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We compared the viability, proliferation, and differentiation of human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC)after culture on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PLGA/chitosan (PLGA/CH) hybrid scaffolds. We appliedconventional and emulsion electrospinning techniques, respectively, for the fabrication of the PLGA and PLGA/CH scaffolds. Electrospinning under optimum conditions resulted in an average fiber diameter of 166 ± 33 nmfor the PLGA/CH and 680 ± 175 nm for the PLGA scaffold. The difference between the tensile strength of thePLGA and PLGA/CH nanofibers was not significant, but PLGA/CH showed a significantly lower tensile modulusand elongation at break. However, it should be noted that the extensibility of the PLGA/CH was higher than thatof the nanofibrous scaffolds of pure chitosan. As expected, a higher degree of hydrophilicity was seen with PLGA/CH, as compared to PLGA alone. The biocompatibility of the PLGA and PLGA/CH scaffolds was compared usingMTS assay as well as analysis by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The results showed thatboth scaffold types supported the viability and proliferation of human MSC, with significantly higher rates on PLGA/CH nanofibers. Nonetheless, an analysis of gene expression of MSC grown on either PLGA or PLGA/CH showed asimilar differentiation pattern towards bone, nerve and adipose tissues.
The urinary bladder is a complex organ with the primary functions of storing urine under low and stable pressure and micturition. Many clinical conditions can cause poor bladder compliance, reduced capacity, and incontinence, requiring bladder augmentation or use of regenerative techniques and scaffolds. To replicate an organ that is under frequent mechanical loading and unloading, special attention towards fulfilling its biomechanical requirements is necessary. Several biological and synthetic scaffolds are available, with various characteristics that qualify them for use in bladder regeneration in vitro and in vivo, including in the treatment of clinical conditions. The biomechanical properties of the native bladder can be investigated using a range of mechanical tests for standardized assessments, as well as mathematical and computational bladder biomechanics. Despite a large body of research into tissue engineering of the bladder wall, some features of the native bladder and the scaffolds used to mimic it need further elucidation. Collection of comparable reference data from different animal models would be a helpful tool for researchers and will enable comparison of different scaffolds in order to optimize characteristics before entering preclinical and clinical trials.
Novel nanofibers from blends of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and chitosan have been produced through an emulsion electrospinning process. The spinning solution employed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the emulsifier. PVA was extracted from the electrospun nanofibers, resulting in a final scaffold consisting of a blend of PLGA and chitosan. The fraction of chitosan in the final electrospun mat was adjusted from 0 to 33%. Analyses by scanning and transmission electron microscopy show uniform nanofibers with homogenous distribution of PLGA and chitosan in their cross section. Infrared spectroscopy verifies that electrospun mats contain both PLGA and chitosan. Moreover, contact angle measurements show that the electrospun PLGA/chitosanmats are more hydrophilic than electrospun mats of pure PLGA. Tensile strengths of 4.94 MPa and 4.21 MPa for PLGA/chitosan in dry and wet conditions, respectively, illustrate that the polyblend mats of PLGA/chitosan are strong enough for many biomedical applications. Cell culture studies suggest that PLGA/chitosan nanofibers promote fibroblast attachment and proliferation compared to PLGA membranes. It can be assumed that the nanofibrous composite scaffold of PLGA/chitosan could be potentially used for skin tissue reconstruction.
Introduction: Bladder regeneration using minced bladder mucosa is an alternative to costly and time-consuming conventional in vitro culturing of urothelial cells. In this method, the uroepithelium expands in vivo and the patient body appears as an incubator. With our preliminary successes, designing an appropriate scaffold that supports in vivo cell expansion and surgical handling in a clinical setting was our aim. This study, investigates cell expansion in a hybrid construct of collagen/poly (lactic-co-glycolide)(PLGA).
Materials and methods: An electrospun PLGA mat was placed on a semi-gel collagen inside a mold and covered with a second collagen layer. After gel formation, minced particles of pig bladder mucosa were seeded on the hybrid construct and then processed by plastic compression (PC). The scaffolds were incubated for 2, 4 and 6 weeks in vitro for further studies.
Results: Tensile tests show an increase in tensile strength of 0.6 ± 0.1 MPa in PC collagen to 3.6 ± 1.1 MPa in hybrid construct. Morphological studies, histological staining and SEM show that the construct has kept its integrity during the time and proliferated urothelial cells have reached confluence after 4 weeks and a multi-layered urothelium after 6 weeks.
Conclusion: We have designed a mechanically robust scaffold that permits surgical handling and tissue expansion in vivo. The construct is easy-to-use for clinical application in an ordinary surgical operating theater for bladder regeneration.
Bladder regeneration based on minced bladder mucosa in vivo expansion is an alternative to in vitro culturing of urothelial cells. Here, we present the design of a hybrid, electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) - plastically compressed (PC) collagen scaffold that could allow in vivo bladder mucosa expansion. Optimisation of electrospinning was performed in order to obtain increased pore sizes and porosity to consolidate the construct and to support neovascularisation and tissue ingrowth. Tensile tests showed an increase in average tensile strength from 0.6 MPa for PC collagen to 3.57 MPa for the hybrid construct. The optimised PLGA support scaffold was placed between two collagen gels, and the minced tissue was distributed either on top or both on top and inside the construct prior to PC; this was then cultured for up to four weeks. Morphology, histology and SEM demonstrated that the construct maintained its integrity throughout cell culture. Cells from minced tissue migrated, expanded and re-organised to a confluent cell layer on the top of the construct after two weeks and formed a multilayered urothelium after four weeks. Cell morphology and phenotype was typical for urothelial mucosa during tissue culture. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
We present a method for producing a cell-scaffold hybrid construct at the bedside. The construct is composed of plastic-compressed collagen together with a poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)-knitted mesh that yields an integrated, natural-synthetic scaffold. This construct was evaluated by seeding of minced bladder mucosa, followed by proliferation in vitro. High mechanical strength in combination with a biological environment suitable for tissue growth was achieved through the creation of a hybrid construct that showed an increased tensile strength (17.9 +/- 2.6 MPa) when compared to plastic-compressed collagen (0.6 +/- 0.12 MPa). Intimate contact between the collagen and the PCL fabric was required to ensure integrity without delamination of the construct. This contact was achieved by surface alkaline hydrolysis of the PCL, followed by adsorption of poly(vinyl) alcohol. The improvement in hydrophilicity of the PCL-knitted mesh was confirmed through water contact angle measurements, and penetration of the collagen into the mesh was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particles of minced bladder mucosa tissue were seeded onto this scaffold, and the proliferation was followed for 6 weeks in vitro. Results obtained from phase contrast microscopy, SEM, and histological staining indicated that cells migrated from the minced tissue particles and reorganized on the scaffold. Cells were viable and proliferative, with morphological features characteristic of urothelial cells. Proliferation reached the point at which a multilayer with a resemblance to stratified urothelium was achieved. This successful method could potentially be used for in vivo applications in reconstructive urology as an engineered autologous tissue transplant without the requirement for in vitro culture before transplantation.
A biodegradable hybrid construct consisting of a slow degrading poly(L-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) (PLA-e-CL) knitted mesh, plastically compressed (1) between two collagen gels was fabricated and tested in vitro for tissue engineering applications. The polymer mesh was incorporated to give greater mechanical stability to the compressed collagen scaffolds.
The hybrid construct was characterized for fluid (weight) loss and cell viability during compression and mechanical properties.
Hybrid constructs embedded and surface layered with human dermal
fibroblasts (2, Eþ5 per 5 ml) were cultured for up to one week
in static culture. Quantitative and qualitative data on cell viability
and proliferation were obtained.
It was found that the fluid (weight) loss in plastic compression
of the hybrid construct was time dependent and not weight dependent
at an applied load of 240 grams. No significant cell death
was observed during the plastic compression process and a homogenous
cell distribution was achieved. One week of static culture
showed that the cultivated hybrid construct retained its
mechanical properties with no evidence of degradation, and cells
inside the constructs as well as layered on top of the constructs
We found the PLA-e-CL-Collagen hybrid construct a useful
three-dimensional scaffold for tissue engineering of stratified tissues
and potential applications in bladder wall, blood vessels and
skin are currently being explored.
Osteoinductive bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) may be used in humans to facilitate healing of bony defects. The effect of different BMPs is, as with many other growth factors, highly dependent on the delivery vehicle. Bovine type I collagen is currently used in the clinical setting as a carrier and has been approved in several countries for human use. Here, we report the reconstruction of a frontal bone defect using heparin together with bovine type I collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fibrin as vehicles for BMP-2. A bony structure was created on the back of the patient by treating the latissimus dorsi muscle with the growth factor. A polyamide mold was used as a template to achieve the desired shape. The bone structure was transplanted into the defect site via microsurgical techniques. Although the prefabricated bone was not large enough tocover the entire frontal defect, the reconstruction was completed by using an additional cranial implant.
Poly(urethane urea)s with hard segments derived only from diisocyanate linked via urea linkages were synthesized using a new and simple one-pot method. The creation of urea linkages were done via creating the amine in situ by adding water in vapor phase slowly and continuously. This synthesis method eliminates the tedious control to approach stoichiometry, is less sensitive to impurities, involves no intermediate isolation steps, and does not involve any chain extender. A study using a two-armed poly(-caprolactone) as soft segment and methyl 2,6-diisocyantohexanoate (LDI) as the hard segment was performed. The length of the hard segment was varied from 4.8 to 11.6 LDI units. Stress-strain measurements showed an increase in elastic modulus, 146 to 235 MPa, when increasing the hard segment length, while the elongation at break decreased, 980 to 548%. IR spectroscopy showed an increase in hydrogen bonding when increasing the hard segment length. The synthesis was also shown to be applicable to common diisocyanates such as HDI, TDI, and MDI.
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a new low-modulus biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer for in vivo application as a stent cover. The new polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, consists of a three-armed co-polymer of poly(lactide)acid (PLLA), poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL). A degradation study was performed in a buffer solution at 37 degrees C for 4 and 6 weeks. The effect of degradation on mechanical properties was studied by stress-strain measurements and explained by using modulated DSC, GPC and mass measurements. A tapered block of PLLA and trimethylene carbonate connecting the crystalline outer part and the inner elastic part was highly susceptible to hydrolysis and caused rapid degradation and subsequent loss of mechanical properties. Random chain scission and homogenous hydrolysis resulted in a loss in mass and molecular weight. After 6 weeks of in vitro hydrolysis the molecular weight had decreased 54% and the elongation-at-break dropped from more than 300% to 90%. A medium free cell seeding study showed that endothelial cells adhered well to the polymeric material. An indicative animal study with the polymer acting as a stent cover showed very low levels of inflammation however, pronounced neointima thickening was observed which was probably due to the premature failure of the material.
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a new low-modulus biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer for in vivo application as a stent cover. The new polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, consists of a three-armed co-polymer of poly(lactide)acid (PLLA), poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL). A degradation study was performed in a buffer solution at 37°C for 4 and 6 weeks. The effect of degradation on mechanical properties was studied by stress-strain measurements and explained by using modulated DSC, GPC and mass measurements. A tapered block of PLLA and trimethylene carbonate connecting the crystalline outer part and the inner elastic part was highly susceptible to hydrolysis and caused rapid degradation and subsequent loss of mechanical properties. Random chain scission and homogenous hydrolysis resulted in a loss in mass and molecular weight. After 6 weeks of in vitro hydrolysis the molecular weight had decreased 54% and the elongation-at-break dropped from more than 300% to 90%. A medium free cell seeding study showed that endothelial cells adhered well to the polymeric material. An indicative animal study with the polymer acting as a stent cover showed very low levels of inflammation; however, pronounced neointima thickening was observed which was probably due to the premature failure of the material.
Telechelic anionic and cationic biodegradable ionomers capable of loading, storing, and releasing proteins are presented. Two different ionomers have been synthesized with either anionic or cationic end groups. The reaction was done quantitatively as shown by 1H NMR. The swelling properties of the hydrophobic poly(trimethylene carbonate) polymer are contributed to the ionic end groups that display hydrophilic properties. Depending on the molecular weight of the ionomer, and also on the ionic charge, the materials swell differently in water, from ~50% for Mw = 12 000 g/mol to ~500% when dealing with 2000 g/mol. The high swelling led us to believe that it would be possible to load and release proteins preferably in a still active form. As models, two different proteins were chosen: hemoglobin and cytochrome c. The swelling and release study shows that both ionomers possess the capability to adsorb and later release the proteins with retained structure. Release measurements from both the swollen and dried states have been evaluated with similar results, showing that the dried state seems to release a little bit less than the swollen one. These kinds of materials should be interesting for a wide variety of applications where drug and protein release is wanted, as well as in applications such as protein separation media.
Articular cartilage has a limited capacity for self-repair in adult humans, and methods used to stimulate regeneration often result in re-growth of fibrous cartilage, which has lower durability. No current treatment option can provide complete repair. The possibility of growth factor delivery into the joint for cartilage regeneration after injury would be an attractive treatment option. A full thickness osteochondral defect of 4 mm in diameter and 2 mm deep was created by mechanical drilling in the medial femoral condyle in 20 female adult New Zealand White rabbits. In an attempt to improve regeneration a hyaluronic hydrogel system, with or without bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was delivered intraarticularly. The contralateral joint defect was treated with saline as control. Throughout the study, rabbits were clinically examined and after 12 (n = 6) or 24 (n = 9) weeks, the rabbits were euthanized and the joints evaluated by histology. The defects healed with fibrocartilage like tissue, and the filling of the defects ranged from less than 25% to complete. The healing of the defects varied both inter- and intra-group wise. Treatment with hyaluronan gel with or without BMP-2 had no effect on cartilage regeneration compared with controls. Instead, severe ectopic bone formation was found in seven joints treated with BMP-2. In conclusion, the present study shows that neither treatment with hyaluronic gel alone, nor in combination with BMP-2, improves the healing of an induced cartilage defect in rabbits. It further shows that BMP-2 can induce ectopic bone formation, which severely affects the functionality of the joint.
The present work describes the feasibility of a cross-linkable injectable hyaluronan hydrogel for cartilage repair. The hydrogel used is a two-component system based on aldehyde-modified hyaluronan and hydrazide-modified polyvinyl alcohol, which are rapidly cross-linked in situ upon mixing. The in vitro study showed that chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells cultured in the gel form cartilage-like tissue, rich in glycosaminoglycans, collagen type II and aggrecan. In a rabbit animal model the injection of the hydrogel improved the healing of a full-thickness cartilage defect created in the knee as compared to non-treated controls. This rabbit study showed that the regenerated cartilage defects stained more intensely for type II collagen upon treatment with the hydrogel. The hyaluronan-based hydrogel may be used as a delivery vehicle for both growth factors and/or cells for cartilage repair. The in vivo study also indicated that the hydrogel alone has a beneficial effect on cartilage regeneration.
Our bodies are constantly exposed to different sorts of mechanical forces, from muscle tension to wound healing. Connective tissue adapts its extracellular matrix (ECM) to changes in mechanical load and the influence of mechanical stimulation on fibroblasts has been studied for a long time [1, 2]. When exposed to forces, fibroblasts are known to respond with expression and remodeling of ECM proteins, in particular collagen type I [3]. In this study the effect of dynamic culture conditions on human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated in terms of deposition and remodeling of ECM, with the aim of producing an ECM based scaffold. The fibroblasts were grown on compliant polymer supports either in a bioreactor with a pulsating flow or under static conditions. By applying dynamic culture conditions, the collagen deposition on the polymer supports increased fivefold. Scanning electron microscopy showed that polymer fibers were well integrated with cells and ECM and alignment along the polymer fibers was observed. Scaffold design should aim at creating structures that can help guiding the cells to form new, functional tissue. The presented system may present a new way of producing designed extracellular matrix based scaffolds for tissue engineering.
A method is presented for the preparation of hyaluronic acid derivatives obtained through triazine-activated amidation. A number of amines were successfully reacted with hyaluronic acid carboxyl groups using 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine as an activating species in a mixture of water and acetonitrile under neutral conditions. By varying the amount of triazine reagent, it was possible to control the degree of modification. Depending on the amine chosen, degrees of modification ranging from 3 to 20% were obtained when using 0.5 equiv of the triazine to hyaluronic acid carboxyl groups. The possibility to perform the reaction in a mixture of water and acetonitrile facilitates the introduction of a wide range of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic amines. Triazine-activated amidation appears to be a highly versatile, controllable, and relatively mild technique for modification of hyaluronic acid, and we predict that it will be useful in the design of novel hyaluronic acid based biomaterials.
Currently, there are limited approaches to tailor 3D scaffolds crosslinked with a stable covalent C-C bond that does not require any catalysts or initiators. We present here the first hydrogels employing aldol condensation chemistry that exhibit exceptional physicochemical properties. We investigated the aldol-crosslinking chemistry using two types of aldehyde-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives, namely; an enolizable HA-aldehyde (HA-Eal) and a non-enolizable HA-aldehyde (HA-Nal). Hydrogels formed using HA-Eal demonstrate inferior crosslinking efficiency (due to intramolecular loop formation), when compared with hydrogels formed by mixing HA-Eal and HA-NaI leading to a cross-aldol product. The change in mechanical properties as a result of crosslinking at different pH is determined using rheological measurements and is interpreted in terms of molecular weight between cross-links (Mc). The novel HA cross-aldol hydrogels demonstrate excellent hydrolytic stability and favorable mechanical properties but allow hyaluronidase mediated enzymatic degradation. Interestingly, residual aldehyde functionality within the aldol product leads to adhesion to tissue as demonstrated by bonding two bone tissues. The aldehyde functionality also permits facile post-synthetic modifications with nucleophilic reagents such as Alexa FluorTM 488. Finally, we demonstrate that the novel hydrogel is biocompatible with encapsulated stem cells that show a linear rate of expansion in our 3–6 days of study.
The disulfide bond plays a crucial role in protein biology and has been exploited by scientists to develop antibody-drug conjugates, sensors and for the immobilization other biomolecules to materials surfaces. In spite of its versatile use, the disulfide chemistry suffers from some inevitable limitations such as the need for basic conditions (pH > 8.5), strong oxidants and long reaction times. We demonstrate here that thiol-substrates containing electron-withdrawing groups at the β-position influence the deprotonation of the thiol group, which is the key reaction intermediate in the formation of disulfide bonds. Evaluation of reaction kinetics using small molecule substrate such as L-cysteine indicated disulfide formation at a 2.8-fold higher (k1 = 5.04 x 10-4 min-1) reaction rate as compared to the conventional thiol substrate, namely 3-mercaptopropionic acid (k1 = 1.80 x 10-4 min-1) at physiological pH (pH 7.4). Interestingly, the same effect could not be observed when N-acetyl-L-cysteine substrate (k1 = 0.51 x 10-4 min-1) was used. We further grafted such thiol-containing molecules (cysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine, and 3-mercaptopropionic acid) to a biopolymer namely hyaluronic acid (HA) and determined the pKa value of different thiol groups by spectrophotometric analysis. The electron-withdrawing group at the β-position reduced the pKa of the thiol group to 7.0 for HA-cysteine (HA-Cys); 7.4 for N-acetyl cysteine (HA-ActCys) and 8.1 for HA-thiol (HA-SH) derivatives respectively. These experiments further confirmed that the concentration of thiolate (R-S-) ions could be increased with the presence of electron-withdrawing groups, which could facilitate disulfide cross-linked hydrogel formation at physiological pH. Indeed, HA grafted with cysteine or N-acetyl groups formed hydrogels within 3.5 minutes or 10 hours, respectively at pH 7.4. After completion of crosslinking reaction both gels demonstrated a storage modulus G' ≈3300–3500 Pa, indicating comparable levels of crosslinking. The HA-SH gel, on the other hand, did not form any gel at pH 7.4 even after 24 h. Finally, we demonstrated that the newly prepared hydrogels exhibited excellent hydrolytic stability but can be degraded by cell-directed processes (enzymatic and reductive degradation). We believe our study provides a valuable insight on the factors governing the disulfide formation and our results are useful to develop strategies that would facilitate generation of stable thiol functionalized biomolecules or promote fast thiol oxidation according to the biomedical needs.
Currently, there are limited approaches to tailor 3D scaffolds cross-linked with a stable covalent C-C bond that does not require any catalysts or initiators. We present here the first hydrogels employing aldol condensation chemistry that exhibit exceptional physicochemical properties. We investigated the aldol-cross-linking chemistry using two types of aldehyde-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives, namely, an enolizable HA-aldehyde (HA-EaI) and a non-enolizable HA-aldehyde (HA-NaI). Hydrogels formed using HA-EaI demonstrate inferior cross linking efficiency (due to intramolecular loop formation), when compared with hydrogels formed by mixing HA-EaI and HA-NaI leading to a cross-aldol product. The change in mechanical properties as a result of cross-linking at different pH values is determined using rheological measurements and is interpreted in terms of molecular weight between cross-links (Me). The novel HA cross-aldol hydrogel demonstrate excellent hydrolytic stability and favorable mechanical properties but allow hyaluronidase-mediated enzymatic degradation. Interestingly, residual aldehyde functionality within the aldol product rendered the tissue adhesive properties by bonding two bone tissues. The aldehyde functionality also facilitated facile post-synthetic modifications with nucleophilic reagents. Finally, we demonstrate that the novel hydrogel is biocompatible with encapsulated stem cells that show a linear rate of expansion in our 3-6 days of study.
We describe the fast reaction kinetics between 1,2-aminothiols and aldehydes. Under physiological conditions such a click-type reaction afforded a thiazolidine product that remains stable and did not require any catalyst. This type of bioorthogonal reaction offers enormous potential for the coupling of biomolecules in an efficient and biocompatible manner.
The present paper investigates the structure and composition of grafted sodium hyaluronanat a solid-liquid interface using neutron reflection. The solvated polymer at the surface could be described with a density profile that decays exponentially towards the bulk solution. The density profileof the polymer varied depending on the deposition protocol. A single-stage deposition resulted in denser polymer layers, while layers created with a two-stage deposition process were more diffuse and had an overall lower density. Despite the diffuse density profile, two-stage deposition leads to a highersurface excess. Addition of calcium ions causes a strong collapse of the sodium hyaluronan chains, increasing the polymer density near the surface. This effect is more pronounced on the sample prepared by two-stage deposition due to the initial less dense profile. This study provides an understanding at a molecular level of how surface functionalization alters the structure and howsurface layers respond to changes in calcium ions in the solvent.
Knowledge of the structure of a biomaterial is usually vital to control its function. This article provides a structural characterization of a hyaluronan scaffold that has demonstrated good biocompatibility and is used to induce bone regeneration. Hyaluronan hydrogels are appealing materials that can function as a matrix to incorporate both organic and inorganic substances to enhance tissue growth. Because of the intrinsic properties of this swollen matrix, one needs a very sensitive technique that can be applied in situ to determine the organization of the polymers in a gel. Small-angle neutron scattering is used to determine the characteristics of the inhomogeneous structure of the hydrogel both with and without added particles. The results are interpreted using models of structure with two length scales that are beyond the traditional picture of homogeneous gels. The observed structure and the dimensions can explain the previously reported rheological properties of gels containing different amount of polymers. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles added to the gel are frozen in the gel matrix. We are able to determine the distribution and shape of these particles as they aggregate around the polymer chains. We have also concluded, in this case, that the particle structure is concentration independent. Information about the nanostructure for an applicable biomaterial guides the formulation, preparation, and use that should lead to further understanding of its exploitation.
Efficient 3D cell systems for neuronal induction are needed for future use in tissue regeneration. In this study, we have characterized the ability of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PC) to survive, proliferate, and differentiate in a collagen type I-hyaluronan scaffold. Embryonic, postnatal, and adult NS/PC were seeded in the present 3D scaffold and cultured in medium containing epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2, a condition that stimulates NS/PC proliferation. Progenitor cells from the embryonic brain had the highest proliferation rate, and adult cells the lowest, indicating a difference in mitogenic responsiveness. NS/PC from postnatal stages down-regulated nestin expression more rapidly than both embryonic and adult NS/PC, indicating a faster differentiation process. After 6 days of differentiation in the 3D scaffold, NS/PC from the postnatal brain had generated up to 70% neurons, compared with 14% in 2D. NS/PC from other ages gave rise to approximately the same proportion of neurons in 3D as in 2D (9-26% depending on the source for NS/PC). In the postnatal NS/PC cultures, the majority of III-tubulin-positive cells expressed glutamate, -aminobutyric acid, and synapsin I after 11 days of differentiation, indicating differentiation to mature neurons. Here we report that postnatal NS/PC survive, proliferate, and efficiently form synapsin I-positive neurons in a biocompatible hydrogel.
Background: Reconstruction of large craniofacial bone defects is a challenge using bone transplants or alloplastic materials. The use of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 together with a suitable carrier is an attractive option that may facilitate new bone formation. The authors have developed a hydrogel that is formed in situ by the cross-linking of multifunctional hyaluronic acid and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives mixed with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, in the presence of BMP-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the hydrogel as a carrier for BMP-2 in repairing critical size cranial defects in a minipig model. Methods: Cranial defects (2 × 4 cm) were created in 14 minipigs. The experimental groups were as follows: group 1, craniotomy and application of 5 ml of hydrogel with 1.25 mg of BMP-2 (n = 6); group 2, craniotomy and application of 5 ml of hydrogel without BMP-2 (n = 6); and group 3, craniotomy with no further treatment (n = 2). Results: After 3 months, computed tomographic and histologic examinations were performed. There was spontaneous ossification in the untreated group, but the healing was incomplete. The hydrogel alone demonstrated no further effects. The addition of 1.25 mg of BMP-2 to the hydrogel induced a greater than 100 percent increase in bone volume (p = 0.003) and complete healing of the defects. Histologic examination revealed compact lamellar bone in the BMP group without intertrabecular fibrous tissue, as was seen in the other groups. The hydrogel was resorbed completely within 3 months and, importantly, caused no inflammatory reaction. Conclusion: The injectable hydrogel may be favorable as a BMP-2 carrier for bone reconstruction.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the ready-to-use iodine-containing polyvinyl alcohol (I-PVA) dissolved in the low angiotoxic solvent N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) for embolization of porcine wide-necked aneurysms.
METHODS: Fourteen broad-based carotid sidewall aneurysms were surgically constructed in 7 swine. I-PVA (40%) in NMP was injected under temporary balloon occlusion bridging the aneurysm neck. After 4 weeks, follow-up angiography, multisection CT angiography (MSCTA), and 3T MR imaging including MR angiography (MRA) sequences were performed. Afterward, harvested aneurysms were investigated histopathologically.
RESULTS: The liquid embolic was well visible under fluoroscopy and displayed a favorable precipitation pattern, allowing for controlled polymer delivery. Ten aneurysms (71%) were initially completely occluded, whereas in 1 aneurysm, a minimal polymer leakage was observed. The other 4 aneurysms (29%) were almost completely occluded. One animal suffered a lethal rebleeding from the anastomosis after uneventful embolization. Aneurysms embolized with I-PVA could be discriminated well from the parent artery without beam-hardening artifacts on MSCTA, and no susceptibility artifacts were encountered on MR imaging. Histologic examination revealed all aneurysms covered with a membrane of fibroblasts and an endothelial cell layer while a moderate intraaneurysmal inflammatory response to the polymer was observed.
CONCLUSION: I-PVA dissolved in NMP has proved its effectiveness for the embolization of experimental wide-necked aneurysms. This precipitating liquid embolic offers several interesting features in that it needs no preparation before use and no radiopaque admixtures, the latter allowing for artifact-free evaluation of treated aneurysms with MSCTA and MRA. Moreover, it uses NMP as a solvent, which has only a low angiotoxicity.


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We began our day with some much needed sleep after a brief trip to McDonalds for Egg McMuffins to refuel. In the afternoon, we cleaned out our travelling companion Olivia (the name of our van), and packed for our early departure on Tuesday.
We then went to our home-away-from-home First Congregational Church in Palo Alto. We spent some time journalling, and then enjoyed our final banquet, prepared by the leaders. Margaret Green sent over yet another plate of her "acorns", which the youth loved. They are dark grapes, dipped in a bit of dark chocolate, and then granulated sugar.
After our dinner,
we held our final ceremony. Although we will have some liturgy to mark our transition into young adulthood with the congregation in the early fall, this was our last opportunity to be gathered in this chosen family. Each person shared his or her learnings from the two years of our journey together, as well as the "now what", the commitment to making our lives and choices matter. Then we laid hands, and spoke of the blessings we saw that each person brought to the world – how they were the light of Christ. And with this, each person was sent to continue their journey as a young adult, knowing that the prayers and love of our group will go with them wherever they go.
Our leaders of the day reflect:
Last night we stayed up all night in a vigil. We spent the night under the stars and canopy of leaves discovering who we are and lestening to the word of God. The night was long and quite chilly but the space was beautiful. We were so tired that most of us fell asleep on the drive to breakfast. (Elise)
When we returned from the exciting but exhausting all night vigil the conscious J2A's gulped down their McDonald's breakfast before passing out in our really soft and warm beds. By the time we woke up, it was the afternoon, and time to go, groggy-eyed and zombie-like, to the church to make dinner. The leaders surprised us by cooking us a delicious feast (they have more experience so therefore take half the time to prepare it) while we spent the time journaling about what we learned and what we intend to take away from that. After we ate, we shared together our reflections on the pilgrimage and blessed each other with compliments. As a final goodbye, we joined in song and prayer. We set out home for our last night together (talking late into the night) and EXTREMELY early morning. Now we are on the plane and halfway home. See you soon!
We are extremely grateful to the First Congregational Church in Palo Alto. As they said "any friends of Margaret Green's are friends of ours" and they demonstrated to our young folks that the church of Christ is much larger than our small family at First United. FCC is a beautiful facility with beautiful kitchen and full stocked youth room.
We are grateful to our family and friends at First United who made this journey possible, both these 10 days, and the larger 2 years. We have learned and grown and shared and loved, and what more could we want for our youth than that. Truly the Spirit is alive and at work.
As we work our way home through airports in San Francisco and Vancouver, we are working on this blog, which will be our final daily post. It is possible that we will do one or two follow-ups with some links and extra photos, but no promises, and we don't know when these would be posted.
In conclusion then, it is fitting that we present the words of the pilgrims:
Emi Vargatoth
This pilgrimage was a once in a lifetime experience and I am very thankful that I was able to come. The combination of being in a foreign new place and being with a group of people out of my day to day life has been a fun and somewhat challenging learning experience. I have seen great beauty in both nature and people, been given the opportunity to reflect on who I am and who I want to be during the all night vigil and I have also grown closer to the other members of J2A. This experience has helped me to grow and change. I feel like this has been an important stepping stone in my journey to adulthood.
Zack Cunningham
When I went on this trip, I think I became a lot more patient. From the multiple several-hour car rides, to the really long airport lines, it seems like waiting for the end-of-class bell or the bus will seem like almost nothing. And wow, 10-meter-wide trees are just amazing.
Nick Lindsay-Clark
On this pilgrimage I have learned so much. When our youth group went to Yosemite to see the Sequoias, I realised that some things can be bigger than life and still be living. In Alcatraz, seeing those cells has made me relish my freedom so much. On this pilgrimage I have taken a step to adulthood.
Ruth Juggoo-Webber
Through the unbelievably large trees, the long car rides, late nights, and early mornings, church services, cooking and cleaning, singing in the car, waterfalls, glacial pools, bustling cities, wildlife and smelly male feet I learned to better appreciate our beautiful world and all it's many wonders. I grew closer and learned a lot about my fellow J2Aers (french fries). I thought it would be difficult living all week with the people I normally only see for an hour each week, but this was not the case. So close we began to feel as family would and it will be weird to not have them there all the time and to sleep in my own bed. The amazing scenery was so awe-inspiring that I am determined to restore its beauty that has been polluted by our lifestyle. The sights are so amazing that it can only be the work of God. I have learned many things… how to lead and how to follow, to help and to accept help and to open myself and be open to others. I came as a youth and I will continue to grow in my journey to adulthood.
Kim Farris-Manning
The 'city of fog' may be shrouded by clouds, but its insurmountable beauty and incredible history cannot be so easily disguised. Everything has been so breathtakingly new and inspiring that I am suffocating in awe. I have come to know and love not only the scenery, but also my nine wonderful companions, who have given themselves and their insight so generously to me throughout the past 10 days (and one very special night). I am grateful to them, and to you, for helping me to have such an amazingly full and intense time of learning, not only about myself, but of the world and my responsibility due. I have learned this week what I would have learned in a year, and although it is not yet finished, my journey is quickly approaching adulthood.
Logan Cornelius
I was happy that I got put out of my comfort zone. We did so much incredibly stuff: from San Francisco, Alcatraz, Yosemite with the awesome Sequoias, horse back riding around Big Sur and getting close with everybody in the group – all of which I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Elise Bisset
During the pilgrimage I saw and experienced many different and unique things. I found inner peace in the protection of the giant redwoods, felt awe at the wild beauty of the Yosemite mountains, and was shocked at the majestic ocean. The best part was that I saw all this surrounded by the comfort and support of the whole group. I learned that I can stand alone but it's best to walk beside others.
Wendy Snelgrove
We leaders went on this journey trusting that God would carry us in all that really mattered. Each youth has journeyed far from where they were when we began. They are young adults now, and more and more, the path they travel is one of their own choosing, not their parents', their leaders' or their church community's. I hope and trust that they will walk this path knowing that they are extraordinary children of God, loved and supported wherever they journey. We have challenged them to make their lives and choices matter. Our role as leaders is a small one in the grand scheme of their lives, but walking with them has been a great privilege for me, and a journey full of grace. I love these youth, and I love my First family, and I am honoured to have been able to serve you all in this way.
Marti Settle
I had known many of these youth as children, and then after several years absence met them again as youth. It has been richly rewarding to get to know them as individuals, and to accompany them as they have grown through the year, and particularly through this pilgrimage. I trust that the exclamations of amazement and excitement I heard as our group experienced California will be seeds for continued growth for the rest of their (our) lives. A special thanks to my own family (Kate, Jamie, and Noah), for lending me to J2A and First for this year and this week.
Jenn Nelson
I have been honoured to journey with all these amazing youth. I too have seen many of them grow over the years. Each have shared their unique extraordinary gifts throughout our time of sharing. The learnings and sacred seeds that have already begun to grow will surely grow into mighty trees much like the sequoias we saw on our pilgrimage, spreading their own seeds to many around them now and in the future. My hope for each will be that they continue to grow into the people they dream to become. I am forever grateful for the love prayers and support from my partner Carole for supportng me and these youth over the last couple of years.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dean Bloomberg to Students: 10 Tips For a Successful Year
As the new academic year begins today, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs welcomes more than 200 incoming students. Our students hail from 21 states and nearly 30 countries. Humphrey School Dean Laura Bloomberg joined deans from other schools on the Washington Avenue Bridge this morning to welcome students on the first day of class (pictured at right).
Although Bloomberg is not new to the Humphrey School—she served as associate dean for four years prior to being appointed dean in June—this is her first academic year as dean. She offered students some words of wisdom in person, and elaborated on ways they could make the most of their Humphrey School experience in a letter distributed to the student body this morning. Following is the full text of her letter.
September 5, 2017
Dear Humphrey School students:
First, let me take this opportunity to extend to all of you a hearty welcome—or welcome back—to the Humphrey School of Public Affairs! Although I am not new to the Humphrey School, I am new to my role as your dean and I am very eager to launch the academic year in this capacity. I know we're going to have a fantastic year together.
Whether you are an incoming student or returning after a summer of working, interning, or traveling, you are joining an impressive cohort of students from all parts of the United States and from more than two dozen countries. Some of our newest Humphrey School students are recent college graduates while others are returning to a college campus for the first time in several years.
Collectively, you bring to our community a high level of geographic, political, racial, gender, religious, linguistic, and age diversity. You are a smart, talented, and civically engaged group of students who bring impressive experiences in the public, nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors. Together, you will build a unique and exceptional learning community.
Those who know me know that I rarely have a shortage of opinions or advice :-). Today, I offer you a little of both as we launch the year together. Here's my list of the top 10 things I hope you'll do this year:
1. Take advantage of all that the School has to offer beyond the classroom. While you are primarily here for the credit-bearing classes (because, after all, that is what will lead you to your degree), it's a mistake to assume this is the only place where learning will occur. There are countless opportunities to engage with faculty, staff, and other students outside of classes. Join a student organization and attend public events/speaker series hosted here throughout the year. Participate in a lunchtime Humphrey community conversation (an email on this is forthcoming).
2. Pace yourself. Do stuff, but know your limits. Sleep is good. So are family and friends. Remember this.
3. Get to know students from other countries. I mean really get to know them. It is a tremendous asset to be in a learning community with people from all over the world only if we treat it like an asset. A great conversation about the lives of one's peers from other countries can be both enriching and surprising.
4. Engage in healthy discussions with people who do not share your views. Allow yourself to be challenged. This may be difficult, but please do it. Reciprocal listening (you listen to me and I'll listen to you) does not have to signal assent or agreement. And, as Hubert Humphrey was fond of saying, "Democracy is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, debate, and dissent." This learning community is an ideal place to practice those skills.
5. Ask for help when you need it; offer help when you can. As I hope most of you have heard me say often by now: you all deserve to be here—we should know because we admitted you! Also, you are not perfect and there will be times when you need help. Those two statements are not mutually exclusive.
6. Get to know the neighborhood. We are so fortunate that the Humphrey School is situated in the culturally rich and vibrant Cedar-Riverside neighborhood with great food and music, thriving small businesses, and some really interesting gathering spaces. There is a wealth of information about Cedar-Riverside available online, or better yet: venture off campus for a stroll through the neighborhood to get to know it yourself.
7. Visit your professors—during office hours or scheduled appointments. Remember my point above about asking for help? Well, that for sure extends to your professors. They are here for you. Take good advantage of that.
8. Participate in a Dean's Forum. I may not have the opportunity to visit individually with each of you this coming year, but I want to hear from you and understand how things are going. I'll be hosting open forums with students throughout the year and I hope you'll all participate in one or more of them. The first Dean's Forum will take place September 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m.—and I'm buying lunch, so come for the food if nothing else.
9. Use the big red HELP button. On the Moodle site for every Humphrey School class you take, you'll see a big red HELP button in the upper left corner of the home page. It leads to lots of helpful information of particular relevance to Humphrey School students—like how to reserve a conference room, good places to park, and how the printer system and IT support work at the School. Check it out.
10. Share responsibility for making this a truly exceptional School of Public Affairs. We are ranked among the nation's top 10 schools of public affairs largely because of the students who build and animate our community. When things are going well, we need your engagement. If things aren't going so well or should change, we really need your engagement.
Thank you ahead of time for bringing your unique talents and insights and contributions to this space we will share over the coming year.
Kind regards,
Laura Bloomberg
Dean, Humphrey School of Public Affairs


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Newborn Session
Congratulations on your new arrival!
The ideal time to photograph your newborn is between 5 and 14 days old. I can still photograph babies up to 6 weeks old, however, since the baby will be more alert and active, the photos will be a bit different. Instead of the sleepy posess which you see in my portfolio, the style will most likely be beautiful, natural, freestyle photos of your baby. To secure a spot it is the best to book the sessions in your second trimester. However, you can always email me and find out if there would be an open spot.
The sessions are usually around 2 hours to give enough time to capture a wide range of different looks and poses of your new baby. There is no rush during your session. I like to plan enough time for your baby to be comfortable (and hopefully sleepy) since most of our poses are captured when your baby is asleep. If you have a specific outfit and/or keepsake that you want to include in the session, I will do my best to include it as well.
The newborn session sitting fee starts at $450.
Email me for any questions you may have about the session and to set up a date:
After setting up the booking, we can discuss further and I will send you more info.
Most clients spend between $900- $2000 on the session after the purchase of prints and wall arts and albums.
You can view Pavlina Perry Full portfolio here: http://www.pavlinaphotography.com
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavphoto/
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PavlinaPerryPhotography/
Simple Newborn Session (5 digital images)


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Meet The Team
Brett Bourgon, CMA/CPA
Brett is an experienced leader who has held many influential roles in finance, operations and sales primarily in the IT space. Brett started his career in public accounting, and moved onto various leadership roles at HP Canada and Cisco. Following a successful corporate career, Brett decided to pursue his passion of helping finance professionals develop and small and medium businesses grow profitably. Brett is a family first individual that is quite proud of his wife Jodie, two children Alyssa and Daniel, and two dogs. Brett supports WorldVision, ALS, and the Canadian Cancer Society as his main charities of choice and is passionate about eliminating the stigma around talking about mental health issues.
Stan Besko, MBA
Stan is an energetic and experienced leader with an extensive background in developing finance teams, driving fiduciary compliance, and building trusted advisor relationships. Stan began his career in business and software consulting at smaller firms. Stan gained invaluable insights into the financial, legal, operational and human resource complexities through his 18 years at HP and Cisco through a number of leadership roles in Canada and Europe. Stan brings with him a rich background of sales finance leadership and is able to translate past successes into action plans for small and medium businesses. Stan is a family man and lives in Toronto with his wife Christine and their three boys.
Growth Rate Increase
Strategic Planning
Cost Reduction Avoiding Attrition
Positive Coaching Experiences
Any Questions?
The two founding partners that Inspired the vision of the B Inspired Group are Brett Bourgon and Stan Besko; so it seemed only fitting to have a name that reflected the vision of the founding partners. We wanted to convert our positive leadership experiences and successes in Finance into an offer to market, and Inspire businesses through Finance development.
No. We do have a number of ecosystem partners that we can recommend for your personal investments and taxation. Although we have CPAs working at B Inspired Finance, the focus is on helping small businesses and start-ups grow profitably, and helping finance professionals strengthen their leadership skills through development plans and coaching. Our offering that overlays onto both of those missions is Finance Transformation, which focuses on taking your finance organization to the next level through reporting automation, structure and business partnering.
No, but we will be happy to recommend you to one of our ecosystem partners that specialize in those areas. We are primarily focused on what we do extremely well – helping finance organizations and small business leaders.
Your Virtual CFO Services seem to offer more than I need. What if I only have a few specific requirements that I need guidance on?
Our Virtual CFO offer is scalable and is tailored to your requirements as well as the size of your business. Some of the more common services we've seen high demand for (Sales Compensation plans, Sales Forecast management, Annual Financial planning) are stand-alone services.
We will meet with you and assess your needs. If you have a typical annual review process that measures performance and sets annual goals, we highly recommend the Me3 program as it delivers a focused development plan that is monitored effectively for high impact. If you feel comfortable with your team's development structure but understand the high impact of 1:1 coaching for all skill levels on your team, we'd highly recommend our 1:1 RCC certified corporate coaches. Our key differentiator is our experience in finance – we are coaching roles that we both have held, managed, and developed. We have walked a few miles in the shoes of your finance team, combining this experience with the RCC designation is why we should be your first choice for coaching and development.
I always thought people with corporate coaches are on performance improvement plans and need the coaching to save their jobs?
Coaching is about leadership development and is suited to those that are perceived to be low performers needing guidance, as well as high potential employees that are ready to get to the next level (and everyone in between). We absolutely have coached some people struggling in their careers and got them back on track, but we've also taken high potential employees that needed to take the time to focus on their growth and development to reach that full potential. How many Ferrari owners decide to skip their tune-ups and scheduled maintenance because the car is operating great?
Finance Transformation is an overwhelming topic, what specifically are you offering and how does it compare to the big consulting firms.
We are focused on efficiency of the finance operation and growth of the team. We have partnered with SiSense to ensure a BI tool is in place to take away the inefficient reporting tasks that are present in an Excel based reporting environment. Once the team has the capacity to focus on value-add services they become business partners driving critical analysis, insights and decision making. If you need outside help increasing the efficiency and productivity of your finance team give us a call. If you need a global restructuring than we'd recommend calling EY or Deloitte. With the world moving to AI, how is it possible so many finance organizations are stuck manually producing reports still in Excel?
Our company is registered to King City, however given the virtual capabilities of our approach and tools, we are able to service customers throughout Canada and United States. We are able to deliver content, manage processes and meet with customers throughout these countries.
The two partners are located in King City and Toronto.
Our combined experience has put us in positions – both contributor and manager – in Finance, Sales, Operations and Strategy. The nature of our roles and the diversity of our collaborative approaches has allowed us to operate within the operational and executive levels of companies, thereby providing us depth and breadth of executing against strategy. Our offer to market builds off on our knowledge of aligning finance capabilities with strategic and operational priorities.


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If you've been an ARMLS subscriber for more than 10 minutes, you're probably aware of Supra, the company that supplies lockboxes to subscribers. What you might not know are all of the ways a Supra lockbox can help you with your business.
Benefits of Using a Supra Lockbox as a Listing Agent
Marketing– Supra lockboxes are great marketing tools to showcase timely access to your property.
Notifications– Receive emails or texts whenever someone enters the property and at what time.
Control– Create a schedule to limit when someone can access your lockbox (and thus the property).
Knowledge– Use the Call Before Showing (CBS) option to ensure showing agents call you before they show the property. Once they call for confirmation, you will then provide them the seven-digit security code you created to allow them entry.
Organization– The Supra website is a great organizational tool to keep track of your lockboxes, assign a lockbox to a specific property, view all of your showings, and more. You can also store electronic notes, fliers, business cards, alarm codes and personal messages to allow for a smooth showing.
Security– Supra lockboxes are highly durable and secure. If it becomes inoperable or malfunctions, we can help you out of your jam.
Benefits of Using a Supra Lockbox as a Showing Agent
Consistency– One lockbox to rule them all. Relax knowing exactly what's waiting for you at the house and how to use it. No more dealing with temperamental mechanical lockboxes or keeping track of loose house keys.
If you're curious to learn more about the Supra lockbox, feel free to check out the Supra website. You can also check out individual specs for the iBoxBTLE.


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Most Popular Products
Herbal Moringa Tablet
Herbal Moringa Tablet
Product Code : 16
Product Description
We have been involved in manufacturing and trading an excellent quality of Moringa Tablet at pocket friendly prices. Moringa Tablet is utilized to make ayurvedic medicine as it is enriched with anti-viral properties to make disease free and energetic body. This tablet doesn't provide any side effects and safe to use on regular basis as prescribed by doctor. Hence, it helps to boost digestion problem, thyroid disorders, ski fungal infections, kidney stone and improve the blood circulation level.
SARVAAYUSH AYURVED & HERBALS All Rights Reserved.(Terms of Use)
Developed and Managed by Infocom Network Ltd.


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Making a Struck Style Mortar Joint
A wall with a finished mortar joint looks much better than a wall that has rough looking joints. When you build a brick or stone wall, the mortar in between each brick is what holds it all together. These connections form joints. A wall that has rough looking joints will look like it was rushed, and not built very strong. There are several different joints that you can make in the mortar when building a wall. One of these joints is called a struck joint. A struck joint is used on walls that are built outside. The struck joint is the best type of mortar joint that repels water away from the wall. Here are a few steps to help you make a struck style mortar joint in your next wall.
Step 1- Build Your Brick Wall
To make any type of brick mortar joint, you will need to build your wall first. Building a brick wall is simple enough as long as you keep the first course of bricks level and on a stable surface. Many people will use sand as the base for their wall. Continually check the wall for level as you lay the first row.
Keeping your wall level is important not just for appearance, but also for the mortar joints. If the wall is out of level, the joints will begin to crack after a short period of time.
Step 2- Level Mortar Joints Periodically
It will get messy when you put the mortar onto the bricks. The mortar will stick out all over the place. Keeping it level, or flush with the wall, will help when you make the struck joint. Smooth out the mortar while it is still wet with the flat part of your trowel.
Step 3- Let Mortar Dry
An important aspect to think about when creating your struck style mortar joint is the size of the wall itself. If you are building a large wall, you will want to continue checking the wall for how the mortar is drying. If you are building a small wall, this is not as important, but you should check it to make sure it does not get too dry.
Step 4- Dry to Thumbprint Level
Check the wall for the point at which you can press your thumb into the mortar joint until you can remove it without any mortar sticking to it. This is what is called 'thumbprint' level.
Step 5- Make Your Struck Joint
To make the struck joint, hold the point of the blade of your trowel at an angle. Place at the end point of your brick and rake it across the joint backwards. Do the vertical joints before you finish the horizontal joints.


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Is your player interested in one-on-one training with one of our coaches?
Do you have a small group of friends that would like to train outside of our offered programs?
Do you think your Player needs just a bit more touches on the ball aside from your scheduled practices?
NC Coastal coaches are available to provide personalized training. Private and small group lessons are available for a per hour fee which varies on the number of players.
If you are interested in private/group lessons, please contact Justin Keeny by submitting the request form below or email Justin by clicking HERE


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Juno Legal welcomes Mitch Julian
Mitch Julian has joined Juno Legal as a lawyer based in Auckland.
Mitch has strong corporate and commercial experience gained in private practice and in-house legal roles with Tompkins Wake, Clifford Chance and British Telecom.
He also has a background in software development and technology.
In addition to supporting the firm's clients on a flexible basis, Mitch is pursuing his own interests in technology and consumables.
Last updated on the 14th February 2018


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ARCHITECTS COAT Salt Cashmere
Architects Coat in off white Cashmere ~ super luxurious, rich feel.
Highly detailed style with edgy tall collar. Easy wrap style secures with a snap and a belt. Defined shoulders and princess seams create a long and slimming silhouette.
- 85% Cashmere blend, great drape
- Italian tortoise snap closures
- Back martingale "beltloop"
- Length 37" from back neck
- Made in the USA


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Violetrae Hillhouse 2 signatures
thank you very much. I have had two wolves in my life, amazing being smart, and so very easy to live with. not demanding and if like this as in a home I can only dream what is wild. We forget human, dog, any creature in wild fights for its bounderies and food source. thank you
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text: The Adultery Club Tess Stimson ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 3.42 based on 1142 ratings & 126 reviews on Goodreads.com Paperback Ebook Buy Amazon Blackwell's Book Depository Hive Waterstones WH Smith Wordery Foyles See more book details 25 March 2013 9780330445207 400 pages Synopsis The Adultery Club: In an often grey world there are fifty shades of seduction. A wife, a husband, a mistress. Whose side will you be on? Life couldn't be happier for Nicholas Lyon, a divorce lawyer and contented husband of the beautiful Mal, a successful cookery writer and mother to their three gorgeous daughters. And then Sara Kaplan, a bright, vivacious young lawyer, explodes into his life like a sexual hand grenade. At first stunned and horrified by the extent of his attraction to her, a catastrophic event soon forces Nicholas to recognize his own mortality and throw caution to the wind. For Sara, what started as a harmless fling swiftly deepens into a painful battle for Nicholas's heart with Mal, who is not quite as preoccupied in her world of food and school runs as Nicholas had believed. But as Mal faces temptations of her own, she realizes she has to decide what she wants - and whether it's worth fighting for. Books by Tess Stimson An Open Marriage Tess Stimson Paperback Beat the Bitch Tess Stimson Paperback The Wife Who Ran Away Tess Stimson Paperback The Nanny Tess Stimson Ebook What's Yours is Mine Tess Stimson Paperback The Lying Game Tess Stimson Paperback The Infidelity Chain Tess Stimson Ebook


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Is this part suitable for Sinker EDM?
Hello friends.
I am attaching a few pictures of a part we are currently manufacturing by machining from 0.025" sheet stock.
material - 1075 carbon steel
General tolerance +- 0.003" (see some dimensions are within +- 0.0004")
Machining this part is challenging due to it's abrasive and dulling effect on the cutting tools.
Tools get dull quickly and we lose the tolerance. also there is a lot of optional stops required to change bolts and clamps...around 15 minutes cycle time per part.
Maching the 45 degree chamfer in particular is pretty difficult.
Eversince Ive seen this part I always thought it suits sinker EDM but we dont have the equipment in house so I would like to ask -
Is this a sinker EDM part?
Is this a wire EDM part?
if not - why?
what is the lifecycle of a sinker electrode for this type of material ? 1075 crs steel?
If possible - erosion will be to a depth of the thickness of the part - 0.025" - so how long should this take per part?
Thank you!
This part IS EDM-able by both Wire or Sinker EDM, and your tolerances are easily achieved by EDM. Are you just talking about EDMing the (x3) rectangular cavities? Will the outer holes be Drilled? How many of these parts do you make per month or per year?
In general, Sinker EDM will be faster than Wire EDM, as all (x3) cavities would be machined at the same time on (x1) electrode with SEDM. On the plus side, either EDM method will not produce any burrs on the part.
I would suggest using SEDM and perform machining with an electrode that has (x2) locations...(x1) location will have the straight rectangular geometry, while the other location would have the 45 degree angle feature. You would SEDM the straight rectangular detail first, and then position the electrode over to machine the 45 degree lead-ins.
For SPEED, I would recommend using a Graphite Electrode for this. If you use current Sinker EDM technology that provides good low-wear electrode technology, you will be able to machine 20~30 parts before the electrode needs to be redressed. The straight electrode detail will last longer, but the 45 degree lead-in feature will see more wear and set the interval for redressing.
Wire EDM could also be used to machine the (x3) cavities complete, but you would need to have a pre-drilled start hole inside the feature. Wire EDM is capable of cutting both the straight section and 45 degree lead-in, but the total cycle time will be longer than the Sinker EDM approach, as each cavity will be machined individually. On a positive note, Wire EDMing would also allow you to cut the outside shape too (eliminate milling of this feature), so you could setup and machine many parts from a simple pre-drilling sheet of material. This approach would also allow the Wire EDM machine to run unattended (overnight) for an extended period of time, as the key to any EDM operation is maximizing unattended machining time!
Your Part Print does not contain all the dimensions of the internal features, but Ive SWAGed the cycle times below.
SEDM Pro: Will provide the fastest cycle time
SEDM Con: You will need to continuously manufacture and redress electrodes
- Cycle Time Est. = 10~15 minutes (x3 Inner Features)
WEDM Pro: Will provide the lowest cost of manufacturing (no electrodes are needed), and the part inner and outer features can be machined
WEDM Con: Will provide a longer per-part cycle time
- Cycle Time Est. = 30~40 minutes (x3 Inner Features)
- Cycle Time Est. = 50~60 minutes (x3 Inner Features & Outside)
- While the 50~60 cycle time is longer for the complete part, all machining is performed unattended and you will only consume about $4.00 in wire per part, so the manufacturing cost is VERY low.
I hope this helps!
- Brian
Red James liked this post
We stack parts like this 10 at a time on our wire edm, takes about 1 hour to process the entire stack.
Chamfer is done later on a cnc mill.
If they are magnetic, you could use a magnetic chuck while cutting the chamfer and it will be as close to perfect as possible.
That is also a great way to process parts! With Wire EDM, creating a stack-up around 2.0" thick will yield the optimum cycle time per part.
As an alternative process method, we could start with a 3.0" diameter round bar stock that is 4~6" long (or taller) and perform the following:
- Mill the flat on the one side to complete the part OD geometry
- EDM Drill all the start holes (x9 in total)
- Wire EDM all (x9) features (minus the 45 degree chamfer)
- Perform a 2nd setup in the Wire EDM and Bread Slice the parts off at 0.025" thick
- Machine the 45 degree chamfer by Milling or Sinker EDM
- Brian
Stacking and wiring is quickest way for sure. Sinker would work too, but sinker slows down as it breaks thru. Especially thin like that.
Thanks everyone. Brian in particular for the detailed post.
I imagined making a male electrode with all the features to erode the square openings+chamfers+outer shape. Maybe just drill the holes after?
Machining the chamfers by milling after edm is problematic and bows the windows.
Stacking to WEDM several parts is smart. I guess we can do that and only SEDM the chamfers as well one by one. BTW if the wire has to stop cutting when it moves from one window to another and also cut the holes and outershape does that happen automatically on the machine - i.e by the threading process?
I'm just not familiar with plunge drilling with Wedm and then wire cutting the shape?
What about laser cutting the outer shape and SEDM the chamfers? What's the tightest tolerance we can achieve by laser cutting ?
Hi MULTUSB200:
While I agree there is something to be said for stacking and wire cutting the blanks and then putting on the chamfers and maybe putting in the holes afterward, you need to focus on the overall processing time and here's how it breaks out for me:
To wire cut the blanks:
1) make a stack: 2" tall 3.5" x 8"....30 min (will make 160 pieces)
2) holepop wire start holes....15 min
3) setup on wire....15 min
4) Wirecut stack....3.5 hr at 0.100" IPM single pass precision and finish (makes 80 pieces)
Some wirecut notes:
a) If you try to wirecut all the holes too you will fuck around forever with the slugs unless you cut them slugless which adds another 2 hours to the cut time (slugless cutting for those who are unfamiliar with the term refers to eroding the entire center bit away by spiraling from the center outward for each hole, leaving no slugs to fall free and short the wire or break it.)
b) slug and part management will still be a concern you need to manage, so this is not going to ever be a "fire and forget" kind of operation.
c) The stack prep must be good enough so the stack acts essentially as one single lump otherwise the wire cut time goes up drastically.
Many operators will stick the stack in a hydraulic press, squeeze the bejabbers out of it and then TIG weld beads across the edges of the stack to hold it together.
So the plates must be flat and smooth...preferably but not necessarily surface ground on both sides and CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN.
A tiny bit of non conductive crap trapped in the layers of the stack and she won't cut...no way, no how if the wire path crosses it.
What you get for your trouble is parts well within tolerance even with single pass cutting and the HAZ is miniscule.
There's no dross, the edges are perfectly square and smooth and you can fixture from them with confidence.
Since it's a high carbon steel alloy, I'm guessing that the presence or absence of a significant HAZ will be important.
The big benefit which makes it competitive to laser and waterjet is the ability to stack the parts.
A yield of 80 parts per 3.5 hr of run time is not bad at all; under 3 min per part if you don't include the holes.
If you can holepop the holes right to size or within 1 wire diameter of size you can get them in too, in the same setup you use to put in the wire start holes avoiding the slugless strategy above at the expense of having to screw around with varying sizes of electrodes during the holepop phase.
I'm guessing a laser can make one of these in well under one minute...so if you can live with the HAZ and the looser tolerances you're still better off with the laser.
Maybe ditto for waterjet; but I'm betting laser will be cheaper and make a WAY better part than waterjet.
I'm guessing you can hold your tolerances if your laser guy is really good and has a top end machine...the stock is nice and thin and not too reflective so ideal for laser.
The thin webs between the rectangular cutouts would be my big concern but a test is cheap and will tell you everything you need to know.
Last thing you gotta do is put in the chamfers...sinker is not a bad way because you can fixture the parts on a mag chuck to keep them flat and the trode is simple.
Wirecut blanks are the best because they're most accurate and there is no dross, so the parts will lay nice and flat.
As you know, if the blanks are off even a little bit, the chamfers will look like crap.
Implant Mechanix Design & Innovation > HOME
Vancouver Wire EDM -- Wire EDM Machining


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Age: 12 below
Price: $130 for 5 hour hire
Size: 4x4m
4x4m Super hero bouncy castle with Batman, Spiderman and Superman to the rescue for another little super heros special day. Suitable for children upto 12 years old. $130.00 for a 5 hour hire.
All prices are GST inclusive and include delivery to the Nelson/Tasman regions.
Poor weather policy: the bouncy castle will not be set up in the rain so therefore there will be no cancellation fee.
Castles require power within 50m otherwise will need generator at an additional cost.


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Tamaral is a winery founded by De Santiago family in 1997. Located in Peñafiel, in the heart of Ribera de Duero´s golden mile. Tamaral has always belonged to the same family, unusual habit in the world of wine. Effort, work and passion are the essence of our wines since the first vintage which give them a unique and personal character.
Mission, Vision and Values
Our mission is not focused in quantity, but in quality and the excellence of all our wines. Our vision focuses on the control on the production process of each of our wines. Each step is carefully measured, from the vineyard to the customer. All our vineyards are owned by the property and located in the best areas of Ribera del Duero. Mission and vision are developed respecting the dream of the family and the team of professionals, young, passionate and committed to excellence.
The Appellation
Ribera del Duero is, without doubt, one of the most prestigious wine appellations in the world. It´s climate, it´s locations and it´s atmosphere provide our wines brilliant conditions for elaborating extraordinary wines. The heart of the region, Peñafiel, welcomes us. Centuries of history mixed with new airs of evolution.
Tamaral, wines of the world
The art of making wine in the Ribera del Duero. This inimitable land produces something unique. The fruit of the vines that mark its landscape, the personality of its people and its culture.


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Ambient Lighting Tricks to Warm Up the Whole House
They say setting the mood is like flipping a switch and we couldn't agree more. Lighting plays a lead role in making your house feel like home. Here are 10 lighting tricks to enhance your home's...
The Good and the Bad of DIY Lawn Care
When you have your own home and are responsible for your lawn care, should you do it yourself?
A New Twist on Halloween Decorating
Switch up your Halloween scenery this year. Don't buy new decorations for every holiday -- turn your Christmas lights into spooky Halloween decor.
How (and Why) to Combine Open Shelves and...
A designer and her builder husband opt for 2 styles of storage. She offers advice, how-tos and cost info.


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Okanagan Business Students Association
What is the OBSA?
The Okanagan Business Students' Association (OBSA) is comprised of students registered in courses in the department of Business Administration – any student is eligible to join the committees. The operations of the Association are chiefly carried out in the Okanagan College campuses of Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm and Penticton. The OBSA, registered under the BC Societies Act, is administered centrally through the KLO campus. The OBSA provides a means for students to gather the kind of real world business experience and involvement in student organizations that distinguishes them when they graduate and apply to businesses or for further studies.
Positions on the OBSA Committee
Executive positions in the OBSA include: president, vice-president, treasurer, portfolio manager, and public relations manager. Department director positions in human resources, marketing, communications, information technology, and administration. A faculty advisor provided by the college helps the OBSA to keep the faculty current on OBSA activities and projects, and vice versa. No experience is required – just commitment and integrity. The executive committee accepts new members throughout the year, and you can apply by sending a brief bio and complete contact information to firstname.lastname@example.com
Our Mandate
The mandate of the OSBA is:
Mission Statement
Our four main purposes as an organization are to encourage the interaction between business students, the business community and faculty, to increase community awareness about the Okanagan School of Business, to raise funds for student bursaries, and to organize special events for the business community to meet the next generation of business leaders.
Vision Statement
The OBSA in an organization that cultivates identity and enduring relationships through opportunities and experience.
Contact the OBSA
Contact: Sara Zarkoob
Email: email@example.com


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Safe In The City: Avoiding Pet Hazards Of Urban Residences
Humans who choose to reside in metropolitan cities are enthralled with the bustling pace, the dazzling nightlife, the vibrant culture and the variety of the restaurant scene. For their pets, however, such cities can pose a host of risks to health and safety. Learn about some of these urban hazards and how you can protect your dog or cat.
High Rise Syndrome
High-rise syndrome collectively refers to the injuries sustained by cats who take accidental tumbles out of apartment windows or off of fire escapes or terraces. These accidents often happen when a cat is intently focused on bird watching and loses her balance. Such falls can result in broken limbs, fractured pelvises, shattered jaws and punctured lungs. Practice the following precautions to prevent your pet from falling:
- Don't open windows that do not have secure screens.
- Don't allow your cat onto the terrace or balcony.
- Keep in mind that dogs can also plunge out of a window if they are distracted and excited by a visiting bird or by activity going on in the street below.
High-rise syndrome is only one of the dangers that the combination of apartment windows and city birds poses.
Feathered Friend Fungus
The city's feathered inhabitants, such as the pigeons that are so prevalent, can harbor a fungus called cryptococcus and shed it through their droppings. Exposure to this organism can result in a systemic infection that becomes life-threatening without dedicated treatment and monitoring. Microscopic cryptococcus spores can be inhaled by a cat who is in close proximity to the pigeon droppings which is another reason to keep your cat from stepping out onto the terrace or lounging on the windowsill when the window is open, even with a screen in place. Although dogs can contract the illness, cryptococcosis is much more likely to afflict cats. Before dog owners rejoice, be aware that other organisms can infect your canine companion.
Puddle Trouble
Standing puddles and stagnant bodies of water are optimal havens for two health problems, both of which are contagious between dogs and zoonotic. In cities, rats are the common carriers of leptospirosis, a life-threatening infection that can result in kidney and liver failure. Rats spread leptospirosis through their urine, which can end up in puddles from which a dog may be tempted to drink. Dogs also contract leptospirosis through skin contact with the urine.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that takes up residence in your pet's gastrointestinal tract. Giardia is often found in puddles, rivers and ponds, and all your pet needs to do to become infected is to ingest the organism, either by drinking the contaminated water or by ingesting fecal material from an infected animal. To protect your dog, take the following precautions:
- Don't allow your dog to lap water from anyplace other than his own water bowl.
- Don't allow your dog access to feces from other animals.
- If you bring your dog to the city's dog park for exercise and socialization, speak to your veterinarian about making a leptospirosis vaccine part of your dog's routine vaccination protocol.
In your dog's best interest, do not allow him to lick, drink or chew anything that he comes across along his traveled path.
Snacking Off Asphalt
City sidewalks are busy sidewalks, bustling with curbside food vendors, sidewalk cafes and folks hurriedly eating on the run as they rush from place to place on foot. In your pet's eyes, the result is a sidewalk buffet of tasty tidbits that are inadvertently dropped here, there and everywhere. Don't allow your pet to nibble. Ingestion of discarded scraps of food can lead to a host of problems, including the following:
- Bowel perforation as a result of swallowing a bone that splinters in the gastrointestinal tract
- Pancreatitis, which can result from consuming fatty foods
- Bowel blockage that results from eating food wrappers or non-edible portions of foods, such as corncobs
- Toxicity, which can result from eating chocolate, raisins, nuts and other foods that are toxic to pets
When navigating streets and sidewalks, keep your pet on the shortest leash possible to maintain control of his actions, and also be cognizant of other dangers on the asphalt.
Sidewalk Paw Perils
During those scorching summer days, the temperature of the pavement can climb in excess of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which can burn the pads of your pet's paws. Stick to early morning and late evening walks, and consider outfitting your pet with booties to prevent burnt paws. You should also put booties on your pet for outings on the icy and snowy days of winter. Salt and ice melt products that are used to make the walkways safe and slip-free are irritating to your pet's paws and hazardous if ingested.
Moving Traffic
From sudden stopping and lurching of cars desperate to escape traffic snarls to taxis whizzing by, a moving vehicle could easily strike your pet if he isn't securely tethered to you by a leash. Keep your cat indoors at all times. When walking your dog, check his leash regularly for fraying and replace it as soon as it begins to show signs of wear. Use a short leash to keep him close to you. Confirm that his collar is snug and securely fastened or that his harness is properly fitted and attached to prevent him from slipping free and darting into the street.
Cats and many breeds of dogs can live happily in urban dwellings, and by following these tips, you can keep your furry friend safe. Visit a site like http://www.kenmorevet.com if your pet seems to have caught one of these illnesses or otherwise injured themselves.


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Fishing Guide to the Stars: 2004
Paperback, 187 Pages
Price: $21.89
Prints in 3-5 business days
All the columns, in original format.
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Product Details
- Copyright
- Kramer Wetzel for astrofish.net (Standard Copyright License)
- Edition
- 2004
- Publisher
- Lulu Enterprises, Inc.
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- November 8, 2004
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 187
- Binding
- Perfect-bound Paperback
- Interior Ink
- Black & white
- Weight
- 1.3 lbs.
- Dimensions (inches)
- 8.5 wide x 11 tall
- Product ID
- 89722
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a literary journal published by the Black Earth Institute dedicated to re-forging the links between art and spirit, earth and society
Seeds are cast tirelessly,
That a revolution may grow.
It is matched
With chemicals,
Angry hands,
Determined development.
But –
The rebels exploit the cracks,
Defying concrete and asphalt
To reveal the native wild,
Pregnant beneath the surface.
The false order cannot outlast the given.
Harbingers of patient revolution,
When the ground is softened,
And green returns,
Weeds will be the humble ushers
Of greater glories nature can bring.


text:
Mathematics for IIT-JEE TRIGONOMETRY VECTOR ALGEBRA PROBABILITY
Dr. G.S.N. Murti
Dr. K.P.R. Sastry
Reader and HOD of Maths (Retd.)
Rajah R. S. R. K. R. R. College, Bobbili, Andra Pradesh, India
Presently, Senior Mathematics Faculty at Narayana IIT Academy
SPARK Batch, AC Campus, Visakhapatnam, AP, India
Professor of Mathematics (Retd.), Department of Mathematics,
Andhra University, India
Limits of Liability: While the publisher and the author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, Wiley and the
the author makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book,
and specifically, disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. There are no
warranties that extend beyond the descriptions contained in this paragraph. No warranty may be created or extended
by sales representatives or written sales materials.
Disclaimer: The contents of this book have been checked for accuracy. Since deviations cannot be precluded entirely,
Wiley or its author cannot guarantee full agreement. As the book is intended for educational purposes, Wiley or its author
shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or damages arising out of the use of the information contained in the
book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter
covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services.


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Book Review
Tales of Real Spies
Fergus Fleming
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, Ok
Reviewed By:
Frank Fogg
Review Date:
April, 2003
Tales of Real Spies contains a number of true stories about spies and spying. This is a paperback book of 64 pages.Most of the stories in this book relate to spying episodes from the First World War, Second World War, and the Cold War. The stories include spies from all sides of the conflict, including Russian, English, German, Japanese, and French. Each story runs from two to four pages in a digest format. In addition to explaining what the spy did, the book often illuminates the spies' lives before they began spying. The book also describes how they recruited other agents or set traps for enemy spies. While the book mentions the secret equipment they use in passing, it is more focused on the human aspects of the case.One curious thing about this book is that it does not include some well-known spies such as Kim Philby nor does it cover current spying episodes such as Robert Hanssen or Aldridge Ames. Outside of Mata-Hari, most of the spies in this book don't seem well-known, yet the book fleshes out their stories so that one can understand the importance of what they did, often with little recognition. A page at the end of the book also tells what happened to the spies that survived after they finished their work.Tales of Real Spies provides a fascinating look inside the world of spies. Anybody interested in action and adventure stories will find this title delightful.
Get More Information About This Title At Amazon.com


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Heavy raids against rebel positions across Yemen
SANAA - Warplanes from the Saudi-led Arab coalition have launched heavy raids against rebel positions in seven Yemeni provinces, witnesses and military sources said Wednesday.
The attacks that began overnight and continued Wednesday were the most intensive since the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan last week, witnesses said.
Positions were targeted in the northern region of Saada, which is the main stronghold for the Shiite Huthi rebels, as well as Hajja on the border with Saudi Arabia, residents said.
The warplanes also raided positions in the western province of Hodeida, and the provinces of Baida, Daleh, Lahj and Aden, in the south.
The targets included the Iran-backed Huthis as well as troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has allied himself with the rebels against the government of exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
The warplanes hit rebels near the airport of Aden, where heavy fighting continues between rebels and southern fighters allied with Hadi, military officials loyal to Hadi said.
Four civilians, including two women, were killed in clashes in Aden, an official said.
The rebels who overran the capital Sanaa in September have since expanded their control to several other regions. In March they advanced on Aden, where Hadi had taken refuge before fleeing to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-led coalition launched a bombing campaign against the rebels late March in support of Hadi.
More than 2,600 people have been killed in Yemen since March, according to UN figures, and almost 80 percent of the population -- 20 million people -- are in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
UN-brokered peace talks between the rebels and government officials ended in Geneva last week without agreement.


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With over 25 years of practice, Sally is an exceptionally talented Spa Therapist. In 2017 Sally expanded her skill set, becoming a certified with the Reflexology Association of Canada. In addition to this service, Sally also specializes in deep tissue massage, myofascial cupping, pregnancy and hot stone massage.
"I love to meet people and have a real passion about wellness, so this is my perfect environment, I get to work in a beautiful location, with positive people whose aim is to improve the health and wellness of the clientele we meet……..and of course, the smile when someone has enjoyed their treatment…priceless :)"


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Submit search
Molded, black, high-grade polyethylene construction. Cut to desired length. Not for use under continuous pressure.
Sharp spiral barbs permit hand insertion and eliminates the need for clamps or glue. Molded high-impact plastic construction for long life. For use with 1/2" riser flex pipe.
Molded, black, high-grade polyethylene construction. Use to raise sprinkler heads above grass level. Cut to desired length. Not for use under continuous pressure.
Plastic with durable plastic insert nozzle. Filter prevents debris clogs. 1/2" FNPT inlet.
Designed for tree, shrub and flower areas. Full circle pattern only. Flow adjustment screw regulates water flow for spacing 1' to 3' apart. Filter screen included. 1/2'' female pipe connection. Discharges 1.4 GPM at 20 PSI.
Preassembled riser and stake for use with Rain Bird 10-32 threaded emission devices.
Spring-Loaded pop-up economy head with plastic nozzle for medium size yards. Space 10' to 15' apart. Wiper seal keeps out sand and grit. Stainless steel retraction spring. 1/2" MNPT connection.
12 washers tear off sheet for ease.
Unique design accommodates a range of hose diameters and will not blow off hose with water pressures up to 100 PSI. For use with 1/2" - .710" (.520" - .620" I.D) hose.
12-piece - filter feature keeps nozzle free from clogs.
3/4" plastic male thread quick connector. For speedy connection of hose and nozzle.
Used to shut off the end of 1/4" tubing. Removes easily.
1/2" end closure for use with 1/2" tubing to allow flushing and draining of system.
Double barbed design allows water pressure up to 50 PSI.
3/4" plastic female thread quick connector. For speedy connection of hose and nozzle.
Compression fitting for use with all 1/2'' drip tubing brands.
Leakproof, rustproof and reusable. Premium nylon construction. Clamp design resists impact. Non-corroding stainless steel screws will not strip when tightened. Fits rubber or plastic hoses.
Double-ended, double-duty plugs seal either large or small holes in 1/2", 5/8" or .710" hose.


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UT The Daily Texan
Researchers develop technology for impact protection
UT The Daily Texan
Mechanical engineering professor Carolyn Seepersad has been working on new material structure called the negative stiffness honeycomb. The honeycombs are impact-absorbing structures that can be used for many different protective products.
and more »
Read more http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHwyOrVNxJ3ZX-nBdTwt6azMdGjng&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778970118619&ei=buIfVpjLDsyEhQG614b4Bw&url=https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/15/researchers-develop-technology-for-impact-protection%2503
Our Commitment is to Strive for 100% Client Satisfaction. We Aim to Please!
Artixa's Mission is to Provide our Clients with World Class Solutions and Results.


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Over the past years, outdoor activities increased their audiences, because of increased of human awareness about our environment and healthy living.
With all the positive outdoor activities that we can do to increase of people self and life value, we MAXI Organizer want to support this awesome movement with providing offline platform to make connection with all the people that have the same purpose.
Hope with this event the torch of positive activities can continue to flare up make all business surrounding it would flourish.


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Due date for prior year's estimated taxes - Individuals: January 15 Businesses: December 15
100% of your prior year tax liability or at least 90% of your current year tax liability must be paid by this date to avoid potential penalty and interest charges on the underpaid tax amount. FOR INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS ONLY, for tax years beginning in 2018, the final date to pay estimated taxes is changed to January 15 (previously the due date was December 15.) This is a mandated change in State Law. PLEASE NOTE: The due dates for business estimated tax payments have not changed.
April 15: Deadline to file Wadsworth City income tax returns
State law mandates the filing date of April 15, same as the Federal deadline. Typically this is April 15 of each year, but in certain years the IRS approves a later date as the tax filing deadline for annual returns in observation of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia.
Please note: When you are paying a RITA bill at City Hall, payment can be only by check or money order. When e-filing your return, payment can be made only by debit or credit card, or by direct withdrawal from your bank account ("ACH".) As of October 1, 2018, if you elect to pay by debit or credit card, you will incur a 2.75% service charge. This fee is charged to RITA by a third party vendor and is not retained by RITA or the City of Wadsworth. This fee does not apply when paying by ACH. When paying by ACH, you must provide your bank routing and account number.