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Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Bob Foster: "When drawing... we need to tell the truth."
Bob would discuss various compositions, poses and gestures with the class, explaining the best approach for a given scene. He would discourage us from trying to draw figures or props out of our heads, insisting they needed to look believable. He did not allow tracing or projecting the photo or paper and tracing it. He wanted us to learn first to draw correct proportions, so we could intelligently interpret the model.
The photos were all in black and white, and he would provide large prints, 11"x14", and occasionally larger, for a nominal fee. He wanted us to develop our own color and not be influenced by color from a color print, which wasn't all that good back then, and much more expensive. Bob would really get excited about the possibilities of each scene he set up and directed. He would move the light around until it was exactly the way he wanted, discussing and explaining how the lighting set the mood and helped define the plains in the face and body. Sometimes he would look for interesting shadow patterns that clearly defined the form in the head.
He would explain that every shape had to flow and tie together as one big unit. For some scenes, the lighting was purposely flat with no shadows, etc., for a more decorative technique, such as a combination of line and color washes. Then he would show us examples, pulling out perhaps an editorial illustration by Robert Fawcett or Joe DeMers, or an ad illustration by Bob Peak or maybe Jack Potter. He discussed correcting the lens distortion when drawing from photos. He would say, 'What we see in a photo is often a lie, and when drawing the human form, we need to tell the truth.'
It was a big thrill for us, when Bob brought in examples of his work. The first examples I saw, were in gouache. I remember one in particular that was a head and torso painting of Grace Kelley, who he considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, along with a very popular and famous 50's N.Y. model, Susie Parker. His paintings were accurately drawn and skillfully rendered, working semi transparent gouache wet into wet. He used a combination of soft and hard edges, applying thicker applications of paint for the highlights. Bob always used the finest flat and round red sable brushes, and treated them like a $50,000 mink coat. He would stress buying the best tools and equipment we could afford, and to always take special care of them. He believed that an illustration depended as much on the quality and condition of our brushes, as our knowledge and skill in doing an illustration.
He mixed his colors on a white porcelain butcher's tray, and had us do the same. He would discourage us from using gimmicks or special tools to create special effects, until we were experienced in traditional painting methods first. When he wanted to soften an edge in gouache, he used his brush and painted wet into wet, or feathered dry paint using clear water, and when using oil paint, he used his finger or thumb to blend the edges, or soften an edge. He recommended Whatman Illustration board (a top quality cold press board used by most of the top illustrators) because it had a high quality surface that could take abuse, like flooding passages and wiping out unwanted paint, etc.
Struggling to achieve a higher skill level than our lack of experience would allow, we would often over work a head, then wash it out and redo it. However, Bob would tell us it was better to start over and redo the whole illustration, than to waste time trying to save it. He would explain that as students, we had the time and the responsibility to ourselves to make the added effort, while learning. I admit, I proved him right on more than one occasion. It was rare that I could get away with taking out a whole head, after completing half or more of the illustration, and try to redo do it so that it was as fresh looking as the rest of the painting. It was one of my most frustrating challenges as a student.
Bob taught another class called, 'Painting From The Clothed Model'. We painted from a live model in oils on canvas, which I particularly enjoyed. One time we had an elegant stylish woman wearing a fashionable print dress in a graceful pose, using a stool as a prop. Bob would comment, 'Give her that long leggy look.' The next time it would be a beautiful ballerina sitting in her dance costume, with a palm plant and a dress form as props. For another interesting pose, I recall an elderly gentleman, who was an actor and professional model. He had a stylish white mustache, a bowler hat, a cane and was wearing a dark three piece suite, sitting in a large high back chair.
Bob would usually light the scenes in a theatrical manor, as if it were stage lighting. Recently, I found out from his niece and younger brother, that his mother was a Ziegfield Follies dancer when she was young, and his father was a professional photographer. That really wasn't a surprise to me, because I could tell it was in his blood.
Continued tomorrow.
* Tom Watson is a retired West Coast illustrator, art director and educator. He has been a frequent contributor to Today's Inspiration and his storyboard work for film was a subject of a post on my other blog, Storyboard Central.
* Many thanks to Kyle Katz for allowing me to use the Bob Foster paperback cover scans above. The original art scan is courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
2 comments:
I really enjoyed this article. I am now searching for more of Bob Foster's work now. I love gouache and it would have been a fantastic experience to attend his classes.ReplyDelete
Thanks for the comment Charlie Harper. In the late 50's, acrylics had yet been discovered as a painting medium, oils were considered too slow drying for the quick deadlines, and somewhat passe' in the avant-garde illustration market, but gouache dried fast, could be used either transparent or opaque, but unlike oils, gouache was a real bear to adjust and correct, and it dried lighter. That drove us crazy, trying to master the medium. Of course, Bob Foster mastered all the mediums. It was magic to watch him demonstrate with gouache. He made it look so easy!ReplyDelete
Tom Watson


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Thu, 18 Sep 2008
Sakhalin Energy and the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, convened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), have agreed to work together on seismic surveys and oil spill prevention. These are some of the biggest threats to the critically endangered Western Gray Whales from the oil and gas development in the whales' feeding area, off Sakhalin island.
Work area:
Marine threatened species

subset: commoncrawl


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Deep with one savior's death, how many more?
In observance of which, the Dresden burghers
as usual held Shrove Tuesday circuses
around Our Lady's Church, the Frauenkirche,
eating pancakes before their fast for Easter.
At midnight, Allies drew ash from their firestorm
on a hundred-thousand heads. Remember,
the Good War's firesticks on Dresden's timbers
in revenge for Coventry, where in embers
Ash Wednesday passion plays were once performed,
the old guilds raising monstrance of the Host
from their painted wagons. Remember Churchill
letting Germans bomb Coventry's Cathedral
to protect the broken code, letting death fall
on leafy English streets like flash-bombed ghosts
in Dresden, Tokyo. Remember, we must
beg forgiveness like the medieval poor
for sin. How many miracles of war
must we work, burning flesh to spirit, before
remembering we are dust returned to dust.
Judith Werner lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York.
Image: Destroyed Coventry Cathedral, Lance Bellers / Shutterstock.com


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Cornell West has been out bashing President Obama, much of it for pettiness such as not getting calls from him during the campaign and not getting a ticket to the inauguration in January of 2009. Chris Hedges at Truthdig has the story that is creating all the buzz(kill). The passage below reads to me a lot like the grumblings during the 2008 primaries that candidate Obama wasn't black enough. Read this passage and decide for yourself.
"I think my dear brother Barack Obama has a certain fear of free black men," West says. "It's understandable. As a young brother who grows up in a white context, brilliant African father, he's always had to fear being a white man with black skin. All he has known culturally is white. He is just as human as I am, but that is his cultural formation. When he meets an independent black brother, it is frightening. And that's true for a white brother. When you get a white brother who meets a free, independent black man, they got to be mature to really embrace fully what the brother is saying to them. It's a tension, given the history. It can be overcome. Obama, coming out of Kansas influence, white, loving grandparents, coming out of Hawaii and Indonesia, when he meets these independent black folk who have a history of slavery, Jim Crow, Jane Crow and so on, he is very apprehensive. He has a certain rootlessness, a deracination. It is understandable."
As I was reading that passage, it reminded me of this clip that, to me, is one of the all time greatest political clips ever. As an Obama supporter from day 1 and after suffering through some nasty tactics by Hillary and the gang, when Dick Gregory said this at the State of Black Union '08, it was just amazing. Notice who else is on the panel.
I had the great fortune and honor to interview Dick Gregory for my last documentary, a 45 minute long interview that was mostly off the topic I was exploring, but a lot of fascinating stuff. I've thought about going back and doing something with that footage. Some day.
I have to give Cornell West credit for laying it all right out there for us to see, rough edges and all. I wish I could be a fly on the wall the next time Cornell and President Obama get a chance to talk. There is so much wrong with what I read in the Hedges piece, but I'll leave that to others to dissect. But in my looking for the above Dick Gregory clip, I came across this one too. Completely off topic, but I just had to share it. He is one funny man.
UPDATE: Go read Melissa Harris-Perry's response to Cornel West at the Nation. It's very good.


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I'm 52. I have no problem saying that. I love and embrace my age. My brother died when he was 48 and when I turned 50 I did it for both of us. I am living in the area where I grew up. How do you fake your age when you went to school with someone or one of their siblings? How many times do we ask someone "did you go to school with my brother" or "I remember you from high school, how are you doing?" Everyone would have to lie about their age!
There are so many changes a body goes through as we get older. Some things get better and some things…not so much! My metabolism is as slow as getting that last drop of ketchup out of the bottle (yeah, I know, my fault but that is next week's blog) but my voice seems to continue to improve (although the high notes are more elusive I have gained a rich lower register).
If you are nearsighted there is a certain time when reading without your glasses is much easier than with them on. If you have never worn glasses before you likely find yourself coyly looking for reading glasses at the drugstore. Have you ever noticed the display is not in a discreet place? They should have an embarrassment spot at any drugstore where you go to buy condoms, pregnancy kits and bifocals. Problem is, you can spot the old person because they are reading the condom package with glasses with a big tag hanging off their nose.
Gotta go…on my way to my opthamologist to get a new prescription!
Life is good!
Twitter: MidMajorMom
Twitter: JudeCaserta


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All items > Knives > Out The Front Knives > Microtech (OTF) > Microtech Scarab
- Overall Length:8.75"
- Blade Length:3.50"
- Blade Material:CPM-S35VN
- Blade Style:Dagger
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- Edge Type:Serrated
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- Handle Material:Aluminum
- Color:Black
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- User:Right Hand, Left Hand
- Pocket Clip:Tip-Down
- Knife Type:Double-Action OTF Automatic
- Opener:Thumb Slide
- Brand:Microtech
- Model:Scarab
- Model Number:175-2T
- Country of Origin:USA
- Best Use:Tactical
- Product Type:Knife
This Tactical Scarab has an S35VN stainless steel double-edged dagger blade with partially serrated edges and a two-tone finish (black grinds and satin flats). The black anodized T6 aluminum handle has grip inserts on front and back. The hardware, pocket clip and glass breaker are black finished. Model information and Microtech/Scarab logos are on the pocket clip.
The Microtech Scarab is double-action, meaning it fires both out and in via the slide button located on the right side of the knife. The action, lock-up and quality on the Scarab is top-notch Microtech.


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Get out your ray guns. The 38th annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival is upon us, convening Friday through Feb. 18 at the Somerville Theatre. One of the longest-running genre festivals in the United States, SF38's opening night film will be the US premiere of "Mars et Avril," directed by Martin Villeneuve and co-written with his brother, Dennis Villeneuve (who helmed the acclaimed "Incendies"). Martin Villeneuve will be in attendance for the 7 p.m. screening.
Garen Daly, who has produced the event since 1987, says, "There's nothing better in a long cold New England winter than to look forward to seeing hours upon hours of films with 600 to 700 of the friends you only see once a year. The marathon is 'Brigadoon'-like. People from all over the country convene for one day a year to renew old acquaintances, talk film, insult the screen, and fire their ray guns."
The Boston Science Fiction Film Festival is broken down into two parts: The Fest and The 'Thon. The Fest boasts nearly 200 international entries. The 'Thon ends the entire affair with a 24-hour movie marathon which includes about one dozen films, shorts, trailers, and contests such as best alien mating cry and aluminum foil hat. Among the highlights this year: the East Coast premiere of "War of the Worlds: The True Story" (Saturday at 7 p.m.). Produced by Susan Goforth, a Boston Conservatory alum, and the late Jack Gallo from Lowell, it's described as "the eyewitness account of Bertie Wells, the last living survivor of the Earth/Mars War (1900) as he searches for his love amidst the destruction at the hands of Martian invaders." "The History of Future Folk" (Saturday at 9 p.m.) is about two aliens who form a bluegrass band in Brooklyn. There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening. The 'Thon screens a shorts program that includes the Oscar-nominated "Death of a Shadow" starring Matthias Schoenaerts ("Rust and Bone").
For a complete schedule, go to www.BostonSci-Fi.com.
Another world
The University of Massachusetts Boston launches its free monthly film series on Thursday with the Boston premiere of "The World Before Her," followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Nisha Pahuja. Billed as "a provocative portrait of India and its current cultural conflicts during a key transitional era in the country's modern history," the film follows 20 young women from across India as they rigorously prepare for the Miss India pageant. Running through April 25, the UMB series, curated by Chico Colvard ("Family Affair"), showcases a mix of indie films paired with appearances by the filmmakers. All screenings are free and open to the public; they take place on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom.
For more information, go to www.umb.edu/filmseries.
Biking for a cause
Anthony Barounis and Kitty Martin, who work at the restaurant 51 Lincoln in Newton Highlands, have gone off-menu to produce a documentary. "Ride Crazy: The Single Man March" follows Camilo Atehortua, a veteran of the Iraq war who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, as he rides his bicycle 520 miles from Boston to Washington, D.C. 51 Lincoln will host a screening of the film on Tuesday, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Bikes Not Bombs, a nonprofit in Jamaica Plain that supports sustainable transportation. There will be two screenings, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed by a Q&A with Barounis and Atehortua. Chef Fernanda Tapia will provide Latin-inspired snacks and gourmet popcorn.
Tickets are $30. For reservations and information, call 617-965-3100.
Vive France
Journalist David France, director of the Oscar-nominated documentary "How to Survive a Plague," is the guest of honor at the Boston Society of Film Critics' sixth annual awards ceremony on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Brattle Theatre. The BSFC voted France best new filmmaker and "How to Survive a Plague" best documentary for 2012. France will take part in a Q&A immediately following the film screening. BSFC member Joyce Kulhawik will emcee the ceremony, which will also honor members of the Boston film community for their contributions in 2012. Local awardees include the Independent Film Festival Boston; Sharon and Lisa Rivo of the National Center for Jewish Film; the Berklee Silent Film Orchestra and Coolidge Corner Theatre for the "Sounds of Silents" series; Arthur Singer and Ron Goodman, authors of the book "Boston's Downtown Movie Palaces"; and Generoso Fierro, film programmer at MIT. While in Boston, France will also appear at a free event on Friday at 7 p.m. at the BU Cinematheque (640 Commonwealth Ave., Boston).
For more information or to purchase tickets to the awards event, go to www.brattlefilm.org or www.boston
Ben's muse
Middlesex Community College's One World Series will host former CIA agent Tony Mendez, whose efforts to help six Americans escape from Iran inspired Ben Affleck's "Argo" (Affleck plays Mendez in the film). Mendez will discuss "The Iranian Hostage Crisis and the Canadian Caper" on Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Bedford campus cafeteria (591 Springs Road). He'll be interviewed by his wife, Jonna Hiestand Mendez, who is also a retired CIA officer.
Admission is free and open to the public.For information, call 781-280-3633.
Faith Soloway celebrates Valentine's Day with "Lesbian Movie Schlock Treatment," a spoof in song and commentary on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre. Soloway will screen "Claire of the Moon," a 1992 classic lesbian film that features female authors who gather at a small northern coastal retreat to work on their writing. "We will watch the entire movie without stopping and I will sing, comment, and act, and maybe invite the audience to participate as well," says Soloway, whose past shows include "Miss Folk America," "Jesus Has Two Mommies," and "The F Word." "I had this idea a while ago when I first watched 'Claire of the Moon.' I think a lot of lesbians have sat through movies of this ilk. And I say 'sat through' because I can't imagine anyone actually enjoying this movie, or most of the lesbian movies out there back then. So I want to invite the audience to watch it again with a schlock commentary."
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the box office or at
Love letter
Meanwhile, in Newport, R.I., newportFILM presents two Valentine's Day screenings of the new documentary "Love, Marilyn." Drawing on never-before-seen personal papers, diaries, and letters, director Liz Garbus interviews actresses including Ellen Burstyn, Glenn Close, and Viola Davis about the impact Marilyn Monroe continues to have on their lives. Adam Braver, author of the new novel "Misfit," based on the last days of Monroe's life, will introduce the film.
Screenings are at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. at the Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro St. For tickets and information, go to www.newportfilm.com.
Not just for kids
Filmmaker discussions, workshops, international features, and classic movies mark the fourth annual Providence Children's Film Festival for children, teens, and families. It takes place Feb. 14–19 at three locations in downtown Providence. Highlights include "Kauwboy," from the Netherlands, about a boy's friendship with a bird; "Le Tableau" (The Painting), an animated film from France; "Head Games," a documentary about concussions in sports directed by Steve James ("Hoop Dreams"); and "Wunderkinder," a German film that follows three young friends unwillingly pulled into the origins of the Holocaust. Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" will also screen at the event.
For more information, go to www.pcffri.org.Loren King can be reached at loren


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Full name
Nada Meeks
Live Oak , FL
Nada Meeks is a professional illustrator with a B.F.A. in illustration from the Ringling School of Art and Design. She constantly cultivates a wide range of artistic skills and is always looking for more opportunities to put them to use .
The daughter of two teachers, art and education has long been a part of my life.
Good teachers (my parents) taught me to find beauty in everything and that even those things that repulse have their place an so I find beauty and inspiration in a wide variety of things.
But it was the long country hours with no television and time to read shaped my dreams. Reading is better than watching a movie, words create images in vibrant life that roll through my mind and immerse me in there world. As I grew I began to long for these images to take life in a tangible form so I began to draw and when my imaginary landscapes exceed the page, I began taking pictures. Those pictures began to take the form of dreams through photographic manipulation, the art of combining several photographs into a new photographic work. Now, I see myself as a creator of dreams; encourage the general use of imagination in daily life because imagination is what fuels our future. To contribute in any way to its growth and potential is one of the greatest things as a person and as an artist that I can have the privilege of doing.


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Requesting Accommodations
Requesting Disability-Related Services and Accommodations as a Student
In order to receive disability-related services and accommodations as a student or prospective student with a disability at Mohawk Valley Community College, you must follow the procedures outlined below:
1. Present the Office of Accessibility Resources (Utica Campus) or Student Services Office (Rome Campus) with thorough documentation that clearly demonstrates a disability that will impact some aspect of the educational process. This documentation must be provided by the professional(s) with the appropriate credentials to diagnose, treat, and monitor each diagnosed disability (see Documentation Guidelines).
2. Directly contact the Office of Accessibility Resources (Utica Campus) or Student Services Office (Rome Campus) to discuss your documentation and jointly determine appropriate services and accommodations for each course or activity.
3. Sign an Accommodation Plan, give a copy to each instructor (as indicated), and follow all pertinent disability-related policies and procedures necessary to implement the plan.
4. For online courses, e-mail an Office of Accessibility Resources staff member, requesting that a copy of your signed Accommodation Plan be e-mailed to your online instructor(s).
5. If you require any type of disability-related accommodations in the Residence Halls, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of Accessibility Resources.
6. Maintain regular, ongoing communication with the Office of Accessibility Resources staff with whom you are working regarding the services and accommodations you're receiving, and notify the staff immediately if any additional needs or problems arise.
7. Contact the Office of Accessibility Resources at the start of each subsequent semester to provide necessary updates and obtain copies of your Plan.
*All other individuals with disabilities who would like to learn more about accessibility and related information and services should contact the Office of Accessibility Resources in Utica (315-792-5644) or Rome (315-334-7744).
When requesting accommodations, it can sometimes be helpful to provide additional information about your disability based on your personal perspective. You may be able to provide further explanation of what your documentation states, allowing us to better determine the most appropriate accommodations for you.
Our office requires documentation in order to determine accommodations. However, if your documentation is old or outdated, a self-report of your disability, how it affects you in school, and what accommodations you require, can be extremely helpful. Also, if it is taking a great deal of time to acquire the documentation, a student's self-report may allow us to approve some provisional accommodations until we receive the documentation. This would depend on each unique situation and individual student.
The form can also be used when requesting specific disability-related accommodations in the Residence Halls. The self-report is not required and may not be appropriate in all situations, however there are times when it can be very useful. Submitting the self-report does not exclude you from also having to submit the appropriate documentation as outlined by our guidelines. If you'd like to fill out this self-report in an effort to provide our office with more information about you, click on the link below, print out the form and fill it in. You can then return it to our office (PH 104H in Utica or PC A30 in Rome) or fax it to 315-731-5868 (Utica) or 315-334-7726 (Rome). You can also fill this out right in our office. If you require the form in an accessible format, please contact the office via phone or e-mail.
ADA/504 Coordinator
Jimsak Daoreuang, Director of Accessibility Resources
Phone: 315-731-5813
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Utica Campus
Office of Accessibility Resources
Daniel Boggs, Testing Accommodations Specialist
Payne Hall Room 104H
Phone: 315-792-5644
Email: email@example.com
Learning, Autism & ADHD Disabilities:
Katelyn DiCastro, Transition Support Specialist
Phone: 315-792-5413
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Other Disabilities:
Tamara Mariotti, Coordinator of Accessibility Resources
Phone: 315-731-5702
Email: email@example.com
Rome Campus
Student Services Office
Plumley Complex 102G
Phone: 315-334-7709
Michelle Luvisi
College Services Associate -
Disability Support
Phone: 315- 334-7744
Email: email@example.com


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always in style, atlanta, beauty, Black eyeliner, blogging, cat eye, cat eye liquid liner, classic, classic makeup looks, coffee, DIY, dramatic, easy, easy cat eye, easy liquid liner, eyeliner application, face, favorite look, have fun, hodge podge coffee house, How To, how to do a wing liner, Links, liquid liner, makeup, Makeup Artist, makeup for dummies, models, out on the town, pictures, pinterest, Revlon Colorstay, runway makeup, simple, style, things you want to know about makeup, tutorial, Wing Liner, Winged Liner, writers block, writing
I've said this before, but I shall tell you all again. I LIVE AT THE COFFEE SHOP. Or should I just say that I pay $2.15 per day for my office space. My coffee shop exclusivity only extends to a very few shops in Atlanta. Criteria: it needs to have the right energy AND the right people.
As I sat on the floral patterned couch here at Hodge Podge Coffee House, I suddenly realized it was already 4:00pm and counting. " I HAVE TO WRITE" I told myself, but after a wedding weekend with old friends and limited social networking, my best friend came for a visit . Her name is writers block.
Glancing to my left was a hip Redhead with tattered jeans, a purse slung over her shoulder, and a Cafe Mocha (I think.) I talk to everyone already, so I figured she's probably around 16-17 , and although my readers are an older demographic, I figured some of the most honest answers come "from the mouth of babes."
I turned and asked her what her name was : Maret (awesome name) . I asked if she would help me with something and then went into a dissertation of what I do and asked her " If you could think of anything you would want to learn about fashion or makeup , right now, what would it be!?"
"How to wear wings with eyeliner, and make them the same on each eye!" She answered. Well this chick just rocked my world. I wear "wings" everyday. I have decided it's ok for me to have a "staple" or comfortable look. Winged liner will never go out of style. Check out my Pinterest to really understand my obsession with the wing!
We exchanged FBs , and Instagram names and I told Maret to look out for her "closeup." The article is in fact inspired by her. Thanks Maret for saving me from that evil friend that visits so often.
Lets talk Wings.
Most people have a problem with how to accomplish the "wing" or "cat eye" look. But it is simple. I say that with a grain of salt, as it is only "simple" with the right instructions.
First you need to branch out and TRY that liquid liner, a good one that wont smudge, My favorite you can see here. Throw the fear of "the wing" out the window. No worries, a Q-tip can fix any mess!
One of our eyes is always different from the other. Start with the one that gives you the most difficulty in applying liner or shadow.
The fool-proof way to create a "wing" effect is to use a black or brown pencil liner FIRST, and use it ONLY to make a mark for where you want the wing to go.
Make sure it has a decently sharpened tip on it, and begin by placing the tip, aiming at an angle towards the end of your brow, start as high up or as "curved" as you want the wing to be, and draw the pencil in a LIGHT motion inward and down to the base of the lashline.
Look at where the wing-end aims toward your brow, and repeat it on the "easy" eye. If you feel as though its uneven, Cut with a q-tip (use one dry or wet, and draw it upward on bottom-side of wing line to draw the wing to a sharper point.)
Now use your black liquid liner and trace over the pencil "outline" . Some people feel more comfortable with a brush tip liquid liner and some with a felt tip. It is up to you. But if you have not tried liquid before, a felt tip might be easier.
Take the liquid and apply just like you did the pencil liner but with an even hand movement, and in one fell swoop toward the lashline.
NOW , with any other style of eyeliner application you don't want to stretch out your eyelid, but it is easier, when using liquid, to make the straight line across the lid area when the lid is stretched outward, after the wing has been applied. Wing, connect, then draw line toward tearduct.
Start with a thin line as close to lashline as possible (gently push the tip of liner into the lashline and across) go over it and thicken the line as much as you want. Let dry.
Sometimes you will have to adjust the outer wing with a q-tip and make it straighter , more curvy, or shorter and a more triangular shape. When the wing is done being applied then add those touch ups.
Easy Peasy, Ladies! Go for it , and give yourself some time to make it work. But rock the socks off of it! Wing liner is simple and you do not have to add eyeshadow to make it a "complicated" look. The wing does it all for you.
Thanks to Maret for being my Muse!
Please comment with any questions!!


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Joe Budden (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & French Montana) - NBA
Joe Budden's "No Love Lost" album in stores now!
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Police clear Suh for pellet gun confrontation
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan (AP) — Police in an affluent Detroit suburb have cleared Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (ehn-DAHM'-uh-kehn soo) of any charges for waving a pellet gun in front of a cable company worker attempting repairs to a line on the player's property.
Birmingham police say the cable worker thought the gun looked like an assault rifle and feared for his safety. They say Suh told them he feared for his family and said he'd be even more aggressive protecting them than he is on the football field.
Police say the confrontation happened Aug. 16. Police say Suh didn't point the weapon at the Comcast employee but waived it around.
Suh said Wednesday he's appealing the NFL's $100,000 fine for his illegal hit Sunday on Minnesota Vikings' center John Sullivan.


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The woman has a dog called Martini and she accidentally sat on it.
Woman: Oh my God! I sat on Martini.
Her husband: look, you popped out a martini
I think her husband is kidding here. I don't know what is teh meaning of "pop out" here
WOW! Thanks alot. The woman was really pregnant in her last month


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Monitoring and evaluation guidelines of the programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis require impact assessments in at least one sentinel and one spot-check site in each implementation unit (IU). Transmission assessment surveys (TAS) that assess antigenaemia (Ag) in children in IUs that have completed at least five rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) each with >65% coverage and with microfilaria (Mf) levels <1% in the monitored sites form the basis for stopping the MDA. Despite its rigour, this multi-step process is likely to miss sites with transmission potential ('hotspots') and its statistical assumptions for sampling and threshold levels for decision-making have not been validated. We addressed these issues in a large-scale epidemiological study in two primary health centres in Thanjavur district, India, endemic for bancroftian filariasis that had undergone eight rounds of MDA.
Methodology/Principal Findings
The prevalence and intensity of Mf (per 60 µl blood) were 0.2% and 0.004 respectively in the survey that covered >70% of 50,363 population. The corresponding values for Ag were 2.3% and 17.3 Ag-units respectively. Ag-prevalence ranged from 0.7 to 0.9%, in children (2–10 years) and 2.7 to 3.0% in adults. Although the Mf-levels in the survey and the sentinel/spot check sites were <1% and Ag-level was <2% in children, we identified 7 "residual" (Mf-prevalence ≥1%, irrespective of Ag-status in children) and 17 "transmission" (at least one Ag-positive child born during the MDA period) hotspots. Antigenaemic persons were clustered both at household and site levels. We identified an Ag-prevalence of ∼1% in children (equivalent to 0.4% community Mf-prevalence) as a possible threshold value for stopping MDA.
Author Summary
Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease caused by filarial worms. Over 120 million people are infected and 43 million have chronic disease. Since 2000, most of the endemic countries launched mass drug administration (MDA) programme with a goal to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2020. MDA impact is monitored by assessing microfilaraemia (Mf) prevalence from a few sites and when it drops to <1% after 5 rounds of MDA each with >65% coverage, transmission assessment surveys (TAS) are carried out to decide on stopping further MDA. We used a mass blood survey in two primary health centres to assess the epidemiological situation after 8 rounds of MDA and evaluated the soundness of conclusions drawn from monitoring a few sites for initiating TAS. Mf-prevalence was 0.2%, both in the survey and monitoring sites, justifying the need for TAS, although data on MDA coverage was not available. The antigenaemia-prevalence in children born during the MDA period was 0.8%, well below the level (<1%), required for stopping MDA. However, we identified a few sites with ongoing transmission ('hotspots') and spatial clustering of infection which indicate the need for good sampling/surveillance strategies to detect such 'hotspots'.
Citation: Swaminathan S, Perumal V, Adinarayanan S, Kaliannagounder K, Rengachari R, Purushothaman J (2012) Epidemiological Assessment of Eight Rounds of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis in India: Implications for Monitoring and Evaluation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6(11): e1926. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001926
Editor: Nilanthi de Silva, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Received: November 2, 2011; Accepted: October 14, 2012; Published: November 29, 2012
Copyright: © 2012 Swaminathan et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funding: The study received financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, The Task Force Global Health Inc., Atlanta, USA (URL: http://www.taskforce.org/our-work/programs/lymphatic-filariasis-support-center). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
The goal of the global programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (GPELF) launched in 2000 is to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2020. The programme aims to achieve the goal by interrupting transmission through annual single dose mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole (fixed dose 400 mg) either with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC, 6 mg/kg body weight) or ivermectin (150–200 µg/kg) for at least 5–6 years. By 2010 the programme had made significant progress in 53 of the 72 endemic countries, delivering billions of treatments to nearly 897 million people in the world [1]. India, which contributes to nearly one-third of the global burden of LF, aims to achieve LF elimination by 2015. The programme was initiated on a pilot basis in 13 of the 250 endemic districts (implementation unit, IU) during 1996–97 with DEC alone and thereafter with DEC and albendazole. The programme has been gradually scaled up to reach all the 250 endemic districts spread over 20 states and union territories covering nearly 421 of the 590 million people at risk in 2007 (www.nvbdcp.gov.in).
The impact of the programme is monitored once in two years in each IU by screening the population in at least one sentinel and one spot-checks sites for microfilaraemia (Mf) [2]. Several endemic countries reported that delivering 5–6 rounds of MDA reduced the prevalence of Mf and antigenaemia (Ag) in many IUs [3]. In India, it has been reported that in 192 of the 250 IUs Mf-prevalence has reached <1% – the recommended threshold for proceeding with further epidemiological assessment [3]. Such an assessment is required prior to making a decision to stop or continue MDA in these IUs.
The WHO monitoring and evaluation guidelines (2005) required a multi-step process to be completed before MDA could be stopped [2].The recommended sampling strategy for stopping MDA in an IU is to test (i) by a cluster design based lot quality assurance-cluster sampling (LQAS) of 10 young children (age-class depends on number of rounds of MDA) from each of 30-clusters (communities) for antigenaemia (Ag) status and (ii) if no positives are found, an additional LQAS of 3000 school entrants drawn from the entire IU for Ag-status. MDA has to be stopped if no Ag-positives are detected by (ii). The above procedure is applicable only when (a) the Mf-prevalence is <1% in both sentinel and spot check sites (b) Mf-prevalence is <1% in 5–10 additional sites of high risk transmission, and (c) Ag is negative among children aged 2–4 years in all these sites. Although this rigorous process was designed to ensure that transmission was stopped with a high degree of probability, it was cumbersome. Therefore, the WHO has revised the guidelines in 2011 [4] and proposed transmission assessment surveys (TAS) for making decision to stop/continue MDA. As per the revised guidelines the recommended Ag-threshold for TAS is a defined number of Ag-positive children (depends on the target population size) such that there is at least a 75% chance of stopping MDA if the true prevalence is less than 1.0% and no more than a 5% chance of stopping MDA (incorrectly) if the true prevalence is ≥2%. TAS are to be carried out in IUs that have completed at least five rounds of MDA, each with >65% coverage and with Mf-prevalence of <1% in both sentinel and spot check sites. However, both the old and the revised guidelines, suggested cluster design for the LQAS, which is not based on empirical evidence about the distributions of infection at household and site level.
We carried out a study to address the above mentioned issues in two primary health centres (PHC), in Thanjavur district, India, known to be endemic for filariasis caused by periodic Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus (National Vector Borne Disease Control programme, NVBDCP). A large proportion of the population of these two PHC areas, where eight rounds of MDA were completed, was screened for Mf and Ag. This extensive data set permitted us to draw critical epidemiological inferences. In the present communication we have examined age-specific infection patterns, distribution of infections by households and sites, and have identified 'hotspots' (please see 'Methods' below for definition). We also determined the transmission threshold level in terms of Ag-prevalence in children, as hitherto published results on threshold for stopping MDA are based on prevalence of Mf [5]–[8] and Ag [9] at community level. The findings of the study are discussed in the context of the WHO guidelines of 2005 [2] and 2011 for TAS to stop MDA [4] highlighting the importance of 'hotspots', size of the evaluation unit and threshold levels of antigen prevalence in children in such evaluations.
Study area
This study was carried out in two PHCs, namely Ammapettai and Melattur (here after referred to as 'evaluation unit', EU) in Ammapettai block, Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu State, India (Figure 1). There are 18 villages and 15 urban wards (hereafter referred as 'sites') under six health sub-centres (HSC) in Ammapettai PHC, and 62 villages under eight HSCs in Melattur PHC.
Thanjavur district (population: 2.2 million) was one of the 13 districts endemic for bancroftian filariasis, in the State of Tamil Nadu. MDA was initiated in 1997 in this district by the State government and subsequently brought under the national programme to eliminate LF in India. There are 58 PHCs and 309 HSCs in this district (IU). Eight rounds of MDA had been completed in this district by the time the study was initiated in 2008. While DEC alone was given in the years 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2004, it was co-administered with albendazole in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2007. MDA was not carried out in 1998, 2005 and 2006. Drugs were distributed by Filaria Assistants drawn from the community under the supervision of local health personnel in each PHC, by visiting 250 persons each. Pregnant women and children <2 years were excluded from MDA. Coverage and compliance as assessed by an independent agency (Vector Control Research Centre) ranged from 55.8 to 91.2%, and 34.3 to 53.4% respectively during 2001 to 2010. Compliance in this document refers to surveyed coverage as indicated in the revised WHO guidelines for TAS [4]. Epidemiological data in 2000 indicates that the overall prevalence of microfilaria (Mf) was 2.6%, with 11 out of 14 health blocks showing >1% prevalence (Vector Control Research Centre, unpublished observations). The Mf surveys carried out under the programme, prior to each round of MDA in sentinel and spot check sites, showed a declining trend in Mf-prevalence (0.16%, 0.15%, 0.15%, 0.0% and 0.09% during 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 respectively), and it was below 1% in all the 16 sentinel and spot check sites after the 2004 MDA (Vector Control Research Centre, unpublished observations).
Demographic registration
In the present study, a hand held personal digital assistant (PDA) was used in the field to collect demographic details that included name, age and gender of family members. A barcode label was used to identify each person. The barcode label was pasted against the name of each person in a register and the barcode was scanned by a Bluetooth scanner attached to the PDA. The PDAs equipped with GPS devices (global positioning system) were used to capture geographical coordinates (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the houses located in the study area. The data from each PDA were synchronized in the field to create a master database. At the end of each day, data were uploaded to a field laptop computer in which the data was managed using SQL server (2005, Microsoft Corporation) and a backup of the data was created on an external hard disk. Digital maps were made for all the sites (villages/wards) using their geographical coordinates.
Mass screening for Mf and Ag
Mass screening was done by house visits between 1930 hrs and 2300 hrs to assess Mf and Ag-status. The survey was carried out between October 2008 and July 2009. While screening, identity of a person (Person ID) in the PDA was verified with the family members. Glass slide and vial for that person were labeled using barcodes and were scanned against the person ID registered in the PDA. After obtaining written informed consent (from parents for the children below 15 years of age) finger-prick blood samples were collected for detection of Mf and Ag. About 60 µl blood was drawn onto a glass slide to make thick smear for Mf and 200 µl blood into a 2 ml round bottom vial for Ag-assay. All the available and consenting persons in each house during the visit were screened. Repeated visits to all the sites were made to increase the participation of the population in the microfilaraemia and antigen screening.
Blood smears were dehaemoglobinized, dried, fixed in acidified methyl alcohol and stained with JSB-1 stain. Serum from the blood sample was separated using refrigerated centrifuge for Ag-assay. The serum samples were preserved at −40°C in the Field Laboratory at Thanjavur. At weekly intervals both the smears and serum vials were transported to the Headquarters of the Vector Control Research Centre located at Pondicherry (∼200 kms away from Thanjavur) for further processing/examination. Blood slides were examined under microscope and the numbers of Mf found were recorded. 10% of slides selected randomly were cross-examined for quality control. The serum samples (of 100 µl) were used to measure quantitative filarial antigen levels by the Og4C3 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, TropBio, Townsville, Australia). The ELISA was done with boiled plasma diluted 1∶4, a negative control, and 7 standard samples with increasing concentrations of O. gibsoni antigen, as recommended by the manufacturer. Optical density readings of the seven manufacturer standards were plotted for each microtitre plate and were converted to antigen units, with values ranging from 0 (standard sample 1) to 32000 (standard sample 7). The Ag-units for the study subjects were derived from the standard curve. Serum samples with Ag-units ≥ standard 3 of the manufacturer (≥128 Ag-units) were considered positive for circulating filarial antigen. Results of slide examination and antigen assays were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in which the demographic and mass screening database was imported from Microsoft SQL server.
Ethical consideration
The research proposal was approved by the Institutional Human Ethics Committee of VCRC. Informed written consent was obtained from all adult participants and parents for children aged below 15 years to collect finger prick blood for Mf and Ag-assay. Consent also included collecting information on the clinical manifestations of filariasis, if any, by observing for lymphoedema of limbs and self-reporting of hydrocele. Confidentiality of the identity and results was maintained. Those found positive for Mf and/or Ag were treated with DEC (6 mg/kg body weight) daily for 12 days following the national programme guidelines of India. Special demonstrations were held for those with lymphoedema on limb hygiene and care. Those with hydrocele were advised to consult their doctors for further management.
Sites where Mf-prevalence ≥1% (irrespective of Ag-status in children) were defined as 'residual hotspots' and the sites with at least one Ag-positive child in the age range 2–8 years were considered as 'tranmission hotspots'.
Statistical analyses
The prevalence (%) of Mf or Ag was calculated as the number of people with Mf or Ag divided by the number of people examined. The geometric mean Mf-intensity was estimated as the antilog of the (sum of [log(X+1)/N]−1). The geometric mean Ag-intensity was estimated as the antilog of the sum of [log(X)/N], where X is the Ag-units in each person, and N is the number of persons screened. Mean values of Mf and Ag across different age groups and genders were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) model on log-transformed values of (Mf+1) or Ag. Pair wise comparison was made using least significant difference (LSD). The heterogeneity chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence across gender and the chi-square test for trend in proportions to compare the prevalence across age. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for community prevalence of Mf and Ag were based on normal approximation to binomial distribution and that for antigen prevalence in children the exact binomial confidence intervals were used. Student's t- test for independent samples was used to compare the geometric mean intensity of Mf or Ag. Logistic regression analysis was done to examine the relationship between community Mf-prevalence (independent variable) and Ag-status (positive or negative, dependent variable) in children aged 2–8 years (born during the period of MDA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the Ag-prevalence threshold in children at maximum values of sensitivity (probability of predicting an Ag-positive child as Ag-positive for a given cut-off -threshold- of community Mf-prevalence) and specificity (probability of predicting an Ag-negative child as Ag-negative for a given cut-off of community Mf-prevalence). Sensitivity and specificity were determined by comparing the values predicted by logistic regression with the observed ones. Poisson and negative binomial probability models were fitted to the observations at household or sites level to see if filarial infections are clustered in certain households or sites. Chi-square test was used to test the goodness of fit of the models. For all statistical significant tests, the probability of a Type I error was set at 5% (α = 0.05). All statistical analyses were carried out using the statistical software IBM SPSS v.19.0 and STATA version 9.0. Getis-Ord G-statistic was used to test the spatial clustering of 'hotspots' using ARC GIS version 9.3.
Demographic profiles of the study population
A total of 50363 persons were enumerated from 12759 households (household size, range: 1–11; median: 3) distributed over 95 sites in two PHCs. The populations in different sites ranged from 128 to 2384. The age-profiles of the population are comparable between males and females with a male to female ratio of 1∶0.98. Children below 10 years constituted about 15% each of the male and female populations, with ∼5% of them being school entrants (aged 5–6 years). The population in the age-group 20–59 years constitute the work force in the study area, which is ∼56% of the male and female populations.
Mass screening
People living in 11466 (90%) of the 12759 houses listed were contacted for screening. The remaining 1293 houses were found locked despite repeated visits. A total of 35582 persons participated in the mass-screening programme forming 70.7% of the population (50363). Among these, blood samples from 139 persons could not be collected for Mf. Samples from 1149 persons either could not be collected or were insufficient for Ag-assay. As a result, the number of persons from whom samples were collected for Mf, Ag and both was 35443 (70.4%), 34433 (68.4%) and 34294 (68.1%) respectively. Both males and females were equally represented (>70%) in all age classes except males in 21–30 and 31–40 years (Table 1), who were fewer than females.
Epidemiological assessment
Overall prevalence and intensity.
Mf and Ag-positive individuals were detected in 32 and 91% of the 95 sites respectively. The prevalence of Mf ranged from 0.0 to 3.9% (mean: 0.2%) and Ag from 0.0 to 8.2% (mean: 2.3%) in different sites. The geometric mean (95% CI) of Mf-intensity (per 60 µl blood) and Ag-intensity (units per 100 µl serum) were 0.004 (0.003–0.005) and 17.3 (17.1–17.5) respectively. The Ag-intensities among Mf-positive (n = 75) and Mf-negative individuals (n = 34219) were 24350.3 and 16.9 units respectively. The difference in Ag-intensities between Mf-positives and Mf-negatives was significant (t = 65.5, P<0.001).
Age-and gender-specific prevalence.
Figure 2 illustrates the pattern of age-specific prevalence of Mf and Ag. The overall prevalence (genders combined) of Mf is below 0.1% up to 20 years and thereafter it fluctuated between 0.3 and 0.4%. The prevalence of Ag was nearly constant (range: 0.69% to 0.85%) in the age range 2–10 years, reached a peak of ∼3% at 21–30 years and thereafter it remained almost constant (range: 2.7–3.0%). Neither the Mf-prevalence nor the Ag-prevalence differed significantly within two broad age-ranges (2–20 years and >20 years for Mf-prevalence; 2–10 years and >20 years for Ag-prevalence, P>0.1 for all comparisons within each age-range). However, the increase in Ag-prevalence between 2–10 and 11–20 years (P<0.006) as well as between 11–20 and 21–30 years (P<0.001) of age was significant. A similar comparison between two broad age-groups (≤20 years and >20 years) also showed that both the prevalence of Mf (0.05% vs 0.31%) and Ag (1.28 vs 2.88%) were significantly higher among persons aged >20 years than that in those aged ≤20 years (P<0.001 for both comparisons).
Figure 2 also shows gender specific prevalence of Mf and Ag. In the age range of 2–10 years only one female child (6 years) was microfilaraemic. However, in the same age-range, Ag was detected in both males (prevalence, range: 0.4 to 0.7%) and females (∼1%). Statistical comparisons of the prevalence revealed that the gender differences was not significant in the above age sub-groups (P>0.2 for all comparisons) suggesting that acquiring new infection is independent of age and gender. The prevalence of both Mf and Ag started increasing in both genders at 11–20 years to reach a peak at 21–30 years. In the ages above 30 years, while both the prevalence profiles were similar for males, they declined for females exhibiting a convex relationship with age. Further, both Mf and Ag-prevalence profiles for adult males were at higher levels than the respective profiles of females. Statistical analysis showed that adult males (>20 years) had significantly higher prevalence of Mf and Ag as compared to their female counterparts for all age sub-groups (P<0.05).
Age and gender specific intensity of infection (Mf/Ag).
The overall (gender combined) Mf-intensity was almost zero per 60 µl up to 20 years. Thereafter the intensity fluctuated between 0.007 and 0.008 (Figure 3), but was not statistically significant (P>0.3 for all pairwise comparisons). However, a significant (t = 4.89, P<0.001) increase was observed in adult age-groups (0.006 per 60 µl) when compared to that of persons aged ≤20 years (0.001 per 60 µl). The Ag-intensity was almost constant up to 20 years of age (16 units per 100 µl serum) and thereafter it reached and stabilized at the level of 18 units. The difference in Ag-intensity among those aged ≤20 years and >20 years was significant (t = 11.4, P<0.001).
The gender specific age-intensity profiles were almost zero per 60 µl blood for Mf and 16 units per 100 µl serum for Ag up to 20 years of age (Figure 3). Thereafter, the Mf-intensities leveled off at 0.014 and 0.002 for males and females respectively and the corresponding levels of Ag-intensities were 20 and 17 units. While both Mf and Ag-intensities were independent of gender in persons aged <20 years, significant differences were observed between genders in all adult age-subgroups (21–50 years, P<0.05 for all pairwise comparisons). Among all Ag-positive individuals (n = 784), the Ag-intensity increased from 2742 at 2–5 years to reach a peak 6535 units at 21–30 years and thereafter it stabilized around 4500–5800 Ag-units.
Distribution of filarial infection by households and sites.
The distribution of persons in terms of antigen status by households is given in Figure 4. A total of 11375 households were covered in the mass screening survey for Ag-detection. Of them in a majority (93.7%) of the households there were no persons with filarial infection. There was one Ag-positive person in 5.8% of the households. Only 0.5% had ≥2 Ag-positives. Fitting of Poisson (random) and negative binomial (over-dispersed) models to the data suggested that the numbers of households expected by negative binomial model (χ2 = 0.05, P = 0.8) is in better agreement with observations than by the Poisson model (χ2 = 55.8, P<0.001, Figure 4), suggesting that the Ag-cases are aggregated (negative binomial aggregation parameter, k = 0.6) in households.
The frequency distribution of Ag-positives by sites is shown in Figure 5. About 68% of the sites had only 1–10 Ag-positives and 23% of the sites had more than 10 positives, showing a skewed distribution. This was further confirmed by good fit of the zero-truncated negative binomial model (χ2 = 14.3, P = 0.2). The small value of the aggregation parameter 'k' (0.25) of the fitted model indicates that the Ag-positives are highly aggregated in a few of the sites.
The prevalence of Mf was ≥1% in seven ('residual hotspots') of the 95 sites. In these seven sites the Mf-prevalence ranged from 1.0 to 3.9% (mean: 1.3%; 95% CI: 0.9–1.7%) and Ag-prevalence from 5.0 to 8.2% (mean: 6.4%; 95% CI: 5.5–7.2%) (Figure 6). In the remaining 88 sites, the Mf-prevalence ranged from 0 to 0.8% (mean: 0.1%; 95% CI: 0.07–0.15%) and the Ag-prevalence from 0 to 7.1% (mean: 1.9%; 95% CI: 1.7–2.0%). In 8, 51, 26, and 3 of these sites Ag-prevalence was 0%, 0.2–2%, 2–5% and >5% respectively. In 4 of 7 residual hotspots, at least one Ag-positive child aged 2–8 years (born during the period of MDA) was detected (hence termed as 'residual and transmission hotspots') and the prevalence of Ag in this age-group from these four sites ranged from 2.1 to 6.7% (mean: 2.7%; 95% CI: 0.7–4.6%). Of the 88 sites (other than residual hotspots), 13 were detected as 'transmission hotspots'. Ag-prevalence among children (2–8 years) in these sites ranged from 1.7–6.3% (mean: 2.6%; 95% CI: 1.4–3.8%). Altogether there were 17 'transmission hotspots' in which the prevalence of Mf and Ag at community level and Ag-prevalence in children varied from 0 to 1.5% (mean: 0.5%; 95% CI: 0.3–0.6%), 0.3 to 6.5% (mean: 3.9%; 95% CI: 3.5–4.3%) and 1.7 to 6.7% (mean: 2.9%; 95% CI: 1.8–4.1%) respectively. While the community prevalence of both Mf (χ2 = 58.7, P<0.0001) and Ag (χ2 = 85.8, P<0.0001) varied significantly among the 'transmission hotspots', the Ag-prevalence in children did not vary significantly (χ2 = 5.7, P = 0.99).
Error bars are 95% confidence intervals.
Of the 3544 children screened either for Mf and/or Ag in the study area, 3528 were examined for both Mf and Ag and one child was found Mf-positive but Ag-negative, and the rest were Mf-negative. The Ag-level of the Mf-positive child was 16.3 units and the Ag-intensity among Mf-negative children (irrespective of Ag-status) was15.4 units. Among the Mf-negatives, the Ag-intensity was significantly (t = 62.0, P<0.001) higher in Ag-positives (n = 25, intensity: 2279.5 units) than that of Ag-negatives (n = 3502, intensity: 14.9 units).
At community level in the 'transmission hotspots', the Ag-intensities for Mf-positive (19953 units, n = 39) and Mf-negative (19.5 units, n = 8368) persons differed significantly (t = 35.9, P<0.001). Further, the intensity in the 'hotspots' (20.4 units for all persons irrespective of Mf-status, n = 8407) was significantly higher than that was observed in the remaining 78 sites (16.2 units, t = 17.4, P<0.001).
Data on community characteristics of the of the 'hotspots' (Table 2) showed that while all the 'residual' and two-third of the 'residual and transmission' hotspots are located in the town of Ammapettai PHC, most of the 'transmission hotspots' are located in rural villages of both PHC. Figure 1, also shows the spatial distribution of 'residual' (red), 'transmission' (blue) and the combination of both 'residual and transmission' (green) hotspots in the study area. Spatial clustering was observed among the residual and transmission hotspots. While 'residual' or 'both residual and transmission hotspots' were clustered in Ammapettai PHC, 'transmission hotspots' were clustered in both the PHCs. Spatial analysis based on Getis-Ord G-statistic indicated one significant spatial cluster of 'residual hotspots' in Ammapettai PHC (sites with high values of Mf-prevalence clustered together; Getis-Ord G = 0.49, Z = 7.54, P<0.0001) and two clusters of 'transmission hotspots' one at each PHC (sites with high values of Ag-prevalence clustered together, Getis-Ord G = 0.13, Z = 3.2, P = 0.0012).
Estimation of transmission threshold
Ag-status in children aged 2–8 years and community Mf-prevalence from all the 95 sites were used to examine their relationship using logistic regression analysis and to estimate the transmission threshold in terms of Ag-prevalence in children. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of Mf at community level is a significant predictor of Ag-status in children (Figure 7; χ2 = 8.54, P = 0.0035; Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit, χ2 = 5.1, P = 0.16). The estimated relationship was used to predict the Ag-prevalence corresponding to Mf-prevalence of 1% (threshold) in the community and it was found to be 1.6% (95% CI: 0.4–6.2%). The sensitivity and specificity of the model (logistic regression) corresponding to the Ag-prevalence of 1.6% were 25% (95% CI: 10.6–47.1%) and 94% (95% CI: 93.2–94.8%) respectively. ROC analysis revealed that the sensitivity (45.8%; 95% CI: 26.2–66.8%) and specificity (81%; 95% CI: 79.9–82.5%) of the model could be maximum at an Ag-prevalence of ∼0.97%, which corresponds to 0.4% Mf-prevalence at community level.
Epidemiological assessment
The epidemiological data generated in the present study through mass screening (∼70% of the population) provided an opportunity to validate one of the pre-TAS conditions and TAS. The overall Mf-prevalence (0.2%) in the study area is in agreement with that estimated from sentinel and spot-check sites for the IU (<1%). However, the study area has no historical data on MDA coverage and compliance excepting data available for two sites in the study area, which were part of an independent assessment survey carried out during the first round of MDA with co-administration of DEC plus albendazole in 2001 by the Vector Control Research Centre. This data provides an overall coverage and compliance of 66.4 (62.7 & 86.3% for the sites) and 65.0% (61.7 & 81.3% for the sites) respectively. If we consider the pre-TAS criterion, the study area will not qualify for implementing TAS, unless we assume similar compliance levels in subsequent MDA rounds. If an EU is a part of the IU as in the present case, the pre TAS criteria of IU can be considered applicable for the EU. Since the compliance was not consistently >65% in the IU, the study area will not qualify for TAS. Thus, lack of data on compliance or inadequate compliance will be a major constraint for implementing TAS and consequently MDA should continue until the criterion on compliance is met. For many such IUs, this will be a programmatic challenge for TAS in spite of meeting other two pre-TAS conditions. A similar situation may arise when IUs are combined to form a single EU.
A comparison of the observed patterns of the age-and gender specific prevalence of Mf and Ag, and intensity of Mf of the study area with that of the IU provides an idea on the extent of reductions that might have been achieved in the study area. The observed patterns of age and gender specific Mf and Ag-prevalence (Figure 2) are qualitatively similar but quantitatively at lower levels than those observed prior to MDA (Figure 8A; overall Mf-prevalence 2.6%) in the IU as well as elsewhere without any intervention [10]–[19]. Similar observations have been made from age and gender-specific Mf-intensity profiles (Figure 3A & Figure 8B). Reduction in Mf-intensity (almost 'zero' in persons aged<20 years and about ten-fold reduction in persons aged >20 years for both genders, Figure 3) following eight rounds of MDA in the study area when compared to the corresponding profiles during pre-MDA for the IU (Figure 8B) could be attributed to MDA. The Ag-prevalence (0.8%) in children (Figure 2) is well below 1% which is the level recommended in the target age class (6–7 years) for stopping MDA under the revised TAS guidelines [4].
Source: Vector Control Research Centre (unpublished data).
The Ag-intensities among Mf-positive persons were significantly higher in the entire study area (24950 units) as well as in the 'transmission hotspots'(19953 units) compared to that among Mf-negatives (16.9 for the entire study area and 19.5 units for the 'transmission hotspots') indicating that a large number of infections are required to become microfilaraemic. In the 'transmission hotspots' the Ag-intensity (20.4 units; irrespective of Mf-status, residual Ag-level) was significantly higher than that was observed in the remaining sites (16.2 units). However, the Ag-intensity of the 25 Ag-positive children (2–8 years) was much lower (2280 units) than that of the Ag-intensities that were observed among all the Mf-positives either in the 'transmission hotspots' or in the entire study area. These Ag positive children in the 'transmission hotspots' are either in pre-patent period (acquired infections in the recent past) who may become microfilaraemic over a period of time or having worms which are not sufficient enough to mate and produce Mf or some of them may be false-negative for Mf.
Assuming that the study area meets the pre-TAS criteria, the Ag-prevalence data of the present study was used for validating the revised TAS [4] for making decision on stopping/continuing MDA. The results of screening 1259 children (75.2% of the target population of 1674) in the age class 6–7 years, covering all the 95 sites in the study area, showed 10 Ag-positives. Despite large number of children examined than that required for the TAS (n = 891), the number of Ag-positives were lower than that the critical cut-off (d = 11) required for this age-class [4], suggesting that the study area passed the TAS.
Another objective of the study was to examine the soundness (accuracy/validity) of the conclusions drawn from monitoring a few sentinel- and spot-check sites for initiating TAS [2], [4]. Though our findings are in conformity with the results (Mf-prevalence <1% after 8 rounds of MDA) of sentinel and spot check sites in the IU, we detected ≥1% Mf-prevalence in seven sites ('residual hotspots'). Similar situations, although based on sample surveys, have been reported in India, where 49–84% of the population have undergone either six rounds of MDA with DEC plus albendazole or 9/10 rounds of MDA with DEC/ivermectin [7], [20]. In Nigeria, five of the 10 sentinel sites were found to remain as 'residual hotspots' despite 6–10 rounds of MDA with ivermectin plus albendazole covering ≥85% of the population [21]. In another study, 20 years after cessation of a 5-year DEC-fortified salt programme, five of 32 localities were found to have Mf-prevalence ≥1% [6]. In Leogane, Haiti, sustained transmission has been observed in six villages despite 7 rounds of MDA with an overall prevalence of <1% in an IU [22].
Although the overall Ag-prevalence in children was below 1% in the present study, 17 sites (20% of the total sites) recorded ≥2% Ag-prevalence in children ('transmission hotspots'). Among these 17 sites, four were from 'residual hotspots' and 13 were from the remaining 88 sites (Mf-prevalence <1%, located in the rural setup), suggesting that potential for resurgence exists in these sites. The revised WHO guidelines of 2011 [4] recommend initiation of TAS based on data (prevalence of Mf and/or Ag in population aged >5years) obtained from at least one sentinel and one spot check sites alone. Our findings highlight the risk if such an approach does not recognize the presence of "hotspots" and assumes a homogenous decline of infection in the IU. In this process the chances of overlooking 'hotspots' cannot be ruled out. An approach to minimize the risk of overlooking 'hotspots' would be, apart from checking prevalence of Mf<1% in the sentinel and spot check sites after fifth MDA [4], transmission (Ag) in children (2–4 years) could also be assessed as recommended in the pre-revised WHO guidelines for TAS [2]. Such an approach could indicate the transmission risk in the sentinel and spot-check sites after fifth MDA before proceeding towards conducting TAS and continuing MDA.
To our knowledge there is no agreed-upon definition for 'residual/transmission hotspot'. We defined a site as a 'residual hotspot' if its Mf-prevalence in the community is ≥1% (irrespective Ag-status in children) or 'transmission hotspot' if it has at least one Ag-positive child in 2–8 years, despite the fact that the evaluation unit (in our case the study area) has an overall Mf-prevalence <1%. By following this definition we have identified seven 'residual' and 17 'transmission' hotspots in the study area. The population size in these sites varied from 252 to 2318 (mean = 800 & SD = 472). In the site with lowest population, only one Ag-positive child (6 year old) was found among 16 children tested, although the community prevalence of Mf is 0.8% (95% CI: 0.02–4.3%) and Ag-prevalence is 2.4% (95% CI: 0.5–6.8%). In the absence of data on migration status of children (2–8 years), the possibility of acquiring infection elsewhere could not be ruled out. Therefore while declaring a site as 'transmission hotspot' based on TAS, it is warranted for the programme managers to ascertain whether the infection is indigenous or acquired elsewhere. Further, it is important that the definition of 'transmission hotspot' must also be related to the size/density of population of a site that is large enough to facilitate self-sustaining transmission. In the present study a 'transmission hotspot' with a minimum population of 250 could sustain transmission.
Despite reaching <1% Mf-prevalence after seven rounds of MDA with >65% coverage, continued transmission (Ag-prevalence >10% in children aged 3–5 years) was reported from Haiti [22], [23], indicating existence of 'transmission hotspots'. This corresponds to the definition and existence of 'transmission hotspots' in the present study. Adopting an extensive screening exercise as undertaken in this study, to detect "hotspots" would not only be logistically cumbersome but also prohibitively costly. Therefore, further studies are required to identify the determinants as well as methods to rapidly detect such hotspots. A composite index, based on socio-environmental risk factors, was shown to be useful in identifying urban areas with higher infection [24], [25]. Limitation of this approach is obtaining socio-environmental data for all villages/wards in an IU as well as the application of the composite index as such for India, where an organized waste/sewage disposal system does not exist. On the other hand the use of data from remote sensing and geographical information system may be explored as they can easily be obtained. A greater challenge for programmes would be the development of strategies to prevent the emergence of such 'hotspots' and site-specific interventions to effectively eliminate them when they persist or appear.
Distribution of infection by households and sites
Filarial infections are known to be clustered at household level in areas endemic for filariasis [26], [27]. In the present study, despite eight rounds of MDA, we observed clustering of the distribution of infection both at household (Figure 4) and site (Figure 5) levels, i.e. many of the infected persons live in a few households and sites and the remaining are scattered in many households and sites. This finding has important implications for the sampling strategies to be adopted in TAS, particularly when it is based on a cluster design. It is imperative that the sample size in such a design should account for the clustered nature of infections at community level, as has been considered in the revised TAS [4]. This further suggests the need for identifying the factors that lead to heterogeneous distribution of infections. Systematic non-compliance to MDA has been reported to be one of the factors for spatial clustering of infections [22], [23].
Transmission threshold
Identifying quantitative thresholds in terms of Mf or Ag-prevalence at which MDA programmes can be stopped with minimal risk of resumption of transmission is one of the challenging programmatic issues still facing GPELF [17]. Studies from different parts of the world indicate that the Mf-thresholds varied from 0.4 to 1.0% in thick smears (60 µl blood) [5]–[7] to 0.5% in 1 ml of blood [8]. Ramzy et al. [9] have reported that a community Ag-prevalence of <2% could be an alternative threshold to Mf-prevalence of 0.5% at community level. However, the thresholds determined in all the above studies were based on Mf or Ag-prevalence at community level, which is a mixture of old, and new infections. Our extensive analysis of the data from 95 sites throws light on the level of Ag-prevalence in children likely to prevail in the community. Logistic regression analysis of the data from these sites enabled us to predict Ag-prevalence in children, which is 1.6% (95% CI: 0.4–6.2%) for a community Mf-prevalence of 1%. Considering an Ag-prevalence of 1.6% in children aged 2–8 years (equivalent to the recommended Mf-prevalence threshold of ∼1% at community level) as the threshold for stopping MDA, the sensitivity was only 25% whereas the specificity was 94%. However, ROC analysis revealed that both sensitivity (46%) and specificity (81%) could be the maximum at an Ag-prevalence of 0.97%, which corresponds to a community Mf-prevalence of 0.4%. Therefore, an Ag-prevalence of ∼1% in children could be used as threshold for stopping MDA and the corresponding threshold for Mf-prevalence in the pre-TAS exercise could be below 0.4%. The low sensitivity of the model could be due to presence of Ag-positive children (Ag-prevalence range: 1.9–5.6%) in eight of the 95 sites where the observed community Mf-prevalence is 'zero'. Migration of Ag-positive children from elsewhere could result in such situation, but such possibility is negligible because children (2–8 years) from rural villages are less likely to migrate to other areas. Therefore, presence of false negative Mf-carriers in these eight sites might have contributed for the low sensitivity.
Our conclusions are based on the epidemiological situation obtaining at the time of the conduct of the study and after eight rounds of MDA had been completed. A better assessment of the impact of MDA programme could have been possible if baseline epidemiological situation had been available from the study area. We overcame this limitation to some extent by utilizing the pre-MDA data available from parts of the same IU outside the study area. Another limitation of the study stems from the quality of the MDA programme undertaken in the study area. Although eight MDA rounds were conducted, they were not only spread over 11 years but used two different drug regimens (DEC alone initially and DEC+Albendazole later).
The conclusions derived from the study will have implications to the proposed TAS under programme conditions. The results of mass screening support the decision derived from TAS using cluster design based LQAS, making the TAS protocol valid in making the decision on stopping MDA. Application of TAS would be limited in many of the IUs where historical data on compliance are not available, in spite of meeting other two pre-TAS conditions. TAS are essentially sample surveys covering a few sites in an IU. Therefore, the TAS is likely to miss a large number of 'transmission hotspots', thereby increasing the risk of resurgence in an IU. The risk of resurgence may be reduced by considering an evaluation unit (EU) smaller (e.g. PHC, health block) than that of an IU. The advantage of having a smaller EU is that it could help in making programme related decision on stopping MDA with the following options: (i) MDA can be stopped in the EU, (ii) in the event of detecting 'transmission hotspots', an alternative intervention strategy can be adopted for the entire EU or a targeted approach may be adopted for the 'transmission hotspots'. However, such an approach would, undoubtedly, greatly increase the operational costs of monitoring and evaluation. Hence, cost-effective and operationally feasible site-specific intervention strategies for tackling the problems related to 'transmission hotspots' need to be developed.
The epidemiological situation after eight rounds of MDA suggests that transmission in the study area as a whole has been reduced to a level <1% (Ag-prevalence) in children, which supports the decision based on TAS for stopping MDA in the study area [4]. However, the study identified several sites with potential for resurgence of infection and provided evidence for the clustering nature of filarial infections. Our analysis suggests that an Ag-level <1% in children (corresponding to a community Mf-prevalence of 0.4%) can be used as a threshold value for stopping MDA. The study highlights the need for identifying factors responsible for the emergence of "transmission hotspots" and adoption of appropriate sampling strategies for the development of evidence-based programmatic decision-making tools. The study also raises important considerations about the size of an EU especially when the IU is as large as a district in India and where it is not possible to survey all the villages to detect 'hotspots'. Implementation of TAS in the IUs that has already met other two pre-TAS criteria but not having >65% coverage or with no data on coverage would pose challenge for implementing TAS. Finally, we believe that this data set could be utilized in modeling exercises designed to validate, strengthen the monitoring and evaluation efforts of the programme.
The authors are grateful to Dr. P. K. Das, former Director, Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, for his valuable suggestions while reviewing the study. They also acknowledge the support extended to the study by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu. Mr. G. Rajamahendiran, former Honorary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Thanjavur, is duly acknowledged for his assistance in the recruitment of field staff. Thanks are also due to all the field and laboratory staff engaged in this study for their technical assistance.
Author Contributions
Conceived and designed the experiments: SS KK RR. Performed the experiments: RR KK SS VP SA. Analyzed the data: SS VP SA. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: RR KK SS VP SA. Wrote the paper: SS VP SA KK RR JP. Coordinated field activities: JP. Contributed intellectually for the manuscript preparation: JP.
- 1. World Health Organization (2011) Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: progress report on mass drug administration, 2010. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 86: 377–388.
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World Health Organization (2005) Monitoring and epidemiological assessment of the programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis at implementation unit level. WHO/CDS/CPE/CEE/2005.50.
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World Health Organization (2011) Monitoring and epidemiological assessment of mass drug administration in the global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: a manual for national elimination programmes. WHO/HTM/NTD/PCT/2011.4: 1–79.
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- 6. Ramaiah KD, Thiruvengadam B, Vanamail P, Subramanian S, Gunasekaran S, et al. (2009) Prolonged persistence of residual Wuchereria bancrofti infection after cessation of diethylcarbamazine-fortified salt programme. Trop Med Int Health 14: 870–876.
- 7. Ramaiah KD, Vanamail P, Yuvaraj J, Das PK (2011) Effect of annual mass administration of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole on bancroftian filariasis in five villages in south India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 105: 431–437.
- 8. Michael E, Malecela-Lazaro MN, Kabali C, Snow LC, Kazura JW (2006) Mathematical models and lymphatic filariasis control: endpoints and optimal interventions. Trends Parasitol 22: 226–233.
- 9. Ramzy RM, El Setouhy M, Helmy H, Ahmed ES, Abd Elaziz KM, et al. (2006) Effect of yearly mass drug administration with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole on bancroftian filariasis in Egypt: a comprehensive assessment. Lancet 367: 992–999.
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- 13. Sunish IP, Rajendran R, Satyanarayana K, Munirathinam A, Gajanana A (2001) Immunochromatographic test (ICT) for estimation of true prevalence of bancroftian filariasis in an endemic area in southern India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 95: 607–609.
- 14. Steel C, Ottesen EA, Weller PF, Nutman TB (2001) Worm burden and host responsiveness in Wuchereria bancrofti infection: use of antigen detection to refine earlier assessments from the South Pacific. Am J Trop Med Hyg 65: 498–503.
- 15. Watanabe K, Itoh M, Matsuyama H, Hamano S, Kobayashi S, et al. (2003) Bancroftian filariasis in Nepal: a survey for circulating antigenemia of Wuchereria bancrofti and urinary IgG4 antibody in two rural areas of Nepal. Acta Trop 88: 11–15.
- 16. Chandra G, Chatterjee SN, Das S, Sarkar N (2007) Lymphatic filariasis in the coastal areas of Digha, West Bengal, India. Trop Doct 37: 136–139.
- 17. Kyelem D, Biswas G, Bockarie MJ, Bradley MH, El-Setouhy M, et al. (2008) Determinants of success in national programs to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: a perspective identifying essential elements and research needs. Am J Trop Med Hyg 79: 480–484.
- 18. Bal MS, Beuria MK, Mandal NN, Das MK (2009) Antigenemia in young children living in Wuchereria bancrofti-endemic areas of Orissa, India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 103: 262–265.
- 19. Lammie PJ, Hightower AW, Eberhard ML (1994) Age-specific prevalence of antigenemia in a Wuchereria bancrofti-exposed population. Am J Trop Med Hyg 51: 348–355.
- 20. Ramaiah KD, Das PK, Vanamail P, Pani SP (2007) Impact of 10 years of diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin mass administration on infection and transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 101: 555–563.
- 21. Richards FO Jr, Eigege A, Miri ES, Kal A, Umaru J, et al. (2011) Epidemiological and Entomological Evaluations after Six Years or More of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in Nigeria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5(10): e1346 .
- 22. Boyd A, Won KY, McClintock SK, Donovan CV, Laney SJ, et al. (2010) A community-based study of factors associated with continuing transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Leogane, Haiti. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 4: e640.
- 23. Washington CH, Radday J, Streit TG, Boyd HA, Beach MJ, et al. (2004) Spatial clustering of filarial transmission before and after a Mass Drug Administration in a setting of low infection prevalence. Filaria J 3: 3.
- 24. Bonfim C, Netto MJ, Pedroza D, Portugal JL, Medeiros Z (2009) A socioenvironmental composite index as a tool for identifying urban areas at risk of lymphatic filariasis. Trop Med Int Health 14: 877–884.
- 25. Bonfim C, Alves A, Costa TR, Alencar F, Pedroza D, et al. (2011) Spatial analysis and privation index to identify urban areas with a high risk of lymphatic filariasis. Trop Med Int Health 16: 748–755.
- 26. Vanamail P, Subramanian S, Das PK, Pani SP, Bundy DAP (1989) Familial-clustering in Wuchereria bancrofti infection. Tropical Biomedicine 6: 67–71.
- 27. Vanamail P, Ramaiah KD, Krishnamoorthy K, Pani SP, Das PK (1992) Distribution of microfilaria carriers and clinical cases of bancroftian filariasis in relation to family size in an urban situation. Tropical Biomedicine 9: 91–98.


text: The Antares is a photovoltaic charging station created and designed for Metalco. It was intended as an ideal, completely sustainable unit, where electric vehicles could park and be recharged. The system was designed to manage company fleets and municipal parking areas. The technological 'tree' designed by Pininfarina Extra is fuelled entirely by the photovoltaic cells lining the roof, and was conceived to generate in one year all the energy necessary to cover the consumption of two cars with an average daily range of 75 km.


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This post gave me autism.
Since when has a Hierarch done anything for you? . . .
Since this forum is NOT a forum of folks who are THE Orthodox Church, to call itself Orthodox Christianity risks the censure of the Orthodox for whom this forum does not speak. This is a place for ByzCath's to hang out and talk about issues relating to their Church and it's relationship to Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, as well as other interesting stuff of parishes, worship, and the like.
Orthodox/Catholic Discussion, Anastasios. It will do.
3. 'The Church is the communion of [take your pick] non-Chalcedonian or Assyrian bishops.' (A small Church indeed, that - no offence, Mor Ephrem. I remember being told the Orientals don't hold to such an exclusive view.)
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text:
Original Air Date: May 5, 1998
Written by David Fury & Elin Hampton
Directed by David Semel
Vampires Slain = 0
The next morning, Principal Snyder stops by the computer classroom to talk to Willow about one of her students, Gage. He is currently getting an "F" in the class, and Snyder encourages her to work his grade into a passing one. Meanwhile, Cameron gives a Buffy a ride to school, then tries to put the moves on her. She retaliates by busting his nose on the steering wheel. Principal Snyder sees this and calls the two of them to Nurse Greenliegh's office. The swim team coach, Marin, meets them there, and they discuss their chances for winning the state title. In the library, Buffy learns that Dodd's insides were eaten from some mysterious creature, leaving only his skin behind. Hours later, Xander takes a study break and heads to the vending machine. He bumps into Cameron, who is on his way to the cafeteria. Cam notices a foul smell when he enters the cafeteria, and a horrific scream follows soon after. Xander follows the sound, but he's too late, for all that remains of Cameron is his skin on the cafeteria floor. Xander then turns around and encounters the scaly creature that most likely killed Cameron.
Later, Xander explains to Giles and Cordy that the creature got away before he could get a good look at it. Without Cameron gone, Giles determines the pattern of the killing is connected to the swim team ranks. Dodd and Cameron were the first and second best swimmers on the team, respectively. Since Gage is the third best, he would most likely be the creature's next target. Buffy decides to keep an eye on Gage, while Willow interrogates Jonathan, who has tried out for the team several times but never made it on. All Willow learns is that Jonathan peed in the pool. Later that night, Gage confronts Buffy about her spying on him. She tries to come up with a good excuse, then simply tells Gage what's really going on. He doesn't buy it, so he turns and walks out. Outside, he meets Angel, who promptly sinks his teeth into Gage's neck, hoping to turn him into a demon. Buffy arrives on the scene just in time to witness Angel suddenly withdrawing his fangs from Gage's neck and spitting the blood out. He tosses Gage's weakened body at Buffy and makes his escape, all the while spitting out the blood in disgust. Gage believes Buffy now, so he asks her to walk him home.
At swim practice the next day, Buffy tells Willow and Cordy about Angel's distaste for Gage's blood. She believes that Gage may have been taking steroids, which might have turned Angel off. Willow then considers the possibility that the steroids might be what's attracting the creature. They then find out that Xander has joined the swim team. The position was open due to the recent deaths, so Xander took it as an opportunity to spy on Gage when Buffy couldn't. After spending some time in the steam room, Xander gets dressed and meets Buffy outside of the locker room, telling her that Gage is still inside. She soon hears Gage screaming and runs inside, where she sees the creature standing in front of Gage. She gets between the two of them, but something's wrong with Gage. To her horror, Buffy watches as Gage tears away his own skin in agony before emerging as the same type of creature standing behind her. Gage's former skin drops to the floor, and he quickly attacks Buffy. The two of them are too much for Buffy, and when her guard drops, one of them bite into her arm. Coach Marin arrives to pull Buffy out of danger, and the two creatures escape through a hole in the floor. Buffy and Giles question Coach Marin, but he denies any knowledge of substance abuse in his team. They can't figure out what's going on, so Buffy assigns Xander to learn more about the team's drug use while she and Willow talk to Nurse Greenliegh. However, Nurse Greenliegh is already being led to her doom by Coach Marin, who won't listen to her pleas to stop the experiments. He drops her into the sewer below, where the fish creatures quickly feed on her.
In the steam room, Xander learns from one of the other members that the steroids are in the steam itself. This means that Xander has been exposed to the same substance that transformed Dodd, Cameron, and Gage. He tells the others that he's already been in the steam room three times, so Buffy talks to Coach Marin. Eventually, he tells her about Russian experiments with fish DNA on their Olympic swimmers. He then draws a gun and orders Buffy to drop into the sewer so his boys could satisfy their "other needs". After dropping down, Buffy sees the chewed-up remains of Nurse Greenliegh floating in the murky water. Upstairs by the pool, Cordy mistakes a newly-emerged fish creature for Xander. She expresses her sorrow for his fate, but Xander shows up again, just in time to save her from the creature's attack. They return to the library, where Giles has locked up the remaining members of the swim team. Xander then goes to see Coach Marin, and they engage in a struggle over the gun. Down below, Buffy fends off the creatures until they finally surround her from all angles. Xander knocks Coach Marin down and extends his arm through the hole for Buffy. She leaps up, grabs Xander's hand, and is pulled to safety. Coach Marin gets up for one last strike, but Buffy is ready this time. She sweeps him off his feet, sending Marin into the sewer with his swimmers. They converge on him, leaving Coach Marin with nothing to do but scream. Later, Xander tells the others that he has to get a blood transfusion along with the rest of the team, hoping that will prevent them from changing. As they speak, the fish creatures swim out into the ocean, against the current.
|Buffy Summers
Xander Harris
Willow Rosenberg
Cordelia Chase
Rupert Giles
Nurse Ruth Greenliegh
Gage Petronzi
Coach Carl Marin
Dodd McAlvy
Cameron Walker
Principal Snyder
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Nicholas Brendon
Alyson Hannigan
Charisma Carpenter
David Boreanaz
Anthony Stewart Head
Conchata Ferrell
Wentworth Miller
Charles Cyphers
Jake Patellis
Jeremy Garrett
Armin Shimerman
Danny Strong


text:
#32 wrote:Newman, if you would have simply paid attention and read my comments last time, you'd have seen how dead wrong you are. The only time I defended Mike Dunleavy's play was in January 2006, where the man averaged like 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists a game. You can't tell me those are horrible numbers.
Besides, if you REALLY think I'm a Dun-lover, why don't you go old-school and check out my very first post on this forum:
http://www.goldenstwarriors.com/viewtop ... ight=#8649
Reading is essential to understanding.
I am being very polite, dont test me 32
everybody here knows that u defended his contract(did not happen in january), u defended his play(the whole freaking 2005 season) and u defended him at evey moment. And just because I dont have time to go through your posts, doesnt mean u have proved anything.


text:
that Pope John XXIII was a true Pope
others dismiss his beatification and holiness of life.
Fratres: Non enim qui seipsum commendat, ille probatus est;
sed quem Deus commendat.
Brethren: For he is not approved who commends himself,
but whom God commends.
(2 Cor. 10:17-18 ).
Blessed Pope John XXIII
has been raised to heavenly glory
in proof of which, through his intercession,
Sister Caterina Capitani was instantly healed
as we have related.
Some would not commend him
God commends him!
Blessed John XXIII
~ quem Deus commendat.
the grave wherein is laid
the body of the
'very wise doctor and priest',
Father Joaquin Saenz y Arriaga,
the Spiritual Father of the Sedevacantist movement
is silent.
During his life many approved him,
lauded his intelligence,
attended his lectures,
acknowledged his leadership above the Pope's,
and saw his actions as vital for the survival of the Church:
But his tomb is silent.
As of yet he has produced no miracle
to prove that his more than 50 books were right.
Brethren: He is not approved who commends himself,
but whom God commends.
(2 Cor. 10:17-18 ).
Fr. Joaquín Sáenz y Arriaga, S.J.
(Oct. 12, 1899 - April 28, 1976).
Doctor of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law,
international lecturer,
author of over fifty books
"The new Montinian Church",
"Sede Vacante: Paul VI is not a legitimate Pope",
"Vacant See."
He believed and taught that
the claimants to the papacy after Pope Pius XII
were invalid claimants.
As a result of this, in 1972,
he was excommunicated by Cardinal Miranda
and the Roman Catholic bishops' conference of Mexico.
Fr. Sáenz died of cancer on April 28, 1976.
He lies in a silent grave.
Tu es Petrus,
et super hanc petram ædificabo Ecclesiam meam.
(Mt. 16:18)
Hic est lapis,
qui reprobatus est a vobis ædificantibus...
(Act 4:11).
Thou art Peter
and upon this rock I will build my Church.
(Mt. 16:18).
This is the stone
which was rejected by you the builders.
(Act 4:11).
Blessed John XXIII
~quem Deus commendat~
in your stupendous miracle
approved by God,
pray for us!