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Showing breaking news satire snippets written by Cuff.Show all snippets.
Iconic Hollywood sign saved by Heffner
Soft Porn Czar Hugh Hefner donates funds to save the sign overlooking Tinseltown with a caveat: a y was added making the new symbol of glittz and glamour: HOLLYWOODY!
written by Cuff, 27 April 2010
Bambino Crime Family Jailed
Egg throwing stereo stealing crime syndicate headed by seven y.o. Hoody Wank jailed as precaution. Held until after the general election after which they will be released to terrorize us
written by Cuff, 22 April 2010
Famous Brit Flees Extradition From Art Scandal
Art Museum Curator Mr. Bean has fled to Somalia in order to flee extradition in the robbery of the famous American Painting 'Whistler's Mother'.
written by Cuff, 22 April 2010
Sarkozy Issues Compromise on Burkas
French President Nicolas Sarkozi bows to public scrutiny on issue of Muslim women covering their faces in public. Sarkozy says now only the ugly women must wear veils.
T-shirts we would love to see
'The Democrat Congress went on a 3 trillion dollar shopping spree and all I got was this T-shirt which was made in China'
New Fire Regulations
All public facilities are required to replace expensive CO2 extinguishers with the more cost effective 2litre Coke bottles. Pepsi files suit immediately.
Clegg Declares Love Affair with America is Over!
PM hopeful cites the sudden rise of world wide opinion of the US is a direct result of the ended affair. Obama agrees saying that Britain isn't bending over and asking to be spanked like a dog anymore
Dyslectic Geneticist Creates New Species
DR. Dumbshitski of Genome Society tried to emulate success of sheep-pig which tastes like pork but grows wool. However, the pig-sheep he developed is hairless, has a curly tail and tastes like crap.
Food Fight in School Cafeteria Escalates
Servers at Obama Elementary served cheese sandwiches in response to food fight to no avail. Now students must read 12,567 page Health Care Bill in order to be served.
Wayward Pussy Banned From all Pubs in UK
High court in UK upheld ruling of 'loose' woman banned from any establishment selling booze. If anyone has seen her please contact our US editors immediately we want her back home straightaway.
written by Cuff, 19 April 2010
Children Watching Too Much Television
World Health Organization states that children under the age of three years old are prone to Attention Deficit Disorder if they…uh…if they….uh…well whatever they said don't do it.
written by Cuff, 19 April 2010
Danny Glover Arrest Update
Famous actor took a union bullet for the French today in a protest against the Suit Company Sodexo. Claims the deplorable conditions of working 40 hours a week are inhuman.
Christina Applegate Engagement
Spoof writer Ti Cuff officially issues day of mourning on the announcement that Christina is no longer a free woman. Such pain and suffering has not occurred since Jessica Alba tied the noose knot.
Eight Grader Aces Spelling Bee
Brainiac Jedd Nooman won the world championship spelling contest and a 100,000 scholarship for correctly spelling the 'Iceland glacier volcano' question: Eyjafjallajokull
Alex Reid Gets Starring Role
The producers of the smash hit 'Kick Ass' have signed Alex Reid to play in the sequel about life as a celebrity husband. Film is titled 'Kicked Ass'.
written by Cuff, 17 April 2010
Obama Legacy Watch
Obama announces his plan to reform the derivative market. Hires Mr. Peabody and Sherman to take the way-back machine and stop Bill Clinton from allowing derivatives in the first place.
Obama Legacy Watch
Obama announces New Deal adjusted for inflation. FDR put America to work by having one guy digging a ditch and another fill it back in. Obama plans same concept with tear-rebuild of foreclosed houses
Latest Obama Math Confusion
By eliminating NASA Moon landing plan and Mars expedition Obama's regime claims over 2,500 jobs will be created. These must be additional clerks added at the unemployment office.
Meteor Shower Responsible for Judge Crabby's Stupidity
Life partner for Wis. District Judge Crabby claims fireball that nearly destroyed their love nest encouraged her to declare Prayer Day unconstitutional. 'If God really existed we would be dead'.
New age definitions
Definition of the world's laziest man is one that meets and marries a pregnant woman.
Katie Price Pregnancy Update
Katie announces she will call her new son Handsome Stranger; named after the real father
Primark Pulls Boys Swim Trunks Off Shelves
In addition to the seven year old girls padded bras Primark is pulling the companion 'sausage stuffed' boys trunks from shelves citing fair is fair in the sandbox.
written by Cuff, 14 April 2010
NHS Declares Recall on Organs
Any patient receiving a transplanted organ in the past six months must return it to the hospital it was received in order to comply with the donors' wishes. NHS apologizes for the inconvenience.
written by Cuff, 14 April 2010
Polish Plane Crash Investigation
The tragic death of Lech Kaczynski in Russian airplane reveals mechanical flaw in the design. Not only were the hamsters that run the turbines malnourished but the rubber band was made in China
written by Cuff, 11 April 2010


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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The amount of stress and anxiety a person experiences is a major factor in cardiovascular disease. For the past three decades experts have vacillated in their recommendations concerning the amount and intensity of exercise required to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Recently, most experts have agreed that a moderate to low amount of regular exercise can ease personal tension and stress. However, a new study by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia shows that a relatively high-intensity exercise is superior in reducing stress and anxiety that may lead to heart disease. Moreover, the researchers found that high-intensity exercise especially benefits women.
"Conventional wisdom says that exercising for 30 minutes at a moderate exercise intensity is more effective in reducing anxiety than either a low or high intensity dose," said Richard Cox, professor of educational and counseling psychology and leader of the study. "This conclusion, however, is deceptively simple because reductions in anxiety are not always observed immediately following a high intensity bout of exercise."
In the study, female participants, ages 18 to 20 and 35 to 45, completed three experimental sessions. Each session started with a test to determine the anxiety level of the participant. Following the test, the women either did not exercise (control condition) or exercised at a moderate or high-intensity level for 33 minutes. After the session, Cox measured anxiety levels at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post-exercise.
Although all three exercise conditions, including the control condition, showed a decline in anxiety over time, Cox found the high-intensity level experienced the sharpest decline. Cox said the intensity of exercise conditions did not differ in anxiety levels at baseline or immediately after exercise, but a difference favoring the high intensity level emerged at 30, 60 and 90 minutes post-exercise.
Results also showed that when the iron status of the women was taken into consideration, the beneficial effect of high-intensity exercise was greater for the older women.
"This is a relationship that needs to be further explored," Cox said. "It appears to suggest that after controlling for iron status, the beneficial effects of exercise on anxiety may only apply to older women and not to younger women."
Cox believes this study, which is scheduled for publication in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, will prove beneficial to medical practitioners in the fight against heart disease.
Source: sciencedaily.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Insightly / Hybris
Insightly, Inc. is a private multinational computer technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company develops cloud-based customer relationship management and project management tools for small and medium size businesses.
Hybris is a German company that sells enterprise multichannel e-commerce and product content management software.
Rixxo is deeply curious, innovative and inventive when it comes to custom integrations. We believe automation and integration are key to a smoother user experience whether for customer or administrator.
As an experienced team of developers and strategists, we are able to advise on existing Insightly and Hybris extensions or build a custom Insightly / Hybris integration.
Let's talk about Insightly working with Hybris
Looking to integrate Insightly with Hybris we'd love to talk. We may already have a solution, can offer advice and provide a quotation for your Insightly custom extension.


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Developing on ARM is a minefield. Each platform is different (even if they look the same) and you are lucky if any of the software is not covered by NDA or some prohibitive SDK cost for experimentation.
People have obviously heard of the Raspberry Pi but mid-to-lat 2011 there was anotehr project starting with a company called Rhombus-Tech where they wanted to create a proper CPU card and also have all the software GPL compliant. This is exciting because you can then get the hardware and with the software available create what you want to. They went around trying to find the hardware that could potentially have GPL compliant software. The project has become a CPU card that uses the legacy PCMCIA form factor but re-tasks it entirely for a pluggable processor. The spec is called the EOMA-68.
Enter the Allwinner A10, a seriously cheap piece of kit ($7 per chip in volume) which is a Cortex A8 with MALI 400 graphics, DDR3 memory and has a BSP capable of decoding 2160p video. The company behind it Allwinner want to be GPL compliant and have been providing source code for the kernel and the other bits. The A10 has started to appear in tablets and set-top boxes and the fully integrated platforms are very cheap. I picked a capacitive touch 7 inch tablet off eBay for £86 including next day postage. The Mele A1000 set top box is the platform of choice that people have started to pre-emptively use whilst waiting for the Rhombus Tech project to take off and it costs about £80.
The Rhombus Tech spec for the Allwinner A10 is here and you can sign up for preorders for the alpha/beta/release boards here.
So the real exciting bit about this is potentially all the software is out there to construct a decent Linux distribution to build toys and products on.
The main kernel development and tidying up is occurring here and is even being rebased on the 3.3 kenel as well as the Android one. The u-boot repository for getting it booting is here. There is a partial code dump for the hardware video decoding here although it looks like it is some of the user space code. There are some repositories of core Android libraries here and there are some board files for the Allwinner here. It looks like in the board files there is the OpenGL ES 2.0 and EGL shared objects here.
There are also a couple of good articles about building a custom Android for Allwinner A10 based appliances - part 1 and part 2. There are also lots of resources for board hacking at the Rhombus Tech website and also some on the Embedded Linux wiki.
So if you fancy some cheap ARM development its worth signing up on the orders page.
Now I need to get hacking on that tablet....


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For some reason or other I've lately been wondering how it would feel if I were walking in the park and some bad actor came up and stuck a pistol in my back and said, "Give me your money or I'll shoot you dead."
Did that ever happen to you? Or anything similar, in which your safety was threatened? Ever been face to face with an armed burglar in your home? Did a highjacker pull a gun on you and take your vehicle?
I'd like to hear how you remember such experiences.


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|53 results - showing 1 - 50
|1 2
November 14, 2011
There are many reasons to love International breaks, but when its mostly friendly games, it is not that interesting, but anyway - we have found 10+ reasons why many...
October 28, 2011
Mario Balotelli is a talented young footballer, but most of his headlines are made for other things than great goals or performances on the pitch.
February 15, 2012
Both Arsenal Fc, Barcelona and Man Utd are changing their kits for the next season, and there are some rumours/images about the new kits being posted in forums and...
February 16, 2012
The Silkmen Supporters Trust (Macclesfield Town Official Supporters Club), have informed us they are not running coaches for at least three of the upcoming away fixtures in the Football...
January 27, 2012
FootballAway is a tool/site to connect fans with each other as well as with great matchday experiences. We are helping out our friend Harry Hotspur, a blog most of...
BEWARE OF TICKET TOUTING!! Featured Hot
March 15, 2011
Ticket touting is already illegal in football and it will be outlawed at the London 2012 Olympics, with the 2012 Olympic Games tickets going on sale, FootballAway.co.uk is warning...
December 29, 2011
The Silkmen Supporters Trust (SST) continuing the success with the matchday coach to away games. The next coach is to Accrington Stanley Away the 2nd of January at The...
Congratulation to Barcelona! Featured Hot
May 30, 2011
The Barcelona team who won the Champions League this season, has been voted the best football side of all time, and who can argue with this? Lionel...
February 17, 2012
In the last couple of days there have been speculations in most newspapers, magazines and sports programs that Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) has been holding discussions with Tottenham Hotspur...
October 31, 2011
We all have been young/a child one time, even footballers! We have found some great pictures of some of the greatest and most popular footballers. Part Two...
November 02, 2011
This is part 2 of, do you recognise these young footballers? We all change with time, and some might change more than others, have a look in this second...
December 15, 2011
FootballAway's mission is to make the whole football experience as easy and cheap as possible but also try to help new football-fans with their experience, we are doing this...
October 04, 2011
{loadposition articleLeft} FootballAway support Fair Play both on and off the pitch....
Gary Speed Hot
November 27, 2011
The young Wales manager Gary Speed, has passed away today, only 42 years-of-age. All our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Some tributes and reactions from fellow...
January 10, 2012
Stuart Atkinson from Edinburgh, who was arrested after making "scissor-snipping" gestures with his fingers towards Tottenham supporters during a Europe League match, has been fined £220 and banned from...
November 04, 2011
Every footballer love statistics, football statistics that is, Barclays Premier League Season Statement NO. 11 is out now, and we have highlighted some of selected numbers. Did you know...
HSL2011Awards Hot
January 03, 2012
FootballAway is always trying to promote the fan side of football! And there are thousands of fans out there for all teams, in this article we are looking into...
February 17, 2012
2011/12 is a season Matt Lecointe is not going to forget for a long time, especially the months from October 2011 to February 2012. After a Plymouth Argyle youth...
November 17, 2011
Away games in London, is always fun, and it is not too hard to get down there either. The train is normally the easiest option (and quickest), but many...
December 27, 2011
This Sweden starlet who currently earn his money at AZ Alkmaar was linked with a move to Manchester United and Arsenal, this before Tottenham Hotspur joined the list in...
February 18, 2012
Fulhams' left back, John Arne Riise, are determined to stay fit and become even stronger. To achieve this the Norwegian has hired Lene Alexandra to be his personal trainer....
January 22, 2012
Twitter and footballers are not a good combination usually, we have the likes of Joey Barton, Rio Ferdinand and so on, who are making them self look pretty stupid....
February 19, 2012
Leandro Damiao, the Brazilian wonderkid, has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an offer for him. Spurs have been interested in the you striker who currently plays for the...
December 07, 2011
The FA issues two charges: Liverpool FC have been charged by The FA with failing to ensure its players and Luis Suarez has also been charged with improper conduct....
November 27, 2011
The player you either hate or love because he is over the top crazy (and talented when he bother), has featured more in the headline for pretty much everything...
December 27, 2011
Mario Balotelli are featured more in the news than most Premier League footballers. The latest story to come out from Manchester is of the good kind though, it does...
December 21, 2011
Who is going to be boo'ed the most tomorrow - The fourth official Chris Foy or John Terry? Time will show, but one thing is for sure, the match...
December 06, 2011
Stoke City host Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday 11th of December, with a late kick off (4pm). In this matchday information sheet you will find...
February 16, 2012
We are not computer professionals; we are not sales experts; WE ARE FOOTBALL FANS! Our team consist of Editors across several clubs, and we try not to mix and...
November 14, 2011
Tottenham manage to qualify for the Champions League. The latest reports from the newspapers today state Spurs are willing to break their wage structure to keep the Croatian Superstar....
December 27, 2011
The Malta FA are looking for a new coach after parting company with John Buttigieg last October. Both Sammy Lee and Ossie Ardiles are according to reports in Malta...
February 21, 2012
To describe Arsenal's season so far in just one word would be difficult, however 'frustrating' would be a good place to start. Frustrating because of the games we've thrown...
February 07, 2012
Many of us football fans use social media such as facebook and twitter to follow our heroes. Gary Lineker is well-known for most football fans, and most of us...
January 03, 2012
Here you can read about a Plymouth Argyle supporter's thoughts about the season so far and the state the club is in at the moment.
February 05, 2012
A post-match view from Jaime Rae Keeble, North-London Arsenal-Supporting Girl with the North Bank Girl blog. Is Arsenal a one man-team where RvP is the only goal scorer? What about...
February 06, 2012
We have asked our friends at two of the most popular sites for Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur, The RedmenTV and Spurs Odyssey, for their thoughts about the match...
November 20, 2011
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to be back in the dugout for Monday night's Premier League clash against Aston Villa. The 64-year-old missed Spurs' two latest games (Fulham...
November 19, 2011
According to a national newspaper, managed the 23-year-old singer, Rihanna, to put her foot in it when she thought Spurs attacker Jermain Defoe was an Arsenal player recently. ...
February 14, 2012
Social Media, such as Facebook and Twitter are key channels for clubs to reach out to the fans, but who are the most popular? Or even the least popular?...
November 03, 2011
Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Martin O'Neill are two of the contenders for the manager position at Leicester City, the club said on Wednesday.
December 13, 2011
The Silkmen Supporters' Trust is running a coach to the Shrewsbury Town away fixture. The coach depart on Saturday 17th from Moss Rose at 12 noon, tickets must be...
January 21, 2012
Dietmar "Didi" Hamann played for several clubs in his playing career, but its Liverpool, who made it to his heart! Below you can see a ten minute video with...
February 20, 2012
The Wembley season is again over us with Carling Cup final between Cardiff City and Liverpool FC, 26 February, as the first major football match. Finals at Wembley are...
January 12, 2012
Football fans of all clubs play the game of "What-if", this be in the pub, around the water cooler in the office or through social media channels. The latest...
December 23, 2011
Due to engineering works, fans travelling to Norwich for Tottenham match on Tuesday, December 27, are advised that rail services between London and Norwich will be replaced by buses...
October 29, 2011
The local area of Tottenham N17, experienced a massive riot in August 2011, which have left many local businesses struggling with getting back on their feet. We are supporting...
February 25, 2012
Support your clubs local community and local businesses when experiencing football home and away! Many small and family owned businesses are depending on football match day customers and, as...
December 23, 2011
Boxing Day and football is a natural combination in the UK, but so is Shopping and gift exchanges/sales, football fans visiting the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day to watch...
October 28, 2011
An article by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, probably the most honest footballer around. The article was published in the Evening Standard paper version Thursday 27th October 2011.
March 01, 2012
There are several games in London affected by planned engineering works for this weekend (Saturday 3 March and Sunday 4 March). Below you can find...
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This strain is known as Super Green for a reason: it is reliable, with a unique personality. Active in small amounts. A little goes a surprisingly long way: a small amount provides a fast-acting focus with a smooth finish, while just a bit more will promote relaxation and wellbeing.
Click on the weight selection box above to toggle between 125, 250, and 400 gram bags, or a 25g tin.
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25 grams = 0.88 oz
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You know it's a slow news week when you do a Google News search for the Blue Jackets and every single thing that pops up has to do with Ovechkin and his wonky shoulder. And, as an afterthought, how they came from behind to win their game Sunday.
Anywho, let's see what's out there in America's Heartland – and Nashville.
Our friends (and by friends I mean fellow smartasses who also write a gameday newspaper – they're like Game Time's cousins or something) over at Second City Hockey have a recap of what you can tell about the Blackhawks after one month in. Kudos to them for not doing what a lot of other Hawks sites are doing – "Wooooo! We're in FIRST!" is not an in-depth analysis. Because, um, there are like 65 or so games left. Gimmie substance, please.
Hockey's Future has the top 10 organizational rankings out, and the Blue Jackets are 4th (Blues are 1st and the Preds are 2nd, so the Central should be tough for some time to come). Nikita Filatov is their number one prospect and apparently will be a contender for the Calder this year. Someone might want to mention that to Ken Hitchcock.
Mirtle wrote an excellent six part series on the viability of the Nashville Predators as a hockey market. Excellently researched – as a fan of the Thrashers, I appreciate someone taking the time to visit Nashville to see what's going on there first hand. I'm fairly tired of people writing stuff that usually sounds like:
"(Insert non-traditional market team here) doesn't have the fan base to succeed. Their attendance is awful. They need to win in the playoffs or else (insert big name star) is going to leave in free agency. Since they're located in the south, the team will automatically finish in the bottom of their Conference. Oh, and LOL @ rednecks!"
MLive.com is hoping that the Red Wings have turned a corner. That's odd – so do I. Into a wall.
And finally, continuing the injury bug that has been harassing the Blues for the past few seasons, Andy McDonald does his best impression of me in high heels and takes a header into the boards:
Thank God he appears to be ok so far, though he probably won't play Thursday as a precaution. No word yet on Sunday at Atlanta.


text: My bottle of Tihota (a Christmas present to myself) finally arrived a couple of days ago after being on backorder for a couple of months. In it's honour I've upgraded it's rating from 9 to 9.5. For anyone on the edge of buying it I urge you to jump. It's incredible and the lasting power is ridiculous – it lasts like 12 hours on me! 🙂


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Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Forensic Nurse Examiner Program is Looking for Registered Nurse Candidates
Forensic nurse examiners offer compassionate, comprehensive care to victims of sexual assault. Qualified through a specialized forensic nursing education, they assess, examine and evaluate the sexual assault patient. A forensic nurse will also locate, collect and package forensic evidence relevant to the crime, consult with hospital staff for medical needs, and provide information for referrals for the patients to continue their care and recovery. In the courtroom, forensic nurse examiners represent the victim serving as an expert witness who offers testimony based on their documented evidence.
Through their work and dedication, forensic nurses participate in the criminal justice process and assist the public at large. A forensic nursing certification can lead to a career that makes a difference to the health of the patients and the communities they serve as a result of their expertise and compassion.
Please contact Forensic Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator
Jane Reynolds BSN RN FN-CSA SANE-P
609.278.4880 | email@example.com


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Accounts with zero posts and zero activity during the last months will be deleted periodically to fight SPAM!
When I drag the toolbar back and forth, something will happen below. Please look at the picture.
I'm trying to find the last nightly build for Linux, but serveral posts has Linux: none in them. Whats the last version ? Or is there a different procedure I have to follow to use nightly builds in Linux ? I couldn't find any info in the "How to use a nightly build" post.
Why do you need an answer to such question?


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Polk Signature S60 Floorstanding Speakers (Pair)
- Black
- E-piphany Product Feed
• Enjoy rich, clean, full-range sound for movies, TV and music with Polk's new Dynamic Balance acoustic array • (1) 1" high-resolution Terylene tweeter for crystal clear high frequency response that perfectly reproduces the latest high resolution audio files • (3) 6.5" low distortion mica-reinforced polypropylene cones with four-layer voice coils for clean, clear bass, better linearity, and dynamic mid-range • Exclusive Polk Power Port technology for greater, more impactful bass The Real American HiFi Home Theater Speaker Built to bring the big surround sound theater and music experience into the comfort of your living room, the Polk Signature S60 tower speaker continues in the Polk tradition of American HiFi. Featuring Hi-Res certification, a new Dynamic Balance designed acoustic array, precision cross-overs, an anti-diffraction magnetic grille, modern cabinet styling and exclusive Power Port bass enhancing technology, you get elevated sound for movies, TV and music in a totally re-imagined design. Polk—expect great sound. New Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array Whether upgrading your home theater setup with an advanced Atmos configuration or enjoying your favorite music, Dynamic Balance ensures a rich, clean, full-range sound no matter what you're listening to. This patented technology analyzes the speaker's entire electro-acoustic and mechanical system for improved material selection and more efficient geometry. It pinpoints and eliminates issues that reduce speaker performance before they become a part of the finished product. High-Resolution Audio Performance Our newly designed Terylene dome tweeter features curvilinear formers that extend response and lower resonance. Its powerful ceramic motor structure also lowers system resonance and extend low frequency response for better dispersion in the critical midrange, delivering clear and detailed high frequency response for realistic reproduction of vocals and instruments. Certified and capable of delivering 40kHz to support the latest high resolution audio files so it feels like your right there in the studio or concert hall. Exclusive Polk Power Port Deep Bass Technology Power Port® is our patented design that smoothly transitions the air flow from the speaker's port into your listening area. It also extends the overall bass port, providing greater surface area to eliminate turbulence and distortion, for bigger, more musical, deep bass impact. Plus, it offers 3dB more bass response output than a traditional port.
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THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Starz Animation Studio Renamed Arc Productions
Under new Canadian ownership, former Starz animation and visual effects studios rebrands.
TORONTO -- Under new Canadian control, Starz Animation Toronto has been rebranded as Arc Productions.
The move follows U.S.-based Starz selling a majority stake in the Toronto animation and visual effects studio to a local consortium. Arc Productions will continue to do animation and visual effects on a fee-for-work basis, including work for Starz' Camelot mini-series andRobosapien: Rebooted, a live-action family feature from Arad Productions.
The studio's slate includes Dolphin Tale, a fall 2011 release from Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. that stars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd.
Arc Productions is also looking to do more proprietary production, where it holds rights to projects it completes. The studio has just unveiled plans for a stereoscopic CG animated movie with the working title OZ3D, having pacted with Multiple Media Entertainment and Gigapix Studios.
Gigapix Studios acquired the U.S. rights to the $20 million wizard movie. Starz remains a minority shareholder in Arc Productions.


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I've been reading romance novels ever since I was eleven or twelve, maybe, sneaking around at home after grabbing something out of my mum's collection. I was still in primary school, completely oblivious to matters of the heart, so every first meeting made me light up in anticipation, every accidental brushing of the hands captivated, every kiss thrilled like no other.
Over the years, this habit stayed. I'm twenty-three now and I still read romance novels when I want to relax, when I want to tune out the world, when I want to simply bury myself in a quick, easy read and let myself be effortlessly carried through the journey.
One of the things I noticed, however, is this: many (and I mean many) of the love interests are dark and brooding. Goodreads even has a shelf dedicated just for them.
These heroes almost always have some sort of a tragic secret, a troubled past. They're confident, charismatic and typically conventionally successful with million-dollar companies and riches enough to buy the heroine out of debt. They don't usually commit and therefore are 'bad' for the heroine, except of course, she is the elusive 'exception'.
Take Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey. Perhaps not the most high quality of literature, but it certainly sells. He broods enough, apparently, that it warrants an entire book written entirely from his perspective.
The character he was based on—Edward Cullen from Twilight—also has his own unreleased version of the story, titled Midnight Sun. They're not the only dark and brooding heroes out there: there's Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, Alex Markov from Kiss an Angel, Simon Basset from The Duke and I… the list goes on.
And these heroes brood; oh, these heroes brood like no other. And yet, they are some of the most popular love interests to ever grace the earth. Why is that?
My (admittedly uneducated) hypothesis is that a lot of women like reading about bad boys—flirting with them, dating them, marrying them saving them from their own 'bad-boyitis'.
Many regency romance novels build on the theme that 'reformed rakes make the best husband'. The line is even repeated from character to character, often as a reassurance, particularly when the hero in question is a dark, brooding man who is incredibly handsome, physically astute, and has magical prowess in bed. Later he meets the heroine, falls in love, and completely repents—all for her, his one true exception. It's a fantasy in its own right!
Being an avid romance reader, I've read at least ten stories with a dark, brooding hero. These books sell. They're fun. They're so very often exhilarating, possibly because in real life, not so many of us are so willing to fall in love with someone so obviously bad for us. Of course, not so many men (or people in general) are as dark and brooding as these romance heroes often are.
So what are your thoughts on dark, brooding heroes? Love them or hate them? What do you think makes them so popular? Are there any books with dark, brooding heroes that you want to recommend in particular?


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Some UF\PNR Button-Pushers
Series I Love:
Riley Jensen Guardian series By Keri Arthur
The Hollows By Kim Harrison
Demonica series By Larissa Ione
Dark Swan By Richelle Mead
Immortals After Dark By Kresley Cole
Black Dagger Brotherhood By JR Ward
Dragon Kin By GA Aiken
Cassandra Palmer series By Karen Chance
Dorina Basarab series By Karen Chance
Guild Hunter series By Nalini Singh
Fever Series By Karen Marie Moning
The Highlander series By Karen Marie Moning
The Night Huntress series By Jeaniene Frost
Aisling Grey By Katie Macalister
Series I'm Not Ready To Declare Love For:
Silver Dragons By Katie Macalister
Lords of the Underworld By Gena Showalter
Midnight Breeds By Lara Adrian
Dark Hunter series By Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series My Inner Tween Likes:
House of Night By P.C. and Kristin Cast
Vampire Academy By Richelle Mead
Percy Jackson and the Olympians By Rick Riordan
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Hi, I'm a friend of Georgia's through Brenda. I have read most of the books you have posted. Great reads! You are missing one really, really sexy series about Fae (Seelie and Unseelie Courts). Check out Laurel K Hamilton, Princess Meredith series. It's normally under sci-fi. It's one of my absolute favorite series.


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LN: Cardinal Beran may be buried in Prague
Prague, Jan 7 (CTK) - The body of late Cardinal Josef Beran, who is the only Czech buried in the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, may be moved to the Czech Republic since it recently turned out that he wished to be buried in his homeland, daily Lidove noviny (LN) wrote on Saturday.
Beran (1888-1969) died in Rome after the Czechoslovak communist regime forced him into exile.
Within the ongoing process of his beatification, Beran's estate was transported to the Czech Republic. Historian Stanislava Vodickova revealed the testament that Beran wrote in August 1968 in Stuttgart, Germany, after he was operated on because of cancer, the paper writes.
Beran writes in his testament that he would like to be buried in the tomb of Prague archbishops in Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague, or, if this is not possible, in the grave of his parents in Plzen, west Bohemia.
Historian Jaroslav Sebek, who is a member of the history commission of the Prague Archbishopric, said the last wish of Beran should be fulfilled.
Czech Roman Catholic dignitaries have not reached agreement on the issue, however.
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk said he believes that Beran's remains should be buried in the Prague Cathedral as he wished.
Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka takes a reserved stance on the idea. He said those who are against the transport of the remains seem to prevail in the Catholic Church.
"The privilege that Cardinal Beran had when he was buried next to popes in the vaults of St Peter is a symbol of the history of the Czech church in the 20th century," Duka said.
"Let us hope that a compromise solution can be found," he added.
It is possible to move the remains to Prague and preserve the cardinal's tomb in the Vatican, Sebek told LN.
The body could be moved to Prague and the original grave could stay in Rome with Beran's heart being kept in it, or the heart could be moved to Prague and the rest of the body remain in Rome, he said.
Sebek said it will take some time to arrive at a solution.
He said Pope Francis has been interested in Beran's life story.
"This seems to be caused by the fact that the Pope also experienced a tough dictatorship in his native Argentina. This is why he sympathises with Cardinal Beran who went through the Terezin and Dachau concentration camps during World War Two and who was in a communist prison," Sebek said.
For Beran to be buried in Prague, the Prague diocese and the Czech Foreign Ministry would have to apply for it and receive the Vatican's consent. Moreover, Beran's family would have to agree with it, the paper writes.
Beran was Prague archbishop and Czech Catholic primate in 1946-1969. He was persecuted by the Nazi and communist regimes and he spent the last years of his life in exile in Rome.
Beran became Prague archbishop in 1946 after he returned home from the concentration camp in Dachau. After the Czechoslovak communist coup in 1948, he refused to bow to the new regime. In 1949, he was detained by the secret police and held in the Prague Archbishop's Palace for two years.
In 1965, Beran was appointed cardinal, but the communist regime forced him to leave Czechoslovakia. While in Rome, Beran joined the activities of the Second Vatican Council. He died in Rome in 1969 and following a wish of Pope Paul VI he was interred in St Peter's Basilica in Rome, in which almost exclusively popes are buried.
Copying, dissemination or other publication of this article or parts thereof without the prior written consent of ČTK is expressly forbidden. The Prague Daily Monitor is not responsible for its content.
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Pistol George Warren is a retro-pop party-on-a-stage that has become known across the country for their contagious live show. Named one of the top 25 bands to catch at, as well as one of the highlights from, 2014's NXNE festival and conference by blogTO, the band will continue to make strides on the national scene with their upcoming LP Oceapur 9.
Four Matt's and two other guys got together in their hometown of Sudbury to start jamming together and found incredible chemistry both in songwriting and performance. Within the first year, the band had released one full-length album (Back to Northern Country, 2011) and one EP (Thanks for Hoots, 2011), played to sold-out crowds at the Townehouse Tavern, and performed industry showcases at both NXNE and the Folk Music Ontario conference.
For a special festival performance at the Northern Lights Festival Boreal, the band enlisted the help of friends and backup singers who'd appeared on previous PGW recordings. Almost immediately, it became clear that the band had just gained three more permanent members.
Since that time, Pistol George Warren has released one additional full-length album (Mindemoya, 2012) and another EP (Hoots Deuce, 2013), toured the country a number of times and made big impressions on many fans and members of the Canadian music industry.
The members are long-time friends, and their on-stage charisma has attracted much acclaim from fans and media alike.
Pistol George Warren will gather their collection of twangers, bangers, singers, and wailers for a string of tour dates later this summer, to further disseminate the secrets of their newest full length album Oceapur 9 — which was released on June 23, 2015.
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Milwaukee Artist Resource Networkartsinmilwaukee.org
The Milwaukee Artists Resource Network (MARN) is a membership organization dedicated to helping the lives and success of area artists.
MARN offers classes, workshops, gallery events and most importantly a connection to Milwaukee's vibrant art world.
MARN wanted to build a web application that mixed a social network and artist gallery that would help connect artists with buyers, collaborators, commissioners and the public. MARN wanted a site that can change artists' lives, and while this is no small request, we really love a good challenge.
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MARN, as an organization, has one of the most diverse member populations, from young to old, PhDs to GEDs. The best artists are non-traditional people with a truly varying degree of online skills. Creating a web application for artists was going to be difficult, and usability and interface were going to be paramount. Couple that for a need for a front-end site that was stunning, unique and still easy to use for the public, we worked with the brilliant designer Ashley Potter from the sketches to the completion.
The Result
The result was a website that is more than a social network plus gallery, artsinmilwaukee.org has a gestalt of its own, a community of artists showing their best work. MARN has a centralized site for art lovers to find and support an artist or art event, artists to promote their own work, buy and sell art supplies, establish collaborations and so much more. The site also takes membership dues and course fees through a specialized e-commerce system made just for them. With Byte Studios deep technology and user experience skills, it was easy to take the passion that MARN had for Milwaukee artists and their success and focus that into a site that is both beautiful and easy to use.
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Good to know:
Distance: 16.9 kms
Rate: easy (in the beginning only going upwards)
Map (incl. elevation information): Wahlwiller-Vijlen
GPS-track available for download: yes
As always photo's can be enlarged by clicking on them.
BUT...before we head off for this walk we go to the cafe/restaurant Viva Lanterne for........our breakfast. This is also the startpoint of this walk by the way. You have to make a reservation upfront but then you will be rewarded with a splendid breakfast with strawberry smoothie, orange juice, all kinds of breads, jam, cheese, eggs, oh well too much to name it and certainly too much to eat it all.
After having consumed our breakfast we get our stuff together and take off from the parkinglot of this cafe/restaurant. The sun just popped out behind the clouds and it was rather warm......mmh...was it a good idea to do this particular walk with not much shade?.............. the scenery is however stunning.
In good spirit we just continue our walk and finally
end of up in the 'Vijlenerbos', a huge forest where there is at least some shade and even a slight breeze. Here is a picture of us together in the forest. You will encounter many benches for a stop. One will provide you with this lovely view towards the township Vijlen (and its church)
Further along the track you will see these ' zandsteenblokken' (in English: blocks of sandstone), a geology monument (has to do with erosion already a long long long time ago). After a while we leave the forest behind us and see the small township of Holset in the valley in front of us.
This is a great place for a stop for having something to drink or eat (as it is also halfway this circular walk)
From this Inn you have a nice view on the H.H. Lambertus & Genoveva Church. This church is already mentioned in the year 1266.
From Holset it is another 9 kilometers back to Wahlwiller. The track is very easy going and straight forward with lovely views over the landscape.
Great walk, great food...................we must do it again.


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Some of Detroit's finest rockers are getting together to celebrate local music/club promoter/rock aficionado Stirlings' birthday. Stirling has been the driving force behind many area nightclubs throughout the years. He first started hosting modern dance parties in the '80s at the legendary dance clubs Todd's, The Leidernacht (now the City Club), The Majestic Theatre and The Warehouse. He later moved on to promote live music at The Sardine Bar, 313.jac/Jacoby's, and the park stage at Cityfest. He continues to be a strong advocate of Detroit talent by introducing new up and coming artists to local audiences. The annual party is one event that will showcase some stellar Detroit performers.
This promises to be a great night of local music. Performing will be some of Stirling's favorites. Local rockers Rocket 455 will headline the night, songstress Audra Kubat, a solo performance by Eddie Baranek of The Sights, and sets by Kenny Tudrick, newcomer Ian Link and a special appearance by songwriter Doop Duprie of Doop & The Inside Outlaws will be featured.
The rock n' roll party is on Friday, Dec. 9, doors at 8 and showtime is at 9pm at EL CLUB located at 4114 West Vernor Highway in southwest Detroit. 313-841-0400. $7 cover charge and 21 and over are welcome.


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One of the main drawbacks of wood fiber-based composite materials is their propensity to swell due to moisture uptake. Because the wood fibers are usually the main contributor to hygroexpansion, it is of interest to quantify the hygroexpansion coefficient of wood fibers, to compare and rank different types of fibers. This investigation outlines an inverse method to estimate the transverse hygroexpansion coefficient of wood fibers based on measurements of moisture induced thickness swelling of composite plates. The model is based on composite micromechanics and laminate theory. Thickness swelling has been measured on polylactide matrix composites with either bleached reference fibers or crosslinked fibers. The crosslinking modification reduced the transverse hygroexpansion of the composites and the transverse coefficient of hygroexpansion of the fibers was reduced from 0.28 strain per relative humidity for reference fibers to 0.12 for cross-linked fibers.
This study presents comprehensive numerical stress analysis in the adhesive layer of a single-lap joint subjected to various loading scenarios (mechanical and thermal loading). For this purpose numerical model (finite element method) with novel displacement coupling conditions able to correctly represent monoclinic materials (off-axis layers of composite laminates) has been developed. This model includes nonlinear material model and geometrical nonlinearity is also accounted for. The effect of thermal residual stresses (in adhesive) is analysed for various methods of manufacturing of single lap joint. The sequences of application of thermal and mechanical loads for the analysis of the thermal residual stresses in joints are proposed. It is shown that the most common approach used in many studies of linear superposition of thermal and mechanical stresses works well only for linear materials and produces wrong results if material is non-linear. The present study demonstrates suitable method to apply combined thermal and mechanical loads to get accurate stress distributions. Based on the analysis of these stress distributions the conclusions concerning the effect of the thermal residual stresses on peel and shear stress concentrations are made. The comparison between effect of thermal stresses in case of the one-step and two-step joint manufacturing techniques is made.
This paper presents systematic numerical study of stresses in the adhesive of a single-lap joint with the objective to improve understanding of the main material and geometrical parameters determining performance of adhesive joints. For this purpose a 3D model as well as 2D model, optimized with respect to the computational efficiency by use of novel displacement coupling conditions able to correctly represent monoclinic materials (off-axis layers of composite laminates), are employed. The model accounts for non-linearity of materials (adherend and adhesive) as well as geometrical non-linearity. The parameters of geometry of the joint are normalized with respect to the dimensions of adhesive (e.g. thickness) thus making analysis of results more general and applicable to wide range of different joints. Optimal geometry of the single-lap joint allowing to separate edge effect from end effects is selected based on results of the parametric analysis by using peel and shear stress distributions in the adhesive layer as a criterion. Three different types of single lap joint with similar and dissimilar (hybrid) materials are considered in this study: a) metal-metal; b) composite-composite; c) composite-metal. In case of composite laminates, four lay-ups are evaluated: uni-directional ([08]T and [908]T) and quasi-isotropic laminates ([0/45/90/-45]S and [90/45/0/-45]S). The influence of the abovementioned parameters on peel and shear stress distributions in the adhesive layer is examined carefully and mechanical parameters governing the stress concentrations in the joint have been identified, this dependence can be described by simple but accurate fitting function. The effect of the used material model (linear vs non-linear) on results is also demonstrated.
Abstract: The current investigation focuses on development and verification of a modelfor numerical simulation of performance of adhesive joints under tensile loading. Differentcombination of materials in joints is considered: metal-metal, composite-composite andcomposite-metal. The objective of this paper is to present simulation results of joints usingan accurate finite element model including non-linear behaviour and large deformation.Moreover, several loading scenarios are analysed, including simultaneous application oftemperature and mechanical load. Not only the effect of temperature on mechanicalperformance of materials (adhesive as well as adherents) is analysed but also built up ofresidual thermal stresses during the manufacturing of joints are taken into account. Thisapproach is demonstrated by simulation of tensile tests of joints at several temperatures.Two scenarios of application of temperature and mechanical load using large deformationtheory are considered: 1) the thermal and mechanical loads are applied simultaneously (theproperties of the materials are adjusted accordingly to their performance at differenttemperatures); 2) temperature is applied on specimen which is not macroscopicallyconstrained and the obtained stress distribution is used as initial state for the nextsimulation of mechanical loaded joint. The influence of edge effects (due to limited widthof the joint) on the stress distribution within the joint are studied. In order to eliminatethese effects the periodic boundary conditions (BC) are used in the numerical model.These BC are adjusted to optimize numerical model and obtain efficient calculation routinefor analysis of stresses within interior part of the structure. The validity of these BCs isevaluated and verified by analysing number of case studies. The comparison between full3D FEM model and simplified 2D model is carried out. The resulting stress distributions inthe overlap region of joints are presented for different joints (the parameters are: materialcombinations, material models, geometry of adhesive layer, constraints and BCs) withcomprehensive analysis and recommendations for optimal numerical model that can beused in joint design.
A numerical study of the adhesive joint made of similar and dissimilar adherends subjected to thermo-mechanical loading is presented. A comprehensive numerical model was used for this purpose with the novel displacement coupling conditions which are able to correctly represent monoclinic materials (off-axis layers of composite laminates). The geometrical nonlinearity as well as nonlinear material model are also taken into account. Three different types of single-lap and double-lap adhesive joints are considered in this study: a) metal-metal; b) composite-composite; c) composite-metal. In case of composite laminates, four lay-ups are evaluated: uni-directional ([08]T and [908]T) and quasi-isotropic laminates ([0/45/90/-45]S and [90/45/0/-45]S). This paper focuses on the parameters which have the major effect on the peel and shear stress distribution within adhesive layer at the overlap ends. The comparison of behaviour of single- and double- lap joints in relation to these parameters is made. The master curves for maximum stress (peel and shear) at the ends of the overlap with respect to the bending stiffness and axial modulus of the adherends are constructed by analysing stress distributions in the middle of the adhesive. The main conclusions of this paper are: the maximum peel stress value for SLJ is reduced with increase of the adherend bending stiffness and for DLJ, similar behaviour was observed at the end next to the inner plate corner, while, at the end next to the outer plate corner peel stress is reduced with increase of adherend axial modulus.
Damage initiation and evolution in NCF composites leading to final failure includes a multitude of mechanisms and phenomena on several length scales. From an engineering point-of-view a computational scheme where all mechanisms would be explicitly addressed is too complex and time consuming. Hence, methods for macroscopic performance prediction of NCF composites, with limited input regarding micro- And mesoscale details, are requested. In this paper, multi-scale modelling approaches for in-plane transverse strength of NCF composites are outlined and discussed. In addition a simplistic method to predict transverse tensile and compressive strength for textile composites featuring low or no fibre waviness is presented
Models based on variational analysis are compared with respect to the elastic properties of cross-ply laminates with transverse cracks. All models use the principle of minimum complementary energy for calculation of the stress state in a laminate element between two cracks, as was the case with the original model by Hashin (1985). The models are based on assumptions of different degree of accuracy, where the most refined model was developed by the present authors. Experimental data for the longitudinal stiffness are compared with predictions for glass fiber/epoxy cross-ply laminates. The agreement between model predictions and data is good provided the initial assumptions of the stress state are sufficiently accurate
[04/90n]s and [90n/04 ]s laminates were used to study 90°-layer failure mechanisms in HTA/6376 carbon fiber/toughened epoxy. The different stacking sequences were chosen to vary the stress states, since experimental results show differences in failure strains as well as in the local delamination behavior at the crack tip. Differences in the onset of transverse cracking and local delamination behavior between [04/90m]s and [90 n/04]s laminates was discussed using a model based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). Although quantitative LEFM-predictions do not agree with data for the carbon fiber/toughened epoxy investigated, the general predictions for differences in and causes of local delamination behavior were confirmed by experimental data. The fact that the main features were correctly predicted, encourages the development of some modified LEFM-approach to describe toughened matrix composites.
A critical analysis of two simple and convenient analytical models for calculation of elastic properties of woven fabric composites is performed. Predictions of these models are compared with results obtained using the method of reiterated homogenization and with experimental data for plain weave glass fiber and carbon fiber polyester composites. Three different scales are identified in the analysis. The first scale predictions, which are the tow properties (obtained by applying Hashin's concentric cylinder model, the Halpin-Tsai expressions or mathematical homogenization technique), are the most critical because they form the input information for woven composite modeling. It appears that the uncertainty in this information causes larger differences in predictions than the deviations between models of different degree of accuracy. This fact sets limits on the required accuracy of the models. Model comparisons reveal that the woven compoiste model based on isostrain assumption in the compoiste plane and isostress assumption for out-of-plane components is in very good agreement with both experimental data and the reiterated homogenization method, whereas the modified mosaic parallel model fails to describe composites with large interlaced regions.
The Energy Release Rate (ERR) and the contact zone size for a fiber/matrix interface debond are studied for a thin-ply glass fiber/epoxy laminate. The main objective is to analyze the effect on the debonding process of the presence of a traction-free specimen surface or an adjacent material, in the form of a stiffer UD ply or by considering it as part of a thick 90° layer, at different levels of fiber content. To this end, a model of Representative Volume Element (RVE) subjected to different combinations of boundary conditions is proposed. It is found that the constraining effect of the adjacent ply favors at high fiber volume fractions the opening of small debonds (10 − 40°) for the same level of strain. The results agree well and provide a mechanical explanation to previous microscopic observations available in the literature [4].
Models of Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) of cross-ply laminates with different geometric configurations and damage states are studied. Debond growth is characterized by the estimation of the Mode I and Mode II Energy Release Rate (ERR) using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT). It is found that the presence of the 0°/90° interface and the thickness of the 0° layer have no effect, apart from laminates with ultra-thin 90° plies where it is however modest. The present analysis support the claim that debond growth is not affected by the plythickness effect.
The effects of crack shielding, finite thickness of the composite and fiber content on fiber/matrix debond growth in thin unidirectional composites are investigated analyzing Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) of different ordered microstructures. Debond growth is characterized by estimation of the Energy Release Rates (ERRs) in Mode I and Mode II using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) and the J-integral. It is found that increasing fiber content, a larger distance between debonds in the loading direction and the presence of a free surface close to the debond have all a strong enhancing effect on the ERR. The presence of fully bonded fibers in the composite thickness direction has instead a constraining effect, and it is shown to be very localized. An explanation of these observations is proposed based on mechanical considerations.
Initiation and propagation of fiber/matrix interface cracks are analyzed in Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) of UD and cross-ply laminates. By studying the distribution of stresses at the fiber/matrix interface in the undamaged case, an estimate of the initial flaw size is derived. By adopting a 2-parameters energy-based criterion for propagation [1], we then proceed to the estimation of the expected debond size in different microstructural arrangements. Finally, the results are compared with microscopic observations available in the literature [2].
The growth of fiber/matrix interface cracks (debonds) locatedon consecutive fibers along the through-the-thickness (vertical)direction is studied in glass fiber-epoxy UD composites. Debonds couldappear, along the vertical direction, on the same or on opposite sides oftheir respective fibers. Determining which configuration is the mostenergetically favorable to debond growth is the objective of this paper.To this end, two different families of Representative Volume Elements(RVEs) are developed: the first implements the classic condition ofcoupling of the vertical displacements to model a unit cell repeating symmetrically along the vertical direction; the second uses a novel setof boundary conditions, proposed here by the authors, to represent a unitcell repeating anti-symmetrically along the vertical direction. The modelis analyzed in the context of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM)and the Mode I and Mode II Energy Release Rate are evaluated toinvestigate crack growth. The calculation is performed using the VirtualCrack Closure Technique (VCCT) in the framework of the Finite ElementMethod (FEM). It is found that Mode I dominated propagation is favoredwhen debonds are located on the same sides of their respective fibers;while for larger (Mode II-dominated) debonds, Mode II ERR is higher whenthey lie on the opposite sides. No interaction effect is present when atleast two fully bonded fibers are located between the partially debonded ones.
Non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites, manufactured by resin infusion techniques are one of the most promising next generation composite materials. They offer large potential for application in primary structures as they give excellent performance at low production costs. However, before NCF composites will be efficiently used in design, detailed understanding of governing micro mechanisms must be accumulated and described by predictive models. In the present study, NCF cross-ply laminates have been tested in tension. Intralaminar cracks caused in the 90° fibre bundle layers and their effect on laminate mechanical properties have been monitored. Occurrence of 'novel' type of cracks propagating in the load direction (longitudinal cracks) is explained by a thorough FE analysis using an Representative Volume Element (RVE) approach, revealing stress concentrations caused by 0° fibre bundle waviness. Effects of damage on mechanical properties are modelled using modified micro mechanical models developed for analysis of conventional laminated composites. The analysis reveals mechanical degradation to be ruled by the crack opening displacement (COD). However, unlike traditional composites, transverse cracks do not generally extend through the entire thickness of the 90° layer, but are rather contained in single fibre bundles, limiting the COD
Assuming that Paris law is applicable for individual debond crack propagation along the fiber/matrix interface, the related strain energy release rate in a unidirectional composite is analysed using FEM and also using simple analytical considerations based on self-similar debond crack propagation. Model with axial symmetry consisting of three concentric cylinders is used: partially debonded broken fiber in the middle is surrounded by matrix cylinder which is embedded in a large block of effective composite with properties calculated using rule of mixtures and Halpin-Tsai expressions. It is shown for pure mechanical loading that the fiber elastic properties have a huge effect on the released energy, whereas fiber content in the composite in the considered realistic range has effect only for short debonds. The interaction between debonds approaching from both fiber fragment ends is investigated and related to material properties and geometrical parameters. It is shown that the self-similar debond propagation model gives slightly overestimated values of the strain energy release rate which may be related to interaction effects not included in the analytical model.
The main objectives of this study are to visualize the displacement field on the edge of a [0, 554, -554]s GF/EP laminate specimen with multiple transverse cracks and to analyze the crack opening displacement dependence on the applied mechanical load. The specimen full-field displacement measurement was carried out using ESPI (Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry) and phase-shifting. ESPI is an optical technique that provides the displacement for every point on a surface. The measurement resolution is roughly 20 nm. The displacement measurement is along the tensile axis and takes place on the specimen edge. Using the displacement map, it is possible to obtain the displacement profiles along the tensile-axis. The different profiles were drawn along the specimen edge at several distances from the mid-plane corresponding to the different plies. Studies of the displacement discontinuities make it possible to carry out a measurement of the crack opening displacements corresponding to the cracks in the measurement field. The experimental results are in a good agreement with idealized straight crack model in low stress region and much larger in the high stress region, which is attributed to development of local inter-ply delaminations.
Using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), full-field displacement measurement was performed on the edge of a cracked cross-ply graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to a tensile loading. The displacement jumps corresponding to cracks are clearly visible and can be used to determine the Crack Opening Displacement (COD) values along the cracks. The main objective of this study is to determine if the application of successive loads of increasing magnitude may have modified the existing cracks and thereby changed the COD dependence on the applied stress. Moreover, we have tested the applicability of the assumed linear elastic COD behavior in the presence of very high stress concentration at the crack tips. The profile of the opening along the crack was also studied.
Using Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), the full-field displacement measurement was obtained on the edge of a cracked laminate subjected to a tensile loading. The displacement jumps corresponding to cracks are clearly visible and can be used to determine the Crack Opening Displacement (COD) values along the cracks. The main objective of this study is to determine if the application of high load may have modified the existing cracks and consequently changed the COD dependence on the applied stress. The profile of the opening was also studied.
Full-field displacement measurements between intralaminar cracks in cross-ply laminates were performed to evaluate the accuracy of shear lag models and Hashin's model. The dependence of the average crack opening displacement on the crack density was measured and compared with model predictions. It was found that Hashin's model overestimates the average COD by at least 25%. The value of the shear lag parameter was back-calculated by fitting. With the same goal the strain in the middle between two cracks was measured rendering shear lag parameter which was only 1% different. The found value does not agree with any of the used shear lag models. Measurement shows nonzero intralaminar shear zones in both layers covering a part of the ply thickness.
The non-linear and time-dependent stress–strain response of NCF [+-45]s laminates in tension is studied. Testing methodology is suggested to separate and quantify the effect of damage development, non-linear viscoelastic effects, and viscoplasticity on the inelastic response. This is achieved by decomposition of viscoelastic and viscoplastic response, both of them being affected by microdamage accumulated during the service life. Material model based on Schapery's work on viscoelasticity and Zapas viscoplastic function with added damage terms is presented and used. Simulation is performed and validated with constant stress rate tensile tests, identifying the non-linear viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity as the major sources of the non-linear response.
A composite made of recycled carbon fibres in recycled polypropylene matrix is studied experimentally to describe the features of the elastic and time dependent nonlinear mechanical behaviour. The properties of the developed material have a large variability to be addressed and understood. It was found that the stress-strain curves in tension are rather nonlinear at low strain rate and the strength is sensitive to strain rate. The elastic properties' reduction for this composite after loading to high strains is rather limited. More important is that even in the "elastic region" due to viscoelastic effects the slope of loading-unloading curve is not the same and that at higher stress large viscoplastic strains develop and creep rupture is typical. The time and stress dependence of viscoplastic strains was analysed and described theoretically. The viscoelastic response of the composite was analysed using creep compliance, which was found to be slightly nonlinear
Reasons for nonlinear stress-strain curves in shear of unidirectional glass fibre composite are analysed. Laminate with stacking sequence [45/-45]s is used in tensile quasi-static as well as in tensile creep and strain recovery tests to study the development of viscoelastic and viscoplastic shear strains in local coordinates of the ply. It is shown that Zapa's integral representation of viscoplasticity is applicable for this material and methodology for parameter determination is given. Schapery's nonlinear viscoelastic material model was used for shear response characterization and the nonlinearity parameters' dependence on the shear stress was determined and described by fitting functions. Microdamage development is quantified by measuring axial modulus and Poisson's ratio of the laminate. The obtained nonlinear viscoelastic, viscoplastic model with included effect of microdamage was successfully used to predict the nonlinear shear stress-strain curve in strain controlled tensile loading.
The effect that different curing time/temperature conditions bring to the final properties of a polymeric resin, along with measurements of their chemical shrinkage have been investigated in the present study.
Exposing a laminate structure to thermal cycles and to temperatures close to the curing temperature, followed by mechanical fatigue, cause interlaminar and intralaminar cracks leading to degradation of the mechanical properties. The effect of thermal and mechanical fatigue, as well as thermal aging, on carbon fiber composite laminate structures is under study in the present paper.
The most common damage mode and the one examined in this work is the formation of intralaminar cracks in layers of laminates. These cracks can occur when the composite structure is subjected to mechanical and/or thermal loading and eventually lead to degradation of thermo-elastic properties. In the present work, the shear modulus reduction due to cracking is studied. Mathematical models exist in literature for the simple case of cross-ply laminates. The in-plane shear modulus of a damaged laminate is only considered in a few studies. In the current work, the shear modulus reduction in cross-plies will be analysed based on the principle of minimization of complementary energy. Hashin investigated the in-plane shear modulus reduction of cross-ply laminates with cracks in inside 90-layer using this variational approach and assuming that the in-plane shear stress in layers does not depend on the thickness coordinate. In the present study, a more detailed and accurate approach for stress estimation is followed using shape functions for this dependence with parameters obtained by minimization. The results for complementary energy are then compared with the respective from literature and finally an expression for shear modulus degradation is derived.
The potential of accurate modelling of the shear modulus reduction of laminates with cracked 90-layers using models based on the minimization of the complementary energy with improved stress description in the constraint layers is evaluated. This group of models refine Hashin's model by introducing shape functions with unknown parameters to represent the out-of-plane shear stress distribution across the constraint layer thickness. The Hashin's model becomes a particular case of the presented when the shape parameter approaches to zero. The most accurate shape parameters are found in the result of minimization. Three models are compared: the present variational model, Hashin's model and the shear lag model introduced by Soutis which assumes linear out-of-plane shear stress distribution over an unknown part of the layer. It is shown in this paper that the size of this part may be determined by minimization of the complementary energy. The present model is the most accurate amongst the three, whereas Soutis' model is more accurate than the Hashin's model for laminates with constraint layer, thicker than the cracked layer. The comparison with finite element method results shows reasonable agreement. Agreement can be improved developing models with better description of the stress state in the cracked layer.
The propagation of fiber–matrix interfacial debonding under axial loading is analyzed, using the single-fiber fragmentation test as a reference, in order to determine fiber–matrix failure properties. A data reduction technique is presented in which the fiber–matrix Mode II interfacial fracture toughness is obtained from the measurements of the average debond crack growth. A set of boundary element models are employed to evaluate the energy release rate associated with interfacial crack propagation. The interfacial friction coefficient is parametrically varied until a constant value of the energy release rate (which is then equal to the fiber–matrix Mode II interfacial fracture toughness) is obtained. The applicability of the properties evaluated is demonstrated using a set of finite element models with cohesive elements.
Numerical analysis was performed with the aid of the Boundary Element Method (BEM). Contact conditions were taken into account using a weak formulation of the equilibrium compatibility equations along the interface of the solids. Comparison of the different kinds of failure was made in terms of the energy release rate
A numerical analysis, using the Boundary Element Method, of the stress state within the specimen in the Single Fibre Fragmentation Test is presented first. Thermal residual stresses and fibre-matrix interfacial friction along the debonding crack faces have been considered in the study. Special attention has been paid to the axial stresses along the fibre and the interfacial tractions and relative displacements in the neighbourhood closest to the debonding crack tips. In order to analyze the debond propagation, the associated Energy Release Rate has been evaluated from the near-tip elastic solution. Numerical results show that both the effects of thermal residual stresses and of fibre-matrix interfacial friction are opposed to the debond propagation. Additionally, the effect of the debond propagation on the load transfer through the interface has been studied, showing that fibre-matrix interfacial friction has a weak influence on the distance needed to re-establish the nominal axial load within the fragment.
Single fiber fragmentation test is extensively employed to characterize the fiber-matrix interface in composites. A novel technique for evaluating fracture toughness and friction coefficient at the fiber-matrix interface in an epoxy sample containing a single glass fiber is proposed. Using experimental measurements of the average fragment and debond lengths, Boundary Element (BE) models of the portion of sample corresponding to the average fiber fragment are created for increasing values of the applied strain. From the solution of the BE models, energy release rate (ERR) during crack propagation is evaluated using a Fracture Mechanics based approach which accounts for fiber-matrix interfacial friction. The calculated evolution of the ERR has a reasonably linear dependency on the applied strain, with a decreasing slope for increasing values of the interfacial friction coefficient. Since debond growth is stable, ERR should equal the interfacial fracture toughness during debond propagation. Consequently, interfacial friction coefficient and fracture toughness can be simultaneously determined by parametrically varying the friction coefficient until a null slope is obtained in the linear fit of the numerical solution of the ERR as a function of the applied strain. The applicability of the proposed technique is demonstrated with experimental results taken from the literature.
A novel variational model is developed that can predict the stress transfer between plies in cracked general cross-ply laminates subject to general in-plane (Nxx, Nyy, Nxy) and out-of-plane bending (Mxx, Myy, Mxy) loading. The effects of thermal residual stresses are taken into account. Admissible stress systems, which satisfy equilibrium and all boundary and interface conditions, are constructed and the principle of minimum complementary energy is employed to find the optimal solution. The approach yields rigorous lower bounds for stiffness matrices. A methodology based on Levin's theorem is developed to evaluate the effective thermal expansion coefficients of non-symmetric cracked laminates. A ply-refinement technique is used in order that through-thickness variations of the stress components can be precisely taken into account. It is found that the developed method, when used in conjunction with ply refinement technique, results in stress fields and thermo-mechanical properties comparable in accuracy to refined finite and boundary element solutions.
A novel testing methodology for the characterization of viscoplastic (VP) deformation of unidirectional (UD) composites under transverse tensile loading is described. The law of transverse VP deformation, which, due to specimen failure, is almost impossible to obtain using UD specimens, is identified from curvature changes of an unsymmetrical CF/EP [0/90] specimen. An initially thermally curved specimen is loaded in the axial direction to different high levels of tensile strain, with a specified holding time. After unloading and waiting for recovery of the viscoelastic strains, the curvature of the specimen had changed due to the irreversible transverse VP strain and microdamage had developed in the 90° ply. The damage effect is incorporated into the model by introducing the"effective stiffness" of the damaged layer, which is a function of the crack density and the local delamination length. A model based on the classical laminate theory is used to construct a relationship between the measured curvature after a loading step and the accumulated VP strain, temperature, and the effective stiffness. The back-calculated VP strains are analyzed, and their functional dependence on the stress and time in the viscoplasticity law is obtained. The model and the methodology are validated by comparing calculation results with test data for [902/0] laminates subjected to a similar loading. The methodology suggested could be very accurate on using a laminate with ultrathin plies in the test.
We present a statistical analysis based methodology for making assessment of the manufacturing quality of cross ply composite laminates as it relates to its effect on transverse cracking evolution. Assuming a two-parameter Weibull distribution of tensile strength of the transverse plies to represent randomly distributed manufacturing defects, multiple crack formation in the plies is simulated in the non-interactive and interactive regimes of cracking using the local stress fields calculated by a variational analysis. The statistical methodology is demonstrated on crack density evolution in cross ply laminates manufactured by four different processing routes and loaded in monotonic tension in the axial direction. The differences in the crack density evolution, supposedly due to different defect population induced by the four manufacturing conditions, could be described by the proposed statistical simulation method.
Models to calculate the stiffness matrix of a unidirectional composite involve often the use of a concentric cylinder as unit cell. In this paper, an existing concentric cylinder model of Pagano&Tandon has been extended, by applying the Mori-Tanaka and generalised self-consistent scheme theories to this basic model. The aim is to improve the stiffness prediction for three phase composite systems. It will also be pointed out that, although improvements in stiffness prediction can be achieved, the use of these concentric cylinder models for local stress state analysis in polymer matrix composites is rather questionable.


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350 Victoria Building
3500 Victoria Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
As Associate Dean for Graduate Clinical Education, my administrative responsibilities include academic affairs related to curricular enhancement and innovative program development for the Master's and Doctorate of Nursing Practice programs. I am also administratively responsible for the Educational Technology, the Skills Laboratory and international student activities.
My research interests include gerontology, women`s health and urinary incontinence. My research has focused on interventions for urinary incontinence in women, men with prostate cancer and homebound elders. Studies include clinical trials examining the efficacy of acupuncture for women with urinary incontinence and biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence in older men and women including homebound elders. I have also examined the cost-effectiveness of providing behavioral therapies for urinary incontinence in older adults.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
I am currently teaching NUR 1900 Global Health Care. I have also taught a geriatric management course and a women's health management course for nurse practitioner students, research to both undergraduate and graduate students, and a structure of knowledge course for doctoral students.
My services focused on urinary incontinence. I am currently the Continence Section Editor for the Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing.
I have a 20% joint appointment as a visiting professor at the Institute of Nursing Science at the University of Basel.


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The Mimulus guttatus complex comprises a large number of species, and is taxonomically controversial. On this page are mounted pictures of all the species that I and my group have worked on. Click on the thumbnails to obtain clearer pictures. I will include any other pictures that are sent to me by others interested in this group.
Found naturally in the west of North America in damp places from sea level to over 3000m in the Rockies and other mountains. It is very variable. It is now naturalised in Britain and Europe, Eastern North America and New Zealand. It is the presumed progenitor of most of the rest of the species listed here which have much more limited distribution.
Picture of Mimulus guttatus flower © Mark Macnair
This species was described by Greene (1885, Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 1:112-113) who commented "It is an exceedingly well marked, apparently until now undescribed species. Nevertheless a plant so far from rare will doubtless be found in many herbaria, and probably under the heretofore so-called M. luteus [=M. guttatus]". This is certainly true, and different authors have had different concepts of this species, which may explain some of the confusion surrounding it. Vegetatively it is difficult to distinguish from Mimulus guttatus, but its flowers are smaller, with a corolla tube longer than the width of the flower. It is annual, and produces cleistogamous flowers. The early, large flowers are often chasmogamous, though functionally cleistogamous, but later flowers, and flowers on small sidebranches, are cleistogamous. The cleistogamous flowers, though not mentioned by Greene, are present on the type specimens and can be taken as the character most clearly distinguishing this species from M. guttatus. It tends to grow in cracks in rocks and other marginal habitats, and is more shade tolerant than M. guttatus. It is very widespread in California and Oregon, and has recently become established at the University of Exeter in Britain. Here it grows in the cracks in paving stones and between bricks, similarly to the habitats in which it grows in California. It is spreading around the building at about 5m a year! Note that M. guttatus has never established a feral population around the University in the same way, despite far more of this species being grown than M. nasutus!
Habitat shot of Mimulus nasutus
growing in a mixed clump with M. guttatus in Shirley Creek, Calaveras Co, California. The red lines indicate M. nasutus flowers
© Mark Macnair
Detail of above picture. Red line - M. nasutus; blue line- M. guttatus
© Mark Macnair
Small, branched annual species restricted to the high Sierra Nevada from Tuolumne County to Tulare County. Primarily distinguished by its highly dissected leaves, it can also form cleistogamous flowers, and indeed its flowers and capsules resemble those of M. nasutus in many ways.
Photo taken by Brother Alfred Brousseau, © 1995 St Mary's College California.
This is a serpentine endemic restricted to ultramaphic substrates in Lake and Napa counties, California. It has narrow, small leaves, and is a small, much branched plant that is obligately annual. It is outcrossing, and may be pollinated by both bumble bees and solitary bees.
Habitat shot of Mimulus nudatus
growing in serpentine soil
© Mark Macnair
Detail of above picture
© Mark Macnair
This species was recognised by Pennell (1950) but has been reduced to synonymy by most other authors. It is a serpentine endemic restricted to ultramaphic substrates in the mid Sierra Nevada, California. It has narrower leaves than M. guttatus. It is a highly branched, small annual species, believed to be self-fertilising. It does not form cleistogamous flowers.
Mimulus pardalis (right)
growing in serpentine soil
together with M. guttatus(left)
along Highway 49, California
© Mark Macnair
Detail of above picture
© Mark Macnair
This species is restricted to two small copper mines in Calaveras County, California. It is highly branched and obligately annual. It is self-fertilising, but not cleistogamous. It has reduced corolla spots, and its corolla lobes are pointed.
Mimulus cupriphilus and M. guttatus
growing in a mixed population on the McNulty
mine, Calaveras Co, California.
© Mark Macnair
This species was described by Greene, but has not been subsequently recognised. It appears to be restricted to a small area of Calaveras County, California. It is obligately annual and appears to be self-fertilising. We found it growing on the basalt and conglomerate at the top of Table Mountain, Calaveras Co, in a situation M. guttatus would be unable to grow.
M. marmoratus at Knights Ferry, Calaveras Co,
© Mark Macnair
This is probably a variant of M. guttatus. It is restricted to a small area of Butte and Tehama Counties, California. It is distinguished from M. guttatus by connate bracts and greeny/blue appearance. Pennell (1950) suggests that it is annual, but it behaves as a perennial in the glasshouse, unlike the obligate annual segregants of M. guttatus
Mimulus glaucescens growing near Chico, Butte
County, California.
© Mark Macnair
Return to Mark Macnair's home page
Prof Mark R. Macnair,
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Last updated 22/01/01


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All About Control
Jan 14, 2015Some of my more needy slaves just adore being controlled in every possible way, both inside and outside of my dungeon, but naturally they have to earn the privilege of Mistress's attention by suffering in ways which might amuse and entertain me. With the start of the New Year come resolutions and goals towards which my subbies can strive for my approval in 2015. Starting as I mean to go on throughout the year, I dressed for some serious domination in my clinic this week, wearing my green, hospital latex operating dress and matching surgeon's rubber cap. My patient in the Hanwell clinic was also suitably attired as a rubber maid ready for a session in which he was to learn the true meaning of frustration by being strapped down and fitted with my milking machine, relentlessly pumping away on his cock but set at such a slow, steady speed that there was no chance of him earning the release he so desperately craved. I was happy to add to my control over his mind by detailing how his breathing was going to be strictly controlled by yours truly and how he was to be taught to become a human wanking machine that I may use on other slaves in order for me to save on electricity that powers the variety of wanking machines I regularly use in the dungeon. I had a lot of fun dragging a series of embarrassing and humiliating confessions out of this slave: a game he loves because it makes him feel so vulnerable that I maintain a horde of suitable blackmail material, stored away for his fantasy that I might use it against him if he fails to come up to the high standards I set for those in my service. We both know that in reality, my discretion is absolute, with no exceptions, but I do so enjoy moulding my sessions to squeeze every drop of my subbies' secret fears out from the deep recesses of their kinky minds. Even before the session started, I gave this particualar slave a rare and special treat and gave in to his begging request that he might be allowed to buy me lunch. It is such a treat for him to accompany his Mistress out in public, although little does he know what a voracious appetite I have and how expensive such an occasion could be. In this cae, however, his wallet was lucky because as many of you will know, I am currently in the middle of a fiercely-fought wager with my partner over who will eat the least number of fattening puddings and other treats. My iron will in such matters meant that I regretfully had to turn down the chance to eat some delicious and expensive dishes off the lunchtime menu. My slave begged me to take control of his credit card and take whatever amount I might wish but - although I'm happy to play such games as a pure fantasy - I've never been into such forms of financial domination and so we settled for a token few pounds for the sake of making him ecstatically happy. It did prompt us, however, to make some detailed plans as to how this slave might serve me as the year unfolds. He now knows that I will require his regular attendance at my chambers and that there will be a 'slave tax' for every climax he achieves either in or out of my dungeon. I may allow him a suitable tattoo to show his complete devotion and I've even agreed that he may buy me some new fetish outfits from some of the top-of-the-range suppliers I regularly use and that I will consider in due course if he has earned the right to a slave contract with me and the opportunity to become my owned and utterly controlled slave. That is a privilege allowed to only a small and select band of submissives so we will have to see how the year progresses. He will need to meet my highest standards... or else!