text:
Triclocarban (TCC) is a disinfectant used in a variety of household and personal care products including soaps, shampoos, creams, and cosmetics (Chu and Metcalfe, 2007). In the United States 500,000–1,000,000 pounds of triclocarban is produced annually (Halden and Paull, 2004). Triclocarban has been in widespread use since the 1950s, but its environmental fate has been less studied than the other common disinfectant triclosan, which is found predominantly in liquid soaps (Halden and Paull, 2005). TCC has a high octanol-water partition coefficient, (log Kow = 4.9) and can readily bioaccumulate in organisms. It is known to interfere with mammalian reproduction leading to reduced conception, fewer offspring, and decreased survival of offspring (Halden and Paull, 2004). It has also been shown to amplify the natural action of androgens and may possibly impact the use of hormones for birth control and hormone replacement therapy (Chen et al., 2008). It is also a potential carcinogen due to the possibility of carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage, which would generate N-hydroxylated metabolites (Halden and Paull, 2004). In addition, TCC yields mono- and dichloro- anilines as attenuation byproducts in the environment, which are hematotoxic, genotoxic, and persistent (Heidler et al., 2006; Ding et al., 2014).
The photofate of triclosan has been investigated in artificial UV light (Ding et al., 2013) and sunlight (Guerard et al., 2009; Ding et al., 2014). The direct photolytic half-life of TCC under simulated sunlight is ∼ 24 hours (Guerard et al., 2009). In natural waters, however, a number of substances known as photosensitizers can promote the degradation of TCC through side reactions with reactive photo-generated species i.e., indirect photolysis. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the most ubiquitous photosensitizer in natural sunlit surface waters and when irradiated generates both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other non-ROS transients such as triplet DOM (3DOM). Further, DOM's chromophoric composition can vary depending on its source, which ultimately determines its photo-reactivity and ability to generate ROS and other transients. For example autochthonous materials derived from algal or microbial products are typically aliphatic to olefinic in character while allochthonous materials are derived from the degradation of higher plant materials (Guerard et al., 2009). As such allochthonous DOM precursors contain significant amounts of lignins and are characterized by high levels of aromaticity. In our previous studies we demonstrated that allochthonous DOM is effective at generating ROS such as the hydroxyl radical (OH•), while autochthonous organic matter is effective at forming 3DOM (Guerard et al., 2009; Cawley et al., 2009). Subsequent research by Wenk et al. (2011, 2012) demonstrated that the presence of unknown anti-oxidant moieties (presumably phenolic compounds) present in allochthonous DOM (and much less prevalent in autochthonous DOM) maybe responsible for this dichotomy in DOM photo-reactivity. These investigators postulated that anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of aniline contaminants by 3DOM by reverting the analyte intermediate back to the parent compound.
With respect to the indirect photolysis of TCC few studies exist that directly examine the role of DOM (Guerard et al., 2009; Ding et al., 2014). These studies only examined the humic fraction of DOM and little is known about the other components that maybe responsible for sensitizing the photodegradation of TCC. Ding et al. (2014) showed that, contrary to fulvic acids, humic acids actually inhibited the direct photolysis of TCC. The concentrations of humic acids used in the Ding et al. (2014) study, however, were exceedingly high (50 mg/L), which could have resulted in a significant amount of light screening. Further the humic substances used in that study were of a commercial variety of unknown origin, which may not be representative of humics present in aquatic dissolved organic matter.
In this study, we examined the photolytic degradation of TCC as a follow-up to our previous paper (Guerard et al., 2009) whereby reaction rates in filtered whole water i.e., unaltered DOM were compared to those measured in solutions of fulvic acids. Further we examined the addition of chemical amendments (specifically iron) to assess possible interactive effects i.e., assessing the importance of the photo-Fenton reaction for generating OH•. For this study we used surface water from Old Woman Creek (Huron, OH), which is a eutrophic wetland adjacent to Lake Erie. DOM from this site is derived from a mixture of both autochthonous and allochthonous precursors. Land use in the watershed is predominantly row crop agriculture (Miller and Chin, 2005). Our autochthonous end member is a fulvic acid derived from Pony Lake, Antarctica, which is completely free of inputs from higher plants, while the allochthonous end member is from the Suwannee River, GA, USA, an acidic "blackwater" swamp. It was our intention to investigate to what extent these chemical differences in DOM would impact the degradation kinetics of triclocarban.
All chemicals and reagents were purchased commercially and used without further purification. Chemicals and reagents were acquired from the following: triclocarban (99.5%) from Chem Services West Chester, PA; isopropanol (Optima), acetonitrile (Optima), sodium hydroxide (NaOH; analytical reagent) from Mallinckrodt; potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP), sodium nitrate, p-nitroanisole, and pyridine from Aldrich (Milwaukee, WI); AG-50W-X8 resin from Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA); argon (4.8 grade) from Praxair. The reference fulvic acids Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA) Lot #1R101F-1 and Pony Lake Fulvic Acid Lot #1R109F were purchased from the International Humic Substance Society (IHSS). All glassware was washed with NOCHROMIX Cleaning Reagent (Godax Laboratories, Inc.) in concentrated sulfuric acid and all plastics were washed with 10% HCl prior to use.
Stock solutions of TCC were prepared in methanol. From this stock solution, photolysis solutions were prepared by evaporating an aliquot of stock (to remove the co-solvent, which can participate in side reactions) and reconstituted in the appropriate matrix (Milli-Q water, filtered OWC water, or fulvic acid solutions). Final concentrations were 0.5 µM triclocarban, and fulvic acid at ∼ 5 mg/L as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). To probe the role of hydroxyl radical and other possible ROS photolysis experiments with excess methanol (25mM) as a radical scavenger were performed. Sub-oxic experiments were purged with argon for 90 minutes (1min/mL) and transferred to quartz tubes in a glove box under a 95% N2/5% H2 atmosphere.
In all cases, solutions were irradiated in airtight quartz tubes sealed with Teflon caps with no headspace. Photolysis experiments were performed in a CPS+ Solar Simulator (Atlas Electric Devices) equipped with a xenon arc lamp. By using the "Solar standard" filter, the output of the simulator is able to mimic the spectrum of natural sunlight for wavelengths from 290 to 800 nm. Initial pH was 7.0 and was constant over the course of the reaction. Dark controls were run concurrently for each photolysis experiment and did not deviate more than 1% of the initial concentration. Temperature was measured using a black standard temperature probe and maintained at 30°C. Total photolysis time for each experiment was 24 hours. Kinetic data were fitted to a pseudo-first order equation.
In order to monitor photon flux and to check for changes in the light intensity of the lamp, chemical actinometry was conducted periodically using the p-nitroanisole (PNA)/pyridine (PYR) system (Dulin and Mill, 1982). Over the course of this research, no significant changes in light intensity were observed. The following equation is used to compare reaction rates between the solar simulator and natural sunlight using PNA's equivalent rate constant (k) at solar noon in June at 40o N, which is the exact latitude at Ohio State University:(1)
where ϕ is PNA's quantum yield, ε is the molar absorption coefficient of PNA, and Λ is sunlight irradiance for a specific wavelength (Leifer, 1988). The rate constant for this set of data was calculated to be 3.1 times faster in the simulator. Thus, the TCC degradation rates presented here are significantly faster than would be observed in natural sunlight due to both the intensity of the light source used and the lack of variance due to cloud cover and changes in sun angle over a diurnal cycle.
Light screening in the whole water and fulvic acid solutions, was calculated using a UV-Vis absorbance scan for each sample and the following equation:(2)
where A is absorbance, 1.2 is an average distribution function of light in natural waters, (Schwarzenbach et al., 2003; Zepp and Cline, 1977). We plotted Sλ versus wavelength and integrated the area under the curve to determine the overall screening factor over the wavelengths of interest (290 to 350 nm), the region in which DOM has the highest absorption. At the DOC levels used in this study light screening effects ranged from (0.92 to 0.96).
Individual samples were sacrificed every three hours and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to determine loss of the parent compound. A direct aqueous injection (200µL) was made from each vial into the HPLC and separation was achieved using a Novapak Waters C-18 reverse-phase chromatography column and detected using a Waters 2487 absorbance detector at 257nm. Mobile phase for the analysis was 80% methanol/20% Milli-Q (v/v) and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min. Kinetic data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SigmaPlot 10.0. Rate coefficients for triclocarban degradation were determined using a least-squares fit of the observed data to a pseudo-first order kinetics model with R2 > 0.97 for all reactions.
Direct photolysis of 0.5 µM TCC was observed in Milli-Q with an observed degradation rate constant (kobs) of 0.029 hr−1 and is similar to what we reported previously (0.028 hr −1) (Guerard et al., 2009). This is consistent with TCC's UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of TCC, which has sufficient light absorption above 290nm to promote direct photolysis. Dark controls were run concurrently for all experiments, and no depletions were observed.
We observed an enhancement in TCC photolysis rates in the presence of OWC whole water samples (kobs = 0.040 hr−1), which is similar to solutions of OWC fulvic acid made at comparable DOC levels (kobs = 0.046 hr−1). As reported before (Guerard et al., 2009) this value falls approximately midway between the geochemical endmember fulvic acids (Figure 1). The levels of non-DOM photosensitizers present in OWC whole water appears to not play an important role. For example nitrate levels (71 µM) are below where it can contribute to the photolytic formation of OH• (typically > 100 µM) (Zepp et al., 1987; Miller and Chin, 2005). Further total iron levels (21 µM) maybe sufficiently high to produce antagonistic effects as discussed elsewhere in this paper at the pH levels used in this study. Thus, statistically it appears that in the OWC whole water all the photosensitized effects for the transformation of TCC can be attributed to the fulvic acid fraction alone and that the presence of other DOM components does not play any significant role.
We conducted experiments to assess the possible reaction pathways that may be responsible for the observed TCC photosensitized degradation. For this study we investigated methanol as a more "general" ROS scavenger because of its reactivity toward both OH• and the hydroperoxyl radical (Altarawneh et al., 2011). In the presence of methanol and fulvic acids we observed complete to almost complete quenching of the indirect TCC photolytic pathway (Figure 2) for two of the fulvic acid solutions. The Pony Lake fulvic acid sample appeared to be the only one that still possessed significant indirect photolytic capabilities to degrade TCC in the presence of methanol. In contrast to our previous study, where isopropanol was employed as the OH• scavenger it appears that side reactions involving other ROS is participating in the indirect photolysis of TCC, and/or the methanol is quenching other important pathways.
Whole water OWC DOM conducted under anoxic conditions significantly increased TCC reaction rates (0.061 hr−1) relative to experiments equilibrated with atmospheric oxygen (0.040 hr−1). These results corroborated the results of Guerard et al. (2009) who observed a similar effect for experiments conducted in OWC fulvic acid. These results strongly suggest that TCC is susceptible to oxidation by triplet DOM and as stated earlier it appears that the triplet moieties appear to be associated with the fulvic acid fraction as oppose to other DOM components for this sample.
We also examined the possibility of iron-mediated indirect photolysis in natural waters to enhance contaminant degradation from the production of •OH through the photo-Fenton pathway. Fulvic acid solutions were spiked with 20 µM FeCl3. Surprisingly, all the TCC rate constants decreased to or slightly less than the value reported for direct photolysis (Figure 3). Thus, while it is apparently clear that the photo-Fenton process does not appear to be important the reduction in TCC reaction rates is unexpected and discussed below.
Direct photolysis of TCC is an important and possibly the dominant pathway for its attenuation in the environment. Work by Ding et al. (2014) showed that the degradation of TCC results in the formation of choroanilines (mono and dichloro) as well as chloroiso-cyanatobenzene compounds. Based upon electron spin resonance spectroscopy in the presence of spin traps these authors showed that TCC photolysis is a self-sensitized reaction and that singlet oxygen appears to play an important role in the absence of photosensitizers. As will be discussed elsewhere our data suggest that singlet oxygen does not appear to be an important species in the presence of DOM.
The increase in reaction rate beyond direct photolysis was observed in the presence of DOM and demonstrates the importance of indirect pathways in TCC's photofate. Further it is clearly apparent that the degree to which this occurs is highly dependent upon the composition of the dissolved organic matter pool. The least reactive DOM in this study was the predominantly allochthonous Suwannee River fulvic acid. As shown in our earlier studies (Miller and Chin, 2005; Guerard et al., 2009) we observed that indirect organic contaminant pathways involving ROS appear to be most effective for allochthonous derived DOM. In contrast those compounds that are susceptible to oxidation by 3DOM react more readily with organic matter derived from autochthonous sources i.e., from phytoplankton and other microorganisms. Research by Wenk et al. (2011, 2012) has demonstrated that the presence of anti-oxidants such as phenolic compounds in allochthonous DOM is responsible for this disparity. The presence of these anti-oxidants could result in the reversion of meta-stable photo-intermediates back to the parent compound, which is manifested as "slower" reaction kinetics. Finally, more recent work by Wenk et al. (2013) showed that excited triplet state ketones could be quenched by DOM, but not at the DOC concentrations used in this study. It is conceivable that this later process could be more important in high DOC waters (> 22 mg/L as DOC).
The experiments conducted for both fulvic acid solutions (Guerard et al., 2009) and whole water DOM suggest the importance of 3DOM as a reactive intermediate in TCC's photofate. Triplet DOM can react with ground state TCC through electron or energy transfer (Figure 4), and can concurrently generate singlet oxygen. Removal of O2 in the anoxic experiments allows us to assess the importance of singlet oxygen because ground state triplet oxygen is an important scavenger of 3DOM. In all cases we observed faster TCC reaction kinetics by as much as > 50% in the anoxic solutions relative to air-equilibrated samples. This data suggests that singlet oxygen is not important in the indirect mediated degradation of TCC in the presence of DOM as the sensitizer, and is in contrast to the results of Ding et al. (2014). These researchers demonstrated that singlet oxygen is the responsible ROS in the self-sensitized direct photolysis of TCC based upon ESR data. While the direct photolysis of TCC is significant, we believe that oxidation of TCC by triplets becomes the dominant transformation pathway in the presence of irradiated-DOM. We suspect that in the presence of DOM singlet oxygen can be scavenged beyond quenching by water, and the dominant attenuation pathway switches to reaction with 3DOM. Evidence for this has been reported by Cory et al. (2008) who found that 64–70% of the uptake of oxygen in irradiated solutions of fulvic acid could be explained through interactions with singlet oxygen.
The complete quenching of the fulvic acids (with the exception of Pony Lake) and OWC whole water (Figure 2) by methanol strongly suggest that the hydroxyl radical appears to play an important role in the degradation of TCC. While methanol is also reactive toward the hydroperoxyl radical at our pH (7.0) only ∼ 3% exists as hydroperoxyl with the remainder being the superoxide conjugate base. This runs contrary to our anoxic experimental data, which showed that 3DOM is the dominant reactive transient. Further we also reported significant quenching of TCC indirect photolysis by isopropanol in an earlier paper (Guerard et al., 2009). Recent research has demonstrated that simple alcohols are capable of quenching both OH• and reactive transients. Vione et al. (2010) showed that isopropanol is capable of quenching 3DOM involved in the indirect oxidation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy-acetic acid (MCPA). They demonstrated by laser flash photolysis that the absorbance of the second transient species (presumably the triplet) is quenched significantly by approximately a factor of 3 at alcohol concentrations (25 mM) used in this and our previous study (Guerard et al., 2009) at pH = 7.8. Ding et al. (2014) also reported that isopropanol is capable of quenching the direct photolysis of TCC even though OH• was not identified in their ESR data. Like Vione et al. (2010) they attribute this anomaly to the scavenging of 3TCC by the alcohol. Thus, it is conceivable that the complete quenching of the indirect pathway is caused by reaction between the excited state DOM and methanol. While reaction with OH• is still possible we believe that it is a secondary process relative to oxidation by 3DOM.
We examined the possibility of additional OH• production from the photo-Fenton mechanism by spiking our solutions with µM levels of iron. Research by Vermilyea and Voelker (2009) suggest that this process could be important in the indirect photo-attenuation of organic contaminants by OH• at neutral pH. Surprisingly, the addition of 20µM iron significantly quenched the reaction to that observed for direct photolysis rates (or slightly lower) for all samples (Figure 3). While we cannot offer an explanation for our results, one possibility is the formation of amorphous iron oxides that are capable of sorbing chromophoric components of the DOM pool. Recent work by Porcal et al. (2014) showed an analogous effect for the photobleaching of DOM whereby they propose a similar explanation. Thus, it appears that addition of iron in our system suppressed the indirect TCC photolytic pathway significantly. Finally iron levels in our OWC whole water samples were similar in concentration to the levels spiked into the fulvic acid solutions and the rate constants were slightly lower than the equivalent OWC fulvic acid solution suggesting that the photo-Fenton process at this pH is not important and that iron oxides may suppress the indirect photolytic pathway for TCC degradation.
Direct photolysis is a significant degradation pathway for TCC, but our OWC whole water and fulvic acid experiments show that DOM contributes to the degradation of TCC. Indeed this study demonstrated that the fulvic acid fraction of OWC DOM is an important photosensitizer. We speculate that 3DOM directly interacts with TCC through either energy transfer or electron transfer. Previous research suggests that the first step of the sensitization pathway is most likely an electron transfer from TCC to DOM (Canonica et al., 2006). Unlike our previous results (Guerard et al., 2009) we believe that DOM generated •OH may not play as important a role (if any) in the photosensitized degradation of TCC. Finally, DOM composition matters with SRFA being the least reactive relative to either OWC whole water and fulvic acid or PLFA. We suspect that anti-oxidant moieties associated with allochthonous DOM maybe responsible for reversion of meta-stable intermediates back to the parent compound.
Data for this paper can be made available by contacting the corresponding author.
© 2015 Trouts and Chin. 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.
Experimental design: TT and YPC
Experimental execution: TT
Data interpretation: TT and YPC
Paper write up: YPC and TT
There are no competing or conflict of interests from either author.
This proposal was supported by NSF grant CBET-0504434 with additional support from the Ohio Sea Grant Program.
The authors thank Jennifer Guerard for valuable discussions.
Altarawneh M, Al-Muhtaseb AAH, Dlugogorski BZ, Kennedy EM, Mackie JC. 2011. Rate constants for hydrogen abstraction reactions by the hydroperoxyl radical from methanol, ethanol, acetaldehyde, toluene, and phenol. J Comput Chem 32: 1725–1733.
Canonica S, Hellrung B, Muller P, Wirz J. 2006. Aqueous oxidation of phenylurea herbicides by triplet aromatic ketones. Environ Sci Technol 40: 6636–6641.
Cawley KM, Hakala J, Chin YP. 2009. Evaluating the triplet state photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter isolated by chromatography and ultrafiltration using an alkylphenol probe molecule. Limnol Oceanogr Methods 7: 391–398.
Chen J , Ahn KC , Gee NA , Ahmed MI , Duleba AJ , et al. 2008. Triclocarban enhances testosterone action: a new type of endocrine disruptor? Endocrinology 149: 1173–1179.
Chu S, Metcalfe CD. 2007. Simultaneous Determination of Triclocarban and Triclosan in Municipal Biosolids by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Chromatog A 1164: 212–218.
Cory RM, Cotner JB, McNeill K. 2008. Quantifying interactions between singlet oxygen and aquatic fulvic acids. Environ Sci Technol 43: 718–723.
Ding SL , Wang XK , Jiang WQ , Meng X , Zhao RS , et al. 2013. Photodegradation of the antimicrobial triclocarban in aqueous systems under ultraviolet radiation. Environ Sci Pollut R 20: 3195–3201.
Ding SL , Wang XK , Jiang WQ , Zhao RS , Shen TT , et al. 2014. Influence of pH, inorganic anions, and dissolved organic matter on the photolysis of antimicrobial triclocarban in aqueous systems under simulated sunlight irradiation. Environ Sci Pollut R 1–8.
Dulin D, Mill T. 1982. Development and evaluation of sunlight actinometers. Environ Sci Technol 16: 815–820.
Guerard JJ, Miller PL, Trouts TD, Chin YP. 2009. The role of fulvic acid composition in the photosensitized degradation of aquatic contaminants. Aquat Sci 71: 160–169.
Halden RU, Paull DH. 2004. Analysis of triclocarban in aquatic samples by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Environ Sci Technol 38: 4849–4855.
Halden RU, Paull DH. 2005. Co-occurrence of triclocarban and triclosan in U.S. water resources. Environ Sci Technol 39: 1420–1426.
Heidler J, Sapkota A, Halden RU. 2006. Partitioning, persistence, and accumulation in digested sludge of the topical antiseptic triclocarban during wastewater treatment. Environ Sci Technol 40: 3634–3639.
Leifer A. 1988. The Kinetics of Environmental Aquatic Photochemistry . Washington, DC: The American Chemical Society.
Miller PL, Chin YP. 2005. Indirect photolysis promoted by natural and engineered wetland water constituents: Processes leading to alachlor degradation. Environ Sci Technol 39: 4454–4462.
Porcal P, Dillon PJ, Molot LA. 2014. Interaction of extrinsic chemical factors affecting photodegradation of dissolved organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. Photochem Photobiol Sci 13(5): 799–812.
Schwarzenbach RP, Gschwend PM, Imboden DM. 2003. Environmental Organic Chemistry. 2nd ed . Hoboken, New Jersey, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
Vermilyea AW, Voelker BM. 2009. Photo-Fenton reaction at near neutral pH. Environ Sci Technol 43: 6927–6933.
Vione D , Khanra S , Das R , Minero C , Maurino V , et al. 2010. Effect of dissolved organic compounds on the photodegradation of the herbicide MCPA in aqueous solution. Water Res 44: 6053–6062.
Wenk J, Canonica S. 2012. Phenolic antioxidants inhibit the triplet-induced transformation of anilines and sulfonamide antibiotics in aqueous solution. Environ Sci Technol 46: 5455–5462.
Wenk J, Eustis SN, McNeill K, Canonica S. 2013. Quenching of Excited Triplet States by Dissolved Natural Organic Matter. Environ Sci Technol 47.
Wenk J, von Gunten U, Canonica S. 2011. Effect of dissolved organic matter on the transformation of contaminants induced by excited triplet states and the hydroxyl radical. Environ Sci Technol 45: 1334–1340.
Zepp RG, Cline DM. 1977. Rates of Direct Photolysis in Aquatic Environment. Environ Sci Technol 11: 359–366.
Zepp RG, Hoigne J, Bader H. 1987. Nitrate-induced photooxidation of trace organic chemicals in water. Environ Sci Technol 21: 443–450.


text:
Hanyang Arsenal (Script error) was one of the largest and oldest modern arsenals in Chinese history.
Originally known as the Hubei Arsenal, it was founded in 1891 by one of the Qing officials, Zhang Zhidong, who diverted funds from the Nanyang Fleet in Guangdong to build the arsenal. It cost about 250,000 pounds sterling and was built in 4 years.[1] On 23 April 1894, construction was completed and the arsenal, occupying some Script error, could start production of small-calibre cannons. It built rifles loaded with magazines, Gruson quick fire guns, and cartridges.[1]
On 14 June 1894, an industrial accident started a fire in the arsenal that destroyed all the equipment and most of the structures in the arsenal. $1,000,000 in damages were reported.[2] In July of the same year rebuilding began, and in August 1895, all was back to normal and the arsenal started production of German M1888 Commission rifles, locally called 7.92 cm Type 88 Mauser rifle (even though the Commission rifle was unrelated to the Mauser). At the same time, ammunition for the rifle were being produced at a rate of 13,000 rounds per month.
500,000 taels were spent annually in the arsenal, which constructed Mauser rifles and used steel from the works around Hanyang. Iron and coal mines surrounded the area. 160,000 Mausers were purchased by the Chinese military, along with mountain guns and small caliber versions.[3] Smokeless powders was produced for guns at the a factory next to the arsenal. The arsenal itself built 40 Mausers a day, 6 field guns a month. Every day the following was manufactured: 300 shells, 35,000 rifle cartridges, 1,000 pounds smokeless powder. They were moved via Yangzi river until reaching Wuchang. Fortifications across China in the interior and on the coast received these weapons.[4]
During the Boxer Uprising of 1900, the arsenal supplied the Boxers with more than 3,000 rifles and 1 million rounds of ammunition.
In 1904, the arsenal made several modifications to their design of the Type 88, and, at the same time, production capacity was expanded to 50 rifles and 12,000 rounds of ammunition per day. For a time in 1910, the arsenal switched to producing the Type 68 rifle, at a speed of 38 per day.
The quality of the firearms produced in this period was generally low, because the local steel foundries were often ill-equipped and badly managed.
Because of its proximity to Wuchang, the revolutionaries, during the Wuchang Uprising of Xinhai Revolution, largely equipped themselves with foreign and locally made weapons stored at this arsenal - some 7,000 rifles, 5 million rounds, 150 pack guns and 2,000 shells. The arsenal, in support of the revolution, switched into full gear and began producing weapons and ammo day and night. Script errorScript error[citation needed]
The Republic of China expanded the arsenal numerous times, and production soared. Quality, however, remained low. In 1917, a training school was established alongside the arsenal. In 1921, production began on copies of the Browning M1917 and the Mauser M1932 "Broomhandle" pistol. In 1930, the design of the Type 88 was once again modified, extending the bayonet. In 1935, a version of the Maxim gun—the Type 24 HMG—was being produced, based on blueprints from the German M08.
As the Imperial Japanese Army approached Hanyang and Wuhan in 1938, the arsenal was forced to move to Hunan, with parts of its assets transferred to various other arsenals across the country. At Hunan, it continued production of the Type 88 rifle and carbine, and also Chinese version of 88 or Type Chungcheng style rifle.
With the Allies' victory in 1945, orders to the arsenal gradually stopped, and, on 1 July 1947, the arsenal was shut down. Many of the senior employees transferred to Taiwan and built the basis of today's Taiwan arsenals.
Firearms producedEdit
- Type 88 rifle
- Type 68 rifle
- Chiang Kai-shek rifle
- Type 24 HMG
- Mauser C96 7.63 mm pistol
- M1917 Browning machine gun
- This article incorporates text from The Chicago daily news almanac and yearbook ...., Volume 1922, a publication from 1895 now in the public domain in the United States.
- This article incorporates text from Timely topics, Volume 5, by Henry Romaine Pattengill, a publication from 1900 now in the public domain in the United States.
- This article incorporates text from Commercial relations of the United States with foreign countries during the years ..., Volume 2, by United States. Bureau of Foreign Commerce, United States. Dept. of Commerce and Labor. Bureau of Statistics, United States. Bureau of Manufactures, a publication from 1904 now in the public domain in the United States.
See alsoEdit
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Three Solutions To Update Your Home With Energy Efficient AC
Posted on: 9 September 2015
If you are ready to have AC installed in your home, you have many choices, such as compact ducts, geothermal HVAC and ductless AC systems. All of these systems can give your home energy efficient AC, but one may be better for your home than it would be for another home. Here are some solutions that you may want to consider to update your home with a new AC system:
1. Geothermal HVAC With Integration Into Existing Ducts
If you want to be able to save money with your heating and cooling, geothermal technology can be a good solution. It is can be integrated with existing ductwork to also provide cooling. Geothermal systems work as a heat exchanger that is buried in the ground, providing your system with energy to help reduce operation costs. The geothermal exchange provides the system with energy at the median ground temperature to reduce the energy needed to heat or cool your home.
2. Compact Ductwork To Retrofit Small Spaces With Central AC
Compact duct systems can be a good solution for older homes that need to be retrofitted with AC. They can also be used in new homes with small designs and a limited amount of space. These systems use ducts that are no larger than a plumbing pipe, which make them easy to install in voids in walls or any other available space. The air is delivered at a higher velocity, making them more efficient and practical.
3. Ductless AC Systems For Small Homes With Minimal Cooling Needs
Ductless systems are another compact solution that can be used for your home. These are great for small homes with minimal cooling needs. They have an outdoor heat pump and an indoor cooling unit to provide your home with AC. They require less materials and labor to install, which can help you save money when adding an air conditioner to your home. You can even combine them using a split system, which has more than one indoor unit of a zoned HVAC design. Ductless systems are ideal for small and open spaces, or to add AC to a home addition.
These are some energy efficient AC systems that you may want to consider to update the air conditioning in your home. If you are ready to have AC installed, contact a heating and air conditioning contractor and talk with them about which system will be the best for your home.
For more information, contact Comfort Solutions Heating & Cooling Inc. or a similar company.Share


text:
"Me Too"
"Me Too"
We have come into a new generation of not being the victim any longer. "Me too" resonated in my soul. You ask me how? Well let me explain how. I too was sexually assaulted, and it was swept under the carpet.
The first time I was assaulted I was 4 years old and I will never forget that day. I was assaulted by my babysitter's husband who was in the marines. She knew what was going on and was in the other room when it was taking place. I was told that I was being punished and spanked for something I did and that is how little girls got spankings. I was scared I didn't know what was going on and at the time we lived in North Carolina. My parents had split up. My dad was stationed at Fort Bragg and we lived in Raleigh because my mother was attending nursing school. I don't think I ever told my mother what happened because she had enough on her plate dealing with my explosive dad with the divorce.
As a child growing up I would have flash backs of it. Asking myself what did I do so wrong to deserve this? What was god punishing me for? I had to find the reason behind it and why it continued to happen to me into my adult years.
I have been sexually assaulted by men over a dozen times in my life. Something I am not proud of and am looked down on to be honest. I became a totally different person because of it. When I was 16 I had a horrible flash back of the ordeal when my mom was going through another divorce with the man I had called daddy for 6 years. The man who showed me kindness and love when I needed it the most as a child. I think the divorce triggered a lot of emotions I had stuffed deep in my soul. That night I was frantic and was having horrible anxiety. My mom had gone out on a date and came home drunk and she walked into the door and I exploded with emotions and told her what had happened. She looked me directly in the eyes and said I knew what happened and there was nothing that could have been done about it then or now and walked away. I stood stun. How did she know? Why didn't she get me help? I just went to my room and cried, I cried for days. I became closed in and shut people out. How can the person who was supposed to love me and protect just brush that off?
But I knew she didn't care because this hadn't been the first time I was sexually abused, and nothing was done. I had been abused several times after that, which my mom and family knew, and it was never talked about. I was just blamed for it happening.
My life became a mess. As a woman, mother and person. I made bad judgement call after judgement call. I became to the point I didn't trust anyone in my life. I mean no one. Family, kids, friend you name it I didn't trust anyone.
I had 3 nervous breakdowns because of what I went through. Instead of getting the help I needed to work through the trauma I was put on medications which made it worse. I became suicidal. I thought my children would be better off if I didn't exist. In my families mind I didn't exist already so I thought my kids would adjust and be happier with me being gone as well.
Everyone told me to seek God and I needed to go to church. I did try that I was labeled at church for what had happened to me yet again. I was told I needed to get over my pity party. Because at times I would just get overwhelmed with emotions and cry for no reason. I couldn't help it. It got so bad that I stuffed my emotions I became to weigh 327 pounds and was dying from the inside out. I felt I didn't belong in church. I couldn't be in a place that was teaching love and then judge others and hated people if they weren't Christian.
In 2011 I started having an awaking of who I really was. That I wasn't alone and the answers to what I needed was inside me the entire time. Its been the most amazing journey for me. Because I honestly believe that the world keeps us down in the human form. I started accessing my consciousness with the help of my angels and guides and my life is completely turned around. It's been a journey. A mind-blowing journey.
I want to give a voice to the voiceless. I want to give hope to the hopeless. I want them to know they are not alone. Until you have walked in their shoes you have no idea the trauma they have suffered and lived.
Therefore, I created my website. To empower people to let them know someone does care. I want to help them. Give them the tools they need to take their life back. No one should suffer at the hands of another. Jesus was about love and light. I'm about love and light.
I have an incredible story to tell. Which I'm writing that I will self-publish. A true story of courage and love with a happy ending. Giving women and men the power to take back what was taken from them. Giving them tools to love themselves again. In doing so become all that they are meant to be. If you like to help me with getting my book published, you can donate on my page so that I can get the ball rolling on getting it published.
Love & Light


text:
What is better to try out a new PC than to play around with it a bit. Now it's posting time again:
Wild & Untamed Part 3 ... what's going with the boys in the hut ???
Title: Wild & Untamed (3/?)
Fandom: Casey / Zeke (no pairing)
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: of course, not mine
Note: This part follows directly Part two
Previous parts: one / two
This story is for romeny
"Zeke," Casey said halting.
"Are you okay?"
"Geez, just shut up, Connor!"
Zeke sounded furious, but he also seemed to be nervous, nearly ... scared??? Casey's mind was racing. Something was wrong. Slowly he left his place beside the door and went over to the boxes in the corner, where Zeke had huddled up. Tentatively he dared to put a hand onto his arm.
Zeke looked up surprised. Casey now was near enough to see the wild sparkling in his eyes. He nearly backed away.
"What the heck do you want, huh? Go home to Mommy! And leave me the fuck alone!"
The words sounded menacing, but Zeke's voice didn't. He sounded somehow scared and lost. Casey was thinking hard.
"You know," he finally whispered.
"You can tell me if you want!"
Zeke snorted.
"What the hell should I have to tell to you?"
"Whatever you want! I'm a good listener. I also go through a lot of shit. I can understand!"
"A lot of shit, eh? God, Connor, you really have no clue! What shit, eh? No matter what happens, Mommy and Daddy are always ready to save your sweet, little ass, aren't they?
What would they do if they would find you, squatted in a corner? Drenched in sweat. Shaking. When they can see the panic in your eyes. What would they do, eh?"
Casey didn't understand what he was talking about, but at least he was talking. And he was obviously waiting for an answer.
"I don't know," he murmured.
"My mom would probably take me in her arms. She would ask me what is wrong and we would talk about it ... And my Dad ... well ... sometimes he calls me the worlds greatest king of drama ... I think, he would tease me a bit. But he didn't mean harm. This is just his way to make things easier for me, y'know!"
Casey started to chuckle, but he stopped, when he heard Zeke's snidely voice.
"Like I said, fucking, perfect family. Good for you, Connor!"
Casey remembered all the stories he had heard about Zeke. That he lost his mom when he still was a child, that his dad had left him alone when he was just fourteen. That he managed his life alone since than. Most guys at school envied him for his freedom, but in this very moment Casey had not the feeling that Zeke was really happy with it.
"Yeah, it's great. My parents are nice - sometimes a bit overprotective, but nice. Who cares for you, Zeke, when you're scared?"
Zeke narrowed his eyes and pushed him violently away. Casey staggered back.
"Fuck off, Connor! You're much to nosy. I don't need anyone! I'm not scared about anything! I never was. I never will be. And now the fuck stop driving me up the walls!"
Casey observed him, lightening a cigarette, when a new loud thunder, a new flash lightning crossed the hut. He could see his hands starting to tremble.
"It doesn't look like this," he murmured.
"It doesn't look like this. The storm seems to freak the shit out of you! Why?"
Zeke took a deep breath and bent nearer to him, all too near. Casey swallowed and tried to step back. But the backside of the shag stopped him. Damn! Why the hell did he never know when it was better to keep his mouth shut?
But what happened next took him by surprise. Zeke didn't became angry. He just snorted slightly.
"Wow, brave, little boy! So, it doesn't look like this, eh? Hmpf ... You wanna hear a story? Okay, I'm gonna tell you one ... I hope you like fucking fairy tales ...
... because it begins like one.
Once upon a time there was a nice, little family. Mommy and Daddy were so happy when they got to know that they would having a baby. It was a little boy.
But he was not like other babies. It was a preterm birth and he was fragile and often ill. He needed a lot of care. And Mommy and Daddy had no more time for each other. Daddy became furious, he started to work more and more. And Mommy was alone with the baby. She couldn't deal with it.
One day she decided, that it was too much. She abandoned both, Daddy and her son. She just wanted out and experience something different.
For Daddy it was all his fault. He didn't want him. Maybe he has never really wanted him. The little boy ... he couldn't understand. His Mom was gone... and his Dad ... hm ...
"Just remember, Connor, not every fairy tale has a good ending!"
Go to part 4


text:
|Predicted Gross (m)
|1. Avatar
|$22,000 average
|2. The Princess and the Frog
|3. The Blind Side
|4. Invictus
|5. A Christmas Carol
|6. Did You Hear About the Morgans?
|$1,730 average
|7. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
|8. Up in the Air
|9. 2012
|10. Old Dogs
Avatar, Avatar, Avatar. We first heard it is supposed to be revolutionary. Then we read it is supposed to be very good. Now we will see if it is going to be record breaking. From the very beginning, the buzz for the film had been almost exclusively online driven, from fans who have been religiously following Cameron's decade-long endeavor, until the first trailer was shown on the big screen. General public started to murmur, but most were unsure what to make of all the blue characters and the plot. A month later a longer trailer came out, and media coverage began to rise; more people were converted. Still, except for the segments some had the early opportunity to watch, mystery remained on how the final product would look. Finally the full version was screened to critics a couple of weeks, but with an embargo on publishing reviews, making one wonder if Fox was concerned about the quality. Then last Thursday came the sudden decision of lifting the embargo, and the buzz has simply skyrocketed exponentially. The movie has always had a core audience that would have allowed it to open in the $40-50m range regardless with all the IMAX and 3D screen it plans to occupy, but now with phrases of "revolutionizing the medium", "breathtakingly futuristic", and "a landmark film" being thrown around by critics from major publications, with Best Picture and Best Director nominations from Golden Globe and Broadcast Film Critics Association, it is reaching a much broader audience. Young males will still represent its biggest audience, at least initially, but female and older demographics are becoming interested as well. The word-of-mouth, by all acounts, is going to be splendid, not just because of its technical virtuoso, but because it appears to have a story that could make people's heart weep, and we all know how far that combination propelled Titanic to. Not saying Avatar will reach that far, but I will be
Sony intended Did You Hear About the Morgans? to be the counter-programming choice opposite of Avatar, but as the release is approaching, the film has generated no buzz even with its two well-known leads, Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. It began on the wrong foot right off the bat this week when Major Theater Chain tracking puts its opening number at $6m on Monday, and by today, both # of tweets and Box Office Mojo polls also showed alarming similarity to what Everybody's Fine and Love Happens had on the week of their releases. Another major issue for Morgans is females over 25, their key demographics, could be busy shopping for Christmas and are more willing to wait before catching up on films they are interested. It will also not benefit from spillover business from Avatar as the male audience will choose 2012 or a number of other films over it as their second choice. Combining all those factors paints a terribly gloomy picture, even though it might feel inconceivable for such a movie to open below $5m.
Over the years, the performance of holdovers on this equivalent weekend has fluctuated greatly. In 2007 when I Am Legend opened, the top 5 holdovers dropped an average of 50%, but they also had to face another $44m opener in Alvin & Chipmunks. If we go back two years further, we would see that the top 5 holdovers dropped an average of 42% when facing King Kong, while two more years back, the average decline was even smaller at 28% even though Return of the King and Mona Lisa Smile accounted for $84m total. Normally when only one blockbuster opens, regardless how big it could get, it is more likely to be beneficial to the overall market by generating interests in going to theaters and creating spillover business; it only becomes more negative to the existing films when there are two or more major releases on the same week which could cover a much wider range of population. So for this weekend, I expect most holdovers to stabilize quite nicely, especially we are closer to Christmas this time than the past few years. The ones to get hurt the most will be the male-oriented, R-rated films, e.g. Brothers and Ninja Assassin.


text:
Why you should be careful of the hamstring
The rehab of a Hamstring Strain can be precarious. It's an injury that can leave you feeling on the edge. Once your hamstring goes it can hold you back in the future.
As former international Michael Owen can attest to. Known for his speed in his early career. He openly admitted he was reluctant to sprint in his later years. All because he was hampered by a serious hamstring injury before he turned 20.
There are measures you can take to help avoid the injury. But if it happens, what steps should you take. We take a closer look.
Hamstring Strain Rehab Read More


text:
We have 4 baby angora rabbits (5 weeks old) ready at 6 weeks old.
Important pet information! We care about the wellbeing of all the pets on Junk Mail. Find out more about our Pet Policy here.
Find even more on Junk Mail by browsing through the similar ads below.


text:
At Little Miracles Day Nursery, we aim to promote and provide a positive, friendly, stimulating, safe and healthy environment for all children. We focus on key relationships which are at the heart of the children's development. Our aim is to deliver the best possible outcomes for all of our children by providing excellent care, and learning opportunities through play to develop the skills that they need in the years ahead. We are preparing our children to become confident individuals through social interaction for their later stages of education, working in partnership with parents. We celebrate what the children can do already, during some very important developmental phases in their time with us, aiming to make their experience with us both happy and memorable.
Sending a very big, warm welcome to you from everyone here at Little Miracles!


text:
|Firekeeper's Sister
my mom decided to sell the house we're living in, and move into the smaller house that I was living in before she kicked me out last year. I guess we sold it this morning. Mom's been stomping around and yelling at things, I've been hiding in my room and saying "ok" whenever she shouts in my direction. She wanted me to take some flowerpots up to the other house. She wanted me to take them now. I was doing something else and closed the door. She told me to take my computer and get out. I told her that I fucking hated her and wasn't coming back. Now I'm in the parking lot of Barnes & Nobel and quickly running out of batteries. All my shit isn't in my car either.
I don't have a job. I don't know how to get one. I don't have anyone to stay with, and wouldn't want to ask anyone to put up with me. I don't want to ask my dad. I don't have any money.
... last weekend was really fun, though...
think i'm going to take a nap and hope i die before i wake up
I have heard the Languages of Apocalypse,
and now I shall embrace the silence.
Oh Nat... *HUGS* I wish there was something I could do to help. Please, please, PLEASE remember that there are people who would MUCH rather you ask to crash with them than sleep in your car in a parking lot!!
Take care as best you can. I'm sending whatever ~*vibes*~ I can from California!!
Vice-Chancellor of the Heartless Bitch Council
Damn peer pressure
|lives deliberately
Vega, all I can tell you is to breathe, to give this explosion and the fall out time to settle, and in the meantime, find a place where you feel safe and where you can sort out your own thoughts. You aren't lost, even if you feel that way right now. You've already reached out to the place where you feel safe, so you're already doing what you need to to find your way out of this mess.
I don't know the whole story behind your mom, so I can't give you advice, but I do know what it's like to live with a volatile person, and from my experience stomping around and yelling was a way to get attention and a passive aggressive way to ask for help. She probably wanted you to voluntarily offer your help in moving and when you didn't, she started throwing a tantrum. It's a childish way to get one's way, but it's probably worked in the past for her at some point. If you want to make amends with her, you might want to apologize for ignoring her and ask her how you can give a hand to moving house. If she blows up at you again, don't take the bait: let her know again that you want to get along and are there to help.
If you don't want to make amends with your mom, and you have no way to support yourself, you're going to have to ask for help. Don't get lost in the self-doubt and evil mind games that you can play with yourself. If someone wants to help you, and you ask them, and they say yes, they do so of their own will, with their own responsibilities. Having to "put up with you" is part of the deal of helping you, and you have no control over other people's decisions or willingness to help. All you have control over is making sure that you find a safe place.
Many *hugs* Many *vibes for strength*
You aren't lost. You're right there.
ego forceps ergo ego forceps
"Yes, m'lud?"�
"Is that Ms Ephemera hovering over the croquet lawn?"�
"Indeed m'lud. She's marshalled all the haggle-dans. Missy-twigs and vale-nymphs from Claypole Woods. Apparently she intends to tear this house down and dance on the ruins."�
"Well, Chives, you'd better start the car, what? And pack my tennis things too"�
--- Joe 3Heads
|Weirdy American Tart Thing
oh sweetie - listen to them, they give way better advice. I give *hugs*
Minister of Kraftwerk in the Realm of U & P, Order of the Pineapple with frond for advancement in Nap studies.
The brain: not always amenable to logic. ~Hive
*huuuuuuuuuuge hugs*
Listen to Al, she talks sense.
I prefer to live in a country that's small, and old, and where no one would ever have the NERVE to wear a cape in public, whether they could leap tall buildings in a single bound or not.
the parrot... ...gets tiresome.
the parrot... ...i ate him.
|Firekeeper's Sister
Hi... just letting you guys know, I'm not sleeping in a parking lot... I came slinking back about an hour ago bcos I really needed a shower, otherwise I might not have... really hating myself for it, too. I know I need to leave this house, and I don't like contradicting myself.
thanks for the advice, and the hugs. pretty sure Mom wasn't the only one throwing a tantrum today. i was kind of hoping i'd be mad enough not to come back, this time... last year I almost left, my mom was throwing a party and she was cleaning cleaning cleaning and mad that I wasn't and there was shouting and I left, slept in the parking lot at the nature park, but only for a few hours in the morning. I tried sleeping in my car one night but it didn't work. And I'm still here. And now I'm still here again. damn it.
sorry i worried you.
I have heard the Languages of Apocalypse,
and now I shall embrace the silence.
|may or may not be cerulean
|the Penitent
Me too buddy.
I hate that sort of situation, but I really like you and I'm glad that you aren't out there in the parking lot!
Hang in there and stay Groovy, sister!!! : )
Free spirits have harder times, but I saw the carousel horse that you drew during Mr. Neil's reading, and you've got talent flowing out of your ears! KEEP DRAWING, and keep your eyes open for new avenues!
Your adventure awaits!
|*Special Achievement Award Winner 2010* shines on like the stars
*Hugs* are all I can offer. Hang in there.
Life is too short to read a bad book.
|mutant hedgehog worm
|Powered by Social Strata


text:
What Every Dad or mum Wants To Know About Video Games
They are saying large things are available in small packages. They'll meet the needs of a variety of video laptop gamers. Average age of the workers is 24. Has physics graduates who measure the pace, momentum and crash impact in racing video games, Law graduates concerned with movie star contracts and licences, and automotive engineering graduates who design the structure of virtual racing cars. With 4K gaming and digital reality (VR) turning into a much bigger part of the image, now could be the correct time to snatch one of many newest playing cards.
There are extra men than ladies in the video games business but there isn't any inherent cause for this. The BSc (Hons) Pc Video games Improvement course will develop your programming skills from the basics to the full set of abilities needed to implement a posh interactive pc game. There's a excessive demand in industry for skilled specialist programmers who're snug working in improvement teams, and you will be well positioned to fulfil these roles while you graduate.
On the technical aspect it looks like we've got an enormous advantage, because the other games programmers we've talked to have been on less software engineering oriented programs. …


text:
Kino / dvgrab
Latest News
Screen Shots
User Guide
Mailing Lists
Contributed Code
Project Vision
Developer Guide
Source Code
Current Developers
Report a Bug
Success Stories
Subscribe in a reader
The first High Definition Disk Drive Recorder running on Linux in which the clients receive the source code.
(From the editor: This is not directly related to Kino or dvgrab, but the article was submitted, and we like these guys.)
Ramona Howard
Publishing date 06.04.2004 20:58
SpectSoft announces shipment of RaveHD, the first open source video disk recorder.
Oakdale, Ca., March 23, 2004 -
SpectSoft, LLC
has released the next generation of video disk recorder software running on Linux.
RaveHD is the second generation of video disk recording software geared towards high end visual effects and post production workflows. By utilizing an open source model, the Linux operating system, and commodity PC hardware, RaveHD allows it's users to leverage the entire gamut of Linux based tools as well as minimizing total cost of ownership.
RaveHD is data agnostic, in that it scales from standard definition all the way to dual link (4:4:4 RGB) high definition video. This is dependent only on the hardware running inside the PC.
Due to it's Linux based, open source nature the software has been written to utilize a standard XFS filesystem as well as standard image file formats. This allows users to quickly access it's content via any common file transfer protocol. Also, since the source code to the software is available to the customer, the level of customization and integration far surpasses that of any of it's proprietary counterparts.
Software features include: Centralized database asset tracking, LUT based color correction, RP-188 (embedded SDI timecode) support, RS-422 master (deck control) and slave (deck emulation), Web based asset and DDR management tools, client/server based, Varicam support, programmable cadence (2:3), metadata burn-in, and multitrack audio.
Jason Howard, Lead Developer and company co-founder states, "Creating one way of doing this for every studio was not realistic. Every studio has created their own specific work flow and set of tools that is quite unique. We took the approach of being able to customize this particular tool that has been used for years by the industry. Studios can literary script the hell out of this box to do some really cool things and save time through automation".
RaveHD is now directly available from SpectSoft, LLC. More information on the product is available at
SpectSoft, LLC, was founded in 1997 to specialize in Linux-based software for use in the film, media, and broadcast industries. Since it's inception, SpectSoft has worked on
technical projects with some of the industries biggest and brightest companies like Dreamworks Animation (Glendale, CA) and Tippett Studio (Berkeley, CA) that both pushed the envelope and furthered the state of the art in the film pipeline process. Throughout the years, SpectSoft has been able to maintain a relatively small footprint, the family values, and ownership that make it so unique.
Thank you,
Changing the way you think about HD
Printer-friendly page


text:
Hello, lovely readers!
I wanted to share with you this awesome beauty product I just purchased last week. Kiehl's face moisturizer is probably one of the best moisturizers I have purchased! I heard about it from my aunt, who recently went to the Nordstrom trend fashion show. Prior to the show, I also heard about the Kiehl's Moisturizer from a blogger who posted a picture of the product on her Snapchat. I am totally obsessed with skincare products and since my Origins moisturizer was running low, I decided to give it a try.
Here are the reasons why I love this moisturizer:
Long-lasting moisture:When you apply the moisturizer in the morning, your skin remains supple all day.
Versatile: I honestly think that this moisturizer will work well for any skin type: oily, dry or combination. I have a combination skin type. Around my nose it sometimes gets oily, but I can also be dry around my forehead. This moisturizer gives a dewiness to my skin without looking too oily.
Sun Protection: It has SPF for sun protection, which is great. It's always nice to find products that multitask.
A little goes a long way when it comes to this moisturizer. I use my index finger to put a little on each sides of my cheeks and some down my nose. Then I rub it together, and it is enough to spread over my entire face.
The price is really reasonable. It costs about 30 dollars for a 1.7 ounce. This sounds like a small amount, however, a small tub of moisturizer can last between 3-6 months.
You can purchase this item in the following locations.


text:
Microsoft reported its second quarter earnings for fiscal 2013 today. Most investor eyes will be on the Windows division, which posted $5.88 billion in revenue, but the company's entertainment division also reported its numbers as well — a figure lower than a year ago that's undoubtedly affected by the advanced age of the current generation of home video game consoles.
The company's Xbox division posted $3.772 billion in revenue. That's down 11 percent from the same three-month period in 2011 ($4.238 billion). Microsoft has $380 million in deferred revenue from video games alone, which would actually bring its adjusted revenue total to $4.152 billion.
The entertainment division produce an operating income of $596 million, which is actually up from $517 million in 2011.
Microsoft sold 5.9 million Xbox 360s in the quarter, and it also reported that Halo 4 is the best-selling game in that franchise's history.
The recessed revenue figures speak to a console cycle that is on the decline. We've seen this trend in the monthly report from The NPD Group, which tracks the performance of the gaming industry at retail. Sales are down, but companies are still making money.
Overall, the software and hardware giant saw a 3 percent increase in revenue from $20.885 billion in 2011 to $21.456 billion in 2012. Most of that strength comes from the aforementioned Windows division, which saw a 24 percent increase from the same period in 2011.
Microsoft will hold an investor call today at 2:30 p.m. Pacific to talk about these numbers.
Microsoft's stock is down around 2 percent in after-hours trading to $27.08.
You can't solo security COVID-19 game security report: Learn the latest attack trends in gaming. Access here


text:
Take the 90 minute drive north from the Tryphena ferry terminal and you'll pass safe, sheltered and gently sloping sandy beaches where small children play, and come across breathtaking views of dramatic surf beaches at Medlands, Awana, and Okiwi.
Leave the main road and drive down an arterial route to the coast and you will discover more beaches, rocky headlands, and harbours at Okupu / Blind Bay, Whangaparapara, Port Fitzroy, Karaka Bay, Port Abercrombie with Nagle's Cove in the distance. The road to Kawa and Motairahe will take you to Katherine Bay with two marae providing the heart of Aotea's iwi community: Ngati Rehua / Ngati Wai ki Aotea.
Slip a kayak or small boat into the water and explore secluded coves where no other footprint appears on the sand.
We can help you explore – to make the island yours – Please contact us for more information
If you are driving or walking around Tryphena Harbour you can find the southern wharf which is used by commercial and recreational boats. Around the coastline you will discover a number of sandy beaches with gently shelving sand that are popular with families and small children. There are also general stores and cafes for ice creams and drinks.
Take the turn towards Puriri Bay and discover sandy coves where pohutukawa overhang the tideline.
Medlands Beach is the iconic New Zealaind white sand beach with surf for the enthusiast or body-boarder.
Awana Bay is deep sloping and famous for its surf. Walk along the Awana estuary between the campgrounds and the beach to spot dotterels and wetland birds.
Harataonga Bay has a beautiful campsite, graceful historic trees and a beach that is a favourite for locals and visitors alike.
Okiwi Bar has the best right hand surf break on the island…maybe in New Zealand. You can get there by wading across the estuary at low tide – watch out for stingrays which bask on the sandy floor of the estuary.
Whangapoua Beach is part of the same coastline. You can get there along Mabey Road, it's well worth the drive because you are likely to find yourself on a pristine white surf beach with not a soul in sight.


text:
February update
February started with a race in New Zealand and finished back home in Tassie at the Oceania Triathlon Championships. With a heap of training and an Australian championship in the middle, here is how the month panned out.
After returning to Wollongong after a disappointing race in Kinloch I was even more motivated to work hard in training as I knew that the 23rd of Feb would come along very quickly and I'd be lining up in the Australian Championships which doubled as the first selection race for the world championships in Edmonton. This meant to finish this race in anything other than 1st wasn't going to be good enough so I had to trust I was capable of that. I had found some pretty good form over all three legs and was confident that even if I missed the front group out of the water I would be able to catch back up on the bike but as it turned out I didn't really have to worry about my swim. I started the bike in second place behind Matt Roberts, a long run through transition did help me pick up a few positions here I will admit, but I still was in the pointy end of the field coming out of the water. Roberts and myself stayed out the front for a while but eventually sat up and waited for the large group to catch us up. The group stayed together for the rest of the ride and then it was onto the run. Dan Coleman, Calvin Quirk and myself got a lead from the very early stages on the run, and there was the podium. I ran away from them in the middle stages to claim the win leaving the two of them to battle other podium spots in a sprint finish.
After Regaining the Australian junior title in Brighton, I headed home for the week leading into the Oceania championships in Devonport. Devonport is about an hour away from my home so it was a good opportunity to get home and spend some time with my family and friends. After winning the selection race for the juniors we decided that it would be best for me to step up and race in the open race at Devonport in the Olympic distance, to gain some experience.
I had a bit of a concern with my foot that occurred during the Brighton race which was still hanging around leading into the Devonport race so I played it safe and didn't run on it until the night before the race and it felt all good so I was ready to race. In typical me style though, I managed to get sick again before the race. At Brighton I got food poisoning, and then a few days before Devonport I picked up a head cold… not the first time I have raced sick though so I tried not to let it worry me but I am looking forward to a healthy race soon.
I was a bit worried about how I would cope with the swim being double the distance to what I'm used to, and knowing that is where I usually struggle the most, I knew it was going to be tough. However I got off to a good start and was working really hard to hold that position. After 750 I knew I was sitting just off the shoulder of fellow Wizard Ryan Bailie and thought if I could last the next 750 I would come out in a pretty good position. I came out in 15th position and claimed a spot in the front pack. I was a bit worried how I would cope in the run after a hard bike so was a bit unsure how hard to go on the bike, and how much work to do. I skipped one turn on the front but then copped some stern words from the others and I soon realised that I don't want to be that guy. Normally I'm the one that gets mad at others for not taking turns so I didn't want them looking at me like that. Not that it mattered much though because not long after I got dropped going over the killer north street hill. There was now 5 up the road and then Sexton, Bailie and I between them and the next larger group.
Onto the run, myself and Bailie entered transition together but I got a bit of a gap on him in the very early stages in the run, something that I would soon regret. 10k is a long way to run after a hard hilly bike leg and going out at that pace certainly was not such a great idea. Looking back I would have been better to go out with Ryan and try to build into the run if I was feeling good instead of going out fast and getting slower and slower as the race went on.
I got ran down by Sexton and Goldsmid the New Zealander but still managed to hang onto 7th place. I'm pretty happy with the result in my first ITU Olympic distance race and I look forward to getting in a few more over the season, next up at Mooloolaba.
Until then, back in the Gong training and preparing for the rest of the season.
Leave a Reply.
September 2018


text:
Walking For Fitness
Does the thought of exercising make you cringe? Well it's time to wake up! As more and more people globally are considered overweight (60% at last estimate) developing healthier life habits is a must. Walking for fitness is an easy, inexpensive and painless way to begin exercising. The health benefits are substantial. Weight loss, muscle tone and improved cardiovascular fitness are just the beginning. There are so many positive advantages to walking for fitness that you'd be crazy not to start today.
I'm not guaranteeing that by walking regularly, you'll look like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, but medical experts say that walking 20- 45 minutes, 3-4 days a week can strengthen the heart and lungs, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent injuries as we age by toning and strengthening muscles and joints. And, by using proper form, engaging the abdominal muscles you'll improve your posture and slim the waistline. Hey, that's a good thing, right? Plus, adopting healthier eating habits can lead to weight loss. And, who couldn't stand to lose a few pounds. Add in the benefit of being outdoors, breathing (hopefully) fresh air and getting a healthy dose of vitamin E from the sun. (Don't forget your sunscreen!), a walking program is something to seriously consider.
***Be sure to consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.
Additional Benefits
Personally,walking and exercise in general is so ingrained in my lifestyle that I forget about the other positive aspects it can add to life. People who exercise, generally have more energy, eat a healthier diet and have better self esteem. As your fitness level improves, our bodies become more efficient. Your heart, lungs, muscles and joints are stronger which not only aids in fat loss, but makes it easier to maintain your proper weight. When you commit to exercising (like Walking For Fitness), you tend to carry these healthy habits to other areas of your life. I've found that people who workout are more conscience of what they eat. And, as we see results, we feel better about ourselves. Good self esteem only reinforces these lifestyle changes and motivates you to continue. The pace of your walk is totally up to the you. Changing the intensity occasionally actually helps to keep it fresh and does your cardiovascular system a world of good.
Fabulous Walking Workout
Have Fun Getting Fit
Some people enjoy walking with friends or family members and schedule their walk to coordinate with their schedules. This does help with commitment and motivation. But, for me, the solitude is a welcome relief to the fast paced world we live in today. Just getting out and walking clears my head. I allow my mind to wonder and be creative. The rhythm of my foot falls and breathing move me into a sort of meditative state. Kind of an escape from the normal stress and worries of daily life.
The main point is get up and get moving! All you'll need is a good pair of athletic shoes (some suggestions below). Walking is free and a fantastic way to improve your health and well-being. So, up off that couch, let your laptop rest for awhile, and hit the pavement.
Walking for fitness is all it takes!
Some tips for incorporating more walking in your daily routine
~ At work or the market, park as far away from the entrance as possible and get some exercise.
~ If you normally use elevators or escalators, TAKE THE STAIRS!
~ If you normally schedule "quiet" time to re-focus or re-energize, try taking a slow, relaxing walk in your garden or the local park.
~ Walking after a meal aids digestion... just a five minute stroll makes a difference.
What's your favorite fitness activity?
You May Also Enjoy
- The "Perfect Workout"
AHA!!! So, the title caught your eye? I was really hopin' to get your attention. The
- Starting a Fitness Program at Home
With a little creativity and a few basic pieces of equipment, you can start a fitness program at home. The convenience of exercising at home allows you the opportunity to workout when and how you want to....
- A Guide To Ultimate Fitness
I'm in the best physical condition ever and it's attributed to one thing............... LOSING MY JOB! Let me give you some background information. For the last twenty years, I've only been out of work for...
- Positive Vibes
Tomorrow marks a special anniversary, three months have passed since being laid off. Every day is a new adventure that gives me positive vibes about the future.Things happen for a reason, the universe has a...
Old-fashioned walking for fitness is deceptively powerful . . . and need not be boring.
Particularly with a pedometer . . . and to add further motivation . . . using a Magic Ski Pole with comfortable wrist weights..
The Magic Ski Pole is simply an imaginable cross-country ski pole that reaps the full benefit of walking by preventing "lazy arms".
It automatically 'clicks' cleanly at the heart level when briskly swinging the arms.
Normally only one Magic Ski Pole need be grasped.
No snow?
No problem. Magic Ski Pole Walking—think cross-country skiing without skis or the poles —is a full-body workout that burns more calories than regular walking.
As a result the walker receives the full upper body strengthening and building power of the exercise.
Magic Ski Pole Walking is youthful and natural in appearance.
If interested . . . Google it.
Walking may not be a competitive sport but it has a huge trophy . . . health and longevity.
I find that I'm now walking smarter - not harder.
We are humans. Full grown humans are built to walk. That's plain and simple. If we don't walk, our lower body deteriorates in lifting the upper body causing it to weaken. Walking is very easy that some people neglect it.
When me and my dad would go to the groceries, he'd always want to park near to the entrance. He'll wait there even for hours just to park near the entrance. When I drive, I make sure we park a little far for him to get some walk. It irritates him, but it's good for him.
I love walking and givin the weather here in Ohio I needed to revisit your walk to a healthier life to encourage myself to keep it up during the cold weather. Love, Peace and Joy :) Katie
Great hub with lots of great information and tips. Nice work!
Awesome hub. Walking is so simple, yet so essential. It's one of those uncomplicated joys in life that most of us don't even give much thought to. And of course, as you noted, the health benefits are more than worth it. It's a miraculous stress-reliever; I've found that to be true as well. Thanks for sharing!
Jai, I love walking and in fact find it hard to walk slow, ever know the type? Walking feels good and is so good for you. Love your walk to a healthier life as I can support this as a pleasureable fact! Peace :)
Hey there Jai..I love this Hub almost as much as I love walking. .. too bad Winter is setting in here in NY and it takes alot of motivation on my part to get motivated enough to hit the pavement. . .thanks to this Hub I just might get my arse moving and take that walk that I really love to take!
I'll take your advice and start walking some more - might even start avoiding the lifts and walking up the stairs. :)


text:
I just received word from Molly Feltner from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinarian Project in Rwanda that, as of today, the baby gorilla that had the snare entangled around it's neck, is now free. Dr. Mike Cranfield had to return once again to Uganda to intervene and, this time, he was able to dart the female, keep the silverback at bay, and remove the snare from around the baby's neck. If you recall, we reported on that little guy when we first arrived in Africa. It has taken the dedicated staff of MGVP just over 3 weeks to help that one animal. I'm sure you will agree that this organization, it's dedicated veterinarians, and the potential for more happy endings is worthy of your support. You can learn more about MGVP at www.gorilladoctors.org.
Yours in Art and Conservation,
Steve Quinn


text:
Read More
January 29, 2020
OVME East Cobb Grand Opening
Read More
January 28, 2020
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Art Beats + Lyrics
Read More
November 14, 2019
Interviewing former presidents, managing communications for elected officials and putting together a killer biz-casual look—it's all in a day's work for 23-year-old Katelyn Greer. This Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., native spends her days as a broadcast specialist at the Georgia Senate Press Office, and her nights as an avid lifestyle blogger with an impressive following.
Post-graduation from The University of Tennessee with an electronic-media journalism degree, Greer interned abroad in Mongolia one summer before moving to the ATL. She cut her teeth in the world of politics interning in Gov. Nathan Deal's communications office before scoring her current gig, where she produces multiplatform media from press releases to online videos and has a front-row seat to the state legislative process.
With a high-flying professional career, Greer balances things out by indulging in her creative passions—that's where her blog comes in. "I've blogged for years," she says—it all started with an eponymous travel blog to keep her family and friends updated on her whereabouts during a solo trip around Asia in 2010. Upon her return, she transitioned it into a lifestyle blog, Kate Styled Pretty (katelyngreer.com)—which has grown to a readership of 1,000-plus subscribers—covering topics from fashion to recipes to photography.
When she's not clicking around online stores for outfit inspiration—"The trick to online shopping is to know your measurements," she says—the petite fashionista can be found scouring racks at J.Crew, Lizard Thicket, Zara and Kate Spade New York.
As for what's on the horizon? "I could see myself working in public relations," she says, "but I also wouldn't mind becoming the next Anderson Cooper." We're betting she'll get there—and will look nothing less than fabulous the whole way. @katestylepretty
Photography by:


text:
Harry and Louise
"Harry and Louise" was a $14 to $20 million year-long television advertising campaign funded by the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA)—a predecessor of the current America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)—a health insurance industry lobby group, that ran intermittently from September 8, 1993 to September 1994 in opposition to President Bill Clinton's proposed health care plan in 1993–1994 and Congressional health care reform proposals in 1994. Fourteen television ads and radio and print advertising depicted a fictional suburban forty-something middle-class married couple, portrayed by actors Harry Johnson and Louise Caire Clark, despairing over bureaucratic and other aspects of health care reform plans and urging viewers to contact their representatives in Congress. The commercials were ordered by HIAA president Bill Gradison and HIAA executive vice president Chip Kahn, and created by California public relations consultants Ben Goddard and Rick Claussen of Goddard Claussen.[1][2][3]
The couple returned in several newer advertisements pushing health care reform during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In 2000, Harry and Louise appeared in a TV commercial sponsored by HIAA promoting its "InsureUSA" campaign advocating the need to provide health coverage to uninsured Americans.[4]
Later, they returned in an unrelated 2002 ad, produced by Goddard Claussen Porter Novelli (Goddard Claussen was purchased by Porter Novelli in 1999), advocating human cloning for therapeutic purposes on behalf of CuresNow.org. The second ad was the subject of a lawsuit by the HIAA who claimed that they owned the characters; however, a court ruled that the rights to the characters were held by Goddard Claussen, and it aired during a showing of The West Wing on NBC.[5] This ad was one of several prominent political attack ads parodied in the 78th Academy Awards (March 2006). An older couple sitting at the kitchen table bemoans the "foreign-sounding names" of the best actress nominees, then praises Reese Witherspoon for having an all-American name.
Harry and Louise appeared again in an ad that premiered on August 25, 2008, during the 2008 Democratic National Convention, urging that health care reform be made a top priority. The ad aired again during the Republican National Convention. The 2008 ad was sponsored by several organizations that have, in the past, advocated diverse views on health care, including The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Hospital Association, the Catholic Health Association, Families USA, and the National Federation of Independent Business.[6]
In July 2009, the couple appeared in a new television advertisement in support of the health-care plan promoted by President Barack Obama. The ad was sponsored by a pharmaceutical industry trade group and Families USA.[7]
- ^ Birnbaum, Jeffrey H. (November 29, 2004). "Returning to the genre he started". The Washington Post. p. E01. Retrieved 2006-07-26.
- ^ Johnson, Haynes; Broder, David S. (May 1996). The System : the American way of politics at the breaking point. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-46969-6.
- ^ Skocpol, Theda (May 1996). Boomerang : Clinton's health security effort and the turn against government in U.S. politics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-03970-6.
- ^ Bunis, Dena (January 20, 2000). "The Harry and Louise Show". Salon.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Larson, Mark (May 10, 2002). "Revived 'Harry and Louise' ads spark a lawsuit". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved 2006-07-26.
- ^ American Hospital Association (August 15, 2008). "'Harry and Louise' icons return to promote health care reform in new ad". Reuters Money. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Singer, Natasha (July 17, 2009). "Harry and Louise return, with a new message". The New York Times. p. B3.


text:
UK: The possibility of the UK government selling London & Continental Railways' property assets and its stake in Eurostar International Ltd is raised in the National Infrastructure Plan 2013 published by the Treasury on December 4.
Currently wholly-owned by the Department for Transport, LCR is included in the assets which the government has identified as offering the potential for sale in 2014-20, subject to 'value for money assessments and key policy objectives'.
LCR has a 40% shareholding in Eurostar, with France's state-owned train operator SNCF holding a 55% stake and its Belgian counterpart SNCB the remaining 5%. A Eurostar spokesman told Railway Gazette International that the sale would be a matter for the government as shareholder, and day-to-day operations would continue as normal.
LCR was established as a private consortium which in 1996 was selected by the government to build and operate the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, now known as High Speed 1, and to manage the UK's stake in Eurostar. A government rescue package was needed in 1998, and LCR was purchased by the state for a nominal sum in June 2009. In November 2010 LCR let a 30-year concession to manage HS1 to a consortium of Borealis Infrastructure and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan for £2·1bn.
On September 30 2013 LCR took over 15 staff and a number of properties with future development potential from BRB (Residuary) Ltd, the body which had been formed to manage the remaining property, rights and liabilities of the abolished British Railways Board. LCR is now responsible for properties including Waterloo International station and the former Eurostar depot in west London, office accommodation in Croydon, Derby, Manchester and Birmingham and potential development sites including land in Oxford and Leeds. Other BRB(R) assets were transferred to the Highways Agency, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
- The government has also said it will provide a further £50m for a full redevelopment of Gatwick Airport station, 'subject to satisfactory commercial negotiations with the airport', and has confirmed that a £1bn state guarantee has now been agreed for the extension of London Underground's Northern Line to Battersea.


text:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
3 Comments:
- At 6:35 PM, said...
ah cok sevindim! all the more reason to love my kindle!
- At 1:05 AM, Larissa said...
Thanks for all your recipes, Binnur!
One question: I made your manti, and followed the instructions carefully, but it came out a mushy mess with the meat all falling out of the wrappers. Was the 9 minutes of boiling too long? Any ideas about what I should do next time?
- At 4:28 PM, Binnur said...
Hi Larissa,
Please don't keep the at the room temperature more then an hour. It seems they sit more than that:)


text:
Luke Skywalker's Hand and How Touch is Like Vision
Perhaps the most famous neuroprosthetic device in movie history shows up at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. In the final scene, Luke Skywalker is fitted for a new, robotic hand to replace the one so cruelly lopped off by (spoiler alert!) his father's lightsaber. To test out the new hand, Luke first flexes it a couple of times, then allows a droid to poke it in several places with a thin needle. That latter part is actually an important test, verifying the sensory ability of the prosthetic to mimic a real hand's response to pain or pressure.
Last week, we wrote about BrainGate, a neuroprosthetic that allowed some quadriplegic subjects to control a robotic arm with their brain activity. But a successful prosthetic limb, whether for a quadriplegic or an amputee, would need to have not just motor control, but also some semblance of sensory feedback replicating the ability to touch and sense the limb's position in space. Imagine if you could move your hand but couldn't feel it – tasks such as picking up a coffee cup without looking, catching a ball tossed your way, or removing your hand from a hot stove would become considerably more difficult. So while some scientist focus on the commands that travel from brain to hand and direct movement, others study the messages from hand to brain that convey touch information.
That's the research goal of Sliman Bensmaia, assistant professor of organismal biology and anatomy, who provided the excellent Star Wars example. Bensmaia, who joined the University of Chicago faculty last summer, studies the neural basis of perception, how the sensation of touch is represented in the brain. Some of his most interesting studies have found ways in which the somatosensory system (the neurobiological term for touch) resembles other sensory systems such as hearing and vision.
In a paper published last month in PLoS Biology, Bensmaia and colleagues identified in the somatosensory system a mechanism already famous in the visual system. Visual direction selectivity is a classic topic of neuroscience classes based upon experiments performed by David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel, part of work on the visual system that eventually won them the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1981. Recording from the visual cortex of cats as they were shown different stimuli, Hubel and Wiesel found certain neurons were only activated when the stimulus moved in a particular direction. So when a dot or a bar was moved from left to right, a particular neuron would rapidly fire. But move the same dot or bar right to left, and that same neuron would be silent.
A degree of direction selectivity has been recognized in the somatosensory system since the 1970's, but Bensmaia's experiments characterized just how selective these neurons truly are. Using an array of 400 pins (like a miniature version of those pin art toys everyone had as a kid, except with each pin under independent motor control), researchers stimulated the fingertips of Rhesus monkeys with a variety of shapes scanned in all directions and recorded from somatosensory cortex. The experiments revealed neurons that were highly selective for direction in three different areas of somatosensory cortex. In one area (dubbed Area 1), the directional tuning was so strong in some neurons as to outweigh all other features of the stimulus – as long as the object was moving in the preferred direction, the neuron didn't care if the object was a bar or a dot or a series of dots.
Such directional selectivity would be important for a person to adjust when the object they are touching is moving, and would allow the brain to focus on that one particular property if necessary, Bensmaia said.
"These neurons really produce the same response no matter what the shape of the stimulus is. They've sort of abstracted all information on shape and focused entirely on motion," Bensmaia said. "If a neuron responds the same no matter what the shape and its response only depends on motion, the response of that neuron becomes completely unambiguous, and that's useful. When the higher levels of the brain are interested in decoding just the motion of an object, they can pay attention to only these neurons and ignore all the others."
The result also shows that touch is processed in the brain very much like vision, an overlap that probably isn't a coincidence. Aside from the evolutionary philosophy of using the same system for multiple purposes, touch and vision also share the common problem of inferring shape and motion from a two dimensional receptor sheet – the retina and the skin. It's important to combine information about how that apple on your desk both looks and feels before you bite into it, so why not process the two senses using the same language?
"At some point, visual representations have to communicate with tactile representations," Bensmaia said. "When I see this object and I want to grab it, I have this visual representation of its shape and when I touch it I have a tactile representation of its shape and somehow these two representations have to communicate."
Understanding the common language of these sensory systems and decoding the neural code of touch will help scientists to bring Luke Skywalker's hand closer to reality, Bensmaia said. In theory, motion detectors could be placed on the neuroprosthetic that, when stimulated, would send the proper signal to the brain to give the person a sensation of having felt a moving object. Experiments to test a primitive version of that workaround will take place soon in Bensmaia's laboratory, as they attempt to "trick" monkeys into perceiving motion by directly activating motion-sensitive neurons in somatosensory cortex.
"It's the final piece of the puzzle to demonstrate that these neurons are critical in the perception of tactile motion," Bensmaia said. "If we stimulate these neurons and evoke the perception of motion, then you can attach motion processors on a prosthesis and electrically stimulate these neurons every time there's motion. That would hopefully give an amputee a conscious experience of motion in a specific direction."
And, presumably, restore their lightsaber skills as well.


text:
Callaghan 2015 KB-M36R placing boom is the latest from KCP Concrete Pumps
* 36m Horizontal Reach.
* 4 Section Roll Fold Boom
* 415v electric motor
* Pinned columns (no bolts or special tools required for assembly.)
* HBC radio control
* 2 x 10m Columns
* 1 x Cross Base
* 3 x Ladder Sections
* 1 x Working Platform
* 1 x Climbing Cylinder Set
* 3 x Floor Collars
* Pipeline to the base of the columns
Have a range of placing boom available from 18m to 60m as well as stationary pumps from 60m3h to 120m3h and 224 bar concrete pressure.