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Vanessa cardui
Vanessa cardui is a well-known colourful butterfly, known as the Painted Lady, or in North America as the Cosmopolitan. This butterfly has a strange pattern of flying in a sort of screw shape.
V. cardui is one of the most widespread of all butterflies, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America.[1] In Australia, V. cardui has a limited range around Bunbury, Fremantle, and Rottnest Island. However, its close relative, the Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi, sometimes considered a subspecies) ranges over half the continent. Other closely related species are the American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) and the West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella).
Vanessa cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain in May and June, but for decades naturalists have debated whether the offspring of these immigrants ever make a southwards return migration.[2] Recent research suggests that British painted ladies do undertake an autumn migration.[2] Using an entomological radar, scientists at Rothamsted Research provided evidence that autumn migrations take place at high altitude, which could be why these migrations are seldom witnessed.[2]
The Vanessa cardui are known for their distinct migratory behavior. In California, they are usually seen flying from north to northwest. These migrations appear to be partially initiated by heavy winter rains in the desert where rainfall controls the growth of larval food plants.[3] Painted Lady migration patterns are highly erratic and they do not migrate every year.[4] There is evidence to suggest that global climatic events, such as El Nino, may affect the migratory behavior of the Painted Lady butterflies, causing large-scale migrations.[5]
Based on experimental data, it appears that the Painted Lady's migration pattern in Northern Europe does not follow a strict northwest heading. The range of headings suggests that migrating butterflies may adjust their migration patterns in response to local topographical features and weather, such as strong wind patterns. Laboratory-raised autumn-generation Painted Lady butterflies were able to distinguish a southern orientation for a return migration path. According to the same laboratory-based study, when butterflies were isolated from the sun, they were unable to orient themselves in a specific direction, opposed to those who did have access to the sun. This suggests that Vanessa cardui require a direct view of the sky, implying the use of a solar compass to orient their migratory direction and maintain a straight flight path.[6]
Relationship with humans[edit]
Vanessa cardui butterflies are raised in many preschool and elementary classrooms to demonstrate the life cycle of a butterfly. Naturally, this is one reason they are so popular amongst children. They are also often found in science fair projects.
Life cycle with notes for rearing in classrooms[edit]
As these animals are cold blooded and their life cycle does not depend on a certain number of day/night cycles, temperature can greatly affect the times presented here.
At 90 °F (32 °C) the entire life cycles will take roughly 16 days. At 65 °F (18 °C) the life cycles will take months. At such extreme temperatures one can expect some deaths. At room temperatures the egg takes three to five days to hatch. The eggs are tiny, as tiny as a sugar crystal. They are green and ribbed and can be observed best with a magnifying glass. It is possible to view the cap at the top of the egg where the caterpillar will emerge.
The embryo can be viewed growing inside the egg using a hand lens or dissecting scope. A high powered dissecting scope allows for watching hatching quite clearly. If eggs turn deep green, or become dented and wrinkled, the eggs do not contain living embryos. Just before hatching the embryos fill the whole egg and make the eggs look black or brown. As protection against disease, newly laid eggs may be knocked off the leaf, or left attached to the leaf, and dipped in dilute household bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 200 parts water) for 1–2 minutes and swished about. Afterwards, the eggs are left on a paper towel to dry. This will kill disease on the surface of the eggs and increase caterpillar survival.
The caterpillars will emerge as small and black and will begin to eat immediately. As they grow they will shed their skins three times, called instars. At each instar the caterpillar will need much more food as it has expanded in size. It will also become more spiky. These spikes do not contain poison and are not sharp. The moulted skin appears as a black speck, what looks like dirt, near the caterpillar. Many people believe this to be the excretion of the caterpillar. Occasionally the moult will look like an entire, dead, caterpillar, as snake's skin does. If under stress they will sometimes shed into a fifth instar, which is a very large caterpillar. A fifth instar is a sign that care is incorrect in some way, typically due to diet.
The four instars take 7–11 days to turn into a chrysalis. The caterpillar will spin a patch of silk and attach its hind end to the silk. At this point it begins changing internally, forming a "j" shape. Once the caterpillar forms a J, it should not be disturbed as it can no longer reattach itself to the silk pad. A fallen "J" caterpillar can be laid on its side on a flat piece of cotton and may shed successfully. The chrysalis is very soft at first and will dent if resting on a hard surface. After hardening, the chrysalis will crack if dropped or struck. The chrysalis can be dark or light colored depending on conditions during development of the caterpillar. It takes 7–11 days for the chrysalis to turn into a butterfly.
When emerging from the chrysalis the butterfly pumps its wings with fluid to expand them. This happens within a few minutes of emerging or cannot happen at all. Once the wings are expanded they are still soft for up to a day. Initially the butterfly prefers not to move as its wings harden, but after the wings harden for a few hours the painted lady will become incredibly sensitive to movement and will damage its still soft wings when frightened. It is best to wait a full day after emergence from the chrysalis to handle a painted lady. Its wing span is 2 inches (50 mm).
Mating behavior in relation to migration[edit]
Vanessa cardui displays a unique system of continuous mating, throughout all seasons, including the winter. This may be attributed to the migratory patterns of the painted lady butterfly, thus significantly affecting its mating behavior. During European migrations, the butterflies will immediately begin to mate and lay eggs upon arrival in the Mediterranean in the spring, starting late May.[7] In the United States, painted lady butterflies migrating towards the North experience poor mating conditions, and many butterflies have limited breeding capabilities.[8] The "local adult generation" develops during this time, roughly from the middle of May through early June in conjunction with the butterfly progression throughout their flight.[7]
During its migratory process, these painted lady butterflies will start breeding, and reproduce entirely throughout their migration.[9] Scientists have not been able to find evidence of the Vanessa cardui overwintering; this may be attributed to the fact that they migrate to warmer locations in order to survive and reproduce.[8] It is suspected that female painted lady butterflies suspend their flight temporarily when they are "ready to oviposit";[10] this allows them the opportunity to continually reproduce throughout their migrations. Because these butterflies are constantly migrating, it is believed that male butterflies lack consistent territory. Instead of requiring territory to mate with females and developing evolutionary behavior to defend this territory, the mating butterflies appear to establish a particular "time and place" in certain locations that they find to be suitable for reproduction.[10] More specifically, they will locate certain perches, hilltops, forest-meadow edges, or other landmarks that they will stay on until, presumably, a female painted lady arrives to mate.[10]
Equally important for the reproduction of the painted lady butterflies is the male butterflies' exhibition of polygynous mating behavior, in which the males often mate with more than one female butterfly.[11] This is important for painted lady butterflies because the benefits may supersede the costs of polygyny[12] since there is no permanent breeding ground. Upon mating, which typically occurs in the afternoon, female painted lady butterflies lays her eggs one by one in her desired breeding locations.[10] The variety of eclosion locations ultimately dictates the male painted lady behavior.[13]
Female painted lady butterflies have been observed to have a relatively "high biotic potential", meaning they produce large numbers of offspring per female. This perpetual influx of reproduction may be a reason why these painted lady butterflies have propagated so successfully. One interesting aspect that scientists have observed is that these butterflies like to fly towards rain. Further studies have suggested that the large amounts of rainfall may somehow "activate more eggs or induce better larval development".[14] Inhabited locations begin to observe a large influx of new generations of painted lady butterflies in the fall, particularly in September and October. Their reproductive success declines relatively throughout the winter, primarily through November.[7] However, they still continue to reproduce—an aspect of butterfly behavior that is quite unique. Scientists hypothesize that these extensive migratory patterns help the painted lady butterflies find suitable conditions for breeding, thus offering a possible reason as to why these butterflies mate continuously.
Adult butterflies will feed on flower nectar and aphid honeydew.[10] Female Vanessa cardui will oviposit on plants with nectar immediately available for the adults even if it leads to high mortality of the larvae. This lack of discrimination indicates the Vanessa cardui do not take into account volatile chemicals released from potential host plants when searching for oviposition choices.[10]
It has been found that the availability of adult resources dictates preference for specific areas of flowers. A study in the Journal of Insect Behavior found that flowers with more available nectar resulted in a larger number of eggs deposited on the pants. This reinforces the idea that the Painted Lady butterfly does not discriminate host plants and chooses mainly on availability of adult food sources even if it increases mortality rate of the offspring. The data also suggests that the Painted Lady butterfly favors quantity of offspring over quality.[10]
Roosting behavior and territory[edit]
Groups of two to eight Painted Lady butterflies have been observed to fly in circles around each other for about one to five seconds before separating symbolizing courtship. Groups of butterflies usually will not fly more than 4.5 meters away from the starting point.[10] In order to establish and defend their territory, adult males will perch in the late afternoon in areas where females are most likely to appear.[10] Once the male spots a female of the same species, they will begin pursuit of her. If the foreign butterfly is a male, the original male will give chase, flying vertically for a few feet before returning to its perch.[10]
The Vanessa cardui establish territories within areas sheltered by hedgerows.[10] Vanessa cardui tend to inhabit sunny, brightly lit, open environments and are often attracted to open areas of flowers and clovers.[10] Adult Vanessa cardui will spend time in small depressions in the ground on overcast days.[10]
Host plants[edit]
Larvae feed on Asteraceae spp., including Cirsium, Carduus,Centaurea, Arctium, Helianthus, and Artemisia spp.[1][15]
The painted lady uses over 300 recorded host plants according to the HOSTS database.[16] For raising in the classroom one need only sprout a bed of black oil sunflower seeds, as are used for bird seed. The caterpillars will eat the true adult leave (not the sprouts) and in this way one may inexpensively produce many host plants. Soak the seeds for eight hours in 10% diluted household bleach (1 pt bleach, 9 pts water) to ensure a disease free, even sprouting. Place the seeds upon the surface of the soil and keep moist until they grow roots and can be watered normally.
Defense mechanisms[edit]
The main defense mechanisms of the Painted Lady butterflies include flight and camouflage. The Venessa cardui caterpillars will hide in small silk nests on top of leaves from main predators that include wasps, spiders, ants, and birds.[17]
See also[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vanessa cardui.
- ^ a b "Painted Lady". A-Z of Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ a b c "Butterfly Conservation: Secrets of Painted Lady migration unveiled". BirdGuides Ltd. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3. University of CaliforniaPress, New York. 349pp.
- ^ Larsen, T.B. 1984. Butterflies of Saudi Arabia and Its Neighbours. Stacey International, London, 160 pp.
- ^ Tilden, J.W. 1962. General characteristics of the movements of Vanessa cardui (L.). Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 1: 43-49.
- ^ Nesbit, R.L., J.K. Hill, I.P. Woiwod, D. Sivell, K.J. Bensusan, and J.W. Chapman. "Seasonally Adaptive Migratory Headings Mediated By A Sun Compass In The Painted Lady Butterfly, Vanessa Cardui."Animal Behaviour 78 (2009): 1119-1125. Print.
- ^ a b c Stefanescu, C., Páramo, F., Åkesson, S., Alarcón, M., Ávila, A., Brereton, T., Carnicer, J., Cassar, L. F., Fox, R., Heliölä, J., Hill, J. K., Hirneisen, N., Kjellén, N., Kühn, E., Kuussaari, M., Leskinen, M., Liechti, F., Musche, M., Regan, E. C., Reynolds, D. R., Roy, D. B., Ryrholm, N., Schmaljohann, H., Settele, J., Thomas, C. D., van Swaay, C. and Chapman, J. W. (2012), Multi-generational long-distance migration of insects: studying the painted lady butterfly in the Western Palaearctic. Ecography. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2012.07738.x
- ^ a b Shapiro, Art. "Vanessa cardui". Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site. Information Center for the Environment (ICE). Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ VANDENBOSCH, R. (2003), Fluctuations of Vanessa cardui butterfly abundance with El Niño and Pacific Decadal Oscillation climatic variables. Global Change Biology, 9: 785–790. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2486.2003.00621.x
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Tilden, J. W. (1962). "General Characteristics of the Movements of Vanessa Cardui (L.)" Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 43-49
- ^ Harris, Marie. "Vanessa cardui". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ Davies, N., Krebs, J., & West, S. (2012). An introduction to behavioral ecology. (4th ed.). West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
- ^ Rutowski, Ronald L. (1991). "The Evolution of Male Mate-Locating Behavior in Butterflies". The American Naturalist Vol. 138, No. 5: 1121-1139.
- ^ Abbott, Charles H. (1951). "A Quantitative Study of the Migration of the Painted Lady Butterfly, Vanessa Cardui L." Ecology Vol. 32, No. 2: 155-171.
- ^ Vanessa cardui, Butterflies of Canada
- ^ "Vanessa cardui". HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ Harris, M. 1999. "Vanessa cardui" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed September 16, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Vanessa_cardui/
Further reading[edit]
- Opler, Paul A.; Wright, Amy Bartlett (1999). A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Peterson Field Guides. Boston: Holt McDougal. ISBN 978-0-547-35114-8.
- Chapman, Jason W.; Nesbit, Rebecca L.; Burgin, Laura E.; Reynolds, Don R.; Smith, Alan D.; Middleton, Douglas R.; Hill, Jane K. (2010). "Flight Orientation Behaviors Promote Optimal Migration Trajectories in High-Flying Insects". Science 327 (5966): 682–5. doi:10.1126/science.1182990. PMID 20133570.
- Nesbit, R.L.; Hill, J.K.; Woiwod, I.P.; Sivell, D.; Bensusan, K.J.; Chapman, J.W. (2009). "Seasonally adaptive migratory headings mediated by a sun compass in the painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui". Animal Behaviour 78 (5): 1119–25. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.039.
- Bolotov I.N. 2012. The Fauna and Ecology of Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of the Kanin Peninsula and Kolguev Island. - Entomological Review 92(3): 296-304. DOI 10.1134/S0013873812030062
- Bolotov I.N. 2004. Long-Term Changes in the Fauna of Diurnal Lepidopterans (Lepidoptera, Diurna) in the Northern Taiga Subzone of the Western Russian Plain. Russ. J. Ecol. 35(2): 117–123. DOI 10.1023/B:RUSE.0000018937.44836.c6


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Back to Archives | Basketball Prospectus Home
Ken Funck author archives.
May 1, 2012
by Dan Feldman
Over the first two games of their series, the Miami Heat have beat the New York Knicks in both an up-tempo game and a half-court style, leaving the Knicks searching for answers as the series shifts to MSG.
April 25, 2012
by Dan Feldman
Using our simulation of the rest of the season to get an updated look at where teams are likely to pick in the upcoming NBA Draft after the Draft Lottery.
April 13, 2012
by Dan Feldman
The battle between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference pits an offensive-minded team against one winning with defense, but those labels have swapped since last season.
March 14, 2012
by Dan Feldman
On the eve of the trade deadline, Dan comes up with five trades he thinks could help both (or sometimes all four) teams.
March 1, 2012
by Dan Feldman
Dan Feldman goes to the play-by-play to figure out which players goaltend most frequently. As you might guess, the leader is the same player who drew guffaws with his recent goaltend.
February 21, 2012
by Dan Feldman
While Russell Westbrook doesn't accumulate many assists for a point guard, he does frequently set up teammate Kevin Durant. Maybe that's why Durant isn't buying the notion that he and Westbrook can't coexist.
February 17, 2012
by Dan Feldman
Using statistical analysis and charts, a look at the five players teams should be looking to shop the hardest as the trade deadline approaches.
February 3, 2012
by Dan Feldman
Alvin Gentry doesn't believe in three-point defense, at least as measured by opponents' three-point percentage. What do the numbers have to say?
December 15, 2011
by Dan Feldman
The Los Angeles Clippers gave up a ransom to bring Chris Paul to L.A. Was it worth it for the Clippers? And what can the Hornets make of new star guard Eric Gordon?
December 9, 2011
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Tayshaun Prince has declined in value each of the last four seasons. Based on that, can we expect enough of a bounce back to justify the $7 million a year the Detroit Pistons are expected to pay him?
December 7, 2011
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Taking a look at which teams have been most over and underrepresented by the results of the NBA's individual end-of-season awards.
October 31, 2011
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ESPN recently finished ranking all 500 players in the NBA. Beckley Mason of Hoopspeak argued rookies were underrated. Dan Feldman takes a look at the numbers to evaluate that claim.
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August 12, 2011
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Plotting how teams and players performed in terms of taking care of the basketball (or not) last season.
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The three-point line in the pro game may be more distant than that at the college level, but has the longer arc introduced by the NCAA a few years ago made it easier to identify potential NBA marksmen?
June 23, 2011
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Dan continues our mock draft tradition of telling you which players teams ought to take rather than guessing whom they actually will.
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In adjustable graphic format, a look at how NCAA prospects in this year's draft rebounded while in college.
June 21, 2011
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Using a combination of team performance and player personnel analysis, a look at the biggest needs for the Eastern Conference's plaoyff teams.
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This morning I predicted a Tim Thomas start for the Bruins against Montreal tonight.
I was wrong.
Tuukka Rask will get the start against the Canadiens, who will counter with Carey Price.
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Rask was the back-up to Thomas in the Bruins' prior two games. Before that he played two in a row and beat Edmonton and Ottawa.


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I have been guilty in the past of taking for granted that people knew how to use the baseball betting lines that are available through ScoresAndOdds.com. I have been told that this is not always the case so here is a quick run down of what is involved in this straightforward betting process.
In the case of a baseball betting lines wager the person who is placing the bet is only concerned with one thing and that is who will win the game. With this money line wager there is not a run total but there is a favorite and also an underdog. Which team is which is determined by the sportsbook that is setting the baseball betting lines.
I suppose that this is best shown as an example so we will choose Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers.
Orioles +120
Tigers -130
In this example the Tigers are favorites to win the game over the Orioles. The numbers that are presented next to each team are the odds that the sportbook has given each team to win the match so you can see that the tigers are the favorites and the Orioles are the underdogs.
The best way that I can describe this in terms of money is that if you were to place a wager of $100 on the Orioles you would win $120 if that was a successful bet and if you were to wager on the Tigers you would have to deposit $130 in order to win $100.
Now that has been explained we come on to the run line which is the same as the point spread which can be found in most other forms of sports wagering. These kind of baseball betting lines are always set at -1.5 or +1.5.
As an example
Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-130)
New York Mets -1.5 (+110)
In the example above the Mets are the favorites whilst the reds are the underdogs . The figures which are directly next to the teams indicate that 1.5 needs to be taken from the Mets final score and 1.5 needs to be added to the reds final score with the odds in brackets showing you what you would win if successful.
That is basically all you need to know to get involved in some serious baseball betting. When the odds system is explained in a basic way it blows away all of the myths that surround baseball betting and leaves you to get on with it.
As already mentioned I would advise that you take a look at ScoresAndOdds.com for your sportbook account. The Scores.com website that you will be directed to will be ideal for you and you should go straight to the baseball section will become far more clearer when you take into account how the baseball betting lines work as you have been shown above.
The chances are that you may make a couple of small mistakes when you are making your first bets but that is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. To ensure that any mistakes will not burn a hole in your pocket you should only deposit a small amount of money to start with otherwise the pressure will be on and you could end up making some mistakes. Mistakes are usually made in this type of baseball betting lines due to first bet nerves and over examining things. You don't need to do this, keep it nice and simple and you won't go far wrong, your small deposit will ensure that you are not nervous when making the bets so this will act as perfect training.
When you are ready you can deposit a larger sum into the account that you opened through ScoresAndOdds.com and as your confidence grows you can start to place larger bets and before long you will be betting like a professional.
You may be tempted to look at all sorts of resources that are advertised on the ScoresAndOdds.com website and that is not a bad thing but when you are starting out it isn't easy to get completely overwhelmed by everything and this will have the effect of denting your progress or in some cases making you give up.
All of these resources will still be there in the weeks and moths ahead so concentrate on getting the basics right and you can then look at the good stuff later. When you are ready to make a larger deposit you can always take advantage of the sign up bonus. Have a word with customer support to see what they have to offer and you can make a deposit accordingly. The bonus will boost your bank and as long as you take notice of the easy to understand terms and conditions you won't go far wrong.
There are many ways that you can arrive at your selections from form study to paying for picks and you will soon find a method that suits you. I can confidently say that baseball betting changed my entire outlook on online gambling for ever and I sincerely hope that it does the same for you. You will find that you get to know the movements of the baseball betting lines, seemingly before they happen, and you will be able to take advantage of this new found betting opportunity on a regular basis. I'm sure you will take to it like a duck to water and wonder why you were ever apprehensive about getting involved in baseball betting in the first place.


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In a big surprise, Microsoft is looking to Apple for inspiration, and these documents contain high praise for Apple's "virtuous cycle" of UI quality and user productivity. They even seem to have looked to Apple for hardware design inspiration for a Windows 8 prototype machine (though they missed the mark - it's ugly). They're putting some thought into new ways of doing user authentication, including facial recognition via webcam. They're putting a lot of thought into how new, smaller and non-PC form factors are going to affect the computing landscape, though they plan to focus their energies on Slate, Laptop, and All-in-One form factors. But in a recognition of smaller device trends, they're putting energy efficiency and fast booting as major goals.
Probably the most interesting feature in the plan is "push button reset," which is something that I've been asking for for a long time. When your machine starts to act up, or maybe you suspect a malware infection, you can automatically reinstall Windows while retaining your personal information.
And of course, Microsoft is planning an App Store for Windows. It seems that everyone has realized that as much as Apple's app store concept robs the PC ecosystem of some of the essential essence of what made the PC great in the first place, the convenience to the user, and the revenue potential to the operator of the App Store is just too good an opportunity to pass up.
Engadget has more analysis.


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Riding Jackets
Outstanding riding jackets at Dogwood
We at Dogwood know that riders wear horse riding jackets, whether GPA or Caldene, not just for their protective qualities – but also for the perfect look astride your animal. Riding jackets form the backbone (forgive the pun) of a horse lover's essential, functional, yet stylish equestrian clothing wardrobe. We supply the pick of the finest stables when it comes to riding jackets and you can buy from us in total confidence that your needs will not only be met, but exceeded.
Show jackets
Striking, yet elegant; refined yet noble – Dogwood's show jackets, quite simply are without equal. That dramatic, majestic feeling of riding is enhanced when you are aware how the show jacket enhances appearance as well as competition spirit during dressage and show jumping.
You may choose, say, Caldene from our online catalogue in full confidence, knowing that the red, black or navy blue styles – with or without luxurious velvet collars - will add the air that is a cut above the rest. Try Dogwood now – our fitted show jackets are available for women and children as well as men.
Tweed jackets
It is well known that the tweed cloth is desirable for horse riders - tweed jackets prove very durable and resistant to damp conditions. And being wind resistant and sometimes with a waterproof lining, their capacity to shield one from the elements is renowned. Horse riding is one of the premier field sports that tweed jackets are most suited – and many prefer them for hunting, showing, pony club, eventing and dressage competitions.
For that traditional style with today's modern craftsmanship, a tweed riding jacket will also ensure the comfort you require for equestrian disciplines and activities. With designs from Caldene and now our own Branded Dogwood Tweed jackets to choose from, options include double vents and velvet collars - and tailoring that is to die for.
Our broad range of smart tweed jackets covers styles and sizes for all riders.
Hunt coats
When hunting, the distinguished hunt jacket is one that marks out riders on the country landscape as horses follow the pack and lie of the land. Pre- and post-hunt, the hunt jacket also brings an air of quality to the beginning and end of an exciting day. Dogwood offer smart, black or navy Caldene jackets for the hunt field - hunt masters can purchase red tunics.
The choice of champions, a tailcoat – so-called because of the rear double 'tail fins' – is worn in dressage events, emphasising movement and equestrian style that such competitions require. As well as being practical, this classic horse riding garment is also about impression and substance.
Dogwood Riding Jackets
A brand new addition for summer 2011, our very own Dogwood riding jackets are now available to purchase. Made in England, the Dogwood show jackets and tweed jackets have been designed and crafted with the greatest attention to detail, mixing traditional craftsmanship with a modern flair. From pinstripes to pencil stripes, from tweeds to technical (fabrics); get yourself really noticed on the show circuit with a Dogwood riding jacket - this seasons 'Must Have' competition wear!
Riding jackets for any time
Essential item for every horse rider, no matter what style of riding you enjoy, riding jackets can be worn for casual, everyday riding use or as show jackets that just may help you win a competition or two. The equestrian clothing collection has styles to suit all individuals.
Should you have any questions regarding anything in the Dogwood collection please either e-mail email@example.com or phone 0845 30 10 365 for friendly, knowledgeable advice.


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There is nothing quite like the elegance, energy, style and excitement that live music brings to a party of gathering.
Our Bands and Orchestras have been referred to as "the most impressive collections of musical talent to simultaneously share a stage." These gifted musicians, in addition to performing together, have shared the stage with such noted artists as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Bette Midler, Bobby McFerrin, Jon Bon Jovi, Julio Iglesias, John Popper, Jay Black, Carly Simon, Dizzy Gillespie, Gloria Gaynor, Idina Menzel, and many other famous entertainers and bands.
Many have performed with leading symphony orchestras, and in popular Broadway shows such as Movin' Out, All Shook Up, Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Swing, Dreamgirls, A Christmas Carol and more.
Whether you desire a creative Jazz Trio for your Corporate Event, and elegant String Quartet or Chamber Orchestra for your Wedding Ceremony, a sophisticated Society Orchestra for your Dinner Dance, or a versatile and energetic Dance Band for your Wedding Reception or Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marc Topaz Music and Entertainment will provide the finest music, the most talented musicians, and the perfect performance for every event.
and MCs
The polished and professional DJs and MCs of Marc Topaz Music and Entertainment will present the perfect combination of elegance and excitement to your Wedding. Experienced, entertaining and tasteful, these processionals play the music of your choice through state-of-the-art sound systems, providing an ideal musical atmosphere that you and your guests are certain to enjoy and remember.
Our DJs and MCs create a party that is uniquely based on your requests and the needs of your guests. From your grand entrance to your cake cutting to your special dances with parents, our knowledgeable DJs will skillfully spin your favorite music as you and your guests make lifelong memories.
Classical Ensembles
The impressive and talented Classical Ensembles of Marc Topaz Music and Entertainment will create the ideal musical atmosphere for your Ceremony, Cocktail Hour or Elegant Gathering.
Whether you desire a beautiful Harp and Flute Duo for your Cocktail Hour, and elegant String Quartet or Chamber Ensemble for your Wedding Ceremony, or a magnificent Symphony Orchestra for your Corporate or Charitable Event, Marc Topaz Music and Entertainment will provide the finest music, the most talented musicians, and the perfect performance for every occasion.


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Mediterranean - One of three resin saltwater friendly pools we offer. A great choice for those looking for a high end long lasting feature packed swimming pool. This resin hybrid is a step up from the "all steel" pool models. This is due to the fact Mediterranean employs many resin components in its construction. Resin is a high grade plastic material that lasts a long time and weathers very nicely. Because resin does not rust or corrode like metal, making non structural components from resin ensures a long part life. The solid resin components in this model are the injection molded 7" top ledges, frame rails, base plates and top plates. The stainless steel service panel wall ensures the skimmer and return jet opening will never corrode. This portion of the pool wall is the most common failing point for all hardwall above ground pools.
Resin Components - The top ledges are the most likely swimming pool component to see damage like rust, dents, paint fade and warping from use and weather. Top rails are often the first item in need of replacing and making them out of resin ensures they will look good and perform well for decades. This also goes for the resin frame rails and frame base plates. These components rest directly on the ground and are subject to moisture and corrosion. Resin parts here just make good practical sense.
Saltwater Pools - Mediterranean is a great pool for the person thinking long term. An additional plus is the fact Mediterranean is warrantied for use with a salt system. Today salt water systems for above ground pools are more popular than ever and it takes a hearty pool to stand up to the demands salt pools put on materials. Resin components and stainless steel wall panels are their to ensure Mediterranean stands the test of time. We love this model and feel it is the easy to assemble and has great styling. Mediterranean can be used with chlorine or any other sanitizer. This is a customer favorite. We get many great reviews on this pool.
Mediterranean Pool Assembly Specifications
- Manufactured by Wilbar International - New York, USA
- 54" high steel wall with Resin Shield coating for damage and corrosion resistance.
- Strong 7" wide solid injection molded resin top ledges and SynproTM resin top ledge covers.
- Solid resin frame rails, resin base plates and resin top plates.
- Stainless Steel service panel wall for maximum corrosion resistance.
- Durable 5" upright posts and resin foot collars for style and strength.
- Beautiful Pearl wall color goes with practically any decor.
- 60-Year Manufacturer's Saltwater warranty
- Approximate space required for installation - 16' diameter
- Approximate water capacity - 5,000 gallons
Mediterranean Deluxe Swimming Pool Package Includes:
- 15'x54" Wilbar Mediterranean Pool Assembly
- 15'x54" Swimline Boulder Swirl 25ga Unibead Pool Liner
- Waterway 100 sq.ft. Cartridge Filter System
- Waterway 1.0hp High Efficiency Pump - 120v
- Widemouth Thru-Wall Skimmer And Return Fitting
- Confer 7100X A-Frame Folding Locking Safety Ladder
- Deluxe 8 Piece Pool Maintenance Kit
- 15,000 Gallon Start-Up Chemical Kit
- 15' Winter Pool Cover
- Free Residential Liftgate Delivery
Pool Installation Resources - To help guide you through the pool building process, each pool comes with a paper installation manual as well as an installation DVD. The installation manuals and exploded parts diagrams for each pool model are available for viewing or downloading here on the website. In addition, we share our knowledge, experience and advice with all of our customers by offering unlimited technical assistance and support throughout your pool installation process. With nearly 30 years experience building and selling above ground pools we have the best answers to your questions. Simply call our tech support line for real human assistance.
Swimming Pool Installation Tips - When installing a pool in your backyard, it's a good idea to add some sort of liner protection to prevent possible damage from sharp objects, critters and even vegetation. Products like Armor Shield are excellent in preventing sharp rocks, moles or insects from poking holes in your new liner. This incredibly strong geo-textile material is non-biodegradable and ensures years of swimming pool liner protection. Aside from it's ability to stop damage caused by critters, it's breathable material allows moisture and condensation to escape, preventing premature pool wall corrosion. Armor Shield also extends the factory warranty on your new pool liner. When installing a round pool on concrete of other hard surface, always use Armor Shield pool floor protection and always use the preformed pool base cove. Do not use sand or earth under the liner if installing your pool on hard surfaces like concrete, as rains will wash it away leaving the pool liner to make contact with the pool framework risking possible puncture.
Shipping And Delivery Of Above Ground Pools - Once ordered, above ground pools typically leave our warehouse same or next business day. Because of their size and weight, above ground pools are delivered by freight carrier and not UPS. The freight carrier will deliver your pool to the given delivery address within 5 to 7 business days. Prior to delivery, the freight carrier will call you to scheduled an appointment for the delivery of your new pool. An adult must be at the delivery address at the time of drop off to receive and sign for the shipment.
Building Code Requirements - It's good practice to check with your local building department for their requirements in regards to above ground pool installations. Permits, proper fencing, property easements, overhead and under ground utilities even septic systems may need to be addressed to ensure a safe legal location for your new pool. In addition, a call to the utility company is of great help, as they will mark out the underground utility lines ensuring cable or telephone lines are not cut during pool installation.
Swimming Pool Safety - Your above ground pool has been designed to provide you with years of safe, family fun. This entails that water safety must always be taken into account. When used incorrectly, your above ground swimming pool can be dangerous; above ground pools are shallow, and this makes diving and jumping unsafe. To ensure your above ground pool is used safely you must observe the safety precautions that are provided to you when you purchase an above ground pool and conform to all local regulations.
|Country of Manufacture
|Vereinigte Staaten
|Pool Size
|15' Round
|Liner Print
|Boulder Swirl 25ga.
|Liner Type
|Pool Model
|Pool Wall Height
|54" Wall
|60 Year


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Milestones: 1998
- The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 are enacted amending the Age Discrimination in Employment Act to permit colleges and universities to offer special age-based retirement incentives for tenured faculty members at institutions of higher education; this amendment replaces the former temporary exemptions which permitted colleges and universities to mandatorily retire tenured faculty members at age 65 and later at age 70.
- The Supreme Court decides Bragdon v. Abbott, a Title III (public accommodations) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) case. The Court holds that an individual with asymptomatic HIV is an individual with a disability and therefore is protected by the ADA. Significantly, the Court finds that reproduction is a major life activity under the statute.
- The Supreme Court, in Faragher v. City of Boca Raton and Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth, spells out the circumstances in which employers will be held liable for acts of sexual harassment carried out by their supervisory personnel. The Court rules that employers are liable when the sexual harassment has culminated in a tangible employment action directed against the harassed employee (i.e., employee is terminated or demoted after rejecting a supervisor's sexual advance). The Court further rules that employers are permitted to establish an affirmative defense to the claim, if it can show no tangible action was taken against the harassed employee and two additional elements: (1) the employer had communicated and established an effective procedure for employees to seek redress from sexual harassment; and (2) the harassed employee failed to take advantage of this procedure. If an employer can show all of these elements, then it will not be held responsible for the sexual harassment by its supervisory personnel.
- A unanimous Supreme Court rules in Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services that sex discrimination consisting of same-sex sexual harassment is actionable under Title VII. The Court reiterates that the plaintiff must prove that there was discrimination because of sex and that the harassment was severe.
- In Wright v. Universal Maritime Service Corp., the Supreme Court revisits the issue of whether a collective bargaining agreement providing for the mandatory arbitration of discrimination claims can bar individual charging parties from pursuing their EEO claims in federal court. The Supreme Court decides that the collective bargaining agreement at issue did not contain a clear and unmistakable waiver and therefore the charging party could pursue his employment discrimination claim in court.
- EEOC resolves two sexual harassment suits involving large classes of female victims. In EEOC v. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, the company agrees to pay $34 million in monetary relief to a class of 300 to 400 female employees. EEOC's lawsuit had alleged that the company engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and retaliated against female employees. In EEOC v. Astra USA, the agency alleged that Astra engaged in a continuous pattern of sexual harassment of its female employees. The company agreed to pay nearly $10 million to 80 to 100 female victims.
- The Department of Interior funds EEOC federal civil rights enforcement in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The agency undertakes outreach efforts educating employers on their EEO responsibilities as well as educating workers on their rights. Individuals in the CNMI file 88 charges and EEOC issues reasonable cause determinations in twenty five of these matters in the first year of operation.
Chairwoman Ida L. Castro
EEOC Vice Chairman Paul M. Igasaki becomes Acting Chairman by operation of Title VII. He is the first Asian American to serve in this capacity.
- President Bill Clinton nominates and the Senate confirms Ida L. Castro to be Chairwoman of EEOC. Castro is the first Hispanic American woman to chair the agency. Prior to being named
Chairwoman, Castro is the Acting Director of the Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor.


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Women aren't just destroying science fiction, but other genres too
Looks like someone touched a nerve. The Lightspeed Magazine kickstarter to raise money to publish a special "Women Destroy Science Fiction" issue of all-women contributors has massively exceeded its goals. So now they're doing "Women Destroy Fantasy" and "Women Destroy Horror" issues too.


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If you are interested in using this image, please consult Acknowledging the Website.
This record was last updated on 10 Jun 2016
Image Reference
François-Auguste Biard, Deux Années au Brésil (Paris, 1862), p. 95
Standing on a chair, the auctioneer, with his hammer, dominates the scene while an enslaved woman with a child clinging to her arm is examined by a prospective buyer; three other slaves are also shown, all of whom were ultimately sold. Various material goods, including household furniture and musical instruments, are being sold at the same auction (see also Biard05). Biard, a French painter, lived in Brazil for about two years, 1858-1860, and witnessed the scene depicted (pp. 97-98); the auction took place in a private home and these were the possessions, including the enslaved person, of the owner. Biard's published account contains a number of images of slave life, several of which are included on this website. For a detailed study of Biard and his Brazilian sojourn, see Ana Lucia Araujo, Brazil through French Eyes: A Nineteenth-Century Artist in the Tropics (University of New Mexico Press, 2015).


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As hundreds of designers unveil their spring lines during New York Fashion Week, Jim Cramer thought it would be a good time to look at some retail stocks poised to push higher.
"Lately retail has been on fire, but if you want to know the difference between a good retail stock and a great one, it comes down to execution, and not just any kind of execution," said Cramer on CNBC's "Mad Money." "In this business, the strongest performers are the ones with the best eyes for style."
(See: Scenes from New York Fashion Week)
In Cramer's opinion, the following five retailers are getting the trends right and their stocks are being rewarded for it. In turn, he thinks these stocks still have room to run.


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Hello -
does anybody know, how it is possible to change the port from 8080 to f.e. 8889.
Thank you in advance,
Greetings Verena
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8 Celebrities Who Were Man Enough To Cry In Public
Jay Z has let his song cry both metaphorically and literally. In an interview with MTV, Jeezy revealed that Hov got emotional while penning a verse for Jeezy's "Seen It All." "We got on the phone and [Jay] was like, 'Yo, Jeezy, when I was writing the verse I had tears in my eyes, man,' because it took him so far back to Marcy,"' said Jeezy.
Few things are more touching than seeing macho men show true emotions. For a man to tear up about something important, it reminds us that no matter how hard he might appear, he's still human. Here are a few male celebrities who were man enough to cry and not apologize for it.


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For Immediate Release, January 24, 2013
Lawsuit Launched to Speed Federal Protection for Boreal Toads
Toads in Southern Rockies, Utah, Nevada, Idaho Suffering From Disease, Habitat Destruction
DENVER— The Center for Biological Diversity and Rocky Mountain Wild filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today over the agency's failure to protect boreal toads in the southern Rocky Mountains, Utah, southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada under the Endangered Species Act. This unique population of toads is in steep decline due to a deadly fungal disease and habitat destruction.
"People used to see these toads in their gardens, but now boreal toads are gone from those gardens, and from most of the other places they called home," said Center attorney and biologist Collette Adkins Giese. "In the southern Rockies they've been waiting nearly two decades for Endangered Species Act protection — protection that's needed right away to address the drastic decline of these animals and the forces destroying their habitat."
Once widely distributed and common in the western United States, boreal toad populations have plummeted over the past few decades. Their status is particularly precarious in the southern Rocky Mountains, where a globally occurring amphibian disease known as chytrid fungus has wiped out most remaining populations. Boreal toads exist in less than 1 percent of their historic breeding areas in the southern Rockies.
To gain federal protection for these highly imperiled toads, the Center, Rocky Mountain Wild (formerly Center for Native Ecosystems) and Biodiversity Conservation Alliance filed an Endangered Species Act petition on May 25, 2011. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a positive 90-day finding on the petition on April 12, 2012, and initiated a full status review for boreal toads in the southern Rocky Mountains, Utah, southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. A final listing decision was due on May 25, 2012.
"The boreal toad is the region's only alpine, forest-dwelling toad," said conservation biologist Megan Mueller of Rocky Mountain Wild. "This unique toad is an indicator of the environmental health of our mountain streams and wetlands. The boreal toad cannot afford any additional delay from the agency."
Endangered Species Act protection for the toad will likely increase federal funding for research to stem chytrid fungus and help save high-elevation stream and wetland habitat from threats like pollution and poorly managed recreation and livestock grazing. The Endangered Species Act has prevented extinction for 99.9 percent of the species it protects.
In response to a 1993 petition filed by the Biodiversity Legal Foundation (later incorporated into the Center for Biological Diversity), the Service determined in 1995 that boreal toads in the southern Rockies deserved protection under the Endangered Species Act but that higher-priority actions precluded listing. The agency added the southern Rocky Mountain population to its candidate list.
Under the Bush administration, in 2005, the Service made matters worse by reversing course and removing boreal toads from the candidate list. The agency concluded that boreal toads in the southern Rockies were not "significant," in part because they appeared genetically similar to other populations found elsewhere in the West.
Since then, two genetic studies have shown that boreal toads in the southern Rockies are part of an evolutionarily significant "clade" that includes boreal toads in Utah, northeastern Nevada and southern Idaho. This group of boreal toads contains as much genetic diversity as previously recognized species.
The boreal toad is rare across its range and is entirely absent from numerous areas where it occurred historically; the only remaining large population occurs in Colorado. Boreal toads were nearly extirpated in southern Wyoming and were likely extirpated in New Mexico prior to a recent reintroduction effort. The Service's positive 90-day finding, issued last year, recognizes the scientific evidence showing that these genetically unique boreal toads are experiencing significant declines in population size and distribution.
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You are here: Root > By Support > Papers
ContextL is an extension to the Common Lisp Object System that allows for Context-oriented Programming. It provides means to associate partial class and method definitions with layers and to activate and deactivate such layers in the control flow of a running program. When a layer is activated, the partial definitions become part of the program until this layer is deactivated. This has the effect that the behavior of a program can be modified according to the context of its use without the need to mention such context dependencies in the affected base program. We illustrate these ideas by providing different UI views on the same object while, at the same time, keeping the conceptual simplicity of object-oriented programming that objects know by themselves how to behave, in our case how to display themselves. These seemingly contradictory goals can be achieved by separating class definitions into distinct layers instead of factoring out the display code into different classes.
Document location: http://p-cos.net/documents/contextl-overview.pdf
Pascal Costanza | Robert Hirschfeld
Papers | Object-Oriented | Language Extensions | Common Lisp | CLOS
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The Shelby Lady Golden Lions gave it the ol� college, er high school, try Tuesday afternoon.
In a second-round 2A dual-team tennis state playoff match against Hendersonville at the David Schweppe Memorial Courts, Shelby found itself trailing 4-2 after singles play.
Urged by their coach to battle to the end in doubles, the Lady Lions nearly pulled it off but bowed 5-4 to the Lady Bearcats.
�I told them we needed all three doubles,� said Shelby coach Callie Teague, �and they all brought what they could. We even had our No. 3 doubles down 9-1 and they knew it was up to them, and they got it back to 10-7. They were going leave it all on the court.�
Shelby, which closed out a 9-4 dual-team season, got singles wins by Nancy Bridges at No. 1 and Meg Binion at No. 5.
Bridges and Laney Schenck claimed a doubles triumph as did Keri Price and Chelsea Lee. But Binion and Logan Blackwood saw their furious rally fall just short against Hendersonville�s team of Fair and Amy Yarborough.
Hendersonville (10-3) moves on to face perennial power Salisbury in the third round.
Singles: Nancy Bridges (S) def. Victoria Thomas 6-0, 6-0; Hannah Coker (H) def. Keri Price 6-4, 6-4; Eric Lindsey (H) def. Chelsea Lee 6-0, 6-0; Haley Fair (H) def. Laney Schenck 2-6, 6-2, 10-7; Meg Binion (S) def. Natasha Townsend 6-2, 6-4; Amy Yarborough (H) def. Logan Blackwood 6-2, 6-1.
Doubles: Bridges/Schenck (S) def. Thomas/Coker 10-2; Price/Lee (S) def. Lindsey/Townsend 10-4; Fair/Yarborough (H) def. Binion/Blackwood.


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Papercraft Company Profile Template
Papercraft is amazing HTML5 & CSS3 HTML template.You can use it for you personal portfolio, profile, business, company profile or anything you want. This template has 10 different page, so you can easily modified it.
This HTML theme have 3 different color (Blue, Green and Red), two column layout and jQuery.
Check the Wordpress Version
- 10 Pages (Homepage, News List, News Detail, About Us, Full Width, Portfolio, Portfolio Detail, Team, Testimonial, Services & Contact Us)
- 6 PSD Included
- Homepage.psd (Main psd layout)
- About.psd (PSD file for aboutus.html)
- About-Images.psd (PSD file for aboutusimage.html)
- Newsdetail.psd (PSD file for newsdetail.html)
- Newslist.psd (PSD file for newslist.html)
- Portfolio.psd (PSD file for portfoliolist.html)
- Team.psd (PSD file for team.html)
- logo.psd (Logo psd file for easy logo customisation)
- Social Bookmarking Icon by Komodomedia
- Softfacade Wordpress Icon Pack
- jQuery
- PrettyPhoto
- Working PHP Contact Form
- Working Twitter Javascript, http://code.google.com/p/twitterjs/
- Well Documented Instruction File (HTML Format)
- Fonts: Arial, Droid Sans, Varela Round and Noteworthy (logo)
- Compatible with: IE7 , IE8, Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Opera


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Sometimes called distance education, online learning, or elearning, Distance Learning is an educational opportunity that offers a deadline-oriented learning experience similar in structure to a face-to-face on-campus class. Students and instructors interact through chat tools, email and discussion boards over the Internet, and depending on the course assessments and assignments are all online.
Many courses offered at Northwest Vista for college credit are also provided in an internet (sometimes called online) format. And a few are offered as hybrid courses - partly online and partly on-campus.
On average, students spend about 10 hours per week per course in preparation, participation, and homework time. Students may spend less or more time per week per course depending on when the course is taken and difficulty of the course.
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An online or internet class is taught completely over the Internet, with no classes scheduled on-campus. You may be required to come to campus for an orientation, for testing or for labs, but in general, attending class is simply a matter of logging into your class through the Internet.
A hybrid class is a cross between a traditional on-campus class and an internet class. Some of the class will be done over the Internet, but there are regularly scheduled on-campus meetings as well. For example, you may meet once a week on campus and the rest of your learning will take place online.
Although Internet and hybrid courses provide excellent educational opportunities, they simply aren't the best choice in all cases. To be successful, students must have a working knowledge of computers (including email, browsing the Internet, using word processing programs and perhaps other software programs), must practice good time management skills, and be self-disciplined.
There are tools available to help determine if distance learning is a good fit for you. Taking the time now to discover your learning style and plan for challenges will help you make the right decision. Click here to access tools and resources that will help you understand your strengths and provide resources to help you succeed.
Participating in an online or hybrid class has some technological requirements that on campus classes do not have. Click here for information about technology needed, as a minimum, to be able to participate in Distance Learning.
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Gallinari suffers left knee injury
Denver, CO – Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari suffered a knee injury in Thursday's game against Dallas.
In the second quarter, his left knee buckled as he drove to the basket. He then hopped to the sideline and was eventually helped off the court by teammates. After a few minutes, he was taken into the locker room.
There was no word after the game on the extent of the injury, but the team said he will have an MRI done on Friday.
Gallinari is the second-leading scorer on the team with 16.3 points per game. He also has averages of 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 70 contests this season.


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Associated Press
COLUMBIA — South Carolina still lacks a computer system for tracking deadbeat parents, 16 years after missing a federal deadline, as contract disputes continue and federal fines exceed $100 million.
The state has canceled its contract with Hewlett Packard and wants the company barred from winning future state contracts.
HP argues the delays are due to the state's mismanagement, The Greenville News reported (http://grnol.co/1b9A8Js ).
"Time and time again, the state changed its mind with regard to the type of system it wanted, pulling the rug out from under (HP) as it tried to accommodate shifting demands and moving targets," the company responded in documents filed with the state's procurement office.
The latest dispute first goes before a state procurement officer next month and, if not settled there, could end up in court. The litigation will determine who must pay the federal fines that will continue until the project is complete, said attorney Marc Manos, who is representing the state.
South Carolina has long been the only state not complying with a 1988 federal law requiring a centralized computer system to enforce child support payments.
Sen. Thomas Alexander, who leads the budget panel that oversees the Department of Social Services, said he's angry about yet another delay.
"It infuriates me. It frustrates me," said Alexander, R-Walhalla. "How in the world we can be out of compliance when all the other 49 states are in is just beyond me."
Escalating fines have amassed yearly since the state missed its extended 1997 deadline. To resolve its last dispute, HP agreed to cover the penalties through last June. Under last year's settlement, the system was supposed to be working statewide this month.
Instead, the state may need to hire another contractor, Manos said.
Officials say South Carolina's project was initially delayed because the first contractor abandoned the job in 1997, causing a flurry of lawsuits. In an agreement, the state recovered about $17.6 million. The rebid contract was initially awarded in August 2007 to Saber Corp., which was bought by Electronic Data Systems, which was then bought by HP.
As of last year, the state had been fined $104 million. The agency said then the state would end up paying $66 million in penalties, after subtracting the contractor payments. But that assumed the system would be running and fines would cease. The state's share of the project's then-expected $151 million cost was $50 million, with the federal government covering the rest.
The online system is meant to find parents who are behind on child support payments weeks sooner, helping children and their single parents who often struggle economically. The idea is that parents wouldn't be able to skirt payments simply by moving out of county or state: the system would communicate electronically with other states and centralize 47 separate networks currently maintained by the agency and each county clerk of court.
The program also is expected to computerize the new hires of all employers and those collecting unemployment checks to better track someone and garnish wages — rather than requiring clerks to do the same through tedious checking of paperwork.


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The 2013-14 marketing year for corn and soybeans is only in its second month.
According to Darrel Good, a University of Illinois agricultural economist, there are many unknowns about the size of those crops, the demand strength, and prices.
Despite these uncertainties, the market is trying to anticipate planted acreage in 2014, and some analysts are already forecasting acreage levels for next year.
"Anticipating acreage for 2014 is complicated by unfinished business with respect to 2013 acreage estimates," said Good. "As background, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates that planted acreage of 'principal crops' from 2007 through 2012 ranged from 315.1 million (2011) to 326.3 million (2012)."
Principal crops include planted acreage of corn, sorghum, oats, barley, rye, wheat, rice, soybeans, peanuts, sunflower, cotton, dry edible beans, potatoes, sugar beets, canola, and proso millet; harvested acreage of hay, tobacco, and sugar cane; double-cropped acres; and unharvested small grains planted as cover crops.
Variation in planted acreage reflects variation in the amount of double-cropped acreage, failed acreage replanted to another crop, and the magnitude of prevented planted acreage.
"When the Farm Service Agency (FSA) estimate of prevented plantings is added to the NASS estimate of planted acreage, the total from 2007 through 2012 varied from 322 million (2007) to 327.5 million (2012)," Good said.
In the June 2013 Acreage Report, NASS estimated planted acreage of principal crops this year at 325.6 million acres.
July surveys
Additional acreage surveys conducted in July resulted in a 550,000-acre reduction in the estimate of soybean acreage and small adjustments in the estimates for cotton, dry edible beans, and sugar beets.
Small adjustments were also made for rice and peanuts in the AugustCrop Production report. The estimate of planted acreage in that report was 325.1 million, 1.3 million less than planted last year.
Good said that last month the Farm Service Agency FSA updated report of prevented acreage showed prevented planted acreage at 8.2 million in 2013.
"Adding that estimate to the NASS estimate of planted acreage yields a total of 333.3 million, 5.8 million larger than the total of a year ago. That total is unrealistically high, and as outlined two weeks ago, there has been an expectation that the NASS estimate of planted acreage, particularly for corn, would eventually be reduced.
"Such a reduction would have been expected in the OctoberCrop Production report scheduled for release on Oct. 11. The timing of the next report, however, is in limbo due to the partial shutdown of federal government activities," he said.
Good explained that, whatever the final estimate for September 2013 turns out to be, total crop acreage should be larger in 2014 for at least two reasons.
"First, it's unlikely that prevented acreage will be as large next year as it was this year," Good said.
"A decline to a more normal level could boost crop acreage by 6.5 to 7.0 million acres. Second, contracts on 3.3 million Conservation Reserve Program acres expired at the end of September 2013.
"However, 1.7 million acres were enrolled in a new sign-up period in 2013 so that a net of about 1.6 million acres of former crop land are available for pasture or crops in 2014. Lower commodity prices in general could result in more idled acreage or more pasture in 2014, but the increase would likely be small," he said.
Winter wheat decisions first in line
Winter wheat producers will be the first to make final decisions about planted acreage for harvest in 2014. Those producers are scheduled to report planted acreage in the NASS December Agricultural Survey, with results to be released in January 2014.
You can check current crop commodity prices now.
Current prices for the 2014 crops appear to be high enough in relation to competing crops to attract a few more acres.
What about corn and soybeans?
"The current thinking seems to be that acreage will be shifted from corn to soybeans as the current large corn harvest will result in a substantial buildup of inventories and low corn prices in relation to soybean prices," Good said.
"That is certainly the current situation for old-crop prices. The ratio of November 2013 soybean futures to December 2013 corn futures is near 2.9. However, planting decisions should be based on new-crop prices.
"The current ratio of November 2014 soybean futures to December 2014 corn futures is about 2.4. New-crop soybean prices are at a discount to old-crop prices while new-crop corn prices are at a premium to old-crop prices.
"The lower new-crop price ratio may reflect the expected acreage shift, but in fact discourages such a shift.
"Many corn and soybean producers have already made acreage decisions for 2014, and more decisions will be finalized as the current harvest is completed," Good concluded.
"If acreage of corn remains relatively large in 2014, the combination of trend yields and a very mature market for U.S. corn would result in a further buildup of inventories next year. Under that scenario, prices would be lower next year, not higher as currently reflected in the market."
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Today's subsoilers alleviate soil compaction, maintain crop residue
Alabama popcorn farm, company one-of-a-kind


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"SADLY, a great swathe of the public has very negative views on my great-uncle Louis B. Mayer."
I received this from Alicia Mayer, in response to my referring to LB as a "monstrous dictator."
Alicia urged me to read Scott Eyman's "Lion in Hollywood -- The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer" for "an entirely new perspective."
Hmmm. Well, my perspective on Louis B. Mayer has always been that he was a genius and innovator who loved films and knew other geniuses (Irving Thalberg) and great stars ("more than there are in heaven") when he saw them.
As to the dictatorial side of him, to do him justice we'd probably have...


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A Durango man who gave marijuana to children in exchange for sexual favors pleaded guilty Friday in 6th Judicial District Court.
Shelton Oliver Urquidez, 36, faces up to two years in prison after pleading guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a felony and sexual assault, a misdemeanor, in a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorneys Office.
Sentencing is set for 10:30 a.m. April 19 before District Judge Suzanne Carlson.
According to the plea agreement, Urquidez provided marijuana to two teenagers ages 15 and 16 smoked the drug with them, and committed a sexual assault that included penetration.
One of the boys told police the marijuana seemed to be laced with some other drug that had a much stronger effect on him than normal marijuana, according to an arrest report.
The boy said he passed out on the couch and awoke to find Urquidez with no shirt, socks or shoes.
The assault occurred sometime in March at Urquidezs house in the east 500 block of 29th Street.
Police learned of the assault Nov. 8 from the Colorado Department of Human Services, which ultimately learned about it from a therapist at a drug-rehabilitation center where the teen was receiving treatment.
The boy said the marijuana smelled and tasted different that normal marijuana.
We smoked some weed with him, but the weed was laced with something, the boy told police. He said it stupefied him to where I couldnt even register what was going on. I remember vaguely, very blurry certain things that occurred.
I couldnt really talk or register what was going on, he told police. I was kinda telling him no, and that I didnt want to do anything.


text:
The study of Office Information Systems is a field within the school of business that provides concepts and skills requisite for contemporary work environments where the emphasis is on team building and technology.
The role of secretary, receptionist, office assistant, administrative assistant, and transcriptionist has been changing rapidly due to the downsizing of companies and major shifts in the philosophy of the work ethic.
Students learn traditional secretarial skills, mastery of office technology and computers, communication techniques, and how to assume responsibility for their work by exercising initiative and sound judgment.
Southwestern College is an equal opportunity educator and employer | Non-Discrimination Policy |
Disclaimer | Directions to SWC
© 2011 Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. (619) 421-6700
The Southwestern College is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Thank you for visiting the Southwestern College website.


text:
Atlanta, GA – Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of
Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., commented today on
the shooting of seven-year-old Alexis Goggins, a Detroit first grader who took
six bullets, four of them to her head, while shielding her mother from a gunman.
"Praise God that Alexis is alive and praise God that He
brought this little girl into the world. She is a living lesson on the
meaning of love," said Dr. King. "Alexis suffered a stroke as an infant
and needs special help in school. She's what some would call disabled with
a lesser quality of life; the kind of child who, if similar difficulties are
found before birth, is often aborted these days. But as bad as Alexis's
physical injuries and disabilities may be now, she is more beautiful than ever.
She did what so many of us are unable to do at crucial moments. She acted
selflessly so that another could live."
"The greatest disability is the inability to love," added
Dr. King. "We need to follow Alexis's example. We need to love."
Priests for Life is the largest Catholic organization exclusively
dedicated to fighting abortion and euthanasia.


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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (US - BD RA)
Gabe hopes that Madagascar fans don't care about things like continuity...
The Madagascar and Ice Age films are the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches of ongoing animated movie franchises. They're filling enough and taste just fine, but few people outside of little kids really look forward to another one, especially after we've acquired grown-up tastes for fine dining, which we'll fill with Pixar and Studio Ghibli films for the purposes of this analogy. I don't approach either series with any serious critical intent; rather, I consider them nominally successful on their most basic merits – attractive animation and a handful of funny gags, usually slapstick-related. On the rare occasions that something truly unique or clever escapes the mix I'm sure to report on it. However, I have been forced to second-guess my assumptions concerning DreamWorks' animated releases following a series of genuinely great films. Even Puss in Boots, a spin-off of the Shrek series (which ranks from 'awful' to 'eh, not too bad'), was a worthy endeavor, at least from a purely visual standpoint. Perhaps the Madagascar series deserves the benefit of the doubt.
This third entry in the franchise starts directly where the last one left off with the penguins (Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, and John DiMaggio) and chimps (Conrad Vernon) leaving Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the Hippopotamus (Jada Pinkett Smith) to live happily in Africa. Except, apparently, everyone has had a change of heart since the last movie and the penguins and chimps are now expected to return from Monte Carlo to pick up the lead characters and drop them back in New York City to live in cages again (even though the thematic point of the last film was that the characters had decided freedom was the better option). When it appears the penguins and chimps are not returning (perhaps because they weren't asked to…) Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria simply swim to Monaco with the intention of scolding their friends, who have taken on the human persona of the King of Versailles in the form of an elaborate penguin/chimp costume. When their idiotic plan goes awry, Monaco Animal Control officer Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand) is called to collect the escaped critters. But DuBois has other plans – she wants a lion's head for her trophy wall and plans on brutally murdering Alex. While escaping from DuBois our heroes find their way into a traveling circus, which they proceed to buy from the human owners (yeah, they buy it), much to the delight of Stefano the Sea Lion (Martin Short) and the chagrin of Vitaly the tiger (Bryan Cranston).
It's pretty obvious that everyone involved with Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is spinning their wheels and making the movie for the sake of money, not the sake of telling an important story. I even recall some of the actors referring to the film as Madagascar 3: Cashing Another Paycheck, though I may have made that up (even if it went unsaid, it's still heavily implied by the lacklustre character work). The screenwriters include only the thinnest hair of a plot as backbone (one that, as mentioned, betrays the plot of the previous film) for a loosely-connected collection of standalone gags. At first this is kind of annoying. Stuff just sort of happens without a narrative purpose and it all happens at such a breakneck pace that I felt assaulted. The characters do not advance at all from the already relatively un-advanced place they had been left in the previous film. There's also almost zero context for anyone that hasn't seen the other two movies, just the impression of narrative momentum created by the chase/joke/chase/joke structure. Then I started to kind of dig the film's attitude. It's such a content-free blitzkrieg on the senses that it starts to smell like an indictment of short attention spans. It's not, of course, but given the chance to pause the film a few times and refocus my attention, I hesitantly respected the film's Chuck Jones on speed and caffeine approach. There's even an abstract, impressionistic, neon-baked tone poem set to Katy Perry's 'Firework' that verges on brilliant in terms of pure image.
But even if we're pretending Madagascar 3 is some kind of secret work of hyperactive art, it still runs on a weak, unbalanced, and painfully predictable screenplay that verges on insulting any audience member that really cared about these characters. I'm not a fan of the first two films in the series, but they are character-driven and the second film left the characters in a good place. This movie pushes them back to the same place they were at the beginning of the second film and then loses them among an ensemble of underdeveloped critters the audience has no reason to care about. A decade ago, this wouldn't have really been a problem, but the folks at Pixar had to go and redefine expectations for unnecessary second sequels of animated movies with Toy Story 3. Those jerks. This lack of content extends even to the film's usual surefire laugh machines – the penguins. The Madagascar penguins are usually the one thing that any viewer not particularly fond of the series can look forward to (similar to the Ice Age series' ultra-simplified, purely slapstick side character named Skrat, whose only goal in life is to gather acorns). The penguins were popular enough to garner their own TV series, where their high-speed animation antics are best served in a short format storytelling style (11 minutes per episode part). That energy is now spread over the entire film, rendering the penguins mostly moot and surprisingly unfunny.
It never gets easier to find something interesting to say about the quality of an animated feature on Blu-ray, but here I go again, thesaurus in hand. This transfer is meticulous, exceptional, outstanding, distinguished, and even a little superb at times. It's also an intense experience, full of conflicting styles, aggressive movement, and constantly shifting focal points. I'm also thinking that the 3D version might melt your eyes out of your skull. Once again, the Madagascar films are cartoonier than a lot of other CG animated releases, which makes for crisper lines and flatter patterns. I'm sure there were some kind of technological advances in texture mapping since the last Madagascar movie, but I don't really notice any differences in the quality of this transfer, which mixes the graphic characters with more realistic backgrounds. The clarity of the transfer helps keep the contrasting elements separate without the fusion ever appearing weird. The natural, photorealistic textures are the more easy to appreciate piece of the puzzle (I kind of want to pet all the animals), but the vibrant patterns of the graphic and angled backgrounds impressed me the most. There's not really a set colour palette here – the timing and hue choices change up every few minutes. The filmmakers don't leave a single crayon in the box and don't miss a chance to mix up diverging colour elements. Some scenes are warm with glowing light sources, some scenes feature richer blends with more prominent black shadows, and others are dark and cool with poppy acrylic or neon embellishments. There are a few fantasy/dream sequences that are left entirely black and white aside from a single character. All of this occurs without even a hint of compression noise, blocking, edge enhancement or even banding effects (I thought I saw some on the lion's nose, but realized it was just the fur pattern).
Once again, DreamWorks Animation appears to be the one company keeping Dolby TrueHD alive as a Blu-ray format after just about every other company in the world has moved towards DTS-HD MA mixes (Anchor Bay still gives it up for Dolby on occasion). This particularly Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mix meets all the format's expectations on my system – everything is plenty clear, aural elements are well separated, the LFE is punchy, and the centered dialogue is a little too quiet. Madagascar 3 is, as I said in the feature review, a bit of an audio/video assault, which makes for a very busy track. Walls of noise are continuously pitted with sharp directional stabs and surprisingly discernable, usually screaming dialogue. There aren't too many chances for quieter moments, but there's plenty of dynamic range between the sound walls. I'd recommend the mix as an ideal reference experience, if I was afraid that listening to it full volume would leave you in a straight jacket. Besides the occasionally low volume dialogue, the closest this mix comes to having a problem is the occasionally under-mixed music, specifically the pop music. There are some bits where music is such a prominent element that it doesn't have any trouble standing apart (specifically the 'Firework' sequence and end credits), but when pop and other vocally-endowed music is present, it's often left quietly in the stereo channels where it's mostly overpowered by sound effects. This does not apply to Hans Zimmer's score, which, despite mostly aping other scores (some of his own, some written by other composers), is given a nice, round, LFE-heavy treatment even during the busier action beats.
There are two commentary options to start the extras here. The first is a traditional commentary track with directors Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, and Conrad Vernon. This is an amusing enough track, I suppose, but it's full of blank space and no one involved really seems to be interested in the commentary process. The participants spend a lot of time talking to the characters on screen, discussing how 'great,' 'fun,' or 'tough' the filmmaking process was, minus any real behind the scenes information. They also laugh a lot at their own jokes and annoyingly point to in-jokes without any context for the audience. But hey, everyone is having fun and crediting the crewmembers most of us ignore during the end credits, so the track is good for something. The other commentary is a picture in picture experience entitled The Animator's Corner. This matches the similarly titled PiP experiences accompanying other DreamWorks Animation releases, including more discussion with the directors (who repeat themselves enough that you should probably just skip the pictureless commentary altogether), interviews with several of the film's artists, technicians and animators, and a collection of behind the scenes images and videos (character designs, production art, work in progress animation, storyboards, animator reference video and photographs, et cetera). Other Blu-ray exclusive extras include a Get Them to the Train game (it kept freezing on my check disc, so I have no idea what the goal is) and a pop-up trivia track.
Next up is Big Top Cast (13:40, HD), featuring interviews with the directors, producer Mireille Soria, and actors Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith (is it still Smith?), Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain, and Martin Short. Ringmasters (15:30, HD) is a somewhat informative elongated EPK that follows the three directors through a single workday. It includes a storyboard review, editorial review, shooting effects and live action reference, animation reviews with the animators, scratch dialogue recording, and final dialogue recording with Martin Short. The Madagascar 3 roundtable (3:50, HD) finishes out the featurettes with Stiller, Rock, Schwimmer, and Pinkett Smith discussing the series. The other extras include three deleted scenes in test form with director introductions (6:20, HD), Mad Music Mash-ups music video…thing (1:00, HD), a sneak peek of the live action How to Train Your Dragon stage show (20:20, HD), and trailers. This limited edition set also contains a grotesquely vacuum-sealed, cellophane-wrapped rainbow wig.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is not a good movie from a story and character standpoint. It's almost a terrible movie in terms of the series' greater themes, since it blatantly betrays the end of the second film, though I'm not sure anyone is such a big fan of the Madagascar movies that they'd honestly care about retcons. I do, however, vaguely respect it from a purely visual standpoint. The almost aggressive disregard for story content and face-meltingly busy action compositions verge on the experimental, leaving the more grandiloquent critic in the back of my mind to wonder if perhaps I've just sat through a brilliant work of subversive art. Probably not, but it makes for a gorgeous 1080p experience and a busy DTS-HD MA soundtrack. The extras follow the lead set by other DreamWorks Animation Blu-rays, including a standout PiP commentary track.
* Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray image quality.
Review by Gabriel Powers
titanius719 Member Join Date: September 2012 Location: United States Posts: 5
We watched the 3D version of Madagascar 3 with my Hopper and I am happy we did. This movie was meant to be seen in 3D and that is very apparent. As far as the story goes, I see what you mean about there not being too much plot, but I just watch for the little jokes personally. This girl that works at DISH with me watched it too and is constantly reminding me of funny parts in the movie and I love it. Today it was, "Everyone knows that only penguins and people can drive."
Marcus1138 Contributor Join Date: June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 910
I generally think that when a circus is involved in an amimated sequel, it's a sign that the ideas have run out.
Some material may not be suitable for children
Disc Details
Release Date: 16th October 2012
Discs: 2
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 1.78:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 English, Dolby Digital 2.0 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 French and South, Dolby Digital 2.0 Audio Discriptive Track
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Extras: Filmmakers Commentary, Animator's Corning PiP, Trivia Track, Get Them to the Train Game, Ringmasters, Big Top Cast, Madagascar 3 Roundtable, Deleted Scenes, Music Mash-Up, Trailers, DVD Copy, Digital Copy, UltraViolet Copy, Rainbow Afro Wig
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, and Conrad Vernon
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain, and Martin Short
Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation and Comedy
Length: 93 minutes
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