text: The Heracles: Chariot Racing wiki last edited by ReverendHunt on 04/05/14 03:16PM View full history Heracles: Chariot Racing is a racing game that originally came out for PS2 on July 6th, 2007 but then later was rereleased as a WiiWare game on July 6th, 2009. The game is based completely off Greek mythology. The game allows you to play as a number of characters from Greek mythology such as Heracles, Poseidon, Medusa, and Minotaur. You race in a series of chariot races with the goal of being crowned Champion Charioteer.


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A system for performing an analysis of pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body of a human being or animal, includes a communication interface for receiving a set of digital pressure sample values, a memory for storing these values, and a processor capable of performing the analysis, the processor having means to identify features related to single pressure waves in the pressure signals based on input of the digital data into the processor, and the processor further having determination means which based on the features is configured to a) determine a minimum pressure value related to diastolic minimum value and a maximum pressure value related to systolic maximum value, b) determine at least one parameter of the single wave parameters elected from the group of: pressure amplitude=ΔP=[(maximum pressure value)−(minimum pressure value)], latency (ΔT), rise time or rise time coefficient=ΔP/ΔT, and wavelength of the single wave, c) determine number of the single pressure waves occurring during a given time sequence, including determination of the number of single pressure waves with pre-selected values of one or more of the single pressure wave parameters during the given time sequence, and d) determine number of single pressure waves with pre-selected combinations of two or more of the single pressure wave parameters during the given time sequence. Further, the system has a display for visual presentation of the result of analysis performed by the processor.
1. A system for performing an analysis of pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body of a human being or animal, said system including:
a communication interface for receiving a set of digital pressure sample values,
a memory for storing these values, and
a processor capable of performing the analysis,
said processor having means to identify features related to single pressure waves in said pressure signals based on input of said digital data into the processor,
said processor further having determination means which based on said features is configured to:
a) determine a minimum pressure value related to diastolic minimum value and a maximum pressure value related to systolic maximum value,
b) determine at least one parameter of the single wave parameters elected from the group of: pressure amplitude=ΔP=[(maximum pressure value)−(minimum pressure value)], latency (ΔT), rise time or rise time coefficient=ΔP/ΔT, and wavelength of the single wave,
c) determine number of said single pressure waves occurring during a given time sequence, including determination of the number of single pressure waves with pre-selected values of one or more of said single pressure wave parameters during said given time sequence, and
d) determine number of single pressure waves with pre-selected combinations of two or more of said single pressure wave parameters during said given time sequence,
a display for visual presentation of the result of analysis performed by the processor.
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This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 10/283,245, filed on Oct. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,602, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/843,702, filed on Apr. 30, 2001 now abandoned, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. � 120. This nonprovisional application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. � 119(a) on International Application PCT/N002/00164 filed on Apr. 29, 2002 under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for performing an analysis of pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body of a human being or animal, as defined in the preamble of attached claim 1. The invention provides for monitoring and analyzing of pressure within body cavities in a human body or animal body, e.g., intracranial pressure and blood pressure, and even in cavities such as e.g. cerebrospinal fluid space. The invention provides for analysis of pressure signals subsequent to sampling, recordal, storage and processing of pressure measurement signals, and thereby quantitative analysis.
2. Related Art
The clinical use of intracranial pressure monitoring was first described by Janny in 1950 and Lundberg in 1960.
Intracranial pressures may be measured by different strategies. Solid or fibre-optic transducers may be introduced into the epidural or subdural spaces, or introduced into the brain parenchyma. Intracranial pressure also may be recorded directly by measuring pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid, requiring application of catheter to the cerebrospinal fluid space (most commonly in the cerebral ventricles or the lumbar spinal cavity). During infusion tests the pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid is recorded.
The present invention deals with strategies to analyze single pulse pressure waves, and make analysis of these waves available to the daily clinical practice. The fluctuations of intracranial pressure arise from cardiac and respiratory effects. The intracranial pressure cardiac waves or cerebrospinal fluid pulse waves result from the contractions of the left cardiac ventricle. The intracranial pressure wave or the cerebrospinal fluid pulse wave resemble the arterial blood pressure wave, that is characterized by a systolic rise followed by a diastolic decline and a dicrotic notch. In addition, changes in pressures associated with the respiratory cycle affect the intracranial pressure wave. The morphology of the intracranial pulse pressure wave depends on the arterial inflow, venous outflow, as well as the state of the intracranial contents. The single pulse pressure waves of intracranial pressure include three peaks that are consistently present, corresponding with the arterial pulse waves. For a single pulse pressure wave the maximum peak is termed P1 or top of the percussion wave. During the declining phase of the wave, there are two peaks namely the second peak (P2), often termed the tidal wave, and the third peak (P3), often termed the dicrotic wave. Between the tidal and dicrotic waves is the dicrotic notch that corresponds to arterial dicrotic notch. In the present application, the amplitude of the first peak (ΔP1) is defined as the pressure difference between the diastolic minimum pressure and the systolic maximum pressure, the latency of the first peak (ΔT1) is defined as the time interval when pressures increases from diastolic minimum to systolic maximum. The rise time (ΔP1/ΔT1)) is defined as the coefficient obtained by dividing the amplitude with the latency. The morphology of the single pulse pressure wave is intimately related to elastance and compliance. Elastance is the change in pressure as a function of a change in volume, and describes the effect of a change in volume on intracranial pressure. Compliance is the inverse of elastance and represents the change in volume as a function of a change in pressure. Therefore, compliance describes the effect of a change in pressure on craniospinal volume. Elastance is most useful clinically as elastance describes the effect of changes in intracranial volume on intracranial pressure. The relationship between intracranial pressure and volume was described in 1966 by Langfitt and showed an exponential curve, where the slope of any part of the curve resembles the rise time of a single wave (that is ΔP/ΔT or change in pressure/change in volume). The curve is termed the pressure-volume curve or the elastance curve. The horizontal part of the curve is the period of spatial compensation whereas the vertical portion is the period of spatial decompensation. When elastance increases also the amplitude of a single pulse pressure wave increases due to an increase in the pressure response to a bolus of blood from the heart. It has, however, not been possible to take the knowledge of single wave parameters into daily clinical practice.
In the intensive care unit, continuous intracranial pressure monitoring usually presents the pressures as mean pressure in numerical values, or as a curve that has to be visually analyzed. Though single waves may be displayed on the monitor, strategies to explore trends in changes of single wave characteristics are lacking. Furthermore, strategies to continuously examine compliance solely on the basis of the pressure curves have not been established.
There is a close relationship between blood pressure and intracranial pressure as the intracranial pressure waves are built up from the blood pressure waves. Simultaneous assessment of intracranial pressure and blood pressure provides several advantages, for instance by calculation of the cerebral perfusion pressure (that is mean arterial pressure minus intracranial pressure). The assessment of cerebral perfusion pressure represents a critical parameter in the monitoring of critically ill patients. Assessment of blood pressure per se also has a major place in daily clinical practice, including both assessments of diastolic and systolic pressures.
The technical solution may be applied to a variety of pressures such as intracranial pressures (or cerebrospinal fluid pressures), blood pressures, or other body cavity pressures. Invasive or non-invasive sensors may record pressures.
According to the invention, the intracranial pressure curve is quantified in different ways. The pressure recordings may be presented as a matrix of numbers of intracranial pressure elevations of different levels (e.g. 20, 25 or 30 mmHg) and durations (e.g. 0.5, 1, 10 or 40 minutes), or a matrix of numbers of intracranial pressure changes of different levels and durations. The pressure recordings also may be presented as a matrix of numbers of single pulse pressure waves of certain characteristics. In this context, elevations are understood as rises in pressure above the zero level that is relative to the atmospheric pressure. An elevation of 20 mmHg represents the pressure of 20 mmHg relative to the atmospheric pressure. Pressure changes represent the differences in pressures at different time stamps. A pressure change of 5 mmHg over a 5 seconds period represents the differences in pressure of 5 mmHg over a 5 seconds measuring period. It should be understood that each pressure recording is measured along with a time stamp. All pressure signals are measured along a recording time. Similar analysis can be made for blood pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure.
With regard to sampling, analysis and presentation of single pulse pressure waves, relative differences in pressures and relative time differences are computed. The analysis is not relative to the zero level or the atmospheric pressure, therefore the results of data analysis are not affected by the zero level or drift of zero level.
By means of the invention used as stated above, the applicant was able to show in a study including 127 patients that the calculation of mean intracranial pressure is an inaccurate measure of intracranial pressure. There was a weak correlation between mean intracranial pressure and the number of intracranial pressure elevations. A high proportion of abnormal intracranial pressure elevations may be present despite a normal mean intracranial pressure. In another study including 16 patients undergoing continuous intracranial pressure monitoring before and after cranial expansion surgery, the applicant found that calculation of numbers of intracranial pressure elevations of different levels and durations in a sensitive way revealed changes in intracranial pressure after surgery. Comparing mean intracranial pressure before and after surgery did not reveal these changes. Accordingly, this type of quantitative analysis of the intracranial pressure curve represents a far more accurate and reliable way of analyzing intracranial pressure than the classical ways of analyzing mean intracranial pressure and describing Lundberg's A, B or C waves.
With regard to single pulse pressure waves, the invention provides measurement and analysis of the following parameters:
As mentioned in the Related Art section, amplitude, latency and rise in the present invention is referring to the first peak (P1). This does not represent a limitation of the scope of the invention, however, as amplitude, latency and rise time also may be calculated for the second (P2) and third (P3) peaks as well.
By means of the invention the applicant showed that quantitative analysis of characteristics of single pulse pressure waves revealed important and new information about the pressures. Both these latter parameters are important for assessment of abnormal pressures. The applicant has demonstrated (not published) that parameters of the single pulse pressure waves analyzed and presented quantitatively, provide information about compliance and elastance.
The quantitative method was developed for various pressures such as blood pressure, intracranial pressure (subdural, epidural, intraparenchymatous, or cerebrospinal fluid pressure), and cerebral perfusion pressure.
Furthermore, the quantitative method was developed for offering different types of data presentations:
According to the invention, the system includes:
Further embodiments of the system, according to the invention, are defined in sub-claims 2-13.
One object of the present invention is to provide a technical solution for continuous digital sampling of pressures in a body cavity such as intracranial pressure, with or without simultaneous blood pressure measurement, in freely moving individuals that are not bed-ridden. Therefore the apparatus is small and may be driven by a rechargeable battery.
In the context of the invention there is disclosed apparatus to provide for recordal of signals indicative of the intracranial pressure or blood pressure from various sources of signals, that is invasive implanted microtransducers and non-invasive devices using acoustic or ultrasonic signals, or other signals recorded by non-invasive devices. Thus, the algorithm for analysis of pressures may be used whether pressure signals are derived from invasive or non-invasive devices.
The invention is useful for monitoring intracranial pressures without being dependent on the zero level (i.e. calibration against the atmospheric pressure). This is particularly important for pressure sampling by means of non-invasive sensors. An object of the invention is to provide a solution for analysis and presentation of continuous intracranial pressure recordings obtained by non-invasive sensors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method of analyzing pressure samples such as intracranial pressure, blood pressure or cerebral perfusion pressure, including quantitative presentations of the various pressure curves. The different pressures may be monitored simultaneously.
Through use of proper software it is possible to perform software for the quantitative analysis and presentation of continuous pressure recordings representing e.g. intracranial pressure, blood pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure. The software has several options for quantitative description of the data, including calculation of a matrix of pressure elevations of different levels and durations, or a matrix of pressure changes of different levels and durations, or a matrix of numbers of single pulse pressure wave parameters with selected characteristics.
The main objectives of the invention are related to intracranial pressure and blood pressure, but this is not a limitation on the scope of the invention. The invention can also be utilized in connection with pressure sensors measuring pressure in other body cavities (such as the cerebrospinal fluid cavities).
In a process for obtaining pressure signals and carrying out analysis thereof, one or more pressure sensors are applied to a patient and the pressure signals from the sensors are sampled at selected intervals. The sampled signals are converted to digital form and stored along with a time reference that makes it possible to evaluate the change of pressure over time. The time reference may be stored as part of the digital value, or it may be associated with the memory position, or memory address, at which the pressure value is stored. The stored sample values are then, according to this embodiment of the invention, analyzed in order to generate a presentation of at least one of the following: number of pressure elevations with any selected combination of level and duration; number of pressure changes with any selected combination of level difference and duration of change; and number of pulse pressure waves with preselected characteristics regarding minimum, maximum, amplitude, latency and rise time. This allows for various sampling rates and duration of measuring periods. Assessment of single pulse pressure waves preferentially requires a sampling rate of 100 Hz or above. As an alternative to numbers, percentages may be computed. Any point of the single waves may be calculated, and different parameters of the waves may be computed. There is a fundamental difference between computation of number of pressure elevations with any selected combination of level and duration and number of pulse pressure waves with preselected characteristics regarding minimum, maximum, amplitude, latency and rise time. One way is thereby to compute pressures relative to a zero level (i.e. atmospheric pressure), whereas a second way is to compute relative differences in pressures and time and therefore is independent on the zero level.
In the context of the invention there is provided a system for handling single pulse pressure waves in a way that pressures from a single subject may be superimposed on the pressure-volume (elastance) curve providing information about the elastance. This solution provides one of several strategies of early detection of decompensation of pressures, before the conventional methods.
In the present disclosure there is described a system for quantitative and accurate comparisons of pressure recordings/curves when assessing pressure in a body cavity or blood pressure. Comparisons may be made between different continuous pressure curves that include different recording periods, different heart rates, as well as different zero levels. Comparisons of continuous pressure recordings may be made both between individuals and within individuals (that is before and after treatment or comparisons of pressure recordings at different time intervals). This system makes use of a newly developed algorithm (not further disclosed) in computer software. The algorithm includes quantitative approaches for analysis of the pressure recordings and strategies to present the recordings. The system may be integrated in commercially available pressure transducer devices, in computer servers or in medical device computers or in the portable apparatus for pressure monitoring described here.
The technical solution of comparing various continuous pressure curves involves standardisation procedures. The numbers/percentages during a given recording period may be standardized to numbers/percentages during a standardized recording period (e.g. one or 10 hours) and a standardized heart rate. For different individuals the quantitative data for a given recording period may be standardised to a selected recording period (for example numbers/percentages during one minute, one hour or 10 hours recording period), as well as standardised to a selected heart rate (for example heart rate of 60 each minute). Thereby, continuous pressure recordings for different individuals may be compared. This strategy may provide the opportunity for development of reference curves, on the basis of recordings in several individuals. Comparisons of pressure curves for individual cases also become possible. During real time and on-line pressure monitoring, changes in pressure trends may be explored. For example, numbers of pressure characteristics during one hour of pressure recording may be compared at different time intervals.
As compared to the traditional monitoring of mean intracranial pressure, assessment of parameters of single waves may provide early warning of changes in brain compliance, allowing early intervention to reduce pressure.
In the context of the invention, there is disclosed a system for performing the analysis according to the method. The system may be in the form of a suitably programmed computer, or dedicated equipment particularly designed for performing this analysis. The system includes a communication interface for receiving a set of digital pressure sample values, a memory for storing these values, and a processor for performing the analysis described above. The system further includes a video interface that is controlled by the processor and that is capable of generating a visual presentation of the result of any analysis performed by the processor. The visual presentation will be presented on a display. The system also comprises input means for allowing a user to change the parameters of the performed analysis. This implies that the system may be integrated in different computer servers, medical device computers or vital sign monitors. Therefore, the apparatus described here represents no limitation by which the invention may be applied.
The output computed by the software may be presented in a number of ways, including matrix of numbers, graphical presentations, and comparisons of pressures in an individual against a reference material or against previous recordings of the individual.
The particular features of the invention are described in the attached independent claims, while the dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments and alternatives.
Further exemplifying features and embodiments of the invention as well as other aspects of and relations thereto will now be described in the following description with reference to the attached drawings.
As a result of its compact construction and lightweight, a patient can easily carry the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may be fastened to the belt of the patient or kept in a carry pouch with straps. Alternatively, the apparatus 1 may be used as an interface for connecting the network station or personal computer 6 to the pressure sensor 2. This allows real time online monitoring of pressure so that the pressure curves may be displayed on a display. The different applications of the apparatus 1 as well as modifications in the construction of the apparatus 1 are further illustrated in
Most commercially available sensors 16 give an analogue signal on the basis of a mechanical action on the sensor. Within the pressure transducer 2 the signals from the sensor is converted to a signal that may either be a voltage or current signal. The pressure transducer 2 then produces a continuous voltage or current signal. The voltage or current signals from the transducer are further processed within the signal conditioner 5. The analogue signals are converted to digital signals within the analogue to digital converter 7. Certainly various modifications are possible. When data are collected from for example a vital signs monitor both the pressure transducer 2 and the analogue to digital converter 7 may be built into the vital signs monitor. The digital signals are handled according to the invention.
The apparatus 1 may be constructed in a number of ways. The embodiment described below is based on a unit with a central processing unit 8 operating in accordance with instructions stored in memory 9 and communicating with the various parts of the apparatus over a common data bus 14. However, a number of variations are possible. Instead of using a central processing unit 8 and instructions stored in memory 9, the functionality of the apparatus 1 could be constructed directly in hardware, e.g. as ASICs. The apparatus represents no limitation for the use of the system for the analysis and presentation of pressures described here.
The main components of the apparatus 1 are then the analog to digital converter 7, which converts the received analog measuring signals to digital, the data memory 9, which receives the digitized values from the analog to digital converter 7 and stores them. An input/output interface 15 allows data stored in the memory 9 to be transferred to the network station or personal computer 6 for processing. The apparatus preferably includes a galvanic element 3 protecting the patient from the electric circuitry of the apparatus, a signal conditioner 5 either to the input or the output of the analog to digital converter 7, an input control 10 for controlling operation and adjusting settings of the apparatus, a display unit 12, and an alarm unit 13. Input control 10, display 12 and alarm unit 13 are connected to and in communication with the central processing unit 8 and/or other parts of the apparatus such as ASICs, display drivers, and power sensors (not shown).
Besides, the software computes the number of artifacts during a recording period, and the artifact ratio. The program includes an option for excluding recordings when the artifact ratio is above a selected level.
After the signal conditioner 5 has processed the analog signals, the analog signals are converted to digital signals within an analog to digital converter 7. The central processing unit 8 controls the operation of the various elements of the apparatus 1. The central processor is in communication with the analog to digital converter 7, and is capable of reading out samples of the digitally converted pressure measurements and storing them in a data memory 9. The data memory 9 may be in the form of electronic circuits such as RAM, or some form of magnetic storage, such as a disc, or any other convenient form of data memory known in the art.
As has already been mentioned, the apparatus 1 is here described as receiving signals indicative of the intracranial pressure from sensors 16 implanted within the skull. However, the apparatus may also incorporate a signal conditioner 5 for processing signals from non-invasive devices such as acoustic, ultrasonic or Doppler devices. Whether the entire apparatus 1 must be constructed with a signal conditioner 5 for a specific purpose or whether the same signal conditioner 5 allows for different uses, with or without re-programming, is dependent on implementation and specific needs. If the apparatus 1 is intended to work with various sensors 16 with various levels of sensitivity, the signal conditioner should be adjustable in a manner that allows operation with the desired sensors and to adapt the output range to the various sensors to the input range of the analog to digital converter 7. In this case the signal conditioner 5 must obviously be connected between the input of the apparatus 1 and the analog to digital converter 7.
The apparatus 1 is programmable including an input control 10, with a simple key board for entering a few commands. The input control 10 has a calibration function that allows calibration of the pressure sensor 16 against the atmospheric pressure, before the sensor 2 is implanted within the skull of the patient. Thereby the intracranial pressure monitored actually is the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure within the skull of the patient. It should be noted, however, that this invention also describes a method for recording and analysis of relative continuous pressure recordings that are not related to the atmospheric pressure, and are independent of a zero level. The input control 10 also contains a function for selecting the interval of pressure recordings. The pressures may be recorded with variable sampling frequency, e.g. from about 1-10 Hz up to at least 150 Hz (most preferably between 100 and 200 Hz). When single pulse pressure waves are monitored, the sampling frequency preferentially is 100 Hz or above. The minimum memory space should then allow storing of recordings at least 150 times a second for at least 48 hrs (26 920 000 recordings). The input control 10 preferably also has a function for adjusting the real time clock, since each pressure sample should include a time reference indicating when the sample was made.
Via a connector 11, data may be transferred to the personal computer 6 for analysis. The connector 11 may be a serial port, and the apparatus will preferably comprise an input/output interface 15 converting the internal signal format for the apparatus 1 to a format for communication over said connector 11.
A display 12 shows on-line the digital pressure signals as well as the real-time time. The display 12 is preferably controlled by the central processing unit 8.
An internal battery (not shown) powers the apparatus 1 that preferably is rechargeable, but with input for external power supply (not shown).
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 has an alarm function that indicates shortage of memory capacity or reduced battery capacity. This alarm may be displayed visually on the display 12, but may also include a unit 13 emitting an audible alarm signal.
As mentioned before, the apparatus 1 may be connected to a personal computer 6 via the serial port 11. Alternatively the apparatus 1 may be connected to another digital computer-based monitoring system 6 such as a network station. This gives the opportunity for on-line and real time monitoring of the pressure with real time graphic presentation of the recordings. In this situation the apparatus 1 functions as an interface for a stationary personal computer or flat screen. Different applications are illustrated in
The apparatus 1 is preferably controlled by software that is stored in a non-volatile part of the memory 9, and that controls the operation of the central processor 8. The various units of the apparatus are shown as communicating over a common data bus 14, but it should be noted that the various components may be interconnected in other ways.
The invention also relates to a method for measuring and analyzing pressure in a patient. This method will now be described.
First a signal from a pressure sensor 16 and transducer 2 representative of pressure in a body cavity is received and sampled at selected intervals. This signal is converted to digital form 7 and stored along with a time reference representative of the time at which the sample was made 9. The time reference does not have to be a time reference value stored for every sample. Since the sample rate will be known, it will be sufficient to store an actual time reference for the start of the measuring period. The time reference for the individual samples will then be given by their relative address in memory.
The stored sample values may then be analyzed in order to generate a presentation regarding a time period of at least one of the following:
This type of analysis may be performed either on-line or off-line. During on-line analysis, analysis is performed repeatedly and presented repeatedly during real-time on-line monitoring. This allows for comparisons of pressure characteristics at repeated intervals. Off-line analysis is performed after the recording period has been ended.
In order to analyze number of pressure elevations with any selected combination of level and duration occurring in a time period, the stored samples are simply analyzed in order to determine for how long the measured pressure has remained within a certain pressure interval. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user performing the analysis will be able to set the pressure intervals defining the various levels and duration of pressure elevations manually and perform the analysis repeatedly with different values for these parameters. Level may be measured on a linear scale e.g. with intervals of 5 mmHg, while the time scale intervals should preferably increase with time, e.g. each interval being twice as long as the previous shorter interval.
An analysis of number of pressure changes with any selected combination of level difference and duration of change would involve an analysis of the stored samples in order to determine the size of a pressure change and the time over which the change takes place.
An analysis of single pulse pressure waves will take into consideration not only elevations that remain within a certain time interval, but the transition of a wave from minimum to maximum and back to a new minimum or vice versa. Pre-selected characteristics identifying a pressure wave of interest may be the duration of the single pulse wave from minimum (maximum) back to minimum (maximum) combined either with minimum value, maximum value or amplitude of the single wave. Another pre-selected characteristic may be the rise time of the single wave.
The pressure sensor 16 may be applied by implanting the sensor in a body cavity of the patient, but it may also be applied by a non-invasive technique with a sensor using acoustic measuring signals, ultrasonic or Doppler, or even a pressure sensor for measuring blood pressure. In general, a problem with non-invasive sensors recording intracranial pressure, is the lack of a zero level since intracranial pressure is calibrated against atmospheric pressure. The present invention solves this problem by computing the relative differences in pressure during single pressure wave analysis. Thereby the need for a zero level is excluded.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sampling rate is at least 10 Hz, and the measurements may be taken over a period of at least 24 hours. Even more preferably, the measurements may be performed with a sampling rate of 100 Hz, or at least 150 Hz, and taken over a period of at least 48 hours. According to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus the physician can set the sampling rate through the input control 10.
The computer is not shown in detail. It preferably includes a standard communication interface for receiving a set of digital pressure sample values from the apparatus described above, as well as data memory, such as a hard drive, for storing the received sample values and processing means, such as a microprocessor, with access to said data memory, and capable of analyzing said sample values in order to determine at least one of the following:
The parameters on which the analysis should be based may include at least some of the following: pressure intervals defining a number of pressure elevations, pressure change intervals defining a number of pressure change step sizes, time intervals defining a number of durations, pressure wave characteristics including minimum, maximum, amplitude and latency, selection of type of analysis, and selection of presentation of numbers as absolute numbers, percentages or numbers per time unit.
The operation of the computer 6 will preferably be controlled by computer program instructions stored in the computer 6 and making the computer capable of performing the analysis. The program will preferably be able to perform the analysis based on default values in the absence of parameters input by a user. Such a computer program may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a magnetic disc, a CD ROM or some other storage means, or it may be available as a carrier signal transmitted over a computer network such as the Internet.
The size of the window, that is the observation time may be changed to reveal the single pulse waves. Each single pulse wave is built up from a blood pressure wave. Comparable to the heart rate, during one minute of recording often about 50-70 single pulse waves may be recorded. There is, however, a large variation in heart rate both between and within individuals, accordingly there is a variation in the numbers of single pulse intracranial or blood pressure waves during one minute recording.
The graphical interface in
The functions referred to above and the software modules that perform them will not be described in detail as they are well known in the art and do not constitute a part of the invention as such.
Reference is now made to
The mathematical functions may be implemented in the software by various routes. One implementation is shortly described. The data needed for analysis of pressure elevations of different levels and durations include the pressure recordings and the corresponding time recordings. Two variables are selected, namely the threshold levels (pressures expressed in mmHg) and the width (time expressed in seconds). A search is made for both peaks (positive-going bumps) and valleys (negative-going bumps), and the exact levels of peaks and valleys are identified. Peaks with heights lower than the threshold or valleys with troughs higher than the thresholds are ignored. For a threshold value less or equal to zero a valley search is performed. For threshold values greater than zero a search for peaks is performed. The peak/valleys analysis is performed for every width/threshold combination in the matrix. In short, the procedure is as follows. The part of the pressure curve 34 that is to be examined is selected 33, the data is visualised in the user interface. A suitable width/threshold matrix is selected, specifying the width/threshold combinations. The units used are time in seconds (width) 37, and pressure in mmHg (threshold) 36, respectively. The software records the numbers of samples that fit a given width/threshold combination. The output from the analysis is a matrix containing the numbers of all the different width and threshold combinations. An example of such a matrix 35 is given in
By clicking a first button 38, the user can select a presentation of the data as a chart of numbers of intracranial pressure elevations with various combinations of level 36 and duration 37. The intracranial pressure levels and durations may be selected in each case. According to a preferred embodiment, intracranial pressure is expressed as mmHg and duration as seconds and minutes. Also blood pressure may be expressed as mmHg. Independent of the type of pressure measured the pressures may be presented in the same way.
A second button 39 allows the user to select presentation of the data as a chart of numbers of intracranial pressure intracranial pressure changes of different levels 36 and duration 37. The changes may be differences between two recordings or differences between a recording compared to a given or selected value (e.g. mean pressure).
By clicking a third button 40, the user selects presentation of the data as numbers of single pulse pressure waves with pre-selected characteristics. The user accesses an input dialog box for entering these characteristics by clicking a fourth button 41. Each single pulse pressure wave is identified by minimum, maximum, amplitude, latency and rise time. Further details about analysis and presentation of the parameters of single pulse pressure waves are given in
The presentation of the results of the analysis in chart 35 may be toggled between absolute numerical quantities and percentages of recording time by clicking one of two buttons 44.
The numbers may be standardized by presenting the data as numbers per time unit 42. The time unit (e.g.) may be selected in each individual case. The data presented in
During on-line presentation the matrix 35 may be compared repeatedly. The whole matrix 35 may not need to be presented but only certain width/threshold combinations. Differences between certain combinations at different time intervals may be revealed. For example, the numbers or percentages of intracranial pressures of 15, 20 and 25 mmHg lasting 5 minutes during 1 hour recording period may be computed and presented each hour during on-line presentation. Normalization of data to a standardized recording time 42 and heart rate allows for accurate comparisons between different time intervals for individual cases, as well as comparisons between individuals.
For example, for blood pressure, comparisons of pressure curves may be performed before and after treatment with medications in an individual. Alternatively, pressure recordings from an individual may be compared against a normal material. A normal material may be constructed on the basis of the recordings from a large group of individuals.
The method for performing these analyses is described above, and the various buttons described above invokes software modules for performing the various steps of this method.
Again, a special function 43 allows the analyzed data to be saved as text files with a selected text format such as ASCII, or other files compatible with applications for mathematical and/or statistical handling of the data or for generating presentations.
The results shown in
During the standardisation procedure, the numbers or percentages are adjusted to a given factor. The normalised time may be chosen in each individual. An example is given. If the actual recording time is 6 hours, a standardisation to 10 hours recording time implies that all numbers or percentages of pressure elevations are multiplied with a factor equal to 10/6 (that is 1.66666).
The following example is intended to illustrate various aspects of the present invention regarding related measurements of pressure waves described in
Continuous intracranial pressure monitoring was performed in a girl aged 2 years and 11 months because of suspected shunt failure. In this girl an extracranial shunt was previously placed because of hydrocephalus. Shunt failure was suspected because of headache, lethargy and irritability. In fact, increased, reduced or normal intracranial pressures may cause these symptoms. The results of intracranial pressure monitoring during sleep in this girl were as follows: Mean intracranial pressure 14.4 mmHg, range 0.1-67.3 mmHg, std 5.7 mmHg. The duration of intracranial pressure monitoring was 544 minutes. A mean pressure of 14.4 mmHg is by most physicians considered as borderline whereas a pressure above 15 mmHg is considered as abnormal. Therefore, no indication for surgery (shunt revision) was found on the basis of the intracranial pressure monitoring. The girl was not treated which resulted in lasting symptoms of headache and lethargy for more than 2 years. A retrospective analysis of the intracranial pressure curve was performed by means of the method according to the invention.
The procedure of comparing pressure curves 34 is further illustrated in
Continuous intracranial pressure monitoring was performed in a 3 years and 10 months old boy due to suspected premature closure of the cranial sutures. The boy had symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. During sleep the data of the intracranial pressure curve were as follows: Mean intracranial pressure 15.4 mmHg, range 0-57.1 mmHg, std 6.0 mmHg, and time of pressure recording 480 min (8.0 hrs). On the basis of the results of intracranial pressure monitoring, surgery was performed. A cranial expansion procedure that is a rather major procedure was performed to increase the cranial volume and thereby reduce intracranial pressure. However, after surgery the patient still had symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Therefore it was decided to repeat the intracranial pressure monitoring, that was undertaken six months after surgery. The data for this monitoring during sleep were as follows: Mean intracranial pressure 15.2 mmHg, range 5.5-39.4 mmHg, std 3.9 mmHg, and time of intracranial pressure recording 591 min (9.85 hrs). This new intracranial pressure monitoring was inconclusive because mean intracranial pressure was unchanged after surgery. In retrospect, the monitoring of intracranial pressure was without purpose since no conclusions could be drawn on the basis of the pressure recordings. Though the pressure was unchanged after surgery, it was decided not to perform a new operation though the results of intracranial pressure monitoring did not document any reduction of intracranial pressure after cranial expansion surgery. A "wait and see" policy was chosen on the basis of intracranial pressure monitoring. However, when the method according to the present invention was applied retrospectively to the intracranial pressure curves before and after surgery, it was found a marked and significant reduction of number of intracranial pressure elevations. The matrix 35 of numbers of intracranial pressure elevations of different levels 36 and duration's 37 before and after surgery is presented in both Table 1 and
As can be seen from the above mentioned examples the invention provides an accurate way of comparing pressure curves. The standardization procedure is crucial. For example it may be useful to compare pressures during sleep. The recording periods may be different, therefore it may be useful to standardize to a given recording time. It might not be representative to for example select one of 6 hours of recording.
In the following
With regard to data collection, several steps are basically similar to the processes described for
Reference now is given to
Latency 47 represents the time interval during which the pressure is changed from one pressure to another pressure. Each pressure signal may be identified on the time scale because pressures are recorded along with a time reference. The maximum 46 and minimum values 47 identify each single wave. The latency from one minimum 47 value back to another minimum 47 value is the heart rate and the duration of the wave. The latency from minimum 47 to maximum 46 is the time where the pressure of the single wave increases from the diastolic to the systolic pressure.
People skilled in the art would know that a single intracranial pressure wave contains three peaks, the first (P1), second (P2) and third (P3). The second peak (P2) also is termed the tidal wave and the third peak (P3) the dichrotic wave. Whether the waveform is reproduced properly or not depends on a sufficient resolution order and a sufficient sampling rate. The expressions amplitude 48, latency 49 and rise time 50 are with reference to each of these peaks. The identification of the first peak (P1) is relative to maximum 46 and minimum 47. The identification of the second peak (P2) also is relative to the first peak (P1), and the third peak (P3) is relative to the second peak (P2). In the present embodiment focus is given to amplitude, latency and rise time related to the first peak (P1), though this does not represent any limitation of the scope of the invention. References may also be to the second (P2) and third peaks (P3).
For the first peak (P1), the amplitude ΔP1 represents the relative pressure difference between the diastolic minimum 47 and systolic maximum 46 pressures. Latency ΔT1 is the time interval by which pressures increase from diastolic minimum 47 to systolic maximum 46. Rise time ΔP1/ΔT1 is the quotient between difference in pressure divided by difference in time. The differences of pressures and time represent relative values. Any type of relationship may be calculated. The software allows the calculation of a matrix 53 of number of single pulse pressure waves with pre-selected wave characteristics of different amplitude 51 and latency 52. Any kind of combinations of single wave parameters may be computed within the matrix 53. The amplitudes 51 usually are expressed in mmHg and the durations 52 in seconds.
The results may be presented as absolute numbers or as percentages, and the results may be standardized to a selected recording time (for example each one minute, one hour, or even 10 hours recording time) 42, as compared to the actual recording period 45. During the standardisation procedure, the numbers or percentages of single waves with selected parameters are adjusted to a factor. The normalised time may be chosen in each individual. An example is given. If the actual recording time is 6 hours, and it is desired to standardise to 5 minutes recording time, the function implies that all numbers of single waves are divided with a factor equal to (6�60)/5 (that is 72.0).
Calculation of single pulse pressure waves automatically gives the heart rate because each intracranial single pulse pressure wave is built up from the blood pressure wave. Therefore the numbers of single waves with certain characteristics during a given recording time also may be standardized to a given heart rate 55, as compared to the actual heart rate 54. During the procedure of standardisation to a given heart rate, the heart rate must be selected beforehand. The recording interval also has to be selected, when an average of the heart rate must be computed. An example is given, though this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is chosen to standardise the numbers or percentages of certain single waves to a heart rate of 60 beats a minute. Furthermore, it is chosen to average the heart rate to each 5-second recording period. During this recording period of 5 seconds the averaged heart rate is computed. Given that the total continuous recording period is 6 hours this standardisation analysis has to be repeated a total of 4320 times (�12/minute, �720/hour). Given that the actual average heart rate is 120 beats a second in a 5 seconds interval, the numbers or percentages of single waves during the period of 5 seconds must be divided by 2, to be standardised to a average heart rate of 60 beats a second. On the other hand, if the average heart rate is 30 during the 5 seconds interval the numbers or percentages of single waves during these 5 seconds has to be multiplied with a factor of 2, to be standardised to a heart rate of 60 beats a second. This approach also allows for on-line and real-time update of standardised numbers or percentages to a given heart rate since such an update may be performed repeatedly every 5 seconds.
With regard to presentation of single wave parameters, a number of variations are possible. The matrix 53 of pre-selected characteristics of amplitude 51 and latency 52, may be presented repeatedly and comparisons between matrixes 53 at different times may be performed. Only certain single wave parameters may be compared. The numbers/percentages of single wave parameters may be subject to any type of statistical analysis.
An important aspect with the computation parameters of single pulse pressure waves is that the invention computes the relative differences in pressures and time. These relative differences are not related to a zero level of pressure. Accordingly, the single wave analysis is not influenced by the zero level of pressure, neither of drift of the zero level of the sensor. It should be noted that the procedure of calculating pressure elevations of various durations
Exploration of the single pulse pressure waves is started by pressing the button 40, and the single wave parameters are selected by pressing the button 41. The upper figures in
The invention provides the option for comparisons of pressure curves. For example, during monitoring of intracranial pressure during sleep the numbers of single waves with certain pre-selected characteristics may be computed (for example amplitude 4 to 8 mmHg and latency 0.25-0.28 seconds). The numbers of such single waves may be computed during a standardized recording period (e.g. each one minute or each one hour) and a standardized heart rate (e.g. 70/min). The numbers of single waves may be computed within the same individual at different times (e.g. before and after treatment) and compared. Alternatively the numbers of single waves may be computed within an individual and the numbers may be compared against a normal material.
It should be noted in
The computer software may be integrated in the portable apparatus 1, as well as in a network station, a personal computer, medical device computers 6, computer servers 6 connected to vital signs monitors, or incorporated directly in vital signs monitors. Output from the quantitative analyzes may be presented on the monitor screen, flat screen or other devices known in the art.
Such histograms may be made after the end of pressure monitoring that is off-line. This represents no limitation of the invention as histograms may be computed real-time and on-line repeatedly. For example, histogram presentation may be computed repeatedly each 5 or 10 seconds or each one minute, with or without standardisation functions. Such histograms may be incorporated in patient monitors with bars to the right indicated by red and bars to the left indicated as blue, to incorporate alarm functions. When single wave distribution changes to the right (i.e. amplitudes of single waves increase), actions should be taken to reduce pressure.
Instead of presenting the histograms, the balanced position of single wave combinations of latency/amplitude such as centroidial axis or centre of mass may be computed and displayed. Updates each 5 second represents an alternative to the conventional strategy of computing the average of pressure signals during for instance a 5 second interval.
Though examples are given concerning intracranial pressure, similar functions may be made for any type of pressure (blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, cerebrospinal fluid pressure etc.). Which types of single wave distribution that should be considered as abnormal depends on type of pressure.
References now are given to
The invention may not exclusively be used in humans but may as well be used in animals, both in the clinical practice and in scientific experiments.
The invention is intended used in several groups of patients with various clinical problems. Some examples are given though these should not be understood as limitations of the scope of the invention.
Continuous intracranial or cerebrospinal fluid pressure monitoring according to the invention described here may be used in adults and children. (a) In children intracranial hypertension may be questioned on the basis of hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, pseudo-tumor cerebri and questions of. (b) In children and adults either intracranial hypo- or hypertension may be questioned on the basis of shunt failure. (c) In adults with questions of so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus intrcaranial hypertension or abnormal absorption of cerebrospinal fluid may be questioned. (d) In individuals in the intensive care unit, a vital aspect is to follow abnormal changes in intracranial and blood pressures.
Continuous blood pressure monitoring according to present invention may be used in (a) assessment of blood pressure medications, and in (b) children and adults in the intensive care unit in whom continuous blood pressure monitoring is used as part of the patient monitoring.
Though focus is given to intracranial pressure (including cerebrospinal fluid pressure), blood pressure, and cerebral perfusion pressure, any type of pressure in a human body cavity may be assessed according to the invention described here.
The pressure transducer may be connected directly to the vital signs patient monitor and the pressure signals may be transferred via a network solution to another server or to personal computers. Alternatively, modifications of the apparatus may be used as an interface between the pressure transducer and the computer. Though an invasive method of recording pressures is described here various types of non-invasive sensors may be used.
When pressures are measured in the cerebrospinal fluid during so-called infusion testing, a catheter is applied to the cerebrospinal fluid space, usually either within the cerebral ventricles or to the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid space. The catheter is connected to a commercially available sensor for sensing pressures within a liquid. This pressure sensor 16 may be connected via the apparatus 1 described here to a commercially available computer, or via a vital signs monitor to the computer. In this situation the apparatus 1 is modified, thus serving as an interface between the sensor and the computer. Pressure recordings are made while a fluid is infused to the cerebrospinal fluid space. The applicant has shown that recordings of single pulse pressure waves may be done simultaneously as the fluid is infused. According to this intervention the various parameters of the single pulse pressure waves may be calculated as well as the heart rate variability during infusion of liquid. Various strategies of assessing single pulse pressure waves may be performed in this situation. The distribution of single waves during one minute of recording may be computed and related to the volume change that is known in this situation. The invention allows for standardisation of numbers or percentages to a given heart rate and a given recording period. For example, the matrix 53 of single waves with various amplitudes 51 and latencies 52 may be computed repeatedly during one minute of recording. Since the infusion rate and hence volume change is known a curve for each individual may be computed with percentage of pre-selected single wave on Y axis and volume change on X axis. When the curves of many individuals are known it is also possible to superimpose the recordings from one individual against a reference curve from several individuals. It has previously not been possible to superimpose the intracranial pressure recordings of a single subject on the pressure volume or elastance curve. The present invention may provide a technical solution for this problem. Since any types of single pulse wave parameters may be calculated by this invention, a variety of approaches may be possible.
With regard to on-line presentations, pressures (for example intracranial and blood pressures) may be presented by conventional means as real-time presentation of numerical values of mean pressure or as real-time presentations of intracranial pressure curves. The present invention provides a technical solution for continuous analysis and presentation of parameters of single pulse pressure waves. For example, the numbers or percentages of a certain rise times (for example 10-20 mmHg/sec) during a given recording period (e.g. 1 minute) may be computed repeatedly and presented on a graph. Thereby changes in pressures may be detected before the conventional methods, thus providing early detection/warning of deterioration of pressures.
The invention also may be use to compare changes in blood pressure before and after interventions. Comparable to the situation described for intracranial pressure quantitative analysis and presentation of continuous blood pressures may be computed. Changes in numbers or percentages of single pulse pressure wave parameters may be compared. In the assessment of treatment of blood pressure, comparison of pressure curves before and after treatment is of interest. Single pulse pressure wave parameters may be calculated before and after treatment with blood pressure medications. The invention provides a detailed approach for assessment of these treatments. It should be noted that the invention may both be used in clinical practice and in scientific practice. Pressure may be monitored in both humans and animals. In particular, the invention may be used in animal experiments in which blood pressure medications are assessed.
This invention represents a new technical solution in various aspects, which now will be commented on:
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that various changes, modifications, additions and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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Is this too much or am I wussing out?
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 888
Is this too much or am I wussing out?
I've been overclocking my E6400 with my new P35 Neo2-FR board but no matter how much I read about overclocking settings and results I can't seem to find a good answer to if I'm pushing things too far or if I'm just being a girly man.
A couple of notes:
For cooling I'm using a Cooler Master Hyper TX2 with AS5.
For temperature results I'm using the low and high from a successful OCCT graph with CoreTemp temps.
I can get a stable 3.00GHz overclock with:
FSB: 375MHz
CPU Voltage: 1.325V
VTT FSB Voltage: 1.250V
NB Voltage: 1.300V
Temp (Idle-Load): 39-56
Or a 2.67GHz OC with all default settings except:
FSB: 333MHz
Temp (Idle-Load): 35-50
My issues start to arrise when I push for 3.20GHz. I can get into Windows and basically taste stability at:
FSB: 400MHz
CPU Voltage: 1.400V
VTT FSB Voltage: 1.300V
NB Voltage: 1.350V
Temp (Idle-Load): 39-59
Here's what I'm wondering:
Some of the stuff I've read warns to never pass above 60 degrees, others 65, and some say you're good all the way to 80.
Do I need to be afraid of passing above 60 degrees?
Can I push the VTT and NB voltages a little higher without fear of damage? I seem to be able to raise them in lou of raising the CPU voltage but my motherboard marks higher values in red calling them "unsafe". Are they just covering their ass, or are mine high?
Thanks in advance for any advice. I'd really like to get 3.2Ghz, it
faster, something the other OCing didn't do.
edit: forgot my temps @ 333
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One of the homeless people from that Timberlake wedding video.
Thats growing into quite a nice FLOCK OF SEAGULLS doo
I'm surprised to see her that she actually owns a shirt that completely covers her breasts.
Still hasn't mastered that whole 'bra' thing…. Not that I'm complaining..
"Why do I need a dang ol' bra when I gots a shirt with the long armholes on? Ain't like no one can see my goodies!"
Heheheheh Long armholes. :D
Breasts? That's Bieber gone blonde.
Bieber is prettier.
I'm a trend setter, y'all…derp.
Why does her belt buckle say "Mogadishu?" I doubt she's been to Somalia.
"It's 'Moschino,' after the cherry."
She's like the white Rhianna…now where is the white Chris Browne when you need him?
Does she still smash a car onstage?
She is not attractive.
Why is she carrying that big bag? All the thoughts in her head are running over?
Damn it, that was supposed to be a separate comment.
Hick with tits , or is it zits ?
Talks like she was conceived in the back of the Walmart Tire bay
Mommy gave it up for a couple of Zagnuts and a handful of tootsie rolls
Nice Mom-Jeans, stupid.
So…how are those Lifetime auditions going?
Reminds me of that old Madonna video–'papa don't preach'– seems like she decided to copy one of Madge's worst looks!!!
They must have outlawed bras in the South.
Now if they could just work on that whole in-breeding thing,we wouldn't be looking at this mess.
Nice edgy mom jeans.
What's the likelihood her career will recover from the haircut?
Shit, I can look like that. Lame.
First a Heidi Montag sighting, now Samantha Ronson. It's like 2008 all over again.
She was on "Two and a Half Men". Not the show, but the Hemsworth brothers and Peter Dinklage.
Did she get that outfit from Goodwill?


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Comment Re:Please (Score 1) 367
Its like saying "Hey, Chevrolet, you know your customers like the radio station set to 101.9, why cant you engineer your cars to respect their choice instead of forcing your nefarious 101.5 agenda."
Yeah, but this is a Mozilla car analogy we're talking about here.
In the current 2015.7 model, release, the UX team has decided that a 5-button hamburger menu on an AM dial (and only from 1100Khz to 1150KHz in 10KHz increments) is all that's needed. Users who want to access a wider range of frequencies in the AM band are free to write an extension or purchase a third-party radio head unit.
To further improve the user experience, we remind prospective extension developers that in the Aurora channel for the 2016.1 model year, the about:config setting for frequency.megavskilohertz has been removed, along with the FM antenna. The UX team has made this recommendation based on telemetry that suggests that few drivers actually listen to FM radio, especially since the 2013.6 model, in which the AM/FM toggle switch was removed because the UX team for 2012.1 felt it was cluttering the dashboard.


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General Internal Medicine
"I like the personal aspect of patient care, and I work to develop a real relationship with all my patients."
345 West Washington Avenue, Ste. 100
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 417-8300
[map link]
Meriter Hospital
UW Graduate Medical Education
UW Graduate Medical Education
Medical School,
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Medical School,
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
National Institute of Health Stroke Cert
ABMS/AOA Certification,
American Board of Internal Medicine
Dr. Kutz has a particular interest in cardiovascular disease prevention, sports-related medicine and integrative medicine.
Dr. Kutz gives his complete attention to his patients during their appointments to ensure they can discuss any and all medical concerns. It also provides him the opportunity to perform a thorough examination, which is critical for developing a diagnosis. Spending time with patients further allows Dr. Kutz to form rewarding personal relationships. He believes mutual trust and respect between doctor and patient are the foundation for delivering high-quality health care.
Outside his practice, Dr. Kutz loves being with his family and spending time outdoors fly-fishing, bicycling and snowboarding. His goal is to run at least one marathon per year.


text:
French Writing Center
What is the French Writing Center?
The French Writing Center is for students in upper-division classes (300-400 level) to receive assistance with their writing assignments. We can help you to brainstorm for topic ideas, develop theses for your papers, organize your essays, learn how to revise and collaborate in the proofreading process, identify grammar error patterns, and locate sentence or punctuation errors.
However, we will not help you correct the individual grammar or spelling errors. In this way you will practice skills that will improve your long-term writing ability. The process of becoming a better writer is not achieved through writing consultants simply correcting your errors. The purpose is to help you develop stronger writing skills, but it does not guarantee higher grades on individual essays.
Make sure to use BonPatron Pro, the Online Spelling and Grammar Checker for French as a Second Language, in the LRC (MAK D-2-221) before coming to the French Writing Center.
How do I make an appointment?
1) You may stop by for a twenty-minute walk-in appointment during posted times.
2) Twenty-minute appointments may be scheduled with the consultant outside of the posted times. You may schedule a twenty-minute appointment by e-mailing the consultant at least 2 days in advance (email@example.com) You will receive confirmation by e-mail. Please show up on time for your appointment.
Prof. Carol Wilson
Office: MAK B-2-246
E-mail: email@example.com
Availability: Tuesdays 9-10 am, Thursdays 11-12 noon, and by appointment.
If you have any questions about the French Writing Center, please e-mail Prof. Wilson at firstname.lastname@example.com
How do I prepare for my appointment?
Please come prepared with ideas of what you would like to work on with the consultant, including:
An idea of your own goals for the consultation, along with specific questions.
A concrete sense of the assignment. Bring a copy of the document outlining it. Also, bring any other documents with your instructor's rubrics for evaluation, if any.
A copy of your paper and drafts with your instructor's comments, if any. If you are writing about a text, bring it as well.
The will, energy, and time to improve your writing.
Please click here for a checklist that will help you work on your writing assignment and get ready for an appointment with a consultant from the French Writing Center.
Grand Valley State University
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
1 Campus Dr. B-2-243 MAK
Allendale, MI 49401
ph. 616.331.3203
Page last modified December 15, 2014


text:
Student CheckingIf you are a Full-time student, you may apply for a Student Checking account. This service provides students the convenience of checking without monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements.
You must deposit $100 to open this account.
Contact one of our New Account Representatives to discuss opening this type of account today!
Your specific questions regarding a Student Checking Account can be handled by one of our New Account Representatives by contacting them at (606) 474-7811.
Click Here for our office hours and locations
Account Fees:
There is no monthly service fee for student checking accounts. Upon termination of full-time student status or age 26, the account will become a Regular Checking Account and will be subject to all applicable fees.
Financial Tools
Here are some easy-to-use online calculators to help you solve some common financial problems. Click Here to see additional Financial Tools & Calculators available.


text:
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4 bed, 4 full bath, 1 half bath. This exquisite home is a true work of art with dome ceilings, travertine & granite floors, and handMore info
4 bed, 4 full bath. Full brick home located at Inverness in Piper Glen on a GOLF course. Home features all new kitchenMore info
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3 bed, 2 full bath, 1 half bath. Great ranch home located on a cul-de-sac. Meticulous well maintained. Private wooded lot. Enjoy eveMore info
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4 bed, 4 full bath, 1 half bath. Lovely two-story traditional home with a finished basement. Lovingly cared for by the current ownerMore info


text:
Our team at spa Angels are all qualified and experienced therapists who will provide you with a wonderfully nurturing experience. We provide Mobile Pamper Parties and Make-Up/hairstyling services in Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula/ Yarra Valley/ Sydney / Byron Bay Brisbane/ Gold Coast/ Sunshine Coast Adelaide and Perth.
When it comes to the perfect look that seperates you from the rest, its better left to the professionals.
With La Bella Sposa, every bride receives the ultimate treatment! Our philosophy is, every bride should look and feel gorgeous and unique, like a star. All, while having fun too! And that's our promise to you. We are servicing all areas and are 100% South Australian owned.
Natalie and her professional team at Blush are a mobile hairstyling, make-up artistry and beauty service in Adelaide. We can travel to your home or hotel just about anywhere is South Australia. Hair styling, makeup and beauty is a passion of ours and it shows in our work.
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My work includes model and casting portfolios and freelance artistry for general occasions.
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Maria specialises in Bridal make up and understands this is one of the most important days in a woman's life. Maria knows how important it is for your make up to look amazing in photographs but also face to face.


text:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Matt Forte set Conference USA and school records with 303 rushing yards and a school record with five rushing touchdowns as Tulane beat Southeastern Louisiana, 35-27, on Saturday night in the Superdome.
Forte carried 40 times, scoring on runs of 20, 21, three, four, and 11 yards as the Green Wave (1-2) gave Coach Bob Toledo his first victory as a head coach since 2002, at UCLA.
Forte's rushing yardage broke the C-USA record of 300 yards set by Joffrey Reynolds of Houston against East Carolina in 2002, and Mewelde Moore's school record of 249, set against Cincinnati in 2001.
He broke the school single-game rushing touchdown record of Toney Converse (1998) and Charles Flournoy (1925), both against Louisiana Tech.
The Lions, members of the Division I Championship Subdivision, formerly known as I-AA, are 1-3.
SLU had taken a 20-14 halftime lead on a 63-yard pass by Brian Babin to Merrick Lanaux with 3:44 remaining in the second quarter.
Forte's 3-yard touchdown run edged Tulane ahead, 21-20, with 7:25 left in the third quarter.
The Green Wave extended the lead to 28-20 on Forte's 4-yard run with 4:48 left in the quarter. He scored his final touchdown on an 11-yard run with 4:25 left in the game.
SLU concluded the scoring on Brian Babin's 14-yard touchdown pass to Byron Ross with 1:57 left.
SLU took an early 7-0 lead when Travis Williams blocked a punt by Tulane's Ross Thevenot and Donald Frazier picked up the ball and ran 12 yards for a touchdown.
The Green Wave tied the score on the next possession when Forte ran 20 yards for a touchdown. After his 21-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the Lions cut the deficit to 14-13 on Jeff Turner's 22-yard and 37-yard field goals.


text:
Chiquita Wants Court To Toss Terror Payments Case
MIAMI (AP) -- Produce giant Chiquita Brands International is asking a federal appeals court to toss out lawsuits filed against it in the U.S. by thousands of Colombians whose relatives were killed in a bloody civil war.
An 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel will hear arguments Thursday.
Chiquita once had huge banana operations in Colombia. The company says the lawsuits should be dismissed because Chiquita can't be directly linked to each killing, despite paying $1.7 million to a right-wing paramilitary group.
Lawyers for the Colombians say Chiquita should be held liable, even if executives didn't know specifics about the death squad killings.
Chiquita pleaded guilty in 2007 to U.S. criminal charges over the payments and paid a $25 million fine. The company insists the payments were made under duress.


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Otaku Evolution Episode 44 - Mobile Suit Gundam ISubmitted by Penguin Truth on August 1, 2015 - 3:59pm
Happy birthday to me!
As usual, my Patreon page.
- Penguin Truth
Hyaku Shiki 2.0 Project - Pale RiderSubmitted by Falldog on July 27, 2015 - 7:20pm
Otaku Evolution Episode 43 - Mid Year Dub ReviewSubmitted by Penguin Truth on July 24, 2015 - 7:25pm
Otaku Evolution Episode 43 - Mid Year Dub Review by ellbell01
Pardon the giving in to the temptation of starting a storyline. It's just until I start up my strips again.
After the Cel Shading - BoJack Horseman Season 2 - My Little Pathos: BoJack is MagickSubmitted by Juu-kuchi on July 22, 2015 - 7:15pm
Ernest Cline's Armada - A Book Review & Comparison to Ready Player OneSubmitted by Falldog on July 13, 2015 - 5:08pm
Ernest Cline is repeating himself, this time with with his new novel, Armada. I've never been one to write lengthy book reviews but this is a special situation. Ready Player One (RPO) is such a well received work that more often than not the true nature of the piece gets lost behind the glare of blind appreciation. I worry that Armada will be received the same way. While I primarily want to talk about Armada is this review, it helps to review Ready Player One as it makes for a good comparison point.
Warning! This review contains minor Ready Player One spoilers and major Armada spoilers. While neither book really has any crazy breathtaking revelations I suggest folks looking to read either from a clean slate return to this review later. Though I couldn't fault you for skipping Armada all together...


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While many on the left seem to be pining for a populist 2016 campaign from the likes of Elizabeth Warren, the truth is that a Warren campaign probably has at least as many backers among conservatives. That's not only because it would mean Hillary Clinton wouldn't skate to her party's nomination virtually unopposed (or opposed by Martin O'Malley, which is the same thing). It's also because Warren was the last hope for the emergence of a serious intellectual liberalism. Yesterday's Hobby Lobby ruling, however, made it clear such a liberalism is nowhere to be found.
On its list of liberal reactions on Twitter to the announcement of the Supreme Court's decision, Mediaite includes this gem from Warren:
Can't believe we live in a world where we'd even consider letting big corps deny women access to basic care based on vague moral objections.
Now, those who followed the case know that none of that is true. But just as disconcerting as the complete disregard for the facts is Warren's dismissive attitude toward Christian belief. Warren sees opposition to abortifacients as "vague moral objections." There was a time liberals argued that Warren was needed in the Senate to speak up for the people, to advocate for the Americans who weren't getting a fair shake from their government. It turns out putting Elizabeth Warren in the Senate meant Americans would need protection for their basic freedoms against the government more than ever.
Warren's delegitimization of religious belief and practice to empower government at the expense of the individual is coupled with her denial of the basic science behind Hobby Lobby's objections to being forced to provide abortifacients. But it shouldn't come as a surprise. Last month, National Review's Patrick Brennan observed an event at which Warren joined French economist Thomas Piketty to talk about inequality.
Brennan notes that the two discussed some of Warren's plans for college loan and tax reform, and that Warren's plans are, from a policy standpoint, distinctly unimpressive. They are liberal crowd-pleasers, not informed and judicious attempts to solve problems. Brennan writes:
Warren's agenda, left-leaning as it is, isn't about rigorous progressive examination of what's gone wrong with our system or how to fix it. It's about intuitively appealing ideas and pleasing particular constituencies. Of course, this is pretty good politics — as the number of attendees who told me they want Warren to run for president seems to suggest.
But her fan base may end up disappointed. For one, she was a reluctant Senate candidate, and a Warren for President campaign still seems a far-off dream. And Professor Piketty — perhaps sensing that she's as good as the left wing of American politics has these days — wasn't about to say it, but Elizabeth Warren isn't an economic expert or a progressive policy crusader. She's a talented populist who sells clever but unserious proposals with a sense of academic sophistication that makes Bostonians feel like they're clapping for someone whose views are an intellectual cut above Ed Schultz's. In the end, they're not.
Conservatives had higher hopes for Warren too, because they believed for a time that she was proof it was still possible for a progressive politician to engage seriously in a policy debate. That ship has sailed.
Of course, it's all relative. However unserious Warren's response to Hobby Lobby, it had nothing on Hillary Clinton's. The former secretary of state was at the Aspen Ideas Festival, where she was asked about the Supreme Court decision. According to the Atlantic, which sponsors the festival, Clinton actually said the following:
"I disagree with the reasoning as well as the conclusion," Clinton said, almost before Isaacson had his question out. "I find it deeply disturbing." …
"Part of the reason I was so adamant about including women and girls [in State Department efforts] is that they're often the canaries in the mine," Clinton explained. "It is a disturbing trend that you see in a lot of societies that are unstable, anti-democratic, and prone to extremism. Women's bodies are used as the defining and unifying issue to bring together people—men—to get them to behave in ways that are disadvantageous to women but prop up rulers."
Now, she said, something similar was happening in the United States, where religion was worming its way into government. "Many more companies will claim religious beliefs. Some will be some sincere, others maybe not. We're going to see this one insurable service cut out for many women," she said. "This is a really bad, slippery slope."
This person is, by all accounts, running for president of the United States. Which makes it easier to understand conservatives pining for a Warren candidacy, I suppose. But conservatives looking for a Democratic candidate willing to have a serious debate on the issues will be waiting quite a while, it appears.


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Fold the fabric with the wrong side inside and the selvages together. With your scissors, cut through each stack on the tracing's outer lines to make a total of 64 perforated foundation papers. Referring to the photograph opposite and Diagram 4 for placement, lay out seven of unit 1 and two of unit 2; sew together, carefully matching seams, to make a pieced Four-Patch row. Buy Cheap Louis Vuitton Replica. Fuse a stripe A shape to the solid black foundation square. Push the upper part down into the lower part and iron the scallops. The place cards are fashioned like small parcel labels with velvet ribbon that can be tied around the serviettes. Buy Cheap Louis Vuitton Replica.


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Grant Recipient: Dr.
Ignacio Wistuba
Title of Project: Identification of biomarkers for the detection of SCLC
Sponsoring Institution: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
There is a lack of strategies for detection of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a difficult-to-treat lung cancer subtype, which we believe is due to our poor understanding of the molecular development of the disease. Moreover, while screening by clinical measures reduces lung cancer mortality, the detected lung cancers are less likely to be SCLCs warranting the need for additional detection methods (e.g., biological). Our earlier work revealed cancer-associated markers and profiles in "normal" (to the "eye") airways close to lung tumors, an effect we refer to as "molecular field cancerization," in which there is field around the tumor that is enriched with malignant properties. We found field effects in "normal" airways that increased with time following tumor removal, were different between patients with and without lung cancer or different subtypes of the disease, and were present in other respiratory tract compartments, including the nose. Although we previously found that airways near SCLCs display excessive genetic abnormalities, the molecular field effect in SCLC and its relevance to detection of the disease is unknown. The proposed project aims to characterize, by high-throughput technologies, the molecular makeup of cells lining the nose and airways and of tumors from the SCLC patients compared to molecular profiles of samples from patients with benign disease or other lung cancer types, and then test these markers for their capacity to detect SCLC in easily accessible sites. We expect by using such unique resources and approaches to delineate novel markers for SCLC detection.


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Hang tight!
Recipe by WHISTLE2000
"Great summertime snack without the campfire!"
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1 1/2 cups
butter, melted
4 cups
graham cracker crumbs
6 (1.5 ounce) bars
milk chocolate candy bars
2 cups
miniature marshmallows
These are fast, easy and a bake-sale hit! (Thanks & YUM!)
Timesaving Tip: Skip the extra step (and clean-up) of melting the chocolate chips. . .just spread an even layer of chips directly on the crust.
The graham crackers seems a little overwhelming.
47 Ratings
These were amazing. I liked this recipe because it didn't add anything unnecessary. They taste just like smores.....soooo good. I made two batches for a event, and I didn't bring home one single scrap. I used mini chocolate chips, and it worked great, but going to try this time with melted chocolate. Don't be tempted to use more chocolate than called for, it will through off the balance. Yum...you won't be sorry.
These are very rich and tasty. If you are eating them after they have cooled, there are much better after 30 seconds or so in the microwave so they are gooey. Based on several comments, I tried cutting the amount of butter in the crust in half. The crust did not harden, so I ended up with a bunch of graham cracker crumbs loose in the bottom of the pan when I cut up the bars. Next time, I will try again with the full amount of butter indicated.
I made this recipe for my husband (who loves s'mores). I halved the recipe and used a 9x9 dish. It was fantastic warm and gooey out of the oven and really good cooled. My husband and I both prefer it warm so we nuke it for 20 seconds before eating. It was very quick and easy to make (only a few minutes of prep) even though I had to crush the crackers. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate and it was wonderful. I also added a little sugar to the graham cracker crumbs and butter mixture to make it a little sweeter.
These are really tasty bar cookies. I used a 12 ounce bag of milk choc chips instead of the candy bars, worked great. Definitely refrigerate pan before attempting to cut. I made these for a school function, and I had compliments from adults & children! The best comment I heard was "ohh, these look homemade, I want one of these"
YUMMM..My five year old daughter and I just finished these, so fun and so easy. We just put the candy bars on the bottom layer, topped with marshmallows then graham cracker topping, but it all in the oven and baked. No need to melt chocolate first. These are good warm and gooey, can't wait till the kids get home from school to try!
my changes:
-only 1 cup of butter
-put the whole graham cracker mixture on the bottom (of a cookie sheet, needs to be a little deep)
-spread chocolate chips over and put it in the oven for 5 minutes to melt a little
-spread mini marshmallows over the top and cooked for the allotted 15 minutes. in retrospect i'll only do 10 as the marshmallows turned out too crispy/a little hard
these are super delicious and might even be better than the real thing
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
S'More Bars II
Serving Size: 1/24 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 24
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 230
Calories from Fat: 146
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Categories: Arts
|Photo: Egan O'Keefe
|See more photos here.
"The Other Woman" is corset-maker and seamstress Dorothy Jones. Jones got her start as a theatrical patternmaker in New York. She learned how to make corsets while she was living in San Francisco. "I was always a dancer," she says, "but after I had my second child when I was 40, my belly hung out. In a fit of self-loathing, I bought a girdle, but it kept rolling down."
Since then, she has corseted burlesque dancers and circus acrobats, bridesmaids and fetishists.
|Photo: Egan O'Keefe
|See more photos here.
|Photo: Egan O'Keefe
|Corset-maker Dorothy Jones. See more photos here.
At Cheap Trx, Jones had a selection of sample corsets in several sizes and styles. She took down each customers' measurements; the final pieces are custom-made and fitted for optimal comfort. Her studio is across the street from Tower Grove Park, but she'll travel up to three hours in any direction.
Slideshow: "Suck In! The Corsets of Dorothy Jones."
Sponsor Content


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Dicks Sporting Goods has a coupon code for 15% off clearance items when you use coupon code PATFSGFA. Exclusions apply. Valid on 3/17 only. A good coupon to pick up some cold weather fitness & sports gear.
Deal has expired
Did you know back in 2007 D!ck's and Chick's Sporting Goods merged?
They should call it Chicks with D!cks
15% off all carrots, huh?
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text: Healthy Recipes Extra Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe E-mail recipe Print recipe To save this recipe, register now! Quick Info: Servings Contains Dairy Contains Egg Good for Leftovers Heart-Healthy Nutritional Info (Per serving): Calories: 234, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 364mg, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Total Fat: 4g, Carbs: 18g, Cholesterol: 79mg, Protein: 31g Carb Choices: 1 Recipe Source: Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 25 mins Ingredients 2 cup(s) cereal, Cornflakes® 2 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning 1 large egg white(s) 2 tablespoon milk, fat-free 12 ounce(s) chicken, breast, boneless, skinless cooking spray 4 tablespoon dressing, reduced fat Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). 2. Place cornflakes in resealable plastic bag, crush into fine crumbs, and add lemon pepper seasoning. 3. Whisk egg white and milk together in medium sized bowl. 4. Cut chicken into 1 1/2 inch chunks. 5. Dip chicken into egg white mixture, then shake with cornflakes to coat. 6. Place coated chicken on a baking sheet, coated with nonstick cooking spray. 7. Bake in oven for 15 minutes, or until juices run clear. 8. Pour dressing into small cups. Dip chicken into dressing. Enjoy. E-mail recipe Print recipe To save this recipe, register now!


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Puget Sound Pilots hires former Port of Seattle Maritime Division head as executive director, and Port of Coos Bay chief executive officer steps down.
The Federal Maritime Commission's report was based on feedback from industry leaders at four public forums held around the country to gauge the impacts of port congestion and examine possible solutions going forward.
BNSF Logistics' purchase of Transportation Technology Services will expand its wind turbine component transport services, as well as other project cargoes, by rail.
The MacArthur Lock, one of the two actively used locks that enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes, will be closed for at least 10 days due to a malfunctioning gate.
Brent crude, considered by most analysts to be the global benchmark for oil prices, fell below $50 a barrel for the first time since January amid slowing demand growth and growing global oversupply.
The Maritime Administration's hoarding of proceeds from vessel sales, refusal to distribute maritime heritage grant funds and continued stonewalling of FOIA requests presents a troubling picture. And it's not one of a transparent agency.


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4. Bronze axe found.2. Dug up in the grounds of St Mary's Church on the W of the tower. Small hoard of Late BA objects found in Burwell churchyard near the tower, comprising a socketed axe, a socketed spearhead and a tanged chisel. The finds are now in CAAM.5. Small Lane Bronze Age hoard.
Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.


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Make Black History Personal: #15 A Story of Slavery in My Family
February 15, 2014 by Karen Batchelor
Filed under Make Black History Personal
The picture below is my great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Parker. He was born April 1878 in Harris County, Georgia; youngest child of Isaiah Parker and Charity Ann.
Charity Ann was Black and one of the slaves owned by Isaiah's father, the Rev. Isaiah Parker. I've been able to find a fair amount of info on the Parker family but not much on my slave ancestor, Charity Ann. Funny thing, is that I feel so connected to her because of all the stories my grandmother (and her granddaughter) told me about her.
My grandmother, Beatrice Parker, was Thomas Jefferson Parker's daughter who was born in 1898 when Charity Ann was still alive. Grandma got to spend quite a bit of time with Charity Ann who lived with the family until her death in 1905.
According to my grandmother, Charity Ann and her sister were girls when they sold away from their mother in Virgina. Their new slave owner was Rev. Parker and he took the girls away in a big wagon with Black horses as Grandma told it.
But as a genealogist, I was never satisfied just with Grandma's stories – however entertaining they were. I've always wanted to know more about Charity Ann and here's what I have pieced together up to this point –
1. Charity Ann aka Ann was born in VA about 1825, which is the date of her birth given in the 1900 United State census.
2. I was told by my grandmother, who lived to 97, that Charity Ann and her sister were sold away from their mother to Isaiah's father when they were girls. He sold the sister on the way back to Harris County GA where he had a cotton plantation with 25 slaves according to the 1860 United States slave schedules.
3. Charity Ann and Isaiah developed a relationship and had 16 children together – some of them were born during slavery.
4. To my knowledge, neither married anyone else. After the Civil War, they lived together as a common-law couple because miscegenation laws in the South preventing them from legally marrying.
5. During slavery, Isaiah's father died and Isaiah bought Charity Ann and 3 of their children from the estate. Here's a copy of the bill of sale dated 8 Jan 1862.
6. Charity Ann died about 1905. This syncs with my grandmother's recollection of when she died. Charity Ann is buried in the Prospect AME church cemetery in Fortson, Georgia – the Black cemetery. Isaiah is buried in the White cemetery.
7. The family story is that Charity Ann was part Cherokee. My grandmother always said Charity Ann looked like (and these are Grandma's words, not mine) "an old Indian squaw" with her hair in two long braids that hung below her waist.
But after my DNA test results came in last year, I'm skeptical of a Native American connection here. My ancestry composition was only 2% Native American so I believe it's more likely that Charity Ann was part European, as I am.
8. I don't have any info on where Charity Ann came from in VA or who the prior slave owner was but I have heard my great-great grandmother referred to as "Charity Ann Graves". That makes me wonder if that was her name when she was sold to Rev. Parker.
I always heard that Charity Ann was born near the James River in Virginia. When I checked for Virginia slave owners named "Graves" in the 1830 Census who had female slaves under 10 yrs old (which she would have been then), there were 47 Graves slave owners of in 24 locations. Three of those slave owners lived 35 miles or less from the James River.
This may be a wild goose chase but one I've got to go on because there's so little information available about Charity Ann. She's one of my ancestors who I'll be hot-on-the-trail of for years to come.
How can you make Black history personal?
Jumpstart Family History Month With a Thought-Provoking Infographic
October 4, 2011 by Karen Batchelor
Filed under Genealogy Tools & Tips
I wanted to share this interesting infographic from Archives.com showing the growth of diversity in America from 1820 to 2009, which was done in celebration of Family History Month. A lot of research went into this but I have to confess my first thought was – what about Africans brought to this country in slavery or what I view as "forced" immigration. If you're wondering the same thing, here's what happened.
The timeline in the Family History Month infographic below picks up right as there was a major shift in the politics on slavery. In 1820, the United States took a bold step when it made the trading of African slaves a crime of "piracy" that was punishable by death. From that point on, those engaging in the slave trade did so at the peril of their lives. As a result, the number of African slaves entering this country dropped to a fraction of what it used to be.
Even though the African slave trade was effectively shut down, the numbers of slaves in the U.S. continued to grow unchecked at a phenomenal rate between 1820 and the abolishment of slavery in 1865. It still boggles the mind at how convoluted political thought process could make trading slaves a crime but continuing the institution of slavery still legal? Sadly, it took America far too long to sort that one out.
As the great great granddaughter of both a slave and a slaveowner, the public and personal politics behind the institution of slavery are always lurking in the corner of my mind as I do Black family genealogy. If you decide to learn more about your family this October during Family History Month, spice up research about your ancestors by taking a peek at the politics in play during their times.


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The video is for the track "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" -- a town of the same name just north of Bakersfield, CA where the band hail from. In the clip, the band and director Phil Mucci walk us through the concept of the song and ultimately teach us more about where they come from and how they have never forgotten who they are.
Check it out below, watch the finished product in the official video even further below, and pre-order your copy of the upcoming crusher Korn III: Remember Who You Are by going right here.