text:
A fluorosilicone based polymeric material with a fluorinated methacrylate functional crosslinker and an internal wetting agent.
1. A composition formed by polymerizing a mixture comprising:
(a) 5 to 100 wt. parts polysiloxane containing fluorinated side chains represented by the general formula ##STR5## where A denotes a radical chosen from the group consisting of methacrylate or acrylate radicals,
where R1 and R2 independently denote alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenyl radicals,
where R3 and R4 independently denote radicals chosen from the group consisting of alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals or fluorinated alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and either R3 or R4 denotes a fluorinated alkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
and where m+n is at least 1, and n is at least 1;
(b) 5 to 80 wt. parts of a toughening agent; and
(c) 1 to 20 wt. parts of an internal wetting agent.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein A denotes a methacrylate radical.
3. The composition of claim 2 wherein either R3 or R4 is a fluorinated alkyl radical chosen from the group of radicals consisting of 3,3,3 trifluoropropyl, perfluoropropyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2 trifluoroethyl, perfluoroethyl, 4,4,4 trifluorobutyl, perfluorobutyl, 5,5,5 trifluoropentyl, perfluoropentyl, 6,6,6 trifluorohexyl and perfluorohexyl radicals.
4. The composition of claim 3 where R1 and R2 denote methyl radicals.
5. The composition of claim 4 wherein the ratio of n to the sum of m+n is between 2 and 100.
6. The composition of claim 5 wherein R4 denotes the fluorinated alkyl radical, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl and R3 denotes a methyl radical.
7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said toughening agent is a fluorinated methacrylate functional compound chosen from the group consisting of octafluoropentylmethacrylate, hexafluoroisopropylmethacrylate, and decylfluorododecylmethacrylate.
8. The composition of claim 7 wherein the fluorinated methacrylate functional is octafluoropentyl methacrylate.
9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the internal wetting agent is an oxazolone which can be represented by the general formula ##STR6## where R1 and R2 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical and R3 and R4 independently denote methyl or cyclohexyl radicals.
This invention relates to materials useful in gas-permeable biomedical devices such as contact lenses made from polymeric materials comprising activated unsaturated group end capped polysiloxanes with fluorinated side chains, toughening agents and internal wetting agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,641 discloses contact lenses made from polymers and copolymers comprising poly(organosiloxane) polymers and copolymers formed by free radically polymerizing a poly(organosiloxane) monomer terminally bonded through divalent hydrocarbon groups to polymerized, free radical polymerizably activated, unsaturated groups forming a polymer in a crosslinked network. Additionally, specific comonomers are disclosed which include lower esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, styryls and N-vinyl pyrrolidinone which may be copolymerized with the above-described poly(organosiloxane) to form a copolymer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,506 discloses soft contact lenses made from polymers and copolymers comprising polyparaffinsiloxane polymers and copolymers formed by polymerizing a polyparaffinsiloxane monomer alpha, omega terminally bonded through divalent hydrocarbon groups to polymerized, free radical polymerizably activated, unsaturated groups forming a polymer in a crosslinked network. Additionally, specific comonomers are disclosed which include lower esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, styryls and N-vinyl pyrrolidinone which may be copolymerized with the above-described polyparaffinsiloxane monomer to form a copolymer. The instant invention preferred polysiloxane monomers include the same polyparaffinsiloxane monomers described above. U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,772 discloses polysiloxanyl alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids and its copolymerization with alkyl esters of acrylic, methacrylic acids and/or itaconate esters to produce highly permeable contact lens material. The copolymer preferably includes a crosslinking agent and hydrophilic monomer. Contact lenses manufactured from the material are easily machined and polished into hard or semi-hard contact lenses having excellent dimensional stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,383 discloses improved contact lens materials obtained from copolymers containing a siloxanyl alkyl ester vinyl monomer by exposing the materials to high energy radiation thereby reducing the amount of unreacted monomer and residual contaminants.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,203 discloses articles for biomedical applications made from a polymer formed by polymerizing (a) one or more polysiloxane monomers alpha, omega terminally bonded through divalent hydrocarbon groups to an activated, unsturated group with (b) a cycloalkyl modulus modifier, e.g. tertiary butylcyclohexyl methacrylate, menthyl acrylate or metylisopentyl cyclooctyl acrylate, and (c) a tear film stabilizer. The products are useful as hard contact lenses. U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,889 discloses the modulus modifier above can be tertiarybutyl styrene. U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,147 discloses the modulus modifier above can be a polycyclic acrylate or methacrylate such as isobornyl methacrylate, adamantyl acrylate or isopinocamphyl methacrylate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,622 discloses polymeric materials comprised of monomeric polysiloxanes end capped with activated unsaturated groups, a modulus modifier and small amounts of an internal wetting agent such as N-alkenoyltrialkylsilyl aminate.
The invention relates to polymeric materials particularly useful in biomedical devices including contact lenses. The polymeric compositions of the present invention are the product of copolymerizing a mixture comprising (a) 10 to 100 weight parts of activated unsaturated group end-capped polysiloxanes containing fluorinated side chains where said polysiloxane is represented by the general formula ##STR1##
where A denotes an activated unsaturated group,
where R1 denotes alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals, R2, R3 and R4 independently denote alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenylradicals, or fluorinated alkyl radicals with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and
where m+n is at least 1, and n is at least 1;
(b) 10 to 100 weight parts toughening agent, and
(c) 1 to 12 weight parts internal wetting agent.
The polymeric material may also include an optional crosslinking agent.
The activated unsaturated group end-capped polysiloxanes containing fluorinated side chains can be synthesized in several ways. For instance, mixtures of cyclopolysiloxanes with fluorinated side chains, cyclopolydimethylsiloxanes and 1,3-bis-(methacryloxybutyl)tetramethyldisiloxanes can be copolymerized. The relative amounts of the various components can be used to control the mole % of fluorinated side chains and the average molecular weight of polymer produced.
Alternately, linear polysiloxanes with fluorinated side chains can be equilibrated in the presence of an acid or a base with either cyclopolydimethylsiloxanes or linear polydimethylsiloxane to produce polymers which could then be end-capped with 1,3-bis(methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyldisiloxane or a similar disiloxane end-capper. Other methods could be used by those skilled in the art to synthesize the fluorinated polysiloxanes of the present invention.
The end-caps of the polymers used in the present invention besides being methacryl functional may also be end capped with any activated unsaturated group. The term "activated unsaturated group" refers to a group whih has a substituent which functions through resonance to increase the free radical stability or activity of the double bond, thereby facilitating free radical polymerization of the monomer. These activated unsaturated groups become polymerized to form a polymer with a crosslinked three-dimensional network. Preferably the activating groups present are such that the monomers lend themselves to polymerizing under mild conditions, such as ambient temperature. Preferred activating groups include: 2-cyanocryloxy, acrylonitryl, acryloaminido, acryloxy, methacryloxy, styryl and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-x-yl where x may be 3, 4 or 5. The most preferred activating groups are methacryloxy and acryloxy.
The second component of the polymer of this invention is a strengthing agent which improves the modulus property of the polysiloxane with a minimum reduction of the oxygen permeability property. For convenience, this function is referred to as a toughening agent. The toughening agent is selected from the group comprising tertiary butyl styrene, a fluorinated methacrylate toughening agent, a cycloalkyl toughening agent or a polycyclic toughening agent.
The cycloalkyl toughening agents are described and defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,203. These agents are a cycloalkyl acrylate or methacrylate of the formula ##STR2## wherein E is either hydrogen or methyl
D is branched or normal alkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 4 carbon atoms
Z is either hydrogen or methyl and
n is an integer from 3 to 8 and preferably from 4 to 6.
Illustrative of the foregoing cycloalkyl toughening agents are the following: Menthyl methacrylate, menthyl acrylate, tertiarybutylcyclohexyl methacrylate, isopropylcyclopentyl acrylate, tertiarypentylcycloheptyl methacrylate, tertiarybutylcyclohexyl acrylate, isohexylcyclopentyl acrylate and methylisopentyl cyclooctyl acrylate.
The polycyclic toughening agents are described and defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,147. These agents are a polycyclic acrylate or methacrylate selected from the group consisting of isobornyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, dicyclopentadienyl acrylate, dicyclopentadienyl methacrylate, adamantyl acrylate, adamantyl methacrylate isopinocamphyl acrylate and isopinocamphyl methacrylate.
Illustrative of the fluorinated methacrylate toughening agents are: octafluoropentylmethacrylate, trifluoromethylmethacrylate, pentafluoroethyl methacrylate, and the like.
The toughening agent is present in an amount from 90 to 10 parts by weight per 10 to 90 parts by weight of the above-described polysiloxane monomers. In each event, the total parts of modifier and polysiloxane present are 100 parts. More preferably the modifier is present in the amount of 70 to 10 parts, more preferably yet the modifier is 45 to 15 parts.
The relative hardness (or softness) of the polymer of this invention can be varied by the amount of modulus modifier employed. Further small changes in the relative hardness can be obtained by decreasing or increasing the molecular weight of the monomeric polysiloxane endcapped with the activated, unsaturated groups. As the ratio of siloxane units to endcap units increases, the softness of the material increases. Conversely, as this ratio decreases, the rigidity and hardness of the material increases.
Internal wetting agents useful in the present invention include N-alkyenoyl trialkylsilyl aminates described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,622 represented by the general formula
CH2 =C(E)C(O)N(H)CH(G)(CH2)m C(O)OSi(R)3
E is H or CH3,
G is (CH2)x C(O)OSi(R)3 or H,
R is CH3, C2 H5 or C3 H7,
m is an integer from 1 to 15,
x is an integer from 1 to 10, and
m+x is an integer from 1 to 15
hereinafter referred to as NATA. Acryloyl- and methacryloyl-, mono- and dicarboxylic amino acids, hereinafter NAA, impart desirable surface wetting characteristics to polysiloxane polymers, but precipitate out of siloxane monomer mixtures before polymerization is completed. NAA can be modified to form trialkylsilyl esters which are more readily incorporated into polysilocane polymers. The preferred NATAs are trimethylsilyl-N-methacryloylglutamate, triethylsilyl-N-methacryloylglutamate, trimethyl-N-methacryloyl-6-aminohexanoate, trimethylsilyl-N-methacryloyl-aminododecanoate, and bis-trimethylsilyl-N-methacryloyl aspartate.
The preferred internal wetting agents are oxazolones of the general formula ##STR3## where R1 and R2 independently denote H or CH3 ; and
R3 and R4 independently denote methyl or cyclohexylradicals.
These preferred internal wetting agents specifically include 2-isopropenyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-5-one (IPDMO), 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-5-one (VDMO), cyclohexane spiro-4'-(2'isopropenyl-2'-oxazol-5'-one) (IPCO), cyclohexane-spiro-4'-(2'-vinyl-2'-oxazol-5'-one) (VCO), and 2-(-1-propenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-oxazol-5-one (PDMO).
These preferred internal wetting agents have two important features which make them particularly desirable wetting agents: (1) They are relatively non-polar and are compatible with the hydrophobic monomers (the polysiloxanes and the toughening agents), and (2) They are converted to highly polar amino acids on mild hydrolysis, which impart substantial wetting characteristics. When polymerized in the presence of the other components, a copolymer is formed. These internal wetting agents result through the carbon-carbon double bond with the endcaps of the polysiloxane monomers, and with the toughening agents to form copolymeric materials particularly useful in biomedical devices, especially contact lenses.
These oxazolones are prepared by the general reaction sequence ##STR4## The first step being a Shotten-Bauman acrylation of an amino acid. Upon completion of this step the polymerizable functionality is introduced by using either acryloyl or methacryloyl chloride.
The internal wetting agents may be present in the polymeric materials of the present invention in the range of 1 to 12 parts per 100 parts of toughening agent and polysiloxane.
The above polymer system may also contain from zero to 20 parts by weight, based on weight of polysiloxane and modulus modifier, of an auxiliary modifier. These auxiliary modifiers are reactive with the three components of this invention. Minor but often desirable changes of physical properties, e.g. tear strength and tensile strength, are obtained by the use of auxiliary modifiers.
Useful auxiliary modifiers include, but are not limited to, tertiary-butyl acrylate, polyethylene glycol acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol methacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinyl benzene, neopentylglycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate, polyvinyl alkyl benzenes, especially divinyl alkyl benzenes, e.g. divinyl toluene, 1,4-butane diglycol dimethacrylate and mixtures thereof. The foregoing polyethylene glycols will contain from 2 to 9 repeating ethylene glycol units. The most preferred polymeric materials employ ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as an auxiliary wetting agent.
The activated unsaturated end-capped polysiloxanes containing fluorinated side chains of the present invention are generally clear, colorless liquids, whose viscosity depends on the value of the sum of m plus n. To maintain viscosities which are useful, the degree of polymerization (m+n) should be within the range of 2 to about 100. These monomers can be readily cured to cast shapes by conventional methods, such as polymerization by free radical initiators. Illustrative of free radical initiators which can be employed are bis(isopropyl)peroxydicarbonate, azo-bisisobutyronitrile, acetyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, decanoyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, benzoin methyl ether, diethoxyacetophenone, tertiary butyl peroxypivalate and the like. The monomers are cured through the well known methods of heat and/or actinic light, depending on the nature of the catalyst.
The advantage of using the polymers of the instant invention are numerous. For example, (a) the advantages of using activated unsaturated terminal groups to cure the siloxane material are (a) the high reactivity systems permit rapid cure at or near room temperature if suitable initiators are used, (b) no fillers are needed to get useful physical strength as is common with most silicone resins in contact lenses. This is desirable since the use of fillers requires that other possibly undesirable materials be added to the composition in order to match the refractive index of the polymer to the filler.
Secondly, the contact lenses made from the polymer of the instant invention are oxygen permeable. A critical oxygen tension and flux under a lens should be about 10 mm Hg and 2 ml/(cm2 hr.) respectively below which corneal swelling occurs (Polse and Decker, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol. 18, p. 188, 1979). In order to meet these requirements, the lens material must have adequate oxygen permeability. When m in formula II and n in III above are at least about 2, the chain of siloxane is long enough in the instant compositions to exceed the oxygen requirements of the cornea. However, in specific situations m and n may be as low as 0 and still produce polymeric materials with significant oxygen permeability.
Additionally, these lenses are hydrolytically stable meaning that when the contact lenses are placed into an aqueous solution, e.g. on th eye, or during the disinfecting step, i.e. water plus heat, the lenses will not change in chemical composition, i.e. hydrolyze.
The most preferred contact lens of the instant invention is a fillerless, oxygen permeable, hydrolytically stable, wettable, biologically inert, transparent polymeric contact lens comprising a poly(organosiloxane) terminally bonded through a divalent hydrocarbon group to a polymerized activated, unsaturated group. These most preferred contact lenses have an oxygen permeability of at least 10×10-11 cm3 cm/(sec.cm2 mm Hg), are hydrolytically stable, biologically inert and transparent.
The polymers of this invention can be formed into contact lenses by the spincasting process as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,408,429 and 3,496,254 and by other conventional methods such as compression molding as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,085,459 and 4,197,266.
When the term "shaped article for use in biomedical applications" or "biomedical device" are used herein, it is meant that the materials disclosed herein above have physiochemical properties rendering them suitable for prolonged contact with living tissue, blood and the mucous membrane. These properties are required for biomedical shaped articles, such as surgical implants, blood dialysis devices and membranes intended to come in contact with body fluid outside of the body, e.g. membranes for didney dialysis and heart/lung machines and the like. It is known that blood, for example, is rapidly damaged in contact with artificial surfaces. The design of a synthetic surface which is antithrombogenic and nonhemolytic to blood is necessary for prostheses and devices used with blood. The instant polymers are compatible with living tissue.
The polymers disclosed herein can be boiled and/or autoclaved in water without being damaged whereby sterilization may be achieved. Thus, an article formed from the disclosed polymers may be used in surgery where an article compatible with living tissue or with the mucous membrane may be used.
The following examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the invention. All parts and percents referred to herein are on a weight basis, all viscosities measured at 25° C. unless otherwise specified and all temperatures are degrees Celsius.
1. Methacryloylation: In a 500 ml 3-neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermometer and an addition funnel, 51.5 grams (0.5 mole) of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aldrich) and 40 grams (1 mole) of NaOH were dissolved in ˜150 ml of H2 O. The reaction flask was cooled to 0°˜5° C. with MeOH-ice bath and 0.5 mole of methacrylate chloride (distilled, Aldrich) was added dropwise while the temperature of the reaction mixture kept below 0° C. After stirring for an additional hour, the reaction mixture was acidified with concentrated HCl to pH˜3 to precipitate out the intermediate, which was then filtered, washed with cold H2 O and air dried. Further drying was accomplished in vacuum oven at 80° C. overnight to obtain 44.9 grams (0.26 mole; 53%) n-methacryloyl-α-aminoisobutyric acid (MAIBA), which was suitable for IPDMO synthesis. m.p. 157°-159° C.
2. Cyclization; Synthesis of IPDMO: In a 500 ml dry 3-neck round bottom flash, 0.26 mole of MAIBA was dispersed in 300 ml of dry hexane and this was allowed to react with mechanical stirring by dropwise addition of triethylamine (0.52 mole) while the temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained at 45°˜50° C. During the addition, the copious evolution of carbon dioxide and the formation of white precipitate of TEA-HCl were observed. The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional two hours. After cooling to room temperature, white precipitate was filtered off and hexane evaporated off yielding an oil. Pure IPDMO was obtained after two times of recrystallization in hexane at dry ice-acetone temperature. Yield was 29 grams (73%).
1. Acrylolation was achieved by adopting a procedure similar to step 1 of the synthesis of IPDMO except acryloyl chloride was used in place of methacryloyl chloride. The intermediete n-acryloyl-d-aminobutyric acid (AAIBA) was produced.
2. AAIBA was reacted with triethylamine in a fashion similar to step 2 of the synthesis of IPDMO to produce VDMO.
The synthetic method used to synthesize IPDMO was followed except d-aminobiscyclohexylformic acid was used in place of α-aminoisobutyric acid.
The synthetic method employed in the synthesis of VDMO was used except 1-amino-1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid was used in place of α-aminoisobutyric acid.
The method employed in the synthesis of VDMO was employed except crotonyl chloride was used in place of methacrylate chloride.
1,3,5-trimethyl, 1,3,5-trifluoropropylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and 1,3-Bis-(methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyldisiloxane is rapidly stirred upon the addition of trifluoromethane sulfonic acid for 24 hours. The mixture is charged with a 5 mole excess of sodium bicarbonate and reacted overnight, then diluted with CHCl3, dried over MgSO4, filtered and devolatilized. The polymer is washed with methanol.
This general method was used with various amounts of 1,3,5-trimethyl, 1,3,5-trifluoropropylcyclotrisiloxane (TPTMCPS), 1,3-Bis-(methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyldisiloxane (BMTMDS) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) to yield copolymers with varying degrees of fluoropropyl containing siloxane content.
The following weight parts of each component were used in the above general method to produce polymer with a degree of polymerization of about 100 possessing varying degrees of fluorination.
______________________________________Mole % trifluoropropyl- wt. wt. wt.methylsiloxane TFTMCPS OMCTS BMTMDS______________________________________65% 154 g 39 g 6.3 g40% 94 g 67 g 6.3 g25% 59 g 84 g 6.3 g18% 43 g 91 g 6.3 g12.5% 30 g 97.5 g 6.3 g______________________________________
1. Polydimethylsiloxane Based Materials
Methacrylate end capped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with an average degree of polymerization of about 180 was compounded with isobornylmethacrylate (IBOMA) and VDMO in the weight proportion of 85/5/5 (PDMS/IBOMA/VDMO). The mixture was stirred, a free radical initiator was added and polymerized by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The resultant polymeric material was characterized for modulus, tensile strength, elongation, oleic acid uptake, and oxygen permeability (DK). The material was purified by extraction with toluene and also the internal wetting agent (VDMO) was hydrolyzed in the polymeric material by boiling in buffered saline solution for 20 minutes. Both the toluene extracted sample and toluene extracted/hydrolyzed sample were characterized. The results of these tests are reported in Table 1.
TABLE 1______________________________________Polydimethylsiloxane Based Material Modulus Tensile Elonga- OleicMaterial (g/mm2) (g/mm2) tion% % DK______________________________________95/5/5 (PDMS/ 107 94 127 4.7 200IBOMA/VDMO)toluene extracted 521 142 35 4.4 200extracted/ 908 199 37 6.0 200hydrolyzed______________________________________
Various polymeric materials were made by reaching methacrylate end capped polydimethylsiloane with an average degree of polymerization of about 50 (M2 D50) with fluorinated toughening agent octafluoropentylmethacrylate (OFPMA), auxiliary toughening agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and VDMO. The various ratios of the components and the physical characteristics of the polymeric material produced by reaching the components is reported in Table 2.
TABLE 2______________________________________Polydimethylsiloxane Materials With Internal Wetting Agents %M2 D50 /OFPMA/ Modulus Tensile Elon- %EGDMA/VDMO (g/mm2) (g/mm2) gation Oleic DK______________________________________87/10/0/3 107 94 127 4.7 20075/20/2/3 521 142 35 4.4 20073/20/2/5 908 199 37 6.0 200______________________________________
These samples were soaked in buffered saline solutions for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days and recharacterized. The results of the hydrolysis are reported in Table 3.
TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________Hydrolysis of Polydimethylsiloxane MaterialsM2 D50 /OFPMA/ Modulus Tensile % %EGDMA/VDMO (g/mm2) (g/mm2) Elongation Oleic DK__________________________________________________________________________87/10/0/3 1 day 333 182 46 3.9 3 days 535 129 32 6.4 7 days 519 128 32 2.0 14 days 549 126 33 3.975/20/2/3 1 day 581 187 40 4.8 3 days 521 142 35 4.4 7 days 661 147 32 5.4 14 days 746 167 34 5.973/20/2/5 1 day 666 197 41 7.0 3 days 908 199 37 3.9 7 days 906 211 43 7.1 14 days 1,020 202 36 7.3__________________________________________________________________________
Methacrylate end-capped polysiloxanes with varying degrees of fluoropropyl side chains (fluorosiloxanes), prepared by the method of Example F, were reacted with various amounts of strengthening agent (IBOMA) and internal wetting agent (VDMO). Various weight ratio mixtures of the three components were made, polymerized by free radical polymerization, and characterized. The results are summarized in Table 4.
TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Fluorosilicone/ Fluorosilicone/ Modulus Tensile Elongation Oleic O2IBOMA/VDMO Mole % (g/mm2) (g/mm2) % % DK__________________________________________________________________________95/5/5 65 Mole % 81 45 80 3.1 70090/10/5 65 Mole % 122 104 106 5.8 55085/15/5 65 Mole % 273 197 99 10.1 31095/5/5 40 Mole % 90 52 89 5.1 1,20090/10/5 40 Mole % 116 87 107 8.5 1,00085/15/5 40 Mole % 245 201 130 12.0 25895/5/5 40 Mole % 85 41 68 5.6 --90/10/5 40 Mole % 115 78 93 8.9 --85/15/5 40 Mole % 308 163 101 13.1 --95/5/5 25 Mole % 118 56 66 7.2 --90/10/5 25 Mole % 153 83 80 10.2 --85/15/5 25 Mole % 390 192 104 14.1 --95/5/5 18 Mole % 112 55 74 7.9 --90/10/5 18 Mole % 158 110 109 18.0 --95/5/5 12.5 Mole % 139 60 57 10.9 --90/10/5 12.5 Mole % 179 76 62 14.4 --85/15/5 12.5 Mole % 333 122 70 11.5 --__________________________________________________________________________
The oleic acid measurements were based upon the weight of material which could be extracted using toluene from a sample which had been immersed in oleic acid for a fixed period of time.
A series of mixtures comprising polydimethysiloxane/polymethyltrifluoropropylsiloxane in varying mole ratios, octafluoropropylmethacrylate (OFPMA) and the internal wetting agent VDMO were made. These mixtures were then polymerized, the volatiles were removed from the reactive product, and then the product was characterized. The test results are reported in Table 5.
The samples were then placed in a buffered saline solution at 80° C. and hydrolyzed for 1, 3 and 5 days. The samples were recharacterized, the results of which are reported in Table 6.
TABLE 5______________________________________M2 D100 - (65 mole % trifluoropropyl)/OFPMA/VDMOSiloxane/ Ten- Elon-OFPMA/VDMO Modulus sile gation Oleic O2______________________________________80/20/5 65 Mole % 120 136 135 1.4 23460/40/5 65 Mole % 409 427 145 -0.2 20655/45/5 65 Mole % 712 400 136 0.7 24050/50/5 65 Mole % 1,571 563 153 0.7 18640/60/5 65 Mole % 7,630 730 135 1.2 10220/80/5 65 Mole % 27,200 983 91 0.9 4280/20/5 40 Mole % 127 89 102 1.5 34660/40/5 40 Mole % 224 248 120 1.1 --55/45/5 40 Mole % 709 535 125 1.0 26750/50/5 40 Mole % 1,593 698 150 0.9 19240/60/5 40 Mole % 15,000 725 177 1.0 6720/80/5 40 Mole % 34,400 1,030 62 0.9 3080/20/5 25 Mole % 126 65 81 2.7 --60/40/5 25 Mole % 475 380 109 1.8 --80/20/5 12.5 Mole % 148 104 97 3.4 --60/40/5 12.5 Mole % 544 453 106 2.3 --40/60/5 12.5 Mole % 2,509 742 133 1.8 --20/80/5 12.5 Mole % 10,760 887 142 1.3 --______________________________________
TABLE 6______________________________________Series III M2 D100 (65% mole % trifluoropropyl)/OFPMA/VDMO 80/20/X X = 1,3,5Parts VDMO Time Modulus Tensile Elongation______________________________________1 1 day 84 51 983 1 day 87 53 905 1 day 98 62 931 3 days 93 48 883 3 days 175 100 1085 3 days 281 126 1001 7 days 101 52 873 7 days 171 98 1085 7 days 205 118 1101 14 days 109 64 1063 14 days 169 113 1215 14 days 171 104 111______________________________________
Citas de patentes
Citada por
Eventos legales
Imagen original


text:
SNAP Blasts Report Blaming Priest Sex Abuse On 1960s Culture
Categories: Gettin' All Religious Up in Here
|The '60s made them do it!
Commissioned by the church, the 300-page study by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (viewable here) concludes that homosexuality, celibacy and an all-male priesthood did not cause the scandal. Instead the blame lies with deviant sexual and social mores of the 1960s and '70s that overwhelmed priests trained for the celibate life in the 1940s and '50s. Moreover, it was difficult for the church to screen predators through psychological test data, developmental and sexual history data, intelligence data, or experience in priesthood.
As you might expect, victims of abuse at the hands of priests did not respond kindly to yesterday's report. Specifically, here are four "fallacies" that SNAP's national director (and the St. Louis-based) David Clohessy had with the report:
The crisis is and was unforeseeable, the report claims, because child molesters don't have forked tongues or devil tails and can't be easily detected. Fair enough. But the report essentially dodges the crucial question: Why don't bishops quickly out and oust child molesting clerics the first time they sexually assault a child? (And why, then, if predators can't be spotted in advance, do bishops tout their alleged seminary "screening" processes as panaceas?)
If this document can't hold your attention for 300 pages, what will?
The crisis was long ago, the report claims, because the bishops say so. Never mind the fact that only a handful of five and ten year olds march down to the police station and promptly report their own victimization, so it's dreadfully misleading and dangerous to assume clergy sex crimes have gone down in recent years.
The crisis isn't all that bad, the report suggests, because many of the kids who are or were violated had experienced puberty. Never mind the fact that child sex crimes, no matter at what age, are always illegal, immoral and hurtful. So the hair-splitting between pedophiles and ephebophiles (a distinction that seems to matter to few other than bishops) is at best irrelevant and at worst distracting.
Most important, the crisis isn't the bishops' fault, the document implies. It was what the New York Times calls the "Blame Woodstock" defense. At best, this is naïve. At worst, it's deceptive. There are at least three reasons why it may appear to some that abuse 'peaked' in the '60s and '70s. The first is that victims during those years are old, strong, smart, healthy and desperate enough to finally be able to report their horrific pain. The second is that bishops are much more willing to disclose clergy sex crimes that are beyond the reach of the criminal and civil justice system than more recent clergy sex crimes that could result in prosecution and litigation and embarrassment. And bishops are more willing to acknowledge child felonies committed under their predecessors than themselves.
Sponsor Content

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Masterpieces of Medieval Art
written by James Robinson
British Museum Press | ISBN 9780714128139
Paperback – 320 pages
Member's price: $26.96
Usually ships within 2–11 business days.
The British Museum has one of the worlds finest collections of antiquities from medieval Europe, and this is the first fully illustrated guide to the highlights of the collection, now in paperback. In one beautiful volume are displayed 150 of the most important objects, including the most famous such as the Lewis chessmen, the Borradaile triptych, the St Eustace head reliquary, the Royal Gold Cup, the Royal Gittern and medieval court art from the palaces of Westminster and Clarendon as well as a selection of lesser known but equally impressive pieces. These remarkable treasures are placed in their historical context through an exploration of themes such as devotional art and pilgrimage, royal patronage and the arts of love, leisure and feasting, to provide a visually stunning insight into the artistic production of this critical period in Western history.
Similar items
Forest Phoenix
by Sam Banks, David Blair, David Lindenmayer, Lachlan McBurney
Annibale Carracci's Venus, Adonis and Cupid
by Maria Alvarez-Garcillan Morales, Ana Gonzalez Mozo, Andres Ubeda De Los Cobos
The Master of Flemalle and Rogier van der Weyden
by J. J. Gordon, Ursula Vorwerk
Creative Writing and Art History
by Catherine Grant, Patricia Rubin
Death in Florence
by Paul Strathern


text:
Success and Character and Parenting
In recent years, the word "success" has been batted around in parenting culture. This series of blog posts considers a number of views of what "success" might mean – and how that influences how we parent.
In prior blog posts, I've discussed typical benchmarks of success that we may (or may not) prioritize for our children, including academic, professional, and financial achievement. I've also highlighted alternate perspectives that argue for more balance in our goals, in order to make sure our kids are also happy and lead psychological fulfilling lives.
What's interesting is that these two orientations are not mutually exclusive and the idea of "balance" in fact supports success in the long run. It's worth revisiting the premise of Paul Tough's How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. The book suggests that, if we take a long-term view on child development, character traits are often critically important factors for fueling the pursuit of achievement across developmental stages. So if we want to nurture "success," we can't just focus on skill development, but also the development of character.
There is a good deal of research on the importance of resilience, optimism, and the like in development. We could add to the list the downside of stress and depression and anxiety. From the perspective of parenting, pushing kids relentlessly to pursue success (e.g., extreme pressure to get good grades or achieve in a sport) can backfire. But this doesn't mean you just let kids be and hope for the best. Focusing on fostering psychological investment in the process of working hard, having goals, and handling setbacks positions kids better for evolving the many skills they will need to chase after "success."
What career is your child destined for? Take our quiz and find out.
Also in this series:
Little Girl in Roller Skates Getting Back Up via Shutterstock.com
Add a Comment
Tags: academic achievement, grit, Health, Kids Health, optimism, resilience, Success | Categories: Behavior, Health, Must Read, Parenting, Red-Hot Parenting
Must Read
by Baby Sports Stars: Can A Toddler Be A Sports Prodigy? | Red-Hot Parenting
On March 13, 2014 at 6:45 am
[...] Success and Character [...]


text:
I didn't become a high-end watch lover because I decided my wrist was a great place to show off my money. In fact, I had very little money when I first became enamored with timepieces. A watch was and still is – in my opinion – above all a tool. It is a logical device designed to offer information and make life easier. My interest in high-end watches began as I realized that well-made tools (that ideally also work well) tend to be expensive. What I love about high-end watches is the superb level of quality and the tireless pursuit of perfection in each little detail – that you can find in the watches made by the world's best brands.
Despite having a tradition that is rooted in utilitarian logic, today's "fine timepieces" are pure luxury items. They are in fact designed to excel at costing a lot. For many companies that is a matter of pride: being able to claim that their product is "the most…, the best…, or the only…" Nevertheless, when the worlds of luxury goods and tools come together, ironies and confusions are a logical result. As a watch lover I'd like to point out five of the most ironic or simply amusing qualities that you'll find in the high-end watch world.
5. Water Resistance Ratings Are Usually Confusing
If your watch claims to be water resistant to 30 meters you can maybe get away with washing your hands as these are merely considered "splash resistant." 50 meters and perhaps a light dip in the pool is safe or taking it into the shower. 100 meters and watch companies claim that it is safe to go swimming in the ocean as long as you don't travel more than a few feet underwater. However, if your watch is water resistant to 200 or 300 meters, then it is probably safe to go diving with it. Don't forget that most of these water resistant ratings are under static conditions. Start splashing around and you're putting a lot more pressure on the seals.
The funny thing is that most people never go beyond 100 meters down in the water, and more amusing are the watches which are rated to 500, 1000, or even deeper. At those depths even if your watch survives, most humans will not.
4. Sorry, Did You Want Instructions?
Tools and instruments tend to come with instructions. Clothing and jewelry do not – presumably because they are rather self-explanatory in their nature. Watches fall somewhere in the middle with a few being supplied with excellent (at least useful) instruction manuals, but most coming without so much as a word on how to use your new wrist gadget. Seasoned watch lovers take this for granted as the knowledge on how to use one mechanical watch typically transcends to others, but that isn't always the case with exotic timepieces. Watchmakers seem to have taken too many cues from the fashion and jewelry world (probably because for years watches were mostly sold in jewelry stores) and often neglect to provide proper documentation to customers on how to use their watch. Watchmakers are inundated with inquiries about how to set the time, use a chronograph, why their mechanical watch stopped working after a weekend, or how to set a calendar.
Their response? Watchmakers tend to claim it is up to the retailer to educate consumers on how to use their new timepieces as well as properly size them (bracelet). Which no doubt makes perfect sense when people buy watches as gifts or want to refer to a guide book years down the road when they forget something. It isn't like brands have tech support call centers. So once again, watch lovers often turn to the internet as the omnipotent instruction manual for their high-end mechanical instruments.
3. People Rarely Use The Complications They Love
In watch terms, a "complication" is a function or feature a timepiece may have such as a chronograph, calendar, etc… Complications make mechanical movements more interesting, potentially useful, and well… complicated. These increase collector interest and the value of a watch, so in a lot of ways the more complications a watch has the better. That is all nice and good for investment-worthy timepieces that people only wear on occasion, but how useful are most horological complications when it comes to daily wear? Not all that useful it turns out.
In an article about the top five useless watch complications, I amusingly discussed how some of the most desirable watch complications are almost useless from a utility standpoint – at least when it comes to the daily lives of most people. The irony of course is that despite this measure of practicality, these complications, or watch features are highly sought after. Aside from a few features such as the time, date, chronograph (stopwatch), and perhaps a second timezone, most high-end watch complications remain mere static assurances that one's watch is worthy to sit on one's wrist.
- Page 1 / 2
- Continue


text:
This is the first in a series about lockpicking, and will highlight different lockpicking techniques and aspects of lockpicking culture.
Hackerspaces and makerspaces have played a role in revitalizing the do-it-yourself culture of communities. But the facilities don't just offer access to tools or materials – they also offer a place to learn new skills and participate in some unique competitions. Locksport, competitive lock picking, is a popular activity in hackerspaces around the world.
Lock pickers enjoy the sport because it is essentially puzzle solving. It takes precise skill and technique to open locks, and these have to be adapted using different materials and approaches. It's also become a form of open source security, because lock pickers make it a point to exploit security issues in locks to make communities safer and more aware of the weaknesses in locks on which many depend.
While the sport brings to mind images of thieves' dens, most lock pickers adhere to a strict code of ethics, many of which are highlighted in the famous Guide to Lockpicking. The guide was created by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987, and provides an overview of picking methods. Locksporters follow guidelines, including:
- Never pick a lock that isn't yours, unless you have complete permission from another person
- Don't pick locks in public
- Don't pick locks you depend on, such as locks on the front door of your house
- Don't pick locks with the intent to steal or cause damage
Lock picking communities and organizations, such as The Open Organisation of Lock Pickers (TOOOL) or Locksport International (L.I), don't tolerate members breaking these rules. L.I's ethics page states, "Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes."
Locksport is an inexpensive activity that requires few tools. There are certain laws about having lock picks on your person, so check what the laws are in your state or country before you carry lock picks around. It's also a good idea to invest in equipment as a group, so that you and other pickers can share picks, practice locks and other materials.
If you're learning how to pick locks on your own, here's some gear you'll need:
- A set of lock picks (I got my set from SouthOrd)
- Practice cylinders – 1 pin, 3 pin, and 5 pin
- Padlocks, different sizes for practice
- Combination locks, if you are going to learn shimming (which will be covered later in this series)
- Any other types of locks, unattached from doors, vehicles, furniture, etc. that can be used for practice. Visit SecuritySnobs.com for a list of lock types.
Recommended reading
Interested in getting started? Here are some essential texts to review before our first lesson.
MIT's Guide to Lock Picking (as mentioned above)
Greg Miller's Guide to Lock Picking for Beginners
Lock Picking 101 (helpful forums for novice or experienced lock pickers)
Locksport International's Guide to Lock Picking
A Guide to Picking Locks, #1 and #2 by Anonymous (hard-to-find, but offers unique perspectives on picking)
The Complete Guide to Lock Picking by Eddie the Wire
Check back later this week for an overview on how to make a shim for combination locks!


text:
Learn more about Baby Carrier in Basic Black - Size: Medium:
Manufacturer: Baby K'Tan
Mfg Part#: BKBC-BL-M
Sku: 208298808
Package Weight: 3.15 lbs
Batteries: Not Applicable
See more in Child Carriers
|Baby Carrier in Black - BKT1000: Features: -Ideal for Dads.-Material: 100pct Natural Cotton.-Carry babies 5-42 lbs.-8 positions including twins and preemie hold.-Innovative double-sling design.-Holds baby more securely than traditional slings.-Distributes weight on both shoulders.-With adjustable back support band.-Assists and promotes successful breastfeeding.-Second loop acts as nursing cover.-Soft, breathable, machine washable and dryer safe.-Easy to use and put on.-No Wrapping Involved- with no hardware. Includes: -Matching baby hat and sash with pocket included. Options: -Available sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large. Color/Finish: -Color: Basic Black.


text:
15 ways to celebrate Valentine's Day with your special someone this year
HUNTINGTON -- There may be 50 ways to leave your lover but there are also at least 15 great ways to treat your lover.
Sure, there are probably more but hey, these are the ones that are fit to print.
Here's a look at just a few great things to do with your sweetie this Valentine's Day weekend.
When Smokey sings
Groove into Valentine's Day weekend like an old soul record. It's Grammy legend, Motown king and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Smokey Robinson who will be killing it softly on stage at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Bring your honey out to hear Robinson, who chalked up such solo hits as "Just to See Her," and "Being With You," as well as his slew of hits with the Miracles and all of those Motown classics he wrote such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Get Ready" and "My Guy."
Tickets are $75 and $58. Tickets can be picked up at the Marshall Artists Series box office in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, by phone at 304-696-6656 or on ticketmaster.com.
Scoop it out
Get a "cool" gift with a ticket to the ice cream tasting that runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Wild Ramp at Heritage Station.
For $15 and $13 for Friends of the Market, folks will be able to taste 10 different flavors of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream; from the favorite Salty Caramel to the Dark Chocolate to the more interesting Yazoo Sue with Rosemary Bar Nuts.
Take a peek into the Jeni's Recipe book to make your favorite flavor into your favorite sundae. Pre-register by calling the store at 304-523-RAMP.
A great cave escape
Head to the hills of Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Ky., as nationally-traveling storyteller Bil Lepp, a five time champion of the West Virginia Liar's Contest, performs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 15-16.
Enjoy a buffet dinner with the show that begins Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Admission is $29.95 plus tax per person and includes dinner and show. The park is also offering a package that includes the dinner, show and an overnight stay in Lewis Caveland Lodge for just $120.95 plus tax for two people. Call 1-800-325-0059.
Bowl Her Over
Colonial Lanes, 626 W. 5th St., Huntington, has got nothing but love for you on Thursday, Feb. 14 as anyone who brings a date gets buy one get one free bowling on games.
For more info, call 304-697-7100.
By The Light of the Luminaries
Oh what a little moonlight will do, and hey, even if the moon is waning, Blackwater Falls State Park has got that covered on Friday, Feb. 15, as it is having a Luminaries Sweetheart Hike at the park in Davis, W.Va.
Bundle up and bring your sweetheart on a leisurely stroll along forest road 13 to Lindy Point trail in the soft light of dusk. Meet at the Sled Run Building to depart. The hike will follow the trail for about three miles. Following your luminaries, return to the Sled Run, enjoy the comforts of a cozy fire and hot chocolate. The hike is informal with a park naturalist available to answer questions. Pre-registration not required. For more information about Blackwater Falls State Park, visit online www.blackwaterfalls.com/special.htm or call 304-259-5216.
With A Main Dish of Harmony And Bowties
Don't be pitchy with your own crooning, leave it to the pros as members of the "ThunderTones" Barbershop Chorus will be delivering "Singing Valentines" Wednesday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 15.
The happy harmony of the Tones gets slathered on two love songs, and they deliver a gift and personalized card as well to any residence, workplace, or restaurant and is usually an unexpected surprise. The cost for the package is $50.
Proceeds support local music education programs. To place an order for a Singing Valentine or for additional information, call 304-302-NOTE.
That's What She Sang
The ThunderTones aren't the only ones in the singing business. The ladies group, The River Magic Chorus, which is part of the Sweet Adelines International, will be offering Singing Valentines on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 13 and 14.
In-person performances are available throughout the Tri-State. For $40, the recipient will receive two songs sung by a chorus quartet, a rose and a small gift. Telephone valentines are also available, sung live by a quartet, for $15. Anyone living anywhere in the U.S. can receive a telephone valentine.
Call 304-522-6506 or 606-836-4178 to order or email email@example.com.
With A Hunka, Hunka Burning Love
Don the poodle skirts and slick back the hair boys, Chief Logan Lodge turns back the clock on Friday, Feb. 15 as Elvis impersonator Wrenn Mangum is in the house for a '50s Elvis show and dinner.
Make reservations for a king or queen room for Friday or for Friday and Saturday; enjoy dinner at 6:30 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. on Friday evening. One-night package rate for two people is $115; two-night package for two people is $165. Overnight guests enjoy express breakfast for two.
For dinner and show only, the cost is $65 for two people. Reservations are required. For more information about Chief Logan Lodge and facilities, call 304-855-6100 or visit online www.chiefloganlodge.com.
Rally For Love
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, you can join with the local grassroots group of LGBT citizens and supporters who will rally again at the Cabell County courthouse during the second annual "Apply for Equality" event organized by Justin Murdock and fiancé William Glavaris along with straight ally, Raine Klover. They are preparing for a bigger and better presence for 2013.
The event will begin at 10 a.m., starting off with interfaith speakers and invocation, and run until 2 p.m. During this time, there will be a rally outside the courthouse where supporters of same sex marriage will display signs expressing their views and several short speeches supporting marriage equality will be made. At the same time, same sex couples will be entering the courthouse to apply for marriage licenses.
For more information, visit http://applyforequality.blogspot.com or email firstname.lastname@example.com .
Scratch That
The funky and fresh Bluegrass Kitchen, 1600 Washington St., E., Charleston, hosts "Scratch: A Valentine Show," that runs 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the intimate restaurant in the heart of downtown Charleston. Organizers call it an evening of tattoo 'love' with art, music, belly dancing, food, wine and surprises.
An Evening of Romance at the Paramount
Texas Roadhouse is teaming up with the Paramount Arts Center for "An Evening of Romance" on Feb. 14. The evening at the Paramount starts with dinner at 5:30 p.m. in a romantic setting with no waiting in line, followed by An Evening of Romance -- three romantic one-act plays. The cost is $100 per couple and includes dinner, wine/beer, dessert and the plays. Dinner will be provided by Texas Roadhouse and includes a choice of Prime Rib or Roasted Chicken, potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls and cheesecake as well as wine or beer. Seating is limited, so reserve at 606-324-3175. And if you have some little ones around the house, you can bring them along and get childcare services for an additional $15.
Rolling on the River
Take a roadtrip down the river to the Queen City where on the southern side of Cincinnati, (Newport, Ky.) BB Riverboats, the folks who do the annual summer cruises here on the Ohio River, have got you covered for a romantic evening cruise on Valentine's Day weekend.
They've got two dinner cruises at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 and 16. Enjoy live music, a buffet dinner and of course a wonderful ride on the river. Cost is $48 and $32 for children.
Go online at www.bbriverboats.com for more information. While you are in Cincy you might want to check out the Cincy Winter Beerfest. It runs Feb. 15-16 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown with more than 300 craft beers flowing.
On A Dinner/Theater Mission
Since 1991 the folks at First United Methodist Church, 1124 5th Ave., have raised money for missions with more than a little splash of style and staging.
This is the 21st annual First Church Dinner, a dinner theater that has raised more than $41,000 for mission trips that have ranged from Nicaraguan families and the city's homeless to "Sandy" relief and more.
This year's theme is a talent show revue that will run Feb. 14-16, at the church. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and show is at 8 p.m.
Dinner choice is between prime rib or glazed cornish hens with all the trimmings. Dinner plus show is $24 while children ages 12 under are $8. Show only (as space permits is $5). Babysitting available on request for all shows (advance notice required).
For reservations, call 304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576 or email firstname.lastname@example.com .
Lounge o' Love
Want to take in some smooth R&B sounds in a mature atmosphere? The Extraordinary Gentlemen have got you covered.
For the third year, they are putting on The Love Lounge, which starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Ramada Inn Limited Ballroom, 3094 16th St., Huntington. "Dinner hors d'oeuvre" will be served. There will be a cash bar. Dress attire suggested. Admission $10. VIP tables available with a bottle of wine, roses and candy included. VIP tables allow entry of six people. Raffle for special giveaways. Text EGLOUNGE to 72727. For more information, call 304-389-9899 or email email@example.com.
Couples Only On Stage
Real life married couple Steve and Jessica Sisson star in the stage play "The Fourposter," written by Janet de Hartog. "The Fourposter" is the first production of the French Art Colony's Riverby Theater Guild's 2013 Season. Remaining shows are 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Bob Evans Farm Event Barn in Rio Grande, Ohio. Tickets are $12 and include a dessert and drink at intermission. Reservations are requested. Call 740-446-3834 for more information.
I'm Loving Hating It
Not everybody's gung ho about the manufactured holiday. You can revel in that love/hate relationship with V-Day with "LOVE/HATE Valentine's Day," a special Third Eye Cabaret at The Charleston Cellar, 8 Capitol St., in Charleston, from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14. The event features Christopher Harris (lead singer of Qiet), Sierra Ferrell, The BrotherSisters and other performing songwriters and spoken word pieces on rejection, dejection, love and renewal. The evening is just as much suited to singular people who abhor Valentine's Day as cupid-y couples. Admission $3 at the door which includes fine snacks. A very limited number of tables for $20 per couple (or two friends or frenemies) include champagne, chocolate and a rose (with thorns). Stay tuned for details and guest lineup to http://facebook.com/thirdeyecabaret/ .
Follow H-D reporter Dave Lavender on Facebook or Twitter @DaveLavenderHD.


text:
Group Name:
Down But Not Out - Fabulous Despite Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
anywhere, MD 21207
Living fit despite chronic pain and fatigue.
I have a lot of weight to lose since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago. I was a very physically fit thirty-something with a 7-day-a-week gym habit. I've more energy and less pain now, but my weight has crept up from all that enforced inactivity, and I'm not nearly ready for the gym. Instead I'm trying to eat wisely (most) of the time, get in 10,000 steps a day using my trusty pedometer, and in general see how much I can do despite my limitations. If you've been there but you refuse to be benched, despite the major setbacks of fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome, you know exactly how I feel.
Last posted:
Wednesday, March 22, 2006, 12:27 PM
Other Info:
Anyone who is dealing with physical challenges--most especially pain and fatige--and wishes to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Members profiles:
- our sponsor -


text:
+ Fiction
Graphic Novel
Magical Realism
Media Tie-In
Science Fiction
+ Nonfiction
Arts and Entertainment
Biography and Memoir
Health and Medicine
Law and Crime
Local Interest
Science and Nature
Sports and Recreation
Beginning Reader
First Chapter Book
Picture Book
Author Interviews
In the News
Paula G.
Sarah Jane
A recent book to hit our children's nonfiction shelves features an arresting cover image: a familiar red octagonal stop sign shape with the unexpected imperative "Go." This also happens to be the title of renowned book cover designer Chip Kidd's volume for the younger set, Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design. The text for this highly creative book begins right on the inside cover, grabbing readers and plunging them headfirst into the influence of graphic design.
Go teaches as much by example as it does by narrative. Kidd takes the reader on a vibrant, visual field trip through the real world, where we make choices based on the design choices of others. A soda can label, baseball, remote control and a hand-lettered chalkboard are examples of everyday items that are influenced (and influencing) by design. A timeline takes us carefully through high points in the history of graphic design, with pithy comments relating to the accompanying illustrations. Did you know that the familiar smiling logo for the children's toy Colorforms is an example of the simplicity of Bauhaus?
Never preachy, never boring, Kidd is the best art teacher you've never had. He takes on subjects like scale, focus, image quality, color theory and positive and negative space, bringing them to life in a memorable way. A fascinating chapter on typography, including a history of 30 different fonts, is set in the fonts themselves. Content gets its due ("form follows function"), as does concept ("your idea of what to do"). A final section is devoted to design projects, inviting readers to put what they've learned to use. Kidd encourages readers to share their creations online.
Go is one of five nominees for The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, to be awarded by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, at the end of January 2014. This book is highly recommended for not only older children but also for teens and adults as well.
Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando is a new teen novel set during the summer between high school and college. Elizabeth and Lauren live on opposite ends of the country, so when they're paired as roommates for their first year of college at the University of California at Berkeley, they begin emailing to get to know one another and make plans for the fall.
Roomies begins in June, as Elizabeth sends her first email to Lauren immediately after receiving her housing information from Berkeley. Her enthusiasm surprises Lauren, who, after sharing a room at home with multiple younger siblings for most of her life, had been hoping for a single room. The girls continue to email throughout the summer, making plans and sharing personal details. At the same time, Elizabeth feels herself becoming disinterested with her friends at home and caught up in a new relationship with a seemingly perfect yet complicated guy. Meanwhile, Lauren is dealing with the idea of leaving her family behind as she heads off to college, as well as her feelings for her coworker, Keyon. As Elizabeth and Lauren help each other work through their respective problems, the two end up in a fight that puts their relationship as future roommates in jeopardy.
Roomies is a fun, realistic story that deals with many of the issues that arise for teens during the summer between high school and college. The mix of emails and prose makes for an interesting story that teens are sure to enjoy.
Check out Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora, a fresh rendition of the classic nursery song set in majestic Africa. The illustrations radiate in vibrant collages through the use of pencil shading, newspaper clippings, textile designs and watercolor. With all new animal sounds, you can find out along with your child what noises warthogs, springboks and dassies make. Perfect for preschool through second grade, this bright picture book's melody and theme are familiar enough to have children singing along while introducing lesser known animals to help broaden both their vocabulary and global cultural awareness. The glossary of animals in the back is a fun and informative feature, too.
Off to Market, written by Elizabeth Dale and illustrated by Erika Pal, tells the story of a drive to market on Joe's bus. While driving through a Ugandan town, Joe picks up a variety of community members such as women with baskets of fruit, a woman with two goats and an elderly nun. However, trouble begins when Joe's generosity causes him to overload the bus with passengers. It's up to the little boy Keb to save the day with heart, smarts and kindness.
In The Race for the Chinese Zodiac, Gabrielle Wang introduces the 12 animals who raced across a river in order to have a year named for them by the Jade Emperor. From the courageous tiger to the wise snake, each animal is exquisitely illustrated by Sally Rippin, who used Chinese painting techniques. This fanciful retelling shows the character traits each beast embodies as they brave the waters to claim a cherished spot. The descriptions of each zodiac animal, their years and their attributes make this an easy yet delightful way to introduce children to the Chinese zodiac.
Baltimore author Rafael Alvarez discusses his new book, Tales from the Holy Land, on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at the North Point Branch. The former reporter for The Baltimore Sun and writer for The Wire recently answered questions for Between the Covers about his latest collection of short stories on the magic of old Baltimore.
Q. Your new collection of short stories, Tales from the Holy Land, comes out this month. If you had to choose one story that epitomizes the gritty resolve of your hometown, what would it be?
A. "Junie Bug," in which a man spends his life digging in Leakin Park for the body of his father; and "The Sacred Heart of Ruthie," in which an orphan raised by the Oblate Sisters of Providence grows up to be a heart surgeon.
Q. This is your third collection of short fiction. What makes you favor short stories as your literary medium? How did this latest book come about?
A. I write fiction every day – about a half hour to an hour a day – in between the journalism and screenwriting I have to do to make a living. When I have enough for a new book I string them together and because I always use the same cast of "Holy Land" characters – Basilio, Grandpop, Nieves, Orlo and Leini, Miss Bonnie – it reads more like a novelized "mural" than stand alone short stories. [As a] side note, the 2013 Nobel Prize winner, Alice Munro, works exclusively in the short story genre.
Q. As a former reporter for The Baltimore Sun and former writer for the HBO cop drama, The Wire, you have witnessed a lot of Baltimore's heartbreak. How do you keep cynicism from overtaking your writing?
A. There are two, maybe three Baltimores within the city. I have lived in Baltimore for all of my 55 years – was educated here, raised my children here – and have never been the victim of a crime. I am thankful for that, but I'm not ignorant of how fortunate I am to have been born into the 1960s middle-class and not the entrenched underclass. I keep cynicism away from my art and my soul by means of hope, which I incorporate into both, by believing that the more you give away the more hopeful you become.
Q. Talk a little bit about your family background and its influence on your fiction writing.
A. The best answer to this question is found in the story The Fountain of Highlandtown, which won the 1994 Baltimore City Artscape fiction award and is included in Tales from the Holy Land. The story was my first real success in the world of fiction and, in many ways, is the provenance for all of the stories to come.
If losing weight and getting in shape top your New Year's resolutions, three new books will help you maximize success. One celebrity chef and two fitness superstars offer diverse plans which all share the foundations of healthy eating and exercise and promise an end result of melting pounds away.
Super Shred: The Big Results Diet by Dr. Ian Smith is a more concentrated program utilizing the principles and building blocks behind Smith's previous bestseller, Shred. Diet confusion, meal replacement, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day will keep metabolism stoked and reduce hunger pangs. This is the program for those looking to get lean fast or those who have had past success on other programs and need a quick refresher. Smith, a co-host of The Doctors, and medical contributor to the Rachael Ray Show, has a strong social media presence and stays connected with his Shredder Nation via Facebook and Twitter.
Celebrity New York chef Rocco DeSpirito offers a lifestyle plan for dieters to lose up to five pounds every five days in The Pound a Day Diet. This Mediterranean style program allows enjoyment of favorite foods while still losing weight. DeSpirito provides alternatives for weekday and weekend dining with healthy recipes for 28 days. He also shares alternatives for those with no time or inclination to cook. The menus are complemented by his 13-week exercise program which outlines calories lost during various exercises.
One of The Biggest Loser's trainers, Dolvett Quince, reveals his method of losing pounds fast without feeling deprived in The 3-1-2-1 Diet: Eat and Cheat Your Way to Weight Loss. Quince focuses on mental fitness so the physical transformation can follow. His clean eating plan must be adhered to for three days, but then it's cheat day! Pizza, ice cream or a glass of wine are all permissible indulgences and these cheat days help satisfy physical and psychological cravings while upping metabolism. Quince's detailed workout regime is all part of his straightforward plan which takes dieters from inception through maintenance.
In September of 1944, in the final year of World War II, a B-24 bomber piloted by Jack Arnett and carrying 10 servicemen plummeted into the western Pacific Ocean near the Micronesian islands of Palau. The wreckage of the plane disappeared, and the men were presumed dead though no bodies were found. Baltimore author Wil S. Hylton examines the quest of the man who worked to unravel the mystery of crash and the fate of the men on board in Vanished: The Sixty-Year Search for the Missing Men of World War II.
In 1993, middle-aged medical researcher Pat Scannon was a novice scuba diver, so when an invitation came to search for the underwater ruins of a sunken Japanese hospital ship supposedly laden with gold stolen during WWII, he was hesitant to accept. While diving on the trip, Scannon saw a wing of a different submerged American plane and became determined to answer the question of what happened to Arnett's aircraft and crew. He assumed that, due to the massive size of a B-24 bomber, he'd locate the crash site fairly quickly; instead, his detective work spanned more than 10 years.
Hylton documents the details of Scannon's research utilizing books, government documents, archival material and networking with veterans and military contacts. Yet, Vanished is far more than a paper trail. Particularly compelling are the parallel stories of Scannon, the crew members and their families who had been waiting for nearly 60 years for information about the fate of their loved ones. Vanished is a moving account of one man's determination to lay to rest with honor a forgotten crew of our country's airmen.
Dukes frequently appear as heroes in historical romances. These two new novels share that common plot element, but with their strong writing and fresh stories, they are far from clichéd. In Victoria Morgan's The Heart of a Duke, Lady Julia Chandler decides to take matters in her own hands to bring her long-time fiancé, the Duke of Bedford, to the altar. She is tired of being a laughingstock, so she finds him and kisses him, ready to push for a wedding and soon. There's just one problem: she mistakenly kisses his twin brother Daniel, who has just returned from 10 years in America. Daniel came home to find out who set the fire that nearly killed him after receiving a mysterious note from his late father's solicitor that read, "It is time. Come home and claim your destiny." Daniel doesn't want Julia to marry his brother, but his attention may put her in his enemy's crosshairs. Morgan is a talented new voice in historical romance.
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished, the third novel in RITA-winner Sarah MacLean's Rules of Scoundrels quartet, brings us the story of Temple, a duke marked by scandal. He's known as the Killer Duke because 12 years ago, he woke up covered in blood in the bed of his father's beautiful, young fiancée. Everyone presumed that he murdered her, though her body was never found. Now, a notorious fighter and co-owner of the infamous Fallen Angel gaming hell, Temple is stunned when Miss Mara Lowe, the woman he is believed to have murdered, shows up on his doorstep ready to bargain with him. If he forgives her brother's gambling debts, she will show herself in society, proving that he isn't a murderer. MacLean writes sexy historical romance with wit, warmth and a modern sensibility. The book ends with the revelation of a shocking secret about the identity of Chase, the fourth partner in the Fallen Angel. That secret will leave readers desperate to read the final novel in the series!
Soviet Russian cooking may conjure up images of boiled cabbage and overcooked potatoes, but Anya von Bremzen's fascinating food memoir Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing reveals a much more rich and flavorful history as it pertains to Soviet-era dishes. As von Bremzen, a food writer, muses in the prologue: "All happy food memories are alike; all unhappy food memories are unhappy after their own fashion." Following this sentiment, von Bremzen travels between past and present as she and her mother cook and recreate both the supreme and humble food concoctions relational to their homeland's state of being. There's the pre-Bolshevik Revolution richness where dishes boast complex flavors and labor-intensive preparation, the uniformity of Lenin's new Soviet model when blandness and simplicity prevailed, the starvation years of the Stalin- and World War II-eras which lay bare the "recipes" created solely for survival, and the "Thaw" of the 1950s and 1960s when food began to reappear but scarcity still ruled. In the book's final chapter, aptly titled "Putin on the Ritz," the author sees through a 21st century lens the Moscow life of her childhood in all its small pleasures and shortcomings.
Von Bremzen and her mother Larissa emigrated to the U.S. in 1974, but not before Anya had a chance to experience both the deprivations and the decadence of Soviet food distribution, depending on one's connections and/or status as nomenklatura (Communist party appointees). Von Bremzen's writing is at times dense yet always saturated with flavorful layers, much like the kulebiaka, or fish pie, which dominates much of the first chapter with tales of its preparation. At the end are recipes for some of the dishes discussed, one from each decade, so readers can experience firsthand a taste of history. Russophiles and foodies alike shouldn't miss this hidden gem which shows how a country's complex history and its food are intricately connected, and as a result become equally important to its cultural identity.
We don't expect very much from babies. They are supposed to be cute and cuddly but almost everything else has to be done for them. They can't walk, talk, eat without assistance or clean up after themselves. And when one does something ridiculous it's almost natural to say, "Oh, they don't know any better; they're just a baby." But what if, in some ways, they did know better? In his new book Just Babies: The Origins of Good and Evil, Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at Yale, would argue that they do.
Through his research at Yale and consulting the research of others, Bloom has found that even very small babies as young as three months have a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong, that they use to evaluate the people and the world around them. This sense, acquired at such a young age or perhaps even innate, can influence the moral development of a person through adulthood. But this nascent morality has its limits. Bloom describes how babies and young children are also less compassionate towards strangers and develop cultural biases that can lead to such negative behaviors as bigotry and indifference in the face of suffering.
Though his research is very new and his conclusions contain a fair bit of supposition, Bloom makes a very persuasive argument that our moral development and sense of justice is established at an astonishingly young age, and that it affects us throughout our lives. This is a great pick for those interested in evolutionary biology, psychology, childhood development or the study of ethics.
Do you enjoy a good mystery? Are you fascinated by science and technology? If you answered "yes," then Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith is definitely for you. This is the first book in a new series that follow 11-year-old siblings Nick and Tesla as they spend a summer in California with their quirky uncle Newt, an eccentric and somewhat absent-minded inventor.
The twins almost have free range of their uncle's lab in the basement of his home. They build a rocket out of PVC pipe and an empty soda bottle and some other odds and ends they find around the house. Something goes wrong on the rocket's maiden launch. Instead of just going up and back down, the rocket ends up in the yard of a spooky old house. But this is not just any spooky old house. This one is surrounded by a fence and guarded by dogs. Even worse, when the rocket didn't initially take off like they expected, Tesla got too close while checking a seal. The rocket took off with the necklace her parents had given her. Will they be able to retrieve the rocket and Tesla's necklace? Who's the mysterious girl in the creepy house's upstairs window? And why is a black SUV following them wherever they go?
This book is great for kids who have advanced past first chapter books. There are five illustrated experiments that show the reader – with the help of an adult, of course – how to make the gadgets that Nick and Tesla make in the story. A fast-paced adventure novel, Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab is sure to bring out your inner mad-scientist.
Baltimore County Public Library
Administrative Offices, 320 York Road | Towson, Maryland 21204-5179 USA
410-887-6100 | Contact Us / Ask a Question
All images from licensed sources or BCPL staff unless otherwise noted.
Files in PDF format can be accessed by using Adobe Reader. Download here.
All contents © 2015 BCPL. All rights reserved.


text:
Information Resource Center (IRC)
- Translation:
- Русский
General Information
The Information Resource Center (IRC) is an integral part of the Public Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan. The IRC offers information about American political, social, and cultural life. Researchers and professionals can visit the IRC and use the latest in reference collection and Internet technology to locate specific documents and find answers to questions about U.S. government and institutions, legislative developments, foreign and domestic policies, and social, economic, political, and security issues. Researchers and professionals who are unfamiliar with the new technology may learn how to use both Internet and CD-ROM technology at the IRC.
Reference Collection
The reference collection at the IRC consists of about 1,000 volumes including encyclopedias, atlases, handbooks, almanacs, and yearbooks. The IRC provides information on current events as well as biographical data, statistics, and bibliographic information on a wide range of subjects.
Electronic & Multimedia Resources
Members of the IRC can request access to eLibrary USA, an online library offering resources about learning English, American history and culture, health, business, and more. eLibraryUSA is free to use, and provides access to many online databases and encyclopedias including Encyclopedia Britannica, Gale Academic OneFile, Project Gutenberg, and Public Library of Science.
In addition to computers with free Internet access, Kindle e-readers and iPad tablets are available to IRC patrons. Each Kindle is pre-loaded with eBooks, and can be viewed at the IRC.
The IRC offers various programs to enrich patrons' knowledge of American culture, education, and the English language. Webchats with American higher education professionals on topics such as "Study in the US" are programmed regularly. The IRC also hosts English language discussion clubs. The IRC's staff is available to answer questions and assist patrons in accessing online and print resources.
Sign up for a discussion club here: http://goo.gl/zzFneq
The IRC in Astana is located at:
U.S. Embassy Astana
Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Avenue, No. 3.
Astana, Kazakhstan, 010010
Tel.: +7 7172 70-23-01
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Access to the IRC is by appointment only. In order to get into the IRC, you should bring your ID. Please note that you are not allowed to bring your cell phone in; you should leave it switched off in the Security's Main CAC of the Embassy.
2011 New Book Arrivals
Adobe Reader
Download Free
All downloadable documents on this page are provided in PDF format. To view PDFs you must have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may download a free version by clicking the link above.
Books Online Catalog
Librarian's page
U.S. Legislation
News From Washington
- Subscribe to a daily collection of U.S. policy issues, State Department briefing and White House briefing.


text:
Travel Guide Africa Central African Republic
© All Rights Reserved johnkivine
Located in, well, the centre of Africa, the Central African Republic (CAR) boasts many of the same attractions as its surrounding African nations, but presents them in a different way. Its national park and other parks are home to a vast variety of animals, as are its rainforests. The towns have that characteristic bustling African feel. What sets CAR apart is the low-key way the country has taken to displaying its assets. Tour operators are few. Instead, travellers are helpfully assisted by pygmies or other locals, who add a cultural dynamism which most tour operators can't match.
Like many of its surrounding African nations, however, CAR is home to much violence. Care should be taken, since foreigners are a particularly popular target amongst thieves and muggers.
Between about 1000 BC and 1000 AD, Adamawa-Eastern-speaking peoples spread eastward from Cameroon to Sudan and settled in most of the territory of the CAR. During the same period, a much smaller number of Bantu-speaking immigrants settled in Southwestern CAR and some Central Sudanic-speaking populations settled along the Oubangi.
Until the early 1800s, the peoples of the CAR lived beyond the expanding Islamic frontier in the Sudanic zone of Africa and thus had relatively little contact with Abrahamic religions or northern economies. During the first decades of the nineteenth century, however, Muslim traders began increasingly to penetrate the region of the CAR and to cultivate special relations with local leaders in order to facilitate their trade and settlement in the region.
European penetration of Central African territory began in the late nineteenth century during the so-called Scramble for Africa (c. 1875-1900). In 1889 the French established a post on the Ubangi River at Bangui, the future capital of Ubangi-Shari and the CAR. De Brazza then sent expeditions in 1890-91 up the Sangha River in what is now Southwestern CAR, up the center of the Ubangi basin toward Lake Chad, and eastward along the Ubangi River toward the Nile.
On 1 December 1958 the colony of Ubangi-Shari became an autonomous territory within the French Community and took the name Central African Republic. Over 50 years, and many presidents, unfair elections and military coups later, the country is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in Africa and few travellers visit the country, except for the southwestern corner which is (relatively) safe.
The Central African Republic is a landlocked nation within the interior of the African continent. It is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. The country lies between latitudes 2° and 11°N, and longitudes 14° and 28°E. Much of the country consists of flat, or rolling plateau savanna, typically about 500 metres above sea level, of which most of the northern half lies within the World Wildlife Fund's East Sudanian savanna ecoregion. As well as the Fertit Hills in the northeast of the Central African Republic, there are scattered hills in the southwest. To the northwest is the Yade Massif, a granite plateau with an altitude of 348 metres. At 622,941 square kilometres, the Central African Republic is the world's 45th-largest country. It is comparable in size to Ukraine, and is somewhat smaller than the U.S. state of Texas. Much of the southern border is formed by tributaries of the Congo River, with the Mbomou River in the east merging with the Uele River to form the Ubangi River. In the west, the Sangha River flows through part of the country. The eastern border lies along the edge of the Nile River watershed. It has been estimated that up to 8% of the country is covered by forest, with the densest parts in the south. The forest is highly diverse in nature and includes commercially important species of Ayous, Sapelli and Sipo. The deforestation rate is 0.4% per annum, and lumber poaching is commonplace. In the November 2008 issue of National Geographic, the Central African Republic was named the country least affected by light pollution.
The Central African Republic is made up of 14 administrative prefectures, 2 economic prefectures (Nana-Grébizi and Sangha-Mbaéré) and an autonomous commune (Bangui).
The administrative prefectures are
The Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park is one the Unesco World Heritage List but is also on their list of sites which are in danger. The park has a diverse wealth of flora and fauna and its vast savannahs are home to a wide variety of species, including black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, red-fronted gazelles, buffalo and even the rare wild dogs. There are also numerous types of waterfowl in the northern floodplains.
The Dzanga-Sangha National Park is located in the southwest of the Central African Republic on the border area with Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Unlike most of the country, the parks sees a steady influx of adventurous travellers, although numbers are no where near the parks in the east and south of the continent. You will definately see some fantastic wildlife here including lowland gorillas, elephants and lions. The Baka still live in this remote corner of Africa. Bayanga is the gateway to visit the park and is best reached by charter flight. There are several guesthouses and one lodge to stay in.
Southwest of Bangui is the village of M'Baïki. The village has a beautiful setting surrounded by rainforest and home to timber, coffee and tobacco plantations in the area. There are Pygmy settlements in the rainforests surrounding Mbaiki and about 10kilometres of M'Baïki is the village of Sabe, worth visiting for its ebony sculptures.
The Chutes de Boali are a 50 metres high chain of waterfalls and are most impressive during the late rainy season when months of rain has caused the normal trickle to end in a dramatic curtain of water. Unfortunately, much of the waterfalls flowing is controlled by a huge Chinese-built dam upriver, but they usually release some water on Sunday for the tourists. A dam shame again!
The Central African Republic has a hot and humid tropical climate year round, but with some differences between the north and the south.
In the north of the country, there is single rainy season from June to September and a long and warm to hot dry season from October to April. The total amount of rain is much less compared to the southern zones, averaging around 900 mm a year. Temperatures during the hot season (March - May) can reach well over 40 degrees Celcius during the days.
The southern parts of the country have a more equatorial climate, with rain throughout the year, with only a short relatively dry season from December to Feburary. Averaging around 1500 to 2000 mm of rain, most of the rain falls between June and October. Temperatures here are around 30 degrees Celsius during the day, 20 degrees at night year round.
Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF) near the capital Bangui is where all international planes arrive and depart. Destinations include Douala and Tripoli with Afriqiyah Airways, Paris with Air France, Brazzaville, Douala, Yaoundé with Cameroon Airlines and Brazzaville, Cotonou, Douala, N'Djamena with Toumaï Air Chad.
It's not advised to travel overland through the Central African Republic due to safety situations, but if you insist, you can use most crossings which are used by public transport or walking. Have your papers and insurance in order and expect long crossings, with bribes and hassling. Some roads might be impassable after heavy rains.
The Central African Republic is surrounded by countries which are not really safe to say the least. Crossings to and from Chad and Sudan are notorious. Crossings to the Republic of Congo and DRC (see below) are possible by boat but take quite a time. Crossings to and from Cameroon are relatively straightforward compared to this with trucks and buses from Bangui to Garoua-Boulaï, overnighting in Bouar. From Garoua-Boulaï, minibuses go to N'Gaoundal, and trains go from there to Yaoundé.
To Chad, the main crossing is at Sido, on the route to Sarh. Trucks go from Bangui to Kaga Bandoro, but from there only occasional trucks and minibuses go to Kabo (checkpoint here) and on to the border. Once in Chad, pick-ups go from Sido and Maro to Sarh.
Some borders with Sudan are closed (Darfur situation), but the usual route from Bangui to Juba, via Obo, might be open. The other much rougher route from Bangui to Nyala via Birao in the northeastern corner of CAR takes at least two weeks travel as traffic is scarce and roads are in an extremely bad condition. It's not the safest route to travel to and from CAR, so don't take your chances unless you know what you are doing.
There are river boats (Socatraf company) between Bangui and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo where the Congo River is met. Boats go once every two or three weeks, and only between June and November. It takes about a week. Barges serve the route as well but take about two weeks. They go every week though, are cheaper and less crowded.
Boats to Zongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo are usually off limits to foreign travellers.
Few domestic scheduled services exist, but sometimes there might be flights between Bangui and Berberati. Other plane travel will be mostly by chartered services, but note that safety regulations are by far not of the type we are used to in the west.
Several roads are tarred and in reasonable condition. Many other roads are gravel roads, some of which are actually in a good condition, sometimes even better than the tarred roads which are full of potholes. Some gravel roads and other secondary roads can be impassable after heavy rains, and only be passable with high clearance 4wd vehicles. Traffic drives on the right and you need an international driving permit to rent a car from several international and local companies in Bangui and the international airport.
Minibuses, trucks and pickups all travel the main roads between Bangui and the major cities and towns. They are overcrowded and uncomfortable but apart from some river travel, are the best way of getting around by public transport. They are cheap and a great way to get to know locals.
Ferries travel the waters from Bangui to several towns further up the Ubangui River.
All nationals need a visa. Check the nearest CAR Embassy for more information about the process and requirements.
See also Money matters
Central African Republic uses the CFA Franc as a currency. The CFA Franc is divided into 100 centimes. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 francs while banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 francs
The exchange range is fixed at aproximately 656 CFA Francs for one Euro.
In Central African Republic the Central African CFA Franc (XAF) is used which has the same vallue as the West African CFA Franc (XOF), but it's not possible to use both currencies in the same country.
Fourteen countries in Africa use this currency, eight in West Africa and six in Central Africa. The West African CFA Franc can only be used in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, while the Central African CFA Franc can only be used in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
French is the official business language, with Sango as the national language. There are over 60 other loocal languages spoken.
See also Travel Health
Proof that you had a yellow fever vaccination is required upon entering the Central African Republic. You have to have a cholera stamp (prove of the fact that you don't have that desease) when entering overland.
It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Central African Republic. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also both hepatitis A as well as typhoid would be recommended.
If you are staying longer than 3 months or have a particular risk (travelling by bike, handling of animals, visits to caves) you might consider a rabies vaccination. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as hepatitis B are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months. When staying longer than 6 months, vaccination against meningitis might be recommended, depending on your contact with other people.
Like most African countries south of the Sahara, Malaria is prevalent in the country. Don't underestimate this tropical disease and take precautions. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net.
Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.
See also Travel Safety
See also International Telephone Calls
The country calling code to the Central African Republic is: 236
To make an international call from , the code is: 00
as well as nigelpeaco (4%), Hien (1%)
Help contribute to this article to share the ad revenue.
We don't currently have any Travel Helpers for Central African Republic
This is version 19. Last edited at 11:38 on May 5, 13 by Utrecht. 18 articles link to this page.
Except where otherwise noted, content of this article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License


text:
Connecting Lawn Belt Together
In order to ensure that every connection is leak free you must follow a few important steps to make sure there's a tight seal between Lawn Belt and all it's fittings.
How the sprinkler system seals
Lawn Belt has a raised barb located near the end on every U, End, Converter and Coupler Fitting (see figure A). The raised barb creates a seal between the inside of the Lawn Belt and the fitting itself.
Additionally the clamp and collar halves are designed to apply equal pressure over the raised barb area in order to create a leak free connection.
Sliding Lawn Belt to end of fitting
Make sure to wrap the raised barb on the fitting with Teflon Tape before attaching it to Lawn Belt.
You may want to place a few drops of dish soap on the converter before sliding Lawn Belt over it .
Also it is a good idea to warm the Lawn Belt in the sun as well so the ends are more pliable (if rushed for time you can also use a hair dryer to warm the end of the Lawn Belt).
Push the Lawn Belt all the way to the end of the fitting (see Figure B).
Assembling the clamp and collar halves
Assemble your collar halves so they match the shape of the outside of Lawn Belt. If the collar halves are upside down you will notice a gap. After making sure the collar halves fit properly loosely tighten the clamp over them to hold the halves together (see figure D).
Positioning Collar Halves 1/8" away from end
Slide the collar halves so the are 1/8" away from the end of the fitting. This will center the clamp over the raised barbed.
Position the clamp so that screw is at the bottom of Lawn Belt (see figure C & D).
Tightening the clamp properly
Use a small 5/16" ratchet or open end wrench to tighten the clamp. A screwdriver will work but you may find that once Lawn Belt is in the ground, it will be easier for you to tighten or loosen connections using a wrench (see figure D).
Tighten the clamp until very snug but do not over tighten!
Attaching the sprinkler head to the End and U Fittings
Wrap the threads with Teflon Tape before screwing in the sprinkler head. Tighten the head until just snug, but again do not over-tighten.
Important Note: If using Rotor Heads simply turn 2-3 times until snug. Again, do not overtighten, you will only use about 1/3 of the threads available on the U and End fittings.
Figure A - raised barb
Figure B - Push Lawn Belt to end
Figure C - Clamp 1/8" away from end
Figure D - 5/16 socket wrench


text:
After the Adirondack Park Agency voted in October to correct a previously, bungled decision to classify both the lake water and lake bottom of Lows Lake as wilderness, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis decided to turn the other cheek.
During their September meeting, the APA Board of Commissioners had voted to classify the lands, waters and lake bottom of Lows Lake-Bog River Flow with a wilderness designation by a close 6-4 vote.
The ruling was intended to incorporate most of the waters and the lakebed of Lows Lake/Bog River Flow into the adjacent Five Ponds Wilderness Area. The remainder of the lake was to be classified Primitive, a less restrictive designation that nonetheless prohibits motorized uses.
Following an uproar from local government leaders, combined with the fact the tenure of one of the APA 's state designated commissioners term had expired, a revote was scheduled for the Agency's October meeting.
In the October revote, three of the state agency designees, including Betsy Lowe, DEC Region 5 director, reversed the decision with a 7-4 vote.
The reversal infuriated several environmental advocacy groups who felt the decision betrayed the facts. Almost immediately, there were rumblings of a potential lawsuit to preserve the protection of the park's "Finest Canoe Route."
In the most recent action concerning the Lows Lake classification process, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis sent a letter to Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth stating: "Effective immediately, the department will manage Lows Lake as a wilderness lake, subject only to existing riparian rights and the limited floatplane access recently provided for."
Under the threat of potential lawsuit, Commissioner Grannis wrote in the letter to Woodworth: "I am writing to reconfirm the department's commitment to establishing a wilderness canoe route through Lows Lake as called for in the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan."
(Continued on Next Page)
Prev Next
More like this story
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.


text:
Benson Place is located Northeast 96th Street between I-435 and Northeast Flintlock Road in the heart of the highly sought after Shoal Creek Valley. This mixed-use community will total 1,300 single family homes, townhomes and villas and provides residents with an abundance of amenities that include a community swimming pool, children's splash park, fishing lake, playground, ample green space and scenic nature trails. Residents enjoy living within close proximity to the Shoal Creek and Liberty shopping districts.
Aimee Miller 816.792.5748


text:
TOKYO (AP) A 111-year-old retired Japanese educator who enjoys poetry has been recognized as the worlds oldest living man.
Sakari Momoi received a certificate from Guinness World Records on Wednesday. He succeeds Alexander Imich of New York, who died in June at the age of 111 years, 164 days.
The worlds oldest living person is also Japanese: Misao Okawa, a 116-year-old woman from Osaka.
Momoi was born Feb. 5, 1903, in Fukushima prefecture, where he became a teacher. He moved to the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo, after World War II and was a high school principal there until retirement.
At the televised ceremony, Momoi wore a dark suit and silver tie, with his white hair neatly combed. He stood up from his wheelchair and moved to a chair next to it with little assistance.
Asked how he felt about the record, Momoi pushed his back upright and said he wants to live longer.
Say, another two years, he said.
Momoi said he enjoys reading books, especially Chinese poetry, and sometimes practices calligraphy.
He said there is no special trick for his longevity, but his caregivers said Momoi keeps early hours and eats healthy, according to NHK public television.
He has five children and lives at a nursing home in Tokyo.
Momoi is one of 54,000 centenarians in Japan. The country is the fastest aging in the world and has the highest average life expectancy 80.21 for men and 86.61 for women.
Japan recognizes oldest man at 111
Notice about comments:
Aiken Standard is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.