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Blood cancers: New research demonstrates advances in optimizing treatments and quality of life
- Date:
- December 9, 2009
- Source:
- American Society of Hematology
- Summary:
- New research explores optimal induction therapies for managing multiple myeloma, the importance of advance care planning for improved quality of life, and a potential new first-line therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Share:
There have been significant scientific advances in the field of blood cancers, and leading experts continue to gain a better understanding of how certain diseases progress in order to discover new treatment options and provide patients with the best care. Research presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology explores optimal induction therapies for managing multiple myeloma, the importance of advance care planning for improved quality of life, and a potential new first-line therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
"Studies such as these are designed to improve the quality of evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of various blood cancers," said moderator of the press conference Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD, Director of Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center in Boston. "The results of these studies not only give hematologists a better understanding of disease progression, but also direct them to the measures that are safer and more effective in treating their patients."
A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Trial of Bortezomib/Melphalan/Prednisone (VMP) Versus Bortezomib/Thalidomide/Prednisone (VTP) as Induction Therapy Followed by Maintenance Treatment With Bortezomib/Thalidomide (VT) Versus Bortezomab/Prednisone (VP) in Elderly Untreated Patients With Multiple Myeloma Older Than 65 Years [Abstract #3]
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells known as plasma cells and is common among the elderly. In the United States, the incidence of this disease is increasing at an alarming rate with 13,000-15,000 new cases diagnosed each year . Over the last few years the treatment of elderly patients older than 65 years with multiple myeloma has changed, mainly due to the introduction of novel agents such as thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. According to results from the Velcade as Initial Standard Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: Assessment With Melphalan and Prednisone (VISTA) trial, the combination of bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone is significantly superior to melphalan and prednisone alone, which has been the current standard of care for multiple myeloma patients who cannot receive a stem cell transplant. However, research has not yet confirmed whether an alkylating agent (chemical compound) or an immunomodulatory therapy (drug that suppresses or stimulates the body's immune response) is the optimal partner for bortezomib. Researchers from the Spanish Myeloma Group designed a study to better determine if melphalan or thalidomide should be used as part of induction therapy (the initial treatment given to patients) in combination with bortezomib. The study showed that elderly patients were able to receive less aggressive treatment regimens of induction therapy by supplementing them with a maintenance treatment.
In order to evaluate whether the induction therapy regimen could be further optimized by decreasing toxicity while maintaining efficacy, the intensity of both treatment regimens was reduced as compared with the VISTA regimen, but supplemented with maintenance therapy. In this study, 260 patients with a median age of 75 years were randomized to receive a modified induction schedule of six cycles of bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (VMP) or bortezomib, thalidomide, and prednisone (VTP) as induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy with bortezomib and thalidomide (VT) or bortezomib and prednisone (VP) for up to three years.
Study results indicate that modified induction schedules for both VMP and VTP were highly effective with similar overall response rates (80 percent for VMP and 81 percent for VTP), which were determined using the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) criteria, and complete remission rates (20 percent for VMP and 27 percent for VTP), but there was a clear difference in the toxicity profile of each group. In the VMP regimen there was a higher incidence of neutropenia (abnormally low count of white blood cells) and infections, but VTP resulted in the development of cardiac toxicity. The frequency of grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy (PN) was 5 percent in the VMP group. Maintenance therapy with either VT or VP also markedly improved the quality of patient responses with a good safety profile, increasing complete response from 23 percent up to 42 percent, with no significant differences in response rates between the VT and VP treatment arms. In addition, both maintenance regimens resulted in an acceptable toxicity profile.
"Melphalan with prednisone has been the gold standard for the treatment of elderly multiple myeloma patients for the past 40 years, but novel combination therapies have emerged as superior options," said lead author Maria-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, Attending Physician, Hematology Department at the Hospital Universitario de Salamanca in Spain. "In this study, we demonstrate that the combination of a reduced dosage for induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy may be a novel approach for treating this patient population."
Psychological Correlates of Having Advance Care Planning in Patients With Hematological Malignancies [Abstract #72]
Advance care planning (ACP) provides patients with the opportunity to communicate with their family and health-care provider about their end-of-life choices. Patients who participate in ACP usually have a living will and a health-care proxy, a person who carries out their health-care choices in the event that they become incapable of making medical decisions. However, according to previous studies, only 50 percent of patients with blood cancers who are undergoing a high-risk procedure, such as a stem cell transplant, participate in ACP. Moreover, the group that lacked ACP had a higher mortality rate, suggesting that the group least likely to have ACP is the group most in need of it. While there is a need to increase engagement in ACP, many argue that discussing possible death with patients adds to their stress level. Researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle compared the psychological well-being of patients with blood cancers who did or did not have ACP to help understand how best to design interventions that may increase patient engagement in ACP.
This study analyzed data from the HEMA-COMM (Hematology Communications) study cohort, an observational study that evaluated doctor-patient communication. The study included 293 patients with blood cancers who have ACP -- that is, have a designated health-care proxy and a living will -- or who did not have ACP -- that is, they lacked a health-care proxy or a living will, or both. The two groups were compared according to socio-demographic characteristics, diagnosis, previous treatments, patient and physician estimates of cure and life expectancy, discussions of wishes for life support, and various measures of psychosocial well-being including coping, depression/anxiety, denial, social support, and quality of life.
The study found that both patients who engage and who do not engage in ACP have similar psychosocial well-being except for patterns of coping. Patients who have ACP use more problem-focused coping patterns (e.g., taking advice, active coping, seeking moral support or discussing feelings with others, planning, and having a positive outlook) as opposed to emotion-focused coping patterns (e.g., denial, behavioral or mental disengagement, turning to religion, self-blame, and substance abuse). Problem-focused coping is defined as problem solving by doing something to alter the source of stress and predominates when a person feels that something constructive can be done to affect the outcome of events. In addition, patients with ACP were more likely to be older (56 years versus 52 years), have higher income, have leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, and have received prior cancer treatment. The majority of patients with ACP discussed wishes for the use of life support with family (62 percent), while only 30 percent had discussed their wishes with a physician with or without family, and just 8 percent of patients had not discussed their wishes at all.
"While advance care planning may be more relevant for someone who has a life-threatening disease, it really is important to all individuals, and we hope that more people engage in this important process," said lead author Fausto R. Loberiza Jr., MD, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "In order to increase engagement in ACP, it is important to focus on the practical importance of ACP regardless of prognosis and de-emphasize the emotional aspects of ACP. This approach may be more appealing to our patients regardless of coping style."
Bendamustine Plus Rituximab is Superior in Respect of Progression-Free Survival and Complete Remission Rate When Compared to CHOP Plus Rituximab as First-Line Treatment of Patients With Advanced Follicular, Indolent, and Mantle Cell Lymphomas -- Final Results of a Randomized Phase III Study on StiL (Study Group indolent Lymphomas, Germany) [Abstract #405]
About half of all blood cancers are those of the lymphatic system, which are classified as either Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including follicular lymphoma (the second most common type) and mantle cell lymphoma (a rare and difficult-to-treat cancer). While the current standard of care for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a chemotherapy regimen called CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, and prednisone) plus the immunotherapy rituximab, it has been linked to high toxicity rates. However, promising results have been observed in two phase II studies evaluating a new combination treatment consisting of a chemotherapy agent called bendamustine plus rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent (slow-growing) or mantle cell lymphoma. In order to further investigate the role of bendamustine and rituximab combination therapy, researchers from the German Study Group Indolent Lymphoma (StiL) initiated a multicenter, randomized, phase III study to compare the efficacy and safety of bendamustine plus rituximab versus CHOP plus rituximab as a potential first-line therapy for patients with follicular, indolent, and mantle cell lymphoma.
Five hundred forty-nine patients were randomized to receive one dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2) plus two doses of bendamustine (90 mg/m2) every 28 days or the standard CHOP regimen every 21 days for a maximum of six cycles. The types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were equally distributed between the two treatment regimens (55 percent and 56 percent for follicular lymphoma, 18 percent and 19 percent for mantle cell lymphoma, and 27 percent and 24 percent for other indolent lymphomas, respectively). The primary objective of the study was to improve progression-free survival for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Study results revealed that bendamustine and rituximab combination therapy significantly improved progression-free survival and complete remission rates while showing less toxicity as compared with the current standard treatment. The median progression-free survival for bendamustine and rituximab combination therapy was 54.8 months compared with 34.8 months for CHOP and rituximab combination therapy. The complete remission rate of 40.1 percent for bendamustine and rituximab combination therapy was significantly higher than the 30.8 percent achieved with CHOP and rituximab combination therapy. As predicted, a higher frequency of serious adverse events was seen with the CHOP and rituximab combination therapy, such as neutropenia (10.7 percent versus 46.5 percent) and leukocytopenia (12.1 percent versus 38.2 percent). The bendamustine and rituximab combination therapy was better tolerated by patients as evidenced by lower rates of treatment side effects such as hair loss (15 percent versus 62 percent), infectious complications (95 versus 121 patients), nerve damage (18 versus 73 patients), and episodes of inflammation in the mucous lining of the mouth (16 versus 47 patients).
"While the CHOP and rituximab combination is the current standard of care, it is frequently associated with serious adverse events and more side effects, as was further shown in this study," said lead author Mathias J. Rummel, MD, PhD, Head of the Department for Hematology at the University Hospital in Giessen, Germany. "These promising results suggest that the combination of bendamustine and rituximab has the potential to become the new standard, first-line treatment option for patients with these non-Hodgkin lymphoma entities."
Story Source:
Materials provided by American Society of Hematology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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After 2.5 years of being almost entirely unchanged, we're thinking about redesigning
This page is kind of underutilized real estate at the moment:
- It is rather monotonous, since it always shows the same list and Jon Skeet is always on top. (Although to be fair, we do link to the reputation leagues on it.)
- The tabs it offers are not particularly relevant; when was the last time you clicked on the "oldest" tab for example?
We are in the process of redesigning this page, and I wanted to get your input on a few things.
If we were to show a few more bits of info about each user, other than the standard user card, what would you like to see?
What tabs and sort orders would be helpful and interesting to see here, that would make this page more fundamentally useful?
Be advised that our first pass on this will make the weekly rep leagues essentially the default view here, with an option to show monthly and quarterly. But we think other views and orders might be even more helpful as a default.
Mockups and ideas welcome!

subset: commoncrawl


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Prayer to St. Joseph
To thee, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help us in our necessities, by thy powerful intercession.
Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving Father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most powerful protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage, that imitating thy example and sported by thy aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven.


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"The abundant marine bacterium Pelagibacter simultaneously catabolizes dimethylsulfoniopropionate to the gases dimethyl sulfide and methanethiol.", Nat Microbiol, vol. 1, no. 8, p. 16065, 2016.
, "Analysis of 2-aminoacetophenone by direct-immersion solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and its sensory impact in Chardonnay and Pinot gris wines", Food chemistry, vol. 105, pp. 1144–1150, 2007.
, "Analysis of volatile phenols in alcoholic beverage by ethylene glycol-polydimethylsiloxane based stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.", J Chromatogr A, vol. 1390, pp. 22-7, 2015.
, "Antioxidant impacts on volatile formation in high-pressure-processed milk.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 55, no. 22, pp. 9183-8, 2007.
, "Aroma characterization of chinese rice wine by gas chromatography-olfactometry, chemical quantitative analysis, and aroma reconstitution.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 61, no. 47, pp. 11295-302, 2013.
, "Aroma Potential in Early- and Late-Maturity Pinot noir Grapes Evaluated by Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 443-50, 2016.
, "Aroma Stability of Lemon-Flavored Hard Iced Tea Assessed by Chirality and Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 64, no. 28, pp. 5717-23, 2016.
, "Attractiveness of fermentation and related products to spotted wing Drosophila (Diptera: drosophilidae).", Environ Entomol, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 439-47, 2014.
, "Bound volatile precursors in genotypes in the pedigree of 'Marion' blackberry (Rubus sp.).", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 3694-9, 2010.
, "Characterisation of volatile components of red and sparkling wines from a new wine grape cultivar'Meili'(Vitis vinifera L.)", Vitis, vol. 52, pp. 41–48, 2013.
, "Characterization of aroma compounds in apple cider using solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and headspace solid-phase microextraction.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 55, no. 8, pp. 3051-7, 2007.
, "Comparison of Screw Cap and Cork Closure Effect on Volatile Sulfur Development during Post-Bottle Ageing", in Flavour Science, Elsevier, 2014, pp. 267–271.
, "Comparison of sugar, acids, and volatile composition in raspberry bushy dwarf virus-resistant transgenic raspberries and the wild type 'meeker' (rubus idaeus L.).", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 56, no. 15, pp. 6648-55, 2008.
, "Development of C13-norisoprenoids, carotenoids and other volatile compounds in Vitis vinifera L. Cv. Pinot noir grapes.", Food Chem, vol. 192, pp. 633-41, 2016.
, "Development of volatile sulfur compounds in heat-shocked and pasteurized milk cheese", International dairy journal, vol. 18, pp. 811–818, 2008.
, "Distribution of volatile composition in 'marion' ( rubus species hyb) blackberry pedigree.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 1860-9, 2010.
, "Effect of grape bunch sunlight exposure and UV radiation on phenolics and volatile composition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir wine.", Food Chem, vol. 173, pp. 424-31, 2015.
, "Effect of high-pressure treatment of milk for cheese manufacture on proteolysis, lipolysis, texture and functionality of Cheddar cheese during ripening", Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, vol. 13, pp. 23–30, 2012.
, "Effect of high-pressure treatment on microbiology, proteolysis, lipolysis and levels of flavour compounds in mature blue-veined cheese", Innovative food science & emerging technologies, vol. 11, pp. 68–77, 2010.
, "Effect of high-pressure-moderate-temperature processing on the volatile profile of milk.", J Agric Food Chem, vol. 54, no. 24, pp. 9184-92, 2006.
, "The effect of wine closures on volatile sulfur and other compounds during post-bottle ageing", Flavour and fragrance journal, vol. 28, pp. 118–128, 2013.
, Fractionation and Identification of Aroma-Active Constituents in Thornless Trailing 'Black Diamond' Blackberry, vol. 1035. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, 2010, pp. 45 - 61.
, "Impact of yeast present during prefermentation cold maceration of Pinot noir grapes on wine volatile aromas", American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, p. ajev–2016, 2016.
, "Influence of deficit irrigation and kaolin particle film on grape composition and volatile compounds in Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera L.).", Food Chem, vol. 134, no. 2, pp. 841-50, 2012.
, "The influence of temperature and pressure factors in supercritical fluid extraction for optimizing nonpolar lipid extraction from buttermilk powder.", J Dairy Sci, vol. 92, no. 2, pp. 458-68, 2009.


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Rapper 3Dee release his hit single about his break up with supermodel industry ex
Rapper 3Dee is excited to drop his first single "Heart Broken" June 23rd 2020 to anxious listeners, he is an individual that emits so much strength, so much raw magnetic appeal and energy that it can affect everyone and everything around them. He was recently signed to Southernbred Ent in Jacksonville, Fl.
The label evolved through a collaborative effort among 3 friends CEO- Tabbo Gandy, President- Emari Wilcher and CFO- Damien Hadley that were fed up with greedy record labels to create an organization that encourages creativity, community, and an environment where artists can work on their music freely without distraction or concern. They focus on what is important, investing in the music and the talented artists that create it while maintaining their street credibility.
Southernbred Ent embraces the art and values of hip hop, unlike most of the cookie cutter rappers and labels of today. In a lane of their own the label's first and foremost priority is an initiative of good-will. They are focused and determined on maintaining their uncompromising core values of providing the resources and services needed so their artists can focus on their music.
These guys have truly built a movement where great music, great minds, and great energy meet. Be sure and follow their movement as you can expect big things for years to come from this camp.
IG: @iam3dee_
Label Website: www.southernbredent.com
Artist Website: www.iam3dee.com
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1517559734?ls=1&app=itunes
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1517559734
Spotify URL: https://open.spotify.com/album/6nDYB0cnONYhxlYZsRtkfy
Contact Detail:
Company Name: Southernbred Entertainment
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: email@example.com
Country: United States
Website Url: http://www.iam3dee.com/
Source: www.PRExhibition.com


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MG MGA 1500 roadster, 1959
MG MGA 1500 Roadster, année 1959. Couleur noire combinée avec un intérieur en cuir rouge et un tapis noir. Capote en vinyle rouge, couvre-tonneau en vinyle noir et écrans latéraux avec cadres en aluminium. Ce magnifique roadster MGA 1500 a été restauré dans le passé, la voiture est en très bon état et la voiture roule délicieusement. Ce très beau roadster MGA fut très bien entretenue au fil des ans, la voiture montre des signes légers à normaux d'utilisation précédente. La combinaison de couleurs noir / rouge est probablement la plus belle palette de couleurs pour le roadster MGA, sportive et élégante ! Ce magnifique roadster MGA 1500 est équipé de roues à rayons peintes en argent, d'un volant sport MotoLita avec jante en bois, d'une barre de badges avec les badges néerlandais ANWB et WW (Wegenwacht – comme A.R.A. en France) des années 1960 et d'un porte-bagages chromé. Ce roadster MGA 1500 est une voiture de conducteur désirable qui apportera beaucoup de plaisir et de joie aux passionnés de MG !
The year 1955 saw the introduction of the MGA. With this design the MG broke new grounds. After its predecessors MG TD and MG TF, which were largely based on the pre-war MG TB, it was a roadster with a very modern sporty design. Like its predecessors, the MGA was a great success and, like before, the greater part was sold in America. Until 1959, the MGA was equipped with a 1459 cc four-cylinder engine. From that year, the car was fitted with a 1588 cc four-cylinder. A 1622 cc four-cylinder engine replaced the 1588 cc. engine in 1961. The early MGA versions had very good drum brakes until 1959, but after that year, the MG A was equipped with disc brakes on the front wheels. The year 1962 saw the production of the MGA, the A 1600 Mk II. The MGB replaced this very popular British sports car, and was to develop the success of the MG A even further.
Technical data
four cylinder engine
cylinder capacity: 1489 cc.
capacity: 68 bhp.
top speed: approx. 98 mph. - 155 km/h.
gearbox: 4-speed, manual
Weight: 890 kg.
MG history
MG (Morris Garage) was set up by William Morris in the year 1923 to market a more sporty line of Morris models. Morris Production Manager, Cecil Kimber, was transferred from the factory in Cowley to Morris Garages (in Abington) to design MG's using Morris parts. MG production in Abingdon started in the year 1924. At the end of the 1930s, even normal passenger cars were introduced under the MG label.
The business flourished when in 1945, just after World War II, the sporty prewar MG TB and its successor the TC stole the hearts of the American soldiers. Numerous MGs were shipped to America where this type of motorcar was yet unknown.
Demand for the MG sports cars quickly rose in America, and most of the MGs were sold across the big pond in the years that followed. MGs were simple and well-built, affordable and easy to maintain. In 1952, Austin Motor Corporation merged with Morris Motors to form British Motor Corporation Ltd*.
In 1955, the pre-war TB and the post-war TC, TD and TF series with their pre-war designs were followed by the MG A roadster, which also became available as coupes after 1956.
In 1962, the successful MG A was followed by the even more successful and austerely but elegantly lined MG B. This series, too, mainly found its way to America. The MG B was available as roadster and as a 2+2 coupe, called the 'GT'.
As British Motor* had stopped the production of the Austin Healey, there was again the need for a six-cylinder sports car from this stable, which made the MG C see the light of day in 1967. It was an MG B with a six-cylinder engine. However, this car failed to live up to expectations as its road-holding and character were not of Healey's caliber. Eventually, Healey's successor was to come from the newly merged British Leyland* stable in 1968, and was called the Triumph TR6.
In 1973, a V8 variant of the MG B came onto the market: the MGB V8. This model had a powerful Rover 3.5 litre V8 motor and was to be built until 1976.
The MG B roadster and the GT were sold until 1980, and, under pressure from American legislation, were adapted with safety-enhancing and emission-reducing conversions during their last five production years. The resultant thick rubber bumpers and less powerful engines made these cars much less attractive. Meanwhile, Japan produced the Datsun 240 Z, and put an end to the British sports car hegemony in America.
In 1980, it was curtains for MG B. In the years after, some Austins did appear, 'dressed up' as MGs but we'd rather forget about them. Finally, in the 1990s, a worthy successor emerged in the form of the MG F, which is available to this day.
In the year 2001 BMW decided to get rid of Rover because they were losing lots of money because the British pound was too expensive as was manufacturing cars in England.
A group of investors bought Rover. They took over the entire model line and were able to work out the last details on the Rover 75 Tourer and market it. Next idea was to give MG a true rebirth; various Rover models were technically re-engineered, tuned and spiced up to make thru drivers cars of them, a sporty line of cars alongside the Rover middle-class luxury line.
Looking at the Rover/ MG cars and reading about them in the press we can tell that we have high expectations of the MG models to appear in the future.
© Marc Vorgers
British Leyland*
(in the merger of BRITISH MOTOR HOLDINGS with Austin-Morris and Jaguar interests in 1966)
and LEYLAND MOTOR CORP. LTD.
partly nationalized by the British government in 1975


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Polaroid goes Gaga with Grey Label
LAS VEGAS — Polaroid and its creative director, pop sensation Lady Gaga, unveiled a new line that is truly expressive of Lady Gaga's artistic vision.
The Polaroid Grey Label initially will feature a trio of products that include:
•The GL10 instant mobile printer, available in May at a retail price of $149.99, gives users the instant printing experience with Polaroid's Zink Zero Ink technology, making photo printing mess-free. Polaroid also will roll out Zink photo paper for the printer as well;
•Polaroid's GL30 instant digital camera, a departure from traditional Polaroid cameras, is designed for longevity and gives users the option to select a number of filters and borders to create truly original images that instantly fit in the palm of a hand. The digital camera will be available later this year, with a price to be determined; and
•The GL20 camera glasses, in which users instantly can capture or upload photos with the built-in camera and then display the images on the glasses' LCD screens for others to see. The camera glasses will be available later this year, with a price to be determined.
The products were unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
"I consider myself to be a visionary, not just a songwriter and a singer. I am an artist," Lady Gaga said. "I brought my vision and love of fashion, technology and obsession with the future into all of my work with Polaroid."


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Midori Kanda is cosplaying as Haruhi Suzumiya from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒ Suzumiya Haruhi) is the general name for a series of light novels written by Nagaru Tanigawa and illustrated by Noizi Ito, and subsequently adapted into other media. The story follows the title character, Haruhi Suzumiya, a high school girl who can unconsciously change reality, and her strange antics with her school club, the SOS Brigade, which she founded to investigate any mysterious happenings. Haruhi forcibly drafts her cynical classmate Kyon who narrates the series, and similarly recruits three additional members into her club: the silent bibliophile Yuki Nagato, the shy and timid Mikuru Asahina, and the friendly "mysterious exchange student" Itsuki Koizumi. These members soon reveal themselves to Kyon as the extraordinary characters Haruhi is seeking, sent by their various organizations to observe her and hold her reality warping powers in check by maintaining the illusion of a normal life.
The first novel was published in Japan on June 6, 2003 by Kadokawa Shoten, with nine individual novels published and a planned tenth as of April 1, 2007. The light novels have been adapted into four separate manga series, five video games, a television anime adaptation, and two original net animations. After the anime adaptation aired in 2006, publishing company Kadokawa Shoten received various offers licensing both the novels and its various adaptations.
The novels are licensed for English language release in the United States by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Yen Press and the anime adaptation was licensed for North American distribution by Kadokawa Pictures USA division, which then sublicensed production and distribution to Bandai Entertainment.


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Love Joy Peace - Bible Verse - Fruit of the Spirit - T-shirt SVG design (Digital Download)
Love Joy Peace - Bible Verse - Fruit of the Spirit - T-shirt SVG design (Digital Download)
This listing contains the digital files for the design shown. You will receive a .zip file containing the .svg, .eps, .png, .jpg, .pdf, and .dxf. All image files are exported at 300dpi.
Put this design on a t-shirt, use it in your scrapbook, engrave it on some wood, or print out some stickers.
You will NOT receive any physical object with this listing, it is strictly digital files for your own use.
Once your payment has been confirmed you will be able to download the files.
You MUST UNZIP the files before using them in any design / cutting software.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'm happy to help.
©Xykit, All the files are personally designed by me (Jason) in my office in California.
See our TERMS OF USE for usage rights.


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Are you tired of cold, impersonal service from storefront accounting offices that don't know your name and won't go the extra mile on your behalf? We promise accounting, tax, payroll, and business consulting services from a small firm of dedicated professionals who make it their business to listen to your needs and provide personalized solutions for you at an affordable price.
With many years of experience, our firm with its team of CPAs and accountants can handle just about any needs you may have, while still making it our business to get to know you personally. We're flexible, we're friendly, and above all, we listen.
So click around our site and get a feel for what we can do for you. And when you're ready give us a call.


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Femmes Fatales | Jul 15 2020 |
Modern Pulp | May 7 2017 |
Vintage Pulp | Apr 19 2015 |
The Naked City | Vintage Pulp | Oct 7 2010 |
We double up on the murders today, thanks to the always informative true crime magazine Master Detective. This issue is from October 1954, with Barye Phillips cover art, and amongst the horrors revealed is one involving Massachusetts spouses Melvin and Lorraine Clark. The Clarks were heavy into key-swapping parties, at which opposite sexes blindly selected each other's keys from a bowl or sack to randomly determine who would be whose companion for the evening. If you've ever seen the Sigourney Weaver movie The Ice Storm, it was exactly like that—a few drinks, a few joints, and some freewheeling, no-strings-attached sex.
But when Melvin came home the night of April 10, 1954, and found Lorraine in bed with another man outside the context of a swapping party, an argument ensued that escalated to the point where Lorraine stabbed her husband with a knitting needle and shot him twice. She wrapped Melvin's body in chicken wire, weighed him down with a cement block or two, and dumped him off Rocks Village Bridge into the Merrimack River, where the current was supposed to carry him out to sea.
Lorraine never expected to see her husband again we can be sure, and even filed for divorce as part of her cover story, claiming he had abandoned her after a bitter confrontation. But Melvin hadn't abandoned her—in fact, he hadn't gone far at all. A bird watcher found his mostly skeletonized body in a riverside marsh in early June.
Under police questioning Lorraine caved in pretty much immediately and, long story short, earned a life sentence in federal prison. She never named an accomplice, but no bodybuilder she, it seemed clear she could not have done the heavy lifting involved in the murder without a helping hand. Also, for someone who had little to no experience with firearms, she sure had good aim. Melvin had taken one in the forehead and one in the temple. But Mrs. Clark was not pressed to name a partner in crime, did her time in silence, and was eventually paroled. In retrospect, you wonder if local bigwigs wanted the case to go away. After all, you meet the most interesting people when you swap.
Master Detective treats us to a second fascinating story, this one on Italian fashion model Wilma Montesi, who in April 1953 was found dead on Plinius Beach near Ostia, Italy. Police declared her death a suicide oraccidental drowning—case closed. But the public had many questions. How had she drowned in just a few inches of water? If it was suicide, why had she shown no signs of depression? Why were her undergarments in disarray? The police weren't keen to reopen the case, but agreed to an informal re-investigation. Weeks later they announced once more: suicide or accidental drowing. But the public suspected cops weren't trying to reach any other conclusion.
When the editor of the neo-fascist paper Attualita charged in print seven months later that Wilma Montesi had not gone to Ostia the day of her death, but to a fancy hunting lodge in nearby Capocotto, the story was not just ignored—Italian authorities hauled the editor before a court and threatened him with charges for spreading false information. But his tale was backed up by a witness—Anna Maria Caglio, who had spent time at the lodge and dropped a bomb on Italian society when she said it was a front for drugs and sex parties—sort of like The Ice Storm again, but with much richer and more powerful people involved. By powerful, we're talking about judges, politicians, the Pope's personal physician and other Vatican officials, and the well-connected Foreign Minister's son Piero Piccioni, who you see pictured just above.
When the national Communist party began making waves, the carabinièri—Italy's military police—stepped in. Like the local cops, they weren't keen to pursue the case, but they weren't about to let the Communists break it open and potentially expose the corruption of the entire political establishment. The carabinièri's involvement angered many upper crust Italians, but when their officers walked the streets during those months the general public literally applauded them for daring to tread where the police had not.
Their investigation soon focused on Piccioni, who besides being the scion of a political family was a famous jazz composer. But Piccioni had an alibi—at the time of the murder he was in the house of actress Alida Valli in Amalfi, where he claimed to be sick in bed. Rumors sprang up that he was Valli's lover. Why did anyone care? Because Valli, a big star at the time who had appeared in Orson Welles' The Third Man, was married to another famous musician, Oscar de Mejo. The case was now a full-blown media circus.
This is the way it may have gone: every direction the carabinièri turned, politically connected Italians threw up walls in their path. Alternatively, it may have gone like this: the carabinièri made a noisy show of annoying a few heavy hitters, but were only performing for a suspicious and cynical public. What was clear was very powerful people wanted the orgiastic activities in Capacotto forgotten.
Behind the scenes manuvering was rife. Anna Maria Caglio even wrote a letter to the Pope warning him that there were people around him who meant him harm, presumably because they wanted to expose the involvement of Vatican officials in the late night shenanigans at the lodge. Pressure came down from the highest levels of the Italian establishment to put the case to bed quickly. It wasn't quick.
But neither was it necessarily thorough. Eventually four people were brought to trial, including Piero Piccioni. All were acquitted. Perhaps the only consequence of the investigation is that it became one of the most celebrated mysteries of all time, inspiring many books, and even a symbolic reference in the incomparable Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita. But what really happened to Wilma Montesi? Nobody knows. Today the case is still unsolved.


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EFF filed an amicus brief in Atlantic v. Howell an Arizona lawsuit brought as part of the RIAA's national campaign against individuals for file-sharing. Although the case also received attention over the issue of whether CD ripping is legal the main event in the case was about something different: can the RIAA sue people for attempted copyright infringement?
EFF's brief says no as have several courts. The district court agreed on April 29 2008 in an order denying the recording industry's motion for summary judgment on the "making available" distribution issue.
In August 2008 the record industry plaintiffs prevailed against Mr. Howell based on their allegations that Mr. Howell destroyed necessary evidence before trial.


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Mounts Family Winery Petacera Estate Petite Sirah 2010, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, CA, $40 (S) – Rating 90
Big, rich and inky black in color. Give this wine time to open up. Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, black pepper and dark spice. Lush on the palate with defined tannins and balanced acidity. Expect rich flavors of blueberry, black cherry, blackberry and spice. Hints of cacao and espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine


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Sun, 11 Sept
|Guatemala city
Dancing for Mental Health
Come and enjoy the benefits of dancing for Mental Health. Totally free class taught by @tumbaoestudiogt.
Lugar y fecha
11 Sept 2022, 11:00 – 12:00
Guatemala city, City of, 10A Calle 4-19, Cdad. from Guatemala 01001, Guatemala
Acerca del evento
Our dear instructors at Tumbao Estudio de Baile want to invite you to release stress, activate the body, relax the muscles and smile a lot while enjoying a totally free dance class.
Place: Centro Cultural Mosaico Guatemala, Plaza Amalí Selva ( 10 street 4-19 zone 1 )
Reserve your space! Means to confirm your attendance:
• Website mosaicguatemala.org/cartelera
• Telephone +502 2458 4510.
• WhatsApp (+502 24584510) you can leave your name, email and personal number
Important information:
• Parking: check the location of nearby parking lots and special prices by visiting mosaicguatemala.org/parqueo
• We keep our biosafety protocols updated in accordance with the Guatemalan health authorities. We recommend keeping up to date with these. All recommendations from Biosecurity will be rigorously applied to be able to enjoy the event with complete peace of mind. Physical distancing, use of a mask at all times and antibacterial gel is mandatory.
Organized by: Luis Colocho Foundation
With the support of: Tumbao Dance Studio and Centro Cultural Mosaico Guatemala
This is an activity of the Program for the Strengthening of Mental Health of the Luis Colocho Foundation. Find out how to support by visiting the website fundalco.org
Embajador de la Salud Mental
Entrada sin costo. Puedes apoyar con una donación para la Fundación Luis Colocho el día del evento.
GTQ 0.00Sold Out
This event is sold out


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Resin Documentationapp server |
resin with apache
Resin provides a fast servlet runner for Apache 1.3 or greater, allowing Apache to run servlets and JSP files. If you have not yet done so, we suggest you use the Resin standalone web server option first. Before integrating Resin with Apache, it is valuable to configure Resin as a standalone server, especially with more complicated setups such as those involving virtual hosts. Doing so isolates the steps and makes troubleshooting easier. Many users find that the performance, flexibility, and features of Resin make Resin a desirable replacement for Apache. When used with Apache, Resin serves JSPs and Servlets and Apache serves
static content like html and images. Apache is a frontend server, it handles
the request from the browser. Resin's mod_caucho queries the backend server to distinguish the URLs going to Resin from the URLs handled by Apache. The backend server uses the <servlet-mapping> directives to decide which URLs to send. Also, any *.war file automatically gets all its URLs. Other URLs stay with Apache. There's a more complete discussion of the URL dispatching in the How the Plugins Dispatch to Resin page. Resin needs Apache 1.3.x or greater and DSO support. To configure Resin with Apache, you must follow the following steps:
Compiling ApacheYou need a version of Apache with DSO support enabled. Apache has full documentation at their website. To check if your apache has DSO support, you can check for in your your httpd unix> /usr/local/apache/bin/httpd -l Compiled-in modules: ... mod_so.c ... Many distributions, e.g. Red Hat Linux, will have Apache preinstalled. However, because the standard distribution has files all over the place, some people prefer to recompile Apache from scratch. Once you untar Apache, build it like: unix> ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/apache --enable-module=so unix> make unix> make install Solaris versions of Apache may need additional flags, otherwise you'll get some linking errors when trying to load Resin. You may need to refer to the Apache documentation if you get linking errors. Here's an example configuration on Solaris: unix> ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/apache \ --enable-rule=SHARED_CORE \ --enable-rule=SHARED_CHAIN \ --enable-module=so \ --enable-module=most \ --enable-shared=max Compiling mod_caucho.soTo compile and install If you know where your executable is, you can use --with-apxs. is a little Perl script that the Apache configuration makes. It lets modules like Resin know how all the Apache directories are configured. It is generally in /usr/local/apache/bin/apxs or /usr/sbin/apxs. It's usually easiest to use --with-apxs so you don't need to worry where all the Apache directories are.unix> ./configure --with-apxs=/usr/local/apache/bin/apxs unix> make Even if you don't know where is, the configure script can often find it:unix> ./configure --with-apxs unix> make As an alternative to --with-apxs, if you've compiled Apache yourself, or if you have a simple configuration, you can generally just point to the Apache directory: unix> ./configure --with-apache=/usr/local/apache unix> make unix> make install The previous --with-apxs or --with-apache should cover most configurations. For some unusual configurations, you can have finer control over each directory with the following arguments to ./configure. In general, you should use --with-apache or --with-apxs, but the other variables are there if you know what you're doing.
Configure the EnvironmentIf you don't already have Java installed, you'll need to download a JDK and set some environment variables. Here's a typical environment that you might put in ~/.profile or /etc/profile # Java Location JAVA_HOME=/<installdir>/jdk1.4 export JAVA_HOME # Resin location (optional). Usually Resin can figure this out. RESIN_HOME=/<installdir>/resin-3.1.2 export RESIN_HOME # If you're using additional class libraries, you'll need to put them # in the classpath. CLASSPATH=
The The httpd.conf file is also easily modified manually: LoadModule caucho_module \ <installdir>/resin-3.1.x/win32/apache-2.0/mod_caucho.dll ResinConfigServer localhost 6802 <Location /caucho-status> SetHandler caucho-status </Location>
The communication between
The <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin" xmlns:resin="http://caucho.com/ns/resin/core"> ... <server> ... <cluster> <server id="" address="127.0.0.1" port="6802"/> </cluster> ... The resin.conf and the layout of your webapps should match the layout that Apache expects. The mapping of urls to filesystem locations should be consistent between Apache and the backend Resin server. The default resin.conf looks in
<resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin" xmlns:resin="http://caucho.com/ns/resin/core"> ... <server> ... <host id=""> <web-app id='/' document-directory="/usr/local/apache/htdocs"/> </host> ... </server> </resin> Now you need to start the app-tier Resin server. Starting Resin is the same with Apache or standalone. See the Resin Web Server page for a detailed description. unix> java -jar $RESIN_HOME/lib/resin.jar unix> bin/httpd.sh win> httpd.exe Resin 3.1.2 (built Mon Aug 4 09:26:44 PDT 2006) Copyright(c) 1998-2006 Caucho Technology. All rights reserved. Starting Resin on Mon, 04 Aug 2006 09:43:39 -0700 (PDT) [09:43:40.664] Loaded Socket JNI library. [09:43:40.664] http listening to *:8080 [09:43:40.664] ServletServer[] starting [09:43:40.879] hmux listening to *:6802 [09:43:41.073] Host[] starting [09:43:41.446] Application[http://localhost:8080/resin-doc] starting [09:43:41.496] Application[http://localhost:8080] starting Resin will print every port it's listening to. In the above example, Resin has an http listener on port 8080 and an srun listener on port 6800 (using its custom `hmux' protocol). mod_caucho establishes connections to Resin using port 6802, and a web browser can connect using port 8080. Usually the 8080 port will be unused, because web browsers will make requests to Apache, these requests get dispatched to Resin as needed by mod_caucho. A Resin configured http listener on port 8080 is a useful debugging tool, it allows you to bypass Apache and make a request straight to Resin. The following snippet shows the <http> and <server> configuration for the above example. <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin"> <cluster id="app-tier"> <server-default> <http address="*" port="8080"/> </server-default> <server id="" address="192.168.2.10" port="6800"/> ... </cluster> </resin> Create a test file '/usr/local/apache/htdocs/test.jsp' 2 + 2 = <%= 2 + 2 %> Browse http://localhost/test.jsp again. You should now get 2 + 2 = 4 The installation process above automatically changes the httpd.conf file. You can also configure the httpd.conf file manually, or modify the default configuration created by the installation process. LoadModule caucho_module libexec/mod_caucho.so ResinConfigServer localhost 6802 <Location /caucho-status> SetHandler caucho-status </Location> LoadModule caucho_module \ <installdir>/resin-3.1.x/libexec/apache-2.0/mod_caucho.dll ResinConfigServer localhost 6802 <Location /caucho-status> SetHandler caucho-status </Location>
After any change to httpd.conf, restart Apache. Now browse http://localhost/caucho-status. Manual configuration of dispatchingYou can also dispatch to Resin directly from the httpd.conf. Instead of relying on the ResinConfigServer directive to determine which url's to dispatch to the backend server, Apache handler's are used to specify the url's to dispatch. CauchoHost 127.0.0.1 6802 <Location /foo/*> SetHandler caucho-request </Location>
Requests dispatched directly from the Apache httpd.conf will not appear in /caucho-status. The virtual host topic describes virtual hosts in detail. If you're using a single JVM, you only need to configure the resin.conf. LoadModule caucho_module libexec/mod_caucho.so ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.1 6802 <Location /caucho-status> SetHandler caucho-status </Location> <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin"> <server> <cluster> <server id="" address="192.168.0.1" port="6802"/> </cluster> <host id='www.gryffindor.com'> <host-alias>gryffindor.com</host-alias> ... </host> <host id='www.slytherin.com'> <host-alias>slytherin.com</host-alias> ... </host> </server> </resin> Virtual Host per JVMIf you want a different JVM for each virtual host, your httpd.conf can specify a different srun port for each host. <VirtualHost gryffindor.com> ServerName gryffindor.com ServerAlias www.gryffindor.com ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.1 6802 </VirtualHost> <VirtualHost slytherin.com> ServerName slytherin.com ServerAlias www.slytherin.com ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.1 6803 </VirtualHost> <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin"> <server> <cluster> <server id="" address="192.168.0.1" port="6802"/> </cluster> <host id=''> ... </host> </server> </resin> <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin"> <server> <cluster> <server id="" address="192.168.0.1" port="6803"/> </cluster> <host id=''> ... </host> </server> </resin> $ bin/httpd.sh -pid gryffindor.pid -conf conf/gryffindor.conf start $ bin/httpd.sh -pid slytherin.pid -conf conf/slytherin.conf start ... $ bin/httpd.sh -pid gryffindor.pid stop The Reliability and Load Balancing section provides an introduction to the concepts of load balancing. mod_caucho recognizes cluster configurations for load balancing. Requests are distributed to all machines in the cluster, all requests in a session will go to the same host, and if one host goes down, Resin will send the request to the next available machine. Optional backup machines only receive requests if all of the primaries are down. <resin xmlns="http://caucho.com/ns/resin"> <server> <cluster> <server id="a" address="192.168.0.11" port="6802"/> <server id="b" address="192.168.0.11" port="6803" backup="true"/> <server id="c" address="192.168.0.12" port="6802"/> <server id="d" address="192.168.0.12" port="6803" backup="true"/> </cluster> ... </server> </resin> mod_caucho only needs to know about one of the backend servers. It will query that backend server, and learn about all of the other members of the cluster. ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.11 6802 mod_caucho keeps a local cache of the configuration information, so if the backend server becomes unavailable then the cached configuration will be used until the backend server becomes available again. The httpd.conf file can also specify more than one backend server, when mod_caucho checks for configuration updates, it will check each in turn, and only if none of them are available will it use the local cached copy. ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.11 6802 ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.12 6802 Manual configuration of load balanced dispatching
Manual dispatching in httpd.conf can also specify the backend hosts and the backend backup hosts, as an alternative to using CauchoHost 192.168.0.11 6802 CauchoBackup 192.168.0.11 6803 CauchoHost 192.168.0.12 6802 CauchoBackup 192.168.0.12 6803 <Location /foo/*> SetHandler caucho-request </Location> Manual configuration of location based dispatching<Location /applicationA/*> ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.11 6802 </Location> <Location /applicationB/*> ResinConfigServer 192.168.0.12 6802 </Location>


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Should you encounter an error (non-functional link, missing or misleading information, application crash), please let us know at email@example.com. Please, do not use the above address for non-OJS-related queries (manuscript status, etc.). For your convenience we maintain a list of frequently asked questions here. General queries to items not covered by this FAQ shall be directed to the journal editoral office at email@example.com.


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In Brief
Operetta in three acts in Hungarian, with English and Hungarian subtitles
A certain gentleman now referred to as Doctor Bat causes chaos at Prince Orlovsky's masked ball. Errant husbands are sentenced to imprisonment, wives itch to betray their husbands and budding starlets appear in disguise. The hijinks and partying end up in a prison yard, but this is where the laughs really start! This champagne-fuelled full-length opera is Johann Strauss's masterpiece and without doubt the crowning event of the winter holidays. Doctor Bat and his friends have one hell of a New Year's ball in store!
Act I
The storm clouds are gathering above the Viennese Herr Von Eisenstein's house. He has been sentenced to a five-day prison term for duelling. While he is away battling in court for acquittal, his wife Rosalinda is courted by and old suitor, Alfred, the famous tenor. Alfred tries to persuade his old flame to make good use of her brief grass widowhood. Rosalinda is about to be completely deserted: her chambermaid Adele tries to get the night off by telling her mistress that her 'poor old aunt' is deathly ill. In actual fact, Adele secretly wants to go to the ball at Prince Orlofsky's, to which she has been invited – so she is aware – by her sister Ida the ballerina.
Eisenstein arrives home in deep distress. He is fighting with his lawyer, Dr Blind. His prison term has been extended to eight days because of Blind's incompetence. Blind promises to appeal, but Eisenstein throws him out. He has only been allowed to come home for a farewell dinner. He sends Adele to the nearby restaurant to get him some comforting delicacies.
The lawyer Dr Falke comes to visit. He used to be the family's friend until Eisenstein played a nasty trick on him. Three years ago the two of them had gone to a costume ball dressed as a butterfly and a bat. On the way home, Eisenstein got the doctor drunk and left him asleep in the park in his bat costume. Ever since everyone in Vienna has called him the Batty Doctor. However, this time – so it appears – Dr Falke has not come to gloat. He convinces Eisenstein to come to the ball at Prince Orlofsky's and postpone reporting to gaol (where he can recover from the spree) until midnight. He even asks Eisenstein to bring with him his famous chiming watch, used so effectively in his many conquests. Dr Falke secretly also invites Rosalinda to Orlofsky's, and provides her with a costume.
Adele returns the bountiful dinner, but her master hurries off with his crony, Dr Falke. Then, on the spur of the moment, Rosalinda decides to let Adele off for the night, and resigning herself to her fate she allows Alfred, serenading under her window, to enter, and continue at the dinner table. However, their intimate rendezvous is interrupted when Herr Frank, the director of the prison where Eisenstein is to spend his gaol term, enters. He has come to personally escort Eisenstein to his prison. Rosalinda begs Alfred to say that he is Eisenstein, to avert a scandal. Alfred agrees and leaves with Frank to take Eisenstein's place in prison.
Act II
Receiving his guests in his lavish palace, Prince Orlofsky is lamenting his terminal boredom and eventually 'shoots himself in the head' with a bottle of vodka. Dr Falke assures him that tonight he will laugh: he has planned a little comedy, whose unsuspecting actors enter the scene one after the other.
Arriving in Rosalinda's dress, Adele is introduced as an actress. Eisenstein is introduced as the Marquis de Renard, and is flabbergasted to see his chambermaid at the ball. Adele is equally horrified to see her master, but continues to insist that she is an actress. Eisenstein has a gruelling conversation in French with Chevalier Chagrin, who is in fact Frank. The 'two illustrious' Frenchmen woo Adele and Ida, while Falke introduces Eisenstein to the mysterious Hungarian countess, who is really Rosalinda. Eisenstein flirts with the woman, but loses his chiming watch in the process. He tries desperately to get it back, but his time is up, and he must begin his prison sentence.
Act III
Frosch, the gaoler, delivers an intoxicated soliloquy in the prison director's office, when an equally inebriated Frank comes in. They have not even weighed up the tricky situation when Adele and Ida arrive. They take Frank (or Chevalier Chagrin, as they know him) by his word, and ask him to help Adele break into show business – she displays talent in a brilliant solo.
Next, Eisenstein enters and is taken aback to find that his drinking mate, Chevalier Chagrin, is the director of the prison. His surprise is even greater when he learns that Herr Von Eisenstein was arrested the evening before, while he was at home, dining with his wife.
Meanwhile, Alfred impatiently waits for the lawyer he has sent for. Rosalinda arrives, wanting to save the day. However, Eisenstein returns, disguised as the lawyer. Instead of help, he swears to take revenge on his unfaithful wife and her suitor. But Rosalinda counters his accusation by producing the watch she swindled out of him as a Hungarian countess. Eisenstein then changes tactic and denies his identity, but Adele identifies her master.
Finally, Prince Orlofsky and all the party guests pour into the gaol. Dr Falke announces the whole situation was a joke – the revenge of the Bat. Eisenstein is reassured in his belief that Alfred too was just part of the joke. All is forgiven, everything is back to normal, only Adele becomes and actress, with the help of Orlofsky.
"Anyone who has recently experienced the uplifting mood, frenetic joie de vivre and heart-warming operatic beauty of [Miklós Szinetár's] production of Die Fledermaus could count on, despite the portended shadows, a genuine comic opera performance."
Géza Fodor, Muzsika


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Something to ponder while waiting for something to happen.
Forward lines are never carved in stone, right? They change from game to game, shift to shift. But you've got to start somewhere when it comes to mixing and matching the Sharks newly reconstituted Top Six.
Here – and I better qualify this by saying I haven't talked directly with Todd McLellan or his assistants about this – is how the Sharks appear to be thinking about starting things when training camp opens in September.
Yeah, I thought that Marty Havlat might be penciled in on right wing alongside Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, too. But the idea is to put a speed threat on each of the two lines and that turns into the above set-up — Marleau on one line, Havlat on the other — which also has the benefit of keeping Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe side-by-side.
****Nothing official from the Sharks yet, but reliable outside sources say they've signed 32-year-old center Ben Guite, last seen in the NHL with Nashville for six games in the 2009-10 season. Guite also wore an Avalanche jersey for 169 games over three seasons, but his is reportedly a two-way contract and it's a safe bet that he's considered primarily as veteran depth for Worcester, though anything is always possible.
UPDATE: Sharks now confirming Guite contract and a new contract for Benn Ferriero as well.
****Are the Sharks finished revamping the lineup before training camp? How's this for an informed and ambiguous answer: Not necessarily.
****If you've signed on for my Twitter updates at @PollakOnSharks, this comes as old news. But the Sharks announced yesterday they'd be back in Penticton, B.C. starting Sept. 11 for another rookie tournament. They'll be the only non-Canadian team on hand as the Canucks, Oilers, Flames and Winnipeg Jets (the sequel) provide the opposition.
****It's also not news by now that Thomas Greiss was re-signed to a two-year contract. I don't know exactly what the plan is, but the fact that the first year of it is a two-way (lower pay if in minors) and the second is a one-way (same pay either place) obviously reflects that fact Antero Niittymaki has one year left on his deal.
And it also would seem to be a sign that the return of Alex Stalock – Niittymaki's onetime heir apparent in the back-up role for San Jose – still may be awhile away as he continues to recuperate from surgery following a severe leg injury. Doug Wilson already has said Stalock won't be reading for training camp this September, though the G.M. also has indicated a full recovery is expected.
****A quick note for those of you who may not know the summertime drill here at Working the Corners. I'm basically a no-show, burning off comp time earned during close to full-time coverage of the Sharks between September and the end of the post-season. I'm not supposed to be here now, in fact.
And while Mark Emmons stays on top of things then as well, his summertime assignments only occasionally involve hockey – like the fine profile he did Thursday on Brent Burns (see http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_18420425?nclick_check=1 if you missed it). Providing fodder here, alas, doesn't get to be a high priority.
I happened to have a little free time on my hands this afternoon, so here's today's entry, but that won't be happening on a regular basis.
Which, and I've come to learn this only in the past couple weeks, is where Twitter comes in handy.
Knocking out 140 characters when news breaks isn't that much of an imposition on my laid-back-and-do-nothing summer break. Which is why there's been Twitter activity over the last couple days, while none here.
Expect that pattern to continue.
And if it sounds as if I'm in full marketing mode, twisting arms to bump up the number of @PollakOnTwitter@PollakOnSharks followers (and I still dislike that terminology), I can live with that.
Thanks again for everyone who's made the leap to Twitterdom and let me quickly mention a second time that Mark Emmons is out there, too, at @markedwinemmons.
If you won't become part of the Twitter universe on general principle, well, I can respect that. Just wanted to let you know where the information – should something happen – will be showing up and why.


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DateInAsia.com is a Dating Site, but you can also find Friends here. Our focus is on Asia, but we are not just an Asian Dating Site. Anyone can join our site regardless of nationality and ethnicity. This site is for people living in Asia (Asians or non-Asians) and people with a special interest for and/or attachment to Asia.
Try our site, it's free. We will not charge you to send messages or anything like that. When we say free, we mean 100% FREE!
In our site you can publish a profile, browse or search for other members, and message with the ones you like. That's it. No more, no less. But that's all you need, isn't it?
This is a Free Dating Site, not an agency. In our site you must help yourself. But if you are OK with that (and if you are nice and awesome), then hundreds of thousands of nice and awesome members are waiting to meet YOU :)


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The Guide to Just-In-Time Privileged Access Management
The abuse and/or misuse of privileged credentials plays a role in almost every cybersecurity breach incident today. With privileged access in hand. an attacker essentially becomes a malicious insider - and that's an alarming scenario for any IT professional, all the way up to the C-level and the Board.
Privileged accounts are now truly everywhere, but traditional, perimeter-based security technologies can only protect privileged accounts within their boundaries. Each account represents another potential privileged attack vector, and some of them are accessible directly on the Internet. Just-in-time (JIT) PAM can help drastically condense this attack surface and reduce risk enterprise-wide.
Download this whitepaper which offers:
- An overview of JIT privilege management
- Tips on a practical model for achieving it and parmeters to build your JIT policy
- A glossary of key concepts and terminology


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All About Auto Glass
The safety of your vehicle is, in part, contingent on the state of your vehicle's front and rear windshield. Keeping your vehicle's windows clean, clear of frost and free of dangerous cracks and chips is vital to your ability to navigate and ride in comfort.
At Glass Doctor®, we're proud to offer windshield repair and replacement and car window repair and replacement services designed to keep your passengers safe and your car looking like new.
For general information about auto glass, check out these links:
- New Windshield Technologies to Get Excited About
- Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Calibration
- Windshields 101: Windshields vs. Auto Glass
- Windshields 101: What Makes Windshields Special
- The Science Behind the Dollar Bill Test
Auto Glass Repair
Chipped or cracked windshields are not just unsightly, they're downright dangerous. That's because during a crash, your windshield accounts for a great deal of structural integrity. That's why it's vital that vehicle owners repair their auto glass as soon as possible.
Glass Doctor technicians will advise you as to whether your windshield can be repaired, or if you need replacement when you receive your auto glass repair quote.
For specific information about auto glass repair, check out these links:
- Let's Talk Glass: Windshield Repair and Replacement
- How to Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading
- Let's Talk Glass: Cracks in Auto Glass and How to Handle Them
- How to Fix a Chip in Your Windshield
Auto Glass Replacement
Depending on the size of the damage of to your windshield, your vehicle may require auto glass replacement. There are many factors that affect the cost of windshield replacement, including the age of the vehicle and your vehicle's insurance. No matter the cost, windshield replacement is often vital for the safety of your car.
Click through the links below to learn more about Glass Doctor auto glass replacement services:
- Front Windshield Replacement
- Auto Windshield Glass Replacement Cost
- How to Replace a Cracked Windshield
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems rely heavily upon a vehicle's front-facing camera. If a windshield is replaced, it's vital that the front-facing camera is still calibrated to be able to provide these systems with accurate information. A camera that's off by as much as a couple of millimeters can cause a vehicle's ADAS systems to think that it's feet away from its intended target zone, causing dangerous driving conditions.
Learn more about Glass Doctor ADAS calibration services.
How to Defrost Auto Glass
Defrosting your car's windows doesn't have to be a pain. Check out the links below to learn how to defrost auto glass quickly and safely:
- Frozen Car Windshield
- How to Get Ice Off Windshields Fast
- The Fastest Way to De-Ice Your Windshield
- Can You Pour Hot Water on a Frozen Windshield?
- Choose the Best Ice Scraper for You
Auto Glass Maintenance and Car Window Cleaning Hacks
Maintaining your vehicle's auto glass isn't limited to windshield repair and replacement. Keeping your auto glass clean and clear is just as important.
Learn how to keep the interior and exterior of your windshield clean with these car window cleaning hacks from Glass Doctor:
- How to Clean the Inside of Your Car Windshield
- How to Care for Your Windshield
- Fact or Fiction: Use Window Cleaner to Clean Auto Glass
- Fact or Fiction: You Need Special Glass Cleaner for Auto Tint
- Now Is the Time to Replace Your Windshield Wipers
Find Auto Glass Replacement and Auto Glass Repair Near Me
At Glass Doctor, we don't leave the safety of our vehicles up to chance – and neither should you. Your local Glass Doctor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help keep your car safe.
Ready to repair or replace your auto glass? Schedule an appointment online or contact the Glass Doctor location nearest you.
Call 855-603-1919 for 24/7 emergency service.


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CAIRO — Fighters from a paramilitary force and their allied Arab militias rampaged through a town in Sudan's war-ravaged region of Darfur, reportedly killing more than 800 people in a multiday attack, doctors and the U.N. said.
The attack on Ardamata in West Darfur province earlier this month was the latest in a series of atrocities in Darfur that marked the monthslong war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF.
Sudan has been engulfed in chaos since in mid-April, when simmering tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, exploded into open warfare.
The war came 18 months after both generals removed a transitional government in a military coup. The military takeover ended Sudan's short-lived fragile transition to democracy following a popular uprising that forced the overthrow of longtime strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
In recent weeks the RSF advanced in Darfur, taking over entire cities and towns across the sprawling region, despite the warring parties' return to the negotiating table in Saudi Arabia late last month. The first round of talks, brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, failed to establish a cease-fire.
The dayslong attack in Ardamata came after the RSF took over a military base in the town after a brief fighting on Nov. 4 with troops there, said Salah Tour, head of the Sudanese Doctor's Union in West Darfur. He said the military withdrew from the base, adding that around two dozen wounded troops fled to Chad.
Spokespeople for the military and the RSF didn't respond to phone calls seeking comment.
After seizing the military base, the RSF and their allied Arab militias rampaged through the town, killing non-Arabs inside their homes and torching shelters housing displaced people, Tour said.
"They violently attacked the town," he said, adding that the RSF and their militias targeted the African Masalit tribe. "They went from house to house, killing and detaining people."
The Darfur Bar Association, an advocacy group, accused RSF fighters of committing "all types of serious violations against defenseless civilians" in Ardamata. It cited an attack on Nov. 6 during which the RSF killed more than 50 people including a tribal leader and his family.
The UNHCR said more than 800 people have been reportedly killed and 8,000 others fled to neighboring Chad. The agency, however, said the number of people who fled was likely to be an underestimate due to challenges registering new arrivals to Chad.
The agency said about 100 shelters in the town were razed to the ground and extensive looting has taken place there, including humanitarian aid belonging to the agency.
"Twenty years ago, the world was shocked by the terrible atrocities and human rights violations in Darfur. We fear a similar dynamic might be developing," said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
The U.S. State Department said it was "deeply disturbed by eyewitness reports of serious human rights abuses by the RSF and affiliated militias, including killings in Ardamata and ethnic targeting of the Masalit community leaders and members.
"These horrifying actions once again highlight the RSF's pattern of abuses in connection with their military offensives," it said in a statement.
Ardamata is located a few kilometers (miles) north of Geneina, the provincial capital of West Darfur. The RSF and Arab militias launched attacks on Geneina, including a major assault in June that drove more of its non-Arab populations into Chad and other areas in Sudan.
The paramilitary group and its allied Arab militias were also accused by the U.N. and international rights groups of atrocities in Darfur, which was the scene of a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s. Such atrocities included rape and gang rape in Darfur, but also in the capital, Khartoum. Almost all reported cases were blamed on the RSF.
The U.N. Human Rights Office said in July a mass grave was found outside Geneina with at least 87 bodies, citing credible information. Such atrocities prompted the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to declare that he was investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the latest fighting in Darfur.
The conflict killed about 9,000 people and created "one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history," according to the U.N. Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths. More than 6 million people were also forced out of their homes, including 1.2 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the U.N. figures.
The fighting initially centered in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, but quickly spread to other areas across the east African nation, including Darfur.
It turned the capital into a battle ground, wrecking most of civilian infrastructure, most recently the collapse of a bridge over the Nile River connecting Khartoum's northern part with the capital's sister city of Omdurman. Both sides traded accusations of having exploded the Shambat bridge.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Minsk Apartments for Rent
Welcome to Apartment Hotel BelTopRent
The key point of your pleasant pastime in the capital of our country as well as in any other Belarusian city is undoubtedly an apartments for rent or hotels you are going to stay at. Surely, to find comfortable accommodation for short or long-term rent in the city you do not know well is not an easy thing, especially if you have to find a flat for rent as soon as possible. But we are always ready provide for you professional apartment service in Belarus – apartments in Minsk for rent, so you could enjoy your visit having no problems with your accommodation at all. Apart-Hotel BelTopRent advantages – we are available for you at any time you need rental apartments and we are ready round the clock to find serviced apartment in Minsk, that will satisfy all your requirements. We provide not only apartment rentals, but also hotels in Minsk with the very best deals to stay at. If you become our client, you will save your time and efforts if you need Minsk rent. Entrust the professionals and the only thing for you to do then is to get beautiful impressions about your trip! Tens of foreigners from Europe, America and from the countries of Middle East have already tried our Minsk apartment service when they wanted to rent luxury, vip, deluxe, cheap or budget apartments in Minsk for short term or long term stay. Rental apartments are very good accommodation option. Be you tourist or businessperson – if you collaborated with us, you will be glad to visit our hospitable country again and again, and we will be happy to help our dear guests with apartment rentals. Just contact us – and we shall do our best for you searching apartment rentals with the lowest price ever. Only with Apart-Hotel BelTopRent you can rent apartments in Minsk from $40 a night, get taxi from Minsk airport from $40 and send flowers to Belarus from $30! We have wide range of travel services to satisfy any client in the world. Luxury apartments are better and cheaper than a very expensive local hotels! The lowest price for the single hotel room you can get in our city is over a hundred dollars a night! So, try now our apartment rentals in Minsk and you will never to regret about the quality of your serviced apartments. We providing our clients only with luxury, cheap apartment rentals in Belarus. By the way, apartment hotel BelTopRent offers great discounts for Minsk apartments for rent. This is one more reason for you to use our apartment rentals in Minsk, Belarus. Offices, houses for short term and long term rent, cottages, studio flats and 100s of apartments for daily Minsk rent! Find the only your accommodation using our apartment service.
BelTopRent – Honesty, Attendance & Regard


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Listen to Christian Radio Ministry Broadcasts Online
Salem Web Network's mission is to connect with Christians through emerging technologies. Whether it's on the web or mobile computing, a dedication to our users, ministries and the Gospel is at the heart of everything we do.
Salem Web Network (SWN) is the Internet division of Salem Media Group, America's leading radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. What began in 1999 with a single website, today consists of 21 global sites, including the most well-known brands in the faith marketplace such as Crosswalk.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and GodTube.com. With more than 59 million site visits every month and 31 million Facebook fans, SWN has the ability to provide a greater reach for your name acquisition campaigns, e-mail lists, and brand awareness.
In addition to Salem Web Network, Salem Media Group owns Salem Radio Network, which syndicates talk, news, and music programing to approximately 2,500 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives, a national radio advertising sales force; and Salem Publishing, a leading publisher
of Christian-themed magazines. Salem owns and operates 102 radio stations in 39 markets, including 62 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Each of our radio properties has a full portfolio of broadcast and digital marketing opportunities.


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Carpet Dry Out Services
Is your carpet soaked from a flood or appliance leak? Not sure what to do? Often wet carpets will take days or more to fully dry, especially if the water penetrated down to and through the padding. This allows for plenty of time for mold and mildew to grow. In fact, mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours. In order to prevent this problem and keep your air quality healthy, call the dry-out professionals at A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling. For more than 7 years, A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling has responded to and successfully resolved emergency calls due to flooded carpets.
Call for a FREE Quote
How to Dry Out Carpets After A Leak
Whether water has seeped into your home as the result of a flood or a leaky dishwasher, the result is the same. Carpeting that is soaked through and through. The bad news is that time is not on your side, as conditions are ripe for mold growth. the good news is that A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling has a crew standing by to dry out your carpets. From the moment you make the first call for a quote until the job is complete and we're waving goodbye, you will be treated with professionalism and care.
How the Carpet Dry Out Process Works:
- All standing water is removed using a high powered extraction system.
- Carpets are pulled back to allow for subfloor and pad drying
- Commercial-grade drying fans are placed around all affected areas to speed the drying process
- Dehumidifiers are used to remove excess moisture from the air
- Steam cleaning machines are used to scrub your carpets clean, and all remaining water is extracted
- Walls, other flooring and baseboards are cleaned and sanitized
Why Call A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling for Carpet Water Extraction?
There are many companies in the area that claim to specialize in carpet dry-out services. Here at A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling, the dry out of carpets, walls, and flooring is our signature service. We have been serving the area's dry-out needs for over 7 years, and we'd love to help you too. From quick responses to emergency calls to use of state of the art equipment like a moisture detection system to our friendly and trustworthy customer service specialists, A.S.A.P Restoration & Remodeling will handle your water emergency with the utmost compassion and expertise.


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"Prime Bank" Investments
If someone approaches you about investing in a so-called "Prime Bank" program, "Prime World Bank" financial instrument, or similar high-yield security, you should know that these investments do not exist. They are all scams.
Prime Bank programs often claim investors' funds will be used to buy and trade "Prime Bank" instruments. Promoters make the schemes seem legitimate, using complex, sophisticated and official-sounding terms. The investment may be described as debentures, standby letters of credit, bank guarantees, an offshore trading program, a high-yield investment program, or some variation.
To reassure investors, promoters may claim that the instrument is issued, traded, or guaranteed by a well-known organization such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund(IMF), a central bank, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, or the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Secrecy is another tip-off. Prime Bank scheme promoters frequently claim that investment opportunities of this type are by invitation only and limited to select, wealthy customers. They cite secrecy if potential investors ask for references, and sometimes ask investors to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Some promoters are audacious enough to advertise in national newspapers. They may avoid using the term "Prime Bank note," and tell prospective investors that their programs do not involve Prime Bank instruments. Regardless of what they're called, the basic pitch remains the same, and investors should remain vigilant against offers to invest in high-yield, risk-free international finance programs.
Prime Bank Fraud Information Center
Investor Alert: "Prime Bank" Investments are scams


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Through its network of associate researchers/entomologists, the Montréal Insectarium contributes to a number of systematics and taxonomy projects.
This network, led by Insectarium curator Stéphane Le Tirant, has published some 50 publications since 1998, all in connection with the development of the Insectarium's scientific collections.
The Insectarium's network of associate researchers/entomologists primarily consists of researchers and entomologists in the field of systematics research, regardless of their status.
Associate researchers/entomologists must adhere to the Montréal Insectarium's code of ethics concerning its collections. They are also encouraged to publish in collaboration with, or on behalf of, the Insectarium, and to submit type specimens of their new descriptions at the Insectarium.
List of Montréal Insectarium Associate Researchers/Entomologists
- Stéphane Le Tirant is the curator of the Montréal Insectarium. He is interested in the conservation, history and organization of entomological collections. He has a special interest in Scarabaeidae, particularly the sub-family of Dynastinae, Rutelinae et Euchirinae, and is also knowledgeable about Fulgoridae and Membracidae. He is passionate about ethno-entomology, and part of his personal collection is on loan to the Insectarium, showcased in the travelling exhibition, "So Many Tales... Insects in Human Culture." To date, he has published several new insect species.
- René Limoges has been a technician at the Insectarium's entomological laboratories since 1990. His primary duties are mounting naturalized specimens and the conservation of scientific collections. He is especially interested in spider and insect photography and global biodiversity (taxonomy, distribution and biology of Coleoptera Curculionoidea.
Associate Researchers/Entomologists
- Dr Hiroaki Akiyoshi – Coleopterist, Lucanidae specialist, at Tokyo Museum University
- Alexandre Banko – Naturalist
- Gilles Deslisle – Lepidopterist, ornithoptera specialist
- Yves-Pascal Dion – Lepidopterist
- Dr. David Edmonds – Coleopterist, Scarabaeinae and Coprinae specialist, retired from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Dr. Edmonds' biography can be consulted on the University of Nebraska State Museum Web site - Martin Gamache – Arachnologist, dwarf tarantula specialist
- Emmanuelle Goyer – Arachnologist, tarantula specialist
- Jean Haxaire – Lepidopterist, Sphingidae specialist, at the Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle of France
- Dr. Laurent Lesage – Coleopterist, Chrysomelidae specialist, Agriculture Canada, ECORC
Dr. Lesage's biography can be consulted on the Canacoll Foundation Web site - Thierry Vaglia – Lepidopterist, Sphingidae specialist


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History of the Universe eBook. 398 pages, 300 illustrations only £5.99
The Jurassic began with a mass extinction event which allowed the dinosaurs to dominate all other groups, hence this was the "Age of Dinosaurs".
Pangaea rested over the equator, so many places had tropical climates with green forests. Because of the dominance of dinosaurs, mammals remained small and probably nocturnal. Birds made their first appearance.
The period takes its name from the Jura Mountains in Eastern France.
Earth 200 mya. Click here for key. Previous image. Next image
About 200 mya Pangaea started to break up, and its fragments drifted around.
The movement of continents had an effect on the evolution of life. For example Australia and South America were for a long time part of one large island, separated from the other continents. That is why we find animals called marsupials in both these places but nowhere else.
While they were drifting, the continents were mostly low lying, worn down by the weather. This is the normal state of the world. Eventually the continents drifted into their present positions. Collisions between these scattered continents have been quite common over the past few million years, making the mountains we find on Earth today.
Because Pangaea lay across the equator, much of the land was covered by dense tropical forests of conifers, tree ferns and horsetails. But new types of plants were also appearing which would eventually dominate these earlier forms.
Following the mass extinction at the end of the Triassic, the warm weather and abundant food, conditions were perfect for divergence of the dinosaurs and the appearance of huge specimens, such as Diplodocus, one of the largest land animals which ever lived.
Diplodocus image courtesy of Dmitry Bogdanov
In addition reptiles of all sizes lived in the ocean and some dinosaur relatives even began to conquer the skies.
The closest living relatives to the dinosaurs are the birds. The first known bird, Archaeopteryx, appeared about 150 mya. Within a few million years they evolved into the birds called Enantiornithes or �opposite birds' because of the way their feet bones grew. These lasted for around 70 million years before becoming extinct and being replaced by Ornithurae, the group which includes modern birds, which is believed to have appeared around 65 mya, at the same time that the dinosaurs became extinct.
The animal shown here is a newly discovered Chinese dinosaur Caudipteryx Zoui. It lived in the Cretaceous period 120 mya. This theropod dinosaur was a speedy, two-legged meat-eater which was no larger than a peacock. What makes it so remarkable are the primitive feathers covering its body. Its short forelimbs could be described as either feathered arms or clawed wings. Although unable to fly, Caudipteryx Zoui seems to lie on an evolutionary track leading directly from dinosaurs to birds.
Image copyright Joe Tucciarone
Improvements in reproduction were happening in the vertebrate world too. Instead of laying their eggs, female mammals kept them inside their bodies while they developed. In this way they protected their young, feeding them and giving them oxygen. The young could develop larger brains and more advanced bodies than any reptile.
After birth the young were looked after by their mothers, who fed them a rich food called milk. Mammals were the only animals able to make this wonderful food. Then began a long period of care and training when the young learnt from their parents.
Unlike dinosaurs, who probably needed the Sun's heat to keep them warm, the mammals had fur to keep them warm. They also had a better blood system.
Mammals were also far more intelligent than dinosaurs. Even the stupidest mammal is a genius compared to the brightest reptile. Their long development, when they are cared for by their mother, is what lets mammals' brains grow so much more than reptiles'.
Mammals first appeared about 200 mya. It is strange that while the mammals had better bodies and brains than the dinosaurs, even so for a long time they were unable to spread. This was probably because most life-styles were already taken by the less advanced but more common dinosaurs. Mammals stayed as small shrew-like insect-eating animals, perhaps only coming out at night.
Simplified family tree of mammals
Get this website as an eBook only £5.99


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I'm collecting all kinds of voice effects to add to my arsenal.
My absolute favorite is Worldizing a voice in a room by playing it back 4X real-time and recording it 4X real-time so when it gets played back at regular time, the reverb sounds 4X bigger. I haven't tried it faster than that but I could only imagine what it would sound like.
I also liked strapping a plastic tupperware cup over the driver of my auratone speaker and re-recording that to simulate a voice going through a space-mask.
What are some interesting and new voice effects you use?
Sharing is caring!


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Big Boss Malayalam Season 3 is the ultimate reality show where contestants from diverse backgrounds come together to live under one roof, facing challenges, forming alliances, and entertaining the audience. As the drama unfolds, you, the audience, play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the contestants.
We understand that every viewer has their own opinions and preferences when it comes to the contestants. To add a unique twist to the voting system, we've introduced a special category: "Vote for the Boring Contestant." This is your chance to voice your opinions and make your voice heard!
Voting is simple and easy. All you need to do is click on the "Vote Now" button below the contestant you think deserves the title of the Boring Contestant. Each vote is linked to your device's IP address to ensure fair and transparent results.
The results will be announced periodically, revealing the contestant with the highest number of "Boring Contestant" votes. This adds an exciting element to the show and keeps the contestants on their toes!
Don't miss this opportunity to participate actively in the Big Boss Malayalam Season 3 experience. Your votes can influence the dynamics of the game and contribute to the drama and excitement of the show.


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While many companies have moved most of their workflows to the cloud, there is still a key component of office operations that is location-based. This would be employee computers.
Most companies still rely on desktops and laptops to allow employees to access critical software and as their main workstation.
This can become inconvenient if you're doing work from one location. For example, if you work both at the office and home, in one of those places, you'll be without your "main computer." This can be a real problem when it comes to needing to access certain files or possibly working from a slower device than you're used to.
Many technology companies, such as Microsoft, have an answer for this – put your computer workstation in the cloud. This is exactly what is being touted as the next big thing when it comes to Windows 365 Cloud PC.
What is Windows 365?
Windows 365 is a cloud-based PC. Your entire operating system and everything that sits on it (settings, files, software, etc.) is loaded on a cloud server instead of your own device's hard drive. You can then access this through an online portal, and the interface will load onto your device (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.).
Like other cloud-based services, Windows 365 works from a subscription plan and has different levels. Here are the current options for the business plans:
- $31/user/month: 2vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage
- $41/user/month: 2vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage
- $66/user/month: 4vCPU, 16 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage
Windows 365 can be accessed through any type of device, from anywhere, just like other cloud services. You can install applications, personalize your desktop, and do all the things you normally do on a computer. The main difference is that the computer operating system is now in the cloud.
Windows 365 Pros
Access Your Computer Anywhere
The biggest advantage is being able to use your "main computer" no matter where you are, without having to drag it around.
This can be a big advantage when traveling because you don't have to worry about a laptop being damaged, lost, or stolen and losing vital data. You still have your PC and files safely stored in the cloud and can easily get to it from another device.
Perfect for the Hybrid Work World
Hybrid work is the new normal. Since the pandemic, there's been a shift with more employees than ever working from home. Now many companies are planning to keep a mix of office and remote working.
74% of U.S. companies are using or planning to implement a permanent hybrid work model.
The Windows 365 cloud-based PC makes it easy to enable employees to work from home, work, or both.
Better Access to Device Security & Administration
When employees are working remotely, ensuring all their devices are properly updated can be a problem. And what happens if an employee quits suddenly and has a lot of sensitive work data on a device located in their home?
Using cloud PCs gives a company complete control of its PC assets and data. Employees log in from anywhere, but the "computer" itself is located in a cloud environment, making it easy to do things like push security updates and restrict access.
Windows 365 Cons
You Can Only Use It Online
The obvious drawback of a Windows cloud PC is that you can only use it online. You won't have access to any data, files, or programs if you don't have an internet connection.
This may not be as big of an issue for many people since most work is now reliant on cloud applications anyhow.
A Slow Connection Ruins the Experience
If you have a slow internet connection, then the frustration can be multiplied. Not only would this slow down a cloud app you're trying to access but also the cloud computer you're trying to access it from.
There is a risk when using a computer in the cloud of experiencing lag time, making it difficult to work.
There is a Danger of Service Outage
You're reliant on the cloud provider – in this case, Microsoft – to always have the service available. Even large companies can have outages from time to time, in which case you will not be able to access your computer or any of your data stored on it.
Being too reliant on one cloud vendor is also a risk to business continuity. One way to mitigate that risk would be to ensure all data stored in Windows 365 is being backed up separately in a 3rd party backup solution.
Is a Cloud PC Right for Your Business?
There are several instances when Windows 365 offers big benefits to a company. If you're trying to figure things out, call us for a chat. We can help you consider all angles.
This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.


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Stony Brook Specialist Freezes Nerves to Knock Pain Out Cold
Patients with neuralgia find relief after Dr. William Moore's cryoneurolysis procedures
STONY BROOK, N.Y., April 15, 2013 –For the millions of Americans who rely on pain medications for neuralgia, a condition where nerves damaged by surgery, traumatic injury, or diseases such as diabetes cause chronic pain, an emerging non-pharmacological treatment may offer relief. By placing a tiny ball of ice on damaged nerves by way of a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment called cryoneurolysis, William Moore, MD, a thoracic interventional radiologist at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, is able to safely short circuit chronic pain caused by nerve damage.
Dr. Moore presented the results of a study, titled "Prospective Evaluation of Cryoneurolysis for Refractory Neuralgia," a Stony Brook clinical trial involving 20 patients who received cryoneurolysis for a variety of neuralgia syndromes, at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans on April 14. Dr. Moore completed more than 200 cryoneurolysis procedures for neuralgia to halt nerve pain in many areas of the body, from head to toe.
In the study, 20 patients received cryoneurolysis and were evaluated using a pain scale questionnaire immediately after treatment during one-week, one-month and three-month follow-ups after the initial procedure. Prior to treatment, patients' pain plummeted from an average of 8 out of 10 on the pain scale to 2.4 one week after treatment. Pain relief was sustained for about two months after the procedure. Pain increased to an average of 4 out of 10 on the scale after six months due to nerve regeneration, Dr. Moore said.
"Neuralgia can be difficult to treat, medicines alone often do not help relieve the intense pain patients' experience, and side effects from these medicines are common," said Dr. Moore, Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology, and Chief of Thoracic Imaging. "Cryoneurolysis is an innovative treatment option with an effect that is equivalent to removing the insulation from a wire, decreasing the rate of conductivity of the nerve. Fewer pain signals means less pain, and the nerve remains intact," explained Dr. Moore, who recommends repeat cryoneurolysis treatments as needed.
Cryoneurolysis uses a small probe that is cooled to minus 50 to minus 70 degrees Celsius, creating a freezer burn along the outer layer of the nerve. This interrupts the pain signal to the brain and blunts or eliminates the pain while allowing the damaged nerves to grow back healthy, he said.
During the procedure, an interventional radiologist makes a nick in the skin near the source of pain and inserts a tiny probe. Under CT imaging guidance, the probe is advanced through the skin to the affected nerves. Cooled with pressurized gas, the probe creates ice crystals along the edge of the nerves.
Cryoneurolysis, said Dr. Moore, generally provides an analgesic effect that lasts for weeks to months without damaging the frozen structures. The effectiveness of the treatment varies with patients, depending on the location of nerve damage. Nerves that respond well to freezing include the ilioinguinal nerves, intercostal nerves and superficial femoral nerves.
"We have been able to manage some patients' chronic neuralgia by treating them as many as six or seven times over the course of several years," said Dr. Moore. "For some patients this is a long-term, safe, and effective solution and helps minimize other methods to keeping their pain under control."
© Stony Brook University 2012