text:
|12. Jan. 2010
|31. Okt. 2005
|31. Okt. 2005
|Auch veröffentlicht unter
|Leslle S. Prichep
|Ursprünglich Bevollmächtigter
|New York University
|Zitat exportieren
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patentzitate (9), Nichtpatentzitate (1), Referenziert von (20), Klassifizierungen (10), Juristische Ereignisse (4)
|Externe Links: USPTO, USPTO-Zuordnung, Espacenet
The present invention relates to quantitative electroencephalographic, magnetoencephalographic and sensory event-related methods for measurement of brain activity related to cognitive functioning and, more particularly, to methods for predicting the future occurrence and evolution of cognitive decline.
Systems and methods exist to measure electrical activity and detect brain abnormalities based on the measured activity. An electroencephalogram ("EEG") detects electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on or near an individual's scalp and forehead. The EEG typically measures brain wave activity across a range of frequencies, from one or an array of electrodes placed at standardized locations on the head or scalp and forehead. For example, 19 different sites are often used to detect the activity of underlying regions of the brain. The most common method to define these sites is called the International 10/20 Electrode Placement System, but other positions may be selected.
Quantitative EEG ("qEEG") involves digital analysis of the EEG data, usually represented as a frequency spectrum evaluating the amount of activity of detected signals at the various frequencies represented in the EEG data Normative values as a function of age have been established for the activity spectrum characteristics for each electrode position and are known to have high sensitivity and specificity to abnormality and to be independent of race, socio-economic status or ethnicity. Deviations from these normative values may be used to identify profiles of abnormalities which can describe different categories of brain dysfunction. Studies utilizing qEEG have reported a clear relationship between the degree of cognitive decline in aging persons and the magnitude of qEEG abnormalities.
Systems and methods exist to measure the magneto elcephalogram (MEG) electromagnetic activity or magnetic fields arising from the flow of electrical currents within the brain which are proportional to the electroencephalographic activity. These magnetic fields can be used to detect brain abnormalities based on the measured activity. These magnetic fields are detected using data derived from superconductive quantum interference devices (SQUIDS) to detect spontaneous and or evoked electromagnetic activity correlated with brain electrical activity (EEG and or ERP) of an individual using one or more SQUID or MEG sensors placed near the scalp so as to detect the activity from selected regions of the brain.
Quantitative MEG ("qMEG") involves digital analysis of the MEG data, usually represented as a frequency spectrum evaluating the amount of activity of detected signals at the various frequencies represented in the MEG data Normative values as a function of age have not been established for the activity spectrum, but it is expected that such can be described and will be closely related to the qEEG normative data with respect to sensitivity and specificity to abnormality and to be independent of race, socio-economic status or ethnicity since the essentially the same neuroanatomical systems are responsible for generating both the MEG and the EEG signals. Using control data with the MEG similar differences have been described between individuals with normal and abnormal brain function as with the EEG in different categories of brain dysfunction.
An event-related potential ("ERP") is a recording of a neuroelectrical response of the brain to an event or stimulus. Changes in ERPs recorded from electrodes using EEG recording materials have been found to provide objective evidence of brain dysfunction relating to cognitive decline. Non-invasive ERP tests are available to measure brain activity during cognitive processing. ERP tests such as mismatch negativity (MMN) and P300 have been used to assess cognitive decline in a variety of areas including, for example, attention and memory. Similar tests may be performed using a variety of sensory events and paradigms. One such ERP test (P300) may include detecting a difference between an ERP elicited by a "common" (expected) event that occurs often in a sequence of repeated stimuli and ERP elicited by a rare (unexpected) event that is occasionally interspersed among the common (expected) ones. Another such test compares ERP's corresponding to pairs of stimuli where the first and second members of a pair are the same ('match') and where the second member of the pair is different from the first ('mismatch'). This type of test is known as MMN or mismatch negativity. Cognitive decline has been reported to correlate with the decrease in amplitude or disappearance and lengthening in latency of particular ERP components elicited by these tests. Another ERP test is known as the mid-latency auditory evoked response (MLAER) which examines the waveshape of electrical activity of the brain in response to tones or auditory clicks repeated for example at about 9/second. In the latency interval from about 6-8 milliseconds after stimulus delivery to approximately 50 milliseconds after stimulus delivery, certain components (e.g., Na and Pb) are known to be correlated with the storage of memory representing interactions between the midbrain and the cortex. Cognitive decline and memory deficit have been reported to correlate with the increase in amplitude or disappearance or lengthening in latency of particular ERP components elicited by these tests. The clinical assessment of the cognitive and functional capacity of individuals for their diagnoses and "staging" (to access the degree of impairment) may also rely upon neurocognitive ("NC") tests. NC tests have poor test-retest reliability in certain patient populations and are sometimes inaccurate or not useful with certain individuals because they depend to a large extent on the competence and experience of the person performing the assessment, as well as the language proficiency, educational attainment, active cooperation, and intelligence level of the individual. NC or other behavioral testing may not be useful where, for example, if the individual is depressed (or has other co-morbid disorders), disinterested in the test, has a short attention span or a low educational level. Abnormal performance on neurocognitive or behavioral measures does not necessarily reflect changes in the brain and at best are an indirect result of actual brain changes resulting from dementia. Furthermore, in people without signs of dementia (such as normal elderly) differences in NC tests are not sufficient to predict those persons likely to develop dementia from those who are unlikely to develop dementia.
Although methods exist to determine the existence of cognitive deterioration or decline, these methods do not enable the determination of an individual's potential for future cognitive decline. Although, the use of other imaging methods [e.g., Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Proton Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)] to detect abnormalities which may be predictive of future decline has been proposed, these tests are invasive, costly, lack normative data, depend on the skill of the person interpreting the data, can not be readily repeated at regular intervals and require special installations of large non-portable equipment.
Predictoralgorithms are classifier functions which mathematically compute the probability that a set of features [such as those extracted from the qEEG and or qMEG and or ERP described in this application] are likely to belong to an individual from a particular group. Such algorithms may include, alone or in combination, multiple discriminant functions, regressions, cluster analyses or other classifier programs.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for prediction of cognitive decline, comprising an input receiving input data corresponding to brain activity of an individual and a processor coupled to the input for analyzing the input data to obtain a selected set of features, the processor comparing the selected set of features to at least a portion of entries in a database corresponding to brain activity of a plurality of individuals, wherein entries in the database have been separated into a plurality of categories corresponding to one of a degree of cognitive decline and a propensity for future cognitive decline of individuals relating to the entries, the processor determining, based on the comparison, a category most closely corresponding to the selected set of features.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a system and method for predicting cognitive decline comprising receiving input data corresponding to spontaneous brain electrical or other activity of an individual or brain responses activated by presentation of a variety of sensory stimuli or mental tasks. The input data which includes one of quantitative electroencephalogram data, quantitative magnetoencephalogram data and quantitative event related potential data is analyzed quantitatively by use of an analog to digital converter, digital amplifiers or any equivalent method to extract selected features therefrom and the selected features are compared to at least a portion of entries in a database including data corresponding to brain activity of a plurality of individuals. The entries in the database are separated into a plurality of categories corresponding to one of a degree of cognitive decline and a propensity for future cognitive decline of individuals relating to the entries and a category most closely corresponding to the input data is determined.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for the prediction of future cognitive decline. The system and method according to the present invention use quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and/or quantitative magnetoencephalogram (qMEG) and/or quantitative event related potential (qERP) data to predict future cognitive decline in an individual. Unlike NC or neurobiological tests or other predictors used to determine present cognitive deterioration, the present invention predicts cognitive decline without the requirement of individual cooperation, is non-invasive, imposes no radio-active burden and accurate, objective results may be obtained by a skilled professional rather than the neurologist, psychiatrist, or neurophysiologist required by the any the other tests.
The EEG data may be acquired from the individual using a recording system according to the present invention. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the recording system includes a handheld, battery-powered device analogous to a PDA (personal digital assistant), which may also include EEG amplifiers. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a desktop device and a conventional electrophysiological system may be utilized for the recording system and that the power supply may be external as desired. The EEG amplifiers may, for example, have a band pass from 0.5 to 100 Hz or even as high as 1,000 Hz, or above (3 dB points) with a 60 Hz or 50 Hz notch filter. It is contemplated that digital EEG and MEG and ERP data may be acquired from the individual by any adequate electrophysiological data acquisition instrument or using any existing method and recording system.
The recording system preferably system preferably includes a set of electrodes (i.e., one or more), including for example, an array of electrodes positioned across or near the individual's forehead to sample bilateral prefrontal cortical regions (e.g. 10/20 positions: F7-F1-Fz-F2-F8), and or a midline frontal (Fz) and or a vertex (Cz) electrode and/or a parietal (Pz) electrode or bilateral parietal (P3 and P4) electrodes in addition to appropriate reference and ground leads. The recording system may further include a differential eye channel, or electrooculogram ("EOG"). As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, EOG leads may be used to detect eye movement and may be diagonally placed above and below an eye orbit. Furthermmore, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, SQUID MEG detectors may be used in a manner analogous to that described above for the electrodes.
While recording the EEG data, the individual may be, for example, seated in a sound and light attenuated testing chamber. A sample of eyes closed resting EEG data may first be collected, for example, from the 19 monopolar sites of the International 10/20 System, or from any preferred position(s), using silver/silver chloride or gel electrodes or other recording sensors referenced to linked earlobes or any preferred reference position. The electrode impedances are preferably below 5000 Ohms. A total sample of EEG data may be twenty (20) minutes, for example, but may be truncated if conditions require, for example, if artifact detection is performed on line or if any sample is shown to be usefully sensitive. A sample of, for example, 1-2 minutes of artifact-free EEG data will provide sufficient data. EEG data may be sampled at a rate of, for example, 200 Hz or higher with 12-bit to 16-bit resolution, or higher.
ERP data may be acquired in step 105 by any ERP test known to those of ordinary skill in the art which, for example, monitors the brain's response to a series of stimuli presented within a temporal or spatial flow structured to enable predictability. For example, the EEG and/or ERP data 105 may be acquired from the individual through the use of uni-modal or multi-modal (e.g. flash, sound, pictorial, verbal, cognitive, etc.) stimuli intended to provide data for mismatch-negativity ("MMN") and/or P300 components and or midlatency auditory evoked response ("MLAER") indexes. The ERP test may include, for example a MMN component and/or a P300 component and/or an MLAER component.
MMN includes, for example, the detection of a difference in brain electrical activity corresponding to samples of the responses elicited by two successive paired events, with the first sample including a period spanning a predetermined time (latency epoch) after presentation of the initial member of a pair of sequential stimuli and the second sample including a period spanning the same latency epoch or time interval after presentation of second member of the paired stimuli. That is, brain activity associated with processing these stimuli is expected after a predetermined neural processing delay and the activity measured during the first and second epochs is compared when both members of the pair are the same with respect to some dimension or attribute ("same-same") versus when the second member differs from the first ("same-different"). The ERP elicited by the two stimuli in the same-same pairs will be very similar while the ERP elicited by the second stimulus will differ from the ERP elicited by the first stimulus in the same-different pairs. Those skilled in the art will understand that the time between pairs may be the same as that between two events of a pair, or that the stimuli may be a continuous series of "same" events with randomly interspersed "different" events.
The P300 component may, for example, include the detection of a difference between the ERP elicited by an event that occurs often in a sequence of stimuli, preferably repeated at a slow rate (e.g. one per second), and a rare or oddball event that is occasionally interspersed among the common events. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, P300 may be a scalp-recorded voltage change elicited in response to infrequent, unpredictable, target stimuli occurring among frequent non-target stimuli. For example, in normally functioning individuals, a component known as P3A can be detected in anterior and posterior brain regions at a latency of about 200-225 ms after the presentation of the rare or oddball stimulus and a later component known as P3B may be detected in anterior, central or posterior regions at a latency of about 300 ms. These components differ from those elicited by the predictable, non-target or common stimuli. In impaired individuals with deficits of cognition, attention or working memory, P3A tends to disappear from anterior regions and P3B is delayed to appear at a latency of between 325 ms and 450 ms.
The MLAER component may be obtained by analyzing the waveshape of the ERP elicited by an auditory click or tone repeated in the range of for example 7-13 per second and recorded by volume conduction to electrodes or sensors placed for example on the mastoid or earlobes relative to one or many electrodes placed on the scalp or forehead. The waveshape of the MLAER, in the interval between the end of the auditory brainstem response and the first positive component of the auditory cortical evoked response (such as in the latency interval between 8 and 50 msec after the stimulus) relative to age expected values, contains a first negative (Na) and a second positive (Pb) component. As one skilled in the art would know, the amplitude of Pb reflects storage of memory and decreased amplitude and or increased latency reflect cognitive dysfunction.
The EEG and/or MEG and/or ERP data may be recorded in analog or digital format using the recording system according to the present invention. If the data is recorded in analog format, this data is digitized in step 110 and then, in step 120, may or may not be subject to artifacting or any other quality assurance procedure as would be understood by those skilled in the art. After this, in step 125 a selected set of features is extracted from the digital data of acceptable quality. In short, a selected set of features from the qEEG or qMEG or qERP data which are particularly relevant to assessment of cognitive decline are extracted from the overall data set obtained and compared to control data corresponding to brain activity of individuals in each of the various stages of cognitive decline or to brain activity of individuals known to have subsequently declined to generate a prediction as to the expected future cognitive evolution or decline of the individual. Thereafter, in steps 130 and 135, respectively, for EEG and/or MEG data (not for ERP data) univariate or multivariate (e.g., Mahalanobis distances) data features are computed for the extracted features and these features may be transformed (for example, log transformed) where appropriate to obtain a normal Gaussian distribution. As one skilled in the art will understand, the actual value of change or difference scores may alternately be used as criteria without these transforms or obtaining standard scores.
For example, in a first step of a procedure to extract the selected set of features, ANOVAS and other statistical methods are used to search out features "A" within the external EEG and/or MEG and/or ERP database (or other criterion values) which are significantly different between two or more groups of interest (such as normal compared with dementias and/or normal compared with stages of dementias or normal with and without future decline). Then, results from the first step, the set of features "A" are input to a multiple stepwise discriminant function the results of which will be used (a) as a classifier function itself to later be considered as part of the prediction strategy and/or (b) to reduce the number of features to a more sensitive set of features "B" to be entered into the next step which may include, for example, cluster analysis. The set of features "B" is input to a cluster analysis the results of which will be used (a) as a classifier function itself for later consideration as part of the prediction strategy and/or (b) to reduce the number of features to a more sensitive set of features "C" which may be used alone or in combination with the feature sets "A" and/or "B" as inputs to logistic regression. Similarly, a neural network may be used which receives as input a large unselected set of features extracted from the EEG and ERP and which outputs a reduced set of features "D" which can be used as a classifier function itself to later be considered as part of the prediction strategy and/or to reduce the number of features to a more sensitive set of features combined with the set of features "A" and/or the set of features "B" and/or the set of features "C" to be entered in the logistic regression.
Thereafter, as will be described in more detail below, the data is entered into the one or more classifier function(s) through which it is statistically associated with a subgroup representing individuals in similar or related states of cognitive decline within the database. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in place of the database, a look-up table or other structure representing similar data or other predefined criteria may be employed. For example, certain predictions may be made where a ratio of theta to alpha greater than 1.5 is detected in selected brain region(s). By applying a decision making CLASSIFIER FUNCTION such as regression to the individual's data the statistical likelihood that the individual will, at a time in the future, belong to a group with a specified degree of cognitive decline will be determined. The Regression module, the preferred embodiment being Logistic Regression, fits a common slope cumulative model, which is a parallel lines regression model, based on the cumulative probabilities of the response categories rather than on their individual probabilities. Taking into account k predictive variables for n individuals, the model is:
Log[p i/1−p i]=α+β1 X i1+β2 X i2+ . . . +βk X ik
This equation which has been previously trained on the database including normally functioning individuals and patients at various stages of cognitive decline or those who displayed subsequent decline in a longitudinal follow-up is applied to the individual and a prediction is made. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in other embodiments any or a combination of discriminant functions, cluster algorithms, neural networks and/or other classifier functions will be applied to the data for the purpose of determining future group membership or cognitive decline.
Those skilled in the art will understand that, although the exemplary embodiment of the prediction algorithm described below specifically discloses steps for utilizing a Cluster Analysis module 400, a Discriminant Analysis module 500 and a Logistic Regression module, in that order, the prediction algorithm of the present invention may include some or all of these modules in any particular order. Furthermore, rules obtained by various other classifier modules, such as by using a neural network, may also be incorporated into the prediction algorithm 180 to generate a prediction of the expected cognitive decline of the patient. In addition, as one skilled in the art would understand, all of the modules utilized in the prediction algorithm 180 may be re-derived and/or modified following any or all changes to the database and improvements, refinements or future iterations of the classifier algorithms. However, in a preferred embodiment logistic regression is the final step in the procedure. For example, as shown in
For example, in Step 2 (210) the selected features are input to a classification procedure such as for example a cluster analysis to determine the relative probability of membership in two or more clusters reflecting different cognitive decline, membership in which can be used to predict the probability (P2) of future cognitive decline; the set of features identified in this analysis can also be used as selected input to other classifier functions such as discriminant analysis and or logistic regression.
Then, in step N (220), selected features are input to, for example, a classification procedure such as a regression and/or logistic regression to determine the relative probability of two or more states of cognitive decline to predict a probability (P3) of future cognitive decline. The set of features identified in this analysis may also be used as selected input to other classifier functions such as cluster analysis and/or discriminant function.
Thereafter, in step 230, the probability computed by the classification function of Step N is converted to a confidence level using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Using plots of sensitivity versus specificity, the probability corresponding to various P levels (such as 0.10, 0.05, 0.01, etc.) may be specified. Where the results of multiple classifier functions are used to make the prediction of decline they may be combined using a "voting strategy" in Step 240 as would be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the prediction algorithm may utilize additional data (e.g., data concerning pre-existing conditions, clinical history/symptoms, neurobiological Or genetic information such as APOE) to further refine predictions.
In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the recording system includes a stimulator cable and means for preprogrammed delivery of pairs or sequences of non-target ('same') or target ('different') stimuli in any selected modality or combination of modalities (e.g., tones of 90 db SL at any selected frequencies in either MMN or P300 paradigms or auditory clicks at the same intensity but with a repetition rate in the range of 7-11/second for the MLAER paradigm) for the collection of ERP data. Separate ERPs should be collected for the sample of "same" and of "different", with means for accurate registration of the type and time of delivery of each stimulus appropriately recorded upon one or more of the recording channels.
In certain patients, it may be considered feasible and desirable to focus attention and ensure compliance with instruction to attend to the sequence of "same" and "different" items by asking the subject to silently count the number of "different" or "target" items selected and inform the examiner of the final count when the ERP recording has been completed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other methods of ensuring attention may be utilized, such as a finger press of a button to denote wither same, different, or either same or different finger responses. However, such cooperation is not necessary to obtain a P300 and a passive procedure of "same" and "different" items can be used.
Analog EEG data and/or MEG and/or ERP data and stimulus identification and timing information acquired in step 105 is digitized in step 110 to generate quantitative electroencephalogram ("qEEG") data and or quantitative magnetoencephalogram ("qMEG") and or quantitative event-related potential ("qERP") data. The EEG/MEG/ERP data may be digitized, for example, at 200 Hz with a 12-bit resolution or at 5 kHz with a 16-bit resolution, or at different sampling rates in different amplifier channels. Those skilled in the art will understand that it may be desirable to compute (Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Response) or BAER to confirm that the auditory system is adequately detecting the sensory stimuli.
In step 115 shown in
If the individual data does not preclude further analysis, although not required a Global Deterioration Scale ("GDS") stage may have been determined for the individual clinically. GDS is based on age-associated decline of cognitive capacity and primary degenerative dementia. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, GDS stages one (1) and two (2) are normal elderly, stage three (3) corresponds to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and GDS stages four (4) to seven (7) are dementia stages of increasing severity. Individuals at GDS stage one have neither subjective nor objective evidence of cognitive decline, individuals at GDS stage two exhibit some subjective complaints of cognitive decline but no objective evidence of cognitive decline, and individuals at GDS stage three have mild cognitive decline objectively evidenced by memory deficiency, meeting criteria for MCI. Individuals in GDS stages four to seven have clear objective evidence of cognitive decline, classified as dementia with moderate cognitive decline in GDS stage four, moderately severe cognitive decline in GDS stage five, severe cognitive decline in GDS stage six, and very severe dementia in GDS stage seven. If available, such GDS scores should be included in the individual data in step 115. If available, such GDS scores, or scores from other similar staging methods, should be included in the individual data in step 115.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional neurocognitive (NC) testing of the individual is not required. However, additional NC tests may be performed to augment the qEEG and qMEG and qERP data. For example, a digit span or recall test (e.g. forward (DSF) and backward (DSB)) may be performed to test the longest sequence of numbers that an individual can recall. Further, a digit symbol substitution test ("DSST") may be performed to measure sensory-motor integration and learning relationships of symbols. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, such tests may include standardized subsets of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale ("WAIS"). If available, DSF, DSB and WAIS scores should be included in the individual data in step 115.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, additional biological marker testing is not required. However, if available or easily acquired, additional biological data such as ApoE and or other genetic and or blood and or tissue markers may be used to augment the selected set of sensitive feature. Likewise, while not required, the selected set may be augmented with data from personal or familial historical and or demographic data such as age.
Alternatively, in the absence of artifact removal by the means described in section [0025], one might choose to use a method of test-retest validation and replication of non-artifacted or such edited data or a method which computes the means and standard deviations of features extracted from each of a set of successive short EEG segments and where data acquisition is considered adequate when these features converge to a stable value as the number of segments is increased. Any method which tracks the values of extracted features from such cumulative successive short EEG segment and assesses the statistically assesses the convergence to a stable estimate can be used.
As shown in
In step 125, qEEG/qMEG/qERP features and relationships among such variables including significant and/or important predictors are extracted from the artifacted data. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, feature extraction techniques aggregate or combine predictors in a data sample in order to extract common information most useful for modeling the data sample.
In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, extracting qEEG/qERP features 125 includes a neurometric feature extraction method or Neurometrics. Those skilled in the art will understand that other data analysis methods such as, for example, wavelet analysis, nonlinear dynamic analysis, microstate analysis, etc. may be used to extract physiologically comparable descriptors of brain activity. A suitable Neurometric feature extraction method is described in the following publications which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: John E R, Prichep L S, Friedman J, Easton P., Neurometrics: Computer assisted differential diagnosis of brain dysfunctions, Science 1988, 293, 162-169; John and Prichep chapter in Neidermeyer and Lopes da Silva Handbook of Electroencephalography, 3rd Edition, 1993. The qEEG/qERP data is subjected to activity spectral analysis using a Fast Fourier Transform ("FFT"). As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, FFT is a discrete Fourier transform algorithm which reduces the number of computations needed for N points from 2N2 to 2N lg N, where lg is a base-2 logarithm. For example, an absolute and relative (%) activity, mean frequency (a frequency within a band or across the spectrum at which half the activity lies above and half the activity lies below) for delta (1.5-3.5 Hz), theta (3.5-7.5 Hz), alpha (7.5-12.5 Hz) and beta (12.5-25 Hz) and gamma and ultra-high(25 Hz-1,000 Hz) frequency narrow band, broad band or sub-bands, and a total spectral activity may be computed for each of the 19 monopolar qEEG data sites for any subset sampled. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, relative activity is a percentage of the frequency band compared to the total activity over an entire 1.5-25 Hz or 1.5-1,000 Hz frequency range, or other total frequency band widths. Inter- and intra-hemispheric measures of the bispectra, coherence, covariance, symmetry, gradients, within, between and among regions may also computed for any narrow band, broad band or sub-bands and total activity. Furthermore, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, the above-noted ranges for the various frequency bands are exemplary only and other ranges of these frequency bands (broad bands, narrow bands and/or sub-bands) are intended to be encompassed by each instance of these terms unless a specific range of frequencies is defined for a particular instance of the term. For example, when the alpha band is mentioned, although certain parties may define this band as encompassing frequencies between 7.5 to 12.5 Hz while others define it as encompassing 8 to 12 Hz, in the context of this application, the term alpha band encompasses all frequencies including broad bands, narrow bands and/or sub-bands thereof from the lowest, lower end of the alpha band to the highest of the higher ends of the accepted definitions of the alpha band.
Those skilled in the art will understand that Neurometric method also involves a Z-transform relative to age expected normal values from published, replicated and validated neurometric normative regression equations. This involves a transform where:
Using The Z transform to age expected normal values allows a determination to be made as to which part of a feature reflects normal aging and which part lies beyond that expected due to normal aging.
Extraction of qERP features in step 125 may include the use of Spatial Principal Component Analysis (SPCA). Another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention may include a quantitative statistical assessment of the differences between two qERP data sets collected from the same individual. For example, a preferred method by which qERPs to common stimuli may be compared with qERPs to rare stimuli (or different members of pairs), is by computing the significance of the differences between values of two ERP samples at every time point Ti from the beginning to the end of the latency epoch (or a second element of a pair when it was the same versus different than a first element (MMN)). Two qERP data sets may be compared, a qERP1(t) and a qERP2(t), each comprising N samples of a time series of voltages beginning with an onset of two classes of stimuli. At every time point, or latency, in the two sets of qERP data, the sum of the voltages may be calculated, Σ[V1(t)] and Σ[V2(t)] and the sum of the voltages squared is also calculated as Σ[V1(t)]2 and Σ[V2(t)]2. A variance of each qERP data set at a latency t may then be computed using the following equations:
VAR1=Σ[V1(t)]2 /N−(Σ[V1(t)]/N)2
VAR2=Σ[V2(t)]2 /N−(Σ[V2(t)]/N)2.
A t-test for the significance of the difference between corresponding latencies t of the two qERP data sets may then be computed using the following equation:
Signal enhancement of the qERP may be accomplished by a variety of methods such as optimum digital filtering or wavelet denoising to improve the signal to noise ratio. Preferably, the method for analysis of data from both qEEG and qERP will include assessment and confirmation of signal to noise ratio, signal quality and reliability using, for example, split half replication.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the same methodology may be employed with magnetic evoked potentials to obtain predictions in regard to cognitive decline substantially similar to that obtained through the use of electrical evoked potentials.
In steps 130, 135 and 140, after extraction of qEEG and qMEG and qERP features may be transformed for Gaussianity, and the construction of standard or Z-scores may be derived by comparing features obtained from the subject to values of healthy individuals obtained from a normative database [which is preferably external but may conceivably be stored within the instrument] accessible to the instruments, multivariate features such as Mahalanobis distances or square root of the sum of the squares may be computed which reflect relationships among neurophysiological processes and interactions among brain regions and which compress and reduce the data. Criteria to serve as thresholds to evaluate quantitative measurements without comparison to a reference database or standard score computation may also be used (such as a look-up table of values).
Selected qEEG and or qMEG and or qERP and or NC test scores and or other neurobiological or genetic data may be input to an assessment and prediction algorithm in Step 145. Such features may include or be combined into an overall brain state vector (BSV) defined as BSV=[Σ Z2 EEG+Σ Z2 ERP+Σ Z2 N other measures]0.5. The BSV may be scaled as a standard or Z-score by methods well known in the art.
In step 150, the algorithm examines the individual data stored in 115 to ascertain whether additional data is available, e.g., qEEG/qMEG/qERP data from previous examinations, as well as other data such as GDS scores, NC test results, neurobiological data, genetic data, history of stroke or traumatic brain injury, medication with drugs likely to effect brain activity. If such data are available, they may be entered manually or preferably identified by interrogation of the individual data already stored in step 115. The addition of such data to the algorithm should occur and be confirmed in step 155.
If preexisting conditions have been identified, such as CNS active medication, stroke, or TBI history, in step 160 a determination is made as to whether the data is correctable to compensate for these factors. If yes, in step 165 appropriate conditions are applied (e.g., dual diagnosis algorithms, adjustments to compensate for known effects of pre-existing conditions, etc.).
Corrected data from step 165 and data not requiring correction from step 145 combined with additional data from step 155 are then entered into the prediction algorithm in step 180. If data are not correctable, a disclaimer of adequacy for prediction is invoked and all qEEG/qMEG/qERP features values and standard scores are provided as a report in step 175. In certain cases, alternative classifier functions may be applied to correct such data. For example, if a patient is taking a drug known to cause excess beta activity, an alternate classifier function may be used which does not rely on analysis of beta activity. Alternatively, data corresponding to the beta activity may be regressed out so that the data may be fed back into the original classifier functions.
If data have been unified and no corrections are required, the prediction, a confidence level and a report of all Z-scores for extracted qEEG/qMEG/qERP and NC test items are provided in step 185 to conclude the examination.
The individual data is then entered in a prediction algorithm 180, which has been previously constructed by applying to a relational database [which is preferably external but may conceivably be stored within the instrument] including if available NC data, neurobiological data, genetic data from a large number of normal individuals and patients in all of the stages of cognitive decline, one or more of discriminant functions, cluster analysis, other classifier functions and logistic regression. Each data entry in the database preferably includes at least one of brain activity data (e.g., qEEG/qMEG/qERP or other data corresponding to brain activity), features extracted from the brain activity data, multivariable features (e.g., Mahalanobis distances), NC tests, patient information (e.g., audiological, visual, medical, neurological,neurobilogical, genetic, psychiatric, pharmacological, and neuropsychological evaluations), GDS stage (or other staging of cognitive decline), state of cognitive decline and probable future cognitive decline. Those skilled in the art will understand that this relational database may be constantly modified and updated as data is collected from each patient regarding his/her subsequent cognitive decline, etc., which may subsequently lead to future modifications/iterations of the classification algorithms implemented in the instrument.
As described above, a preferred embodiment of the prediction algorithm 180 is shown more clearly in
Log[p i/1−p i]=α+β1 X i1+β2 X i2+ . . . +βk X ik
This equation which has been previously trained on the database including normally functioning individuals and patients at various stages of cognitive decline is applied to the individual and a prediction is made.
In another embodiment any or a combination of discriminant functions, cluster algorithms, neural networks and/or other classifier functions will be applied to the data for the purpose of determining future group membership or cognitive decline.
In any of the procedures enumerated above the output of the classifier function is a probability which is converted into a confidence level through the use of an ROC (receiver operating curve) strategy where plots of sensitivity versus specificity are used to extrapolate the confidence level (such as P<0.001) for any given predication probability as would be understood by those skilled in the art. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, regression analysis is a method for mathematically evaluating the relationship between a single criterion variable and a set of predictor variables. Logistic regression is the procedure of choice when the criterion variable is not continuous.
In one embodiment according to the invention, a Discriminant Analysis module 500, as shown in
Quantitative electrophysiological variables and other available variables, as raw values or transformed into standard or Z-scores, are calculated in step 502 to begin the discriminant analysis procedure 500. Univariate and/or multivariate Z-scores of the database are obtained in step 502 and step 504 subsequently utilizes the combined set of variables and performs at least one statistical procedure such as an ANOVA procedure. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the ANOVA utilized in step 504 may be either of a one-way ANOVA and a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) or a t-test or other tests of significance. Then, in step 506, F-values are calculated using output from the ANOVA and the database and a topographic function for the F-values is generated in step 508. After this a stepwise discriminant analysis is performed in step 510 and the discriminant analysis module is outputted in step 512.
The following represents an explanation of a one-way ANOVA procedure. However, it is contemplated that any ANOVA procedure or computer module known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used for the analysis herein. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the degree to which an outcome is predictable may be determined by applying a Logistic Regression module to the patient data which has previously been obtained by performing a logistic regression procedure on the database [which is preferably external but may conceivably be stored within the instrument]. More specifically, the logistic regression equation may be derived utilizing, for example, SAS/STAT Proc Logistic software provided by SAS Institute, Inc.
The logistic regression procedure fits a common slope cumulative model, which is a parallel lines regression model based on the cumulative probabilities of the response categories rather than on their individual probabilities. As one skilled in the art would understand, the Logistic Regression module may include an equation in the form of:
where P is the probability of a particular outcome and Z is the liner function of α+β1X1+β2X2+. . . +βpXp. Estimated values for the parameters α, β1, β2, . . . βp are obtained by a logistic regression module from the output generated in step 210 by the Discriminate Analysis module 500. Those skilled in the art will understand that for any of linear and non-linear models may be used.
Although the exemplary embodiment of the prediction algorithm illustrated in
As shown in
It is contemplated that the system according to the present invention may be used by professionals to predict the cognitive decline of an individual without the use of NC or other imaging tests or subjective clinical evaluations. It might also evaluate cognitive improvement after treatment or be used to make a trajectory of evolution of decline over time. For example, the system according to the present invention may be used to evaluate elderly ambulatory individuals to determine the probability that their present cognitive capacity will improve, decline or remain relatively constant.
Particularly, the system according to the present invention may be used to predict potential for the future development of mild cognitive impairment ("MCI") and mild to severe Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type ("DAT") or other types of dementia. The system and method according to the present invention may be effective for individuals currently complaining of memory loss or who manifest some clinically overt evidence of dementia as well as for those who currently exhibit no symptoms of cognitive decline.
In another aspect, results of the prediction may be displayed graphically and/or numerically as embodied by, for example, a color-coded bar, a meter and a scale. The graph and/or scale may be used to provide a visual representation of the memory loss, dementia and/or cognitive decline. Similarly, the system may generate and display a trajectory corresponding to a longitudinal series of observations of the cognitive status of a patient or a predicted rate of cognitive decline over a predefined period of time. The expected cognitive decline may represent the predicted probabilities over multiple longitudinal evaluations of the patient during a follow-up period. The trajectory may be useful in prescribing treatment.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is realized that numerous modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention, including a variety of possible statistical or other methods to identify qEEG/qMEG/qERP variables or other measures corresponding to brain activity to define the prediction algorithm, for example, neural networks, bispectral or spectral analysis, wavelet analysis, chaos analysis, fractal analysis, principal component analysis, independent component analysis, singular value decomposition, microstate distributions, microstate transition probabilities and global field synchrony. Only the ability to extract the sensitive variables and apply them to the algorithms previously computed need be provided in the device for the preferred embodiment.
Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that, while this application describes electrodes placed on the scalp to detect brain activity, this is in no way to be construed as the only way such data may be collected for use in a system or method according to the present invention. Rather, this invention contemplates receiving and processing data from any source outside or inside the body and even within the brain itself. And, as components are further minimized certain components of this system which are described as located outside the body may be components of data gathering or other structures which reside within or which are temporarily introduced into the body. In addition, the components described for converting the input data to a series of quantitative values may include any of an analog/digital converter, a digital amplifier or any other structure which performs this function. The specific hardware employed is not critical to the functioning of this invention.
In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that there are other measures, for example, including measures of blood flow through and/or oxygen consumption in various regions of the brain may be positively or negatively correlated to brain activity. Thus measures of these or other parameters corresponding to brain activity may also be used in accord with the method and system of the invention
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Owner name: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PRICHEP, LESLIE S.;REEL/FRAME:017168/0094
Effective date: 20051031
|16. Nov. 2010
|Certificate of correction
|12. Juni 2013
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|29. Juni 2017
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8


text:
Apr 19, 2012
the.book.chat. {historical book}
So of course, the marriage of the two (lit & history) is exactly my slice of pie. Placing a fictional story within a prominent historical setting is just so fascinating to me.
Some of my favorite historical fictions include:
The Help by Katherine Stockett
Outlander (series) by Diana Gabaldon
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
But since today, April 19, is Holocaust Remembrance Day I really want to focus on this specific event in history. I don't know why, but I have always been drawn to literature written in/about this era. Writing about the Holocaust, in a fictional sense, is a tricky business. If you weren't there, and you're not getting the story first hand from someone else, you're treading on very thin ice. You have to get it right in so many ways without coming across as condescending, insensitive or superficial. I mean, how can you write a book that will live up to it's topic?
There are two that I felt went above and beyond.
1. Maus by Art Spiegelman
Technically, it's not fiction because it's the story of the author's parents' time in concentration camps. I'm telling you right now, if you haven't read Maus, you need to. It's a two-part graphic novel about the Nazi occupation of Poland in which the Nazis are portrayed as cats and the Jews as mice. Okay, stop for a moment and ponder that. What I appreciate most about this graphic novel is that you can very obviously see this man's struggle: the broken relationship with his father, the loss of his mother, the tragedy of the whole story he must interpret and how he uses the only medium he knows to portray it all and it's catastrophically flawless. At one point, he literally breaks the fourth wall and draws himself drawing the novel and shares his struggle with the reader. It really shows how the Holocaust not only affected the direct victims but the generations to follow. Artistically mind blowing and amazing.
2. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Surely, I'm not the first one to tell you about this book. I read this book 3 years ago and I can still remember it all. It has never left me. In case you don't know anything about it, it's basically a story about a girl living in WWII Germany with a foster family who adopts/hides a Jewish man in the basement. But honestly, it's not about the story. It's all in the narration, the creative character building, the artistic story weaving. Zusak is a wordsmith and storyteller of the highest degree. He takes a sad (SAD) story and makes it...tender, humble, honest, sarcastic, realistic, loving, and beautiful all while remaining historically accurate. I mean...the narrator. The narrator, people! (don't know who the narrator is? well then I guess you need to read it. now.) I appreciate this book because it's about one of the most dismal moments in our history, but it doesn't just make you sad like so many others do. It does so much more. The Book Thief exhibits a genuine account of history while making you feel compassionate adoration for the characters (even the narrator) and forever you will remember that history is not just about mankind, but humanity.
I guess that's what is so great about historical fiction in itself. It makes history more intriguing; it brings it to life. We can relate to characters in a story more than figures in a text book. Just because it's fiction doesn't mean there isn't something important to learn historically. If/When I become a teacher, I hope to teach some English/History hybrid class because I just can't think of a better way to teach either subject. They're just made for each other.
Can't wait to see what you all have this week!
Next weeks prompt: Share the best fictional friendship. BFF, get it? Share your favorite plutonic duo, trio, gang, posse, etc. Perhaps Frodo and Samwise? Or Harry, Hermoine and Ron? (look at me making a HP reference) It could be a friendship you wish you were apart of or one you feel closely resembles your own. As usual, anything goes.
{This prompt was suggested by Erinn of It's a Journey in like the first week of the book chat. Sorry I'm just now getting to it Erinn. Thanks for the suggestion!}
7 comments:
- Caitlin said...
I love both of those books. I read MAUS in fourth grade when we studied the Holocaust and was totally disturbed by what I read. I read them again in high school and college and was still disturbed, just in a different way. So, so so good.
- April 19, 2012 at 9:49 AM
- Kate @ Daffodils said...
I feel like "The Book Thief" has been coming up a lot lately. I had never heard of it. Will defininitely need to check it out next library trip!
- April 19, 2012 at 2:27 PM
- Molly said...
I just found your blog and LOVE the idea of this link-up. I am a huge book lover and adore talking about books and getting recommendations.
- April 19, 2012 at 3:58 PM
- imlivinginadream said...
So I literally came home fast fast so that I could write up my post (delayed, because of school and whatnot) AND LITERALLY those are two of the books that will be on my list too. I think they are 2 of the most well written, influential, and important books to read about the Holocaust. Ok! I will try to go write mine now & link up later tonight! I'm late, booooo school :(
- April 19, 2012 at 5:39 PM
- imlivinginadream said...
Okay so, yeah I didn't join in again this week. I'm so sad to have missed two in a row! School just takes a priority and my stress levels have skyrocketed this week so I just haven't been blogging.
NEXT WEEK THOUGH I'M BACK. Also, I was curious if I'd actually written a post about my fave Holocaust lit or not and I have, so I'm going to just share that with you again here, even though you've already seen it I think.
Also, I realized that I haven't read ANY historical fiction since last semester when I took a class about the Holocaust. As much as I enjoyed the course I think it was just an overdose of morbid. But there are a few more out there I wanna read. Okay here was the post:
- April 20, 2012 at 5:26 PM
- imlivinginadream said...
That was absolutely the wrong link... LMAO.
This is what I meant to post
I'll stop hogging your comment space now.
- April 20, 2012 at 5:29 PM
- Katie Price said...
I've always been drawn towards reading anything Holocaust related too. I loved the Book Thief, but have never heard of Maus (strange!). I will definitely add that to my list. The first novel in this genre I read was The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, and it is still my favorite.
{found your blog through KC, she's a sweetheart!}
- April 23, 2012 at 7:57 AM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Commissioning is the process of ensuring that systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained as the engineers' design intended.
Retro-Commissioning is the process of commissioning an existing building that has never been commissioned before. There are many reasons to retro-commission a building including high energy bills, poor air quality, occupant discomfort and equipment malfunctions. The process is the same as commissioning a newly constructed building and includes developing a commissioning plan, convening Cx team meetings, developing the pre-functional checklists and functional performance testing documentation, overseeing TAB and system start-up, compiling systems manuals and writing the final commissioning plan. Building owners also have the option of a back check of design documents prior to the construction phase and a site visit 10 months post construction.


text:
Like to develop but don't know where to start?
Huckster Pty Ltd can handle all aspects of project development from design, tender & project management.
With extensive building, brokering, development & consulting experience Clete Mathews is your intermediary representative for negotiating, pricing and providing the best outcome.
Contact Clete on 0427 260 079


text:
- English
- français
Cardiovascular Mathematics
Cardiovascular diseases have a major impact in Western countries. Mathematical models and numerical simulations can help the understanding of physiological and pathological processes, complementing the information provided to medical doctors by medical imaging and other non-invasive means, and opening the possibility of a better diagnosis and more in-depth surgical planning.This book offers a mathematically sound and up-to-date foundation to the training of researchers, and serves as a useful reference for the development of mathematical models and numerical simulation codes. It is structured into different chapters, written by recognized experts in the field, and however it features a common thread, with consistency of notation and expressions and systematic cross-referencing. Many fundamental issues are faced, such as: the mathematical representation of vascular geometries extracted from medical images, modelling blood rheology and the complex multilayer structure of the vascular tissue, and its possible pathologies, the mechanical and chemical interaction between blood and vascular walls; the different scales coupling local and systemic dynamics. All of these topics introduce challenging mathematical and numerical problems, demanding for advanced analysis and simulation techniques. This book is addressed to graduate students and researchers in the field of bioengineering, applied mathematics and medicine, wishing to engage themselves in the fascinating task of modeling how the cardiovascular system works.
Keywords: biomedical engineering ; cardiology ; computer applications in life sciences ; partial differential equations ; simulation and modeling ; vascular surgery
Written for: Graduate students and researchers in the field of bioengineering, applied mathematics, and medicine.
Record created on 2009-09-01, modified on 2017-05-12
- There is no available fulltext. Please contact the lab or the authors.


text:
IBM Hyper-Scale Manager for IBM Spectrum Accelerate Family: IBM XIV, IBM FlashSystem A9000 and A9000R, and IBM Spectrum Accelerate
A draft IBM Redbooks publication
Updated 18 December 2017
IBM Form #: SG24-8376-02
View online
More options
Authors: Bert Dufrasne, Lisa Martinez, Mariya Atanasova
This edition applies to IBM Hyper-Scale Manager V5.3.
This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes storage management functions and their configuration and usage with the IBM Hyper-Scale Manager management graphical user interface (GUI) for IBM FlashSystem® A9000 and A9000R, IBM XIV® Gen3, and IBM Spectrum™ Accelerate software.
The web-based GUI provides a revolutionary object-centered interface design that is aimed toward ease of use together with enhanced efficiency for storage administrators. The first chapter describes general features of the GUI and installation of the IBM Hyper-Scale Manager server.
Subsequent chapters illustrate some typical GUI actions, among many other possibilities, to manage and configure the storage systems, to define security roles, to set up multitenancy.
For most of the GUI-based actions that are illustrated in this book, the corresponding XIV Storage System command-line interface (XCLI) commands are also shown.
IBM Hyper-Scale Manager based GUI information regarding host attachment and replication is covered in IBM FlashSystem A9000, IBM FlashSystem A9000R, and IBM XIV Storage System: Host Attachment and Interoperability, SG24-8368 and IBM FlashSystem A9000 and A9000R Business Continuity Solutions, REDP-5401.
Table of contents
Chapter 1. Management tools
Chapter 2. Storage management and configuration
Chapter 3. Security
Chapter 4. Multitenancy
Follow IBM Redbooks
Follow IBM Redbooks


text:
Egads, only two days left. And I don't want to stop! For the first time in my entire life!
I'm officially hooked. I can't wait for my next workout. I love how my body feels when I stay active. I've started craving exercise over Oreos. Oreos. Me.
Mmm. Oreos.
Today has been all about reflection; thinking back on where I started, what I've accomplished, where I'm going, and how I'm going to get there.
I'm making a lot of changes, both inside and out.
My next step is to clean up my eating – hence my 21 Day Fix Challenge group (it starts October 1st, so order now and let me know so I can add you to the super-secret super-fun Facebook group for super people!).
Today's celebration shake had to be special. With my birthday last week, and closing out PiYo this week, the occasion called for just one thing:
I can't decide whether this shake tastes more like devil's food cake batter or brownie batter. You try it and let me know what you think.
The kick of cayenne pepper at the end heats up your mouth and your metabolism!
When you say the name of this shake, say it in a Russian accent like Red on OITNB – it's way more punny that way.
Chocolate Birthday Kick Shake
1 scoop vegan chocolate Shakeology
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
¼ tsp vanilla extract
⅛ tsp cayenne powder (or more if you cray-cray)
1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
1-2 wheatgrass ice cubes
Rainbow sprinkles
Combine all ingredients (except sprinkles) in your Nutribullet/blender.
Add a few shakes of sprinkles.
Blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass and top with – you guessed it – more sprinkles.


text:
Title: Is It Real?
Author: Willow
Summary: Will is in shock after being made Toby's deputy.
Episode: Post season 4, Inauguration Part 2
Characters: Will, Toby, CJ and Josh.
Rating: G
Disclaimer: They all belong to Aaron Sorkin, NBC, John Wells and many others who aren't me.
"Have you seen Will?" Toby asked.
"You can't have lost him already, he's only been your deputy for 30 minutes," CJ laughed.
"He just wandered off while I was talking to him," Toby complained.
"He's in shock, Toby. You could have warned him that you'd recommended him for the deputy's job."
"Do you remember when you were officially made Communications Director, do you remember the feeling?"
"It seems a long time ago."
"It does," CJ agreed. "We've all been through a hell of a lot in the last four years. But we've survived to fight another day."
"Just," Toby commented.
"Just? It was a landslide, Toby."
"I wasn't talking about the election."
"I know," CJ agreed.
"Toby's looking for you." Josh walked up to the bench Will was sat on.
"Toby," Josh repeated.
"I haven't seen him"
"Are you okay?" Josh asked with a slight smile.
"I have no idea," Will looked up at Josh. "This is the weirdest night of my life."
"Really?" Josh grinned, thrusting his hands in his pockets, in a vane attempt to keep warm. "Which part?"
"Well, I was at a party and some idiot dragged me to a snowball fight," Will smiled, "and then the President gave me this." He held out the leather document folder he was holding.
Josh smiled, "I know, it's an unexplainable feeling," he agreed. "Even though I knew I was gonna be deputy CoS, when he gave me that signed and sealed document with my name on it...... " he shook his head, "it was amazing."
"Yeah," Will agreed.
"Pretty weird night then?" Josh said.
Josh grinned, "Don't worry."
"It gets more normal now?" Will asked hopefully.
"Your life isn't going to be normal for quite sometime yet," Josh promised.
"Is that suppose to make me feel better?"
Josh laughed. "You'll enjoy it, well most of it, some of it anyway."
Will looked worried. "I've never done anything like this before."
"None of us had," Josh told him.
"Really? None of you had worked in Washington before?"
"Well I had and Leo, obviously, and Toby and Sam, but not CJ."
Will sighed.
"I'm not helping am I?"
"You phoned your father?"
"I almost did, but then I thought, 'is it real?'"
"You should get use to that feeling," Josh told him. "Look, really, don't worry about not having done stuff on this level...... "
"Or anywhere close to this level?" Will interrupted.
Josh dusted the snow off the bench and sat down next to Will. "Charlie originally came for a messenger's job you know, kept telling me he had his own bike. He was scared witless when he first met the President. I'm not sure he's ever forgiven me," he smiled. "Donna had never worked in politics, she just turned up on the campaign and assigned herself as my assistant."
"Why'd she choose you?"
"I think she looked in my office and decided that whoever this Josh Lyman was, he sure as hell needed someone to organize him," Josh grinned. "CJ had only ever worked on local campaigns. Toby had never won an election before. Sam was just about to become a partner at a law firm in New York."
"So basically what your telling me is that, besides you and Leo, no one had any experience of government."
"That's pretty scary."
"Isn't it," Josh agreed.
"Can I tell you something? and I want you to remember that I may be a little drunk."
"Leo scares me."
"He scares everyone when they first meet him."
"So he scared you?"
"Except me."
"'Cos you're brave?" Will smiled.
"I am," Josh grinned. "Plus I was only eight at the time."
"Leo's fair, he's good to work for. You work hard and do as he asks, you'll be fine."
"And Toby?"
"Yeah, can't help you there. He still scares me," Josh smiled. "Come back inside, it's freezing."
"In a minute. Won't people mind?"
"Mind what?"
"That I've been here two months and suddenly I'm Deputy Communications Director. Most of the speech writing staff have been here since you took office. Plus, Sam was pretty popular."
"You didn't get Sam fired, he chose to leave," Josh pointed out. "Toby's Communications Director and he obviously thinks that no one on the staff is as good as you. It's Toby's opinion that matters. He likes the way you're prepared to argue with him." Then Josh smiled, "And with me, Leo and the President."
"But I was here on a temporary contract. I very much doubted I'd ever see any of you again, so arguing with you all wasn't so big a deal. I honestly don't think I can stand and argue with Toby or Leo if I know I'm here permanently."
"Sure you can. The senior staff are expected to argue with each other, that's how we know we've covered all the angles. The President likes to have people around him who aren't afraid to disagree with him, just as long as you know where to draw the line and don't ever cross it," Josh smiled a little ruefully at the memory of Christmas 2000. "As for the speech writing staff, they'll come round and until they do they're professionals, they'll do what you and Toby tell them to."
"I suppose at least the hazing's over." Will smiled and glanced at Josh, "I know that was you and CJ by the way."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Josh grinned stood up, "Come inside, before we both freeze to death."
Will stood and followed Josh, "So you really think taking a Washington Post correspondent with you to throw snowballs at your assistant's apartment was a good idea?" he smiled as he followed Josh back into the building.


text:
Jeezy's Juke Joint: A Black Burly-Q Revue Friday March 14th, 2014
www.jeezysjukejoint.bpt.meFriday March 14th, 2014
2720 Cherokee
Doors 8pm | Show 9pm
$15 General Admission ($20/Door)
$20 VIP Front Row ($25/Door)
$125 VIP Table for 4 (Includes drink tickets, signed show posters, and gift bags)
Jeez Loueez- The Powerhouse of the Midwest Presents…
Jeezy's Juke Joint: A Black Burly-Q Revue!
This jumping, jiving, foot-stomping revue pays homage to African-American Burlesque and variety with a fabulous line-up of award-winning entertainment ranging from classic burlesque to drag to comedy and everything in between!
With deep rooted ties in blues, jazz, and ragtime music, and home to such influential artists like Josephine Baker, Scott Joplin, and Tina Turner, St. Louis has a rich and thriving African-American history. Jeezy's Juke Joint brings even more fabulous diversity and fierce new flavor to the vibrant burlesque scene in St. Louis for one night only!
2013 Reigning King of Burlesque Ray Gunn (Chicago)
Foxy Tann (Minneapolis)
Po'Chop (Chicago)
RedBone (Minneapolis)
Switch the Boi Wonder (Chicago)
Donna Denise (Dallas)
Iris Le'Mour (Dallas)
Foxy La Feelion (St. Louis)
Horchata Dentana (St. Louis)
X Blu Rayne- Mz. Spoken Word (STL)
The Incredible, Edible, Akynos (NYC)
Bunny VanDoren (Indianapolis)
Essence Revealed (NYC)
Pick-Up Artist:
Blu Reine (New Orleans)
Hosted by Jeez Loueez!
Funktastic soundtrack provided by STL favorites Big Brother Thunder and the MasterBlasters! http://
After a break and relocating from Chicago to St. Louis, the show that features the brightest brown-skinned burlesque stars from across the country is back for the first time!
Sponsored By:
Vaudezilla Productions & Burlesque www.vaudezilla.com
Foxy Tann's HardCore Pasties www.hardcorepasties.com
JMI Photo www.photographybyjmi.com
Frankie Renee Photography
Insomniac Studios www.insomniacstudios.net


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Daisy's Best Week Ever February 9, 2017: Magic at the Magic Kingdom
by Daisy Lauren on February 10, 2017
Hello, my lovelies! I hope you've had a wonderful week and you're ready for it to get even better! It's been forever since I took you along with me for an evening in the Magic Kingdom. I decided to head over on Super Bowl Sunday to report what the most magical place on Earth is like on game day. As you can see below the crowds on Main Street weren't too intimidating when I arrived a little before 7pm.
Want to see the rest of my adventure? Click to read more.
Read the rest of this entry »


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Found 427 tutors in Buford, GA 30515 – page 1 of 43.
Suwanee 30024 · 5 miles from 30515 · $55/hour · teaches Architecture, Autodesk Revit
I have a Bachelors degree in Architecture and over 18 years of diversified experience in the field of Architecture. Exceptional skills and experience in planning, detailing, designing and coordinating projects is...Green Apple rating, member for 2 years and 11 months
Suwanee 30024 · 5 miles from 30515 · $20/hour · teaches English, English as 2nd Language
Education: ~Lambert High School // Expected to graduate at 2020 ---------------------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Awards: ~Band/Flute - Most Outstanding Band Student 2015 ...Green Apple rating, member for 1 year and 3 months
Lawrenceville 30043 · 7 miles from 30515 · $45/hour · teaches ACT, Algebra, Algebra 1
Bachelors in Biology Masters in Medical Sciences Working towards my M.D. I have been tutoring for 4+ years and love teaching. I personalize my teaching style to match the students learning style.Green Apple rating, member for 3 years and 6 months
Cumming 30041 · 8 miles from 30515 · teaches ADD-ADHD, Dyslexia, English, Grammar
I obtained my Undergraduate degree in Elementary and Special Education. My Masters is in Literacy. I am also Orton-Gillingham certified. I have worked as a general education and special education teacher for 13 years.Green Apple rating, member for 5 years and 9 months
Cumming 30028 · 11 miles from 30515 · $40/hour · teaches ADD-ADHD, Algebra, Algebra 1
4.0 GPA; Graduated Magna cum Laude with Honors; Private tutoring business for 5 years; Selected tutor for NE Spruill Oaks Regional Library for three consecutive years; Served at Applerouth Tutoring;Green Apple rating, member for 3 years and 5 months
Duluth 30097 · 11 miles from 30515 · $65/hour · teaches Dyslexia, Marketing, Microsoft
- MS, Personal Financial Planning, Georgia State University - MBA, Georgia State University - BS, Management, Georgia Institute of Technology - Certified professional real estate photographer by Real Estate...Green Apple rating, member for 1 year and 10 months
Duluth 30097 · 11 miles from 30515 · $20/hour · teaches Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2
I am a high school student who has won many math competition awards, including placing 6th at the Georgia state Mathcounts competition (8th grade), and 1st place team at the Kansas state Mathcounts competition (7th grade).Green Apple rating, member for 7 months
Lawrenceville 30042 · 13 miles from 30515 · $70/hour · teaches Bass, Composition, Drums
Feel like a rock star from the start! Learn music from a professional who played with some of the biggest names in the music industry including NEW edition and BOBBY BROWN. I'Green Apple rating, member for 4 years and 12 months
Alpharetta 30005 · 13 miles from 30515 · teaches Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Calculus
Current Senior Harsh specializes in Algebra, Calculus, Chemistry, English and Geography. He lives in Alpharetta, GA. Feel free to contact Harsh through the form on your left.Green Apple rating, member for 1 year and 3 months
Alpharetta 30005 · 13 miles from 30515 · $10/hour · teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 2
I'm currently a rising senior and am looking to apply to Georgia Tech. My area of specialty is in the English language, but I can teach other high school subjects as well. As for qualifications, I'Green Apple rating, member for 11 months


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Mazar-i-Sharif calm as Nowruz preparations go on
Mazar-i-Sharif calm as Nowruz preparations go on
MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Preparations to celebrate upcoming Nowruz festival are underway in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, but people's response and enthusiasm to attend the festivities seems lukewarm this time.
Local officials say though the weather and security situation in Mazar-i-Sharif is satisfactory, yet economic issues people face this year compared to the past may keep many people away from attending the New Persian Year celebrations.
Similarly, local residents and hotel owners also say people's participation in the festival could not be compared with the past years.
The observances usually last two weeks, culminating on the first day of the Afghan New Year, March 21. The Jahenda Bala ceremony is celebrated on the first day of the New Year.
Thousands of people from across the country and abroad attend the biggest gathering, a specific religious ceremony performed in the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif.
Among various traditions and customs, one is the Guli Surkh festival which literally means red flower Festival (Tulip flowers). It is celebrated in Mazar-i-Sharif during the first 40 days of the year when the Tulip flowers grow in the green plains and over the hills surrounding the city.
Besides the Buzkashi game, some handicraft exhibitions and artistic and poetic sessions are also held during the festival.
Balkh governor's spokesman Munir Farhad told Pajhwok Afghan News they had put in place all needed preparatory measures for the upcoming Nowruz festival like the previous years.
He said the population of Mazar-i-Sharif was one million people and another one million each year came to the city from other parts of the country to celebrate the festivities.
He said though the security and weather situation was satisfactory in Mazar-i-Sharif, many people were unlikely to attend the festival due to economic problems stemmed from recent developments in the country.
However, Farhad said they had taken all necessary measures for the festival on the government level.
He said the provincial administration each year created a commission comprising nine committees to make preparations for the festival.
Headed by Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, the commission contained security, culture, city cleanliness and decoration, price check and control, heath and other committees, the official said. He said most of these committees had started performing their tasks.
Provincial Information and Culture director Saleh Mohammad Khalique said his department was responsible for arranging cultural events and it had completed its preparations.
He said like the previous years, they had planned a series of culture, artistic and literary programmes. He said the participants like the previous years would be amused by music concerts planned on the Balkh university campus and at other places.
Besides local artists, singers from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Iran and the United States had been invited, he said, adding the flag raising ceremony would be followed by a cultural gathering at the governor's house.
Khalique said in the first week of the New Year, literary gatherings, feature films, and exhibitions of books, calligraphy and handicrafts would be arranged.
Some residents of Mazar-i-Sharif said they awaited literary programmes each year during the Nowruz festivals.
One of them, Mirwais, told Pajhwok Afghan News the festival was the days of fun and noise in Mazar-i-Sharif.
He said the flag raising ceremony had its exclusive fun and most residents longed for the culture activities. "I went to the university for a music concert with friends last year, it was a great fun."
The municipality has also launched cleaning the city and plans to decorate the Hazrat Ali Mosque. Mayor Younas Muqim said they had launched the cleanliness drive 10 days ago.
The blue mosque is specially decorated for the Nowruz festival each year. Muqim said the decoration would be started in a few days.
He said the tomb and its nearby squares and buildings would be illuminated by colourful small bulbs, which would add to the beauty of the festival nights. The mayor said he had been visiting hotels and inns to ensure they were clean.
Balkh civil hospital director Dr. Noor Mohammad Faiz, also a member of the provincial commission's health committee, said they had started putting in place necessary measures as part of the festival.
He said a medical camp also involving lady doctors would be set up at the Hazrat Ali Roza for nearly a month.
He said they had specified 100 beds at the civil hospital to deal with any emergency situation during the festivities and dozens of doctors divided into groups would be available for 24 hours duty.
But despite all these preparations, people seem less interested in participating in the festivals this time.
Owner of Gulzar Hotel west of the Blue Mosque said they had so far registered no one coming to the city for the festival. Previously, he said, hotels were full of guests these days. He said it seemed people's participation in the festival would be very lukewarm compared to the past years.
Mazar-i-Sharif residents also said the hustle and bustle they witnessed in the past years did not appear this time.
One of them, Zabihullah Frotan, said streets of the city were calm and the number of visitors from other provinces was equal not nothing.
He said crowds on roads leading to the Roza would create traffic problems these days in the previous years, but such crowds could not be seen this time. He said insecurity rumours in the north and people's weakened economic position could be blamed for the calm.
The governor spokesman said high ranking government officials and foreign diplomats had attended last year's festivities in Mazar-i-Sharif. Farhad said it remained unclear who among high ranking officials would attend the festivities this time.
He said the governor's house had invited the governors of provinces of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Iran bordering Balkh to attend the flag raising ceremony and other festivities.
Security officials said they had put in place tight security measures in very part of the city over the past 25 days.
Balkh police chief Syed Kamal Sadat said dozens of security posts had been set up on the Mazar--Shiberghan and the Mazar-Kabul highways inside Balkh province.
Related Article
Download "Pajhwok" mobile App, on your smartphone to read and access latest news, features, interviews, videos and photos about Afghanistan.


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I am a size 6 woman with a long torso, short legs, and broad shoulders. Why am I telling you this? Because midi skirts are damn hard to pull off, but I think I've unlocked the secret. The cardinal rule of midi skirts is (at least for my body type): you have to wear them with some sort of heel. I love midi skirts and midi dresses alike, but the length isn't for everyone. A true midi skirt comes to the middle of your shin and that just doesn't look good on everyone. For dresses and skirts, for me at least, my sweet spots are one inch above my knee and right at the bottom of my kneecap. Any longer and I'm treading into dangerous territory (unless I'm going full maxi).
If you have what I like to define as the "clothes-hanger" shape (this is in no way body shaming thin women – a clothes hanger shape refers to everything looking as good on you as it does on the hanger), you can probably pull off flats with a midi skirt. Many of us were not blessed with the same proportions as you and must compensate accordingly. Heels elongate your calves, making them look proportionate with the long line of the midi skirt.
Am I telling you how to dress? No, I most certainly am not. This is my suggestion. However, I am 100% convinced that a midi skirt looks better with heels.
This look is a little out of character for me, but I love it. It's modest, but still attractive, which was what I was going for. It's a little old fashioned maybe, especially with the black and rust together, but paired with the minimalist heel, it is perfect for winter dates and more modest settings like a work office party or a family gathering. I would love to wear this at a family Christmas party: it's cute but still covers up enough to not get any weird looks from the distant relatives. Just give me some glasses and put my hair in a bun, and you're looking at your new favorite librarian look too.
If you're looking to try out the midi-length trend, I am loving Charlotte Russe's midi dresses and Forever 21's midi skirts! This skirt is a Forever 21 find, along with the shoes which unfortunately sold out, and the top is from Missguided, also sold out. If you can find it on the Missguided site, get $20 off your purchase here! As of late, I'm also obsessed with minimalist watches; this one is from The 5th Co. They only sell these watches five days out of the year, so make sure to sign up for the live website here. I'm wearing the Tribeca with the black interchangeable strap. I've linked the best matches I could find below, but there's no time like the fall and winter to try out this trend!
Happy 4th Day of Blogmas!
Now, for what you have all been waiting for – the giveaway! Today, we will be giving away a tumblr with body wash and lotion and a lipstick! This giveaway will be hosted on Hannah's blog! Just head over to her latest post to enter!
Want to see how the rest of us are getting ready for the holidays? Check out these other awesome bloggers!


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The thing about a trip to Ireland is that every single place you visit becomes your favorite.
Killarney, in County Kerry, is another one of those places. A small town, but so much to see. Let's jump into the photos.
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Feeler gauge
Feeler gauges or a gap gauge
feeler gauge set, for measuring intake valves


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Well, this is good news.
Following the release and critical-panning of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, there's been a lot of talk amongst the fan community about how Warner Bros. might be approaching the rest of their planned DC Cinematic Universe. With the news of some Suicide Squad reshoots underway currently as well, it seems like the studio may be taking a very close look at the rest of their plans moving forward.
However, it looks like that impressive footage released from the Wonder Woman standalone film might have been even more telling than we had thought initially.
The studio has reportedly moved the film up three weeks ahead of its previous June 23 release date to June 2nd, 2017. In addition, the studio has also pushed the Andy Serkis-directed Jungle Book: Origins, which will incorporate heavy motion-capture technology and performances, back a year to October 19th, 2018, just a few weeks ahead of the theatrical release later this month for Disney's live-action adaptation of the iconic story.
Serkis commented on the news on Facebook with the following:
"I've got to say that personally I'm absolutely thrilled that Warner Brothers have changed the delivery date of our movie. The ambition for this project is huge. What we are attempting is an unprecedented level of psychological and emotional nuance in morphing the phenomenal performances of our cast into the facial expressions of our animals."
The studio also announced three new movie release dates, with an Untitled WB Event Film grabbing the old Jungle Book slot on October 6, 2017, and a pair of Untitled DC Films set for October 5, 2018, and November 1, 2019, which if I was willing to go out on a limb, would guess that at least one of those was a solo Batman movie directed by Ben Affleck, and the other could possibly be a Man Of Steel sequel, though they could both be entirely different films.
As of right now, I think that despite the poor reviews of Batman v Superman, there seems to be a lot of good will going towards the rest of the DC Cinematic Universe right now, and I legitimately think that all of their standalone films have the possibility of being some of the best and most unique comic book movies ever. It's just the team-up films I'm worried about at this point.
Wonder Woman will now hit theaters on June 2nd, 2017.
Make sure to keep checking back for more updates — right here on GeekNation.
Alex Welch
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Preparing for a Crop
By, Becky Higgins
September 2003, Creating Keepsakes
It's six-thirty. You've fed your family, and you're in a mad rush to gather your scrapbooking supplies before your seven o'clock crop. You wonder which pictures to scrap, which supplies you need, and if you should bother taking your entire album. Most of all, you wonder, "Why, oh why, didn't I think about all of this earlier?"
Imagine being able to waltz out the door, completely organized and ready to tackle several layouts. Imagine not having to transport boatloads of product to and from your car, but making it in (gasp) just one trip! Imagine your cropping friends' admiration when they see you actually completing several layouts instead of sifting through a dozen envelopes of recently developed pictures. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your precious crop time.
On your mark, get set…
Ask yourself, "What do I want to accomplish at this crop?" Remember that this is a social gathering. If you're going for just a few hours and plan to catch up with your friends or admire other people's albums, you'll be lucky to finish a page or two. On the other hand, if you're attending an all-day scrap-a-thon, you're probably anxious to get down to business. Depending on your preparation and how fast you scrapbook, you can even set a goal to complete a dozen layouts. Regardless of your time allotment, be realistic. Do as much pre-crop planning as you can so you won't waste crop time.
Plan your pages
The key to crop success can be summed up in one word-preparation. You can do that by finding your focus. Envision your end result. Perhaps you'll work on completing a theme or gift album. Pull together any papers and embellishments you think you will need.
For example, at a recent crop I knew I wanted to finish the layouts for my family's Disney cruise album. I wanted the layouts to have a similar feel, so I chose coordinating papers, cardstock and tags for my titles. I imagined my layouts as fresh, simple in design, and- most importantly- completed by the end of the evening. I achieved my goal because I planned ahead and envisioned the completed pages.
Knowing is half the battle
Scrapbook pages involve two types of tasks: mind-oriented and hand-oriented. Determining how to position your pictures or figuring out what to include in your journaling are tasks that use your mind. Setting eyelets, cutting out template letters and chalking die cuts require hand-work but not a lot of brain power. Try to do your "mind" tasks before the crop. When you think of layout ideas, sketch them! Keep design notes with the pictures and papers you plan to use for each layout. Trust me-when you're ready to create the pages, your job will be easier. "Hands-on" tasks like matting photos and punching are perfect activities while you chat with your neighbors.
The bottom line? Know what you can handle during distracting times and what needs to be thought out before the crop.
Gather your supplies
Now that you've grouped your photos, papers and embellishments, you need to gather everything else. What are the basic supplies you use every time you scrapbook? For me, it's my paper trimmer, a small pair of scissors, a journaling pen, ruler, eraser, pencil and adhesive tabs. Make sure you take any additional tools that could come in handy for these specific layouts, such as chalk, templates, punches or eyelet-setting tools.
Decide which items aren't necessary. Ask a friend if she will share her colored pencils. Offer to share your paper trimmer. Sharing saves you space and hassle. As tempting as it is to haul all of your new gadgets, a bin filled with fiber and your latest 13 rolls of film, it's just not practical if you're serious about completing several pages. It's distracting and you'll lose focus.
Simplify the process
When I'm in the comfort of my home and every product I own is within reach, there's no telling what I'll work on.
At a crop, the environment is social and I'll likely get side-tracked. Focus on completing layouts with the same theme, such as the Disney cruise album I mentioned earlier. If your chatting with friends and looking at their work, simplifying your own work could mean accomplishing your crop goals.
Save the best for last
Here's my most helpful tip: Save the journaling for when you get home. If you're like me, it's hard to concentrate on meaningful journaling when you're being distracted by conversations. Create your journaling block, even draw your pencil guidelines, then finish the writing part later. Or, if you prefer computer journaling, be sure to leave enough space for it.
Your expressions, feelings, memories and thoughts are just as important as the pictures. Reserve the "mind-ful" task of writing for when you can really dedicate your genuine thoughts to what you want to say. When I try to write journaling with lots of people and noise around, it ends up as meaningless chatter that states the obvious and doesn't say what I really want to express.


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116 pages, softcover- The Concrete and me 2, is a bilingual (Hungarian and English) book presenting a fine/street art subculture that is trying to find new ways by experimenting with media and techniques inspired by the urban scenery within and beyond the city bounds. The book is a result of an international collaboration and features artworks from 12 countries of Europe. 108(IT), CKE(SK), FIONA(D), ANED(H), APL315(UKR), BLEZE(RU/CZ), MOSD(CZ), BUDE(H), D.Y.O CREW (IT), ELLA(PL), EREMITERNA DUO(FIN/ SWE), FRANKY(FIN), HOMER(UKR), HONET(FR), HOTSHOT(H), IOKE42(SLO), IP CREW(H), JOE83(PL), MASKER(CZ), OILERS GANG(RO), U.T. CREW(D)
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Faith and success go hand in hand. Of course you have probably heard that church and state shouldn't mix, and that has been applied to business as well. But it's not the correct idea. Not at all. God wants us to prosper. He wants us to be wealthy. It's written time and time again in the Bible, in the Old Testament as well as the New.
So many principles of a success are covered in the Bible. We're not saying that you have to be a Bible thumper and preach to your staff and customers. We're saying Christian business owners have utilized many of the acts of faith that you already believe in for centuries.
Let's look at Mark 5:36 for example. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Indeed, it's one of the main principles of successful business people. You have to believe in your business, yourself and the Lord. It's simple. Nothing complicated. There it is in the Good Book.
Your talent, your special skill and your penchant for a certain activity are all gifts provided by God. Why do you think He gave them to you? It says in Deuteronomy 8:18 – "But remember the Lord your God for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth." That's way back in the Old Testament and it still applies today.


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Discussion in 'Marketplace' started by sunriseturf, Mar 9, 2007.
pm me your email and I will send pics of the one with 825 hours. The other is near same condition.
price bagger needs engine size
Machine with 825 hours is 27hp....asking $5500 the machine with 1100 hours is 25hp and am asking $4500. No baggers for any of them. PM me your email and I will send pics of the one with 825 hours on it. The other machine is just about as good condition.
Suttliffe..... I need your email address to send the pics of the mower. I tried to PM you but you are set not to accept them. PM me your email. Thanks.