning and inserting the needle, the hardness of the bone, the experience of the physician, etc.
These two procedures are often performed in succession. First, a specialized, biopsy needle having a removable trocar, or stylet, fully inserted into the needle lumen is inserted into and through an appropriate bone structure of the patient, such as the posterior iliac spine (i.e. pelvic bone) or sternum, and into the bone marrow cavity. The trocar is removed and an appropriate method for aspirating the desired amount of marrow tissue into the needle lumen is used. Aspiration may be accomplished by rapidly retracting the plunger of an attached syringe thereby creating a upward, suction force, by employing an aspirator bulb, or by another method known in the art.
In order to perform the subsequent procedure, the needle is typically retracted a few millimeters until it exits the bone structure from which the marrow was aspirated. Then, the needle is reinserted, this time without the trocar inserted in the lumen, into a neighboring area of the bone in order to effectively core out a piece of bone into the lumen for removal and analysis. The physician often needs to apply a considerable amount of force when coring the bone plug.
Both the aspiration and coring procedures can cause significant discomfort and pain to the patient. First, the insertion of the needle through the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle tissue usually causes moderate pain. Further, as the needle passes through the bone, a strong, pressure-like sensation is experienced. The part of the aspiration procedure causing the most pain, however, is the actual aspiration action. This pulling sensation, which lasts as long as the syringe plunger is retracted, has been described by some as agonizingly painful, while others perceive less intense pain, depending on the patient's pain threshold and level of apprehension and fear. Further, while the bone coring procedure has not been described as acutely painful as the aspiration procedure, it does cause moderate to severe discomfort. Accordingly, it has been a goal of medical practitioners to find ways to ameliorate the discomfort and pain associated with these procedures.
The injection of local anesthesia, such as lidocaine, prior to these procedures, is effective in desensitizing soft tissue and the bone surface, or periosteum, to be pierced. Unfortunately, local anesthesia cannot anesthetize the inside of the bone and thus is ineffective to reduce the pain associated with the aspiration and coring actions.
While the use of general anesthesia would, of course, be expected to eliminate the perceived pain, it is not commonly used for these procedures due to the risks related to general anesthesia. As an alternative, some physicians elect to prescribe a benzodiazepine or another mild tranquilizer for patients having a high degree of apprehension prior to these biopsy procedures. However, no known viable and completely safe procedure presently exists to eliminate or significantly reduce the pain associated with the aspiration and coring steps of these procedures. Thus, the bone marrow aspiration and coring procedures have continued to cause a great deal of anxiety, discomfort and pain in many patients of all ages who must undergo them.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that there exists a definite need for an improved product and method which tends to significantly reduce or eliminate the pain associated with the aspiration and bone coring steps of the conventional bone marrow procedure. | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
I need to see this again, but I remember it sacrificing emotional girth for a lot of visual pizazz and plot mumbo-jumbo, a trait that took a much greater toll on its descendant, Steamboy. Unlike Steamboy, however, Akira was delightfully unique.
The humor just isn't for everybody, but I enjoyed it all the same. For all its quirkiness, it really reaches the hearts of its viewers, which is the only thing that matters.
I gave it a "Good" rating because I can recommend it to some people, and not to others.
It's like watching someone's life unfold, the elation and the doldrums. Thank goodness Koyuki's life is interesting. In a way, I could have done without the intense profanity, but it really made the show what it was: an examination of a teenager's coming of age in as bald and beautiful a way as could be portrayed. It wouldn't have been beautiful if most of it wasn't pretty ugly, and I loved the grit of the telling.
I gave it a "Very Good" rating because I think every teenage otaku should see this, or heck, any teenager. It's just so TRUE to real teenagers, how they speak, think and act. And the dub is fantastic.
This would be a masterpiece if it had an ending. Alas, it does not. What it does have is a strong theme, strong characters, a coherent and heart-poundingly engaging plot and...crappy animation. Nothing's perfect, I guess. Crappy or no, though, many of Berserk's strong images will forever be etched into my brain, so the direction achieved what it needed to. It's like a classical Greek legend sprung to fantastic life, and needs to be experienced to really be appreciated.
I gave it a "Very Good" rating because I think, squeamishness aside, that it's a really universal story and 100% grippingly executed. Too bad no one at OLM thought to go against the manga and finish the epic they started! :(
It may be one of the sillier anime out there that takes itself far too seriously, but gosh-darn it, The Big O is a lot of fun! Roger Smith really makes the show, though. He is THE Batman of anime just like Lupin is its James Bond/Indiana Jones.
I gave it a "Good" because while I can technically recommend it to anyone, I'd recommend it offhand with a "It's a good way to blow twenty minutes" kind of thing. It really really is a great way to blow twenty minutes, though!
Too hardcore in the action/language and directionless in its explicit punches for me to really love this. (Ever since watching Trigun, pure ballz action movies don't do it for me anymore.) I had the same issues getting through the Watchmen graphic novel as I did pushing through this. Still, it has its merits and the characters are distinctive and well-executed.
My sister loves this movie. I love watching it with her. But would I watch it by myself? The answer to this question is NOOOO. I was pleased to hear some fave actors in the dub, though. R.I.P. Peter Boyle.
I gave it a "Decent" rating because I really did enjoy watching it...but it's just so weird, with too many sudden contrivances, and rather cliche in the kids' movie department.
The only time overwhelming innocence has conquered overwhelming fanservice for me. I really can't view the panty shots and whatnot in this show as cheap and exploitative, somehow it feels like they're (weird) essential to the purity of the story. It's definitely the best thing to come out of CLAMP as far as uniqueness goes, but the real twist here is that Chobits actually contains a fair amount of depth in its cutesy luv-luv fest. It doesn't really follow up on that depth, and suffers from the manga-truism bug in the end, but Chobits is a diamond in its own ocean of rough that you expect when you turn it on. (Make a drinking game out of how many times they say "underpants" in episode 4, and you will die from alcohol poisoning.)
I gave it a "Good" because while a sickening moe-fest, it's really well-written in its own right. You know, odd as it seems, I think this show had the capability to be a masterpiece if it were done just a little differently! :D
This show also has the capability to be a masterpiece in terms of plot, animation, and a few characters, but falls to sophomoric melodrama. Still, if you're willing to invest the time and attention to its story, it's worth the ride. You just kind of have to turn your brain off to take it seriously...how ironic that it airs right next to Death Note.
I gave it a "Good" for close to the same reasons as The Big O, except that Code Geass is more dramatic and its hooks are more akin to those of a soap opera than an action movie.
Nothing out there is like Cowboy Bebop, and yet, everything out there is like Cowboy Bebop. How is that? It really is a genre unto itself. Do the music styles dictate the story, or does the story dictate the music? Or is it all meshed and mingled because, really, the story IS the music and vice versa and the marriage between them is a masterpiece. I also have to give props to this show for good subtlety in the dialogue, something most anime sorely lacks. I have to fart in the general direction of people who say Cowboy Bebop is just "simple entertainment." HA! It's almost like visual (or aural) literature. But great art should not solely be intellectual. It can, and should, often be entirely enjoyable and great great fun.
I gave it a "Masterpiece" for leaving me staring at a black screen for about five minutes after it ended, speechless. Anything that leaves me speechless for immediately afterwards and then you can't shut me up the next day, that's a Masterpiece.
Not quite on par with the original show (every anime movie is like this, though) but enjoyable in its own right, it stands as good as or better than many American action movies, and that's really all that matters...but we get the gang of the Bebop as our leads, and that is super-de-dooper!
I gave it an "Excellent" maybe not for story/technical merit, but it really does "need to be on every collector's shelf." ...And it is related to Bebop, giving it brownie points.
Surprised me. I didn't expect much from this title, and now I wish I could see it again to closer follow it and give it a proper rating. Again, great dialogue subtlety...half the time. The other half was a little too much exposition, the GitS problem, but the great progression nearly makes this forgivable.
Wow, this was pretty bad, actually. It was corny, the art style bugged me, and there was nothing particularly engaging about it. The plot was aimless and uninteresting, the characters were cardboard and unendearing, and I'm still not entirely sure what the series was trying to do that hasn't been done a thousand times before...but I liked Vic Mignogna in it. (It's still about the worst role he's played because it was so flat, though.)
I gave it a "Not Really Good" because it was an odd premise and had its moments...but underneath that, well, what was there?
There's a reason they make these plots into anime. Death Note was a little silly in animated form, and suddenly...it's a LOT SILLY.
I gave it a Weak (actually, I gave it two hours! har har...) because there's nothing to get out of it that you couldn't get out of the infinitely more engaging anime...in fact it's a significant step down from the anime. Even the superb portrayal of L is sub-par compared to what the animation of the TV series could do with his impish adorable creepy-alien quality that could never quite be duplicated in live-action, ever.
This show also has the capability to be a masterpiece in terms of plot, animation, and a few characters, but falls to sophomoric melodrama. Still, if you're willing to invest the time and attention to its story, it's well worth the ride. You just kind of have to turn your brain off to take it seriously...how ironic that it airs right next to Code Geass. It gets a lot of points for uniqueness and thrills alone, honestly. It may be rather goofy when you sit back and think about it, but it's masterfully plotted, and I think the creator himself is a genius to come up with these interweaving plans, plots, and schemes. They start to weaken later in the original story, but the anime glosses that over pretty well.
I gave it a "Very Good" because I feel like I can recommend it to just about anybody. For all its shortcomings, there's a lot in this show that I could say "I haven't really seen this done before" to, and that's a plus. Opposite of Cowboy Bebop, however, in that fans make it out to be really "deep" when in reality its pretty "Light" entertainment, dark in tone but simplistic in any kind of intellectual sense apart from its convoluted plot.
Anime Goods
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Paul takes a look at Madhouse's avant-garde movie about the underworld with a dub produced by Youtubers, plus a brand-new Shelf Obsessed submission and all this week's new anime releases!― By the time you read this, I'll probably be digging out from a foot or more of snow. I was totally planning on going outside and being productive over the weekend and definitely wasn't looking for an excuse to st...
The infamous Slayer's story extends beyond the anime in these two action-packed volumes. How will these new challenges affect these unconventional adventurers?― While the story arcs covered by the 2018 anime adaptation begin the work of showing how Goblin Slayer's new party helps him recover some of his lost humanity, the events of volumes five and six really kick that job into high gear. What's als...
As it turns out, "you've been transported to another world!" has been a storytelling device since the dawn of time. Mike takes a fascinating trip through the history of the genre.― Just a couple of weeks ago, I saw a remarkable animated film about the chronicles of a troubled man with a life full of problems, who's whisked away from the world he knows to a new and different parallel universe—one whe...
This fantasy adventure indulges some familiar tropes but strays just far enough from the beaten path to keep things interesting. Rebecca Silverman dives in.― Cross Infinite World tends to focus more on light novel translations, but the few manga titles they've also licensed are interesting. Tia la Cherla is a straight fantasy (as opposed to the historical fantasy, isekai, and urban fantasy of their ...
A young woman gets spirited away to a world of ayakashi and discovers new passions in this charming romance manga. Rebecca Silverman has the details.― Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits' first volume and its 2018 anime are both adaptations of author Midori Yuma's original light novel, and as such, this book brings something a little different to the table than the anime. That said, even if you ne...
Shoji Kawamori's latest fantasy mech adventure has finally come to an end on Netflix, leaving lots of crazy questions in its wake. Nick and Micchy share what they loved about the show and what left them scratching their heads.― Shoji Kawamori's Last Hope has finally come to an end on Netflix, leaving lots of crazy questions in its wake. This week, Nick and Micchy share what they loved about the sho...
Lauren Orsini takes an in-depth look at this Perfect Grade model kit to determine if this beloved release is a good choice for newcoming or veteran Gundam builders.― Gundam Astray Red Frame has its origins in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray. Published by Tokyopop, this manga has been out of print in the US since 2004. Nevertheless, its lead mobile suit's samurai-inspired design has captiva... | null | minipile | NaturalLanguage | mit | null |
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