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Active Substance: panitumumab
Common Name: panitumumab
ATC Code: L01XC08
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Amgen Europe B.V.
Active Substance: panitumumab
Status: Authorised
Authorisation Date: 2007-12-03
Therapeutic Area: Colorectal Neoplasms
Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Antineoplastic agents
Therapeutic Indication
Vectibix is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC):
- in first-line in combination with FOLFOX.
- in second-line in combination with FOLFIRI for patients who have received first-line fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (excluding irinotecan).
- as monotherapy after failure of fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimens.
What is Vectibix?
Vectibix is a medicine that contains the active substance panitumumab. It is available as a concentrate that is made up into a solution for infusion (drip) into a vein.
What is Vectibix used for?
Vectibix is used to treat metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum. This is cancer of the large intestine (bowel) that has spread to other parts of the body. Vectibix is used in patients whose tumour cells contain non‑mutated (wild-type) 'RAS'. RAS is a group of genes including those known as KRAS and NRAS; when mutated (changed) forms of RAS are present in tumour cells they stimulate tumour growth. About half of the patients with metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum have wild-type RAS tumours. Vectibix is used:
- in combination with 'FOLFOX' chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid) as first-line treatment (patients who have not been treated before);
- in combination with 'FOLFIRI' chemotherapy (irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid) in patients who have already received fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (excluding irinotecan);
- on its own after treatment has stopped working with combinations of anticancer medicines that include a 'fluoropyrimidine' (such as 5‑fluorouracil), oxaliplatin and irinotecan.
The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.
How is Vectibix used?
Treatment with Vectibix should be supervised by a doctor who has experience in the use of anticancer therapy. It should only be started after the presence of wild-type RAS (KRAS and NRAS genes) has been confirmed by an experienced laboratory using a validated test method.
The recommended dose of Vectibix is 6 mg per kilogram body weight given once every two weeks as an infusion. The recommended infusion time is around 60 minutes, but larger doses may need 90 minutes. The dose may need to be modified if severe skin reactions occur.
How does Vectibix work?
The active substance in Vectibix, panitumumab, is a monoclonal antibody. A monoclonal antibody is an antibody (a type of protein) that has been designed to recognise and attach to a specific structure (called an antigen) that is found on certain cells in the body. Panitumumab has been designed to attach to EGFR, which can be found on the surface of certain cells, including cells in some tumours. As a result, these tumour cells can no longer receive the messages transmitted via EGFR that they need for growth, progression and spreading (metastasis).
Panitumumab does not seem to work in tumour cells that contain mutated RAS. This is because their growth is not controlled by signals transmitted via EGFR and they continue to grow even when the EGFR is blocked.
How has Vectibix been studied?
Vectibix has been studied in three main studies. The first involved a total of 463 patients with metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum whose disease had got worse during or after previous treatment that included a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. The effects of Vectibix in addition to 'best supportive care' were compared with those of best supportive care alone. Best supportive care is any medicines or techniques to help patients, such as antibiotics, painkillers, transfusions and surgery, but not other anticancer medicines. The main measure of effectiveness was progression-free survival (how long the patients lived without their disease getting worse). The results of the study were analysed separately in 243 patients whose tumours contained wild-type KRAS and in 184 patients in whom the KRAS gene contained a mutation.
The second main study involved 1,183 patients with metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum who had not been treated before for their metastatic cancer. Vectibix in combination with FOLFOX chemotherapy was compared with chemotherapy alone. The main measure of effectiveness was progression-free survival.
The third main study involved 1,186 patients with metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum who had been treated before. It compared Vectibix in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone. The main measures of effectiveness were progression-free survival and overall survival (the length of time the patients lived).
What benefit has Vectibix shown during the studies?
The patients with wild-type KRAS in their tumours who received Vectibix in addition to best supportive care lived for an average of 12.3 weeks without their disease getting worse. This compared with 7.3 weeks in those who received best supportive care alone. In contrast, there was no effect of Vectibix in the patients with mutated KRAS in their tumours, with both groups of patients living for an average of around 7.3 weeks without their disease getting worse.
In the second study, patients with wild-type KRAS receiving Vectibix in combination with FOLFOX lived for 10 months without the disease getting worse compared with 8.6 months for patients receiving FOLFOX alone. In a more recent analysis of the same study, patients with wild-type RAS receiving Vectibix in combination with FOLFIX lived for an average of 10.8 months without the disease getting worse.
In the third study, patients with wild-type KRAS receiving Vectibix in combination with FOLFIRI lived for 14.5 months compared with 12.5 months in patients receiving FOLFIRI alone. Patients receiving Vectibix also had a longer period of time without their disease getting worse: 6.7 months versus 4.9 months.
What is the risk associated with Vectibix?
In studies, 93% of the patients receiving Vectibix had side effects affecting the skin, although most of these were mild or moderate. The most common side effects with Vectibix (seen in more than 2 patients in 10) are diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain (stomach ache), fatigue (tiredness), pyrexia (fever), lack of appetite, paronychia (nail-bed infection), rash, acneiform dermatitis (skin inflammation resembling acne), pruritus (itching), erythema (reddening of the skin) and dry skin. For the full list of all side effects reported with Vectibix, see the package leaflet.
Vectibix must not be used in patients who have had a severe or life-threatening hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to panitumumab or any of the other ingredients in the past. It must not be used in patients with interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis (lung diseases). Vectibix must not be used with oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy in patients whose tumour contains the mutated RAS gene or for whom the RAS status is not known.
Why has Vectibix been approved?
The CHMP concluded that Vectibix's benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be given marketing authorisation.
Vectibix has been given 'conditional approval'. This means that there is more evidence to come about the medicine, in particular its safety and effectiveness in patients whose tumours contain wild-type RAS. Every year, the European Medicines Agency will review any new information that may become available and this summary will be updated as necessary.
What information is still awaited for Vectibix?
The company that makes Vectibix will supply the results of additional studies looking at the safety and effectiveness of the medicine in patients with cancer of the colon or rectum. These include a study to confirm the effectiveness of Vectibix, given on its own, in its approved use.
The company will also collect information to check that patients are adequately tested for RAS mutations.
What measures are being taken to ensure the safe use of Vectibix?
The company that markets Vectibix will ensure that all doctors who are expected to prescribe Vectibix are provided with educational material informing them of the importance of carrying out a RAS test before treatment with Vectibix and only using Vectibix in patients whose tumour is confirmed to contain the wild-type RAS gene.
Other information about Vectibix
The European Commission granted a conditional marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Vectibix on 3 December 2007.
For more information about treatment with Vectibix, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Source: European Medicines Agency
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.


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Full detailed profile on Scott Chandler (Past) Played by Adam Mayfield on All My Children Daytime Soap Opera.
Adam Mayfield (Adam Mayfield)
Real Name: Adam Mayfield
In jail, Scott tells Annie he has to say goodbye because he's going to prison. She wonders if he is saying goodbye to them. His lawyer comes in and hands Scott some papers. After he leaves Scott informs his wife his non-Chandler lawyer is handling the divorce. Annie protests, but Scott knows they are done and that they need to move on. He urges her to move out of the mansion and never look back. She tearfully agrees and then leaves. Marissa stops by next and Scott explains that he was the only who stole the nanotech plans and that he did it to impress Annie. She thinks he is a good man, but he knows he's not. She tells him Stuart would be proud of him and says he's not alone. He's sorry she got caught up in this mess and muses in another life they would have met somewhere far from there. He makes her promise to take care of AJ. He thinks AJ has a chance, but only if she gives it to him. JR walks in and says Marissa doesn't need advice on how to raise his son. Marissa leaves and Scott recalls how he wanted to make their family better but he got sucked into the Chandler way. JR tells him one of the Chandler ways is to not get caught. Scott retorts he's looking forward to prison so he can meet a better class of people. Scott doesn't hate him though because JR was raised to be who he is. JR vows to get his son back and save the company Scott put in jeopardy. Scott ribs him over not being able to be with Annie because now that he's free to be with her, it will cost him his son. JR leaves and a guard enters the cell to handcuff Scott.
Annie makes a few calls in the squad room and learns her accounts and credit cards are frozen. JR walks out from seeing Scott and sees Annie, as he leaves a message for Colby. Scott is then led away past JR and Annie.
Opal visits Scott in jail to rail at him for backstabbing Palmer. Scott feels bad, but now he can finally tell Opal about Palmer's last days and how he was planning a trip for the two of them. Once Opal has left, Erica stops by to also ream him out. Scott knows what he did was wrong and he is truly sorry. Erica wonders if he actually was the one to steal from Palmer, assuming at the very least JR knew about it. Scott makes it clear he was the one to steal the idea all on his own. He doesn't appreciate her trying to manipulate him and states he is intent on taking responsibility for his own actions, so he won't change his mind about implicating JR. She assures him she and Caleb are there for him if he needs them. Before she leaves, Scott asks her for one thing.
At the mansion, despite Annie and JR urging him not to, Scott confesses to Caleb about taking Palmer's nanotech project. Caleb tells Scott he will pay for pretending to be his uncle's friend and then screwing him over. Scott regrets what he did, but Caleb doesn't think he's any better than his weasel cousin. JR declares he didn't steal anything, but Caleb is leery and vows to prove he knew about it. Two FBI agents walk in and Scott announces he called them. Annie begs Scott not to do this, but he is prepared to confess. JR calls him weak but Scott is ready and the feds cuff him. Annie leaves with Scott and Caleb tells JR they are just getting started. Threats are exchanged about AJ and the nanotech project and Caleb walks out.
Back at the station, Brot asks Jesse about the detective's exam. Jesse reminds him he hasn't been on the force that long and assumes Brot doesn't like being bossed around by Natalia. Brot admires Natalia, but he wants to be where she is. Jesse knows he will one day, but he wonders what will happen to his professional relationship with Natalia if he does get the promotion. Jesse points out that Natalia is competitive and it might be different if they are equals again. Brot thinks it's time he's earned Natalia's respect. Natalia enters the station and talks with Brot privately. They start to discuss their relationship, but then they get word about Scott, as he is brought in. Annie also walks in and heads towards the interrogation room. She asks the feds for a minute alone with her husband, but he wants her to go home. She wonders if he is trying to get back at her by throwing his life away. Scott isn't trying to destroy himself – he's trying to save himself. He stole the nanotech project to prove himself to her, but he's been losing himself ever since then.
JR heads over to the police station and Scott tells him their family is out of control and he is doing what would make his father proud. Natalia walks in and Scott says he is ready to put his statement in writing. After doing so, Scott assures Annie and JR he didn't implicate them for the sake of their kids. He promises there will be a price though because Chandler will take a huge hit and they will live with the guilt of destroying the family. Annie apologizes to Scott as he is led away. JR tells Annie he will save Chandler and get his son back. He adds now that Scott is gone, Annie doesn't have any more excuses for them not to be together.
Scott listens on as Annie and JR argue inside the living room at the Chandler mansion. Scott enters and says, "Don't worry. At least this time you both have your clothes on." JR tells Scott that something big has happened and they have to work together. Annie informs Scott that Caleb knows about Scott stealing Palmer's idea. Scott wants cash. He goes to a safe and toys with a gun. Colby interrupts and Scott comes to and tells his loving family that they are on their own before leaving. Colby demands to know what is going on and wants to help. Colby thinks Annie has ruined everything. An angry JR leaves to make phone calls. Annie tells Colby she couldn't make her feel any worse. Colby wants to give it a shot. Colby thinks Annie always plays the victim. Annie reminds her she has a daughter to protect. Colby hopes Scott will throw her out and leaves.
Scott takes a walk. He flashes back to JR telling him to go back to being Stuart's son, Annie reciting her wedding vows, and finding Annie and JR naked together. He then thinks he hears Stuart's voice telling him he'll always be proud of him. Scott wonders how Stuart can be proud of him after what he has done. He flashes to promising Stuart that he won't change.
Caleb arrives at the Chandler mansion with a special delivery for JR. He serves JR with papers that grant Marissa temporary custody of AJ. JR realizes Marissa took pictures of the trashed living room. Caleb laughs that Annie can be JR's character witness at the custody trial. JR boasts that he owns Caleb, but Scott enters and tells JR they were supposed to be better than this. Scott tells Caleb he is ready to come clean!
After learning from Scott that JR slept with Annie, Colby angrily confronts her brother upstairs in the mansion.
« Back to Scott Chandler (Past) profile

subset: commoncrawl


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Posts Tagged «battery»
Widely trusted API lets cyber-spies fingerprint your device battery August 4, 2015 at 3:00 pm
A new in-road to attackers can identify your device even through anonymity software, thanks to a battery API trusted by every major web browser.
New aluminum air battery could blow past lithium-ion, runs on water January 28, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Fuji is claiming a breakthrough in new aluminum-air batteries, with a commercialized design coming in 2015. If successful, the new battery technology could dethrone lithium-ion altogether and revolutionize the EV industry.
World's largest lithium-ion battery to be built in Southern California, dwarfs previous installations November 20, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Southern California Energy and AES Southland have announced a new 100MW lithium-ion battery facility to come online by 2021.
New supercapacitor technology could store, conduct power on the same copper wires June 6, 2014 at 3:14 pm
New energy storage technologies could allow copper wires to simultaneously conduct electricity and store power in a variety of applications, reducing our need for independent batteries.
DoE calls for a chemical battery with 5x capacity, within 5 years – can it be done? December 5, 2012 at 10:16 am
The common denominator in many futuristic vehicle designs is the impossibly small vestibule at their heart with the label, "insert future battery pack technology here." The Department of Energy wants batteries with five times the energy storage, five times cheaper to be ready in five years. If it can be done, what technology would be up to the task?
Quantum entangled batteries could be the perfect power source November 8, 2012 at 8:02 am
Two European theoretical physicists have shown that it may be possible to build a near-perfect, entangled quantum battery. In the future, such quantum batteries might power the tiniest of devices — or provide power storage that is much more efficient than state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery packs.
Generating electricity with a shoe December 6, 2011 at 1:53 pm
The human body, like a computer, wastes a huge amount of energy — usually in the form of heat. In some cases, this heat can be captured and repurposed — to keep you warm when you wear a jacket, for example, or to heat up your house in the case of data furnaces. Now, sadly…


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KATHMANDU, DEC 26 - Nepal's exports to China surged four-fold over the first four months of the current fiscal year, thanks to increased promotion of Nepali goods in the Chinese market. However, the surge in export remains insignificant compared to the country's import from the northern neighbour resulting in huge trade deficit for Nepal.
Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) statistics show that the export to China surged to Rs 980 million in four months from Rs 240 million during the same period last year. Handicraft items like metal crafts, pashmina and woollen products along with edibles including wheat flour, noodles and chocolates are among the major exports to China, according to the TEPC.
During the same period, the country imported goods worth Rs 24.76 billion that led to the swelling of the country's trade deficit with China to Rs 23.78 billion.
"Increasing participation of Nepali entrepreneurs in trade fairs in China along with rise in Indian tourists helped increase exports to China," said Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Nepal-China Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI).
According to him, increasing number of Chinese visitors are taking home Nepali goods as souvenir, contributing to the growth in exports. A total of 75,517 Chinese visitors came to Nepal in 2011; of the total, 48,379 visited Nepal by air.
With China also providing duty free access to 7,787 Nepali products alongside those from other least developed countries, Shrestha expects Nepal's export volume to China to grow further.
Bikash Ratna Dhakhwa, president of Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal, has noted a growing demand for metal images of Buddha along with other handicraft items like woollen products.
Trade expert Ratnakar Adhikari said that the rise in exports to China would not make a big difference in reducing a huge trade gap between the two countries. "While China's offer of zero tariffs on Nepali goods is a welcome move, the existing non-tariff barriers stand as hurdle to Nepal's exports," he added.
Traders say that hassles within the country and China are affecting the exports. "The exporters will have to go through seven check points along the Bhaktapur-Liping segment of Araniko Highway while exporting the goods," said Sonorbu Sherpa, a trader.
"In addition, we are bound to load-unload again at the Chinese custom point in Liping which shoots up the cost further," said Sherpa. He said that the language is another barrier facing the exporters as they have to forward documents in Chinese. "There should be a bilateral talk to allow the export documents in English language," he added.
Traders are hopeful that exports to China would rise further once the proposed dry port at Larcha, Sindhupalchwok comes into operation. The construction of the dry port got underway last week after Commerce Secretary Lalmani Joshi and Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yang Houlan laid the foundation stone at the project site.
Nirmal Hari Adhikari, chief at the Tatopani Customs Point, said the major customs procedures in exports will be carried out in the dry port after its completion which will reduce ongoing hassles significantly.
"After the completion of the dry port, the government has planned to seal the container only at the port which will be opened only at the customs check point in Liping, China," said Adhikari.
Posted on: 2012-12-27 09:03


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As of Saturday, November 26, 2011
© Copyright 2015 Albany Herald
AUBURN, Ala. -- Tailback Trent Richardson isn't among those assuming No. 2 Alabama will just roll over its biggest rival on the way to a possible national title shot.
He knows Auburn has heard such talk, too.
The Crimson Tide is a three-touchdown favorite going into today's annual Iron Bowl meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the defending champion Tigers have barely put up a fight against their last few highly ranked opponents.
Plus, Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) has everything to gain, the Tigers (7-4, 4-3) nothing to lose. All that makes Richardson wary.
"It's going to make them more dangerous because everyone counted them out," he said. "You can't look at them like we're going to whip them."
Richardson then added: "Because they don't have anything to lose. They're going out there throwing every punch they can."
This is clearly not the same Auburn team that could be losing on all the scorecards and suddenly start slamming home roundhouses last season. There's no Cam Newton to dig the Tigers out of a 24-point hole as he did in the 2010 Iron Bowl. No Nick Fairley to smash opposing ballcarriers and quarterbacks.
No chance? Probably not if they let the Tide score the game's first 24 points again.
"This year we're not going to spot anybody 24," Tigers tailback Mike Dyer vowed. "We're going to play Auburn football."
They couldn't muster much of a challenge at Georgia, LSU and Arkansas -- losing those games collectively by a whopping 111 points. Alabama beat the Razorbacks, 38-14, the Tigers lost to them by the same score.
However, another rebuilding Auburn team nearly upset Alabama's national championship hopes two years ago. Last year, the Tide came even closer to derailing Newton & Co.
An Alabama win would potentially secure a spot in New Orleans to play for the national title. LSU ended the Tide's SEC championship hopes with Friday's 41-17 win over No. 3 Arkansas, which means if 'Bama wins it could bypass No. 13 Georgia and head directly to the BCS championship game.
Oddsmakers aren't giving the Tigers much chance to change those travel plans, and defensive end Corey Lemonier is OK with that.
"That's how it goes," Lemonier said. "You've just got to play and just prove everybody wrong."
The Tide appears to have all the advantages. The nation's No. 1 defense is loaded with veteran stars like linebacker Dont'a Hightower and safety Mark Barron, both finalists for national awards. Only Georgia Southern with its triple option attack has managed more than 14 points against them.
Auburn counters with an offense that not even offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has been able to get going consistently, and presumably no plans to run the triple option. Dyer trails only Richardson among SEC rushers, but he's a power runner, which means he'll spend some time running into the heart of Alabama's defense with Hightower and nose guard Josh Chapman.
Plus the status of right tackle Brandon Mosley is uncertain after he sustained a leg injury against Samford. Tide coach Nick Saban figures Malzahn could pull out all the stops in this one.
"Gus does a great job with their offense, and they've been very, very productive," Saban said. "And he does a very good job of utilizing the players that they have, and roles that they can be productive in. But they have a lot of gadget, trick plays, crazy formations, whatever you want to call it.
"And I think the big thing is, you got to get your players on defense settled enough to change personnel when they're going at a fast pace. They're doing a lot of things that can disrupt defensive players."
On the other side, Richardson is a Heisman Trophy candidate who would appear to have a chance to stump for votes against the league's 10th-rated run defense. He'll run behind an experienced offensive line bolstered by the return of Outland Trophy finalist Barrett Jones at left tackle. Jones missed the past two games with an ankle injury.
No gadgets or crazy formations are typically needed.
"Alabama doesn't try to trick you," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. "They do a great job of formationing people and doing things of that nature, but they have about four running plays and they are going to ask you to stop it. There's not many that have, and I think that's pretty obvious for everybody that watches football."
Auburn will try to slow Richardson down with a defensive front that starts three sophomores and a freshman.
Some of the principles in that equation have changed for the Tigers since last season, but center William Vlachos still expects to be sorer than usual come Sunday morning.
"I've played against their defense the last couple of years, and it's the most physical game you're going to play in every year," Vlachos said. "Last year, I came off the field just bleeding out of my mouth, my hands were bleeding. I'm not that worried about statistics with this game because it really ain't gonna matter.
"Alabama-Auburn, it's a whole different deal."
More like this story
- Alabama-Auburn game features SEC's top 2 runners ( November 22, 2011 )
- Coming into Iron Bowl, Alabama's 'D' rolling, while Auburn's .... not so much ( November 24, 2009 )
- Auburn plays poor late, loses to No. 2 Alabama ( November 27, 2009 )
- LSU, Alabama dominate All-SEC team ( December 6, 2011 )
- Oh, my!: Behind 24-0, Tigers rally, topple Tide, 28-27 ( November 26, 2010 )


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Rollovers Made Easy
Simplify your retirement planning by consolidating your accounts with a rollover. It's easy to roll over or transfer all your other retirement funds into an AG Financial 403(b). You'll also enjoy these additional benefits:
- A variety of low-cost, faith-based investment options
- Access to the MBA Income Fund
- Continued tax deferral
- A dedicated rollover specialist
A rollover is a movement of funds between different kinds of accounts and may be subject to federal income tax in some cases. You are eligible for a rollover if you meet a qualifying event such as a separation from service, disability, or attainment of age 59½. If you meet one of these qualifiers, you may roll over your 401(k), 457, or 403(b). Traditional IRAs can be rolled over at any time.
A transfer is a movement of funds between accounts of the same kind and are not subject to federal income tax. To transfer your funds to your 403(b) account, you must already have a 403(b) through a current employer and not meet any of the qualifications listed for rollovers. In addition, MBA must be an approved vendor of your employer in order to transfer a 403(b).
You are eligible to roll over or transfer your funds if any of the following apply:
- You are moving a 401(k), IRA, etc.
- You have changed jobs
- You have had a distributable event. These include financial hardship as defined by law, separation from service, attainment of age 59½, total and permanent disability, and for your beneficiaries upon your death.
More questions? See the rollover FAQ page, or call 1.877.700.5231 to speak to a rollover specialist.
Start Your Rollover
Roll over or transfer your funds in 2 simple steps.
Step 1. Download and complete the Rollover/Transfer Form
Rollover/Transfer Form »
Step 2. Return the form with your latest statement(s)
Mail to:
AG Financial Solutions
PO Box 2515
Springfield, MO 65801
A confirmation letter will be sent when your rollover/transfer has been completed.


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Unlike myoclonic seizures (which cause muscles to tense), atonic seizures cause the muscles to go limp. The patient's body may slump or crumple to the ground, possibly causing injury.
The areas of the brain stem responsible for increasing and decreasing muscle tone are close together, which means atonic and myoclonic seizures probably begin in the same place. Patients experiencing sudden dramatic changes in muscle tone will often suffer from either or both types of seizures.
Atonic seizures may be indicative of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
Treatment of atonic seizures
There is no one treatment method for any patient with a seizure disorder. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient based on their diagnosis and symptoms. Treatment options may include medical therapy, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgery, as appropriate. Clinical trials may also be a valuable treatment alternative.
Request an appointment
For more information about atonic seizures or to meet with our doctors, request an appointment at the Epilepsy Center.


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Ubisoft has pushed back the release of Rayman Legends which will now launch as a cross-platform title.
Bad news for Nintendo.
Ubisoft has announced that upcoming platformer Rayman Legends will no longer be a Wii U exclusive.
The game publisher has pushed the launch of Rayman Legends back to September, and will be releasing the game on Xbox 360 and PS3 alongside the Wii U version.
"We heard from many Xbox and Playstation owners and Rayman fans who told us they really wanted to play Rayman Legends on their current system," said Ubisoft's European chief marketing & sales officer Geoffroy Sardin. "We decided to give the fans what they wanted while at the same time broadening the audience exposed to this innovative and memorable game."
The Wii U version will still have the unique touch-screen controls and quite possibly the best graphics of the bunch, but it will no longer be a selling point fro the Wii U.
I remain cautiously optimistic about Nintendo's new console.
It's a good system, and between the horde of upcoming exclusives from a new Legends of Zelda to what appears to be a Xenoblade sequel and the exclusive Bayonetta 2, the system will still have plenty of compelling content that can't be played anywhere else.
I'm also probably somewhat more upbeat about the Wii U because, for me, it was a two-for-one purchase. Having never owned a Wii, owning a Wii U has given me access to an enormous back-catalog of titles like Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Skyward Sword, and Monster Hunter Tri to name a few.
Still, with the likely announcement of the PlayStation 4 in two weeks it may be hard to maintain excitement over Nintendo's system without a very steady stream of exclusive content. Any loss in that department is going to be a blow—not a fatal blow, mind you, but I do think Nintendo is facing a tough fight this generation.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the Wii U has a shorter lifespan than its predecessor. I would hope that, should Nintendo release another console in a few years, that asymmetrical gameplay is added as an optional component rather than something as integral as the Wii U gamepad.
Ubisoft's announcement comes after struggles with the publisher's first Wii U exclusive, ZombiU, a game that met with mixed reviews and gamer reception, but which I thought was actually one of the best Zombie games I've played in recent years.
"The whole idea of the asymmetrical gameplay and using two screens to do two very different things is not simple to explain to people," Xavier Poix, managing director of Ubisoft's Annecy, Montpellier, and Paris studios, told GameSpot. "ZombiU was designed to be a game for core players launching with a new Nintendo console. We should have communicated better in this respect to let people know what kind of experience to expect. It wasn't obvious enough that there would be a new controller and new gameplay and a new skill set to develop."
This may be the great struggle facing Nintendo. If the Wii U's number one selling point is hard to convey to consumers, it may be hard to lure developers away from the next-gen systems offered by Sony and Microsoft.


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SAB Quarterly Meeting
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Chartered SAB Quarterly: 1) discuss EPA's strategic research directions; 2) discussions of science use in disaster response programs; 3) conduct quality review of the draft SAB report "Advisory on Factors Influencing Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico;" 4) conduct quality review of the draft SAB report "Advisory on EPA's Issues in Valuing Mortality Risk Reduction;" and 5) conduct quality review of the draft SAB report "Review of the Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide."
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text: Peter Abraham reports the Yankees' latest roster moves this morning. Brett Gardner has been activated off the disabled list. He hasn't played since July 25 with a broken left thumb. Shelley Duncan has also been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees and Rays are playing a doubleheader at the Stadium today. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett get the starts.


text:
Did DWS Prompt Giffords? (Re Judge Roll Shooting, Etc.)
Did anyone else hear Debbie Wasserman Schultz loudly say 'I' just before Giffords launched into her rousing Pledge of Allegiancelast night?
Muslim delegates at Democratic convention quadrupled since 2004
(RNS) The number of Muslim delegates attending the Democratic National Convention has quadrupled since 2004, according to a Muslim advocacy group.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations counts more than 100 Muslim delegates representing some 20 states at the Democratic convention in Charlotte, N.C., this week. That's up from 25 delegates in 2004, according to CAIR.


text:
SACRAMENTO, CA - Some 200 people lined up for free flu vaccinations Monday at the State Capitol, which was much more than organizers with Anthem Blue Cross expected.
"We want to make sure people are prepared and that they're vaccinated, to reduce their chances of getting the flu in the next couple of weeks," Anthem Blue Cross spokesperson Darrel Ng explained.
The influenza virus has killed five people in California so far this winter, two of them from Sacramento.
Friday, the Centers for Disease Control declared the flu outbreak an epidemic.
Doors for the free clinic at the capitol opened at 1 p.m., and lines quickly formed with some people waiting nearly two hours.
"From what I understand, this is a far worse flu season than last year, and I don't want to take any chances," says Melvin Winrow who got his flu shot at the clinic.
The flu vaccine is hard to come by in some spots around town; some people said they've showed up at local health clinics and drug stores, only to be told they had run out of the vaccine that day.
The CDC said this year's flu season is worse than average and particularly bad for the elderly. It is recommended those 6 months and older get the flu vaccine every year.
Those who get the flu shot are 60 percent less likely to go to the doctor for influenza.


text:
Yolanda Huang
Love this issue! Looks like it has great content and just stunning visuals.
Emily Jeffords
LOVE the colors, style, and concept!!! BEAUTIFUL!
Kids Formal
Utterly Engaged has a very nice and clean website. Kudos to the webmaster! I wonder what it would cost to place a small ad-link on this page?
Sugar Glam
Great Colors and content. The layout is well done. We've subscribed to the issue and cen't wait to receive utterlyengaged updates.
Robert Chen
I'm loving this layout and design. The colors are so vibrant and the fonts are so elegant.
Your Comment
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text:
Below is the poem entitled A Somewhere Paris Cafe which was written by poet
Smith. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Michael Smith
A haze…
Languorous oft in summer days
Where sundrops drip
From melting skies
Onto city grind
And parasols shade the cobbled grays
Across back alley lanes
Trains and trolleys tip toe by
As a fool in love forever waits
Among a noon bistro Paris crowd
For his girl, who is always fashionably late
Outside a sidewalk somewhere café cityscape
Young beauties amidst a mid-day stroll
Becomingly, become ever respectively
The flowers that line the picket way
Or some frilly prize ponies
Beneath carousels about avenues of Torrid place
A testament to this…
The carriage horses that turn their whiny heads
And then, when I turn mine
It's to witness boots of cavalier instead
That step to one side
For moments languor has left
As my own prize has made red carpets rise
Those flutter lashes like shotguns glint blasts
And soon the white dove makes its notorious descent
Where the gentlemen, unbeknownst to them, become like minded ruffians
As they dive into madness for her precious handkerchief
"Oh" this women of mine, she has her perculiar ways
Just like all the silly rest
My damsel mademoiselle never enters into throes of distress
Longer lace invites mischievous about a button down dress
And her kisses offer smiles and arduent waves
With utter love contempt to them, but my hand is her biggest praise
I guess it's the thrill of the game
And she's the tigress and I her willful prey
Opening up the Gazette, coffee I incredulous sip and purposely hide my face
As my sweet flora strolls my way
And lands into her lover's arms
In a somewhere summer Paris afternoon café


text:
The Middle Miles
Posted On: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 - Chaconians
By Erik Schulte
I sat on the chalky pad in the gym at the base of the 20 foot wall in front of me. "This sucks! Are you sure this is only a V2?" I thought. It had been weeks since my last climb. Training for a 100 mile race takes up a lot of time, and thus I sat there struggling to make my way up this fake wall on what I was sure was not a V2. Years before my friends and I had decided to stop paying attention to the ratings and just enjoy the climbing, but like other parts of training the ratings still haunted me. So I continued to struggle, not making any real progress. What did it matter if I made it to the top of this route on the imitation rock? What does it matter if I run to the top of a mountain. In my own myopic world of training, and or personal goals it is everything, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter. No one cares except maybe my Mom. The mountains don't care, the trees don't care, the bears certainly don't care, and if I get to the top of whatever arbitrary place I've decided, and no one is there to see, what is the point? So I can take a selfie and post it on social media? The more "likes" the more real it is, right?


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|« Back to Article
Hidalgo sheriff says shooting 'spillover' from drug war
Deputy injured, Mexican national killed in violence.
By Lynn Brezosky
October 31, 2011
: Updated: November 4, 2011 10:25am
Photo By AP
Carlos Zavala walks back to his cell after his arraignment Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011 at the Hidalgo County Detention Center in Edinburg, Texas. Zavala was charged with three counts aggravated kidnapping and two counts of attempted capital murder for a total bond of $3.5 million.
EDINBURG — A border county sheriff on Monday linked a shootout that left a deputy seriously wounded and killed a Mexican national directly to a Gulf Cartel drug load dispute, calling it his jurisdiction's first indisputable case of spillover violence from the Mexican drug war.
"It started in Mexico, it had a violent confrontation in Mexico, that violent confrontation was spilled over here," Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said. "This is the very first one that we can actually say, yes, here it is. It has happened."
In this case, he said, the violence started with the September assassination of Samuel Flores Borrego, or "Metro-3" — described as second in command of the Gulf Cartel — which coincided with a stolen marijuana load and the dispatching of a team to find and recover the load in Texas.
The team found some of the drugs in a trailer home in Edinburg and apparently kidnapped someone at the home in attempt to find the rest of it.
The shootout occurred Sunday afternoon in a rural section of Edinburg, just north of McAllen, as deputies responded to the reported kidnapping.
When they stopped the brown Ford F-150 identified in the report, a passenger got out and opened fire at the deputies. The deputies shot back.
Deputy Hugo Rodriguez, 33, was shot twice in the chest and once in the abdomen, and his bulletproof vest is credited with saving his life. Doctors said the third bullet may have to remain lodged in the deputy's femur, Treviño said.
The deceased was identified as Daniel Gonzalez Perez of Rio Bravo, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from Hidalgo County. Records showed Gonzalez Perez is a known smuggler who has been deported from the United States three times.
Another man also was wounded but is expected to recover, Treviño said.
All of the men in custody, including the alleged kidnapping victim, were facing criminal charges including kidnapping, attempted capital murder, and drug and weapons possession, Treviño said.


text: Prev | Next Purchase this photo Mark Webb/The Herald-DispatchThe Oakwood Road Band performs as part of the Pullman Square Summer Concert Series on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Pullman Square in Huntington. Gallery: Mark Webb's photo review of 2012 Dec. 30, 2012 @ 04:51 PM MARK WEBB The Herald-Dispatch photographer Mark Webb takes a look back at 2012 with his best news photos of the year. ()


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Hip replacement attorneys Rhett McSweeney and David Langevin are providing free legal consultations to individuals and families harmed as a result of a "Metal-on-Metal" (MoM) hip replacement systems. 1-800-888-4425
Hip Replacement Failures Continue to Rise
"Metal-on-metal" hip replacements, specifically one implant made by a Johnson & Johnson Company called DePuy Orthopaedics, are causing problems within the first few years after replacement. The problem with metal-on-metal implants is that although the metal does not wear out quickly, they do create microscopic particles of metallic debris. This metallic debris can lead to soft-tissue and bone damage around the hip joint. In some patients, this tissue damage has been severe, causing permanent injury and requiring additional / revision surgery. Patients with metal-on-metal hip implants are much more likely to need additional, costly, and painful revision surgeries.
Patients with these metal-on-metal implants have also been found to have been diagnosed with metallosis. Metallosis is a build-up of metal debris in the soft tissue of the body.
Risks / Side Effects of Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Systems
- Severe pain, typically radiating into the groin and/or back
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Necrosis (death of body tissue)
- Bone and soft tissue damage
- Elevated cobalt or chromium levels in blood
- Implant loosening
- Lysis (destruction of dissolution of cells)
- Ostelysis
- Device failure
- Fluid collection and/or masses of tissues collecting around the joint
- Metallosis
- The need for additional revision surgeries (which may or may not be successful in correcting the problem)
Manufacturers of Metal on Metal and/or Defective Hip Replacement Systems
- Johnson & Johnson Hip Replacement Devices – ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System
- Stryker Rejuvenate and the Stryker ABG II
- Smith & Nephew R3 Acetabular
- Biomet M2A Magnum
- Zimmer Durom Cup
- Wright Medical Conserve and Profemur Z Hip System
Metal-on-Metal ("MoM") Hip Replacement System Recall / Litigation News and Updates
01/17/2013 FDA Safety Communication: Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
Did You or a Loved One Experience Any of The Above Symptoms or Injuries?
Please feel free to contact a hip replacement attorney using the form to the right or by dialing 1-800-888-4425. One of our experienced hip replacement lawyers will help evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights for free. Information provided by email or phone will be kept confidential.
Our defective hip attorneys handle cases throughout the entire United States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Our defective hip attorneys handle cases in the following cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Antonio, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Austin, Columbus, Fort Worth, Charlotte, Memphis, Baltimore, El Paso, Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Seattle, Nashville, Washington, Las Vegas, Portland, Louisville, Oklahoma City, Tucson, Atlanta, Albuquerque, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Mesa, Kansas City, Omaha, Cleveland, Virginia Beach, Miami, Oakland, Raleigh, Tulsa, Minneapolis / St. Paul, Colorado Springs, Honolulu, Arlington, Wichita, St. Louis, Tampa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Cincinnati, Bakersfield, Aurora, New Orleans, Lexington, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.


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Grilling is going strong in Tucson these days, especially after the direct rays of the sun disappear over the horizon in the late afternoon. Making a quick marinade for your meat dishes isn't difficult, and considering that you may have every intention to grill after sunset, your pork or chicken can repose in this marinade just about all day.
I find that pork chops have a tendency to be either tough or dry, or both if they are really badly cooked. Therefore, any way to keep them in better condition is a good idea; otherwise you might as well make a small pork roast and get a better dinner. I don't usually choose chicken breasts for grilling, either, or even for cooking although they are very trendy with the weight-loss set. I much prefer chicken thighs and they can't be beat if you want to go Middle Eastern and get your tagine out (I have one).
A member of the Cooking Club of America contributed this kind of universal marinade recipe to their recent magazine, Cooking Pleasures. Thanks to Tiffanie Dickenson for a real go-to item.
From Tiffanie Dickenson
Cooking Club of America
2 Tablespoons organic soy sauce
2 Tablespoons organic white wine or rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed organic lime juice
1 teaspoon packed organic brown sugar or honey
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 boneless pork chops or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Combine everything in a mixing bowl or an airtight plastic bag. Mix thoroughly, seal either with cling film or by closing the bag and placing it in the mixing bowl to guard against dripping.
When you are ready to grill, you can use the marinade for basting. Dispose of the marinade when you are through cooking; don't ever re-use marinade.
If you would like to modify this recipe for beef, use red-wine vinegar in place of white, and go with the brown sugar. Add 1 teaspoon of dried tarragon and thyme, and change over to black pepper. Overall, you are opting here for slightly stronger flavors to stand up to the taste of the beef. This will work for tenderloins, t-bone steaks and any meat that can be grilled and remain tender.
Don't overcook any meat on a grill; the best meat in the world can be ruined by burning and overcooking.


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Our expert Gareth Friel thinks St Mirren will beat Hearts in Sunday's Scottish Communities League Cup final.
Hearts go into Sunday's Scottish Communities League Cup final aiming to hold both national cup competitions at the same time for the first time in their history.
Having won the Scottish Cup back in May, the Jambos will create history if they can beat St Mirren at Hampden, an outcome that would provide some cheer in what has been a miserable season on and off the pitch for the Tynecastle club.
They sit third bottom of the SPL - just one point ahead of Saints but having played a game more - are currently managerless and have had, as has become par for the course, a host of financial troubles to contend with.
A lot of that would be forgotten for a few hours at least if Hearts managed to win another trophy. But it's hard to split theses two teams.
Little separates them in the league while the home side has been the victor when the sides have met.
Hearts are the odds-on favourites to lift the trophy but although they've taken four points from their last two games, can they really be trusted at such a short price?
They have Ryan Stevenson back from suspension and his experience will be vital but it's difficult to see where goals will come from. They don't have too much creativity in their ranks having lost the likes of David Templeton and Andy Driver this season while only Dundee have scored less goals in the SPL.
Saints produced a huge upset in the semi-finals with a 3-2 victory over Celtic and if they perform like they did that day then they will more than likely lift the cup.
The likes of Steven Thompson and Gary Teale have played at Hampden on numerous occasions while this is the stage Paul McGowan will be looking to shine on. He will be Saints' main hope of creativity and will surely relish the chance to make a big impression in front of the nation.
Danny Lennon's side are 19/10 to win the cup in 90 minutes and although it's not with any great confidence I'm tipping it, that price does seem a bit big given how little there is between the two.
Elsewhere, another big price stands out. As I've already mentioned, Paul McGowan is a key player for the Saints and could be the difference between the teams given how well matched they are.
He has five goals to his name for the season which makes him the club's joint-third top scorer despite only playing 18 games.
He netted in the win against Celtic and in an earlier round against Ayr and although he is as short at 11/4 to score at anytime with bet365, Coral make him an 11/2 shot which is well worth backing.
Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


text:
Thermo Blast Review
What You Should Know
Click Here To See Our Highest Rated Review
Thermo Blast is an herbal thermogenic product of Strength Systems USA, designed to burn fat and give energy.
The main active ingredients in the product include caffeine, which is a diuretic, and bitter orange extract, which can cause dizziness, headaches, and heart palpitations. The thermogenic solution stimulates the metabolism and produces body heat, with the intention of increasing energy and aiding in fat loss.
Though the main purpose of this supplement is to burn fat, the sites selling it have no statistics or testimonies to prove its effectiveness.
List of Ingredients
Sodium, Potassium, Niacin, Chromium (Chromium Polynicotinate), Taurine, Octopalean (Norsynephrine HCL/Octopamine HCL), Endurlac (Glucuronolactone), Nitrous Malate (Diarginine Malate), L-Tyrosine, Garcinia Cambogia, L-Carnitine, Caffeine Anhydrous, GuggulEZ100 (E&Z Guggulsterones), Bitter Orange Extract (Standardized For Tyramine, N-Methyl-Tyramine And Hordenine), Synephrine HCL, White Willow Bark Extract 12% (Standardized For Salicin), Forsthin (Coleus Forskolin).
Product Features
Thermo Blast comes in 4-oz. bottles, each making up one serving. The product typically has a fruit punch flavor. Generally individual 4-oz. containers sell between two and four dollars apiece. Recommended doses are no more than one bottle every six hours, and no more than two bottles per day. It contains as much caffeine in 4 oz. as do 2 cups of coffee.
Though most sites offer it in liquid form, Thermo Blast may also be bought in tablet form. Liquid servings make it easier to take doses, but tablets allow the customer to buy more quantity.
- Thermo Blast uses thermogenic compounds in its recipe.
- Many of the ingredients are natural and herbal, rather than artificial or synethetic.
- Tablets may alleviate intestinal gas and stomach upsets.
- There are no before or after pictures of users to prove its effectiveness.
- No money-back guarantee was offered with purchase of the product.
- The active ingredient caffeine, being a diuretic, could cause some discomfort.
- Too many stimulants can cause nervousness and sleeplessness.
- The product has very few online reviews to support it.
- Almost no websites selling the supplement emphasize the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise, which are both necessary to make this product work.
- Thermo Blast has many ingredients whose uses are not explained or apparent.
- It should not be used if one is pregnant or nursing.
Overall, Thermo Blast presents a fairly decent product for weight loss, but it fails to stand out from other thermogenic fat burners. As before mentioned, it has very little presence in online stores, and reviews are hard to find.
Though it claims to be a powerful supplement for weight loss and increasing one's metabolism, no studies could be found supporting these claims or comparing it to other similar products. The fruit flavoring certainly helps when taking the solution, but physical exercise and a balanced diet are necessary to seeing results.


text:
Below is the poem entitled Loving you which was written by poet
Smith. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Sophia Smith
My heart yearns to recapture what I have once had, a love that was once fresh and
grand for a man who I could not see but sense. An everlasting hunger for him only
he could satisfy, but he did not. All we had was a telepathic connection, a
connection that almost drove me mad. However, he rejected me ; thus, my head and
heart forgotten him, therefore, he no longer exist; consequently, rescuing me. Now,
he is back and wants me. I do not surrender nor do I resist my love and passion for
him. My love is stewing like molten lavas waiting to erupt. Only a matter of time, my
love would abundantly overflows, thus surrendering , once again, my heart and
head to him.


text:
Microsoft RDSH service grows ever more feature rich, Citrix XenApp is still a de facto standard although there are many RDSH tools available today. The goal for vendors is to make the delivery of applications and workspaces simple and efficient – in terms of time and resources. To integrate VDI and RDSH together and blend those with "traditional" solutions. As of today, VMware only VDI. RDSH would enhance the solution again and provide more direct competition to Citrix. Is PCoIP enough? How will Teradici's release integrate with View?
Tag Archive for PCoIP
Desktop Virtualization ...
Teradici to announce RDSH solution at VMworld San Francisco
• • 1 Comment
Teradici today pulled back the curtain on a major new initiative, pre-announcing plans to introduce a new Remote Desktop Services Host (RDSH) solution later this year. Signaling that it is no longer content to focus exclusively on its PC over IP remote display protocol, instead looking to broaden its outlook as a provider of end to end remote desktop services.
The cost of a VDI desktop dropped again last week with the release of a new low-cost thin clients that increasingly blur the boundaries between the cost of physical and virtual desktops, creating new opportunities for growth in a market segment that is struggling to reach more than 5% of enterprise desktops.
Business Agility ...
Desktone v5 angling to hook Service Providers from Citrix's FlexCast
• • 0 Comments
Desktone have architected a platform to allow resellers and service providers to deliver and support heterogeneous end user-environments. With a Desktone v5.0 platform, it is possible to deliver a hybrid desktop environment, manage multiple datacentres and utilise a set of APIs. For service providers and resellers alike, Desktone is offering a platform that can be managed and maintained with Linux based appliances and a single view of services that will be compelling.
After many months of delay, VMware has finally made some progress towards delivering a PC-over-IP View client for Mac OS X. Given VMware's constant affirmation that we are entering a post-PC world, it has been difficult to understand quite why VMware has failed to embrace the Apple Mac as fully as it might. The most visible aspect of this shortcoming has been VMware's failure to provide support for the Teradici PCoIP remote display protocol in its View client for OS X. VMware is finally taking steps to address this deficit by releasing a Tech Preview of its View Client with PCoIP for Mac OS X.
One of the reduced criticisms of View, and one of the most frequent weapons used against it, has been the relatively poor performance characteristics of PCoIP across high latency low bandwidth WAN connections. Until today, VMware has been following the standard line of denying there is a problem until you are able to solve it. Now, solution in hand Vittorio Viarengo, VMware's head of all things desktop (officially Vice President, End User Computing)is willing to share Gartner's perspective on View's strengths and weaknesses.
When VMware first announced that it was going to license Teradici's PCoIP protocol for inclusion in View 4.0, its most visible shortcoming was that VMware did not plan to update the View Security Server at the same time. Setting aside any debate as to the performance characteristics of PCoIP on the WAN, the lack of support for the View Security Server was a significant obstacle to widespread adoption of View in enterprise environments. So the inclusion of direct support for PCoIP tunneling through the View 4.6 Security Server comes as a most welcome update. Also included with View 4.6 are new USB enhancements, as well as support for Windows 7 SP1.
If your organisation has remote users – consider that the impact of centralisation on their desktop experience can be very different: and not always in a happy way. Citrix's ICA protocol has been joined by the likes of Quest's vWorkspace with EOP Xtream, or Ericom Blaze. There are a number of hardware solutions for WAN optimisation with the likes of Expand Networks focusing specifically on solutions to support VDI implementations. Don't allow poor network performance and user experience to sabotage your desktop virtualization project.
Read this post for a rich set of Desktop Virtualization White Papers, Desktop Virtualization Webinars, Desktop Virtualization Podcasts, and a complete set of VMware View 4 product brochures.


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
From whom does the Foundation accept donations?View Answer
The Foundation accepts donations from any donor (whether corporate, foundation or an individual) provided that acceptance of the donation would not threaten the integrity of the Foundation, the UN Global Compact Office or the initiative as a whole. In general, it is expected that contributors to the Foundation will be participants or other stakeholders of the Global Compact.
What are donated funds spent on?View Answer
Contributions are used to fund important activities of the Global Compact Office, such as events, publications and studies aimed at raising awareness of the UN Global Compact, its principles and how to implement them. Click here to see current funding priorities. To maximize the benefit that flows from donations, administrative costs are kept to a minimum.
What forms of payment are accepted?View Answer
Donations can be made by wire transfer, cheque or credit card in United States dollars.
Are in kind donations accepted?View Answer
Cash contributions are the standard method of donation. However, in kind contributions will be considered on a case by case basis.
Are contributions to the Foundation tax deductible?View Answer
Whether contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible will depend on the tax laws of your country. In many countries, contributions to charities, like the Foundation, are tax deductible as a business expense for companies. The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) organization.
If I donate, can I use the Global Compact logo?View Answer
Please see the Global Compact name and logo policy, which is unrelated to contributions to the Foundation.
If I donate, can I use the logo of the Foundation for the Global Compact?View Answer
Any use of the Foundation logo must be approved in advance by the Foundation. Please send any Foundation logo requests to: info @ globalcompactfoundation.org.
Where can I find out more information about the UN Global Compact?View Answer
Please visit: www.unglobalcompact.org. Questions about the initiative should be directed to Global Compact Office at globalcompact @ un.org.
What is the Foundation's relationship with the United Nations?View Answer
Please see Relationship with the United Nations
How is the UN Global Compact Office funded?View Answer
The UN Global Compact Office receives no funding from the regular budget of the United Nations. Salaries of its staff and its operating expenses are paid out of a trust fund into which governments make voluntary contributions on an annual basis. The Foundation has been established as a way to source funding from the private sector, including business, foundations and individuals, for events, publications, research and other activities to help raise awareness of the UN Global Compact, its ten principles and the ways of implementing them.
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The Foundation exists to support the work of the UN Global Compact Office and related activities. It does not accept unsolicited funding proposals or requests for funding.
What is the Foundation's Federal ID Number?View Answer
Our Federal Identification Number is 16-1756484. The IRS letter confirming our 501(c)(3) status is available for download.


text:
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Joel MeaseSpecial to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2008 More than 20 servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Costa Rica Sept. 23 to provide airlift support and partner with Costa Rican health officials for a medical readiness exercise Sept. 25-27 in two remote villages.
During the three-day exercise, medical professionals from the United States and Costa Rica are providing medical care to an estimated 2,000 patients.
Health officials with the Costa Rican government said the opportunity to work with U.S. servicemembers is very appealing to them.
"This was my first time working with the U.S., and I was very impressed with how organized they are to provide these services," said Luis Jimenez, a dental assistant with the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social. "It would have been very difficult for us to provide care to these areas without the (airlift JTF-Bravo) provided."
The terrain in some of the more remote areas of Costa Rica can make it extremely difficult to bring in medical supplies. In the village of La Pena, it might have taken anywhere between 12-14 hours by horse because there are no roads a truck could have taken, Jimenez said.
Because of the difficult terrain, the last time the village of La Pena was seen by a team of medical professionals was about five years ago, said Dr. Mario Lopez, JTF-Bravo liaison officer.
"The access JTF-Bravo provides with its airlift and medical supplies to people in need is just tremendous," Lopez said. "The support they can provide allows me to do what I love, which is helping people make their lives better."
Helping people in need and working with another government is what Jason Vargas, a Costa Rican. nurse, also enjoys about participating in these missions.
"It's very important to me to help these people out. They don't have many medical services, and it's not too often we are able to come out to help them," Mr. Vargas said. "The support (JTF-Bravo) provides is very helpful and allows us to provide care much faster than we would have."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Joel Mease works in the Joint Task Force-Bravo public affairs office).


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Extended fatigue endurance and high pre-load are achieved in a structural blind fastener by combining the best features of screw type and pull type blind fasteners. We replace fatigue critical details from the shear plane with close tolerance, slip fit, core bolt and outer bolt shanks to obtain the desired structural load paths while retaining anchoring features of screw type fasteners to introduce adequate pre-load. These fasteners are compatible with currently available blind bolt insertion tooling.
1. A method for stabilizing a shear plane in an aerospace structural lap joint assembly comprising at least two structural elements, each element having a widths, the elements being joined with at least one bolt, wherein the shear plane is defined by the combined widths of the elements and the interface of the two elements to extend the fatigue life of the joint because the at least one bolt has joint fatigue strength comparable to the fatigue strength of a conventional solid bolt, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) aligning corresponding bores in the two elements to define a bore hole crossing the shear plane having a drive side element and a blind side element;
(b) inserting a core bolt within a hollow portion of an outer bolt to form an outer bolt/core bolt combination in which the combination fills the hollow with a thread-free, detail-free, smooth interface in substantially the entire shear plane;
(c) from the drive side only, inserting the outer bolt and the core bolt combination into the bore hole to contact the walls of the bores with a smooth bolt surface free of threads or other details across substantially the entire shear plane, the outer bolt being stopped in position by a drive-side collar that has an outside diameter larger than the bore hole so that the drive-side collar seats against the drive side element; and
(d) from the drive side only, setting the core bolt on the blind side to clamp up the joint by drawing the core bolt toward the drive side within the outer bolt to compress an anchor sleeve around the core bolt on the blind side to cause the sleeve to buckle and to expand between a head of the core bolt and the blind side element while securing a core collar on the drive side against the drive-side collar of the outer hollow bolt by engaging threads on the core collar with corresponding threads on a threaded drive end of the core bolt to obtain a pre-load comparable to a solid shank bolt of at least 1,500 lbs according to MIL-STD 1312, TEST 16.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the outer bolt and bore hole have an interference of up to about 0.003 inches.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-load is at least 2500 lbs.
4. A blind structural bolt assembly comprising a bolt joining at least a drive side structural element and a blind side structural element to provide a lap joint having a fatigue strength comparable to a lap joint formed using a conventional solid bolt, each structural element having a width and the fatigue strength arising from removal of threads or other details commonly used in conventional blind fasteners in the shear plane defined by the combined widths of the structural elements and the interface at aligned bores on the abutting structural elements, the bolt assembly comprising:
(a) a hollow outer bolt having a smooth outer surface free from fatigue details in the shear plane to fit snugly within the aligned bores across the shear plane, a concentric longitudinal, smooth, central bore for receiving a core bolt, and a seating collar near one end for seating against the drive side element;
(b) a core bolt slip fit within the central bore of the outer bolt with a smooth shank to match the outer bolt in a close fit between the core bolt and the outer bolt in the shear plane so that the installed bolt is thread-free and detail-free across substantially the entire shear plane; and
(c) means for pre-loading the core bolt and outer bolt combination to achieve a fatigue strength for the blind structural bolt comparable to a conventional smooth solid shank bolt, the pre-loading means allowing driving the core bolt from only the drive side while creating a clamping fixture by expanding and bulging an anchor sleeve around the core bolt on the blind side to anchor the bolt against the blind side element to provide a pre-load of at least 2300 lbs according to MIL-STD-1312, test 16 so that the set bolt has an endurance at least comparable to a conventional, solid bolt of comparable size.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the pre-loading means includes mating threads on the core bolt and on a nut on the drive side that abuts the seating collar of the outer bolt when the bolt is set.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the anchor sleeve is slip fit on the core bolt, the core bolt having a tee head without an expanding sleeve, the tee head of the core bolt passing through the bores to the blind side, wherein the anchor sleeve buckles to protrude beyond the diameter of the bore between the tee head and the blind side element when the bolt is set.
7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the pre-load exceeds 4000 lbs.
8. A structural lap joint between at least two elements fastened with a blind side structural fastener assembly as defined in claim 4, the joint having sufficient pre-load to provide an average endurance for the joint of about 231,000 cycles.
9. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the core bolt and the outer bolt are steel or titanium.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Porvisional Application Ser. No. 60/006,250 entitled "Structural Blind Fastener," filed Nov. 7, 1995.
The present invention relates to a fastener for joining two or more elements in aerospace structure, and, more particularly to a structural blind fastener that can be manipulated on one side of the assembly to clamp up to a fatigue strength comparable to a solid bolt.
Conventional blind fasteners generally do not have the tension or shear capabilities achievable with conventional solid bolts because the blind fasteners include an internal screw, pull stem, or other detail in the shear plane to disturb the principal load carrying paths in shear or tension. Conventional solutions to achieve comparable shear and tension performance usually involve substituting exotic high strength materials, such as Inconel, for the titanium or steel alloys commonly used in fasteners for primary aerospace structure. These exotic materials introduce cost and weight penalties and may pose corrosion problems, and still have inferior fatigue endurance because of the internal threads or other features. The key factors in fatigue endurance are pre-load (clamp-up) and absence of fatiguable features in the shear plane. The clamp up force generates friction between the elements so that they resist movement. Some blind fasteners have removed details, like threads, from the shear plane, but, in doing so, have sacrificed pre-load capacity because they have removed any threaded portions from the fastener. Therefore, such blind fasteners also have inferior fatigue endurance.
The blind fastener industry today has two basic fastener types. With a screw type blind fastener, you achieve excellent pre-load using a buckling upset sleeve approach by turning a threaded core bolt in a drive nut. Fasteners of this screw type are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,858,479; 4,457,652; 4,579,491; 4,659,271; 4,772,167; 4,900,205; 4,919,577; 4,950,115; 4,967,463; 4,968,198; 5,066,169; and 5,238,342 which we incorporate by reference. In the screw type blind fastener, threads extend across the shear plane.
Pull type blind fasteners use a solid shank pin inside a hollow shank bolt. The shear plane may lack any fatigue critical details, like threads, but the conventional designs that rely on pulling force for pre-load provide inferior pre-load than achievable with screws or bolts. Pull type blind fasteners are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,089,247; 4,142,489; and 4,865,499 which we incorporate by reference. The absence of adequate pre-load means that the joint can move too easily along the axis of the core bolt and such a joint remains prone to fatigue.
Blind fasteners have found almost no acceptance in aerospace primary structural assemblies because of their inferior fatigue endurance. In previous attempts to reduce localized stress at the thread root, fastener manufacturers have tried to improve the thread detail in the bolt body to a sinusoidal profile or to increase the wall thickness of the outer bolt to reduce field stress at the thread root. These attempts failed to increase the fatigue endurance adequately. Therefore, there remains a need for a blind structural fastener that will provide fatigue endurance comparable to a conventional bolt. The need is magnified by automated assembly processes that would greatly benefit from the ability to set fasteners with access to only one side. The present invention describes such a structural blind fastener.
The structural blind fastener of the present invention achieves comparable or better fatigue endurance to conventional aerospace bolts by combining (1) a well-controlled pre-load of high magnitude comparable to the pre-load obtainable with screw type blind fasteners with (2) elimination of fatigue critical details from the shear plane. The present fasteners permit the automated assembly of aerospace primary structure with access to only one side of the elements and with tremendous reduction in the average fastener insertion and setting time.
The present fastener removes fatigue critical details from the shear plane and replaces them with a combination of a smooth walled outer bolt and a sliding, smooth walled core bolt. The outer bolt fits snugly in the bore hole to within close tolerance while permitting slip fit insertion until a setting collar abuts the drive side element on the periphery surrounding the bore hole. The outer bolt is essentially a modified aircraft bolt having a bore drilled through the head and a taper cut onto the blind side end. The outer bolt can also be inserted into bores having interference with the bolt diameter using an impact action, such as a rivet set and gun.
The core bolt preferably is a smaller variant of an aircraft tension bolt received in the bore of the outer bolt with a close tolerance slip fit. The core bolt has a threaded portion on the drive side to allow a conventional high strength aircraft nut or collar to screw down on the drive side against the setting collar of the outer bolt to expand a setting or anchor sleeve carried on the core bolt on the back side to generate a controlled, high magnitude preload. The core bolt preferably slides in the outer bolt rather than turning. The sleeve preferably is a metal tube such as the one commonly used with the Monogram Composi-Lok® fastener. Of course, alternate designs to achieve the desired pre-load are available, including a traveling nut on the blind side. Critical in any design alternative, however, is the combination of a smooth bore through the shear plane with a screw type installation that permits high preload.
In one aspect then, the present invention relates to a method for achieving a blind structural fastener having adequate fatigue endurance for acceptance in aerospace primary structure. The method involves positioning a combination of a close tolerance slip fit outer bolt shank and inner sliding core bolt shank across the shear plane of abutting structural elements and applying adequate pre-load with blind side clamp up means (including mating threads outside the shear plane) to obtain the desired fatigue endurance. With the present invention, we can achieve fatigue endurance comparable to conventional aerospace bolts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a joint using a preferred blindside structural fastener of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a representative photomicrophraph illustrating fatigue cracking in threads of a prior art fastener after only 10,000 test cycles.
FIG. 3 is a bar chart of shear joints to failure showing the improved fatigue endurance of fasteners of the present invention compared with prior art blind fasteners test results.
FIG. 4 is another bar chart showing the extended fatigue endurance we measured for the fasteners of the present invention compared with prior art, screw type blind fasteners and prior art, solid aircraft bolts.
FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation of our preferred core bolt.
FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a fastener design alternative using threaded portions on each end of the core bolt while eliminating threads in the shear plane.
FIG. 7 is another schematic sectional view of a fastener design alternative using post-insertion brazing to eliminate threads entirely from the fastener.
The structural blind fastener of the present invention combines the best features of screw type and pull type blind fasteners to produce a fastener having controlled pre-load of high magnitude and superior fatigue endurance. The static and joint fatigue performance is comparable to the performance of state-of-the-art solid shank bolts. To achieve these performance goals, the structural blind fastener of the present invention removes fatigue critical details, like threads, from the shear plane while retaining means comparable to bolts that permit similar pre-load. The structural blind fastener comprises:
(a) an outer hollow (sleeve) shank bolt sized for a close tolerance slip fit with the aligned bores in the assembled structural elements;
(b) an inner core bolt sized for a close tolerance slip fit in the bore of the hollow bolt;
(c) an anchor sleeve on the blind end of the core bolt for expanding when the fastener is set to anchor the blind side (or any other suitable alternative capable of providing the necessary pre-load); and
(d) a conventional self-locking, high strength, aircraft drive nut mating on matching threads at the drive end of the core bolt.
The drive nut turns to pull the core bolt inward from the back side to buckle or expand the anchor sleeve on the blind side while imposing the desired pre-load to the joint. Either protruding or countersunk fasteners are easy to prepare, as appropriate. In this preferred fastener the threads on the drive end of the core bolt are outside the shear plane and are removed from the high bending moment which characterizes aerospace structural joints.
We believe that a solid shank pin on the core bolt in combination with the hollow shank bolt sized for a close tolerance slip fit (or slight interference fit) with the bore produces the improved fatigue endurance. Our tests show that the structural blind fastener has comparable or better fatigue endurance than a conventional solid bolt, such as a Hi-Lok® shear bolt.
As shown in FIG. 1, two structural elements 10 and 12 are assembled in abutting fashion so that bores 14 and 16 align to define a bore hole having a drive side and a blind or back side. Typically the structural elements 10 and 12 may be components of an engine strut for a transport airplane where they would typically be aluminum or titanium alloy or an aluminum, titanium, steel combination. Typical assemblies include aluminum web to titanium spar chords or aluminum web to titanium understructure in strut upper spar assemblies or titanium skin to steel spar, titanium skin to titanium and aluminum understructure, or titanium skin to titanium upper spar chords in strut side skin assemblies, or similar applications. The bore hole is filled with a hollow outer bolt 20 and a core bolt 30 sized to fit snugly in the bore of the outer bolt 20 with a close tolerance slip fit. The smooth walls of the outer bolt and the core bolt in the portion aligned with the shear plane eliminate any fatigue critical details in the shear plane, so the fastener functions similarly to a solid shank bolt. The outer bolt is usually steel or titanium while the core bolt may be steel or titanium.
We can make the outer shank bolt 20 from a modified aircraft quality bolt of the proper dimension by cutting a taper 22 on the blind end of the outer bolt 20. Then, we bore a close tolerance hole 24 down the center of the outer bolt 20 to accommodate the core bolt 30. On the drive end, the outer bolt includes a seating collar 26 of dimension greater than the bore hole for retaining the outer bolt on the drive side and usually having wrench flats. The collar 26 in FIG. 1 is a protruding head, but a countersunk collar of conventional bolt design might readily be substituted, as those of ordinary skill will understand.
The core bolt 30 uses existing blind fastener technology. In the shear plane, the core bolt has a shank that is smooth (matching the bore of the outer bolt 20) and sized for a close tolerance slip fit. The blind end of the core bolt 30 has an enlarged "Tee" head 32 for retaining an anchor sleeve 40 during pull-up where the sleeve 40 buckles or expands to anchor the fastener with high pre-load. The buckled anchor sleeve 40 and "Tee" head 32 together functionally constitute the equivalent of a nut on the blind side. This preferred anchor assembly is comparable to the Monogram Composi-Lok® anchor. Accordingly, other anchoring means can be substituted while retaining the described function. For example, a traveling nut might mate with matching threads on the end of the core bolt to impart the buckling force on the anchor sleeve 40. The anchor sleeve 40 is sized so that it fits snugly around the core bolt 30 above the taper 22 of the shank bolt 20 to allow easy installation. During setting, the core bolt 30 usually does not rotate. Instead, it slides inwardly in the bore of the shank bolt 20.
On the drive end of the core bolt 30, threads 34 allow a drive nut 50 to pull the core bolt 30 through the bore of the shank bolt 20 to buckle the anchor sleeve 40 to set the fastener. We usually include a wrench flat 55 to hold the core bolt 30 against rotation when we turn the drive nut 50 so that we obtain the necessary pulling force to produce the desired pre-load. A necked-clown section 60 of the core bolt 30 allows us to break off the drive stem 70 by applying a torsional overload after bolt setting. The break usually occurs flush with the drive nut or slightly inside the nut. U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,271 describes such a drive stem.
During installation, we can hold the nut 50 motionless while turning the core bolt 30 or vice versa. If we drive the nut, after installation and twist off of the core bolt stem, we have the option of replacing the draw nut with a conventional self-locking aircraft nut. If we drive the core bolt, the draw nut can be a self-locking nut to start with, and we can leave it undisturbed.
We usually include a conventional insert tube between the core bolt shank and anchor sleeve to ensure that the anchor sleeve buckles outwardly properly.
Unlike conventional blind fasteners, we can easily remove our structural blind fastener by removing the drive nut, removing the core bolt (by pushing it to the blind side or by tapping, if necessary), and pulling the outer bolt. In many circumstances, the blind structural fastener elements may be reusable if a new anchor sleeve is used.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional threaded blind fastener with serious fatigue cracks following about 10,000 cycles in simulated lifetime testing. Cracks of the type shown are the primary reason that conventional blind fasteners are unacceptable for aerospace primary structural applications.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show fatigue endurance tests for structural blind fasteners of the present invention in comparison to prior art fasteners. The bar charts show significant fatigue endurance improvement. The test data in FIG. 3 are for screw type fasteners 91, 93, 95, and 97 compared with our fasteners 300. In these tests, we achieved superior performance, but never learned the limits of our fasteners since the coupons failed prior to the fasteners, as shown by the "(C)" above the bars. The test data in FIG. 4 are for a screw type blind fastener 100, a solid shank aircraft bolt 200, and our fasteners 300, respectively, in reversing loaded, double shear specimen tests in 2024-T351 aluminum plates at 12 ksi axial tension, R=-1 for nominal 0.25 inch diameter steel fasteners using a fastened coupon as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Our blind structural fastener uses proven technology to achieve adequate pre-load while minimizing shear plane compromise without increasing the likelihood of fatigue failures over competing conventional designs. As a bonus, the fastener is easily removed with most parts being reusable. Most important, the joint fatigue strength and fatigue endurance is comparable to a solid bolt.
Our structural blind fastener still functions properly when installed into undersized bores which result in up to about 0.003 inches of interference, because of the relatively thick outer wall of the outer shank bolt. Prior art fasteners struggle with undersized, interference bores of this type and they can only be used in limited circumstances and then, with relatively unpredictable installation reliability/confidence. Our structural blind fastener offers a synergistic design using a smooth bore, thick outer body that is undisturbed by interference fit applications. Screw-type fasteners usually bind because of their threads in such interference bores necessitating rework to redrill the bore. Our fastener also retains the pre-load clamp up features of screw type fasteners and removes all fatigue critical details from the working portion of the fastener (i.e., from the shear plane where loads are transferred). This unique combination provides structural performance and fatigue endurance comparable to solid shank aircraft bolts while retaining the installation and automation advantages of blind fasteners.
The fastener construction and alloys are otherwise in keeping with conventional designs and practices of the art as illustrated in the patents we earlier incorporated by reference.
Our fasteners function well with up to about 2° off-axis bores and with back side relief angles of up to 7 degrees.
The structural blind fastener is designed to match or exceed the performance of a shear head aircraft bolt. Accordingly, it should have a shear strength measured according to MIL-STD-1312, test 13, of at least about 95 ksi for a 0.25 inch fastener and a tension strength measured according to MIL-STD-1312, test 8, comparable to a shear Hi-Lok® bolt. We measure pre-load according to MIL-STD-1312, test 16, with a goal of 50% of Ftu of the core bolt capability. The minimum pre-load for 0.25 inch shear fasteners is 1500 lbs., but we prefer fasteners with pre-load exceeding 2500 lbs. Generally the pre-load for our structural blind fasteners is in the range of about 2300-2800 lbs. For 5/16 inch structural blind fasteners, our minimum pre-load is 2500 lbs and preferred pre-load is in excess of 4000 lbs. with a typical range of about 4100-4450 lbs.
FIGS. 3 and 4 graphically illustrate the test performance we have achieved with our structural blind fastener. In FIG. 3, we compare the joint strength of a test coupon for our fastener 300 (the far right column) against conventional and improved design Composi-Lok® blind fasteners 91, 93, 95, and 97. We achieved outstanding performance far exceeding the Composi-Loks®. Failure resulted from coupon cracking rather than fastener cracking, so our fastener performed as well as the test structure would allow.
In FIG. 4, we illustrate similar test results for our fastener 300 against a screw-type blind bolt 100 and a solid shank aircraft bolt 200. Our fasteners performed better than the aircraft bolts and had over twice the endurance before failure (and, preferably, 2.5 times the fatigue endurance) than the prior art blind fastener. The blind bolt 100 failed at about 94,000 cycles and inspection revealed numerous fastener cracks which would render the fasteners unacceptable in this primary structure application. The solid bolts 200 failed at about 185,000 from coupon failures. Our blind fasteners 300 lasted an average of 231,000 cycles with failures resulting from coupon failure rather than fastener cracking. We believe that our fasteners outperformed the bolts 200 because of higher clamp-up (pre-load) and outperformed the blind fasteners 100 because of both higher pre-load and elimination of fatigue critical details.
Our structural blind fastener performs other critical structural tests as well or better than conventional solid shank aircraft bolts including tests for tension fatigue, vibration, single lap shear, low load/high load joint fatigue, locking torque, and sheet pull-up (typically measured in accordance with the corresponding MIL-STD-1312 test). These outstanding structural characteristics make our blind fastener acceptable and attractive for automated assembly operations using conventional and available bolt insertion tooling. We can reduce fastener installation to about 25-33% of the time presently required for solid, two-piece bolt installations.
Our fastener also reduces assembly damage during installation because it eliminates blind side nut tools and improves mating surface contact through higher clamp-up forces (pre-load). With controlled installation torque, we reduce assembly variation from fastener to fastener. Our assembled products are better and cheaper to manufacture, although there is a slight weight penalty imposed with a blind fastener over a solid shank bolt.
As an optional approach, as shown in FIG. 6, the c(ore bolt 80 might include threads 82 and 84 only at the top and bottom to mate with matching threads on the outer bolt 86 outside the shear plane, as shown by reference 88. In this design, the core bolt 80 turns during installation (i.e., during fastener setting to expand the blind side anchor 40). While FIG. 6 shows threads at both the top (head) and bottom (blind end), other designs might limit the threaded portions to only the top or only the bottom rather than both while still leaving the shear plane free of threads or other fatigue critical details.
The alternative of FIG. 7 eliminates threads and substitutes brazing of the core bolt and outer bolt after the pull process to install the fastener. The smooth core bolt 100 slides within the smooth bore of the outer bolt 102. The core bolt-outer bolt interface is coated with a suitable braze alloy or solder 104, such as electroplated aluminum solder on a titanium core bolt or bronze braze alloy on a steel core bolt. Braze alloy 104a might also be used between the anchor sleeve 40 and core bolt adjacent the Tee head 32.
With the fastener installed and pulled up to the desired pre-load as shown in FIG. 7, we heat the fastener bolts to fuse the braze alloy/solder to diffuse the braze alloy into the adjacent surfaces of the core bolt 100 and outer bolt 102 to leave a solid shank. In the same way, brazing can occur between the core bolt 100 and anchor sleeve 40.
While we have described preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily recognize alterations, variations, and modifications which might be made without departing from the inventive concept. Therefore, interpret the claims liberally with the support of the full range of equivalents known to those of ordinary skill based upon this description. The examples are given to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit it. Accordingly, limit the claims only as necessary in view of the pertinent prior art.
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